By the looks of this weekend Fishing Report for the Weekend of 10/20/17, fishing has slowed way down, but who cares. A day fishing is better than any day in the office, so get out and enjoy what Iowa has to offer. Big shout out to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for compiling all of this info. 

The Iowa DNR is preparing to stock urban trout lakes soon, so scroll all the way to the bottom of this article to see the scheduled dates for lakes across the state.

The Cedar River is slowly falling after last week’s rain. Use this opportunity to get out and play before the cold weather sets in. Walleye - Use a jig tipped with a long piece of worm or minnow in deeper pools and around brush piles near evening.

Decorah District Streams
All stream stockings are unannounced in October. All streams continue to be stocked. Trout streams are in good condition. Trout spawning season is upon us. Walk carefully around freshly cleared areas in streams; these are trout nests or "redds". Many streams run through wildlife management areas where hunting is allowed. Wear bright clothing when not stalking a trout. Brook Trout - Good: Vibrant colors abound on spawning fish. A variety of small mayflies are hatching mid-afternoon. Use a dry fly for insects hatching off the water surface. Use a nymph or scud dropper for subsurface critters. Brown Trout - Excellent: Fall rains will put the browns in a feeding frenzy. Use a hopper pattern in pastured or open areas. In wooded areas in the morning, use #22-24 trico patterns. In the evening, use #18-20 blue wing olive patterns. Rainbow Trout - Good: Freshly stocked trout are hitting a variety of lures and baits. Drift a feathered spinner along an undercut bank. Always leave gates and fences as you find them.

Lake Hendricks
Lake Hendricks is an electric motor only lake. Black Crappie - Good: Troll over rock mounds with a jig tipped with minnow or spinnerbait. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use a spinnerbait or jig with a twistertail and a slow retrieve near brush piles and downed trees. Bluegill- Good: Try a small jig tipped with a small piece of nightcrawler or spike.

Lake Meyer
Water temperatures are in the upper 50's. Lake clarity is excellent at 4- to 5-feet. Anglers will notice recent fish habitat improvements in the lake including spawning beds, shoreline rip-rap, and submersed concrete culverts.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Few people have been out. Water levels have dropped and clarity is improving after last week's rain. Walleye - Fair: Find walleye in deeper holes. Use a jig tipped with a worm or baits imitating larger minnows or suckers in eddies and current seams.

Volga Lake
Duck season is open and hunters are on the water. All water to the campground and restroom at the boat ramp is shut off for the season. Black Crappie - Good: Slowly troll along the dam. Use a jig tipped with a minnow in 10- to 12 feet of water.

A cold front will pass through the area Friday evening, bringing rain on Saturday. Frost is not likely. Leaf color peaks this weekend. Area streams and rivers are in excellent condition. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Urban Trout Lakes - fun for everyone

Grab your neighbors, friends and kids and experience the thrill of trout fishing this fall at an urban trout lake near you. DNR fisheries staff will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at 17 locations across Iowa in October and November.

Button with a link to the fall urban trout stocking schedule.

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