DNR Fishing Report

Many of the state’s parks are closing their fish cleaning stations and modern bathrooms. Some have closed boat ramp docks. Check with lake rangers and go prepared.

Sites selected to report are within a one hour drive from New London. Information is taken from the DNR Iowa Fishing Report.

Lake Geode 16 min (10 mi): Water temperature is in the mid to upper 50s. Water clarity is improving (less green). Black Crappie — Fair: Find crappies in the rock piles and other fish habitat in 5-7 feet of water. Bluegill — Fair: The bluegills are holding out in 4-6 feet of water. Try the rock piles along the haul road running from the spillway up to straight across the beach. Largemouth Bass — Fair: Work the shallow water fish habitat around the jetties at the upper end of the lake where the bass are in to feed on the little green sunfish and baby bluegills. Work crankbaits along the face of the rocks.

Big Hollow Lake 21 minutes (18 mi): Water temperature is in the upper 50s yet and touching 60 degrees in the afternoons when the sun is shining. Black Crappie — Fair: The weather seem to have put a halt to the crappies moving into shallow water, back to drifting over the brush in 6-8 foot of water. Bluegill — Good: Bluegills are staying in 4-6 feet of water. Anglers are catching some along the jetties on the north side.

Discovery Park Pond: The fall trout release was Oct. 26th. Rainbow Trout — Good: A lot of trout have already been taken home, but there is still more than a few to be caught. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Emma Young Pond: The fall trout stocking was Oct. 26. Rainbow Trout — Good: Lots of trout have been caught and taken home, but there are more than a few left. Use worms or power bait under a bobber fished near the habitat. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Lake Darling 46 min (40 mi): Water temperature is holding in the mid-50s. Water clarity continue to improve. Black Crappie — Fair: Work with rocky shorelines that are close to deeper water like those down at the lower end of the lake at that high bank on the south side with the brush piles in deeper water. Bluegill — Fair: Fishing pressure has been low. The constantly changing weather continues to make it hard to pattern the fish. Largemouth Bass — Fair: Find a warmer sunny day and target the rocky shoreline where the sun is shining on it.

Mississippi River: Tailwater stages have risen 1.5 — 2 feet this past week due to heavy rains. Main channel temperature is around 57 degrees. Water clarity is fair to poor due to recent rains. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062

Mississippi River Pool 18: Tailwater stage is 5.30 feet and forecast to rise slightly over the weekend at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Tailwater stage has risen close to 2.0 feet this past week. Channel Catfish — No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along main channel and side channels. Try cut shad or dip baits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wing-dams. With lower water conditions, look for catfish toward ends of wing-dams where there is more flow. Sauger — No Report: We have not received reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam. Fishing should improve as water temperatures fall. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye — No Report: Look for walleyes on wing-dams; cast or troll crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and night crawlers. With low water, look for walleyes toward ends of wing-dams where there is more current. Try vertical jigging with minnow or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. White Crappie — No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in backwaters and side channels. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.

Mississippi River Pool 19: Tailwater stage is 2.78 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Tailwater stage has risen close to 1.5 feet this past week. Channel Catfish — No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along main channel and side channels. Try cut shad or dip baits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing wing-dams. With lower water conditions, look for catfish toward ends of wing-dams with more flow. Sauger — No Report: We have not received any reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam. Fishing should improve as water temperatures fall. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye — No Report: Look for walleyes on wing-dams; cast or troll crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and night crawlers. With low water, look for walleyes toward ends of wing-dams with more current. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnow. White Crappie — No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in backwaters and side channels. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.