Iowa Fishing Report
www.iowadnr.gov
SOUTHWEST
Lake Icaria - Last Updated: 03/12/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Channel Catfish
Fair
Try using cut bait fished along windblown shorelines for Channel Catfish of all sizes.
Three Mile Lake - Last Updated: 03/12/2025
**Driving is prohibited on any service roads used to access the lakebed and the lakebed itself.** Lake level is currently 11 feet below normal pool. Boat ramp lanes are out of the water at the main boat ramp.
Lakes in the Mount Ayr district are 100% ice free. For more information, please contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-931-6031.
Greenfield Lake - Last Updated: 03/19/2025
Greenfield Lake is a good early season catfish destination.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Channel Catfish
No Report
Target channel catfish on the windblown shoreline with shad sides or cutbait. Greenfield has a good channel catfish population.
Mormon Trail Lake - Last Updated: 03/19/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
8 inch black crappie can be caught in 25 feet of water.
Lake Anita - Last Updated: 03/19/2025
Lake Anita will provide good fishing this spring. The lake has good bass, bluegill and crappie populations.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Anglers report catching black crappie around deep tree piles last week. There is a big year class of 9 inch fish in the lake.
Bluegill
No Report
 
Largemouth Bass
No Report
 
Prairie Rose Lake - Last Updated: 03/19/2025
Prairie Rose will again be a good fishing destination in 2025. The lake has an excellent largemouth bass population, large bluegills and black crappies.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
No Report
 
Bluegill
No Report
 
Largemouth Bass
No Report
 
For information on lakes in the Cold Springs District call (712) 769-2587
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock) - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Walleye
Fair
Catch walleye below the Saylorville Spillway and Des Moines dams casting jigs with twister tails, swimbaits or live minnows.
Boone District Farm Ponds - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Community ponds are the quickest to warm up after ice out, creating a fair to good pre-spawn Largemouth Bass and Crappie bite. Check the Fish Local page on the Iowa DNR website to locate ponds with public access.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Catch early season crappie in the community ponds slowly retrieving small twister tails or swim baits. If it exists in the pond, target edges of cattail stands and any wood habitat.
Largemouth Bass
Good
Catch pre-spawn Largemouth Bass slowly retrieving plastics and shallow diving crankbaits.
Ponds and lakes in Central Iowa are open water. For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
SOUTHEAST
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.) - Last Updated: 03/18/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Largemouth Bass
Fair
Few bass getting caught in afternoons around brush.
Lake Macbride - Last Updated: 03/18/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Slow
Few fish getting caught around brush piles in 8-12 FOW.
Bluegill
Slow
Few fish getting caught around brush piles in 8-12 FOW
Channel Catfish
Slow
Few channel cats getting caught on cut bait in the upper arms of lake.
Muskellunge
Slow
Few have been caught near green aquatic vegetation.
Central Park Lake - Last Updated: 03/18/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Largemouth Bass
Slow
Few bass have been caught by shore anglers.
Pleasant Creek Lake - Last Updated: 03/18/2025
All docks are in.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Largemouth Bass
Slow
Few getting caught near brush.
Muskellunge
Slow
Few have been caught near brush piles.
Diamond Lake - Last Updated: 03/18/2025
Fish cleaning station will be opened in April when the water is turned on for the park.
Coralville Reservoir - Last Updated: 03/18/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Few fish have been reported around brush piles and docks.
Channel Catfish
Fair
Fishing cutbait on bottom or below a bobber along wind blown shore lines or neck down areas at bridges.
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake) - Last Updated: 03/18/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Walleye
Slow
Few fish caught on jigs.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) - Last Updated: 03/18/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Channel Catfish
Slow
Few fish getting caught.
Walleye
Slow
Few fish getting caught.
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids) - Last Updated: 03/18/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Channel Catfish
Slow
Few fish getting caught on cut bait.
Walleye
Slow
Few fish getting caught on jigs.
Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow) - Last Updated: 03/18/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Channel Catfish
Slow
Few fish are getting caught on cutbait.
Walleye
Slow
Few fish getting caught fishing current seams on jigs.
White Bass
Slow
Few fish have been caught fishing current seams and eddies for walleye.
Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) - Last Updated: 03/18/2025
Boat ramp is now open at Pinicon Ridge Park.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Slow
Few fish getting caught around brush piles
Channel Catfish
Slow
Few fish starting to get caught.
Northern Pike
Slow
Few pike getting caught by walleye anglers
Walleye
Slow
Few fish getting caught.
Prairie Park Fishery - Last Updated: 03/18/2025
2000 rainbow trout will be stocked on Saturday March 22nd at 10:00AM. Reminder that a trout stamp is required to fish for and or possess trout.
Liberty Centre Pond - Last Updated: 03/18/2025
2000 rainbow trout will be stocked on Thursday March 20th at 10:30AM. Reminder that a trout stamp is required to fish for and or possess trout.
For more information contact the Lake MacBride Fish Station at (319) 624-3615
Lake Wapello - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Channel Catfish
No Report
Target shorelines with the wind blowing in using dead minnows.
Red Haw Lake - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Channel Catfish
Slow
Target shorelines with dead minnows.
Hawthorn Lake - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Channel Catfish
Slow
Try shad guts or dead minnows on windblown shorelines.
Lake Keomah - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project. Please stay out of the lakebed.
Lake Miami - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Channel Catfish
Slow
Target windblown shorelines with dead minnows.
Lake Sugema - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Channel Catfish
Slow
Use shad guts or dead chubs on windblown shorelines.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Trout are scheduled to be stocked on Saturday, March 22nd at 11 AM.
Rathbun Reservoir - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
The current lake level is 903.54 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels so properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody. The lake is open water. Water temperatures are in the mid 30's.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Channel Catfish
Slow
Target windblown shorelines with shad guts.
Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa. Lakes in the district are open water.
Lake Geode - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
The lake is ice free. Water temperature at the surface is in the mid 40's.
Lake Belva Deer - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Water temperature in the low 40's. A few boats have been out. Very little real fishing pressure as of yet.
Lake Darling - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Surface water temperature is up to 46 degrees. The boat docks are not in yet. A few boats have been out just to get out on the water. Really no fishing pressure yet.
Discovery Park Pond - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
The spring trout release will be at noon on Friday March 21.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Rainbow Trout
Excellent
The spring trout stocking will be on March 21 at 12 pm
Lost Grove Lake - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
The last of the ice is gone. The gate on the road going to the boat ramp at the dam is still locked and the docks will not be in for a little while longer.
Big Hollow Lake - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
The lake is ice free.
Emma Young Pond - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
The Spring trout release will be at 10 am on Friday March 21.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Rainbow Trout
Excellent
The spring trout release will be at 10 am on Friday March 21.
Vista Park Pond - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Vista Park Pond in Kalona (South Town) will be stocked with trout on Friday March 21 at 10 am. as part of the Community Trout Stocking Program.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Rainbow Trout
Excellent
Vista Park Pond will be stocked with trout on Friday, March 21 at 10 am.
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at (319) 694-2430.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 19 - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington is 4.04 feet and forecasted to stay fairly steady this weekend. We have not received any reports on tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers this week.
Mississippi River Pool 18 - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston is 6.82 feet and forecasted to stay fairly steady over the weekend. The Toolsboro ramp is being reported as open and anglers are able to access the tailwaters.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Paddlefish
Fair
Some anglers had moderate success snagging paddlefish below the dam this past week.
Sauger
Slow
Sauger fishing below New Boston is being reported as slow this past week. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. The bite may change with changing river conditions.
Walleye
Slow
There has been some tailwater fishing for walleyes below the dam at New Boston but fishing is being reported as slow. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 17 - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine is 5.72 feet and forecasted to stay fairly steady this weekend. The ramps at Muscatine are open and anglers are able to access the tailwaters for walleye and sauger fishing.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Sauger
Fair
Sauger fishing below the dam at Muscatine is being reported as fair this past week. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows or crankbaits.
Walleye
Fair
Walleye fishing below the dam at Muscatine is being reported as fair this past week. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows or crankbaits.
Mississippi River Pool 16 - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities is 7.11 feet and forecasted to stay fairly steady over the weekend. The Marquette St. boat ramp is open and anglers are able to access the tailwaters. There is a dock in the water.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Sauger
No Report
Look for saugers in the tailwaters. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Walleye
No Report
Look for walleyes below the dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Tailwater stages have been fairly steady the past few days. Main channel water temperature is around 42 degrees and water clarity is fair. There has been some tailwater fishing for walleye and saugers. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Mississippi River Pool 15 - Last Updated: 03/17/2025
Water level is steady at Rock Island near 7.9 feet. Water is clear and temperature is around 49 degrees.
Mississippi River Pool 14 - Last Updated: 03/17/2025
Water level at Fulton is steady and presently near 6.8 feet, 10.5 feet at Camanche and 5.7 feet at LeClaire. Water is clear with the temperature around 48 degrees.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Bluegill
No Report
It was a good ice fishing season this year and hopefully that translates to a good open water season.
Channel Catfish
Good
Seems early but good channel catfishing is occurring by anglers using blood baits.
Northern Pike
No Report
Pike will be spawning in Pool 14 in the next few weeks.
Paddlefish
Good
Paddlefish season on the Mississippi River is March 1 through April 15. Snagging is only allowed within 500 yards of navigation dams and their spillways. Please review the rules as they are complicated.
Walleye
Fair
Fishing for walleye has been reported as "hit and miss" by anglers.
Mississippi River Pool 13 - Last Updated: 03/17/2025
Water level at Bellevue is steady at 7.7 feet. Water is clear with the temperature near 48 degrees in the main channel.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Bluegill
No Report
Lots of bluegills were caught during the ice fishing season and expect good open water fishing on gills this year.
Brown Bullhead
Good
The lower pool access sites are good places to fish off the bank to catch brown bullhead and an occasional catfish. Bullheads are good early season biters
Northern Pike
No Report
Pike spawning season is upon us. Pike are one of the earliest of spawners on the Mississippi and can be a tad difficult to catch when they lay eggs.
Paddlefish
Good
Lots of small paddlefish are being caught but a few very nice paddlefish were reported. Please review the rules for paddlefish snagging as they are somewhat complex. Heavy paddlefish angling pressure is being seen at Bellevue.
Rainbow Trout
Good
The Kids trout pond North of the DNR fisheries station is stocked with trout and should remain good fishing till the April/May time frame when it will weed over.
Walleye
Good
Most anglers using a jig and minnow rig. Lots of small walleye are being reported. With that said a few fish approaching 10 pounds are also being reported.
Yellow Perch
No Report
Some could be caught in the tailwaters as it is common this time of year. So far nothing has been reported to us.
Mississippi River Pool 12 - Last Updated: 03/17/2025
Water level at Dubuque Lock and Dam is steady at 7.1 feet and the RR Bridge is at 9.6 feet. Water is stained with the temperature is around 47 degrees in main channel.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
No Report
Rumors of anglers targeting crappies in the same locations were they were ice fishing but no confirmed reports.
Bluegill
No Report
Bluegill populations are strong but have not heard anyone fishing them since ice out. Some backwaters still have remnant ice in them yet.
Northern Pike
Good
Pike fishing remain good and some new catches have been reported from the O'leary's area in upper Pool 12.
Walleye
Good
Small walleyes and a few nice sauger are being caught on jigs and minnow rigs.
Tailwater ramps are open throughout the district. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.
Mississippi River Pool 11 - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Water level at Guttenberg is currently 6.8 feet and is expected to rise to 7.2 feet over the next week. Water temperature is 41. Any remaining backwater ice is UNSAFE for fishing. Guttenberg boat ramps are open for tailwater fishing and main channel is ice free.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Northern Pike
Fair
Prespawn northern are biting.
Sauger
Fair
Fish the tailwaters of the lock and dam using a hair jig tipped with minnow.
Walleye
Fair
Tailwater fishing for walleye has been slow but is improving with the rising water temps.
Yellow Perch
Fair
Perch bite should begin to pick up in the tailwaters
Mississippi River Pool 10 - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Water level at Lynxville is currently 15.2 feet and stable over the next week. Any remaining backwater ice is UNSAFE for fishing. Lynxville boat ramp is open for tailwater fishing and main channel is ice free.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Northern Pike
Fair
Prespawn pike are biting
Sauger
Good
Fish the tailwaters of the lock and dam using a hair jig tipped with minnow.
Walleye
Good
Tailwater fishing for walleye is beginning to pick up.
Yellow Perch
Good
Late winter perch bite had begun.
Mississippi River Pool 9 - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Water level at Lansing is currently 8.2 feet and is expected to remain stable over the next week. Any remaining backwater ice is UNSAFE for fishing. Water temperature is near 42.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Northern Pike
Fair
Prespawn pike are biting
Sauger
Fair
Fish the tailwaters of the lock and dam using a hair jig tipped with minnow.
Walleye
Fair
Fish the tailwaters of the lock and dam using a hair jig tipped with minnow.
Yellow Perch
Fair
Perch fishing is good where lower ends of backwaters can be accessed.
Ice is almost completely gone out of backwaters. Recent rains and snow melt have the Upper Mississippi River ramps open for fishing. Tailwater fishing at the lock and dams is starting to pick up. Water temperature is warming into the 40's this week.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
There have been fair reports for walleye on the Cedar River this past week and water levels are up with some turbidity. Northern pike fishing should pick up in backwater areas in preparation for the upcoming spawn as well.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Northern Pike
No Report
Concentrate on backwater areas, try floating a live chub/shiner under a bobber or casting and retrieving flashy spoons for some great pike action.
Walleye
Fair
Try fishing a jig head with plastics with or without a live minnow. Look for the deeper pools, current breaks and tail ends of riffles for some walleye action.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Manchester District Streams - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Trout streams are in excellent condition. Next weeks forecast calls for temperatures to be in the sixties, there should be good aquatic insect hatches taking place providing for some great trout fishing.
Interior river levels have bumped up from recent rainfall and ice melt. There have been a few reports of anglers catching walleye on the Cedar and Wapsipinicon rivers. Northern pike fishing should pick up as they are the earliest to spawn. With next weeks weather there should be many aquatic insect hatches taking place on trout streams. For more information contact your local area bait and tackle shop for further information.
Volga Lake - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Ice fishing not recommended. Open water along edges.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Bluegill
No Report
 
Lake Hendricks - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Ice covers about 1/3 of the lake and open around the edges. Ice fishing not recommended.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Bluegill
No Report
 
Lake Meyer - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Ice fishing not recommended. Open water around edges.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Bluegill
No Report
 
Cedar River (above Nashua) - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Open edges in the backwaters. Ice fishing not recommended. Majority of ice off main river.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Walleye
Slow
Walleye fishing starting to improve. Use a jig tipped with a minnow or plastic tail.
Decorah District Streams - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Clarity on most streams is good. Stream flows up with recent rain. Rain over weekend may cause streams clarity to decline.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Brook Trout
Slow
Use midge, minnow, or leach patterns for fish looking to get more bang for their effort. Midge hatches on sunny afternoons.
Brown Trout
Good
Brown trout activity improves when water gets cloudy. Float a line past an undercut bank or current seam for luck.
Rainbow Trout
Good
Hatchery holdovers remain in the stream teasing anglers. Use a small spinner bait or hair jig floated past undercut bank or through a deep hole.
For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
NORTHWEST
Spirit Lake - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Some areas can still be fished if traveling by foot. Many accesses and areas are now open water. The Walleye season is currently closed.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Good
Anglers have been finding fish of quality size up to 14".
Bluegill
Good
 
Yellow Perch
Good
Sorting is needed, but anglers have been finding many of acceptable size.
East Okoboji Lake - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Many areas have opened up. A few anglers have already launched boats. Courtesy docks are not yet in place. The Walleye season is currently closed.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Good
 
Bluegill
Fair
 
Largemouth Bass
Fair
 
Yellow Perch
Fair
Many fish have been observed, but sorting will most likely be needed.
Silver Lake (Dickinson) - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Large portions of the lake have opened up.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Walleye
Fair
The bite has been hit or miss.
West Okoboji Lake - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Large portions of the lake have opened up due to high winds. Many smaller holes have also started to pop up. The Walleye season is currently closed.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
 
Bluegill
Fair
 
Ingham Lake - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
The lake is mostly open.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Walleye
Fair
Anglers have had some success in the morning and afternoon.
Ice conditions on most area lakes has deteriorated heavily. Larger lakes have areas that have opened up significantly. Smaller lakes still have areas that allow foot traffic for ice fishing. Access from shore may be hard to find. The Walleye season on the IGL's is now closed until May 3rd. For the most up to date information, call 712-330-2542
Clear Lake - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Clear Lake is about fifty percent ice free. If you decide to launch a boat, be aware of shifting ice sheets that may block ramps.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Walleye
Fair
There have been a few reports of walleye being caught with slow presentations using jigs and minnows.
Winnebago River - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Northern Pike
Fair
Suckers, chubs, and slow retrieved jigs work well for early season pike.
Area lakes are opening up, but lakes in northern Iowa counties still have some ice. For additional information contact the Clear Lake Fisheries Office at 641-357-3517.
Brushy Creek Lake - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
The main lake is open. As of March 13th the boat ramps are still iced in. But by the weekend the west and north ramps will likely be ice free. The courtesy dock on the west ramp is in place.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
Most of the lake has opened up. The Marina is open water. As of March 13th there was still ice in front of the Bel Air boat ramp, the east boat ramp, and a sheet of ice near Casino point that is blocking access from the marina to the main lake.
Black Hawk Lake - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
The lake is ice free. Shore fishing has been productive.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Use a waxworm, small minnow, or jigs. Fishing along shore has been productive. Especially around Ice House Point and the inlet bridge area.
Walleye
Good
Anglers have been doing well fishing from shore in 1 to 5 feet of water. Evenings near sunset has been most productive but fish are being caught any time of day. Anglers have had luck using twisters in Town Bay fishing from shore and from the floating dock and the stone piers. Ice House Point shoreline and the inlet bridge area have been productive as well.
Arrowhead Lake - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
The lake is ice free.
Black Hawk Pits - Last Updated: 03/13/2025
The lake is ice free.
Most area lakes are completely open. Some of the northern area lakes have ice in bays. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.