News : Fishing News for Northeast Iowa

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Backwaters still have some ice, but main channel has little ice, especially weak around the edges. Use caution. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a minnow in backwater areas with no current. Bluegill - Fair: Try a small jig tipped with a waxworm under a bobber a few inches off the bottom. Northern Pike - Good: Use a spoon or flashing jig to attract these toothy predators looking for an easy meal.

Decorah District Streams
Latest storm and snowmelt has caused dirty water in most streams. Some streams may become clearer over the weekend. The 2025 Catchable trout stocking calendar is now available. Catchable stocking season begins April 1st. Start planning your getaway to beautiful northeast Iowa. Brook Trout - Slow: Use a midge minnow or leach pattern for fish looking to get more bang for their effort. Sneak up on these fish to not spook them especially in crystal clear water. Brown Trout - Good: Try fishing around an undercut bank or similar structure. Fishing a cloudy day with off-color water creates a perfect mix for catching this trout. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Hatchery holdovers remain in the streams. Use small spinner baits or hair jigs floated past structure.

Lake Hendricks
Ice is pulling away from the edges. Avoid areas around the aerator. More open water becoming exposed. Use caution. Black Crappie - Fair: Try a small jig tipped with minnow or waxworm fished near the bottom. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a spike or waxworm about a foot off the bottom near brush piles.

Lake Meyer
Ice is starting to disappear, especially around the edges. Few anglers out last week. Black Crappie - Slow: Try fishing near the brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs tipped with waxworms about a foot off the bottom near brush piles.

Volga Lake
Ice is pulling away from the edges. Ice conditions are changing fast. Few anglers out last week. Black Crappie - Fair: Bluegill - Fair:

Area rivers have some ice in the backwaters with deteriorating edges on the main channel. Lakes and ponds are losing good ice; ice on the edges is pulling away. Ice conditions will continue to change rapidly with warmer temperatures. Use extreme caution if approaching ice. Highs in the 50s as the week progresses with lows above freezing after Saturday. For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Good reports for walleye. Northern pike fishing should pick up in backwater areas in preparation for the upcoming spawn. Northern Pike - No report: Try floating a live chuck/shiner under a bobber or caste and retrieve flashing spoons in backwater areas. Walleye - Fair: Use a jig head with or without plastics and tipped with a live minnow. Look for the deeper pools current breaks and tail ends of riffles.

Manchester District Streams
Trout streams are in excellent condition. Next week's forecast calls for temperatures in the 60s; should be good aquatic insect hatches taking place providing for some great trout fishing.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
We have received no fishing information this week. Walleye - No Report: a jig head with plastics with or without a live minnow. Look for the deeper pools current breaks and tail ends of riffles.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
We have received no fishing information this week. Northern Pike - No Report: Try floating a live chuck/shiner under a bobber or caste and retrieve flashing spoons in backwater areas. Walleye - No Report: Use a jig head with plastics with or without a live minnow. Look for the deeper pools current breaks and tail ends of riffles.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
We have received no fishing information this week. Northern Pike - No Report: Try floating a live chuck/shiner under a bobber or caste and retrieve flashing spoons in backwater areas. Walleye - No Report: Use a jig head with plastics with or without a live minnow. Look for the deeper pools current breaks and tail ends of riffles.

Next week's forecast calls for temperatures in the 60s; ice fishing season is officially over. Interior rivers are open; anglers are doing well on walleye. Northern pike fishing should pick up as they are the earliest to spawn. With next week's weather, there should be many aquatic insect hatches taking place on trout streams. For more information, contact Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.