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 around 86 degrees. Water clarity has decreased to around 3 feet; there is a definite green color to the water. Expect extra boat traffic with the Mississippi River being high. Black Crappie — Good: Anglers are catching lots of small crappies over the habitat in 8-10 feet of water, especially that on top of the old Agency Road. Bluegill — Fair: Bluegills are out at their deep water spots. Try slow trolling (drifting) with a small jig tipped with bait until you find them and then vertically jigging. Channel Catfish — Good: Try fishing around the riprap shoreline. Use stink bait and cut bait; good numbers of pan-sized fish. 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 the mid-80s. Water is fairly clear. Black Crappie — Fair: Try slow trolling along the outer edges of the trees. Try fishing down about 6 to 8 feet. 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.

Cedar River (Moscow to Columbus Junction): The lower end of the Cedar River dropped below bank full level, but the current remains fairly swift. Water level is forecast to continue to drop for at least the next few days.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River): 40 min (30 mi): The Iowa River downstream of Columbus Junction is forecast to stay at about bank full level for at least the next couple of days as the last of the "extra" water from the Cedar River moves on down.

Lake Darling 46 min (40 mi): Water temperature is in the mid-80s; cooler weather should get it to drop again. The lake is stratified with no oxygen below 10-11 feet. Bluegill — Fair: Most bluegills remain 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: The lake is stratified; don't fish below 10 feet with little to no oxygen below that. Find catfish around the rocks on the in-lake silt dams and the culvert piles just out from the shoreline between the lodge and the point. Largemouth Bass — Fair: Bass are still coming into the shallows to feed first thing in the morning and just before dark in the evening. Try fishing below a couple of feet where the water is clearer or use something noisy and flashy.

River stage is above major flood stage throughout Pools 16-19. River level is falling and is forecast to keep falling over the weekend. Water clarity is poor. Main channel water temperature is around 79 degrees. Fishing is being reported as slow. Most 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 19.25 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall over the weekend. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. River stage is 17.72 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. Fishing is being reported as slow with the high water conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 19: Tailwater stage is 15.04 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall over the weekend. The gates are out of the water at the dam. River stage is 19.35 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 530.39 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. Boat ramps like Tama Beach and Sullivan Slough are inaccessible due to high water. Fishing is slow.