The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.



NORTHWEST

Clear Lake

Ice thickness is 2 to 5 inches. Drill test holes if you venture out.



Most of the area lakes are now frozen over. Use precaution when going out on the ice and drill many test holes to make sure the ice is thick enough. For more fishing information in the north central area contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.



Big Spirit Lake

Big Spirit is now completely frozen over, however only Little Angler's Bay, the north grade, and Templar Lagoon has ice 4 to 5 inches thick. Bluegill - Good: Anglers are reporting nice bluegills in areas that are safe to fish. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some nice perch are being caught where people are fishing for bluegill. Walleye - Fair: A few nice walleye have been caught in Little Angler's Bay



Virgin Lake

Fishing regulations are relaxed at Virgin Lake. Anglers can harvest as many fish as they would like by any means except dynamite, poison, electroshocking devises, or any stupefying substances. This promiscuous fishing is designated to allow anglers to salvage and utilize the imperiled fish population in Virgin Lake before they die off due to the drawdown.



Ice fishing has begun on the Iowa Great Lakes. All of the area lakes are now frozen over, but only the bays that had first ice are now safe for ice fishing. Always use precaution when going out on early ice and drill many test holes to make sure the ice is thick enough!

For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the Spirit Lake hatchery at 712-336-1840.



NORTHEAST

Volga Lake

There is skim ice around the dam but the majority of Volga Lake is open. Bluegill - No Report: Largemouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - No Report:



Lake Hendricks

The aerators are on. There is about 3 inches of ice on Lake Hendricks. Use caution when venturing out. Bluegill - No Report: Largemouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - No Report:



Lake Meyer

All but the middle of the lake is iced over. Do not go out on the ice. Northern Pike - No Report: Bluegill - No Report: Largemouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - No Report:



Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week. Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Walleye - No Report:



Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week. Northern Pike - No Report: Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Walleye - No Report:



Turkey River (below Clermont)

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.



Wapsi River (state line to Tripoli)

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.



Cedar River (above Nashua)

Anglers are still catching fish below the Nashua dam but the bite has slowed. Much of the river and impoundments have a thin layer of ice. Use extreme caution if you have to get to that favorite winter fishing area. Northern Pike - Fair: Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Crappie - No Report: Walleye - Good:



Decorah District Streams

Though the Blue Wing Olive hatches are now fewer and farther between, a warm front might bring on more good hatches. Morning midge hatches have been excellent. Streamer patterns such as Wooly Buggers or Light Spruces have already been working well as the temperature continues to drop. Browns, rainbows and brookies will all hit a #10 Light Spruce. Consider wearing a lot of blaze orange when fishing. Second deer season begins Saturday. There will be hunters near the streams.



Lakes are slowly icing over but are not quite there yet. Rivers are really beginning to freeze. Anglers are reminded to use caution when going out on early ice. Check ice depth frequently. Remember to let someone know where you are going and when you plan on returning. For more information, contact Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.



Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)

Walleye fishing on the Cedar River has declined but there have been reports of quality size fish being caught. Concentrate in the deeper overwintering pools for walleye this time of year. Walleye - Fair: Jigs tipped with or without a twistertail and minnow has been most productive.



Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)

Walleye fishing remains fair on the Shell Rock River. Walleye - Fair: Jig and twister tail tipped with a minnow has been the best combination for walleye.



Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)

No reports on the Wapsipinicon River in Buchanan County this week but anglers should concentrate on the overwintering holes for walleye. Walleye - Fair: Jigs tipped with or without a twistertail and minnow would be most productive.



Maquoketa River (above Monticello)

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.



Fishing pressure for walleye has declined on the interior rivers but there have been reports of occasional walleyes being caught on the Cedar River in Bremer County. Lakes are just beginning to freeze over in northeast Iowa, use extreme caution if venturing out this coming weekend. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. Call the Manchester District Office at 563-927-3276 for additional information.



MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9

River levels at Lansing are 7.5 feet and expected to stay at this level over the next week. Bluegill - No Report: Bluegill overwintering areas are beginning to ice up and will be difficult to fish until ice is safe enough to stand on. Walleye - Fair: Walleyes still being caught in Minnesota Slough but bite has slowed.



Mississippi River Pool 10

River level at Lynxville is 12.6 feet and expected to stay near this level over the next week. Bluegill - No Report: Bluegill overwintering areas are beginning to ice up and will be difficult to fish until ice is safe enough to stand on. Sauger - Good: Sauger continue to bite well with nicer sized fish being reported over the last week. Walleye - Fair: Some nice walleyes being caught. Jig and minnow still seems to be the best combination.



Mississippi River Pool 11

River level at Guttenberg is 4.3 feet and expected to stay near this level over the next week. Bluegill - No Report: Bluegill overwintering areas are beginning to ice up and will be difficult to fish until ice is safe enough to stand on. Sauger - Good: Sauger still biting well with some nicer sized fish reported over the last week. Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes reported being caught in the tail waters on the Wisconsin side.



Fishing levels continue to remain low on the Upper Mississippi River Pools 9 - 11 and are expected to be stable at low levels over the next week. Water temperature has fallen into the lower 30s. Rain last weekend removed a lot of ice from the river and ice is just beginning to re-form on backwaters sheltered from wind and sun but is not yet thick enough to be safe.



Mississippi River Pool 12

Water level is 4.9 feet and dropping. Skim ice is developing in all backwater areas but not close yet to ice fish on. Sauger fishing is fair in the tail waters biting mainly on jigs and minnows.



Mississippi River Pool 13

Water level at Bellevue is 5.2 feet and dropping. Sauger fishing is fair. People are mostly using a jig and minnow. Crappies are still being reported in backwater areas but these areas are expected to ice over very soon.



Mississippi River Pool 14

Water level at Fulton, Ill., is 5.1 feet and dropping. No fishing report at this time



Mississippi River Pool 15

Water level at Rock Island is 5.7 feet and dropping. No fishing report at this time



Mississippi River Pool 16

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 5.49 feet. Fishing has been slow. Sauger - Slow: Tail water fishing for saugers in Sylvan Slough has been slow. A few fish are being picked up around the wing dams between the I-280 Bridge and Enchanted Island.



Mississippi River Pool 17

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 4.47 feet. We have received no fishing information for this pool this week.



Mississippi River Pool 18

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 5.08 feet. Sauger - Fair: Some saugers are being caught in the tail waters on jigs and minnows.



Mississippi River Pool 19

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 2.74 feet. We have received no fishing information for this pool this week.



Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Fishing has been reported as slow throughout the pools. Main channel water temperature is around 37 degrees. Some backwater areas are beginning to freeze up. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat before going to another water body. For more fishing information on Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062



SOUTHEAST

Lake of the Hills

Colder weather has cut down on the number of anglers. But people fishing for trout are still catching fish. Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout anglers are still catching a limit readily when they find the trout. Good places to start looking are where Railroad and Lambach lakes flow into the Lake of the Hills. Also in the part of the lake around the gate 6 area.



For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430. Most of the ponds in the area have just a thin layer of ice and are in no way safe to walk on.



Lake Macbride

All the loading docks have been taken out for the winter. Water temperature on Dec. 7, was 40 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Slow moving jerk baits and drop shot rigs over rock has produced some largemouth as well as spotted bass. Walleye - Slow: Crankbaits and jigs have produced a few fish. Rocky structure has been best.



Many of the smaller area lakes are beginning to crust over with ice. Ice fishing is not an option, but open water fishing may not be either. There has been very little fishing activity in the region. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.



Red Haw Lake

Fishing pressure has been slow. For bluegills, try areas with submerged structure and a chunk of nightcrawler fished 6 to 12 feet deep.



Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)

The lake renovation work is complete. New fish habitat areas have been built along with some new jetties. The lake is full. Fingerlings were stocked in May.



Lake Sugema

Lake Sugema contains the invasive plant brittle naiad so make sure to inspect and clean your boat and trailer when leaving the lake. Fishing has been slow. Try for crappies in 10-15 feet of water using wax worms or minnows.



Ottumwa Lagoon

Trout were stocked in mid October. Try using lures with a lot of flash like small spinners or small spoon baits.



Rathbun Reservoir

The lake level is 904.11 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. Water temperature has been in the upper 30s. Crappie fishing has been slow. Use a bobber and minnows fished in 10-15 feet of water with underwater structure. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry boats before transporting to another water body. Spray boats and trailers with high pressure hot water (above 104 degrees) or let them dry for at least 10 days (5 days in sun).



For further fishing reports in south central Iowa, call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406



SOUTHWEST

Don Williams Lake

Don Williams is currently 16 feet low and was recently chemically treated to eliminate gizzard shad. There was some minor game fish mortality with the majority being bluegill and crappie. Good populations should exist for those interested in ice fishing this winter. The fish are safe to eat. Also, now is a good time to GPS some of the great habitat this lake has before it refills.



Lake Petoka

Brook Trout - Good: Good numbers of trout will remain to be caught through the ice. The lake is skimmed with ice, but not yet enough to support safe ice fishing. Petoka is a popular lake to ice fish for the stocked trout due to the very clear water allowing for sight fishing.



Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake

Rainbow Trout - Good: Open water fishing at Ada Hayden for trout should continue for some time yet as Ada Hayden is usually the last lake to freeze in central Iowa. The trout are swimming the entire perimeter in schools and are being caught using flashy spinners, wax worms, small live minnows, or prepared trout baits.



Banner Lake (south)

Rainbow Trout - Good: Plenty of trout remain to be caught this winter through the ice. Ice conditions are not quite ready to support anglers.



Ice fishing is near. Some ponds in central Iowa currently have about two inches of ice thickness max while larger lakes are still mostly open. Reports will become more numerous when safe ice fishing begins. For more information on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.



Little River Watershed Lake

The lake has been lowered 18 feet to allow a fishery renovation, shoreline riprap, and the construction of fish habitat. All of the fish have been eliminated. The construction work is expected to be complete by mid spring. The water level will be kept at least 15 feet down until then. The fish stocking will begin in the spring when the ice thaws.



Sands Timber Lake (Blockton Reservoir)

The lake has been completely drained allow the construction of sediment stabilization structures and shoreline work. The lake will be allowed to refill when the work is complete.



Green Valley Lake

The water level is still down to allow completion of a sediment removal project. The in-lake work is expected to be complete by mid-December. Water levels should rise when run-off occurs. The fishery contains a lot of large bluegill and crappie. The channel catfish and largemouth bass are mid-sized but very abundant. Ice fishing the next few months should be quite good.



Summitt Lake

The lake has been completely drained to allow the replacement of the spillway structure. Completion is expected in late spring.



A lot of skim ice is forming on ponds, small, and midsized lakes. Large lakes are still open. Most of the ice is less than one inch thick. Ice is still too thin to walk on.







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