DNR Fishing Report for New London area Week May 23

Sites selected from the DNR Fishing Report are within a one-hour drive from New London

Lake Geode, 16 min (10 mi): Water clarity is good at about 5 feet. Black Crappie and Bluegill fishing is described as fair. Crappies are moving back to deeper water and are small. Bluegills are in the shallows spawning.

Big Hollow Lake, 21 minutes (18 mi): Big Hollow is a popular recreational area for all of southeast Iowa. Bluegill and Black Crappie fishing is described as fair. Bluegills are in shallow water to spawn and Crappie have gone deep.

Iowa River at Columbus Junction, 40 min (30 mi): A minor flood is expected on the river in the next week.

Lake Darling, 46 min (40 mi): Water clarity is holding at 3 ft. Fishing Fair: Black Crappie is moving out to deeper water. Look for them at 8 ft over brush and rocks. Fishing Good: Bluegill and Channel Cat. Bluegills are spawning. Catfish are hitting on cut bait. If rains get heavy switch to night crawlers in the in -lake silt dams.

Mississippi River Pool 18, 33 min (30 mi) and Mississippi River Pool 19

It is best to report these two together as they are closely tied together. Flood stage is 10 ft at Lock and Dam 18. The river state at Burlington is 13.5 ft (flood 15 ft). DNR did not receive any fishing reports this week from either pool. Look for bluegills to move to shallow water. Worms under a bobber around brush piles should work. Bass should be in the backwaters around brush piles and logs. Walleyes should be on the wing-dams. Try cast jigs and plastics. Crappies are in the backwaters. Try minnows under a bobber in brush piles.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062