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 84 degrees in the morning, hotter later. Water clarity is about 6 feet; more green color to the water. 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 — Fair: Bluegills have moved to their summer spots. Try slow trolling (drifting) with a small jig tipped with bait until you locate them and then vertically jigging. Largemouth Bass — Fair: Most bass have headed out to deeper water; expect to find them hunting the tree falls for bluegills and green sunfish on cloudy mornings.

Big Hollow Lake 21 minutes (18 mi): Water temperature is in mid to upper low 80s. 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 — Fair: Work the edges of the flooded trees in 6 to 7 feet of water. The bite has slowed down with the heat. 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.

Iowa River at Columbus Junction 40 min (30 mi): T he Iowa River is holding steady. Channel Catfish — Good: Bite is improving with more stable water levels. Try Cut baits and minnows around the front of brush piles.

Lake Darling 46 min (40 mi): Water temperature is reaching 86 degrees in the afternoon. Water is getting green. Water clarity is 13 inches. 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- Fair: Most males have moved out to the mid-depth habitat in 6-8 feet of water. Channel Catfish- Good: Try fishing around the rip rap shorelines; chicken liver is a favorite bait. Largemouth Bass- Fair: 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. They retreat out to deeper water during the day.

River is once again at flood stage. River level is forecast to continue to rise. Water clarity is poor. Main channel water temperature is around 80 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 14.73 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 18.3 feet by July 3rd. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. River stage is 13.82 feet at Keithsburg; flood stage is 14 feet. The Toolsboro ramp is closed due to high water. The Hawkeye Dolbee ramp will also 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 night crawlers or stink bait. Look for channel catfish along riprap shorelines; float a bobber with leeches or crawlers along the rocks.

Mississippi River Pool 19: Tailwater stage is 10.62 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is rising. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 14.0 feet by July 3rd. The gates are out of the water at the dam. River stage is 15.40 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 527.76 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 night crawlers or stink bait. Look for channel catfish along riprap shorelines; float a bobber with leeches or crawlers along the rocks.