DNR Fishing Report for New London area Week of June 12

Sites selected to report are within a one-hour drive from New London. Information is taken from the DNR Iowa Fishing Report. For more information on the following lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Lake Geode 16 min. (10 mi): Water temperature is in the low 80s. Water clarity remains good at about 4 feet. Black Crappie — Fair: Find crappies around the artificial habitat in 8 to 10 feet of water suspended a couple of feet above the bottom. Bluegill — Good: Still seeing some males attending the nests. Most have moved to 6-8 feet of water along the rock drop-offs and artificial habitat. Largemouth Bass — Good: Look for bass on rock piles and other habitat in 6-8 feet of water. Crankbaits ran just over top of these structures should get their attention.

Big Hollow Lake 21 minutes (18 mi): Water temperature is in the low 80s. Curly-leaf beds are starting to show signs of dying back. Black Crappie — Good: Take advantage of the curly-leaf pondweed beds while you can before they are gone for the rest of the summer. Try a minnow under a slip bobber along the outer edge of the beds. Bluegill — Fair: Most spawning beds are empty. Look for bluegills in the curly-leaf beds and out in the brush in 5-6 feet of water.

Lake Darling 46 min. (40 mi): Water temperature is 81 degrees. Water clarity decreased to 24 inches with heavy rain. Bottom of the thermocline is between 9 and 10 feet; not enough oxygen for fish below that depth. Black Crappie — Fair: Look for crappies in the brush piles by the high bank on the south side by the dam. Bluegill — Good: Most bluegill have moved out to the rock piles with the heat. Very little activity on the spawning beds during the last few days. Largemouth Bass — Fair: Best bite is the early morning hours and the last hours of daylight in the evening. Work the deeper brush piles in the middle of the day.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River): River level has come up about 6 inches since yesterday. Forecast to reach its peak about next Tuesday at about three feet higher than the current level. Channel Catfish — Fair: Switch back to minnows and night crawlers for bait, as well as a frog or two. The influx of rainwater will bring these foods into the river.

Mississippi River Pool 18: Tailwater stage is 7.46 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 9.1 feet by early next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill — No report: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Use pieces of worm under a bobber along brush piles in the Huron Island complex. Channel Catfish — Fair: Try around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use stink bait, cut shad or night crawlers upstream of the brush. Float leeches or crawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with current. Walleye — No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Cast crankbaits or jigs with plastic or night crawlers on the upstream side of the wing-dams or troll crankbaits. Fishing may be difficult with dirtier water conditions due to recent rains. White Bass — No report: Cast crankbaits, inline spinners, or jigs and twister tails in areas with current around rocky points or water discharges. White Crappie — No Report: Use minnows under a bobber or vertical jig with minnows or plastics around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels in the Huron Island complex. recent rains. White Bass — No report: Cast crankbaits, inline spinners, or jigs and twister tails in areas with current around rocky points or water discharges. White Crappie — No Report: Use minnows under a bobber or vertical jig minnows or plastics around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels in the Huron Island complex.

Mississippi River Pool 19: Tailwater stage is 4.26 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 6.0 feet by early next week. Flood stage is 10 feet. Bluegill — No report: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber along brush piles. Channel Catfish — No report: Try around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use stink bait, cut shad or night crawlers upstream of the brush. Float leeches or crawlers under a bobber along riprap shorelines with current. Walleye — No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Cast crankbaits or jigs with plastic or night crawlers on the upstream side of the wing-dams or troll crankbaits. Fishing may be difficult with dirtier water conditions due to recent rains. White Bass — No Report: Cast crankbaits, inline spinners, or jigs and twister tails in areas with current around rocky points or water discharges. White Crappie — No Report: Use minnows under a bobber or vertical jig with minnows or plastics around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels

Tailwater stages are forecast to rise close to 1.5 feet by early next week. Main channel water clarity is fair. Main channel water temperature is 78-79 degrees. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.