Free Fishing Weekend is June 7-9

The DNR has announced Free Fishing for the weekend of June 7, 8, and 9. Any Iowa resident can try fishing on those days without buying a license. “Share the Fun” is the theme. To find a list of stocked lakes and ponds check at www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Fish-Local. A list of free fishing events can be found at www.iowadnr.gov/fishing

These sites are listed. Camp in one of Iowa’s state parks and take advantage of all the fun offered as well as receiving help learning to fish.

The DNR has also released its fishing report for the state. Here’s the latest from well-known spots within an hour’s drive of New London.

Lake Geode 16 min (10 mi): Water temperature is 72 degrees. Water clarity is good at about 5 feet. Black Crappie — Slow: Not finding any crappies in shallow; a few are still hanging around the ends of the jetties. Bluegill — Fair: With the very warm water temperatures last week, some nests have already finished with the first spawn. Move around to find active beds.

Big Hollow Lake 21 minutes (18 mi): Water temperature is 72 degrees. Duckweed isn't covering all that much of the lake. Black Crappie — Fair: Try slow trolling in deeper water to find the scattered schools. Vertical jig once you find them. Bluegill — Good: Males are on the beds guarding the nest. Try fishing the area around the islands downhill from the campground area and the gravel flats around the jetties.

Iowa River at Columbus Junction 40 min (30 mi): A The Iowa River at Wapello will be at minor flood stage until at least sometime next Monday (6/3).

Lake Darling 46 min (40 mi): Water temperature dropped from 78 degrees last week to 71 degrees. Water clarity is at 34 inches. Black Crappie — Fair: Just a few are still in shallow, mostly smaller immature fish. Head out to the deeper 8-10 feet habitat like the rock piles and large brush piles down toward the dam. Bluegill — Good: Bluegills are still on the beds despite the temperature drop. Starting to see some bluegill fry swimming around. Channel Catfish — Slow: Catfishing has slowed down with the cooler weather. Forecasted rains in the next few days might get them active again. Largemouth Bass — Fair: Still seeing a good number of females carrying eggs but are starting to see males showing signs of building nest. Look for feeding bass to work the rocks where the wind is blowing in.

River stage has been on the rise due to recent rains. Some areas of the Mississippi River are at or approaching flood stage. Water clarity is poor. Fishing is being reported as slow. Some 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 15.05 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is forecast to reach 15.6 feet early next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. River stage is 14.47 feet at Keithsburg; flood stage is 14 feet. The Toolsboro ramp is closed due to high water. The Hawkeye Dolbee ramp and parking area will be underwater. Bluegill- No Report: Look for bluegills to move shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles. Channel Catfish- No Report: Look for channel catfish around snags and flooded timber; use night crawlers or stink bait. Largemouth Bass- No Report: Look for bass to move up shallow around brush and logs as water temperatures rise; try fishing at Huron Island. White Crappie- No Report: Look for crappies to move up shallow. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in brush piles at the Huron Island complex.

Mississippi River Pool 19 Tailwater stage is 11.27 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is forecast to reach 11.40 feet by the weekend. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. River stage is 16.10 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage at Fort Madison is 528.29 feet; flood stage is 528.0 feet. Tama Beach and Sullivan Slough boat ramps will be inaccessible due to high water. Bluegill- No Report: Look for bluegills to start to move shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles. Channel Catfish- No Report: Look for channel catfish around snags and flooded timber; use night crawlers or stink bait. Largemouth Bass- No Report: Look for bass up shallow in the backwaters around brush piles and logs. White Crappie- No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in brush piles.