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.

DNR Fall Rainbow Trout Release in November: Trout releases are long distances from New London. This would be a good time of year to plan a last trip to see the leaves turn and try a bit of trout fishing.

Lake Geode 16 min (10 mi): Water temp holding at 60-62 degrees. Water clarity is improving (less green). Black Crappie — Fair: The crappies around the rock piles along the old haul road seem to be getting more aggressive. More are starting to come in shallow around the rock piles. Bluegill — Fair: The bluegills are holding out at that 4-6 foot depth. Some are starting to move in shallower around the tree falls. Largemouth Bass — Fair: The bass seem to have finally made the move into shallower water 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 holding at or just above 60 degrees. Black Crappie — Fair: The crappies are staying out in that deeper 6-8 foot of water. A few are finally moving a little shallower inside the trees. Bluegill — Good: They seem content to stay where they are at in 4-6 foot of water. On the north side they are catching some along the jetties

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 has dropped a couple of degrees to 58 degrees. Water clarity is at 38 inches — a definite improvement. Lake down about 13 inches from full. Black Crappie — Fair: Anglers are starting to catch more crappies in shallow close to shore but most of them are the smaller 8 inchers. Bluegill — Fair: The place to go for the nicer bluegills continues to be the rock piles and tree falls in 5-6 foot of water. Channel Catfish — Fair: Find the culvert piles and you should be able to find the catfish. Chicken liver or cutbait seems to work well this time of year. Largemouth Bass — Good: The smaller bass (10-12") are definitely moving in shallow to feed. The bigger ones are for the most part still out around the 8-10 foot habitat.

Mississippi River: Tailwater stages have been steady this past week. River conditions are low. Use caution when boating. Main channel water temperature is around 59 degrees and water clarity is fair. We have not received much for reports on tailwater fishing for walleye and saugers yet. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263- 5062.

Mississippi River Pool 18: Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston is 2.99 feet and steady this past week. Channel Catfish — No Report: Try fishing for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Fish with cut shad or dipbaits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wingdams. With the low water conditions look for channel catfish toward the ends of wingdams 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 wingdams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and night crawlers. With the low water conditions look for walleyes toward the ends of the wingdams where there is more current. White Crappie — No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics

Mississippi River Pool 19: Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington is 1.10 feet. Tailwater stage has been fairly steady this past week. Channel Catfish — No Report: Try fishing for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Fish with cut shad or dipbaits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wingdams. With the low water conditions look for channel catfish toward the ends of wingdams 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 wingdams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and night crawlers. With the low water conditions look for walleyes toward the ends of the wingdams where there is more current. White Crappie — No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics. 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.