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): Cooler weather hasn't dropped the water temperature much; still around 80 degrees most days. Water clarity is around 2 feet. Bluegill — Fair: Bluegills are out around the habitat in 8-10 feet of water around the boat ramp bay and on the agency road. Also try down in the bunch of habitat down by the overflow. Channel Catfish — Fair: The bite has slowed some.

Big Hollow Lake 21 minutes (18 mi): Water temperature is in the low 80s. Black Crappie — Fair: Anglers are picking up a few crappies by slow trolling along the outer edges of the trees. Try fishing down about 6 to 8 feet. The first bend in the lake above the beach has always been good, If you don't mind the duckweed. Bluegill — Fair: Work the edges of the flooded trees in 6 to 7 feet of water. Try the southside of the lake earlier in the morning where it takes a little longer for the sun to hit the water.

Cedar River (Moscow to Columbus Junction): The Cedar River is holding steady at about 4 feet below bank full and forecast to stay at that level.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River): 40 min (30 mi): The Iowa River is about 4 feet below bank full and is forecast to continue to slowly drop.

Lake Darling 46 min (40 mi): Water temperature is 79 degrees. Water clarity remains at about 12 inches. The water is still green. Bluegill — Fair: Anglers are slow trolling (drifting) over the rock piles in 8 to 10 feet of water to find bluegills. Channel Catfish — Good: The lake is stratified with no oxygen below about 10 feet. Try cut bait or chicken liver along the rock piles and other habitat in 8-10 feet zone or bluegills will steal your bait.

River stage is below flood stage for Pools 16-19. River level is forecast to rise some over the weekend. Water clarity is fair. Main channel water temperature is around 80 degrees. We have not received many fishing reports. Boat ramps are opening back up. 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 8.65 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 9.80 by August 14. River stage is 9.14 feet at Keithsburg; flood stage is 14 feet. The Toolsboro ramp is open. We have not received much for fishing reports for this pool this week. Black Crappie — No Report: Look for crappies around brush in the backwaters and side channels. Try minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics. Bluegill — No Report: Look for bluegills around brush piles in the backwaters. Use pieces of worms under a bobber. Channel Catfish — No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Try cut shad, stink bait or night crawlers upstream of the snags. White Bass — Good: Look for white bass at the outlet of Lake Odessa. Cast crankbaits, jigs, and twister tails or inline spinners.

Mississippi River Pool 19: Tailwater stage is 5.52 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 6.0 feet by August 14. River stage is 10.98 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. We have not received much for fishing reports for this pool this week. Bluegill — No Report: Look for bluegills around brush piles in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish — No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use cut shad, stink bait or night crawlers upstream of the snag.