Fishing Report for The Weekend of 9/30

Flooding may cause some issues with stream and river fishing this weekend. Here is the latest Fishing Report from the Iowa DNR for the weekend of 9/30.

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Cedar River water levels have stabilized, but flows remain elevated. Clarity is improving and may be fishable by the weekend. Boating is not recommended. Call the local city or county conservation board offices for information on access and campgrounds. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt for information on water levels.

Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are fishable. Many roads and parking lots sustained some damage. Stocking has resumed on all streams where possible. There have been nice hatches of small mayflies midday. Bring lots of bug spray as mosquito hatches are incredible. Call the trout stocking number at563-927-5736 for current stocking information. Brown Trout - Good: Anglers may start to see more color on trout; the kype on male becomes more pronounced as spawning seasons gets closer. Brook Trout - Good: Watch the stream bottom as brookies begin to build their nests or redds in the stream bottom. Rainbow Trout – Good.

Lake Hendricks
Few anglers have been out this week. Fish are becoming more active as water begins to cool down. Fish mid-day for best luck. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use jigs tipped with a variety of soft plastics. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills near shore and in vegetation edges.

Lake Meyer
Lake conditions are improving and anglers are catching fish. Bluegill - Fair: Try a hook tipped with a small piece of worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass can be found cruising the weed edges. Use a jig tipped with a long plastic tail.

Rudd Lake
Anglers have excellent shore and boat access. Channel Catfish - Good: Try a nightcrawler fished on the bottom just out past shoreline vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: Fish for bluegills along the rockier shoreline.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity has improved. The stream is fishable; use caution if floating as hazards are present. Many access points and campgrounds were affected by the high water. Call local city or county conservation board offices for more information.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is improving. Use caution when floating in elevated flows. Snags and submersed logs may have moved. Continually read the river and be prepared to adjust your track. Call local city or county conservation board offices for more information on campground conditions and access points.

Volga Lake
Anglers drifting over rock or brush piles will find fish. Shoreline access is excellent with many submerged cedar trees within casting distance. Black Crappie - Good: Use small jigs with flat tailed plastic body. Bluegill - Good: Fish will be in shallow with cooling water temperatures. Channel Catfish - Slow: Try chicken liver or crawlers. Volga Lake has a very nice population of catfish awaiting the patient angler.

Stream conditions have greatly improved over the last rainless several days. Water levels have stabilized and clarity is better. A slight chance of rain is forecast for Friday and Saturday, but this shouldn't hinder weekend plans. More seasonal temperatures are in store for the foreseeable future. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Reports of anglers catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing from the beach and west. Fish with bait on the bottom of the lake using stink bait, night crawlers, cut baits or chicken livers. Numerous 3-10 pound cats have been taken recently. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing a piece of worm or night crawler a couple feet under the surface with a bobber or small 1/16 oz. hair jigs. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast crankbaits, spinner baits or top water baits.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
There are no reports on the Cedar River this past week due to high river levels. Walleye - Slow: Casting crankbaits and fishing a jig tipped with a night crawler are productive for walleye this time of year. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Casting crankbaits and fishing a jig tipped with a night crawler are productive for smallmouth bass this time of year.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Maquoketa River is currently falling and remains a bit turbid; there have been few angler reports this week. Walleye - Slow: Casting crankbaits and fishing a jig tipped with a night crawler are productive for walleye this time of year. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Casting crankbaits and fishing a jig tipped with a night crawler are productive for smallmouth bass this time of year.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
There currently are no reports for the Shell Rock River; the river is high and turbid. Walleye - Slow: Smallmouth Bass – Slow.

Silver Lake (Delaware)
Anglers are reporting catches of bluegill, largemouth bass and northern pike. Bluegill - Good: Try fishing a piece of worm or night crawler a couple feet under the surface with a bobber or small 1/16 oz. hair jigs. Bluegill here to tend to run on the small side. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast crankbaits, spinner baits or top water baits. Northern Pike - Fair: Troll or cast spoons along weed edges.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
There are no reports on the Wapsipinicon River this past week due to high river levels. Walleye - Slow: Casting crankbaits and fishing a jig tipped with a night crawler are productive for walleye this time of year. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Casting crankbaits and fishing a jig tipped with a night crawler are productive for smallmouth bass this time of year. Channel Catfish - Slow: Try stink baits, cut baits and chicken livers in areas of snags and fallen trees.

Interior river levels are falling and remain at higher levels than expected for this time of year. Angler reports are few due to the higher water levels. Trout streams remain excellent in the Manchester District. For further information, call the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.