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.

Lake Geode 16 min (10 mi): Water temperature is 77 degrees. Water clarity is good at a little over 6 feet. Water has a green hint to it. Black Crappie - Slow: Vertical jig for crappie over the fish habitat in 8-10 feet of water or slow troll along the edges of the long mounds across from the beach. Bluegill - Good: You can still catch 7- to 8-inch bluegills along the fallen trees along the shoreline, especially those in the shade. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch chunky bass along the outer tips of the tree falls along the shoreline where they are feeding on bluegills and golden shiners.

Big Hollow Lake 21 minutes (18 mi): Water temperature was 74 degrees on Monday; will have been warming since then. Water is clear. Duck weed is along the edges of the lake where the wind blows it; much of the lake remains open water. Bluegill - Good: Work the edges of the flooded trees in 6 to 7 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Good: Normally it would be early to talk about fishing for spawning catfish, but they are starting to spawn in the rocks along the face of the dam. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing the flooded timber where bass are chasing the little bluegills.

Lake Darling 46 min (40 mi): Water temperature is 75 degrees.

Water temperature is 77 degrees and climbing. Water clarity is good at 38 inches. Just a hint of green color. Black Crappie - Fair: With the hot weather, expect crappies to remain around the deeper (10-12 feet) habitat. Anglers are vertical jigging for them. Bluegill - Good: Most males have moved out to the mid-depth habitat in 6-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for bass to be hunting for bluegills and green sunfish along the rocks and edges of the weed beds early in the morning or late evening.

River stage is forecast to rise over the weekend. Water clarity is poor. Main channel water temperature is around 73 degrees. Fishing is being reported as slow. Some boat ramps are inaccessible due to high water. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062

Mississippi River Pool 18 33 min (30 mi)

Tailwater stage is 13.45 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 14.4 feet by June 18. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. River stage is 12.91 feet at Keithsburg; flood stage is 14 feet. The Toolsboro ramp is closed due to high water. The Hawkeye Dolbee ramp and parking area will be underwater. Bluegill- No Report: Look for bluegills to move shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles. Channel Catfish- No Report: Look for channel catfish around snags and flooded timber; use nightcrawlers or stink bait. Largemouth Bass- No Report: Look for bass to move up shallow around brush and logs as water temperatures rise; try fishing at Huron Island. White Crappie- No Report: Look for crappies up shallow in the backwaters. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in brush piles at the Huron Island complex.

Mississippi River Pool 19` Tailwater stage is 9.9 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is forecast to reach 10.0 feet by June 17. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. The gates are out of the water at the dam. River stage is 14.82 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 527.59 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. Tama Beach and Sullivan Slough boat ramps will be inaccessible due to high water. Bluegill- No Report: Look for bluegills to start to move shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles. Channel Catfish- No Report: Look for channel catfish around snags and flooded timber; use nightcrawlers or stink bait. Largemouth Bass- No Report: Look for bass up shallow in the backwaters around brush piles and logs. White Crappie- No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in brush piles.