May 28 Iowa Fishing Report

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DNR Fishing Report
Two families with kids fishing.

Iowa residents can try fishing without buying a license on June 5, 6 and 7 as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) free fishing weekend. All other regulations remain in place.

Free fishing weekend is a great time to learn how to fish, take your family fishing, or introduce a friend to fishing. Fun, hands-on fishing events will be offered across Iowa to help families new to fishing get started. Find a free fishing weekend event near you on the DNR Outdoor Events in Iowa interactive map. 

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.

Clean, drain, dry your boat to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species

Help us protect Iowa lakes and rivers from aquatic invasive species by cleaning, draining and drying your boat and equipment everytime your boat leaves the water. 

Mississippi River

Bellevue Management District

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

Mississippi River water levels are holding steady across the district. Water temperatures are in the upper 60s to low 70s. The bite has picked up for many species. Last updated on 05/28/2026

Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 72.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 6.6 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and holding steady. Water temperatures are on the rise. The bite has picked up for many species. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.

  • Black Crappie - Slow: The crappie spawn should be winding down; the bite has been slow. Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with shallow water and hard bottoms in backwater lakes.
  • Bluegill - Good: Look for spawning bluegill in areas with slightly warmer water like marinas and backwater lakes. The bite is picking up as water temperatures rise.
  • Channel Catfish - Fair: Use a nightcrawler or dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap. Anglers are catching catfish with leeches fished near shoreline riprap.
  • Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Try a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: The bass bite has picked back up as the water has warmed and water clarity has improved.
  • Sauger - Slow: The bite picked up as water levels stabilized.
  • Smallmouth Bass - Slow
  • Walleye - Fair: The bite picked up as water levels stabilized, escpecially on wing-dams.
  • White Bass - Good: Cast a white inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows, or try a minnow on a three-way rig in the tailwaters.
  • Yellow Perch - Slow: Anglers are catching a few yellow perch from backwater areas; the bite is slow.

Pool 13, Mississippi River (Jackson)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 69.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 7.3 feet at the Bellevue tailwater and holding steady. The bite has picked up for many species.

  • Black Crappie - Slow: The crappie spawn should be winding down; the bite has been slow. Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with shallow water and hard bottoms in backwater lakes.
  • Bluegill - Good: Bluegill spawning activity is picking up. Try fishing in areas with slightly warmer water like marinas and backwater lakes or main channel edges. The bite is picking up as water temperatures rise.
  • Channel Catfish - Good: Use a nightcrawler or dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap. Anglers are catching catfish with leeches fished near shoreline riprap.
  • Flathead Catfish - Fair: A few anglers are having success on bank poles with live bait set overnight.
  • Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Try a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current. Anglers are catching drum on one-eyes in the tailwater zone.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: The bass bite is picking up as water clarity improves.
  • Sauger - Fair: The bite picked up as water levels stabilized.
  • Smallmouth Bass - Slow
  • Walleye - Fair: The bite picked up as water levels stabilized.
  • White Bass - Good: Cast a white inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows, or try a minnow on a three-way rig in the tailwaters.
  • White Crappie - Slow: The crappie spawn should be winding down; the bite has been slow. Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with shallow water and hard bottoms in backwater lakes.
  • Yellow Perch - Slow: Anglers are catching a few yellow perch from backwater and tailwater areas; the bite is slow.

Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 70.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 6.6 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and holding steady. Water temperature has warmed since last week; the bite has picked up for many species. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.

  • Black Crappie - Slow: The crappie spawn should be winding down; the bite has been slow. Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with shallow water and hard bottoms in backwater lakes.
  • Bluegill - Good: Look for spawning bluegill in areas with slightly warmer water like marinas and backwater lakes. The bite is picking up as water temperatures rise.
  • Channel Catfish - Good: Use a nightcrawler or dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap. Anglers are catching catfish with leeches fished near shoreline riprap.
  • Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Try a piece of crawler fished just off the bottom in moderate current.
  • Sauger - Slow: The bite picked up as water levels stabilized.
  • Walleye - Fair: The bite picked up as water levels stabilized, escpecially on wing-dams.
  • White Bass - Fair: Cast a white inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.
  • White Crappie - Slow: The crappie spawn should be winding down; the bite has been slow. Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with shallow water and hard bottoms in backwater lakes.

Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 73.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 5.6 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and holding steady. Water temperature has warmed considerably since last week. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.

  • Channel Catfish - Good: The channel catfish bite has been good; use nightcrawlers or dip baits near woody structure or shorelines with riprap.
  • Freshwater Drum - Good: 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: Slow down your presentation when the bite is difficult. Focus your efforts on current seams.
  • Walleye - Slow: Slow down your presentation when the bite is difficult. Focus your efforts on current seams.
  • White Bass - Good: Cast a white inline spinner or a white jig/plastic combination in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows.

Fairport Management District

  • Contact Person: Andy Fowler - 563-263-5062

Mississippi River Pools 16-19: River stages have been falling slowly this week. Main channel water temperature is around 74 degrees. Water clarity is fair. Last updated on 05/28/2026

Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 74.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Tailwater stage is 7.31 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall slowly over the weekend. Flood Stage is 15 feet. River stage at Fairport is 10.50 feet; flood stage is 14 feet.

  • Bluegill - Status Unsure: Try pieces of worm under a bobber in the backwaters around brush piles and logs.
  • Channel Catfish - Fair: Float leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with some current.
  • Walleye - Status Unsure: Cast or troll crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with nightcrawlers on the wing-dams.
  • White Bass - Status Unsure: Cast jigs and twister tails or inline spinner baits in Sylvan Slough or below Lock and Dam 15 along the Davenport River front. Look for current breaks around rocky points.
  • White Crappie - Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or jigs/plastics up shallow in the backwaters around brush piles. Anglers can also catch crappies with minnows under a bobber in Sunset Marina or the Andalusia Island complex.

Pool 17, Mississippi River (Muscatine)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 74.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Tailwater stage is 5.95 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall slowly over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet.

  • Bluegill - Status Unsure: Try pieces of worm under a bobber in the backwaters around brush piles and logs.
  • Channel Catfish - Status Unsure: Float leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with some current.
  • Walleye - Status Unsure: Cast or troll crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with nightcrawlers on the wing-dams. Anglers can also catch walleye around the outfalls of GPC.
  • White Bass - Status Unsure: Try fishing for white bass around the outfalls of GPC. Anglers can also catch white bass on the wing-dams or rocky shorelines with current breaks. Cast jigs and twister tails or inline spinner baits.
  • White Crappie - Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or jigs/plastics up shallow in the backwaters around brush piles. Anglers can also catch crappies with minnows under a bobber in Big Timber or Cleveland Slough.

Pool 18, Mississippi River (Louisa)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 74.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Tailwater stage is 7.37 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall slowly over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet.

  • Bluegill - Status Unsure: Try pieces of worm under a bobber in the backwaters around brush piles and logs.
  • Channel Catfish - Fair: Float leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with current.
  • Walleye - Status Unsure: Cast or troll crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with nightcrawlers on the wing-dams.
  • White Bass - Status Unsure: Cast jigs and twister tails or inline spinner baits on the wing dams or rocky shorelines with current breaks. Also try fishing for white bass at the outlet of Lake Odessa.
  • White Crappie - Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or jigs/plastics up shallow in the backwaters around brush piles. Anglers can also catch crappies with minnows under a bobber at the Huron Island complex or Belle Pocket (Boston Bay).

Pool 19, Mississippi River (Lee)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 74.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Tailwater stage is 4.37 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Tailwater stage is falling. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 10.10 feet; flood stage is 15 feet.

  • Bluegill - Status Unsure: Try pieces of worm under a bobber in the backwaters around brush piles and logs.
  • Channel Catfish - Fair: Float leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with current.
  • Walleye - Status Unsure: Cast or troll crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with nightcrawlers on the wing-dams.
  • White Bass - Status Unsure: Cast inline spinners or jigs and twister tails along rocky points with current.
  • White Crappie - Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or jigs/plastics up shallow in the backwaters around brush piles. Anglers can also catch crappies with minnows under a bobber around brush piles.

Guttenberg Management District

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

Water levels on the Upper Mississippi are stable. Water clarity is slightly stained. The bite has improved with water temperatures rising into the mid-70s this week. Shoreline fishing has been good with a variety of drum, panfish and bass. Last updated on 05/28/2026

Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 74.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

River level is 8 feet at Lansing and is expected to remain stable through next week. New Albin Army Road has reopened. Water clarity is slightly stained. **Reminder: Crews are working on the Blackhawk Bridge at Lansing. Boaters should use caution in the construction zone. Please slow down for everyone's safety.

  • Black Crappie - Slow: Try small jigs tipped with a live minnow in the warmer water of backwaters and along docks in side channels and protected marina areas..
  • Channel Catfish - Good: The catfish bite has been steady as water temperatures rise into the 70s. Try stink bait fished off the bottom.
  • Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead are on the pre-spawn bite. Use a small shiner or bluegill fished on the bottom.
  • Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are biting everywhere that has some current. Use a bit of crawler fished just off the bottom.
  • Largemouth Bass - Excellent
  • Smallmouth Bass - Excellent
  • White Crappie - Slow: Try small jigs tipped with a live minnow in the warmer water of backwaters and along docks in side channels and protected marina areas.

Pool 10, Mississippi River (Clayton)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 74.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is 615.2 feet at the Lynxville dam and is expected to remain stable through next week. Sny Magill landing ramp is open. Water clarity is slightly stained.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a live minnow in the warmer water of backwaters and along docks in side channels and protected marina areas.
  • Channel Catfish - Good: The catfish bite has been steady as water temperatures rise into the 70s. Try stink bait fished off the bottom.
  • Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead are on the pre-spawn bite. Use a small shiner or bluegill fished on the bottom.
  • Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are biting everywhere that has some current. Use a bit of crawler fished just off the bottom.
  • Largemouth Bass - Excellent
  • Smallmouth Bass - Excellent
  • White Crappie - Slow: Try small jigs tipped with a live minnow in the warmer water of backwaters and along docks in side channels and protected marina areas.

Pool 11, Mississippi River (Clayton)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 74.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level has fallen to 6.9 feet at the Lock and Dam below Guttenberg and is expected to remain steady this week. Boaters should use caution now that water levels are down. Water clarity is slightly stained.

  • Black Crappie - Slow: Try small jigs tipped with a live minnow in the warmer water of backwaters and along docks in side channels and protected marina areas.
  • Channel Catfish - Fair: The catfish bite has been steady as water temperatures rise into the 70s. Try stink bait fished off the bottom.
  • Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead are on the pre-spawn bite. Use a small shiner or bluegill fished on the bottom.
  • Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are biting everywhere that has some current. Use a bit of crawler fished just off the bottom.
  • Largemouth Bass - Excellent
  • Smallmouth Bass - Excellent
  • White Crappie - Slow: Try small jigs tipped with a live minnow in the warmer water of backwaters and along docks in side channels and protected marina areas.

Northeast

Decorah Management District

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

Daytime temperatures are warming into the mid 80s with overnight lows in the upper 50s. A slight chance of showers Friday evening. Area river levels are stabilizing with excellent clarity. Angling opportunities are numerous this weekend with warming temperatures and stable water conditions. Last updated on 05/28/2026

Allamakee County Trout Streams (Allamakee)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout streams are in good condition. Terrestrial vegetation is coming on strong and ticks are out.

  • Brook Trout - Slow: Skinny water with dense beds of aquatic vegetation to hide in is a brook trout's favorite hangout. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift.
  • Brown Trout - Good: 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 stabilizing with excellent clarity. Water temperature is in the 70s.

  • Black Crappie - Good: Crappie are biting hooks tipped with minnows or redworms. Look for a backwater or woody debris out of current.
  • Channel Catfish - Fair: Use a hook with a dead chub, nightcrawler, or chicken liver fished on the bottom.
  • Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use jigs tipped with small ringworms or paddle tails, or spinner baits. Find areas with back eddies or out of the main flow.
  • Walleye - Fair: Use a jig with a live minnow near the stream bottom in an off channel area. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days.
  • White Sucker - Fair: The sucker bite is slowing as water temperatures warm. Use a jig tipped with a worm fished on the bottom. Suckers can be seen in large schools over cobble and sandy river bottom.

Clayton County Trout Streams (Clayton)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout streams are in good condition. Terrestrial vegetation is coming on strong and ticks are out.

  • Brook Trout - Slow: Skinny water with dense beds of aquatic vegetation to hide in is a brook trout's favorite hangout. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift.
  • Brown Trout - Good: 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

Trout streams are in good condition. Terrestrial vegetation is coming on strong and ticks are out.

  • Brown Trout - Good: 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 good with water temperatures in the 70s.

  • Black Crappie - Good: Find crappie in shallower water. Try a small spinner or crankbait with a slow or varied retrieval.
  • Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill bite is improving with warming temperatures. Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm or spike.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: Toss a crankbait or a spinner over aquatic vegetation with a slow retrieve.

Lake Meyer (Winneshiek)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is in the 70s. Warming temperatures will improve the bite.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie in shallower water. Try a small spinner or crankbait with a slow or varied retrieval.
  • Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill bite is improving with warming temperatures. Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm or spike.
  • Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are hitting worms or dead chubs fished off the bottom.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: Toss a crankbait or a spinner over aquatic vegetation with a slow retrieve.
  • 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

Trout streams are in good condition. Terrestrial vegetation is coming on strong and ticks are out.

  • Brown Trout - Good: 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 a 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 stabilizing with excellent clarity. Water temperature is in the 70s.

  • Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use jigs tipped with small ringworms or paddle tails, or spinner baits. Find areas with back eddies or out of main flow.
  • Walleye - Good: Use a jig with a live minnow near the stream bottom in an off channel area. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days.
  • White Sucker - Fair: The sucker bite is slowing as water temperatures warm. Use a jig tipped with a worm fished on the bottom. Suckers can be seen in large schools over cobble and sandy river bottom.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) (Winneshiek)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water levels are stabilizing with excellent clarity. Water temperature is in the 70s.

  • Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use jigs tipped with small ringworms or paddle tails, or spinner baits. Find areas with back eddies or out of the main flow.
  • Walleye - Good: Use a jig with a live minnow near the stream bottom in an off channel area. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days.
  • White Sucker - Fair: The sucker bite is slowing as water temperatures warm. Use a jig tipped with a worm fished on the bottom. Suckers are spawning and can be seen in large schools over cobble and sandy river bottoms.

Volga Lake (Fayette)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Fish activity is improving as water temperatures warm. Try fishing over structure or shallower areas.

  • Black Crappie - Good: Try a jig head tipped with a minnow or plastic jig from shore near a brush pile.
  • Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill bite is improving with warming temperatures. 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

Trout streams are in good condition. Terrestrial vegetation is coming on strong and ticks are out.

  • Brook Trout - Slow: Skinny water with dense beds of aquatic vegetation to hide in is a brook trout's favorite hangout. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift.
  • Brown Trout - Good: 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

Some interior rivers have risen with the recent rainfall; most have crested and are starting to drop. Water temperatures are in the 60s. Fishing should improve with higher temperatures. Anglers are catching catfish, walleye and smallmouth bass on the Cedar River. Anglers are starting to pick up crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass on the lakes in and around the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area and in Lake Delhi. Trout streams in Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson counties are in excellent condition; we have received many good reports on trout fishing. Contact your local area bait and tackle shops for the most up-to-date reports. Last updated on 05/28/2026

Baileys Ford (Delaware)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Use smaller crankbaits or flashy Mepps spinner baits.

  • Rainbow Trout - Good: Use small jigs, smaller crankbaits or flashy Mepps spinner baits.

Bankston Creek (Dubuque)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Anglers are catching Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.

  • Brown Trout - Fair: Use crankbaits or nightcrawlers.
  • Rainbow Trout - Good: Try small jigs or flashy Mepps spinner baits.

Big Mill Creek (Jackson)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Anglers are catching both Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout.

  • Brown Trout - Fair: 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 jigs or flashy Mepps spinner baits.

Big Woods Lake (Black Hawk)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • 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.
  • Bluegill - Good: Try fishing a piece of nightcrawler or worm under a slip bobber at various depths to find bluegill. Casting and retrieving small/tiny hair jigs can be very effective.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: Artificial lures like crankbaits, spinner baits or topwater baits work best.

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

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Anglers are catching channel catfish, walleye, smallmouth bass, and some crappie on the Cedar River as it continues to fall and water clarity continues to improve.

  • Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing a dead chub on the bottom of the river or frozen suckers.
  • Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast and retrieve jigs tipped with plastics tipped with or without a half of a nightcrawler or use artificial baits like spinnerbaits or crankbaits.
  • Walleye - Good: Use a jig tipped with or without plastics and half of a nightcrawler.

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)

  • 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. Good reports at Richmond Springs within Backbone Park.

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

George Wyth Lake (Black Hawk)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 70.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Anglers are catching crappie; some sorting may be needed.

  • Black Crappie - Good: Try jigs around structure or use a dead stick rig.

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 along with casting little crankbaits.
  • Rainbow Trout - Good: Try smaller crankbaits or flashy Mepps spinner baits.

Lake Delhi (Delaware)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity may be stained with the recent rainfall events. Water temperatures are in the 60s to almost 70s. Crappie and bass fishing is fair, but should improve as water temperatures rise and the water clarity improves. Avoid the weekends due to heavy boating activity.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello) (Delaware)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

The Maquoketa River is at 7.3 feet and is falling. There are reports of walleye and smallmouth bass being caught this past week.

  • Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast and retrieve jig and plastics tipped with a nightcrawler. Casting and retrieving crankbaits is also productive.
  • Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve jig and plastics tipped with a nightcrawler. Casting and retrieving crankbaits is also productive.

Maquoketa River (below Monticello) (Jackson)

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

Reports remain good for smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish on the lower Maquoketa River in Jones and Jackson counties.

  • Channel Catfish - Excellent: Anglers are doing well using frozen suckers.
  • Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Cast and retrieve jigs tipped with plastics tipped with or without a half of a nightcrawler or use artificial baits such as spinnerbaits or crankbaits.
  • Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve jig and plastics tipped with a nightcrawler. Casting and retrieving crankbaits is also productive.

North Prairie Lake (Black Hawk)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

North Prairie Lake was stocked with rainbow trout at the end of April. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

  • Bluegill - Good: Try fishing a piece of nightcrawler or worm under a slip bobber at various depths to find bluegill. Casting and retrieving small/tiny hair jigs can be very effective.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: Artificial lures like crankbaits, spinner baits or topwater baits work best.

Richmond Springs (Delaware)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

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

  • Rainbow Trout - Good: Try small jigs or flashy Mepps spinner baits.

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

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

The Shell Rock River is currently at 8.63 feet. No fishing reports; conditions are good and improving for bass, catfish, and walleye.

South Prairie Lake (Black Hawk)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Anglers are catching quality-size bluegill.

  • Bluegill - Good: Try a piece of nightcrawler or worm under a slip bobber at various depths to find active bluegill.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) (Buchanan)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

The Wapsipinicon River is at 5.7 feet. There have been few reports this past week. Walleye fishing has been difficult, but should improve with declining river levels.

  • Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast and retrieve jig and plastics tipped with a nightcrawler. Casting and retrieving crankbaits is also productive.
  • Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve jig and plastics tipped with a nightcrawler. Casting and retrieving crankbaits is also productive.

Northwest

Black Hawk Management District

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

Water temperatures are around 70 degrees in most area lakes. Active bluegill beds are just starting to be seen on area lakes. Last updated on 05/28/2026

Arrowhead Lake (Sac)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 70.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Look for bluegills on beds in shallow areas and along shore.

Black Hawk Lake (Sac)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 72.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Black Crappie - Fair: Look for crappies near shore in Town Bay, at the fish house in Town Bay, and along Ice House Point.
  • Walleye - Fair: The walleye bite has slowed; anglers can still catch walleye with a variety of baits. Try a leach under a bobber, or throw/troll crankbaits. Popular places to fish include: Town Bay, along Ice House Point shoreline, North shore, and the east end near the outlet. If fishing by boat, try the rock piles and the dredge cuts in the east basin of the lake.

Brushy Creek Lake (Webster)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

All boat ramp courtesy docks are in.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Look for crappie near woody structure along shore in 2-8 feet of water. Use a small minnow under a bobber or a small jig.
  • Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegill along shore. Cast a piece of crawler or a small jig under a bobber along shore where bluegill beds can be seen.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use traditional bass lures, weedless lures, and crawlers along shoreline structure and weed lines.
  • Walleye - Fair

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

  • Water Temperature (°F): 72.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is about 3 feet.

  • Channel Catfish - Fair: Look for catfish around rocky shorelines. If fishing by boat, try catfish baits or crawlers in the rocky habitat along the shoreline of the big island.
  • Walleye - Fair: Anglers are picking up walleyes mostly offshore. Use crankbaits and bottom bouncer rigs.

Swan Lake (Carroll)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 72.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is about 2 feet.

  • Black Bullhead - Fair: Most fish are in the 10- to 11-inches and are near shore.
  • Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig under a bobber or a small piece of crawler under a bobber fished near shore. Most bluegill are 7-inches with a few reaching 8-inches.

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

Beeds Lake (Franklin)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs in 4 to 8 feet of water along the north shore.
  • Bluegill - Fair

Clear Lake (Cerro Gordo)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 73.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The lake is 2.76 inches over crest. Water clarity is 20 inches.

  • Black Crappie - Fair
  • Walleye - Good: Anglers are catching walleyes on a variety of baits. Try fishing near the rock reefs and submerged vegetation.
  • Yellow Bass - Good: Try fishing around the Island and Dodge's Point. Best bite is early morning.

Crystal Lake (Hancock)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 73.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is 48 inches.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs in 3 to 6 feet of water in the morning.
  • Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are on beds. Use a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore.

Lake Cornelia (Wright)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Rice Lake (Winnebago)

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

Water clarity is over 6 feet.

  • Bluegill - Fair: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of submerged vegetation.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing near shore woody habitat or the edge of submerged vegetation. Slow presentations work best with the cool water temperatures.
  • Walleye - Slow
  • Yellow Perch - Slow
  •  

Silver Lake (Worth) (Worth)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Winnebago River (Cerro Gordo)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

River level is 6.21 feet.

Spirit Lake Management District

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

Lake temperatures have increased significantly over the last week; most lakes are in the mid-70s. Water levels are a couple inches above crest. The bite is fairly good for most species. Fish morality for various fish species has been observed on many lakes due to spawning stress and rapidly rising water temperatures. Last updated on 05/28/2026

East Okoboji Lake (Dickinson)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 72.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The bass and panfish bite has been good.

  • Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are using electronics to stay on top of fish. Try 1/16th and 1/32nd ounce jigs with a minnow or plastic.
  • Bluegill - Good: Many anglers have been successfully fishing from shore or from docks. A simple hook, worm and bobber setup is working for many. An ultralight rod with a light monofilament line works best for finicky fish.
  • Pumpkinseed - Good: Anglers are catching pumpkinseed while pursuing bluegill.

Ingham Lake (Emmet)

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

The lake has been very clear this spring with a good amount of plant structure to fish around.

Lost Island Lake (Palo Alto)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 74.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The lake is currently experiencing an algae bloom.

Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 72.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Spirit Lake (Dickinson)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 70.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

All ramps are open.

  • Black Crappie - Good: Anglers are using electronics to stay on top of fish. Try 1/16th and 1/32nd ounce jigs with a minnow or plastic.
  • Bluegill - Good: Many anglers have been successfully fishing from shore or from docks. A simple hook, worm and bobber setup is working for many. An ultralight rod with light monofilament line works best for finicky fish.
  • Walleye - Good: Walleye can be finicky. Try fishing out deeper along weed lines with jig and crawler or twister tail; 1/8 to 1/4 oz jig head have worked well, but drop down to 1/16 oz if fishing shallow.
  • Yellow Perch - Good: Anglers are catching 9- to 13-inch fish. Small jigging spoons or Shucks Pilkies/Jigger Minnows tipped with a minnow head or wax worms work well.

West Okoboji Lake (Dickinson)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 67.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity has been down slightly this summer.

  • Bluegill - Good: Anglers are successfully catching fish off docks and in the canals.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are fishing just off the end of docks. Most are using crank or chatter baits.

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): 75.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity remains very good at about 6 feet. The water temperature is climbing fast with the continued hot weather.

  • Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are on the nests, but due to the high water temperatures they are switching out at a high rate. "Here today, gone in less than a week.".
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: Male bass are on the nests in shallow water in the flooded timber.

Lake Belva Deer (Keokuk)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 72.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Black Crappie - Slow: Most crappie have moved to deeper water along the old creek channels, ready for summer. Try a minnow and slip bobber or vertical jigging.
  • Bluegill - Fair: Work the pockets and inner edges of the curly-leaf beds to find the males on the nests.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: The males are in shallow water on the nests. Look for them around the bases of the flooded trees and in the pockets in the weed beds. The females are out in deeper water recovering from the spawn.

.

Lake Darling (Washington)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 73.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is about 4 feet. Seeing more phytoplankton drifting in the water; starting to make the water "green".

  • Black Crappie - Slow: Crappies are back to their summer haunts in 10-12 fet of water. Try fishing along the cedar trees out in the middle, the rock piles down by the dam, and the big brushpiles on the south side down towards the dam.
  • Bluegill - Good: The spawn is moving quick with the earlier than normal high water temperatures. Don't be surprised if you catch a limit of bluegills off a spawning area one day only for it to be nearly empty just a few days later.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: The males are on the nests. The females are out deep recovering from the spawn. Getting a reaction strike from the guarding males isn't too difficult. Use soft plastic baits like a salamander or crawdad or a jig and similar trailer to get them mad.

Lake Geode (Henry)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 74.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity remains at about 4.5 feet. Water temperature jumped with the continued hot weather.

  • Bluegill - Fair: The spawning season is moving fast with the warm (hot) weather and increased water temperatures. Many nesting bluegills have finished up and are moving off the nesting areas. You can still find the males on the beds.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: The males are guarding the nests. The females have moved out to deeper water to recover. Everything is moving at an accelerated rate due to the hot weather. A jig flipped into the nests is a sure way to get a reaction from the guarding male.

Lost Grove Lake (Scott)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 70.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Weedbeds are fully developed and topped with filamentous algae. It could be a short season for curly-leaf weed beds if the water temperatures continue to climb at their present rate.

  • Bluegill - Fair: The males are on the beds. Look for them around the flooded brush and also in the pockets in the weed beds. Try small jigs tipped with a waxworm or worm and bobber.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: The males are on the nest; you should be able to get them to reaction strike about anything as long as they don't see you. The bigger females have gone deep to recover.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock) (Washington)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

The Skunk River dropped nearly five feet in the last week. Keep that in mind if you are planning on setting banklines.

Channel Catfish - Fair: The falling water levels have slowed the bite; you can still catch them. Use live bait, minnows, green sunfish, and nightcrawlers.

 

Macbride Management District

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

Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids) (Linn)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Coralville Reservoir (Johnson)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Diamond Lake (Poweshiek)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Hannen Lake (Benton)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.) (Iowa)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake) (Iowa)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Lake Macbride (Johnson)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Fish cleaning stations are open.

Pleasant Creek Lake (Linn)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Best bite is after sunset.

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 - Fair: Use small jigs; bluegills are moving shallow to spawn.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target rip-rapped shorelines with plastics.

Lake Keomah (Mahaska)

  • Ramp Condition: Closed

Lake Keomah underwent a lake restoration this winter and is currently re-filling with water. Fish are being stocked for angling in the future. The boat ramps are currently unusable.

Lake Miami (Monroe)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs along the rock jetties and the dam.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target largemouth along the face of the dam and around the fishing jetties.

Lake Wapello (Davis)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Bluegill - Slow: Use small jigs along the shoreline as the bluegills move shallow. Also target cedar tree piles.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits and plastics around the cedar tree piles.

Rathbun Reservoir (Appanoose)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Lake level is 906.89 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.

  • Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chubs or nightcrawlers along areas with rip-rapped shorelines.
  • White Crappie - Fair: Crappies are moving closer to shore as the water warms up. Try depths around 8 feet and then move shallow to find active fish. Use jigs tipped with a minnow.

Southwest

Boone Management District

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

Crappie and Bluegill fishing are good in Central Iowa. The crappie spawn has peaked in most ponds and lakes; the bluegill spawn is going strong. Last updated on 05/28/2026

Big Creek Lake (Polk)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 60.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Black Crappie - Fair: The crappie bite is slowing as the spawn winds down. Catch remaining shallow crappies near rock and wood with minnows under a float, or cast or troll chartreuse jig heads with dark plastics.
  • Walleye - Fair: Try leeches on jigs or slowly trolling live bait rigs with leeches or nightcrawlers. Concentrate on shallow points and humps in 10 to 15 feet of water.

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

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Anglers should not trespass by foot or vehicle on the south shore within the construction site below the Scott Street Dam project.

  • White Bass - Fair: Cast shad and shiner imitating plastics and blade baits.

Hickory Grove Lake (Story)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie shallow near wood habitat with live minnows under a float.
  • Bluegill - Good: Try small pieces of nightcrawler under floats in shallow areas of the lake.

Red Rock Reservoir (Marion)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • White Crappie - Slow: The crappie bite has been slow as the peak spawning period winds down. Switch back to drifting or trolling plastics.

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 West (Dallas)

  • Ramp Condition: Not applicable
  • Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill from the fishing pier and just of the shore in 2 to 4 feet of water using small pieces of nightcrawler under a bobber.

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

Arrowhead Pond (Pottawattamie)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is good.

  • Black Crappie - Good: Catch 10-inch crappies around the tree piles in the lake.
  • Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawning around most of the shoreline; fish will average 8-inches.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large population of 10- to 12-inch bass in the lake.

Cold Springs Lake (Cass)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 70.0
  • 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
  • Black Crappie - Fair: Troll small jigs along the creek channel to catch 10-inch black crappie.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass anglers are doing well casting the shoreline.

Lake Anita (Cass)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 70.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Black Crappie - Fair: Troll the roadbeds or fish deep tree piles to find post-spawn black crappies.
  • Bluegill - Good: Try fishing along the underwater reefs to find spawning bluegills.
  • Largemouth Bass - Status Unsure

Meadow Lake (Adair)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Black Crappie - Fair: Look for black crappies in the tree piles.
  • Bluegill - Good: Catch 8-inch bluegill on top of the underwater reefs.
  • Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast the shoreline and shallow structure.

Prairie Rose Lake (Shelby)

  • Water Temperature (°F): 70.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Black Crappie - Good: Black crappies are in the tree piles. Fish will average 9.5-inches.
  • Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawning. Try fishing along the underwater reefs and pea-gravel spawning beds.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good

Mt. Ayr Management District

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

Water temperature is in the mid- to upper-60s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. Last updated on 05/27/2026

Green Valley Lake (Union)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Docks are in at all boat ramps.

  • Bluegill - Fair: Catch Bluegill of all sizes using jigs tipped with live bait fished along the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles.
  • 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 - Slow: Catch Crappie up to 10-inches with jigs or minnows fished along rocky shoreline areas.
  • Bluegill - Fair: Catch Bluegill of all sizes using jigs tipped with live bait fished near rocky shoreline areas.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch Largemouth Bass of all sizes using finesse plastics along rocky shoreline areas.

Three Mile Lake (Union)

  • Ramp Condition: Useable

Lake level is about 4.3 feet below normal pool as of May 27.

  • Black Crappie - Slow: 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 - Good: Catch Crappie up to 10-inches using jigs or minnows fished near rock piles.
  • Bluegill - Good: Catch Bluegill of all sizes using jigs tipped with live bait fished near rock piles.
  • Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch Largemouth Bass up to 19-inches with finesse plastics along rocky shoreline areas.
  • Yellow Perch - Slow: Catch Yellow Perch up to 11 inches using worms fished along the creek channel.
A man and young girl fishing.

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