DNR Fishing Report

MIDWEST WALLEYE CHALLENGE — April 1 — June

There is still plenty of time to win prizes in this fun fishing challenge.

Prizes for the longest fish, most water bodies fished, random draws from submitted fish, and tough luck prizes for logging a fishing trip without a catch will be awarded every two weeks until June 29. Recent winners announced are:

Geoff Taylor, for the longest fish, a 29-inch walleye (tie)

Seth Garrett, for the longest fish, a 29-inch walleye (tie)

Fishing Reports:

Sites selected to report are within a one-hour drive from New London. Information is taken from the DNR Iowa Fishing Report. For more information on the following lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Lake Geode 16 min. (10 mi): Water temperature is near 70 degrees most days. Black Crappie - Good: Find 10- to 11- inch crappies; they have been spawning for the last few days. Work the fallen trees and other near shore habitat. Bluegill - Good: Find males building nests in shallow bays. Largemouth Bass- Good: The males are in shallow building nests; a few females are also in shallow.

Big Hollow Lake 21 minutes (18 mi): Water temperature is 70 degrees early in the morning and warming into the mid-70s by afternoon. Duckweed still isn't too bad yet. Bluegill - Good: Scout the shallows along the northside to find spawning areas. Get the males to bite with small jigs tipped with a little live bait or just a worm and a bobber. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or night crawlers along the face of the dam. Largemouth Bass - Good: Nesting is starting to wrap up; bass fry are emerging and will soon be leaving the nest along with dad.

Lake Darling 46 min. (40 mi): Water temperature is 74 degrees. Water clarity is very clear with over 6 feet of clarity. Black Crappie - Good: Find crappies in shallow (a few feet out from shore) with water temperatures at 70+ degrees. Most crappie have retreated out over the rock piles in 6-8 feet of water; others are back out to their summer haunts in 10-12 feet of water. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are on the beds. Find smaller bluegill in tight to shore and bigger ones nesting in 3-4 feet of water. Channel Catfish- Fair: As the water warms, expect catfish to move the crevices in the riprap and around the culvert piles to prepare for their spawn. Use crawdads or minnows. Largemouth Bass - Good: With the warm water temperatures, the bass spawn happened fast this year. The fry and the males are already leaving many of the nests; bigger females are out in deep water recovering from their efforts.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River): River level is 3/4 bank full. Water temperature is in the mid to upper 60s. Try night crawlers or cut bait in the back edges of the sandbars. Use minnows or green sunfish around the log jams

Cedar River (Moscow to Columbus Junction): No report available.

Mississippi River Pool 18: Tailwater stage is 7.71 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are back in the water at the Lock and Dam. Bluegill- No report: Look for bluegills to move up shallow to spawn around brush piles and downed trees in the backwaters. Use pieces of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish- No report: Try around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use slip sinkers with cut bait, night crawlers, or stink bait on the bottom fished upstream of snags or wing-dams. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Cast crankbaits or jigs with plastic or night crawlers on the upstream side of the wing-dams or troll crankbaits. White Bass- No report: Cast jigs and plastics, in-line spinnerbaits, or small crankbaits around the outlet of Lake Odesa or rocky points with current. White Crappie- No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles and downed trees. Float minnows under a bobber or vertical jig with minnows around woody structure.

Mississippi River Pool 19: Tailwater stage is 4.87 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and falling. Flood stage is 10 feet. Bluegill- No report: Bluegills will be moving up shallow to spawn soon. Try a piece of worm under a bobber. around brush piles and downed trees in the backwaters. Channel Catfish- No report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles or snags along the main channel and side channels on the wing-dams. Try fishing on the bottom with slip sinkers using cut bait, night crawlers, or stink bait. Walleye- No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Cast crankbaits or jigs with plastic or night crawlers on the upstream side of the wing-dams or troll crankbaits. White Crappie- No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles and downed trees. Float minnows under a bobber or vertical jig with minnows.

Tailwater stages have been falling this past week. Water clarity is still fair to poor. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.