Fishing report: Watch for submerged hazards

Water clarity is improving as levels return to normal. Use caution when on water; watch for submerged hazards.

Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information.

Channel catfish — good: try worms or chubs fished on the bottom in calm water or the edge of current.

Smallmouth bass — fair: use crankbaits in off channel areas or eddies.

Walleye — fair: find walleye in deeper water; try jigs tipped with minnow or spinnerbaits.

Decorah district streams

Flows are high with improved clarity at most locations. Use care when wading streams with elevated flows. All announced and unannounced streams were stocked this week.

Brook trout — slow: brook trout take more persuasion to bite in off-color water. Sneak up on brook trout for a better chance to catch one of these beauties.

Brown trout — good: Try fishing near or around logs or undercut banks. Spinnerbaits work well. Also try streamers on larger bodies of water. Brown trout like cloudy water.

Rainbow trout — good: Use spinnerbaits, hair jigs or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm, bread or cheese floated through deeper holes.

Lake Hendricks

Water clarity is about two feet. Water temperature is in the 80s.

Black crappie — slow: try small jigs tipped with a minnow in deeper water.

Bluegill — slow: bluegills are in shallow; use a small piece of worm or waxworm.

Channel catfish — good: try a night crawler or squashed minnow on a hook near the bottom.

Largemouth bass — good: Use topwater lures along the edge of vegetation.

Lake Meyer

The lake is experiencing an algae bloom with about two feet visibility. Water temperatures in the 80s.

Black crappie — slow: Use spinnerbaits or a jig tipped with a minnow fished deeper.

Bluegill — fair: try small hooks tipped with a waxworm or a small piece of worm under a bobber.

Channel catfish — good: Try a night crawler on a hook fished at the bottom.

Largemouth bass — good: Use a spinnerbait along the edge of vegetation. Reports of anglers catching quite a few small bass.

North Bear Creek

Stream improvements are nearing completion on upper North Bear just downstream of 380th Street.

Improvements between 128th Ave. and 380th Street are starting soon.

Rainbow trout — slow: Thanks for staying out of this area until vegetation gets established. There are many other great locations to find fish below this area. Stocking continues below this area weekly.

Turkey River

Water clarity is improving as levels stabilize. Use caution when on the water.

Smallmouth bass — slow: find smallies in deeper holes or near rock ledges.

Walleye — slow: use crankbaits or jigs tipped with plastics in off channel areas.

Upper Iowa River

Water level is stabilizing with improved clarity. Use caution as snags and debris move through the system.

Smallmouth bass — good: find smallies in off channel areas and back eddies; use spinners or streamers.

Walleye — fair: find walleyes in deeper water and back eddies. Evening bite is best; try spinners or crankbaits.

Volga Lake

Water clarity is good. Water temperature is in the 80s.

Black crappie — slow: Find crappies in deeper water or near drop-offs; use a jig tipped with a minnow.

Bluegill — fair: try a small piece of worm on a hook under a bobber near brush or rocky areas.

Channel catfish — good: use a squished minnow or worm fished on the bottom.

Largemouth bass — good: is spinners or crankbaits along jetties or drop-offs.

Volga River

Water levels are high, but are stabilizing. Water clarity is improving.

Yellow River

Water levels are stabilizing with improved water clarity. Use caution as snags and debris move through the system.

Brown trout — good: find trout below or just off riffles. A spinner or shallow running crankbait should interest a hungry mouth.

Water levels on area rivers and streams are falling or stabilizing baring localized rainfall. For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Brinker Lake

The boat ramp has opened after a period of flooding.

Black crappie — fair: use minnows in wood habitat.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)

The Cedar River continues to experience high water levels. Anglers are having some success catching smallmouth bass and catfish. Use caution when fishing near and on the Cedar River at these higher water flows.

Channel catfish — fair: use prepared baits or cut baits near structure.

Smallmouth bass — fair: try fishing near rock with current breaks or slower water eddies.

George Wyth Lake

George Wyth Park is open; anglers are fishing at George Wyth Lake. The bite has been slow with a few crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass caught.

Black crappie — fair: use minnows in wood structure.

Bluegill — fair: try fishing near shore on warm days.

Largemouth bass — fair.

Lake Delhi

Avoid weekends, especially during the evening due to heavy recreational boating. Fishing has been good for panfish.

Black crappie — fair: try minnows or jigs near structure.

Bluegill — fair: use small jigs or worms near shore.

White crappie — fair: try minnows or small jigs throughout the lake.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)

River levels are much above average; fishing has been challenging.

Channel catfish — fair: reports of catfish hitting stink bait or cut bait.

Smallmouth bass — fair: try fishing near rock in areas with reduced current.

White crappie — fair: use small jigs in less current.