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 in the lower 60s. Water clarity is about 3 feet. Black Crappie — Fair: Crappies around the rock piles along the old haul road are getting more aggressive. The ones in deeper water don't seem to be in any rush to join them. Bluegill — Fair: Bluegills are holding out at that 4-6 feet of water. They don't seem to be moving any shallower. 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 in the low 60s. Black Crappie — Fair: Most crappies are in deeper 6-8 feet of water. They don't want to leave it. Bluegill — Good: Continue to fish in 4-6 feet of water.

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 60 degrees. While still green, water clarity is improving to close to 2.5 feet. Black Crappie — Fair: While the water temperature indicates that they should be working in shallower, they continue to stay out in deeper 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 rising slightly this past week. River conditions are low. Main channel water temperature is around 59 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 has risen slightly to 3.19 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 night crawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes toward 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 1.17 feet and has been fairly steady 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 night crawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes toward 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.

DNR Fall Rainbow Trout Release Oct. 26

The following ponds in SE Iowa are scheduled for rainbow trout. Fairfield and Muscatine are within an hour’s drive. Clinton is closer to 2 hours. Have a fun time and learn some new skills.

Discovery Park Pond, Muscatine: The fall trout release is Oct. 26 at noon. Rainbow Trout — Good: Trout fishing will pick up after we get the trout off the hatchery truck.

Emma Young Pond, Clinton: The fall trout release is Oct. 26 at 10 a.m. Rainbow Trout — Good: Trout fishing will pick up after we get the trout off the hatchery truck.

Industrial Park Pond. Fairfield: This pond in Fairfield is a new location for the Community Trout Stocking Program. The trout release is Oct. 26 at 11 a.m.