By the Iowa DNR

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are falling and low with clear water. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Shore anglers using dead chubs or worms on the bottom have been successful. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes are starting to move. Fish the shallow pools for best luck.

Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are in good to excellent condition. Catchable trout stream stocking started this week. All catchable trout stockings will be unannounced due to COVID-19 precautions. A stocking calendar will not be available this year. Please observe social distancing and mask rules when visiting hatchery grounds. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Get tackle in front of fish and imitate prey movements. Minnow worm midge and caddis flies work well this time of year. Brown Trout – Excellent: Off-color water from rainfall will spur a brownie bite. Use tackle imitating forage fish or midges; fish the edge of a weed bed or large rock. Brook Trout – Fair: Eleven streams have naturally reproducing populations with public access; learn more on our Trout Fishing webpage. Try flies imitating prey drifting down in pool edges and heads. Fish the hatch on sunny afternoons.

Lake Hendricks
Fish deeper water with cooler water. The bite will improve as the water warms. This week’s winds stirred up water. Fish the mud or bubble lines. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a dead chub or worm fished in wind rowed areas.

Lake Meyer
Few anglers have been out this week. Windy conditions stirred up shoreline materials; fish these edges. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a worm or piece of dead chub fished near bottom in areas with wind pushed brush and ice. Northern Pike – Fair: Try fishing in shallow vegetated areas.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels are falling with improved water clarity. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 40’s. White Sucker – Fair: Sucker activity is increasing. Use a worm fished on the stream bottom. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are starting to spawn. Try a minnow imitating jig.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are falling and clear. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 40’s. White Sucker – Fair: Suckers will start spawning as water temperatures reach 50 degrees. Use a worm fished along the stream bottom. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are moving out of their overwintering areas into shallower pools with slower water. Try a jig tipped with a twister tail or minnow.

Volga Lake
The docks are in. Windy conditions stirred up sediments; fish these shorelines for best luck. The bite will improve as the water warms. Channel Catfish – Good: Try chunks of chubs or worms fished on the bottom along wind rowed shores.

Area river water levels are falling with good to excellent clarity. Sunny and 70’s makes for perfect weather to venture to your favorite fishing hole.  For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are getting after walleyes with success on the Cedar River. Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve jig and plastics tipped with or without a minnow. Concentrate on pools and current breaks. Northern Pike – Good: Cast and retrieve large spinnerbaits or float a live chub or shiner underneath a bobber in off-channel pools. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try a jig and minnow or retrieve spinner baits. 

Heritage Pond
Heritage Pond, located on the north side of Dubuque, was stocked with trout last week. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Manchester District Streams
All area Manchester trout streams are in excellent condition and providing insect hatches with the recent warmer weather. Brown Trout – Fair: Spring Branch Creek is a favorite amongst anglers for quality and trophy-sized brown trout.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River in Delaware County has stabilized and should provide good angling opportunities this weekend Walleye – Fair: Cast and retrieve jig and plastics tipped with or without a minnow; concentrate on pools and current breaks. 

North Prairie Lake
North Prairie Lake was stocked with trout last week. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports of anglers catching walleye on the Shell Rock River. Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve jig and plastics tipped with or without a minnow; concentrate on pools and current breaks.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The river continues to drop and should provide good angling opportunities this weekend. Reports of anglers catching walleye and northern pike on the Wapsipinicon River. Northern Pike – Good: Cast and retrieve large spinnerbaits or fish a live shiner or chub under a bobber near off-channel areas. Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve jig and plastics tipped with or without a minnow; concentrate on pools and current