April 30 Iowa Fishing Report

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DNR Fishing Report
A man and kids fishing at a community fishing pond.

See you at the ballpark!

Join the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with the Iowa Cubs, for Outdoors Day with the Iowa Cubs, on May 8.

  • The first 750 youth through the gates will receive a mini tackle box in partnership with Berkley, Plano, Fleet Farm, Killer Jigs and the American Sportfishing Association R3 Grant Program.
  • Check out the DNR booth for exciting activities and giveaways, including the kids' area where you will find casting games and the opportunity to color your own T-shirt.

Tickets are $15.02 each, and $4 from the sale of each ticket goes to support the Iowa Hunter Education Association with conservation and outdoor recreation programs across Iowa. Go to https://www.gofevo.com/event/Iowa4 for ticket information.

Gates open at 6 p.m., first pitch is scheduled for 7:08 p.m. Enjoy a night of baseball, fireworks, and outdoor fun while supporting conservation and outdoor recreation.

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.

Mississippi River

Bellevue Management District

  • Contact Person: Dave Bierman - 563-872-5495

Mississippi River water levels have fallen considerably since last week, and are still steadily falling. Fishing pressure will increase as the river settles down, but has been fairly light over the past week. Water clarity remains stained. Last updated on 04/30/2026

Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 59.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 10.3 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and is forecast to remain steady. Fishing pressure has been light, but some shore anglers are reporting success. Call your local bait shops for the latest information on river conditions.

  • Black Crappie - Slow: As water levels recede, focus your efforts on marina and harbor areas; the water temperature will be warmer in those locations.
  • Bluegill - Slow: As water levels recede, focus your efforts on marina and harbor areas; the water temperature will be warmer in those locations.
  • Channel Catfish - Slow: Focus on areas with shallower and warmer water with some woody structure. Use a nightcrawler or dip baits.
  • Freshwater Drum - Slow: Expect the drum bite to pick up as water levels fall. Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers; they will bite readily this time of year. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: The bass bite has picked up as water levels stabilize.
  • Northern Pike - Slow: Anglers have caught a few pike in the Dubuque tailwater. Pool 12 has excellent numbers of pike.
  • Sauger - Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days.
  • Walleye - Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days.
  • White Bass - Fair: As water levels recede, focus your efforts on marina and harbor areas; the water temperature will be warmer in those locations.

Pool 13, Mississippi River (Jackson)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 59.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 11.1 feet at the Bellevue tailwater and is slowly falling. The gates at Lock & Dam 12 went back down on April 30th. Fishing pressure has been light, but some shore anglers are reporting success. All boat ramps across the pool are back open.

  • Black Crappie - Slow: As water levels recede, focus your efforts on marina and harbor areas; the water temperature will be warmer in those locations.
  • Bluegill - Slow: As water levels recede, focus your efforts on marina and harbor areas; the water temperature will be warmer in those locations.
  • Channel Catfish - Fair: Focus on areas with shallower and warmer water and woody structure. Use a nightcrawler or dip baits.
  • Freshwater Drum - Slow: Expect the drum bite to pick up as water levels fall. Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers; they will bite readily this time of year. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig.
  • Northern Pike - Slow: Good numbers of pike exist in Pool 13.
  • Sauger - Slow: Light angling activity in recent days. Fishing should pick back up once water levels stabilize.
  • Walleye - Slow: Light angling activity in recent days. Fishing should pick back up once water levels stabilize.

Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 59.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 10.8 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and is slowly falling. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.

  • Black Crappie - Status Unsure: As water levels recede, focus your efforts on marina and harbor areas; the water temperature will be warmer in those locations.
  • Bluegill - Slow: As water levels recede, focus your efforts on marina and harbor areas; the water temperature will be warmer in those locations.
  • Channel Catfish - Slow: Focus on areas with shallower and warmer water and woody structure. Use a nightcrawler or dip baits.
  • Freshwater Drum - Slow: Expect the drum bite to pick up as the water levels fall. Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers; they will bite readily this time of year. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig.
  • Sauger - Slow: Very little angling activity in recent days.
  • Walleye - Slow: Light angling activity in recent days. Fishing should pick back up once water levels stabilize.
  • White Crappie - Slow: As water levels recede, focus your efforts on marina and harbor areas; the water temperature will be warmer in those locations.

Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 8.1 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and is falling steadily. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.

  • Channel Catfish - Slow
  • Freshwater Drum - Slow: Expect the drum bite to pick up as water levels fall. Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers; they will bite readily this time of year. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig.
  • Sauger - Slow
  • Walleye - Slow
  • White Bass - Slow

Fairport Management District

  • 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)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 58.0
  • 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)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 61.0
  • 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)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
  • 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)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
  • 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 the them.

Guttenberg Management District

  • Contact Person: Karen Osterkamp - 563-252-1156

Water levels on the Upper Mississippi remain high this week. Water clarity is stained. Boaters should use caution with floating trees/debris in the water. Water temperatures remain in the upper 50s. The bite is picking up with increased water temperatures. Last updated on 04/30/2026

Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 57.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

River level is 9.1 feet at Lansing and predicted to rise slightly over the weekend. New Albin Army Road has reopened.

  • Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are biting on a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current.
  • Northern Pike - Fair: Comment: Cast chartreuse colored baits along shorelines and weed edges to hook a post-spawn northern pike.
  • Sauger - Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
  • Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast inline spinners along the rocks in areas with moderate current to catch feeding smallmouth bass.
  • Walleye - Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
  • White Bass - Fair: Cast an inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.
  • 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)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 57.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is 618.8 feet at Lynxville dam and expected to rise slightly this week. Sny Magill landing is closed due to water over the road. Water clarity is stained.

  • Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are biting on a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current.
  • Northern Pike - Fair: Comment: Cast chartreuse colored baits along shorelines and weed edges to hook a post-spawn northern pike.
  • Sauger - Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
  • Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast inline spinners along the rocks in areas with moderate current to catch feeding smallmouth bass.
  • Walleye - Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
  • White Bass - Fair: Cast an inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.

Pool 11, Mississippi River (Clayton)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 59.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level has fallen to 10.6 feet at the Lock and Dam below Guttenberg and is expected to remain steady. When the lock gates are out, look for fish to move away from the dam to slack water. Try fishing the downstream current seams off the main channel. Water clarity is stained.

  • Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are biting on a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current.
  • Northern Pike - Fair: Cast chartreuse colored baits along shorelines and weed edges to hook a post-spawn northern pike.
  • Sauger - Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
  • Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast inline spinners along the rocks in areas with moderate current to catch feeding smallmouth bass.
  • Walleye - Slow: Try live minnows to entice the bite. With higher water coming down, look for fish to move off to slack current downstream.
  • White Bass - Fair: Cast an inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.

Northeast

Decorah Management District

  • Contact Person: Caleb Schnitzler - 563-382-8324

Conditions will be more seasonal through the weekend. Daytime temperatures will reach into the 60s with overnight lows in the 40s. Area river levels are normalizing and clearing. Stocking calendars for the 2026 season are available on the DNR Trout Fishing website. Last updated on 04/23/2026

Allamakee County Trout Streams (Allamakee)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Catchable trout stocking season is in full swing. Water levels are elevated, but clear. 

  • Brown Trout - Good: Fresh inputs from recent rain events improved 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.
  • Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating small crustaceans, midges, mayfly larvae, or caddis flies.

Cedar River (above Nashua) (Floyd)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water levels are falling with improved clarity. Use caution boating; submersed hazards may have moved with recent rain.

  • Channel Catfish - Good: Use a hook with a dead chub, fresh dead minnow, or stink bait fished on the bottom.
  • Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find smallies in off-channel areas. Use a small jig or crankbait fished near the bottom.
  • Walleye - Good: Use a jig with a live minnow about a foot off the bottom in an off channel area or back eddy.

Clayton County Trout Streams (Clayton)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Catchable trout stocking season is in full swing. Water levels are elevated, but clear. 

  • Brown Trout - Good: Fresh inputs from recent rain events improved 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.
  • Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating small crustaceans, midges, mayfly larvae, or caddis flies.

Fayette County Trout Streams (Fayette)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Catchable trout stocking season is in full swing. Water levels are elevated, but clear. 

  • Brown Trout - Good: Fresh inputs from recent rain events improved 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.
  • Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating small crustaceans, midges, mayfly larvae, or caddis flies.

Lake Hendricks (Howard)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is improving; the water continues to warm.

  • Black Crappie - Good: Try a jig head tipped with a minnow or plastic jig fished in deeper water near structure.
  • Bluegill - Good: Gills come in shore toward evening 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.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: Find bass prowling the shoreline in the evening looking for unsuspecting prey. Use a spinner or crankbait with a slow retrieve from shore.

Lake Meyer (Winneshiek)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is improving with 6 to 8 feet visibility. Best bite is in the morning and evening.

  • Black Crappie - Good: Find crappie suspended. Try a small spinner or crankbait with a slow or varied retrieval.
  • Bluegill - Good: Gills come in shore toward evening 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.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: With warmer water, bass are actively be looking for prey fish. Use a crankbait or a spinner retrieved slowly.
  • Northern Pike - Fair: Pike hang in weedy areas stalking prey. Use a spoon or hair jig to tease this feisty fish.

Mitchell County Trout Streams (Mitchell)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Catchable trout stocking season is in full swing. Water levels are elevated, but clear. 

  • Brown Trout - Good: Fresh inputs from recent rain events improved 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.
  • Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating small crustaceans, midges, mayfly larvae, or caddis flies.

Turkey River (above Clermont) (Fayette)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water levels are falling with improved clarity. Use caution boating; submersed hazards may have moved with recent rain events.

  • Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find smallies in deeper holes near the stream bottom; try to entice them with smaller presentations and a slow retrieve.
  • Walleye - Slow: Use a jig with a live minnow about a foot off the bottom in an off channel area or back eddy.
  • White Sucker - Excellent: The sucker bite is on with temperatures in the mid to upper 50s. Use a hook or jig tipped with a nightcrawler fished on the bottom.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) (Winneshiek)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water levels are falling. Water clarity is improving as rain events slow. Use caution boating; submersed hazards may have moved with recent high water.

  • Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Find smallies in deeper holes near the stream bottom; try to entice them with smaller presentations and a slow retrieve.
  • Walleye - Fair: Use a jig with a live minnow about a foot off the bottom in an off channel area or a clear water seam. Try fishing deeper or later in day on clear days.
  • White Sucker - Excellent: The sucker bite is on with water temperatures in the mid-50s. Use a jig tipped with a worm fished on the bottom.

Volga Lake (Fayette)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Fish activity is improving as the water warms. Try fishing over structure or shallower areas toward evening.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Try a jig head tipped with a minnow or plastic jig from shoreline.
  • Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill bite is improving as the water temperature warms. Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm or spike.
  • Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are hitting worms or dead chubs fished off bottom.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are hitting spinner baits near structure about 2 to 3 feet below surface.

Winneshiek County Trout Streams (Winneshiek)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Catchable trout stocking season is in full swing. Water levels are elevated, but clear. 

  • 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.
  • Brown Trout - Good: Fresh inputs from recent rain events improved 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.
  • Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Freshly stocked rainbows hungry for a hook tipped with small piece of worm, cheese, or dough ball will fill a limit quickly. For anglers interested in catch and release, use flies imitating small crustaceans, midges, mayfly larvae, or caddis flies.

Manchester Management District

  • Contact Person: Dan Kirby - 563-927-3276

The Interior rivers are falling and starting to clear. Anglers are catching walleye and smallmouth bass on the Cedar River. Anglers are beginning to pick up some crappie on the lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Trout streams in Clayton, Delaware and Dubuque counties are in excellent condition; good reports on trout fishing. Contact your local area bait and tackle shops for the most up-to-date reports. Last updated on 04/30/2026

Baileys Ford (Delaware)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Use smaller crankbaits or flashy mepps spinner baits.

  • Rainbow Trout - Good: Use smaller crankbaits or flashy mepps spinner baits.

Bankston Creek (Dubuque)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Anglers are catching rainbow trout.

  • Rainbow Trout - Good: Use smaller crankbaits or flashy mepps spinner baits.

Big Mill Creek (Jackson)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Anglers are catching both rainbow and brown trout.

  • Brown Trout - Good: Try matching the hatch with the recent onset of warmer weather. Spin cast fishing has been good with casting little crankbaits as well.
  • Rainbow Trout - Good: Use smaller crankbaits or flashy mepps spinner baits.

Big Woods Lake (Black Hawk)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Anglers are catching crappie out of Big Woods Lake.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Try locating structure using electronics to find fish. Use a live minnow under a slip bobber or jigging flashy hair jigs or tube jigs.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) (Black Hawk)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 52.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The Cedar River is currently falling. Anglers are catching walleye, smallmouth bass and some crappie above the impoundments.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Try locating structure above impounded dams using electronics to find fish. Use a live minnow under a slip bobber or jigging flashy hair jigs or tube jigs.
  • Channel Catfish - Status Unsure
  • Northern Pike - Fair: Cast and retrieve flashy spoons or try a live chub or shiner under a bobber near slack water areas.
  • Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast and retrieve jigs with plastics tipped with or without a live minnow or nightcrawler.
  • Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve jigs with plastics tipped with or without a live minnow or nightcrawler. Present a slower retrieve with the cooler water temperatures if you are casting crankbaits.

Dalton Pond (Jackson)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout stocking scheduled for May 2026 at Dalton Pond has been 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)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout streams in Delaware County are in excellent condition. A recent sample on Spring Branch Creek showed good numbers of quality sized brown trout at the fish hatchery. There have been good reports at Richmond Springs within Backbone Park as well.

  • Brown Trout - Good: Try matching the hatch with the recent onset of warmer weather. Spin cast fishing has been good with casting little crankbaits as well.

Dubuque County Trout Streams (Dubuque)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout streams in Dubuque County are in excellent condition. Catfish Creek within the upper end of Swiss Valley Park is a very popular area for both rainbow and brown trout.

  • Brown Trout - Good: Try matching the hatch with the recent onset of warmer weather. Spin cast fishing has been good with casting little crankbaits as well.
  • Rainbow Trout - Good: Use smaller crankbaits or flashy mepps spinner baits.

Heritage Pond (Dubuque)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 52.0
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Heritage Pond was stocked with rainbow trout last Saturday, April 25th. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

  • Rainbow Trout - Good: Try smaller crankbaits or flashy mepps spinner baits. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Jackson County Trout Streams (Jackson)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout streams in Jackson County are in excellent condition.

  • Brown Trout - Good: Try matching the hatch with the recent onset of warmer weather. Spin cast fishing has been good with casting little crankbaits as well.
  • Rainbow Trout - Good: Try smaller crankbaits or flashy mepps spinner baits.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello) (Delaware)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The Maquoketa River is falling and beginning to clear. Anglers are catching some smallmouth bass and walleye.

  • Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast and retrieve jigs with plastics tipped with or without a live minnow or nightcrawler.
  • Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve jigs with plastics tipped with or without a live minnow or nightcrawler. Present a slower retrieve with the cooler water temperatures if you are casting crankbaits.

North Prairie Lake (Black Hawk)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 52.0
  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

North Prairie Lake was stocked with rainbow trout last Saturday, April 25th. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

  • Rainbow Trout - Good: Use smaller crankbaits or flashy mepps spinner baits. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Richmond Springs (Delaware)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Anglers are catching trout at Richmond Springs in Backbone State Park.

  • Rainbow Trout - Good: Use smaller crankbaits or flashy mepps spinner baits.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) (Butler)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 50.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

No fishing reports this past week on the Shell Rock River.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) (Buchanan)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The Wapsipinicon River is currently falling and beginning to clear. Anglers should begin to pick up some walleye and smallmouth bass.

  • Smallmouth Bass - Status Unsure: Cast and retrieve jigs with plastics tipped with or without a live minnow or nightcrawler.
  • Walleye - Status Unsure: Cast and retrieve jigs with plastics tipped with or without a live minnow or nightcrawler. Present a slower retrieve with the cooler water temperatures if you are casting crankbaits.

Northwest

Black Hawk Management District

  • Contact Person: Ben Wallace - 712-657-2638

Shore fishing is productive on many area lakes. Water temperatures are around 60 degrees. Last updated on 04/30/2026

Arrowhead Lake (Sac)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 58.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Black Hawk Lake (Sac)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 58.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappie from shore. Try anywhere in Town Bay, near the fish house, and along Ice House Point shoreline.
  • Walleye - Good: Anglers are picking up fish by boat and from shore. Jigs and crawlers work best; anglers are also using crankbaits and twisters. Popular places to fish include: Town Bay, along Ice House Point shoreline, North shore, and the east end near the outlet.

Brushy Creek Lake (Webster)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Black Crappie - Fair: Look for crappie near woody structure along shore. Use a small minnow under a bobber or a small jig.
  • Walleye - Fair

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) (Buena Vista)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 58.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Walleye - Fair: Try along the east shore, north shore, near the inlet, and in the marina as the water temperatures warm back up. Use a twister or try a minnow or leach under a bobber from shore.
  • White Bass - Slow

Clear Lake Management District

  • 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)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 55.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The lake is at crest. All courtesy docks are in for the season.

  • Walleye - Fair: Anglers are catching walleyes on a variety of baits.
  • Yellow Bass - Slow: Try small jigs tipped with bait. Best bite is afternoon on warmer days.

Crystal Lake (Hancock)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The courtesy dock is in for the season.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Try trolling or drift fishing in 5 to 10 feet of water.

Rice Lake (Winnebago)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is over 6 feet. The courtesy docks are in for the season.

Silver Lake (Worth) (Worth)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The courtesy dock is in for the season.

Winnebago River (Cerro Gordo)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

The river level is 6.34 feet.

Northern Pike - Status Unsure

Spirit Lake Management District

  • Contact Person: Jed Siegwarth - 712-330-2542

Most lake temperatures are in the low 60s. Many fish species have started to move into shallower water; bites have started to pick up. The walleye season opens on the Iowa Great Lakes at 12AM Saturday, May 2. Expect many anglers to be out for the walleye opener. Last updated on 04/30/2026

East Okoboji Lake (Dickinson)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

All ramps are open. The walleye season opens May 2nd.

Ingham Lake (Emmet)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Lost Island Lake (Palo Alto)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Some anglers have been catching fish from shore.

Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Spirit Lake (Dickinson)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Boat ramp docks are in. The channel at Templar Park boat ramp was cleared allowing easier travel to and from the lake. The walleye season opens May 2.

  • 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.
  • Bluegill - Fair: Some anglers have been successful with hook, worm and bobber from shore.
  • Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers were catching good amounts of quality-size, 9- to 13-inch fish during the ice season.

West Okoboji Lake (Dickinson)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 56.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

All ramps should be available for use. The walleye season opens May 2.

Southeast

Lake Darling Management District

  • 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)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 66.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water warmed up to about 70 degrees over the weekend; it cooled back down to 66 degrees by Tuesday morning (4/28). Water clarity is excellent at over 8 feet.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing picked up over the weekend, only to slow down with the return of colder weather. Anglers are still picking them up in 6-8 feet of water, but the fish are more scattered.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: The curly-leaf weedbeds are still in the early stages of development. Pitching soft plastics back into the shallow water in the trees works best..

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi R) (Louisa)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The water level continues to fall, but it's still above 3/4 bank full.

Lake Belva Deer (Keokuk)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 64.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The water warmed up to 68-69 degrees over the weekend. It cooled down to 64 degrees by Tuesday (4/28). Water clarity is good at about 7 feet. The curly-leaf pondweed beds are developing fast.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: The bite was good last weekend in the warmer weather. It has slowed down to "fair" as the water cooled back down.
  • Bluegill - Fair: Starting to see a good number of smaller bluegills coming into shallow water. No sign of nest building yet.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: Over the weekend the bass fishing was good. Anglers were fishing crankbaits and soft plastics along the edges of the weedbeds.

Lake Darling (Washington)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 64.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The heavy rains and strong winds finally caught up with the lake. The water is muddy with a water clarity of only about 19 inches; much reduced from last week's 4 feet. Water level is about 16 inches above normal lake level.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie bite over the weekend was good. Anglers were catching 8- to 12-inch fish in 3 to 5 feet of water. Crappies were coming into 1 to 2 feet of water next to shore in the early evening (4:30 - 7:30 p.m.). That all changed with the current high and muddy water levels.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: With the high and muddy water, anglers need to switch to loud and flashy lures until the water clears back up, hopefully in a few days.

Lake Geode (Henry)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 66.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is about 4 feet; the water is starting to get green in color. Two to three inches of water is running over the spillway.

  • Black Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing Tuesday (4/29) was slow with boats fishing over the habitat in 6 to 8 feet of water, just out from the rocky shorelines. The same places where they were catching them in good numbers just a couple of days before.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass fishing continues in a familiar pattern: 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.

Lost Grove Lake (Scott)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 64.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity remains good at between 5 and 6 feet. Weed beds are starting to get more established.

  • Black Crappie - Slow: The bite picked up a little over the warm weather of the weekend, only to slow back down with the fronts moving through and the colder weather. Look for crappies to be holding tight in 6- 10 feet of water in the flooded timber.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: It's time to start working the outer edges of the developing weedbeds where the bass are hunting small bluegills and looking for spots to start building nests.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock) (Washington)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The water level is holding at about 3 feet below bank full. Current speed is fast.

Macbride Management District

  • Contact Person: D. J. Vogeler or Chris Mack - 319-624-3615

Cedar Lake (Linn)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow) (Cedar)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Central Park Lake (Jones)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Coralville Reservoir (Johnson)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Diamond Lake (Poweshiek)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Bathrooms and fish cleaning stations are open.

Ely Pond (Linn)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Rainbow Trout - Fair. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Ewalt Pond (Johnson)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Gateway Park North (Iowa)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • White Crappie - Fair: Try fishing around flooded willow patches.

Gateway Park South (Iowa)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Goose Pond (Johnson)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Hannen Lake (Benton)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.) (Iowa)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) (Johnson)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Lake Macbride (Johnson)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Fish cleaning stations are open.

Liberty Centre Pond (Johnson)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Rainbow Trout - Fair. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Noelridge Park Pond (Linn)

  • Ramp Condition: Not recommended
  • Rainbow Trout - Fair. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

North Ridge Park Pond (Johnson)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Rainbow Trout - Fair. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Otter Creek Lake (Tama)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The lake is now full. Recent survey results show largemouth bass up to 15-inches, bluegill up to 7.5-inches, redear up to 9-inches, and channel catfish up to 15-inches.

Pleasant Creek Lake (Linn)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Bathrooms and the fish cleaning station will be open this weekend.

Sand Lake (Marshall)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Union Grove Lake (Tama)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) (Jones)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Rathbun Management District

  • Contact Person: Rathbun Fish Hatchery personnel - 641-647-2406

Hawthorn Lake (Mahaska)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Bluegill - Status Unsure: Bluegills will start to move shallow with warmer water temperatures; use small jigs.
  • Largemouth Bass - Status Unsure: Target rip-rapped shorelines with plastics.

Lake Miami (Monroe)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Largemouth Bass - Status Unsure: Target largemouth along the face of the dam and around the fishing jetties.

Lake Wapello (Davis)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills will move shallow ss the water temperature warms; use small jigs.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target the brush piles with plastics or along the shoreline with spinnerbaits.

Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) (Wapello)

  • 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)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 61.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Lake level is 906.05 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Boat ramps are open and docks are installed. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before going to another water body.

  • Walleye - Status Unsure: Walleyes are post-spawn.
  • White Crappie - Slow: Crappies are slowly making their way closer to shore as the water warms up. Try jigs tipped with a minnow.

Southwest

Boone Management District

  • Contact Person: Andy Otting - 515-204-5885

Crappie fishing is picking up in Central Iowa and will continue to get better into the first few weeks of May. Last updated on 04/30/2026

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake (Story)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Rainbow Trout - Fair: Trout will bite through May. 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)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Black Crappie - Slow: Crappie have not moved shallow in large numbers yet. Try fishing in 5-10 feet of water near wood. The best spring crappie fishing is typically around the second week of May.
  • Walleye - Fair: Try jigging or trolling in 10 to 20 feet of water during the day near humps, points and creek channel drop-offs. Catch walleye shallow from shore in the evenings near and after sunset on rocky and sandy shorelines. Cast 1/8oz to 1/4oz jigs tipped with twister tail, straight tail or paddletail swimbaits, or, live bait under lighted floats.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock) (Marion)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

River levels have come down, improving fishing conditions.

  • 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)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

River conditions have improved.

  • Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait or stink baits fished in slower current near log piles and treefalls.
  • Walleye - Fair: Catch Walleye off the main current where the substrate is mostly rock or cobble. Cast jigs with twister tails, swimbaits, straight tail baits or live baits.

Red Rock Reservoir (Marion)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Rock Creek Lake (Jasper)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • White Crappie - Good: Catch crappie shallow near rip-rap and wood casting small plastics or live minnows under floats.

Triumph Park East (Dallas)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Rainbow Trout - Fair: Trout will bite through much of May. 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

  • 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)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • 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)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

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)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Greenfield Lake will be a good crappie destination this spring.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Cast small jigs around the jetties to catch 10-inch black crappie. The bite will get better as water temperatures warm.
  • Channel Catfish - Fair: Use shad sides on the windy shoreline to catch channel catfish of all sizes.

Lake Anita (Cass)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Bluegills and crappies have moved into the pontoon arm of the lake. Try floating small jigs 2 feet under a bobber.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Sorting is needed for larger fish.
  • Bluegill - Fair: Crappie anglers are picking up a few bluegills in the pontoon arm.
  • Channel Catfish - Status Unsure: Cast cut bait on the roadbed in the south arm of the lake.

Lake Manawa (Pottawattamie)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies have moved into the canals on the west side of the lake.
  • Channel Catfish - Fair: Cast cut bait on the windy shoreline.

Prairie Rose Lake (Shelby)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Black Crappie - Good: Anglers are catching black crappies around the jetties. Sorting is needed for 10-inch fish.
  • Bluegill - Fair: Crappie anglers are catching a few big bluegills around the jetties.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: Shore anglers are catching largemouth bass around the jetties and in shallow brush piles.

Mt. Ayr Management District

  • Contact Person: Andy Jansen - 641-464-3108

Water temperature is in the low 60s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. Last updated on 04/30/2026

Green Valley Lake (Union)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Docks are in at all boat ramps.

  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch Largemouth Bass up to 18-inches with finesse plastics along rocky shoreline areas.

Little River Watershed Lake (Decatur)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Docks are in at the main and bait shop ramps.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Catch Crappie up to 11-inches with jigs or minnows fished along mainlake points or along the creek channel.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch Largemouth Bass of all sizes using finesse plastics along rocky shoreline areas.

Three Mile Lake (Union)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Lake level is about 5.75 feet below normal pool as of April 28.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie of all sizes using jigs or minnows fished along the creek channel.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Docks are in at the main ramp.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Catch Crappie up to 10-inches using jigs or minnows fished along the creek channel.
A man and young girl fishing.