Fish Iowa - Fishing Report - Search


This page includes current fishing reports by fisheries region and management district. Lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams are listed by name and county, and can be easily searched using the search-and-filter tool below. Explore by location name, fish species, and various amenities available at the location to help you find your next fishing adventure!

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Bellevue Management District (Mississippi River Region)

  • Contact Person: Dave Bierman - 563-580-0685
  • Comments: Water levels are falling across the district after all of the recent rains. Water temperatures have dropped into the mid to low 60s across the district. Water clarity is poor. Call your local bait shops for the most current information. Last updated on 09/24/2026
  • Water Temperature (°F): 64.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Water level is around 7 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and is falling. Water temperature has dropped into the low 60s. Water clarity is poor. Call your local DNR Fisheries office or local bait shops for the latest information. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Black Crappie - Status Unsure
Comment: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in backwater areas with woody structure. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Bluegill - Slow
Comment: Try a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber or a small jig in areas with woody structure in backwater areas or in marinas. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Channel Catfish - Status Unsure
Comment: Use dip baits or live bait in areas with woody structure like stump fields and brush piles in side channels or along current seams. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Largemouth Bass - Slow
Comment: Use spinnerbaits or in-line spinners along vegetation lines in backwater areas, or try pitching a jig into woody structure in deeper side channels. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Northern Pike - Status Unsure
Comment: Try large and flashy spinnerbaits or inline spinners along weedlines in backwater areas. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Sauger - Status Unsure
Comment: A few sauger have showed up in the tailwaters, but not in great numbers. Use a live bait rig. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Smallmouth Bass - Status Unsure
Comment: Throw inline spinners in rocky areas with some current/current breaks. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Walleye - Status Unsure
Comment: Try a three-way rig with live bait on the wing-dams. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Yellow Perch - Status Unsure
Comment: Look for the yellow perch bite to improve as water temperatures cool. Last updated on 09/10/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 63.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Water level is around 8.2 feet at the Bellevue tailwater and is falling. Water temperature has dropped into the low 60s. Water clarity is very poor. Call your local DNR Fisheries office or local bait shops for the latest information. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Black Crappie - Slow
Comment: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in backwater areas with woody structure. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Bluegill - Slow
Comment: Try a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber or a small jig in areas with woody structure in backwater areas or in marinas. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Channel Catfish - Status Unsure
Comment: Use dip baits or live bait in areas with woody structure like stump fields and brush piles in side channels or along current seams. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Freshwater Drum - Slow
Comment: Use a simple sinker and nightcrawler rig in areas with moderate current or in the tailwater. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Largemouth Bass - Status Unsure
Comment: Use spinnerbaits or in-line spinners along rock lines, or try pitching a jig into woody structure in deeper side channels. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Northern Pike - Status Unsure
Comment: Try large and flashy spinnerbaits or inline spinners along weedlines in backwater areas. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Sauger - Status Unsure
Comment: A few sauger have showed up in the tailwaters, but not in great numbers. Use a live bait rig. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Smallmouth Bass - Status Unsure
Comment: Throw inline spinners along rocky areas with some current/current breaks. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Walleye - Status Unsure
Comment: Try a three-way rig with live bait on the wing-dams. Last updated on 09/24/2026

White Bass - Status Unsure
Comment: Cast a white inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows, like along the main channel border. Some anglers have caught white bass in the tailwaters on one-eyes. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 64.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Water level is around 8.7 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and is falling. Water temperatures have dropped 10 degrees since last week. Water clarity is poor. Call your local bait shops for the most current information. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Bluegill - Status Unsure
Comment: Try a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber or a small jig in areas with woody structure along the edges of side channels or in backwater areas. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Channel Catfish - Status Unsure
Comment: Use dip baits or live bait in areas with woody structure like stump fields and brush piles in side channels or along current seams. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Walleye - Status Unsure
Comment: Try a three-way rig with live bait on the wing-dams. Last updated on 09/24/2026

White Crappie - Slow
Comment: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in side channel areas with woody structure. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 65.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Water level is around 7.1 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and is falling. Water temperature has dropped 10 degrees since last week. Call your local bait shops for the most current information. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Channel Catfish - Status Unsure
Comment: Use dip baits or live bait in areas with woody structure or along current breaks. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Freshwater Drum - Status Unsure
Comment: N/A

Walleye - Status Unsure
Comment: N/A


Fairport Management District (Mississippi River Region)

  • Contact Person: Adam Thiese - 563-263-5062
  • Comments: Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Tailwater stages have risen 6-8 feet this past week due to recent heavy rains. Water clarity is poor. Main channel water temperature is 65-66 degrees. Last updated on 09/23/2026
  • Water Temperature (°F): 65.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Tailwater stage has reached 11.29 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport with recent heavy rains. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage has crested and is forecast to fall over the weekend. River stage at Fairport is 12.01 feet and flood stage is 14 feet. . Last updated on 09/23/2026
Channel Catfish - Status Unsure
Comment: Try fishing for channel catfish on the upstream side of snags along the main channel and side channels or along the upstream side of the wing-dams. Use dip baits, nightcrawlers, or cut shad fished on the bottom. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Walleye - Slow
Comment: Walleye fishing is slow with the recent heavy rains and muddy water conditions. Try three-way rigs with half a nightcrawler or troll crankbaits on the wing-dams. We have not received any reports for tailwater fishing. . Last updated on 09/23/2026

White Crappie - Status Unsure
Comment: Try vertical jigging with minnows or floating minnows under a bobber around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels. . Last updated on 09/23/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 66.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Tailwater stage has reached 11.01 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. Tailwater stage is forecast to start to fall over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. The ramp at Big Timber is closed due to high water. The gates are out of the water at the dam. . Last updated on 09/23/2026
Channel Catfish - Status Unsure
Comment: Try fishing for channel catfish on the upstream side of snags along the main channel and side channels or along the upstream side of the wing-dams. Use dip baits, nightcrawlers, or cut shad fished on the bottom. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Walleye - Slow
Comment: Walleye fishing is slow with the high and muddy water conditions. Try three-way rigs with half a nightcrawler or troll crankbaits on the wing-dams. We have not received any reports for walleye fishing in the tailwaters. . Last updated on 09/23/2026

White Crappie - Status Unsure
Comment: Try vertical jigging with minnows or floating minnows under a bobber around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels. . Last updated on 09/23/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 65.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Tailwater stage has reached 13.87 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Tailwater stage is forecast to start to fall over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. River stage at Keithsburg is 13.38 feet. As of September 23, there is water over the parking lot at Toolsboro. The Hawkeye Dolbee ramp most likely has some water over it. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Channel Catfish - Status Unsure
Comment: Try fishing for channel catfish on the upstream side of snags along the main channel and side channels or along the upstream side of the wing-dams. Use dip baits, nightcrawlers, or cut shad fished on the bottom. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Walleye - Slow
Comment: Walleye fishing will be difficult with the high and muddy water conditions. Use three-way rigs with half a nightcrawler or troll crankbaits on the wing-dams. We have not received any tailwater walleye fishing reports. . Last updated on 09/23/2026

White Crappie - Status Unsure
Comment: Try vertical jigging with minnows or floating minnows under a bobber around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels. . Last updated on 09/23/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Tailwater stage has reached 9.65 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is forecast to reach 10.6 feet later this week. Flood stage is 10 feet. Tailwater stage is forecast to start to fall over the weekend. River stage is 14.52 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 527.26 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. The Tama Beach and Sullivan Slough boat ramps will most likely have water over them. . Last updated on 09/23/2026
Channel Catfish - Status Unsure
Comment: Try fishing for channel catfish on the upstream side of snags along the main channel and side channels or along the upstream side of the wing-dams. Use dip baits, nightcrawlers, or cut shad fished on the bottom. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Walleye - Status Unsure
Comment: Walleye fishing will be difficult with the high and muddy water conditions. Try three-way rigs with half a nightcrawler or troll crankbaits on the wing-dams. We have not received any tailwater fishing reports for walleyes. . Last updated on 09/23/2026

White Crappie - Status Unsure
Comment: Try vertical jigging with minnows or floating minnows under a bobber around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels. . Last updated on 09/23/2026


Guttenberg Management District (Mississippi River Region)

  • Contact Person: Karen Osterkamp - 563-252-1156
  • Comments: Upper Mississippi water levels remain extremely low and stable. Boaters should use caution due to low water conditions. Avoid backing your trailer in too far and dropping off the end of the ramp. Water clarity is slightly stained after recent rainfall. Temperature has dropped into the mid to upper 70s. Fish are actively feeding with slightly cooler water. Try fishing along wood or rock structure and edges of vegetation lines. Last updated on 09/10/2026
  • Water Temperature (°F): 79.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: River level is 7.9 feet at Lansing and is expected to remain stable over the next week. New Albin Army Road ramp improvements are complete and open. **Reminder: Crews are working on the Blackhawk Bridge at Lansing. Boaters should use caution in the construction zone. Please slow down for everyone's safety. Last updated on 09/10/2026
Yellow Perch - Good
Comment: Jig small lures or drop shot live bait along the weedlines in backwater lakes. Last updated on 09/10/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Water level remains stable at 612.1 feet below Lock and Dam 9, Lynxville. Boaters should use caution to not back off the end of boat ramps in low water. Water clarity is good. Look for fish in deeper water with moderate current. Last updated on 09/10/2026
Yellow Perch - Good
Comment: Jig small lures or drop shot live bait along the weedlines in backwater lakes. Last updated on 09/10/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Water level is 3.9 feet in Guttenberg Lock & Dam 10 tailwaters. Water clarity is slightly stained. Boaters should use caution in low water conditions. Look for fish in deeper water with moderate current. Last updated on 09/10/2026
Yellow Perch - Good
Comment: Jig small lures or drop shot live bait along the weedlines in backwater lakes. Last updated on 09/10/2026


Decorah Management District (Northeast Region)

  • Contact Person: Caleb Schnitzler - 563-382-8324
  • Comments: Highs in the 60s with lows in the 50s create mild, comfortable fishing weather. Rain possible throughout the weekend. Area rivers and streams remain high and muddy with a fast current. All trout streams were stocked this week. Visit a local lake or pond for a family fishing outing. Last updated on 09/24/2026
  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: Trout streams are running high with improved water clarity. Get out and find your next best spot to fish this fall. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Brook Trout - Slow
Comment: Brookies love to ambush land bugs from inside aquatic weed pockets. Aim for the 2-inch gap between the weed bed and the open current channel. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift. A large variety of terrestrial insects are hatching with the warmer weather. Matching the hatch is vital to success. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Brown Trout - Good
Comment: Late summer to early fall is prime time for fishing terrestrials. Land insects constantly get blown or knocked into clear, low-water streams. Drift terrestrial flies within inches of the grass line where trout sit waiting for land bugs to tumble in. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Rainbow Trout - Excellent
Comment: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating crickets, grasshoppers, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not recommended
  • Comments: Water levels are falling, but remain about 2 feet higher than normal for this time of year. Water clarity is poor. Water temperature is in the 60s. For more information, visit https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/05457700. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Black Crappie - Slow
Comment: Find crappie near snags in backwater areas. Try a small spinner or crankbait. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Channel Catfish - Good
Comment: Use worms, dead chubs or minnows under a bobber near the bottom. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Smallmouth Bass - Slow
Comment: Find smallmouth along rocky shorelines or limestone ledges as they move to deeper water. Try a variety of lures. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Walleye - Slow
Comment: Use a jig with a live minnow or nightcrawler in a deeper pool near the stream bottom. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: Trout streams are running high with improved water clarity. Get out and find your next best spot to fish this fall. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Brook Trout - Slow
Comment: Brookies love to ambush land bugs from inside aquatic weed pockets. Aim for the 2-inch gap between the weed bed and the open current channel. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift. A large variety of terrestrial insects are hatching with the warmer weather. Matching the hatch is vital to success. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Brown Trout - Good
Comment: Late summer to early fall is prime time for fishing terrestrials. Land insects constantly get blown or knocked into clear, low-water streams. Drift terrestrial flies within inches of the grass line where trout sit waiting for land bugs to tumble in. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Rainbow Trout - Excellent
Comment: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating crickets, grasshoppers, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: Trout streams are running high with improved water clarity. Get out and find your next best spot to fish this fall. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Brown Trout - Good
Comment: Late summer to early fall is prime time for fishing terrestrials. Land insects constantly get blown or knocked into clear, low-water streams. Drift terrestrial flies within inches of the grass line where trout sit waiting for land bugs to tumble in. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Rainbow Trout - Excellent
Comment: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating crickets, grasshoppers, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Water clarity is improving. Water temperature is in the 60s. The bite continues to improve as water temperatures fall. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Black Crappie - Good
Comment: Find crappie along weedlines. Try a small spinner or crankbait. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Bluegill - Fair
Comment: Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or very small piece of a nightcrawler along weedlines. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Channel Catfish - Fair
Comment: Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait under a bobber near the bottom. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Largemouth Bass - Fair
Comment: Toss a topwater lure along the edge of a plant bed or rocky shoreline. Keep tension on the line to prevent losing your lure. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Water clarity is improving to about 2 feet. Water temperature is in the 60s. The bite should improve as water temperatures fall. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Black Crappie - Good
Comment: Find crappie along weedlines. Try a small spinner or crankbait. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Bluegill - Good
Comment: Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or very small piece of a nightcrawler along weedlines. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Channel Catfish - Good
Comment: Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait under a bobber near the bottom. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Largemouth Bass - Good
Comment: Toss a topwater lure along the edge of a plant bed or rocky shoreline. Keep tension on the line to prevent lure loss. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Northern Pike - Slow
Comment: Pike hang in weedy areas stalking prey. Target weedlines with a spoon or hair jig to tease this feisty fish. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: Trout streams are running high with improved water clarity. Get out and find your next best spot to fish this fall. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Brown Trout - Good
Comment: Late summer to early fall is prime time for fishing terrestrials. Land insects constantly get blown or knocked into clear, low-water streams. Drift terrestrial flies within inches of the grass line where trout sit waiting for land bugs to tumble in. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Rainbow Trout - Excellent
Comment: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating crickets, grasshoppers, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not recommended
  • Comments: Water levels are falling, but remain about 2 feet higher than normal for this time of year. Water clarity is poor. Water temperature is in the 60s. For more information, visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-05411850. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Smallmouth Bass - Slow
Comment: Find smallmouth along rocky shorelines or limestone ledges as they move to deeper water. Try a variety of lures. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Walleye - Slow
Comment: Use a jig with a live minnow or nightcrawler in a deeper pool near the stream bottom. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not recommended
  • Comments: Water levels are falling, but remain about 2 feet higher than normal for this time of year. Water clarity is poor. Water temperature is in the 60s. For more information, visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/USGS-05387500. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Smallmouth Bass - Slow
Comment: Find smallmouth along rocky shorelines or limestone ledges as they move to deeper water. Try a variety of lures. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Walleye - Slow
Comment: Use a jig with a live minnow or nightcrawler in a deeper pool near the stream bottom. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not recommended
  • Comments: Water levels are falling, but remain about 2 feet higher than normal for this time of year. Water clarity is poor. Water temperature is in the 60s. . Last updated on 09/24/2026
Smallmouth Bass - Slow
Comment: Find smallmouth along rocky shorelines or limestone ledges as they move to deeper water. Try a variety of lures. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Walleye - Slow
Comment: Use a jig with a live minnow or nightcrawler in a deeper pool near the stream bottom. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: Trout streams are running high with improved water clarity. Get out and find your next best spot to fish this fall. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Brook Trout - Slow
Comment: Brookies love to ambush land bugs from inside aquatic weed pockets. Aim for the 2-inch gap between the weed bed and the open current channel. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift. A large variety of terrestrial insects are hatching with the warmer weather. Matching the hatch is vital to success. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Brown Trout - Good
Comment: Late summer to early fall is prime time for fishing terrestrials. Land insects constantly get blown or knocked into clear, low-water streams. Drift terrestrial flies within inches of the grass line where trout sit waiting for land bugs to tumble in. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Rainbow Trout - Excellent
Comment: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with a small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating crickets, grasshoppers, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies. Last updated on 09/24/2026


Manchester Management District (Northeast Region)

  • Contact Person: Dan Kirby - 563-927-3276
  • Comments: Most interior river water levels have stabilized and are beginning to recede after localized heavy rainfall events. Local area lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo have been slow for panfish and largemouth bass. Water temperatures are in the mid to lower 60s. Trout streams in Clayton, Dubuque, Delaware and Jackson counties are in good to excellent condition. Contact your local area bait and tackle shops for current and most up to date reports. Note: Dalton Pond in Jackson County will no longer be stocked with trout by the Iowa DNR and is closed to public fishing. Dalton Pond is private property that was under lease for public fishing and the lease was not renewed. Last updated on 09/23/2026
  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: Spring Branch Creek within Baileys Ford Park is in excellent condition. Last updated on 09/16/2026
Rainbow Trout - Good
Comment: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads. Last updated on 09/16/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: Trout streams in Jackson County took a beating with high water levels over the weekend. The Big Mill Wildlife Management area is popular amongst anglers for both rainbow and brown trout. Last updated on 09/23/2026
Brown Trout - Fair
Comment: Match the hatch with the upcoming forecast of warmer weather. Grasshopper patterns are a great choice for mid-day action. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Rainbow Trout - Good
Comment: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads. Last updated on 09/16/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: River levels continue to rise or are close to stabilizing in Black Hawk County and dropping in Bremer County. Last updated on 09/23/2026
There are no active fish reports for this location


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: Trout streams in Delaware County are in good to excellent condition. Last updated on 09/16/2026
Brown Trout - Good
Comment: Match the hatch with the upcoming warmer weather. Grasshoppers are abundant. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Rainbow Trout - Good
Comment: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads. Last updated on 09/16/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: Trout streams in Dubuque County took a beating with high water levels over the weekend. Call ahead to the nature center for any further information. Last updated on 09/23/2026
Brown Trout - Fair
Comment: Match the hatch with the upcoming warmer weather. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Rainbow Trout - Good
Comment: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads. Last updated on 09/16/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: Trout streams in Jackson County took a beating with high water levels over the weekend. . Last updated on 09/23/2026
Brown Trout - Good
Comment: Match the hatch with the upcoming warmer weather. Caddis are almost always a good choice; grasshoppers are abundant in stream corridors. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Rainbow Trout - Good
Comment: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads. Last updated on 09/16/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: Water levels on the Maquoketa River are falling. River conditions may be favorable for fishing by the upcoming weekend. Last updated on 09/23/2026
There are no active fish reports for this location


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: Trout streams in Delaware County are in good to excellent condition. Last updated on 09/16/2026
Brown Trout - Good
Comment: Try matching the hatch with the upcoming warmer weather. Last updated on 09/16/2026

Rainbow Trout - Good
Comment: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads. Last updated on 09/16/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: Water levels have crested on the Wapsipinicon River to 8.34 feet. Last updated on 09/23/2026
There are no active fish reports for this location


Black Hawk Management District (Northwest Region)

  • Contact Person: Ben Wallace - 712-657-2638
  • Comments: Water temperatures are in the mid 60s in the district. Last updated on 09/23/2026
  • Water Temperature (°F): 65.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Bluegill - Fair
Comment: Pick up bluegill from shore with a piece of crawler on a jig. Try along Ice House Point shoreline, the stone piers in Town Bay, and on the rock piles from boat. Most fish are 7-inches. Last updated on 09/21/2026

Channel Catfish - Fair
Comment: There is a good population of 17- to 20-inch catfish. Use cut bait or crawlers fished on or near the bottom from shore and around the rock piles in deeper habitat. . Last updated on 09/21/2026

Walleye - Slow
Comment: As water temperatures cool down, walleye will start feeding closer to shore. Throw a crankbait or a twister; you can also use live bait like a minnow or a leach under a bobber fished from shore during mornings or evenings. Last updated on 09/23/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 64.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Channel Catfish - Fair
Comment: Look for catfish around rocky shorelines and near the dredge cuts. Use cut bait, stink bait, or a crawler fished on the bottom. Last updated on 09/21/2026

Walleye - Slow
Comment: With water temperatures cooling down, look for more walleye action near shore as fish move in and start actively feeding. Try crankbaits, twisters, or a crawler or leach fished under a bobber. Last updated on 09/21/2026


Clear Lake Management District (Northwest Region)

  • Contact Person: Scott Grummer - 641-357-3517
  • Comments: Contact Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office for information on lakes and rivers in north central Iowa. Last updated on 08/27/2026
  • Water Temperature (°F): 63.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: The lake is 1 inch below crest. Water clarity is around 22 inches. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Black Crappie - Fair
Comment: N/A

Bluegill - Fair
Comment: N/A


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Any water west of the north boat ramp is a waterfowl refuge and is closed to all activity from Sept. 1st through the final day of the duck season. Signs across the lake mark this area. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Largemouth Bass - Fair
Comment: Use topwater and weedless baits. Target woody structure near shore. Last updated on 09/17/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: River level is 5.6 feet. Last updated on 09/24/2026
There are no active fish reports for this location


Spirit Lake Management District (Northwest Region)

  • Contact Person: Jed Siegwarth - 712-330-2542
  • Comments: Lake temperatures are in the mid-60s. The fishing bite is trending up. Water levels are at crest. Last updated on 09/24/2026
  • Water Temperature (°F): 65.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: The bass and panfish bite has been good. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Black Crappie - Good
Comment: Anglers have been able to target quality size fish. . Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 773.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
There are no active fish reports for this location


  • Water Temperature (°F): 70.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
There are no active fish reports for this location


  • Water Temperature (°F): 69.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: The perch bite has been good as water temperatures continue to fall. Anglers are catching good size fish. . Last updated on 09/24/2026
Walleye - Good
Comment: Trolling and livescope has worked well to target fish. . Last updated on 09/24/2026

Yellow Perch - Good
Comment: Anglers are catching perch in 6-12 feet of water. Jigs paired with wigglers works well. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 71.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Anglers have reported catching walleye and smallmouth trolling with crank baits off points. . Last updated on 09/17/2026
Bluegill - Good
Comment: The bluegill bite has been steady, with many fish upwards of 9-inches. . Last updated on 09/23/2026

Smallmouth Bass - Fair
Comment: N/A


Lake Darling Management District (Southeast Region)

  • Contact Person: Vance Polton - 319-694-2430
  • Comments: For more information on these lakes and ponds, call the Lake Darling Fisheries at 319-694-2430. Last updated on 03/04/2026
  • Water Temperature (°F): 76.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Black Crappie - Slow
Comment: Try vertical jigging with a minnow trailer or slip bobber and minnow in about 7 - 8 feet of water along and in the trees along the south side of the lake across from the campground fishing jetty and the kayak launch area. They are just waiting for Fall now. Last updated on 09/17/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: The Cedar by Conesville is just below moderate flood stage. It is forecast to start falling slowly tomorrow. Last updated on 09/23/2026
There are no active fish reports for this location


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: The Iowa at Wapello is near moderate flood stage and is forecast to start falling today. . Last updated on 09/23/2026
There are no active fish reports for this location


  • Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: With all the rain, try fishing the plunge pool below the upper marsh where it enters the lake. Last updated on 09/23/2026
Bluegill - Slow
Comment: Not much change from last week. Anglers are catching mostly smaller 6-inch bluegill vertically jigging over the mounds at the upper end and in the flooded timber along the old creek channel out from the campground boat ramp. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Largemouth Bass - Slow
Comment: Periods of decent bass fishing before the rain storms followed by slow fishing during the rains and afterwards. Last updated on 09/23/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Water levels went up again earlier this week with all the rain; didn't go over the top of the upper in-lake silt dam and sidewalk. The lake is brown tinted, but not muddy. . Last updated on 09/23/2026
Bluegill - Status Unsure
Comment: Bluegills are staying in deeper brush and rock piles in 10 feet of water. . Last updated on 09/23/2026

Largemouth Bass - Status Unsure
Comment: The bass moved back out off shore a little ways with the heavy rains. Toss jigs or bounce crankbaits off the tops of the rock piles in 6 to 8 feet of water. Last updated on 09/23/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 76.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: The lake came up with rains and is going over the overflow a decent amount. Last updated on 09/23/2026
Black Crappie - Fair
Comment: Not much has changed since last week. Crappies remain out over the fish habitat in 8 to 10 feet of water, just out from the steeper banks. Last updated on 09/23/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 73.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Water clarity didn't suffer too much with the extra water from the heavy rains. Lost Grove Lake has Eurasian Watermilfoil. Make sure to clean off your boat and trailer before leaving the parking lot area. Last updated on 09/23/2026
Bluegill - Fair
Comment: Expect bluegills to hang tight to the deeper water habitat until the weather settles down. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Largemouth Bass - Fair
Comment: Bass are staying active for more of the day with the nearly daily heavy cloud cover. Look for them along the edges of the weed beds and back in the flooded timber in 4 to 6 feet of water; they are content to stay there. Last updated on 09/23/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: The Skunk is at moderate flood stage and is starting to drop fairly quickly. Last updated on 09/23/2026
There are no active fish reports for this location


Macbride Management District (Southeast Region)

  • Contact Person: D. J. Vogeler or Chris Mack - 319-624-3615
  • Comments: N/A
  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Black Crappie - Slow
Comment: Fishing is difficult with the jump in water level; fish scatter to get out of the main channel flow. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Largemouth Bass - Fair
Comment: Anglers are catching fish in recently flooded willows and brush piles. Last updated on 09/24/2026

White Crappie - Slow
Comment: Fishing is difficult with the jump in water level; fish scatter to get out of the main channel flow. Last updated on 09/23/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Bluegill - Slow
Comment: Bite has slowed since the rain. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Channel Catfish - Good
Comment: Best bite is on the north end and near the spillway at dark. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Largemouth Bass - Good
Comment: Anglers are catching most fish on topwater. Last updated on 09/23/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Channel Catfish - Fair
Comment: Anglers are catching some nice fish using cut up gizzard shad for bait. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Walleye - Slow
Comment: Wiper anglers are catching a few fish. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair
Comment: Anglers are catching a few using soft plastics or shad in current seams. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
White Crappie - Fair
Comment: Fishing has been consistent, but some days are better than others. Use jigs with soft plastics or minnows around brush piles or suspended off to the side. Anglers are reporting fish up to 15-inches. . Last updated on 09/23/2026


Rathbun Management District (Southeast Region)

  • Contact Person: Rathbun Fish Hatchery personnel - 641-647-2406
  • Comments: N/A
  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Closed
  • Comments: Lake Keomah is refilling after a lake renovation last year. Some fish have been stocked for future angling. Last updated on 09/23/2026
There are no active fish reports for this location


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Bluegill - Fair
Comment: Try small jigs along the fishing jetties and around the submerged cedar tree piles. Last updated on 09/23/2026

Largemouth Bass - Slow
Comment: Use plastics or crankbaits around the cedar tree piles and along the rip-rapped shorelines. Last updated on 09/10/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Black Crappie - Slow
Comment: Target suspended crappies with small crankbaits or small jigs. Last updated on 09/10/2026

Bluegill - Slow
Comment: Try small jigs around openings in the vegetation or along the rip-rapped shorelines. Last updated on 09/10/2026

Largemouth Bass - Fair
Comment: Use crankbaits or plastics around the rock jetties and other rip-rapped shorelines. Last updated on 09/10/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Black Crappie - Slow
Comment: Target suspended crappies using jigs or small crankbaits. Last updated on 09/03/2026

Largemouth Bass - Fair
Comment: Try crankbaits and plastics along brush piles and rocky shorelines. Last updated on 09/10/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 71.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Lake level is 905.93 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before you go to another water body. Last updated on 09/23/2026
Black Crappie - Slow
Comment: Target suspended crappie with small crankbaits. Look for crappies to gather around brush piles and be closer to shore as the water cools. Last updated on 09/17/2026

Walleye - Slow
Comment: Troll crankbaits over rock piles or underwater islands. Use crankbaits that mimic gizzard shad. Last updated on 09/03/2026

Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Slow
Comment: Try vertically jigging over rock piles or trolling crankbaits. Watch for schools of gizzard shad; hybrid striped bass are probably following them. Last updated on 09/23/2026


Boone Management District (Southwest Region)

  • Contact Person: Andy Otting - 515-204-5885
  • Comments: Many Central Iowa Lakes have started to turn over. Look for fish in deeper habitat. Fall is good time to slowly troll small plastics or vertical jig plastics or minnows over habitat to catch crappies. Last updated on 09/24/2026
  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Black Crappie - Fair
Comment: Try trolling or jigging panfish plastics over roadbeds and brush piles in water less than 15 feet deep. Shore anglers can try the rock fishing jetties in the early mornings and evenings. Last updated on 09/10/2026

Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair
Comment: Use jigs with shad imitating plastics. Look for surface feeding activity or use electronics to find concentrated schools of gizzard shad. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Comments: N/A
Channel Catfish - Good
Comment: Try dip baits and cut baits near wood debris and deep cutbanks. Last updated on 09/17/2026

Walleye - Slow
Comment: River levels have bumped up a couple feet, creating difficult fishing conditions. Fall walleye fishing through November can be fair to good if water levels stabilize and clear some. Try a twister tail or paddle tail plastics on 1/16 to 1/4 ounce jigs. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Bluegill - Good
Comment: Use 1/32 or 1/16 ounce jig heads tipped with a nightcrawler fished in 4 to 8 feet of water over gravel and rock habitat locations. Last updated on 09/17/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Channel Catfish - Good
Comment: Try drifting or still fishing cut baits on the upper portion of the main reservoir near and above the mile long bridge, and in the upper end of the Whitebreast Creek arm. Last updated on 09/10/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Channel Catfish - Good
Comment: Drift cut baits in the upper portion of the reservoir near and just above the mile long bridge. Last updated on 09/10/2026


Cold Springs Management District (Southwest Region)

  • Contact Person: Mark Boucher or John Lorenzen - 712-769-2587
  • Comments: N/A
  • Water Temperature (°F): 69.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Black Crappie - Fair
Comment: Anglers are catching black crappie off the jetty on the west side of the lake. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Bluegill - Status Unsure
Comment: Farm Creek bluegill will average 8-inches. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Largemouth Bass - Status Unsure
Comment: N/A


  • Water Temperature (°F): 68.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Black Crappie - Status Unsure
Comment: Slow troll open water areas to find schools of black crappie. . Last updated on 09/24/2026

Channel Catfish - Slow
Comment: An angler reported catching catfish around the jetty north of the boat ramp with cut bait. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Largemouth Bass - Status Unsure
Comment: N/A


  • Water Temperature (°F): 69.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Black Crappie - Fair
Comment: Troll the roadbeds or fish along deep tree piles to find black crappies. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Bluegill - Fair
Comment: Anglers are catching bluegill slow trolling close to underwater reefs and around the roadbed. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Largemouth Bass - Slow
Comment: Bass anglers are finding fish in deep tree piles and along the roadbed. Last updated on 09/24/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F): 68.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Black Crappie - Slow
Comment: Look for black crappies in the tree piles. Late afternoon bite is best. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Bluegill - Fair
Comment: Slow troll and fish along tree piles to find 8-inch fish. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Largemouth Bass - Status Unsure
Comment: N/A


  • Water Temperature (°F): 69.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Fish surveys this week showed very good numbers of 10- to 11-inch black crappies and 8-inch bluegill. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Black Crappie - Status Unsure
Comment: N/A

Bluegill - Status Unsure
Comment: N/A


  • Water Temperature (°F): 68.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: N/A
Black Crappie - Fair
Comment: Find black crappies in the tree piles. Fish will average 9.5-inches. Anglers are trolling for larger fish. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Bluegill - Fair
Comment: Use red worms or nightcrawlers around the tree piles. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Largemouth Bass - Fair
Comment: N/A


  • Water Temperature (°F): 69.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Water clarity is good. Last updated on 09/24/2026
Black Crappie - Fair
Comment: Look for 9-inch black crappies in the tree piles. Last updated on 09/24/2026

Largemouth Bass - Status Unsure
Comment: N/A


Mt. Ayr Management District (Southwest Region)

  • Contact Person: Andy Jansen - 641-464-3108
  • Comments: Water temperature is in the mid-70s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. Last updated on 09/17/2026
  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Docks are in at all boat ramps. Last updated on 09/17/2026
Bluegill - Fair
Comment: Catch Bluegill of all sizes with a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber along the fishing jetties. Last updated on 09/10/2026

Largemouth Bass - Fair
Comment: Catch Largemouth Bass of all sizes on finesse plastics along rocky shoreline areas during early morning and late evening. Last updated on 09/10/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Docks are in at the main and bait shop ramps. Last updated on 09/09/2026
Bluegill - Fair
Comment: Catch Bluegill of all sizes with a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber fished near rock piles. Last updated on 09/10/2026


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Lake level is about 9.5 inches above normal pool as of September 21st. Last updated on 09/23/2026
There are no active fish reports for this location


  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Docks are in at the main ramp. Last updated on 09/09/2026
Black Crappie - Fair
Comment: Catch Crappie of all sizes with jigs tipped with a minnow fished near rock piles. Last updated on 09/10/2026