July 16 Iowa Fishing Report

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Iowa High School Softball players fishing

Going to the 2026 Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union State Softball tournament in Fort Dodge next week to cheer on your favorite team? Don't forget to pack a fishing rod and simple gear.

Stop by and see us at the Girls State Softball complex. Relax and reset before or after a game with us at Kennedy Park (near the fishing pier and boat ramp) from 12pm-6pm on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and from 9am-3pm on Thursday. Have fun fishing and/or paddling with your family and teammates.

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
Northeast
Northwest
Southeast
Southwest

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.

Learn more about aquatic invasive species on the DNR webpage.

Mississippi River

Bellevue Management District

Contact Person: Dave Bierman - 563-872-5495

Mississippi River water levels are holding fairly steady across the district. Water clarity has improved some since last week. Water temperatures have risen into the mid to upper 80s. If you are harvesting fish, get them on ice as soon as possible to ensure the quality of your catch. Call your local bait shops or DNR Fisheries office for the latest information. Last updated on 07/16/2026

Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)

Water Temperature (°F): 85.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 6.6 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and is holding fairly steady. Water temperatures have warmed into the mid-80s. Call your local DNR Fisheries office for the latest information.

Black Crappie - Slow: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with woody structure.
Bluegill - Good: Use a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber in backwater areas with woody structure. Some anglers are catching bluegill along main channel borders and in marina areas.
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use a nightcrawler or dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap. Anglers are catching fish off the wing-dams.
Flathead Catfish - Status Unsure
Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig in areas with moderate current.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use smaller spinnerbaits along the edges of shallow vegetation in backwater areas.
Northern Pike - Fair: Use large and flashy spinnerbaits along deeper vegetation edges. Focus on areas with cooler water temperatures when the main channel gets this warm.
Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits along wing dams or other rocky areas.
Walleye - Good: Use a three-way rig with live bait on the wing-dams. Some anglers are having success trolling crankbaits.
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.

Pool 13, Mississippi River (Jackson)

Water Temperature (°F): 85.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 7.1 feet at the Bellevue tailwater and is forecast to remain fairly steady. Water temperatures have climbed into the mid-80s. Water clarity has improved. Call your local DNR Fisheries office for the latest information.

Black Crappie - Slow: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with woody structure.
Bluegill - Good: Use a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber in backwater areas with woody structure. Some anglers are catching bluegill along main channel borders and in marina areas.
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use dip baits in areas with woody structure like stump fields or along shoreline riprap. Anglers are also catching fish off the wing-dams and in the tailwaters.
Flathead Catfish - Status Unsure
Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig in areas with moderate current.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use smaller spinnerbaits along the edges of shallow vegetation in backwater areas.
Northern Pike - Fair: Use large and flashy spinnerbaits along deeper vegetation edges. Focus on areas with cooler water temperatures or cold water inputs when the main channel gets this warm.
Sauger - Slow: Use a jig and minnow rig in the tailwaters; focus on current seams.
Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits along the wing-dams or other rocky areas.
Walleye - Good: Use a three-way rig with live bait on the wing-dams. Some anglers are having success trolling crankbaits.
White Bass - Good: Cast a white inline spinner in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows, such as along the main channel border.
White Crappie - Slow: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with woody structure.

Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)

Water Temperature (°F): 85.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 6.4 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and is forecast to remain steady. Water clarity has improved. Water temperatures have climbed into the mid-80s. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.

Black Crappie - Slow: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with woody structure.
Bluegill - Good: Use a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber in backwater areas with woody structure. Some anglers are catching bluegill in marina areas.
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use a nightcrawler or dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap. Anglers are catching fish off the wing-dams. .
Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig in areas with moderate current.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use smaller spinnerbaits along the edges of shallow vegetation in backwater areas.
Sauger - Slow: Use a jig and minnow rig in the tailwaters; focus on current seams.
Walleye - Good: Use a three-way rig with live bait on wing-dams or other rocky structure, or use a jig and minnow rig in the tailwaters. Some anglers are having success trolling crankbaits.
White Bass - Good: Cast a white inline spinner or a white jig/plastic combination in areas with current where white bass are chasing minnows, like along main channel borders.
White Crappie - Slow: Use a small jig and plastic combination or a live minnow rig in areas with woody structure.

Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)

Water Temperature (°F): 86.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 5.5 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and is forecast to remain fairly steady. Water clarity has improved. Water temperature is in the upper 80s. Call your local bait shops for the most current information.

Channel Catfish - Good: Use dip baits in areas with woody structure or shoreline riprap. Anglers are catching fish off lateral rock structures.
Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are an excellent target for shore anglers. Use a simple egg sinker and nightcrawler rig in areas with moderate current.
Sauger - Slow
Walleye - Fair: Use a three-way rig with live bait on wing-dams or other rocky structure. Some anglers are having success trolling crankbaits.
White Bass - Good: Cast a white inline spinner or a white jig/plastic combination in areas with current and lateral rock where white bass are chasing minnows, like along main channel borders.

Fairport Management District

Contact Person: Andy Fowler - 563-263-5062

Mississippi River Pools 16-19: River stages have been falling this past week. Main channel water temperature is around 84-86 degrees. Water clarity is good. Last updated on 07/14/2026

Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)

Water Temperature (°F): 86.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Tailwater stage is 7.34 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall over the weekend. Flood Stage is 15 feet. River stage is 10.48 feet at Fairport; flood stage is 14 feet.

Bluegill - Status Unsure: Try fishing for bluegills in the backwaters. Use pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles and logs at Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island Complex. With the warmer temperatures, some bluegills will move out to areas with some flow around brush piles or wing-dams closer to shore.
Channel Catfish - Fair: Float leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with some current. Anglers can also catch channel catfish with dipbaits fished above snags and log jams along the main channel and side channels or on the upstream side of wing-dams.
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 in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Anglers can also catch crappies with minnows under a bobber in Sunset Marina or the Andalusia Island complex. With the warmer temperatures, crappies will be out in the side channels around brush piles.

Pool 17, Mississippi River (Muscatine)

Water Temperature (°F): 86.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Tailwater stage is 6.18 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet.

Bluegill - Status Unsure: Try fishing for bluegills in the backwaters. Use pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles and logs at Big Timber and Cleveland Slough. With the warmer temperatures, some bluegills will move out to the main channel and side channels. Try fishing around brush piles or wing-dams with a little bit of flow.
Channel Catfish - Status Unsure: Float leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with some current. Try dip baits above log jams and snags along the main channel and side channels or on the upstream side of wing-dams.
Walleye - Status Unsure: Cast or troll crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with nightcrawlers on the wing-dams.
White Bass - Status Unsure: Try fishing for white bass around the outfalls of GPC. Cast jigs and twister tails or inline spinner baits on the wing-dams or rocky shorelines with current breaks.
White Crappie - Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or jigs/plastics in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Anglers can also catch crappies with minnows under a bobber in Big Timber or Cleveland Slough. With the warmer temperatures, crappies will move out to the side channels with a little bit of flow. Use jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber around brush piles.

Pool 18, Mississippi River (Louisa)

Water Temperature (°F): 84.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Tailwater stage is 8.66 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet.

Bluegill - Status Unsure: Use pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles and logs in the backwaters. With the warmer temperatures, some bluegills will move out to the main channel and side channels. Look for fish around brush piles with a little bit of current or on the wing-dams.
Channel Catfish - Fair: Float leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with current. Anglers can also catch channel catfish with dip baits fished upstream of snags and log jams along the main channel and side channels or on the upstream side of wing-dams.
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 in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Anglers can also catch crappies with minnows under a bobber at the Huron Island complex. With the warmer temperatures, crappies will move out to the side channels with a little bit of flow. Try jigs and minnows around brush piles.

Pool 19, Mississippi River (Lee)

Water Temperature (°F): 86.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Tailwater stage is 5.71 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and forecast to fall over the weekend. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage is 11.27 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 526.30 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet.

Bluegill - Status Unsure: Use pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles and logs in the backwaters.
Channel Catfish - Fair: Float leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with current. Anglers can also catch channel catfish with dip baits fished upstream of snags and log jams along the main channel and side channels or on the upstream side of the wing-dams.
Walleye - Status Unsure: Cast or troll crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with nightcrawlers on the wing-dams.
White Crappie - Status Unsure: Try vertical jigging with minnows or jigs/plastics in the backwaters and side channels 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

Upper Mississippi water levels are still slightly elevated, but are expected to level off next week. Water clarity is stained and some ramps may have some debris washed in from heavy local rains. Water temperatures have risen into the 80s. Many fish species are actively feeding. Look for spring and tributary inlets where fish may take refuge from the heat. Last updated on 07/09/2026

Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)

Water Temperature (°F): 85.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

River level is 8.0 feet at Lansing and is expected to remain stable over the next week. Water clarity is stained. New Albin Army Road is open; construction to replace the north ramp and add a sidewalk is nearing completion. The main road and the south ramp will remain open. **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: The bite has been slower with cloudier water conditions. Use a live bait in the backwaters with less current.
Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing in the warm shallow areas like marinas, dredge cuts and main channel shorelines.
Channel Catfish - Good: The catfish bite has been steady as water temperatures rise into the upper 70s. Try stink bait fished off the bottom.
Flathead Catfish - Good: Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn. Try a small shiner or bluegill in snags using a heavy weight on the bottom.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: The bite is off with poor visibility due the recent heavy rains. Try fishing along the weed edges in clearer water at the upper ends of backwaters.
Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast spinnerbaits along rocked main channel shorelines.
Walleye - Fair: Expect the walleye bite to pick up as water levels stabilize near normal. Troll a crankbait or three-way rig with a crawler off the wing-dams.
White Bass - Status Unsure

Pool 10, Mississippi River (Clayton)

Water Temperature (°F): 85.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is 614.7 feet at the Lynxville dam and is expected to fall slightly next week. Water temperature is near 85 degrees. Water clarity is slightly stained.

Black Crappie - Slow: The bite has been slower with cloudier water conditions. Use a live bait in the backwaters with less current.
Bluegill - Good: Try fishing in the warm shallow areas like marinas, dredge cuts and main channel shorelines.
Channel Catfish - Good: The catfish bite has been steady as water temperatures rise into the upper 70s. Try cut bait or stink bait fished off the bottom.
Flathead Catfish - Fair: Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn. Try a small shiner or bluegill in snags using a heavy weight on the bottom.
Largemouth Bass - Slow: The bite is off with poor visibility due the recent heavy rains. Try fishing along the weed edges in clearer water at upper ends of backwaters.
Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast spinnerbaits along rocked main channel shorelines.
Walleye - Fair: Expect the walleye bite to pick up as water levels stabilize near normal. Troll a crankbait or three-way rig with a crawler off the wing-dams.
White Bass - Status Unsure

Pool 11, Mississippi River (Clayton)

Water Temperature (°F): 85.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is 6.5 feet at the tailwaters of the Guttenberg Lock & Dam 10 and expected to fall slightly. Water clarity is slightly stained, but is improving.

Black Crappie - Slow: The bite has been slower with cloudier water conditions. Use a live bait in the backwaters with less current.
Bluegill - Good: Try fishing in the warm shallow areas like marinas, dredge cuts and main channel shorelines.
Flathead Catfish - Good: Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn. Try a small shiner or bluegill in snags using a heavy weight on the bottom.
Largemouth Bass - Slow: The bite is off with poor visibility due the recent heavy rains. Try fishing along the weed edges in clearer water at upper ends of backwaters.
Northern Pike - Slow: During hot weather, cast flashy spoons in the cooler water at the mouths of tributary streams.
Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast spinnerbaits along rocked main channel shorelines.
Walleye - Fair: Expect the walleye bite to pick up as water levels stabilize near normal. Troll a crankbait or three-way rig with a crawler off the wing-dams.

Northeast

Decorah Management District

Contact Person: Caleb Schnitzler - 563-382-8324

Summer is in full swing! With high humidity and temperatures climbing into the high 80s and low 90s, water conditions are shifting. Rivers and streams are receding and clearing. Stocking on marginal trout streams during July and August is temporarily paused due to rising water temperatures. Trout already in these waters are well-acclimated to the seasonal warmth. Visit a local lake or pond for a family fishing outing. Last updated on 07/16/2026

Allamakee County Trout Streams (Allamakee)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout streams are in good condition, but use caution. Some parking areas and angling trails sustained minor damage with recent events. Wild or yellow parsnip is blooming. Use caution around this plant. If the plant's sap comes in contact with your skin and is exposed to sunlight, it can cause severe burns.

Brook Trout - Slow: Brook Trout water generally consists of dense beds of aquatic vegetation, cobble-gravel substrate, and narrow channels making them difficult to fish. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift. A large variety of terrestrial insects are hatching with the warmer weather. Matching the hatch is vital to success.
Brown Trout - Good: Brown trout love off-color water and are less picky under these conditions. Good hatches of mayflies, caddis, midges, and scuds are occurring. Terrestrial insects are turning on. Grasshoppers, ants, and crickets are a good bet.
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 crickets, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies.

Cedar River (above Nashua) (Floyd)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Water levels are stabilizing and clearing. Water temperature is in the low 80s. Use caution after high water; snags and submerged debris may have moved. For more information, visit https://water.noaa.gov/gauges/05457700.

Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie near snags in backwater areas. Try a small spinner or crankbait.
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use worms, dead chubs or minnows under a bobber near the bottom.
Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Find smallmouth along rocky shorelines or limestone ledges. Try a variety of lures.
Walleye - Fair: Use a jig with a live minnow or nightcrawler in a deeper pool near the stream bottom. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days.

Clayton County Trout Streams (Clayton)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Brook Trout - Slow: Brook Trout water generally consists of dense beds of aquatic vegetation, cobble-gravel substrate, and narrow channels making them difficult to fish. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift. A large variety of terrestrial insects are hatching with the warmer weather. Matching the hatch is vital to success.
Brown Trout - Good: Brown trout love off-color water and are less picky under these conditions. Good hatches of mayflies, caddis, midges, and scuds are occurring. Terrestrial insects are turning on. Grasshoppers, ants, and crickets are a good bet.
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 crickets, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies.

Fayette County Trout Streams (Fayette)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Brown Trout - Good: Brown trout love off-color water and are less picky under these conditions. Good hatches of mayflies, caddis, midges, and scuds are occurring. Terrestrial insects are turning on. Grasshoppers, ants, and crickets are a good bet.
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 crickets, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies.

Lake Hendricks (Howard)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is limited and off-color. Weeds are up. Water temperature is in the low 80s. Few anglers and boaters have been out.

Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappie along weedlines. Try trolling a small spinner or crankbait.
Bluegill - Slow: Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or very small piece of a nightcrawler along weedlines.
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait under a bobber near the bottom.
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Toss a topwater lure along the edge of a plant bed or rocky shoreline. Keep tension on the line to prevent lure loss.

Lake Meyer (Winneshiek)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is limited and off-color. Weeds are up. Water temperature is in the low 80s.

Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappie along weedlines. Try trolling a small spinner or crankbait.
Bluegill - Slow: Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or very small piece of a nightcrawler along weedlines.
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use worms, dead chubs or minnows, or stink bait under a bobber near the bottom.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Toss a topwater lure along the edge of a plant bed or rocky shoreline. Keep tension on the line to prevent lure loss.
Northern Pike - Slow: Pike hang in weedy areas stalking prey. Target weed lines with a spoon or hair jig to tease this feisty fish.

Mitchell County Trout Streams (Mitchell)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Brown Trout - Good: Brown trout love off-color water and are less picky under these conditions. Good hatches of mayflies, caddis, midges, and scuds are occurring. Terrestrial insects are turning on. Grasshoppers, ants, and crickets are a good bet.
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 crickets, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies.

Turkey River (above Clermont) (Fayette)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Find smallmouth behind rock riffles, rocky shorelines, and limestone ledges. A variety of lures are working; topwater and jigs are producing fish.
Walleye - Fair: Use a jig with a live minnow or nightcrawler in a deeper pool near the stream bottom. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) (Winneshiek)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Find smallmouth along rocky shorelines or limestone ledges. A variety of lures are working. Upper and lower dams are producing fish.
Walleye - Fair: Use a jig tipped with a nightcrawler or ringworms in a deeper pool near the stream bottom. Try fishing sunrise and sunset on clear days.

Volga Lake (Fayette)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is limited and off-color. Water temperature is in the low 80s. Try fishing over structure. Fish are suspended.

Black Crappie - Fair: Try minnows under a bobber or plastics near and around structure.
Bluegill - Slow: Continue to use small jigs tipped with a waxworm, spike, or a very small piece of a nightcrawler along rocky shorelines or around submerged structure.
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use worms, dead chubs, minnows, or stink bait under a bobber near the bottom. Trophy catfish abound in this waterbody.
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Toss a crank or spinner bait along the edge of a rocky shoreline or steep depth contour. Keep tension on your line to prevent losing your lure.

Winneshiek County Trout Streams (Winneshiek)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Brook Trout - Slow: Brook Trout water generally consists of dense beds of aquatic vegetation, cobble-gravel substrate, and narrow channels making them difficult to fish. Use a reach cast to lay the line across the current to get a few extra seconds of drift.A large variety of terrestrial insects are hatching with the warmer weather. Matching the hatch is vital to success.
Brown Trout - Good: Brown trout love off-color water and are less picky under these conditions. Good hatches of mayflies, caddis, midges, and scuds are occurring. Terrestrial insects are turning on. Grasshoppers, ants, and crickets are a good bet.
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 crickets, midges, scuds, mayflies, or caddis flies.

Manchester Management District

Contact Person: Dan Kirby - 563-927-3276

Interior river water levels are dropping with improved water clarity, making for fair to improved angling opportunities this weekend. There is rain in the forecast for tonight into Thursday, but looks to be a beautiful upcoming weekend. Water temperatures are in the low 80s. There have been few reports around the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area due to the extreme heat. Trout streams in Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson counties are in good to excellent conditions. Contact your local area bait and tackle shops for current and most up to date reports. Last updated on 07/16/2026

Baileys Ford (Delaware)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Spring Branch Creek within Baileys Ford Park is in good to excellent condition.

Rainbow Trout - Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.

Bankston Creek (Dubuque)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout streams in Dubuque County are in good to excellent condition. Anglers are catching both rainbow and brown trout.

Brown Trout - Fair: Try matching the hatch with the upcoming warmer weather.
Rainbow Trout - Status Unsure: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.

Big Mill Creek (Jackson)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout streams in Jackson County are in good to excellent condition. The Big Mill Wildlife Management area is popular amongst anglers for both rainbow and brown trout.

Brown Trout - Good: Try matching the hatch with the upcoming forecast of warmer weather ahead.
Rainbow Trout - Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.

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

Ramp Condition: Useable

Few reports this past week with the unstable hot weather and heavy rainfall. River conditions are fair to good for channel catfish.

Channel Catfish - Fair: Try nightcrawlers, dead cutbaits or stink baits on the bottom.

Dalton Pond (Jackson)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout will not be stocked at Dalton Pond during July and August. A bridge used to access the trout fishing destination is closed due to structural deterioration. Iowa DNR has gathered cost estimates for bridge repair and replacement and is currently determining 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. Trout stocking has not occurred at Dalton Pond since March 31.

Rainbow Trout - Status Unsure

Delaware County Trout Streams (Delaware)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout streams in Delaware County are in good to excellent condition.

Brown Trout - Good: Try matching the hatch with the upcoming warmer weather.
Rainbow Trout - Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.

Dubuque County Trout Streams (Dubuque)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout streams in Dubuque County are in good to excellent condition. Catfish Creek within the upper end of Swiss Valley Park and Bankston Creek are popular areas for both rainbow and brown trout.

Brown Trout - Fair: Try matching the hatch with the upcoming warmer weather.
Rainbow Trout - Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.

Jackson County Trout Streams (Jackson)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout streams in Jackson County are in good to excellent condition. The Big Mill Wildlife Management area is popular amongst anglers for both rainbow and brown trout.

Brown Trout - Good: Try matching the hatch with the upcoming forecast of warmer weather.
Rainbow Trout - Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello) (Delaware)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

River conditions are vastly improving in Delaware County. The river should be in good condition for the upcoming weekend.

Channel Catfish - Status Unsure: Try live or fresh dead baits near structure.
Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try live or artificial baits.
Walleye - Fair: Cast crankbaits or a jig tipped with half of a nightcrawler.

Maquoketa River (below Monticello) (Jackson)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Channel catfish are an angler's best bet. A 2025 fall fish survey showed extreme numbers of quality-size catfish below Pictured Rocks County Park.

Channel Catfish - Good: Try live or fresh dead baits near structure.

Richmond Springs (Delaware)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Trout streams in Delaware County are in good to excellent condition. A recent survey on the stream revealed a high density population of brown trout.

Brown Trout - Good: Try matching the hatch with the upcoming warmer weather.
Rainbow Trout - Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner blades or smaller bead heads.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) (Buchanan)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

The Wapsipinicon has dropped to 6.4 feet and continues to drop. No reports this past week.

Channel Catfish - Status Unsure: Try nightcrawlers, dead cutbaits or stink baits on the bottom.

Northwest

Black Hawk Management District

Contact Person: Ben Wallace - 712-657-2638

Water temperatures are in the low 80s on most area lakes. Last updated on 07/16/2026

Black Hawk Lake (Sac)

Water Temperature (°F): 84.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Bluegill - Fair: Pick up bluegill from shore near patches of vegetation, from the stone piers in Town Bay, and from boats near the rock piles. Use a piece of crawler on a jig. Most fish are 7-inches.
Channel Catfish - Fair: Pick up catfish from shore and around the rock piles in deeper habitat. Use cut bait or crawlers fished on or near the bottom.
Walleye - Fair: Try drifting or trolling along the dredge cuts and the rock piles in the east basin.

Brushy Creek Lake (Webster)

Ramp Condition: Useable

All boat ramp courtesy docks are in.

Black Crappie - Fair: Look for crappie near woody structure in 10-15 feet of water. Use a small minnow on a jig.
Bluegill - Fair: Look for fish in 5-15 feet of water near woody structure and along the weedlines.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use traditional bass lures, weedless lures, and crawlers along shoreline structure and weedlines.

Crawford Creek Impoundment (Ida)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills along the weedlines in 5-10 feet of water and near submerged brush piles. Bigger fish are 7- to 8-inches long.

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

Water Temperature (°F): 82.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Channel Catfish - Fair: Look for catfish around rocky shorelines and near the dredge cuts. Use cut bait, stink bait, or a crawler on the bottom.
Walleye - Fair: Look for walleye off shore near the dredge cuts. Use crankbaits, a jig tipped with a minnow fished just off the bottom, or a bottom bouncer with a crawler harness.

Swan Lake (Carroll)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Black Bullhead - Fair: Catch 10- to 11-inch bullhead from shore along the jetties; use a piece of crawler fished on or near the bottom.
Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig under a bobber or a small piece of crawler under a bobber fished in the deeper water off the jetties. 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

Clear Lake (Cerro Gordo)

Water Temperature (°F): 83.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Lake level is 6.12 inches above crest. Water clarity is around 15 inches.

Walleye - Fair: Anglers are catching walleyes on a variety of baits. Try fishing near the rock reefs and submerged vegetation. Best bite is early morning.
Yellow Bass - Fair

Crystal Lake (Hancock)

Water Temperature (°F): 83.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll a small jig or minnow.
Bluegill - Fair

Rice Lake (Winnebago)

Water Temperature (°F): 83.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Submerged aquatic vegetation is thick in areas.

Bluegill - Slow
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater and weedless baits.

Silver Lake (Worth) (Worth)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Submerged aquatic vegetation is thick in areas.

Bluegill - Fair
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater and weedless baits.

Upper Pine Lake (Hardin)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Black Crappie - Slow: Best bite is early morning.
Largemouth Bass - Fair

Winnebago River (Cerro Gordo)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

The river level is 5.25 feet.

Smallmouth Bass - Slow

Spirit Lake Management District

Contact Person: Jed Siegwarth - 712-330-2542

Lake temperatures are in the upper 70s to mid-80s. Water levels are a couple inches above crest. The bite is fairly good for most species. Expect more fish mortality with higher water temperatures. Last updated on 07/16/2026

East Okoboji Lake (Dickinson)

Water Temperature (°F): 80.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

The bass and panfish bite has been good. The curly-leaf pondweed is gone for the summer.

Black Crappie - Good: Crappie are hanging out in 12-15 feet of water. Anglers are using electronics to stay on top of fish. Try 1/16th and 1/32nd ounce jigs with a minnow or plastic. Fishing from docks in deeper water has also been good.
Bluegill - Good: A simple hook, worm and bobber setup is working for many. An ultralight rod with light monofilament line works best for finicky fish.
Pumpkinseed - Good: Fish are biting in and around the docks.

Ingham Lake (Emmet)

Water Temperature (°F): 82.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Little Swan Lake (Dickinson)

Water Temperature (°F): 83.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

A lot of vegetation is reaching the surface, making navigation by boat more difficult.

Black Bullhead - Good
Yellow Perch - Good

Lost Island Lake (Palo Alto)

Water Temperature (°F): 80.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

The lake currently has a slight algae bloom.

Yellow Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching many fish around 7-8 inches.

Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)

Water Temperature (°F): 82.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

The lake has been experiencing an algae bloom most of the summer.

Black Bullhead - Excellent: Anglers are catching larger bullhead.
Walleye - Fair: Nightcrawlers are working for some anglers.

Spirit Lake (Dickinson)

Water Temperature (°F): 80.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

The lake has a very slight algae bloom.

Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been catching quality-sized bass all summer.

West Okoboji Lake (Dickinson)

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

Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie are hanging out in 12-15 feet of water.
Bluegill - Good: Bluegill have started to move off beds.
Largemouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been consistently good, with anglers finding fish of good size.

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): 90.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

The duckweed is mostly gone from the boat ramp bay, but has been just pushed out into the main lake more. Water clarity is down to 19 inches as a planktonic algae bloom started.

Black Crappie - Status Unsure: Very little fishing activity the last few days due to the weather. Continue to fish along the edges of the trees in deeper water, especially down and out from the campground. Look for suspended fish at a depth of 10 - 12 feet. Try slow trolling just out from the edges of the flooded timber.
Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are out in deeper water (6 - 7 feet). Use a worm and bobber or try vertical jigging.

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

Ramp Condition: Useable

The Iowa River below Columbus Junction is rising quickly with all the water coming in from the Cedar River. It continues to drop above the Junction.

Channel Catfish - Fair: The Iowa River is quickly rising. Might not be the best time to run bank lines.

Lake Belva Deer (Keokuk)

Water Temperature (°F): 91.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water is green, like just about everywhere this summer. Water clarity is down to about 24 inches.

Black Crappie - Slow: Very little angler activity this week. Look for crappies in their usual haunts around the edges of the flooded timber. Try slow trolling down about 12 to 16 feet deep to find them.
Bluegill - Fair: Most bluegills are out in deeper 12-14 feet of water in the flooded timber.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Find bass out in the habitat or over the mounds in 10-12 feet of water.

Lake Darling (Washington)

Water Temperature (°F): 93.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water temperature of 93 degrees was taken at 3 pm on Wednesday (7/15) and went down at least 4 feet deep. Water is green with a planktonic algae bloom; water clarity is 12 inches.

Bluegill - Fair: Very little fishing pressure this week due to the weather. Look for bluegills in cooler water at 8 to 10 feet around the rock piles and deeper brush piles.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Best bite is early morning. Look for bass around the rocky shorelines that drop off quickly to deeper water where they will retreat to as soon as the sun gets up on the water.

Lake Geode (Henry)

Water Temperature (°F): 92.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water temperature was taken just about noon on Wednesday (7/15). Water is very green from a planktonic algae bloom. Water clarity at 19 inches.

Black Crappie - Slow: Crappies are hanging around the habitat in 10 feet of water along the top of the old Agency Road and deeper parts of the haul road used during the lake renovation.
Bluegill - Slow: The bigger bluegills are out in the fish habitat in 8 to 10 feet of water.

Lost Grove Lake (Scott)

Water Temperature (°F): 88.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

The Eurasian Watermilfoil in the lake has formed some thick beds. Clean, drain and dry your boat, trailer and equipment before you leave the boat ramp area.

Bluegill - Fair: The bigger bluegills remain out in deeper water in 12 -14 feet. Very early in the morning you can find a few nicer bluegills returning to the outer edges of the weedbeds to feed before returning to the deeper water for the bulk of the day.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: During the evening hours and the early morning hours work the outer edges of the weedbeds, especially those closest to the deeper water where the bass will head once the sun hits the water and starts heating it back up. With the heat, the evening hours fishing is turning into more of an after dark time.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock) (Washington)

Water Temperature (°F): 86.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

The Skunk River dropped only a couple of inches this week after hitting "bank full" levels last weekend.

Wilson Lake (Lee)

Water Temperature (°F): 90.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are holding tight to deeper water cedar trees.

Macbride Management District

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

Central Park Pond (Jones)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Largemouth Bass - Good: Use top water lures at sunrise or sunset.

Coralville Reservoir (Johnson)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Black Crappie - Slow: Crappie are scattered on flats away from the river channel and current.
Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a worm along rock shorelines.
Channel Catfish - Good: Troll rattle rigs with cut bait.
Green Sunfish - Good: Use a small piece of worm below a bobber along rock shorelines.
White Crappie - Slow: Fish have been scattered on flats away from the river channel and current.

Diamond Lake (Poweshiek)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Fishing regulations are currently relaxed and will continue until September 7th prior to the lake restoration project starting. This applies to only Diamond Lake and not the surrounding ponds within the park.

Grundy County Lake (Grundy)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Bluegill - Good: Try trolling jigs over the top of weed beds.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing around weed beds.
Redear Sunfish - Good: Try trolling jigs over the top of weed beds.
Walleye - Slow: Try trolling jigs over the top of weed beds.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.) (Iowa)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie suspended around brush piles mid-lake.
Channel Catfish - Good: Best bite is after sunset on the north and sound ends of the lake.

Lake Macbride (Johnson)

Water Temperature (°F): 84.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures around vegetation or crank baits and soft plastics around brush and rock piles.
Spotted bass - Fair: Use 2" paddle tails or ned rigs around main lake brush piles.
White Crappie - Slow: Move around to find scattered groups of fish suspended near brush piles and weed edges.
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Slow: Look for surface feeding activity near points and drop offs at sunrise or sunset. Use 2" paddle tails or smaller crank baits.

Pleasant Creek Lake (Linn)

Ramp Condition: Useable
Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have caught catfish with green sunfish at the rock jetties.
Green Sunfish - Good: Try a piece of worm below a bobber along rock shorelines.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing around brush piles along shore.
Walleye - Fair

Rathbun Management District

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

Hawthorn Lake (Mahaska)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs along brush piles and submerged rock piles.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try spinnerbaits along the rock jetties and any rip-rapped shorelines. Mornings and evenings should have better success.

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 around the cedar tree piles and the other submerged structures.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target largemouth along the face of the dam and around the fishing jetties.

Lake Wapello (Davis)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Bluegill - Fair: Target cedar tree piles in deeper water with jigs or jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits and plastics around the cedar tree piles or along the rip-rapped shorelines.

Rathbun Reservoir (Appanoose)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Lake level is 905.63 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before going to another water body.

Channel Catfish - Good: Use chubs or nightcrawlers along areas with rip-rapped shorelines.
Walleye - Fair: Try crawler harnesses or trolling crankbaits over rock piles and along the old river channel.
White Crappie - Fair: Crappies have moved off-shore; target brush piles and other submerged structures. Crappies will also suspend this time of year; try small crankbaits trolled through the schools of crappie.
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Try crankbaits or blade baits along rock piles and submerged points.

Southwest

Boone Management District

Contact Person: Andy Otting - 515-204-5885

Catfishing is good in the reservoirs and rivers. Drifting or slow trolling plastics at depths less than 10 feet deep will find crappies in many Central Iowa lakes. Last updated on 07/09/2026

Big Creek Lake (Polk)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Black Crappie - Fair: Try trolling or jigging panfish plastics over roadbeds and brush piles in water less than 15 feet deep.
Walleye - Fair: Try leeches or crawlers on jigs or slowly trolling live bait rigs with leeches or nightcrawlers. Concentrate on shallow points and humps in 5 to 15 feet of water.
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Use jigs with shad imitating plastics. Look for surface feeding activity or use electronics to find concentrated schools of gizzard shad.

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

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut baits or dip baits near wood debris and riprap.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake) (Polk)

Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut baits or dip baits near wood debris and deep cutbanks.

Hickory Grove Lake (Story)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Bluegill - Fair: Catch Bluegill drifting or bobber fishing small pieces of nightcrawler on the edge of the aquatic vegetation.

Red Rock Reservoir (Marion)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Channel Catfish - Good: Try drifting or still fishing cutbaits. Look for concentrations of catfish near rock and riprap during their spawning through late June.

Rock Creek Lake (Jasper)

Ramp Condition: Useable

White Crappie - Fair: Try drifting or slowly trolling 1/16 to 1/8 jigs tipped 2inch or less twister tail or paddle tail plastics.

Cold Springs Management District

Contact Person: Mark Boucher or John Lorenzen - 712-769-2587

Arrowhead Pond (Pottawattamie)

Water Temperature (°F): 82.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Black Crappie - Slow: Catch 10-inch crappies around the tree piles in the lake.
Bluegill - Fair
Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large population of 10- to 12-inch bass in the lake.

Cold Springs Lake (Cass)

Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
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)

Water Temperature (°F): 82.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Black Crappie - Slow: Slow troll open water areas to find schools of black crappie.
Channel Catfish - Fair: Cast cut bait on the windy shoreline to catch all sizes of channel catfish.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass anglers are doing well casting the dam and around jetties.

Lake Anita (Cass)

Water Temperature (°F): 82.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is good.

Black Crappie - Fair: Troll the roadbeds or fish along deep tree piles to find black crappies. Early morning bite is best. Sorting ise needed for larger fish.
Bluegill - Good: Anglers are catching bluegill slow trolling close to underwater reefs and around the beach.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass anglers are finding fish in deep tree piles and along the roadbed.

Meadow Lake (Adair)

Water Temperature (°F): 82.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is 12 inches.

Black Crappie - Slow: Look for black crappies in the tree piles. Late afternoon bite is best.
Bluegill - Slow: Slow troll and fish along tree piles to find 8-inch fish.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast the dam and shallow structure for best success.

Prairie Rose Lake (Shelby)

Water Temperature (°F): 80.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water clarity is 10 feet.

Black Crappie - Fair: Find black crappies in the tree piles. Fish will average 9.5-inches. Anglers are trolling for larger fish.
Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills in open water areas slow trolling or drifting.
Largemouth Bass - Good

Mt. Ayr Management District

Contact Person: Andy Jansen - 641-464-3108

Water temperature is in the mid-80s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. Last updated on 07/16/2026

Green Valley Lake (Union)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Docks are in at all boat ramps.

Bluegill - Slow: Catch Bluegill of all sizes using jigs tipped with live bait fished along cedar tree brush piles.
Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch Catfish of all sizes using nightcrawlers or cut bait fished near rocky shoreline areas.

Little River Watershed Lake (Decatur)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Docks are in at the main and bait shop ramps.

Bluegill - Slow: Catch Bluegill of all sizes with a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber fished near cedar tree brush piles.
Channel Catfish - Slow: Catch Catfish up to 25-inches with worms or cut bait fished in the flooded timber.

Three Mile Lake (Union)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Lake level is back to normal pool as of June 15.

Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Slow: Catch Wipers of all sizes with nightcrawlers or leeches fished along the fish mounds.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)

Ramp Condition: Useable

Docks are in at the main ramp.

Bluegill - Fair: Catch Bluegill of all sizes with a nightcrawler fished along rock

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