DNR Fishing Report for New London area

The fishing report this week is a bit short due to the holiday. River fishing continues to be affected by the floodwaters. Channel Cat fishing seems to be picking up in most of the lakes.

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 80 degrees. While the water is green, water clarity remains at just over 4 feet. Bluegill — Fair: Bluegills have moved to their summer spots. Try slow trolling (drifting) with a small jig tipped with bait until you find them and then vertically jigging. Anglers are also picking up some around the docks. Channel Catfish — Good: Catfishing is picking up; try fishing around the riprap.

Big Hollow Lake 21 minutes (18 mi): Water temperature is in the upper 70s to low 80s. Water is clear. Duck weed is not bad. Bluegill — Fair: Work the edges of the flooded trees in 6 to 7 feet of water. The 6 feet depth is their perennial sweet spot during the summer. Channel Catfish — Good: The face of the dam is the place to catch catfish; after a heavy rain, try where those steep gullies hit the lake.

Iowa River at Columbus Junction 40 min (30 mi): The Iowa River in this section is bank full or higher for at least the next several days.

Lake Darling 46 min (40 mi): Water temperature is 78 degrees. Water is getting green. Heavy rains have cut water clarity to 9 inches. The lake level is a little higher than normal pool. Bluegill — Fair: Anglers continue to catch some bluegills over top of the rock piles between the point and the campground boat ramp; also off the tips of the jetties. They are hanging around the habitat in 5-6 feet of water. Channel Catfish — Good: Try fishing around the riprap shorelines and over the culvert piles along the shore. The lake is stratified; don't fish below 10 feet with little to no oxygen below that. 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 stage is above major flood stage throughout Pools 16-19. River level is forecast to continue to rise and crest on July 7 or July 8. Water clarity is poor. Main channel water temperature is around 74 degrees. Fishing is being reported as slow. Most boat ramps are inaccessible due to high water. If 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 18.93 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 21.0 feet by July 8. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. River stage is 17.39 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.

Mississippi River Pool 19: Tailwater stage is 14.44 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 16.2 feet by July 8. The gates are out of the water at the dam. River stage is 18.73 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 529.82 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. Boat ramps like Tama Beach and Sullivan Slough will be inaccessible due to high water.

NOTE: Operation Dry Water occurs every July 4 holiday weekend. Operation Dry Water is a national campaign to reduce the number of alcohol and drug related incidents and fatalities in the water throughout the year. In an effort to deter impaired boating and enforce Iowa’s boating while intoxicated (BWI) laws, the DNR reminds boaters to stay sober and alert, always wear a life jacket and take a boating safety education course. Stay safe at all times on the water.