The word from the DNR is that smallmouth bass are gobbling up crawdad crankbaits along rocky shorelines of the Cedar River north of Nashua.

Here are fishing reports from the DNR for this week:

Clear Lake

Surface water temperature is 72 degrees. Walleye – Fair: Jig a minnow or leech above submerged vegetation in 6 to 10 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink bait or cut bait fished on the bottom after sunset. Black Crappie – Good: Try fishing the edge of the vegetation with a jig and minnow.

Cedar River (above Nashua)

Walleye – Good: Use a jig tipped with a crawler or minnow in slack water pockets. Use a jig tipped with twister tail in deep water drop offs.

Channel Catfish – Slow: Target snags for catfish using stink baits, chicken liver or crawdads fished on bottom.

Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Use crawdad crankbaits along rocky shorelines.

Decorah District Streams
Yellow wild parsnip is blooming. Wear long sleeved clothing when walking through it to prevent skin contact. Catchable trout are stocked weekly. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily information.

Brook Trout – Good: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are more numerous. Use care not to spook a feeding fish.

Brown Trout —  Good: Hendrickson, caddis, and cranefly hatches are occurring. Crickets are common along streams now. Use hendrickson, gnat or beadhead nymph patterns. Pale yellow, black, brown, and grey colors work best. Try using terrestrial patterns for crickets and ants.

Rainbow Trout – Good: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits also work.