Congratulations to Ken Luu from the Maharishi School in Fairfield. Ken is the recipient of the DNR sponsored Thinking Outside the Box award at the 4H State Science Fair for his innovative project on predicting soil compaction risk.
Ken developed and analyzed a multimodal deep learning system to predict subsurface soil compaction in a variety of situations. As a result, he was able to predict and prevent soil compaction due to a variety of heavy loads.
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The weekly fishing report is broken down by fisheries regions and management districts – Mississippi River, northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest.
Use the new search and filter options to check the activity of your favorite lake, pond, river and stream within each region, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), and simple tips and tricks for targeting those fish.
Click on "View entire message" at the bottom of this email so you can view all fisheries regions and management district reports.
Bellevue Management District
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Contact Person: Dave Bierman - 563-872-5495
Mississippi River water levels are rising fast with the recent rains, hampering angling activity across the district. Water clarity is stained/cloudy. The Mississippi River paddlefish snagging season closed on April 15. Call your local bait shops or Iowa DNR Fisheries office for the latest information on river conditions. Last updated on 04/16/2026
Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)
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Water Temperature (°F): 57.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 11.9 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and will be rising for the foreseeable future. Call your local bait shops for the latest information on boat ramp accessibility.
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Black Crappie - Slow
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Bluegill - Slow
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Northern Pike - Slow: The northern pike bite was before the change in river levels and water clarity. Pool 12 has excellent numbers of pike.
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Sauger - Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days with the change in river conditions and rainy weather.
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Walleye - Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days with the change in river conditions and rainy weather.
Pool 13, Mississippi River (Jackson)
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Water Temperature (°F): 57.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 12.8 feet at the Bellevue tailwater and will be on the rise for the foreseeable future. Water clarity is stained. Not much angling activity occurs with these conditions. The boat ramp at the Bellevue Fisheries station is unusable. The paddlefish snagging season closed on April 15.
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Black Crappie - Slow
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Bluegill - Slow
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Channel Catfish - Slow
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Northern Pike - Slow: The northern pike bite was decent before the change in river levels and water clarity. Good numbers of pike exist in Pool 13.
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Sauger - Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days with the change in river conditions and rainy weather.
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Walleye - Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days with the change in river conditions and rainy weather.
Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)
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Water Temperature (°F): 58.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 12.7 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and is rising steadily. The paddlefish snagging season closed on April 15.
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Black Crappie - Status Unsure
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Bluegill - Slow
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Channel Catfish - Slow
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Sauger - Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days with the change in river conditions and rainy weather.
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Walleye - Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days with the change in river conditions and rainy weather.
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White Crappie - Slow
Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)
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Water Temperature (°F): 59.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 9.1 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and will be on the rise for a while. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.
Fairport Management District
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Contact Person: Andy Fowler - 563-263-5062
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: River stage has been on the rise with recent heavy rains. Main channel water temperature is 58-60 degrees. Water clarity is poor. Some boat ramps are closed due to high water conditions. Fishing has been slow. Last updated on 04/16/2026
Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)
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Water Temperature (°F): 58.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 13.26 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 14.8 feet by the middle of next week. Flood Stage is 15 feet. River stage at Fairport is 13.35 feet; flood stage is 14 feet. Fishing has been difficult with the high and muddy water conditions.
Pool 17, Mississippi River (Muscatine)
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Water Temperature (°F): 61.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 12.50 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 14.5 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. The boat ramp at Big Timber is closed due to high water. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions.
Pool 18, Mississippi River (Louisa)
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Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
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Ramp Condition: Closed
Tailwater stage has risen to 14.22 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 16 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Toolsboro landing is closed due to high water. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions.
Pool 19, Mississippi River (Lee)
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Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage has risen to 10.43 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 11.4 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 15.34 feet; flood stage is 15 feet. The Tama Beach and Sullivan Slough boat ramps most likely have water over top of them.
Guttenberg Management District
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Contact Person: Karen Osterkamp - 563-252-1156
Water levels are expected to rise several feet with recent heavy rainfall. Water clarity is stained. Water temperatures are in the mid-50s. Anglers need to search for fish with the higher water levels. Walleye bite has slowed during the spawn. Warmer temperatures have many other species active. Last updated on 04/16/2026
Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)
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Water Temperature (°F): 57.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
River level is 9.1 and rising above 10 feet at Lansing. New Albin Army Road is expected to go under water this week at 10 feet. Expect fish to seek out backwater habitat or slack water as they move out of the strong current in the main channel.
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Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are biting on a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current.
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Northern Pike - Fair: Comment: Cast chartreuse colored baits along shorelines and weed edges to hook a post-spawn northern pike.
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Sauger - Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
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Walleye - Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
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White Bass - Fair: Cast an inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.
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Yellow Perch - Slow: Reports of a few perch biting before the rain and rise in water levels. Use jigs tipped with live minnows in off-current areas.
Pool 10, Mississippi River (Clayton)
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Water Temperature (°F): 57.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is 619.2 feet and rising to over 620 feet this week at Lynxville. Sny Magill landing is closed due to water over the road. Water is stained due to recent heavy rainfall. Rising water may affect fish patterns. Look for fish to move away from stronger current. Panfish will be scattered into the flooded vegetation.
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Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are biting on a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current.
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Northern Pike - Fair: Comment: Cast chartreuse colored baits along shorelines and weed edges to hook a post-spawn northern pike.
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Sauger - Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
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Walleye - Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
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White Bass - Fair: Cast an inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.
Pool 11, Mississippi River (Clayton)
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Water Temperature (°F): 57.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is 11.9 feet at the Lock and Dam below Guttenberg and is expected to rise to 14.5 feet. When the lock gates are out, look for fish to move away from the dam to slacker water. Try fishing the downstream current seams off the main channel. Water clarity is stained with floating debris after recent rains.
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Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are biting on a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current.
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Northern Pike - Fair: Cast chartreuse colored baits along shorelines and weed edges to hook a post-spawn northern pike.
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Sauger - Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
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Walleye - Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
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White Bass - Fair: Cast an inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.
Decorah Management District
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Contact Person: Caleb Schnitzler - 563-382-8324
Rain and windy conditions likely through much of the weekend. Area river levels are falling with improved clarity. Weekend temperatures will reach the low 70s by Sunday. Stocking calendars for the 2026 season are available on the DNR Trout Fishing website. Last updated on 04/08/2026
Allamakee County Trout Streams (Allamakee)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Catchable trout stocking season started. Stocking calendars for the 2026 season are available on the DNR Trout Fishing website. Water levels are elevated, but still fishable.
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Brown Trout - Good: Fresh inputs from recent high water may improve the bite. Early spring hatches often feature smaller insects. Drop one hook size or use a smaller fly if you are getting rises but no hookups.
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Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Try white, black, or olive hair jigs with a "lift-and-drop" motion. Carryovers often strike on the sink; watch your line for that telltale "tick”.
Cedar River (above Nashua) (Floyd)
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Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are elevated about 2 feet with limited clarity. Use caution boating; submersed hazards may have moved with recent rain.
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Channel Catfish - Good: Use a hook with a dead chub, fresh dead minnow, or stink bait fished on the bottom.
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Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Find smallies in off-channel areas. Use a small jig or crankbait fished near the bottom.
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Walleye - Slow: Use a jig with plastic tail and a live minnow about a foot off the bottom in an off channel area.
Clayton County Trout Streams (Clayton)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Catchable trout stocking season has started.Stocking calendars for the 2026 season are available on the DNR Trout Fishing website. Water levels are elevated, but still fishable.
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Brown Trout - Good: Fresh inputs from recent high water may improve the bite. Early spring hatches often feature smaller insects. Drop one hook size or use a smaller fly if you are getting rises but no hookups.
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Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Try white, black, or olive hair jigs with a "lift-and-drop" motion. Carryovers often strike on the sink; watch your line for that telltale "tick."
Fayette County Trout Streams (Fayette)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Catchable trout stocking season has started. Stocking calendars for the 2026 season are available on the DNR Trout Fishing website. Water levels are elevated, but still fishable.
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Brown Trout - Good: Fresh inputs from recent high water may improve the bite. Early spring hatches often feature smaller insects. Drop one hook size or use a smaller fly if you are getting rises but no hookups.
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Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Try white, black, or olive hair jigs with a "lift-and-drop" motion. Carryovers often strike on the sink; watch your line for that telltale "tick."
Lake Hendricks (Howard)
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Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is slightly off color. The water is slow to warm with clouds and rain.
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Black Crappie - Slow: Try a jig head tipped with a minnow or plastic jig fished in deeper water.
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Bluegill - Slow: Gills come in shore on sunny evenings to find food near downed logs or trees. Downed logs provide food for aquatic insects and small crustaceans, favorite treats for bluegills and a safe place to escape predators.
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Largemouth Bass - Slow: Find bass suspended in the evening. Use a spinner or crankbait from shore with a slow retrieve.
Lake Meyer (Winneshiek)
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Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is slightly off color. The water is slow to warm with clouds and rain.
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Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappie in deep water. Try a small spinner or crankbait with a slow or varied retrieval.
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Bluegill - Slow: Gills come in shore on sunny evenings to find food near downed logs or trees. Downed logs provide food for aquatic insects and small crustaceans, favorite treats for bluegills and a safe place to escape predators.
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Largemouth Bass - Slow: As water warms, bass will actively be looking for prey fish. Use a crankbait or a spinner retrieved slowly.
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Northern Pike - Fair: Pike are actively looking for spawning areas in shallow, vegetated water. Use a spoon or hair jig to tease this feisty fish.
Mitchell County Trout Streams (Mitchell)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Catchable trout stocking season has started. Stocking calendars for the 2026 season are available on the DNR Trout Fishing website. Water levels are elevated, but still fishable.
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Brown Trout - Good: Fresh inputs from recent high water may improve the bite. Early spring hatches often feature smaller insects. Drop one hook size or use a smaller fly if you are getting rises but no hookups.
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Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Try white, black, or olive hair jigs with a "lift-and-drop" motion. Carryovers often strike on the sink; watch your line for that telltale "tick."
Turkey River (above Clermont) (Fayette)
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Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Water levels are elevated about 2 feet with limited clarity. Use caution boating; submersed hazards may have moved with recent rain events.
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Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Find smallies in deeper holes near the stream bottom; try to entice them with smaller presentations and a slow retrieve.
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Walleye - Slow: Use a jig with plastic tail and a live minnow about a foot off the bottom in an off channel area.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) (Winneshiek)
Water levels are up about 2 feet with about 6 inch clarity. Use caution boating; submersed hazards may have moved with recent high water.
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Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Find smallies in deeper holes near the stream bottom; try to entice them with smaller presentations and a slow retrieve.
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Walleye - Fair: Use a jig with plastic tail or a live minnow about a foot off the bottom in an off channel area or a clear water seam.
Volga Lake (Fayette)
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Water Temperature (°F): 48.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Weekend rain and clouds will slow lake warming and fish activity. Water temperatures are fluctuating between the upper 40s to low 50s. Target shallower areas toward evening hours.
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Black Crappie - Slow: Try a jig head tipped with a minnow or plastic jig from shoreline.
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Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill bite should improve as water temperature warms. Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm or spike.
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Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are hitting worms or dead chubs fished off bottom.
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Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are hitting spinner baits near structure about 2 to 3 feet below surface.
Winneshiek County Trout Streams (Winneshiek)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Catchable trout stocking season has started. Stocking calendars for the 2026 season are available on the DNR Trout Fishing website. Water levels are elevated, but still fishable.
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Brook Trout - Slow: Skinny water with dense beds of aquatic vegetation to hide in is a brook trout's favorite hangout. In tight runs around rocks, currents can pull your line and make your fly look unnatural. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift.
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Brown Trout - Good: Fresh inputs from recent high water may improve the bite. Early spring hatches often feature smaller insects. Drop one hook size or use a smaller fly if you are getting rises but no hookups .
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Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Try white, black, or olive hair jigs with a "lift-and-drop" motion. Carryovers often strike on the sink; watch your line for that telltale "tick."
Manchester Management District
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Contact Person: Dan Kirby - 563-927-3276
No reports this past week on the interior rivers; they are rising after recent rainfall events. Trout streams in Clayton, Delaware and Dubuque counties are mostly in poor condition. Contact your local area bait and tackle shops for the most up-to-date reports. Last updated on 04/16/2026
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) (Black Hawk)
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Water Temperature (°F): 52.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
The Cedar River is on the rise and more rain is in the extended forecast. There have been no reports other than some anglers pursuing channel catfish.
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Channel Catfish - Status Unsure: Conditions are favorable for catfish with the rivers on the rise. Try stink baits, chicken livers or a nightcrawler on the bottom of the river.
Dalton Pond (Jackson)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout stocking scheduled for April 2026 at Dalton Pond will be canceled. A bridge used to access the trout fishing destination is closed due to structural deterioration. The Iowa DNR is gathering cost estimates and preliminary plans to determine next steps at Dalton Pond. Local media outlets and this weekly report will be updated with developments. Dalton Pond is currently accessible only as a walk-in fishery.
Delaware County Trout Streams (Delaware)
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Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams in Delaware County are unfavorable with the recent high rainfall events.
Dubuque County Trout Streams (Dubuque)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams are in poor condition in Dubuque County. Swiss Valley Park is a favorite trout stream for many anglers; it offers both rainbow trout and brown trout opportunities.
Jackson County Trout Streams (Jackson)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams are in poor condition in Jackson County with the recent rainfall events. Big Mill Wildlife Management area is a favorite trout stream for many anglers; it offers both rainbow trout and brown trout opportunities.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) (Delaware)
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Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
The Maquoketa River is currently at flood stage and there is more rain in the extended forecast.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) (Butler)
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Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
No fishing reports this past week on the Shell Rock River.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) (Buchanan)
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Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
The Wapsipinicon River is rising and turbid. No fishing reports this past week.
Black Hawk Management District
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Contact Person: Ben Wallace - 712-657-2638
Shore fishing should pick up as water temperatures warm and fish feeding activity increases. Last updated on 04/16/2026
Arrowhead Lake (Sac)
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Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Hawk Lake (Sac)
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Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
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Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up a few crappie from shore. Try anywhere in Town Bay, near the fish house, and along Ice House Point shoreline.
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Walleye - Fair: Look for walleye along Ice House Point, in Town Bay, North shore area, and along the east shore near the outlet. Use twisters and minnows under a bobber. Most fish are 14- to 16-inches long; a few anglers have picked up fish over 20-inches. With temperatures warming and the onset of post-spawn feeding behavior, look for the
Brushy Creek Lake (Webster)
Look for the panfish and walleye bite to pick up as water temperatures increase throughout the week.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) (Buena Vista)
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Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
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Walleye - Fair: Look for the walleye action to pick up as water temperatures warm up and post-spawn feeding activity increases. Target walleye along the east shore, north shore, near the inlet, and in the marina as the water temperatures warm up. Use a twister or try a minnow or leach under a bobber from shore.
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White Bass - Fair
Clear Lake Management District
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Contact Person: Scott Grummer - 641-357-3517
For information on lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office. Last updated on 04/09/2026
Clear Lake (Cerro Gordo)
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Water Temperature (°F): 53.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 1.44 inches above crest.
Crystal Lake (Hancock)
The courtesy dock is in for the season.
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Black Crappie - Fair: Try trolling or drift fishing in 5 to 10 feet of water.
Lake Cornelia (Wright)
The courtesy dock is in for the season.
Rice Lake (Winnebago)
Silver Lake (Worth) (Worth)
The courtesy dock is in for the season.
Winnebago River (Cerro Gordo)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The river level is 7.0 feet.
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Northern Pike - Fair: Northern Pike are hitting live bait, jigs and crankbaits.
Spirit Lake Management District
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Contact Person: Jed Siegwarth - 712-330-2542
Boat ramp courtesy docks are in place. Water temperatures have started to come up and should continue to climb with warm weather in the forecast. Most lakes are in the mid-50s. Most fish are still out in deeper water while water temperatures are low. The walleye season is closed on the Iowa Great Lakes until May 2nd. Last updated on 04/16/2026
East Okoboji Lake (Dickinson)
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Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
All ramps are open. The walleye season is closed until May 2nd.
Ingham Lake (Emmet)
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Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Lost Island Lake (Palo Alto)
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Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Some anglers have been catching fish from shore.
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Yellow Bass - Fair: Anglers had been reporting lots of smaller yellow bass during the ice season.
Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)
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Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Spirit Lake (Dickinson)
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Water Temperature (°F): 52.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Boat ramp docks are in. The channel at Templar Park boat ramp is open, allowing easier travel to and from the lake. The walleye season is closed until May 2nd.
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Black Crappie - Good: Anglers are catching fish in 16 feet of water. Using electronics makes it easy to get on top of fish. Try 1/16th and 1/32nd ounce jigs with a minnow or plastic.
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Bluegill - Good: Some anglers have been successful with hook, worm and bobber from shore.
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Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers were catching good amounts of quality-size, 9- to 13-inch fish during the ice season.
West Okoboji Lake (Dickinson)
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Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
All ramps should be available for use. The walleye season is closed until May 2nd.
Bluegill - Slow: Anglers had been successful on the major bays during the ice season.
Lake Darling Management District
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Contact Person: Vance Polton - 319-694-2430
For more information on these lakes and ponds, call the Lake Darling Fisheries at 319-694-2430. Last updated on 03/04/2026
Big Hollow Lake (Des Moines)
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Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
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Black Crappie - Good: Crappie fishing has been good along the edges of the trees in 8 to 10 feet of water. Try small jigs and minnows vertically jigged or slow trolled. A few anglers picked up a few scattered crappies in shallower water along the north side over the weekend.
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Largemouth Bass - Fair: On sunny warm (70+) days, anglers were picking up bass along the north side along the more open shoreline where the sun could get in to warm the water.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi R) (Louisa)
The Iowa River just left "minor" flood stage. It looks to be headed back up that way when the water coming down from up river gets here.
Lake Belva Deer (Keokuk)
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Water Temperature (°F): 58.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature is 58-60 degrees. Water clarity remains decent; water is flowing out the overflow pipe.
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Black Crappie - Good: Anglers continue to catch crappies out in 10 to 12 feet of water in the flooded trees. A few anglers are starting to pick up a few in the shallower water along the north side in the timber; but those seem to be only there on the warmest days.
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Largemouth Bass - Fair: A few more boats are chasing bass on sunny warm days. Anglers are catching some decent bass up to the 4 pounds. Try working the lures slow and shallow along sun heated rocks.
Lake Darling (Washington)
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Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level in the lake is about 10 inches above the normal full pool level. Water clarity remains decent at about 3 feet despite the recent heavy rains.
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Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are coming up into 3 to 4 feet of water along the rocks to feed on warm days. They are heading back out deeper when it clouds back over and cools down. They are not spawning yet.
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Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try working crankbaits with a slow release along the rock shorelines and tree falls/brush piles on warmer days with just a little chop on the water. Look for bass to head back out to the deeper rock piles in 8 to 10 feet of water on cooler days.
Lake Geode (Henry)
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Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity remains fairly good despite the rain.
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Black Crappie - Fair: Most crappies remain out over the habitat in 8-10 feet of water. Try vertically jigging red or blue tube jigs or minnows under slip bobbers.
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Largemouth Bass - Fair: Depends on the day. Warm and sunny: hit the tops of the long mounds across from the beach or along the rock shoreline in the sun with crankbaits. Cool and cloudy: work the steeper shorelines where they can stay closer to deeper water.
Lake of the Hills (Scott)
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Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity remains decent despite recent rains. Several inches of water is going over the spillway and a little "extra" water in the lake.
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Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching bass over top of the same brush piles as they are catching trout.
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Rainbow Trout - Good: Anglers continue to catch trout out of the brush piles using small spinners or jigs.
Lost Grove Lake (Scott)
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Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Water temperature was 55 degrees at about mid-day yesterday (4/15). A good amount of water is going out the overflow pipe. Lake level is 6 inches or so above normal levels.
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Largemouth Bass - Fair: Key into the sun on warm days; hit the shoreline along the north side, especially when a south breeze is blowing. Bass are working those shoreline. When it's cloudy and cool, concentrate your efforts a little deeper out around the habitat not to far from those same shorelines.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock) (Washington)
The Skunk River is currently about 2 feet from running bank full. It is flowing fairly fast and is muddy from all the heavy rains.
Macbride Management District
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Contact Person: D. J. Vogeler or Chris Mack - 319-624-3615
Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow) (Cedar)
Coralville Reservoir (Johnson)
Ely Pond (Linn)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Goose Pond (Johnson)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.) (Iowa)
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) (Johnson)
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake) (Iowa)
Lake Macbride (Johnson)
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Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Liberty Centre Pond (Johnson)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Noelridge Park Pond (Linn)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
North Ridge Park Pond (Johnson)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Pleasant Creek Lake (Linn)
Sand Lake (Marshall)
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) (Jones)
Rathbun Management District
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Contact Person: Rathbun Fish Hatchery personnel - 641-647-2406
Water temperature is in the 50s at most district lakes. Last updated on 04/16/2026
Hawthorn Lake (Mahaska)
Target channel catfish early spring.
Lake Miami (Monroe)
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Largemouth Bass - Status Unsure: Target largemouth along the face of the dam and around the fishing jetties.
Lake Sugema (Van Buren)
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Channel Catfish - Slow: Try cut bait or dead minnows.
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Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers report catching largemouth bass. Target the rip-rapped shorelines using plastics or spinnerbaits.
Lake Wapello (Davis)
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Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills will move shallow ss the water temperature warms; use small jigs.
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Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target the brush piles with plastics or along the shoreline with spinnerbaits.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) (Wapello)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Anglers report that mornings and evenings are the best bite. Use gold rooster tails or other in-line spinners. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Rathbun Reservoir (Appanoose)
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Water Temperature (°F): 46.0
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Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 906.70 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Boat ramps are open and docks are installed; campgrounds are still closed. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before going to another water body.
Walleye - Status Unsure: Walleyes are post-spawn.
Boone Management District
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Contact Person: Andy Otting - 515-204-5885
City ponds will warm up fast. This will create good Crappie and Largemouth Bass fishing ahead of the larger lakes. Check the Iowa DNR Fishing Atlas to see where public fishing ponds are located. Last updated on 04/09/2026
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake (Story)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
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Rainbow Trout - Fair: Trout remain from the winter stocking for open water anglers. Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, blade baits or live baits, such as waxworms, under floats. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Big Creek Lake (Polk)
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Walleye - Fair: Walleye are shallow on rocky and sandy shorelines in the evenings near and after sunset. Cast 1/8oz to 1/4oz jigs tipped with twister tail, straight tail or paddletail swimbaits.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock) (Marion)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
River levels are high, making fishing conditions difficult.
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White Bass - Fair: White Bass are moving up the river with the high water. Catch White Bass below Scott Street and Center Street casting shad and shiner imitating plastics and blade baits.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake) (Polk)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
River levels are currently high, making fishing conditions difficult.
Red Rock Reservoir (Marion)
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White Crappie - Fair: Cast plastics or minnows under floats near riprap, rock and habitat added last summer to catch pre-spawn crappie. Find a habitat location map on the Army Corps of Engineer's Lake Red Rock website under Fishing Information.
Terra Lake (Polk)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
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Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout were stocked on March 23. Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, blade baits or live bait under floats. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Triumph Park East (Dallas)
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Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Rainbow Trout - Fair: Trout remain from the winter stocking for open water anglers. Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, blade baits or live baits, such as waxworms, under floats. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Cold Springs Management District
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Contact Person: Mark Boucher or John Lorenzen - 712-769-2587
Contact the Cold Springs office with any questions about fishing in the southwest district. Last updated on 04/07/2026
Big Lake (Including Gilbert's Pond) (Pottawattamie)
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Rainbow Trout - Slow: Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, or live bait, such as waxworms, under a bobber. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Cold Springs Lake (Cass)
Cold Springs Lake was drawn-down and renovated in August 2025. The lake is filling and fish have been restocked. Anglers can expect good fishing again by 2028.
Greenfield Lake (Adair)
Greenfield Lake will be a good crappie destination this spring.
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Black Crappie - Fair: Cast small jigs around the jetties to catch 10-inch black crappie. The bite will get better as water temperatures warm.
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Channel Catfish - Fair: Use shad sides on the windy shoreline to catch channel catfish of all sizes.
Lake Anita (Cass)
Bluegills and crappies will move into the pontoon arm of the lake when water temperatures warm. Try floating small jigs 2 feet under a bobber.
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Black Crappie - Fair: Sorting is needed for larger fish.
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Bluegill - Slow: Crappie anglers are picking up a few bluegills in the pontoon arm.
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Channel Catfish - Status Unsure: Cast cut bait on the roadbed in the south arm of the lake.
Lake Manawa (Pottawattamie)
Orient Lake (Adair)
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Black Crappie - Status Unsure
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Bluegill - Slow: Catch 8-inch bluegill with waxworms under a bobber around the underwater trees.
Prairie Rose Lake (Shelby)
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Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are starting to catch black crappies around the jetties. Sorting is needed for 10-inch fish.
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Bluegill - Status Unsure
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Largemouth Bass - Good: Shore anglers are catching largemouth bass around the jetties and in shallow brush piles.
Mt. Ayr Management District
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Contact Person: Andy Jansen - 641-464-3108
Water temperature is in the upper 40s to low 50s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. Last updated on 04/07/2026
Green Valley Lake (Union)
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Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch Largemouth Bass up to 18-inches with jigs fished along rocky shoreline areas.
Little River Watershed Lake (Decatur)
Docks are in at the main and bait shop ramps.
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Walleye - Fair: Catch Walleye of all sizes with crankbaits or jigs along the dam.
Three Mile Lake (Union)
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Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Lake level is about 10 feet below normal pool as of March 25. Water level is at the end of all boat ramp lanes at the main ramp.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)
Docks are in at the main ramp.
Yellow Perch - Fair: Catch Yellow Perch of all sizes with nightcrawlers along the mudflats.
 Join us for a day of fishing on May 30 at Green Valley State Park near Creston. We will start the day with some fishing basics (casting, knot tying, fish ID, regulations), have lunch, go shore fishing and kayak fishing, and clean/cook our catch.
The cost of the event is $65 and include lunch, dinner, snacks, a fishing rod/reel combo (thanks to Pure Fishing), and a small tackle box. For full details and to sign up, go to:https://bit.ly/SpringFishing26.
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