Iowa Fishing Report
www.iowadnr.gov
February 9, 2025
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Water level in the tailwaters at Lynxville is is currently 613.5 feet. Recent cold weather has firmed up ice. Anglers are fishing the newer dredge cuts above the Marquette bridge. Avoid ice at Bussey Lake Ramp in Guttenberg as it is unsafe. Ice anglers are entering on the island road and reporting around 12 inches of ice. Anglers have been crossing at Sny Magill to Norwegian Lake.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Occasional nice sized fish being caught
Bluegill
Good
Midwinter bite can be mixed with a lot of sorting of smaller fish.
Northern Pike
Good
Tip up fishing has been good this winter with a lot of 20" fish being caught
Yellow Perch
Fair
Perch fishing should pick up during late winter.
Water level at Guttenberg is currently 5 feet. Recent cold weather has firmed up ice again. Ice is around 12 - 15 inches.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Occasional nice sized fish being caught
Bluegill
Good
Midwinter bite can be mixed with a lot of sorting of smaller fish
Northern Pike
Good
Tip up fishing has been good this winter with a lot of 20" fish being caught
Yellow Perch
Fair
Perch fishing should pick up during late winter
Water level at Lansing is currently 8 feet. Recent cold weather has firmed up ice again. Ice is around 15 inches in Shore Slough and Lansing Village Creek.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Occasional nice sized fish being caught
Bluegill
Good
Midwinter bite can be mixed with a lot of sorting of smaller fish.
Northern Pike
Good
Tip up fishing has been good this winter with a lot of 20" fish being caught
Yellow Perch
Fair
Perch fishing should pick up during late winter.
Upper Mississippi River Pools 9-11 are Most backwater lakes have 12 - 15+ inches of ice. Recent cold weather has firmed up ice but caution should still be used around areas with current. Main channel ramps remain iced up.
Water level at Dubuque Lock and Dam is stable at 5.2 feet and the RR Bridge is at 7.8 feet. Water is clear with the temperature is around 33 degrees in main channel.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Good
Anglers are often using tip downs with minnows for bait.
Bluegill
Excellent
Anglers are targeting the various harbor sites within the city of Dubuque. If you have airboats or hovercrafts several newly dredged backwater areas like Stone Lake and Tippy Lake have been good.
Northern Pike
Excellent
Pike fishing has been very good in the backwaters. Anglers often using large shiners with tip up's.
Walleye
No Report
Very difficult to get to the tailwater as boat ramps have iced in or subject to ice flows.
Water level at Fulton is stable and presently near 4.7 feet, 9.6 feet at Camanche and 4.3 feet at LeClaire. Water is clear with the temperature around 33 degrees.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Bluegill
Good
Ice fishing is occurring at Rock Creek and in Cattail Lake. Sorting of bluegills is occurring but some nice fish are being caught.
Northern Pike
No Report
Lots of pike being caught in the pools above Pool 14 but would not be surprising that they could not be targeted here as well. Pool 14 has a very good pike population.
Walleye
No Report
All the boat ramps in Clinton were iced in at the time of this report.
Water level is stable at Rock Island near 4.9 feet. Water is clear and temperature is around 33 degrees.
Ice fishing conditions are generally good in traditional areas but care must always be taken. Even in some traditional areas thin ice or even open water has been reported. Ice has been slick so you may need to wear cleats to move around well. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.
NORTHEAST
There have been fair reports of anglers catching bluegill and crappie on Big Woods Lake, some sorting may be necessary.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Try locating structure and use a ice jig tipped with a minnow or waxworm, look for suspended fish near the structure using electronics.
Bluegill
Fair
Try locating structure and use a ice jig tipped with a waxworm off of the bottom.
There have been no reports for Brinker Lake this past week.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
There have been no reports of anglers catching walleye on the Cedar River this past week.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Walleye
Fair
Try tipping a jig and plastic with a live minnow for best success.
There have been fair reports of anglers catching bluegill and crappie on George Wyth Lake, some sorting may be necessary.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Try locating structure and use a ice jig tipped with a minnow or waxworm, look for suspended fish near the structure using electronics.
Bluegill
Fair
Try locating structure and use a ice jig tipped with a waxworm off of the bottom.
Trout streams are in excellent condition.
Interior rivers remain at low levels and should be providing some angling opportunities. As of this morning there have been a few reports of anglers catching some panfish in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Ice conditions remain around the six to eight inches of good ice on most area lakes, as always use extreme caution. The extended forecast calls for below freezing temperatures for the next ten days so ice conditions should hold up well. For more information contact your local area bait and tack
Cedar River (above Nashua)
About 14 inches of ice on impoundments. Use care when approaching ice heaves. Check depths often especially in areas with current. Ice conditions change quickly with warmer weather.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Slow
Use small jig tipped with minnow or waxworm in deeper water with a little current.
Bluegill
Slow
Use small jig tipped with waxworm or spike near structure or in backwater area.
Northern Pike
Slow
Use dead chubs fished in areas with dead submersed vegetation or other debris.
Walleye
Slow
Use minnows on small jig fished near bottom just out of current.
Community stockings occurring. To find out when and where the next one will be, check out our website at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Trout-Fishing. Don't forget to purchase your 2025 fishing license and trout fee. Trout streams in excellent condition but low.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Brook Trout
Fair
Use midge, minnow, or leach patterns for fish looking to get more bang for their effort.
Brown Trout
Good
Fish around an undercut bank or similar structure. Cloudy days and off color water are a perfect mix for catching this trout.
Rainbow Trout
Good
Rainbow trout spawn is on showing brighter colors. Hatchery holdovers remain in the stream teasing anglers. Use a small spinner bait or hair jig floated past or through deep bank or hole.
Ice depths about 13 to 14 inches. Fish activity slowed. Use care around aerator.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Bluegill
Fair
Find fish in deeper water. Use a jig tipped with a waxworm or spike for best luck.
Ice depths about 13 inches.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Try fishing about 4 to 5 feet off the bottom near dark or early morning.
Bluegill
Fair
Lots of lookers but some will take a small jig tipped with a spike or waxie. Find fish in deeper water near brush piles use a small jig tipped with waxworm or spike.
About 13 to 14 inches of ice on Lake. Few anglers out this week.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Find crappie around pallets or brush piles. Use small jig with some flash.
Bluegill
Fair
Find gills around brush piles. Use small jigs tipped with a waxworm or spike.
Most area rivers remain low and mostly ice covered. The majority of lakes and ponds lost a few inches of ice but still have 12 inches. Ice conditions can change rapidly with warmer temperatures. Snow likely Saturday. A cloudy weekend with highs in upper 20's and single digits for lows. For fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
NORTHWEST
Ice thickness is 7 to 8 inches near the boat ramp. Areas in the middle of the lake may be thinner. Use caution and check ice thickness often as you move around.
Rainbow trout were stocked two weeks ago. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10. Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but together, they can only keep one daily limit. Children can pay the trout fee, allowing them to keep their own daily limit.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Rainbow Trout
Fair
Try using a small hook with either a nightcrawler, corn, or powerbait trout bites fished under a small bobber. A small and shiny jig or spoon tipped with bait also works well.
The Aeration system in Town Bay is operating. Expect thin ice and open water in Town Bay. Ice near the Ice House Point boat ramp is 8 to 9 inches. This is the best ice on the lake - other areas in the middle of the lake may be thinner. There are open areas and seams on other parts of the lake - use caution. There are open water fishing opportunities at the fish house in Town Bay.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Use a waxworm, small minnow, or jigs. Most luck has been around the fish house in Town Bay and near Ice House Point.
Walleye
Fair
Fish near Ice House Pt boat ramp, near the Gunshot hill area, and in the inlet bridge bay area.
Yellow Perch
Fair
Anglers have been picking up some perch with minnows and waxworms. Most are having luck between Denison Beach and Gunshot Hill area.
Ice thickness near the boat ramp is 7 inches. Conditions are variable.
Anglers have been out on the north end where most ice is 7 to 9 inches. Conditions are more variable elsewhere on the lake. Expect open areas and weak ice around protruding trees and other structure that absorbe heat from the sun. Other areas of the lake are thinner or have pockets of open water. Use caution if venturing out and check ice often as you move around.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Fish are being picked up by the north boat ramp. Sorting is needed.
Bluegill
Slow
 
Yellow Perch
Fair
 
Rainbow trout were stocked two weeks ago. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10. Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but together, they can only keep one daily limit. Children can pay the trout fee, allowing them to keep their own daily limit.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Rainbow Trout
Fair
Try using a small hook with either a nightcrawler, corn, or powerbait trout bites fished under a small bobber. A small and shiny jig or spoon tipped with bait also works well.
Most ice is around 10 inches. Conditions are variable, with the usual thin areas/open water around the big island and ice seams. The top several inches of ice have gotten weaker from the recent warmer temperatures. Use caution; check ice thickness often as you make your way out.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Walleye
Slow
Some fish are being picked up along the dredge cuts.
Yellow Bass
Fair
 
Yellow Perch
Fair
 
Most ice in the district is anywhere from 6 to 10 inches thick. The warmer weather last week has created more variable ice and open seams. Use caution if venturing out. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
The lake still has a handful of areas that are open or have just frozen over recently, most of which are on the northern most basin. There is around 14 inches of ice or more in most areas.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Good
 
Bluegill
Good
 
Largemouth Bass
Fair
 
Yellow Perch
Good
Many fish have been observed, but sorting will most likely be needed.
The lake is fully ice covered with around 15 inches of ice.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Walleye
Fair
Anglers have had some success in the morning and afternoon.
Caution: The lake aerator is currently in operation. The lake has over 15 inches of ice.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Walleye
Fair
The bite has been hit or miss, but has been very good when the bite is on.
The lake has safe ice for ice fishing but also has a large open water section off Big Stoney Point. Most areas have over 15 inches of ice.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Good
Anglers have been finding fish of quality size up to 14".
Bluegill
Good
 
Walleye
Good
 
Yellow Perch
Good
Sorting is needed, but anglers have been finding many of acceptable size.
Most places have 14 inches of ice or more, but there are still many unsafe areas or areas of open water out on the main lake.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
 
Bluegill
Good
 
Most area lakes have 14 or more inches of ice, but many lakes still have areas of open water that have persisted throughout the winter. Ice conditions should only continue to improve as the forecast calls for temperatures well below freezing. The Walleye season on the IGL's closes February 15th. For the most up to date information, call 712-330-2542
SOUTHEAST
Rain and warm weather last weekend did a number on the ice especially around the edges. Use caution.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
The south side remains the place to go for the crappies. Out along the inner edges of the flooded timber.
Rain and warm weather last weekend melted away some of the edges of the ice especially anywhere near where water enters the lake. Use caution when getting out on the ice.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
The crappie bite after dark continues to be best. During the daylight hours it's pretty slow.
Bluegill
Fair
First thing in the morning is best for the bluegills.
Last Friday's rain along with the 50-60 degree air temps last weekend (Feb 1-2) really hurt ice conditions. A lot of the ice around the edges melted especially near the upper ends. Use caution getting out onto the ice. As the first couple of feet may be newly refrozen. The goose hole out in the middle has also gotten much bigger.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Bluegill
Fair
Recent weather has dropped the number of anglers going out on the ice. Nobody has gone anywhere near the middle of the lake out by the goose hole.
The geese and swans are still keeping the middle of the lake wide open so avoid that area which continues to grow and get closer to the end of the main boat ramp. Use caution if that's where you access the ice.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Anglers are picking up some crappies over the habitat in 8 to 10 foot of water.
Bluegill
Fair
Pretty hit and miss. Work the fish habitat out in 8 to 10 foot of water.
Most anglers continue to hit the upper end just down from the causeway.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Bluegill
Fair
Last weekend's warm weather made it kind of wet out on the ice. water opened up around some of the trees. use caution and look for any weak spots.
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at (319) 694-2430.
6" of ice reported.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Slow
 
Bluegill
Slow
 
Channel Catfish
No Report
 
Largemouth Bass
Fair
 
Redear Sunfish
Slow
 
No fishing activity reported. Ice is reported as unsafe.
7"-8" of ice reported.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
 
Bluegill
Fair
 
Largemouth Bass
Fair
 
Reports of highly variable ice conditions throughout the lake. Extreme care should be taken if venturing out on ice.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Fish humps and brush piles in 10-15 FOW.
Bluegill
Fair
Fish structure in 10-15 FOW
Walleye
Slow
 
White Crappie
Fair
Fish structure east of the causeway.
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass)
Slow
 
8" of ice being reported.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Slow
 
Bluegill
Slow
 
Redear Sunfish
Slow
 
4"-8" of ice are being reported. There is a large open hole near west boat ramp from waterfowl.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Slow
 
Bluegill
Slow
 
Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Final stage of dredging at the Pinicon Ridge Park has begun. Some areas will be closed to fishing. Closures are expected to last for about one month.
For more information contact the Lake MacBride Fish Station at (319) 624-3615
Ice conditions are thin with areas of open water along the shoreline.
Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project. Please stay out of the lakebed.
Ice conditions are not very good with areas of open water.
The lake has quite a bit of open water due to the Canada geese keeping areas open. No fishing activity has been occurring due to this. The ice should be considered unsafe and too thin for anglers.
Ice conditions are thin with open water areas.
The current lake level is 903.23 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels so properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody. Ice thickness is not very good and there is open water around the shoreline and some areas in the main lake.
Ice thickness is thin with areas of open water.
Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa. Thin ice conditions dominate most of district so ice fishing is not recommended at this time.
SOUTHWEST
As of January 30 Ada Hayden had 12 inches of ice. Ice conditions held up well during the warmer weather.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Rainbow Trout
Good
Trout were stocked through the ice on January 30. Catch trout with jigging spoons or panfish jigs tipped with waxworms. Trout at Ada Hayden typically school within 20 to 30 yards from shore during ice cover.
As of February 5 ice thickness on much of Big Creek was 10 to 11 inches. The areas of open water have expanded. This band of open water arcs from a couple hundred yards out from the marina to the West Boat Ramp bay and back across the lake to the Ensign shelter.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Slow
So far there have been no reports of a good crappie bite. A fair population of large crappies is present in Big Creek if schools can be found. Catch crappies on glow jigs and glow spoons tipped with live minnows, minnow heads or wax worms in the evenings.
Bluegill
Fair
Catch bluegills near sunken trees on waxworms and spikes.
As of February 5, Don Williams Lake had ice thickness around 10 inches.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Catch crappies in the late afternoons and evenings on glow jigs with waxworms, or glow spoons with live minnows or minnow heads.
As of February 5, Hickory Grove had ice thickness around 9 inches.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Bluegill
Good
Catch bluegill on waxworms throughout much of the lake. The best pattern has been a late afternoon into evening bite over the dead willow and cottonwood trees that grew while the lake was drained. The portion of the lake with most of this habitat is between the Snow Bunting Lodge and the South Boat Ramp at depths greater than 12 feet.
As of February 5, ice conditions are supporting angling.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Rainbow Trout
Fair
Trout were stocked through the ice on January 16. Catch trout with jigging spoons or panfish jigs tipped with waxworms.
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Rainbow Trout
Fair
Trout were stocked through the ice on January 16. Catch trout with jigging spoons or panfish jigs tipped with waxworms.
 
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Bluegill
Good
Catch bluegills on wax worms. Start by fishing where bottom depths are 6 to 12 feet.
Rainbow Trout
Good
Trout were stocked through the ice on January 16 in both Triumph East and West Ponds. Catch trout with jigging spoons or panfish jigs tipped with waxworms.
As of February 5, lakes and ponds in Central Iowa had 9-12 inches of ice. Warmer weather and rain has created some variability, especially south of Interstate 80. For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
Rainbow trout were stocked on January 24th.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Rainbow Trout
Good
Fish with flashy jigs, wax worms or minnows to catch rainbow trout.
Littlefield has 10 inches of ice.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
No Report
 
Bluegill
No Report
 
Largemouth Bass
No Report
 
Ice thickness at Viking varies from 4 to 8 inches.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Anglers report catching 9 inch black crappie in the campground arm of the lake.
Bluegill
Good
Fishing is good for 7.5 inch bluegill.
Largemouth Bass
No Report
 
Ice conditions have deteriorated in the southern part of the district. Drill holes often when venturing out and never walk on black ice. For information on lakes in the Cold Springs District call (712) 769-2587
Geese are keeping an area open near the campground which is expanding southward.
**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.
Large area of open water off the Townline Boat Ramp and a couple areas of open water on the south end of the lake.
Ice conditions have deteriorated on Mount Ayr district lakes. Many farm ponds have opened up. Shorelines have deteriorated and areas of open water on the larger lakes have expanded in size. For more information, please contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-931-6031.
Anita has open water around the beach. Ice is 6 inches in the upper end of the lake.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Good
The crappie bite has picked up around five in the afternoon. Sorting is necessary for larger fish.
Bluegill
Fair
Anglers fishing in 10 feet of water around tree piles are doing well.
Meadow has open water in front of the boat ramp. The rest of the lake has 5 inches of ice.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Fair
Try fishing an hour before dark to find 10 inch black crappie.
Bluegill
Fair
Fish cedar tree piles for 8 inch bluegill.
Prairie rose has 7 inches of ice.
Fish Name
Status
Comments
Black Crappie
Slow
Move often to find the 10 to 12 inch black crappies in the lake.
Bluegill
Slow
Anglers can catch bluegill around the cedar tree piles in the lake. The bite is slower than a week ago.
Lakes and ponds in the southern part of the district are unsafe. Drill holes often when venturing out and never walk on black ice. For information on lakes in the Cold Springs District call (712) 769-2587