Fishing Report for Weekend of 7/22

Here is the latest Iowa DNR Fishing Report for the Weekend of 7/22.

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Cedar River crested earlier this week and is slowly falling. Water is very dirty. Use caution when boating as submersed logs and other debris may not be visible. Walleye – Fair. Channel Catfish - Slow: Anglers fishing in current breaks and eddies are finding catfish. Use cut bait on a hook. Northern Pike - Slow: Minnows are turning pikes heads. Rock Bass - Slow: Catches of rock bass have been spotty.
Decorah District Streams
Trout streams with better watersheds are fishable but flows are up. Take care when walking through wild parsnip while getting to your favorite stream. Don't let it touch your skin; it reacts with the sun and causes horrible blisters. Brown Trout - Good: A nice variety of insects have been hatching in the evenings. Use a #18 blue wing olive or #14 or #16 caddis fly imitation. Strong midges hatches are also occurring. Brook Trout - Good: For stained water, use a streamer or minnow imitation. Rainbow Trout - Good: A few of our streams are not stocked in July and August as these streams tend to get too warm for cold water fish. Refer to our calendar and map to find out which ones. Spin fishers should try spinners or worms.

Lake Hendricks
The lake has a green algae bloom, but anglers are still catching fish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers fishing from a boat or canoe are having luck using topwater plastics over the vegetation and reeling to deeper water. Bluegill - Fair: Shore fishing is difficult due to aquatic beds. Find fish in deeper water; use a hook tipped with small piece of worm. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait, worms and stinkbait fished off the bottom.
Lake Meyer
Expect spotty catches of fish depending on day and time. The Algae bloom is becoming more evident. Bluegill - Fair: Gills are in shallow dense vegetation and are difficult to catch. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use a jig tipped with a variety of soft plastics. Start along the weed edges and fish deeper. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are taking a big worm fished off the bottom under a bobber; evenings are best.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water temperatures are in the 70's. Water levels have stabilized, but the river remains very muddy. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Try running a spinner bait along undercut banks and overhanging rock ledges.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized, but clarity is poor. Use care when paddling; logs, rocks, and other debris may not be visible until it's too late to maneuver. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Spinnerbaits were turning smallie heads. Walleye – Slow.

Volga Lake
Volga Lake has a green algae bloom. Anglers drifting over rock or brush piles will find fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is rising; there currently are no reports. Channel catfish may be the best opportunity at this time. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try stink baits, cut baits or chicken livers.

Manchester District Streams
Recent fish sampling surveys on the Upper Maquoketa River (Trout Portion) has shown good numbers of brown trout with many of quality size. Brown Trout - Fair: Use spinners or dry flies concentrating efforts near overhead cover and other habitat.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River is in excellent angling condition for the upcoming weekend. Walleye - Fair: A jig tipped with a crawler is a deadly combination this time of year. Look for current breaks and woody structure. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use a jig and crawler, crankbaits or spinner baits fished near rocky habitat. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try chicken livers or stink baits near the upstream end of logjams.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River is rising; there currently are no reports. Channel catfish may be the best opportunity at this time. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try stink baits, cut baits or chicken livers.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River is rising; there currently are no reports. Channel catfish may be the best opportunity at this time. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try stink baits, cut baits or chicken livers.

Most interior rivers are on the rise due to recent rainfall; fishing reports have declined due to the recent heat and humidity. Channel catfish may be the best angling opportunity on the rivers for the upcoming weekend. Panfish reports have been slow as we are in the mid-summer lulls. Trout streams are in excellent condition and recent fish sampling has shown quality brown trout.