Fishing Report for Weekend of 9/9

Fishing conditions are changing with the season so keep up with the DNR's weekly Fishing Report, which we publish every week. Here is the Iowa DNR's Fishing Report for the Weekend of 9/9.

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Cedar River water levels crested. Clarity is improving. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt for information on water levels. Walleye - Slow: Use a crawler fished near the bottom in the eddies and off channel areas around woody debris. Channel Catfish - Slow: Catfish are hitting crawlers; try also chicken liver.

Decorah District Streams
Many area trout streams are slowly clearing after rain earlier in the week. Many streams sustained some damage to habitat and access points. Stocking continues on a limited basis on Decorah Hatchery streams. The ground in many areas is saturated limiting truck access. For more information, please call the trout stocking number at 563-927-5736 Call: 563-927-5736. Brown Trout – Fair. Brook Trout – Slow. Rainbow Trout – Slow.

Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is improving; fish activity is improving as fish are gearing up for winter. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use jigs tipped with a variety of soft plastics.

Lake Meyer
Lake Meyer is open and accessible. Water clarity is improving. Bluegill - Fair: Catch nice sized bluegill on a hook tipped with a small piece of worm under a bobber.

Rudd Lake
Anglers have excellent shore and boat access. Channel Catfish - Good: A nightcrawler fished on the bottom just out past shoreline vegetation is finding fish.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized; clarity remains very limited. Lime Springs campground is closed until further notice, but everything else is open. Chimney Rock access is open, but the bridge is closed; access from CR W14 side. Use caution if paddling; there are many submerged logs not visible that could tip a kayak or canoe.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is extremely limited. Flows remain high. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt for information on water levels. Use caution when paddling on the river under current conditions; there are many submerged hazards and new tree falls on the river.

Volga Lake
Anglers drifting over rock or brush piles will find fish. Shoreline access is excellent with many submerged cedar trees within casting distance. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie - Good: Use small jigs with flat tailed plastic body. Bluegill – Slow. Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink baits, chicken liver and crawlers. Volga Lake has a nice population of catfish awaiting the patient angler.

Rain from Wednesday caused additional flooding in our area. Many rivers have crested, but are still running high and muddy. Additional rain is forecast for Friday. Rainfall amounts will dictate what streams will be like for the weekend. Rivers and streams in these counties are currently not fishable. For fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Reports have been slow; some anglers are picking up a few walleye and channel. Walleye - Fair: Cast crankbaits or fishing a jig tipped with a night crawler. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try dead cut bait, nightcrawlers, stink bait or chicken livers near fallen snags.

Lake Delhi
Lake Delhi is at full water capacity and lake level. Walleye – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Maquoketa River remains in excellent shape; it has missed the larger rainfall events. Walleye - Fair: Cast crankbaits or fish a jig tipped with a nightcrawler.

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

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Wapsipinicon River is currently at 7.73 feet as of Thursday morning and falling. There are no reports at this time; the river is high and turbid. Walleye – Slow. Smallmouth Bass – Slow

Interior rivers continue to rise in the northeast corner of the state from all the recent rainfall. Angler reports are few due to the higher water levels, but anglers are catching primarily channel catfish and a few walleye. Lake angling reports are improving as some anglers are now picking up panfish in area Black Hawk County lakes. Trout streams remain excellent in the Manchester District. For further information, call the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.