| Most area rivers remain low and mostly ice covered. The majority of lakes and ponds still have 12 inches covered with 1 to 3 inches of snow. Ice conditions can change rapidly with warmer temperatures. A cloudy weekend with highs in upper 20's and teens for lows. For fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. |
| Snow covering about 12 ice. Few anglers out. |
| Black Crappie - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a minnow in backwater or in areas with no current. |
| Yellow Perch - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a minnow in backwater. The bite is light so be ready to set the hook. |
| Bluegill - Fair: A small jig tipped with a waxworm under a bobber a few inches off the bottom doing well. |
| Northern Pike - Slow: Use a spoon or flashy jig in an off channel area to catch a pike. Set a tip-up out and sit quietly for a signal. |
This 63-mile stretch extends from the Minnesota state line to Nashua. There are several dams impounding water providing boat access to the river. Paddling and wading downstream of the dams are great activities that commonly yield nice catches of a variety of fish including Channel Catfish, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, and Walleye. The Charles City Whitewater course completed in early 2011 improved access for river users and provided passage for a variety of fish species. This stream is stocked each year with Northern Pike and Walleye fingerlings.(2021)
In nearly all cases, Iowa fish are safe to eat. Cleaning and/or preparing the meal causes most of the problems regarding taste or color of fish. Like all living creatures, fish are susceptible to diseases, parasites, and other naturally occurring conditions in the water. If you suspect your fish is affected by any of these conditions, do not eat it. Consider eating smaller and younger fish which usually have lower levels of contaminants than larger ones. Most contaminants accumulate in larger, older fish. For additional information, check out our resources for eating and cooking Iowa caught fish.
To learn more about fish tissue monitoring, visit our Fish Tissue Monitoring page .