Fishing Report for the Weekend of 1/27/17

As we head toward February and hopefully some nicer weather, the fish are still biting but the ice may be a bit thin. Here is your weekly fishing report for the weekend of 1/27/17 from the Iowa DNR.

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Use extreme caution when going on river ice and check ice depths often. With recent rain and snowfall events, water levels are jumping around causing unstable ice conditions. Ice jams have also been causing problems.

Decorah District Streams
Urban catchable trout stocking is in full swing. Check our webpage for dates and locations. Streams are in good condition but flows are up. Gravel roads in our area are in poor condition due to recent snowfall. There is 8 to 10 inches of snow on the ground. Brook Trout - Good: Use flies or lures that look like sculpins, dace or suckers. Brown Trout - Good: Anglers have had success using a nymph rig with a scud dropper but most fish were hitting wet flies. Rainbow Trout - Good: Use black fly midge or hares ear wet flies in the riffles. Slowly pull a black bead head fly with a yellow scud dropper through the upper and lower ends of pools for trout in deeper water.

Lake Hendricks
All parking lots are now open. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the ice. The aerator is on so be careful; there is open water around it. Ice depths are 8-10 inches with 10 inches of heavy snow on top. Bluegill - Slow: Use small brightly colored jigs tipped with a spike. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try a small spinner tipped with a wax worm. Black Crappie - Slow: Use small brightly colored jig tipped with a wax worm suspended in the water column.

Lake Meyer
Lake Meyer currently has 12 inches of ice, but it much decrease with predicted rain and warm temperatures. The edges may get soft. Water clarity has decreased with about 5 feet of visibility. Fish activity has been variable; move around to find fish. Midday bite has been best. Bluegill - Slow: Use a jig tipped with wax worm or red or white spike. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers are seeing fish on cameras; a few have taken a jig tipped with wax worms. Black Crappie - Slow: Crappies are sitting higher off the bottom and are being more finicky.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Use extreme caution when going out on the Vernon Spring impoundment. There are areas of open water. River water levels are fluctuating due to recent rain and snow fall events. Check ice depths often. Ice depths vary greatly in areas with varying flows.  Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappie around downed trees and submerged logs out of the current. Use a jig tipped with a wax worm. Walleye - Slow: Find walleye in the deeper holes around current breaks.

Volga Lake
Volga Lake is reporting 8 inches of ice with 7 inches of new snow on top. Ice is getting a bit poky with freeze thaw cycles. Fish activity is best around early to mid-morning. Bluegill - Slow: Use small brightly colored jigs tipped with a wax worm. Find fish along the dam and universal access dock. Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappies suspended in deeper water late season.

Winter is back with daytime temperatures below freezing through the weekend. Most of the northern counties in our area received 8 inches of heavy, wet snow. Use extreme caution when going out on the ice. Check ice depths often especially where there is current or springs. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Reports of anglers catching bluegill yet on Casey Lake. Bluegill - Fair: Concentrate near structure towards the dam portion of the lake.

South Prairie Lake
Reports of anglers catching bluegill yet on South Prairie Lake. Bluegill - Fair: Look for past angler activity on where may be the best place to fish.

Angling reports have been few as the recent snowstorm slowed both angler and fish activity. Use extreme caution on all lakes as ice conditions vary from lake to lake. Anglers are still taking some bluegill from area lakes in Black Hawk County. Interior rivers remain partially iced over and are up from recent rain and snowfall. Trout streams are in excellent condition, contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276 for more information.