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Iowa Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-40s. Expect shore fishing action to pick up throughout the week as temperatures continue to warm. Black Crappie – Fair: Try in and around the fish house in Town Bay and along Ice House Point shoreline. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye – Fair: The last week has been slow. Expect shore fishing action to pick up as water temperatures warm throughout the week. Use twisters or live bait from shore. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some perch are being picked up in Town Bay on minnows and crawlers.
Brushy Creek Lake
Courtesy docks are in on the north, east, and south ramps. One of the two docks is in at the west ramp. Black Crappie – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Slow. Yellow Perch – Fair.
North Twin Lake
Water levels are 2-3 feet low. No courtesy docks are installed at the south boat ramps due to low water levels. A courtesy dock is in at the west boat ramp at Featherstone County Park.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water clarity is about 2 feet. Water temperatures are in the low 40s, but will slowly climb throughout the week. Look for walleye to move in closer to shore as spawning activity ramps up. The DNR's walleye broodstock collection efforts will be going on this weekend and next week. Black Crappie – Slow. Walleye – Fair: Look for shore fishing action to pick up as water temperatures start to warm. White Bass – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair. Yellow Perch – Slow: Anglers have picked up some perch in the marina.
Water temperatures slowly warmed to the mid-40s in many area lakes throughout last week. Look for shore fishing to improve as water temperatures continue to climb. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 40s. Water level is 11.6 inches below crest. The courtesy dock is in at the Ritz ramp. A temporary courtesy dock is in at McIntosh until new docks are installed. DNR staff will start netting walleyes soon. Anglers fishing after sunset should avoid nets set on the East shore, around the Island and Dodges point. Walleye – Slow: Anglers are having some success wader fishing and fishing off the jetties. Best bite is after sunset. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try a small jig in the rushes.
Crystal Lake
Walleye – Slow.
Lake Cornelia
The courtesy dock is in at the boat ramp.
Rice Lake
Walleye – Slow. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Yellow Perch – Slow.
Winnebago River
Water level is 5.69 feet. Northern Pike – Slow. Walleye – Fair: Try a jig head tipped with a minnow along current breaks.
For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
The lake level is at crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and afternoon.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
Lake access through the Templar Lagoon ramp has been restored. The lake is 9 inches below crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4th. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are finding quality-size fish. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji Lake
The lake level is at crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4th. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
Area water temperatures continue to be low with cold weather conditions. Most area lakes are at or above crest. Most courtesy docks are not in place. The walleye season is closed on the Iowa Great Lakes until May 4th. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Anglers were doing well on a variety of fish before the recent cold snap. Warmer weather should spark new activity. Water levels remain low. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Use jigs tipped with a plastic tail. Walleye – Slow: Try jigs tipped with minnow or plastics. Find eddies or drop-offs for best luck.
Decorah District Streams
The first week of Catchable trout stockings is nearly complete. The current weather pattern is limiting some stocking locations. Streams maintain nice holdover numbers for the casual angler. Check the on-line trout stream stocking calendar to find out which streams will be stocked each week. Brook Trout – Fair: Brook trout are taking a variety of flies imitating gnats, midges, caddis or an occasional mayfly. Use care not to alarm the trout when you approach the stream in gin clear water. Brown Trout – Good: Best time to fish spooky browns is when water is off-color. Use lures that mimic small minnows or midges. Rainbow Trout – Good: Find rainbows in head ends of pools. Try fishing the afternoon hatches for fun action.
Lake Hendricks
Fish activity slowed this week with cooler temperatures. Few anglers are braving the weather. Black Crappie – Slow: Try angling higher in the water column late afternoon and fishing along the rocky shoreline where water warms quicker. Bluegill – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try fishing along drop-offs or around structure. Crankbaits work well.
Lake Meyer
Fish activity slowed with the drop in water temperatures. Few anglers are out. Black Crappie – Slow: Try fishing habitat or structure higher in the water column. Bluegill – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Find bass along drop-offs or near woody structure near shoreline.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are up slightly, but remain low. Brown Trout – Fair: Use a spinner or crankbait for brownies around current breaks or deeper holes. Walleye – Fair: Try a jig tipped with minnow.
Volga Lake
Fish activity slow with cooler water temperatures. Few anglers are out this week. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappie around structure. Use a flashy lure to attract attention. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills are around structure near shore. Use small jigs tipped with waxworms. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use crankbaits or spinnerbaits in the drop-offs, downed trees or rocky areas.
Chance of rain Saturday evening through Monday. Variable temperatures with highs in the upper 50s to lows in the 20s and breezy. For additional information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are catching a few walleye and northern pike, but it has been extremely slow. Northern Pike – Slow: Most catches are from anglers targeting walleye. Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow. Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week. Walleye – No Report: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week. Walleye – No Report: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow.
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Reports of anglers catching smallmouth bass. Walleyes should be on the bite before the spring spawn. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow. Walleye – No Report: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow..
Angling has been fair on interior rivers with up and down weather patterns. No reports on the surrounding area lakes. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. Catchable trout stockings are fully underway. For further information contact your local bait shops for most recent information. Contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276 for more information.
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Search the Iowa DNR's full fishing reports here: https://www.iowadnr.gov/idnr/Fishing/Fishing-Reports
The Iowa Fishing Report is created by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and excerpted here from the full public domain report. To read the full report, visit: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/IACIO/bulletins/39330ce
