DNR fishing report for New London area

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. Fishing reports are collated by the DNR. You can help your fellow fisherman by calling in your fishing results.

Lake Geode 16 min (10 mi): Water temperature is 68 degrees. Water clarity is about 3 feet. Black Crappie - Good: Little schools of crappies are holding around the habitat in about 6 feet of water. Many more are still out in 8-10 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: Earlier this week very few of any size were in shallow; most are out in 4-6 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Fair: They have moved out to deeper water. Largemouth Bass - Fair. Bass are starting to work in shallower to hunt little bluegills and green sunfish in around the tree falls in the lake. Many more are still out in about 6 feet of water.

Big Hollow Lake 21 minutes (18 mi): Water temperature is 70 degrees. Black Crappie - Fair: Most crappies are in deeper water. They are starting to be more active on the bite. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are a bit more aggressive. Continue fishing in 4-6 feet of water; most have not moved in much shallower. Just the little ones have moved in shallower.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River): No report available.

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

Lake Darling 46 min (40 mi): Water temperature is in the mid-60s. Most fish remain out in deeper water. Black Crappie - Fair: Most crappies are around the cedars and trees in deeper water. Find a few small schools around the rock piles in 6-8 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: A decent number of bluegills on the rock piles in 5-6 feet of water are of decent size. Most in much shallower are small. Channel Catfish - Fair: Find the culvert piles and you should be able to find the catfish. Chicken liver or cut bait works well this time of year.

Mississippi River

Tailwater stages have been steady to falling slightly this past week. River conditions are low. Main channel water temperature is around 68 degrees. Water clarity is fair. 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 steady at 2.96 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Channel Catfish - No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the 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 the ends of the wing-dams where there is 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. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams; cast or troll crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes towards the ends of the wing-dams where there is more current. White Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.

Mississippi River Pool 19: Tailwater stage is 0.90 feet and falling at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Channel Catfish - No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the 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 the ends of the wing-dams where there is 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. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams; cast or troll crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes towards the ends of the wing-dams where there is more current. White Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.