Iowa DNR Fishing Report for Week of November 22 – KCHA News

Black Hawk Lake
The lake has been coated in skim ice all week. The one fishing exercise has been on the fish home in City Bay – the place the world beneath the construction is stored ice-free with a small water agitator. Black Crappie – Honest: Fish are 8- to 11-inches. Attempt from the fish home in City Bay. 

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
A lot of the lake has been frozen over for the previous week. All ice is unsafe. The lake might open again up with the nice and cozy climate predicted for subsequent week.

Most lakes have been froze this final week.  All ice is unsafe for ice fishing.  With heat climate this week, many lakes might open up once more. For extra info, contact the Black Hawk District workplace at 712-657-2638.

Blue Pit
Blue Pit was stocked with rainbow trout on Nov. 22. You want a sound fishing license and pay the trout price to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Wonderful: Use spinnerbaits and small jigs.

Clear Lake
The lake is frozen over. Ice thickness is 0 to 4 inches. Ice fishing will not be really helpful. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches have to be instantly launched unhurt. The day by day restrict is 3 with no multiple walleye longer than 22 inches could also be taken per day. Yellow Perch – No Report: Attempt stay bait and small jigs close to vegetation beds.

Rice Lake
Any water west of the North boat ramp is a waterfowl refuge and is closed to all exercise from Sept. 1st by the ultimate day of the duck season.

Winnebago River
Walleye – Honest: Use stay bait in deeper holes. Greatest chunk is after sundown.

For info on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife workplace at 641-357-3517.

East Okoboji Lake
Lake temperature is within the low 30s. Many areas are thinly froze. The water degree is 10 inches under crest. Walleye fishing is choosing up from shore early morning and later at night time utilizing stay bait, jigs with stay bait, or crankbaits. Attempt fishing beneath construction or excessive of vegetation. Black Crappie – Good: Attempt small jigs tipped with a minnow or tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Honest: Use tube jigs, plastics, or different small jigs. Walleye – Honest: Attempt crawler harnesses, crankbaits, and minnows. Yellow Perch – Honest: Minnows work effectively; some sorting could also be wanted.

Misplaced Island Lake
Walleye – Good: Attempt spinners, crankbaits, and shallow shad raps. Night chunk is enhancing because the water cools.

Minnewashta Lake
Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good; some sorting could also be wanted. 

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The walleye chunk has picked up as water temperatures cool.  Walleye – Good: Use spinners, crankbaits, and lengthy and shallow shad raps.

Spirit Lake
The lake is 14 inches under crest. A lot of the shoreline has a skinny layer of ice. The walleye season is open. The water temperature is within the higher 40s. Attempt walleye fishing from shore early morning and later at night time utilizing stay bait, jigs with stay bait, or crankbaits.  Muskellunge – Good: Attempt crankbaits, buck tails, and rubber baits. Walleye – Good: The chunk is hit-or-miss at nightfall, however the day chunk is enhancing. Many anglers have began to fish in shallower with slip bobbers alongside weed edges. Attempt spinners, crankbaits, and lengthy and shallow shad raps; search for weed strains to troll or jig off of. Yellow Perch – Good: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting could also be wanted.

West Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is within the higher 30s and a methods away from forming ice. The water degree is 10 inches under crest. Black Crappie – Honest: Attempt small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Use tube jigs, plastics, or different small jigs. Walleye – Honest: Crawler harnesses, crankbaits, and minnows work effectively. Yellow Perch – Honest: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting could also be wanted.

Most small to medium space lakes are fully frozen over. Most giant lakes are nonetheless comparatively ice-free. No lakes at present provide secure ice for ice fishing. All docks and hoists are out for the season.  Space lake ranges are at present low. The prolonged forecast requires considerably hotter temperatures, which ought to sluggish ice formation. For present circumstances, name the Spirit Lake District Workplace at 712-336-1840.

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Few anglers are out fishing. Ice is beginning to type on the backwaters. Smallmouth Bass – Gradual: Smallie chunk is variable. Attempt synthetic lures or a lure tipped with a minnow round rocky outcroppings or ledges. Walleye – Honest: Walleye chunk is regular; attempt synthetic lures or a lure tipped with a minnow. Discover fish in deeper water.

Decorah District Streams
Workers wish to thank all our trout anglers and supporters for making the 2022 catchable stream stocking season the most effective. Streams are in good situation. Searching seasons are in full swing. Be seen to hunters. Brook Trout – Honest: Brookies are coloured up for spawning. Search for small areas of freshly cleaned gravel; these are trout nests or redds. Please keep away from strolling on these. Brown Trout – Honest: Fall is brown trout spawning season. Stroll fastidiously round freshly cleaned off gravel; these are trout nests or redds. Good hatches of midges on sunny days. Rainbow Trout – Good: Attempt fishing alongside grassed edges, undercut banks, swimming pools, and round boulders.

Lake Hendricks
Few anglers are out because the lake begins to freeze. Water readability is enhancing.

Lake Meyer
Few anglers are out as they transition from open to laborious water fishing.

Volga Lake
Few anglers are out. Water readability is enhancing.

Temperatures have gotten extra seasonal for the vacation weekend. Search for smaller our bodies of water to begin to freeze, however ice not assume sufficient on bigger waterbodies. For present fishing info, please name the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte Metropolis)
Northern Pike – Good: Forged bucktail jigs in swimming pools or close to present breaks. Smallmouth Bass – Honest: Smallmouth chunk has slowed this previous week. Forged crankbaits or jig and crawler rigs close to rocky or rip-rap shorelines. Walleye – Good: Attempt a jig and crawler or forged crankbaits.

Dalton Pond
The outlet construction boards had been pulled final week. The pond is drained till spring of 2023.

Heritage Pond
Heritage Pond was stocked with rainbow trout lately. You want a sound fishing license and pay the trout price to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Honest: Forged and retrieve flashy spinnerbaits.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Anglers report catching a couple of smallmouth bass under the Lake Delhi Dam. Smallmouth Bass – Gradual: Smallmouth chunk has slowed this previous week. Forged crankbaits or jig and crawler rigs close to rocky or rip-rap shorelines.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Northern Pike – Good: Forged bucktail jigs in swimming pools or close to present breaks. Smallmouth Bass – Honest: Smallmouth chunk has picked up. Forged crankbaits or jig and crawler rigs close to rocky or rip-rap shorelines. Walleye – Good: Attempt a jig and crawler or forged crankbaits.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Northern Pike– Good: Forged bucktail jigs in swimming pools or close to present breaks. Smallmouth Bass – Honest: Smallmouth chunk has slowed this previous week. Forged crankbaits or jig and crawler rigs close to rocky or rip-rap shorelines. Walleye – Good: Attempt a jig and crawler or forged crankbaits.

Inside rivers stay low and are in wonderful situation for angling alternatives. Walleye and smallmouth bass are biting effectively on plastics. The lakes in and round Black Hawk County have been sluggish; some have skim ice. Trout streams are in wonderful situation. Contact your native space bait outlets for the latest sizzling spots. For extra info, contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.

Mississippi River Pool 9
Water degree is 8.2 ft at Lansing and is predicted to stay regular this week. Water temperature is within the 30s. Ice will not be secure for ice fishing but. Dwell minnows work effectively on a wide range of species. Black Crappie – Honest: Catch larger crappie on crappie minnows and hair jigs. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills have moved into backwater overwintering holes. Sauger – Honest: Attempt vertical jigging with a minnow within the Lock and Dam tailwaters. Walleye – Honest: Bounce a jig and minnow off the underside or attempt a crankbait rig within the tailwaters of the Lock and Dam. Yellow Perch – Honest: Use a jig and minnow.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water degree is 613.5 ft at Lynxville and is predicted to recede subsequent week. Water temperature is within the 30s on the Lynxville dam. Water readability is sweet. Panfish have settled into backwaters with no present. Dwell minnows work effectively on a wide range of species within the Lock and Dam tailwaters. Black Crappie – Good: Catch larger crappie on crappie minnows and hair jigs. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills have moved into backwater overwintering holes. Sauger – Honest: Attempt vertical jigging with a minnow within the Lock and Dam tailwaters. Walleye – Good: Bounce a jig and minnow off the underside or attempt a crankbait rig within the Lock and Dam tailwaters. Yellow Perch – Honest: Use a jig and minnow.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water degree is 5.3 ft at Guttenberg and is predicted to recede subsequent week. Water temperature is within the 30s with skim ice forming. Ice will not be secure for ice fishing but. Panfish have settled into the backwaters for winter. Dwell minnows work effectively on a wide range of species within the Lock and Dam tailwaters. Black Crappie – Honest: Catch larger crappie on crappie minnows and hair jigs. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills have moved into backwater overwintering holes. Sauger – Good: Attempt vertical jigging with a minnow within the Lock and Dam tailwaters. Walleye –  Honest: Bounce a jig and minnow off the underside or attempt a crankbait rig within the Lock and Dam tailwaters. Yellow Perch – Honest: Use a jig and minnow.

Higher Mississippi River ranges are receding. Skim ice is forming on backwaters and isn’t secure for ice fishing. Ramps are beginning to ice in. Boaters are suggested to make use of warning on ramps. Walleye slot size limits now apply on the complete Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes lower than 15 inches lengthy and between 20-27 inches have to be instantly launched. One walleye over 27 inches could also be stored. Walleye/sauger mixed day by day restrict 6/possession 12.

Mississippi River Pool 12
The water degree is 5.6 ft at Lock and Dam 11 and eight.2 ft on the RR bridge. Water temperature is round 40 levels; the water is obvious. Use warning to keep away from backing a ship off the ends of the boat ramps with the low river ranges.  Black Crappie – Good: Use a small jig tipped with a minnow in areas round fallen brush in low circulation backwater areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass will feed on shad proper as much as ice-up circumstances. Search for wind-swept backwater areas with a lot of solar. Northern Pike – Good: Pike are chasing shad. Use gaudy white spinnerbaits. Pike will chunk proper as much as ice-up circumstances. Sauger – Good: The walleye and sauger chunk has been up and down all 12 months.  One-eye jigs even have been in style, however a easy jig and minnow is the lure of selection for a lot of tailwater anglers. White Bass – Good: Search for feeding faculties hitting the water floor. Use white jigs or small spinners. Yellow Perch – Honest: A lot of yellow perch are within the Mississippi River system.  Though the scale of the perch is smaller than a couple of swimming pools upriver, some bigger perch will probably be caught this winter.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water degree is 5.6 ft at Lock and Dam 12 at Bellevue and is receding. Water readability is great. Water temperature is within the low 40s. Use warning to keep away from backing a ship off the ends of the boat ramps with the low river ranges. Black Crappie – Honest: Crappie fishing this 12 months was superb on the Mississippi River. Attempt to fish in deeper backwater brush piles with smaller minnows. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass will feed proper as much as ice-up.  Attempt discovering backwater areas with a lot of solar for late fall feeding bass. Sauger – Good: Most anglers are utilizing a easy jig and minnow or a one-eye rig within the tailwaters. White Bass – Good: Search for the feeding gulls and you’ll typically discover white bass feeding on minnows. Some good catches even this late within the fall have been reported.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water degree  is 5.6 ft at Fulton, 9.8 ft at Camanche and 4.8 ft at LeClaire. Water readability is great. Water temperature is within the low 40s. Use warning to keep away from backing a ship off the ends of the boat ramps with the low river ranges. Black Crappie – Good: Discover deeper areas in backwater lakes with little or no present.  Be affected person and fish very slowly. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass will feed in backwater areas proper till ice-up. Sauger – Good: Most anglers are fishing within the tailwaters with a jig and minnow rig.

Mississippi River Pool 15
The water degree is 5.4 ft at Rock Island. Water readability is great. Water temperature is 42 levels. Use warning to keep away from backing a ship off the ends of the boat ramps with the low river ranges. Walleye – No Report: Search for walleye and sauger within the tailwater areas. Anglers typically use a easy jig and minnow rig.

Fishing circumstances are wonderful on the Mississippi River. Water ranges are receding. Water readability is sweet. Use warning when backing off boat ramps with the low river ranges. Use the minimal quantity of ramp to drift your boat to keep away from backing off the ends of brief ramps. In case you have angling questions, please name the Bellevue Fisheries Administration Station at 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 5.66 ft at Lock and Dam 15 within the Quad Cities. Backwaters are frozen over with skim ice. Unsafe ice circumstances. Sauger – No Report: Search for saugers under the Lock and Dam and in Sylvan Slough. Attempt vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – No Report: Search for walleye under the Lock and Dam and in Sylvan Slough. Attempt vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Some walleyes can be caught trolling three-way rigs on the the wing-dams.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 4.20 ft at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. Backwaters are frozen over. Unsafe ice circumstances. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers has been sluggish. Sauger – Gradual: Search for saugers under the Lock and Dam. Attempt vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – Gradual: Search for walleyes under the Lock and Dam. Attempt vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Some walleyes can be caught trolling three-way rigs with minnows on the wing-dams.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 4.56 ft at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston.  Backwaters are frozen over. Unsafe ice circumstances. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers has been sluggish. Sauger – Gradual: Search for saugers under the Lock and Dam. Attempt vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – Gradual: Search for walleyes under the Lock and Dam. Attempt vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Some walleyes can be caught trolling three-way rigs with minnows on the wing-dams.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 2.86 ft at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is forecast to fall over the weekend. We now have not acquired any fishing reviews for this pool this week. Unsafe ice circumstances. Sauger – No Report: Search for saugers under the Lock and Dam. Attempt vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – No Report: Search for walleyes under the Lock and Dam. Attempt vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Some walleyes can be caught on the wing-dams.

Tailwater levels dropped near a foot over the weekend. Fundamental channel water temperature is round 35 levels. Backwaters have frozen over with skim ice. Unsafe ice circumstances. Tailwater fishing for walleye and sauger has been sluggish. In case you have questions on fishing Swimming pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

Discovery Park Pond
Forecast hotter climate ought to hold this lake ice-free more often than not. It’s out within the open, so the wind and solar can do their factor retaining the ice away. Rainbow Trout: Good – Use worms or powerbait beneath a bobber or they’re nonetheless hitting spinners; chilly water doesn’t hassle trout as a lot because it does different fish. You want a sound fishing license and pay the trout price to fish for or possess trout.

Lake Belva Deer
Somewhat ice is forming within the bays the place the solar and wind can’t get to it.  Hotter climate forecast for this week ought to care for it. Bluegill – No Report: For those who get the boat again out one final time, check out from the south ramp alongside the outdated creek channel; use the identical lures and methods as you’d ice fishing.

Lake Darling
The water temperature is hovering simply above freezing. Some ice on the lake up above the in-lake silt dams.  Use warning when utilizing the boat ramps, they might be icy early within the morning.  Black Crappie – No Report: Chilly climate has stored most anglers off the lake. Discover crappies out at their winter properties in the midst of the lake within the cedars and culvert piles. Deal with it like ice fishing from a ship.

Wilson Lake
It will likely be whereas earlier than this lake freezes over. It’s place to perform a little fishing this weekend. Rainbow trout: Good – Trout are nonetheless fairly energetic after the autumn trout launch. You’ll be able to see the cedar bushes and brush piles the place they’re hiding. You want a sound fishing license and pay the trout price to fish for or possess trout.

For extra info on the above lakes and rivers name the Lake Darling Fisheries Workplace at 319- 694-2430.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is crusted over from Macbride and upstream.

Inexperienced Fort Lake
The lake is beginning to crust over this week.

Hannen Lake
The lake is beginning to crust over this week.

Lake Macbride
Water temperature is within the low 40s. The north arm and east of the causeway are crusted over. Any measurement motor could also be operated at no wake (5 mph) pace. The boat docks have been eliminated. There are everlasting slips at fundamental ramp and Opie ramp; a plastic dock will stay at fundamental ramp. Black Crappie – Honest: Attempt fishing over brush or rockpiles in 15-25 ft of water. Bluegill – Honest: Attempt fishing round deeper rocks or stumps. Muskellunge – Honest.  Walleye – Gradual.

Liberty Centre Pond
2000 rainbow trout had been stocked lately. You want a sound fishing license and pay the trout price to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Honest.

Nice Creek Lake
The principle ramp docks will probably be pulled by the tip of the month. There’s nonetheless a everlasting boat slip at fundamental ramp. Bluegill – Honest: Attempt fishing the shallow construction. Walleye – Honest: A number of walleye are being caught after darkish.

Prairie Park Fishery
2000 rainbow trout had been stocked lately. You want a sound fishing license and pay the trout price to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Good.

Sand Lake
2000 rainbow trout had been stocked lately. You want a sound fishing license and pay the trout price to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Honest.

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Among the river has crusted over. The boat dock at Pinicon Ridge was eliminated, however the ramp will probably be open till snowfall. Walleye – Honest: Use plastics or stay bait in deeper holes.

Some shallower our bodies of water have skim ice, whereas different areas stay ice-free. For extra info, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Lake Miami
Little fishing strain currently. Water temperatures are within the 40s. Skim ice is forming on the colder mornings.

Lake Sugema
Fishing strain has been gentle. Water temperatures are within the 40s. Skim ice is forming on the colder mornings, making fishing from shore tough.

Lake Wapello
Water temperatures are within the 40s. Skim ice is forming on the colder mornings.

Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond)
Skim ice is forming; fishing from shore will probably be tough. Trout had been stocked lately. You want a sound fishing license and pay the trout price to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Honest: Attempt small in-line spinners or small jigs.

Rathbun Reservoir
The present lake degree is 903.62 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Water temperature is within the mid to higher 40s. Skim ice is forming within the coves, making fishing tough. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so ensure that to correctly drain, clear and dry tools earlier than transporting to a different waterbody. Walleye – No Report: Efficient January 1, 2023 there will probably be a 15-inch minimal size restrict on walleye. All walleyes measuring lower than 15 inches have to be instantly launched unhurt. This regulation doesn’t apply to the Chariton River under Rathbun dam; the higher restrict of the regulation would be the Wayne/Appanoose county line.

Purple Haw Lake
Purple Haw State Park has partially reopened. Guests can entry the seaside and north boat ramp space, however are requested to keep away from the campground.

Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions on fishing in south central Iowa.

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Ada Hayden is normally one of many final lakes in Central Iowa to ice over. Open water fishing needs to be attainable by November. Rainbow Trout – Good: Use small inline spinners, spoons, 1/8 ounce or smaller tornado tail jigs, or stay bait beneath a float. You want a sound fishing license and pay the trout price to fish for or possess trout.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
The Des Moines River upstream of Saylorville Reservoir has skinny ice cowl. This ice will doubtless deteriorate by Thanksgiving. Walleye – Honest: Attempt slowly retrieving jigs tipped with tornado tails, paddle tails, or stay baits. Discover areas of sluggish present with depths better than 3 ft.

Lake Petocka
Rainbow Trout – Honest: Use small inline spinners, spoons, 1/8 ounce or smaller tornado tail jigs, or stay bait beneath a float. As soon as ice cowl is secure for ice fishing, use jigging spoons tipped with waxworms or minnows. You want a sound fishing license and pay the trout price to fish for or possess trout.

Terra Lake
Rainbow Trout – Honest: Use small inline spinners, spoons, 1/8 ounce or smaller tornado tail jigs, or stay bait beneath a float. As soon as ice cowl is secure for ice fishing, use jigging spoons tipped with waxworms or minnows. You want a sound fishing license and pay the trout price to fish for or possess trout.

Triumph Park West
Rainbow Trout – Honest: Use small inline spinners, spoons, 1/8 ounce or smaller tornado tail jigs, or stay bait beneath a float. As soon as ice cowl is secure for ice fishing, use jigging spoons tipped with waxworms or minnows. You want a sound fishing license and pay the trout price to fish for or possess trout.

Ponds and shallow water in Central Iowa have skim ice.  For info on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Massive Lake (Together with Gilbert’s Pond)
Trout had been stocked lately. Search for one other stocking in January when ice is secure. You want a sound fishing license and pay the trout price to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – No Report: Attempt comparable measurement sort out used for bluegill and crappie; nightcrawlers and minnows are good stay bait choices.

Lake Anita
Black Crappie – No Report: Search for crappies drifting the roadbeds and round deep tree piles. Fish common 9-inches. Bluegill – No Report: Search for bluegills round deep construction and alongside creek channel edges.

Meadow Lake
Black Crappie – No Report: Vertical jig or forged minnows beneath a bobber to the cedar tree piles within the lake to catch 10-inch black crappie.

Prairie Rose Lake
Black Crappie – No Report: Prairie Rose has inhabitants of 10-inch black crappie that may present good ice fishing this winter. Bluegill – No Report: Attempt fishing the deep cedar tree piles to catch 8.5-inch bluegill.

Lakes and ponds are beginning to type ice. For info on lakes within the Southwest District name the Chilly Springs workplace at 712-769-2587.

Three Mile Lake
Courtesy docks are in on the fundamental ramp.

Most Mount Ayr district lakes are nonetheless ice-free. Some skim ice on small ponds and lakes within the space. Very restricted fishing exercise noticed this week. For extra info, name the Mount Ayr Fisheries workplace at 641-464-3108.