Since weather, tide, and other conditions affect species behavior, knowing the best times to fish is essential. Anglers should use caution on snow covered ice in areas that may have current. Lake has about 8-10 inches of ice capped with 4 inches of snow. Mississippi River Pool 14 The water level is 10.4 feet at the Fulton Lock … Iowa's natural resources plates include the state bird and flower, pheasant, eagle, buck and a Brook trout. Anglers are using wax worms and tungsten jigs. There have been reports of anglers catching panfish and northern pike on George Wyth Lake. Water level at Guttenberg is 5.9 feet. Ice depths vary on area rivers especially areas with current. Keep lure 1 to 2 ft. off bottom. Many northern Iowa natural lakes have large crappie populations. Submit Online Inquiry Crappies in natural and man-made lakes are most vulnerable during spring spawning and autumn. Check depths often. Backwaters have 6-10 inches ice. Black Crappie - Slow: Crappie bite is best in shallow backwaters fishing just below the ice surface. Minnow, worm, midge, and caddis flies work well this time of year. Fish jigging spoons or jig tipped with a minnow in tailwaters of lock and dams. Lynxville water level week is at 14.9 feet. Avoid ice near the bridge. Natural Resource Plates. If you're looking to fish in the general area be sure to check out Hot Spots tab to see where the fish are biting. Check Patch's weekly central Iowa fishing report for June 29-July 1. Ensure you have a successful day on the water! Bluegill - Fair: The winter doldrums have hit for ice fishing and most anglers only report poor to fair catch rates. The crappie bite on area lakes in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area are good to excellent. Anglers have been catching a few panfish on Plainfield Lake, catching fewer but fish of quality size being caught. Fishing Report SystemThis system allows you to view the current full fishing report, updated in real time! If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-880-8781. Additional trout will be stocked unannounced through the ice this winter. Northern Pike - Slow: Pike are biting on tip-ups baited with a minnow or shiners in shallow backwater lakes. Walleye - Slow: Use live bait for success. like As of Jan. 7, waterbodies in Central Iowa had 4 to 8 inches of ice. Lakes in and around the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area are producing catches of both bluegill and crappie but has only mediocre. Tailwater fishing is still accessible by both boat ramps in Guttenberg. Most angling activity has been near the Ice House Point boat ramp and near the Gunshot Hill shoreline. Bluegill - Fair: Use a waxworm on a small jig fished in 3-6 feet of water. Anglers have been catching both bluegill and crappie on Casey Lake. Crappies and bluegills are biting in small ponds and lakes across Iowa. Look for fish in 12-15ft. Catching panfish is easy and fun. North Dakota Fishing Reports. To me, that is good news, however, because it means there are good numbers of multiple year classes in the lake. Most Pool 13 ice fishing is taking place near the Sabula area backwaters. Northern Pike - Good: Some nice pike were reported earlier this ice fishing season by anglers using minnows on tip ups. Fish Details - Largemouth Bass (Characteristics, distribution, etc) 6 best bass baits and lures for summer moon Reply. Places to Fish and Boat Map. Anglers are using wax worms and tungsten jigs. Consistent catches during the rest of … For the most part, ice conditions are decent but never assume good ice anywhere. Rainbow Trout - Good: Get tackle in front of fish and imitate prey movements. Northern Pike - No Report: Pike are biting on tip-ups baited with a minnow or shiners in shallow backwater lakes. Use a jig/waxworm around the jetties and shallow brush. The average size of channel catfish in many lakes is increasing. The first weekend of May is the annual walleye opener at the Iowa Great Lakes. Ice is thinner in the inlet bridge bay. But if other factors If you love fishing, look no further than Lansing, IA. Ice thickness on most area lakes is most likely safe with recent arctic weather pattern but with the accumulating snow on the ice use extreme caution. Ice thickness is 13 inches in front of the Ice House Point boat ramp. There is 10 inches of ice in front of the boat ramp. Best times to fish are morning and dusk. There is open water in Town Bay from the winter aeration system. Don't forget to purchase a 2021 trout fee and license. Use waxworms or live minnows on a small jig. ( The water level at the Bellevue Lock and Dam is holding steady at 6.1 feet. Bluegill - Fair: Fish just off of the bottom with an ice jig tipped with a waxworm. Experience Iowa's natural beauty and all the fun our state parks offer. Ice thickness in district lakes and ponds is between 9-14 inches with the occasional seam or thin ice in the main basins. The water temperature his near 33 degrees and water clarity is good. Here's a few hotspots to try this spring. Here are a few of there favorites so far this summer. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing a dead stick with a minnow on one rod and jigging an ice jig tipped with a waxworm or spike. All fish hatcheries remain closed. Use the Places to Fish & Boat Map (map provided by Take Me Fishing™) to see photos of catches made and bait used by anglers near you.You can also filter by species to see what’s being caught in real time. “For most people, that’s a fish of a lifetime — especially in Iowa,” said Grosvenor, owner of JTG Expeditions. Combined walleye/sauger daily limit 6. 4 Kayak fishing for big brow trout in a river mouth 7 love to fish 1 Kenai Salmon in September 3 Change Location in settings 12 What the heck is an elephant fish?? 10:54 pm. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some reports of largemouth biting on tip-ups baited with minnows in backwaters. Luckily for you, we have a list for that. There have been good reports of anglers catching crappie on Alice Wyth Lake located in George Wyth State Park. Today, anglers can access an array of resources to help pinpoint the best fishing days, best times for freshwater fishing, and best saltwater fishing times locally. Crappies and bluegills are biting in small ponds and lakes across Iowa. Largemouth Bass – Good: The bass bite has picked up again. has a May have to move to find fish. p: 515-725-8200 Check Patch's weekly central Iowa fishing report for June 29-July 1. Yellow Perch - Fair: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4 to 12 feet of water with jig and a minnow. Ice depth varies in areas with current. Bluegill - Fair: Ice anglers are catching bluegill in shallow backwaters using jigs tipped waxworms. Check out our Fishing Times charts to determine when the fish will be most active. water. Lucky anglers who catch a tagged fish can win significant prizes. Don't overlook these top spots for Iowa catfish angling action. 02/11 09:23: Alice Wyth Lake: Northeast: Northern Pike - Fair: Fish using tip-up devices or rigs under the ice using a live shiner or chub for some great pike action. Channel catfish Chris Scholl caught this channel catfish through the ice on Clear Lake in north central Iowa in March a couple of years. Electronics are very helpful in locating suspended crappie. The current moonphase is a Waxing Crescent and 23 percent of Early morning and evening bite has been better for panfish with some sorting required. Where in Iowa Are the Fish Biting this Weekend? Ice fishing activity is concentrated in the Rock Creek and Cattail Slough backwaters. In Lee County, catfish are biting in the Mississippi River at Heron Bend and other locations, according to Lee County Park Ranger Clint Oldfield. The Iowa DNR says the catfish are biting "in every stream of any size, all lakes and many Iowa farm ponds." Ice depths on area Lakes are greater than 10 inches with 8 plus inches of snow. Use caution when going on ice. Anglers should use caution on snow covered ice in areas having current. Many flow through wildlife management areas. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing with a jig tipped with a minnow around sunken structure. The two major solunar periods last for two hours or more and normally produce best results. Most ice fishing pressure is around the Sabula backwaters. Bluegill - Fair: Ice anglers are catching bluegill in shallow backwaters using jigs tipped with mousies. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Some reports of largemouth biting on tip-ups baited with minnows in backwaters. Minnows best for crappies. Open water around the aerator. Streams are very clear with about 6-8 inches of snow in places but could change by weekend. Iowa DNR Customer Service In general, walleye populations are strong in the Des Moines, Iowa, Cedar, Raccoon, Little Sioux and Wapsipinicon rivers, Department of Natural Resources staffers say. Bluegill - Fair: Ice anglers are catching bluegill in shallow backwaters using jigs tipped with mousies. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Concentrate effort along rock reefs or brush piles. Check out our Fishing Times charts to determine when the fish will be most active. 2021 licenses available now. Contact Information by County, How to read our weekly Iowa fishing report. while the moon rises at 09:43 am and sets at On sunny afternoons, fish the hatch. There have been reports of anglers catching bluegill on North Prairie Lake. Brown Trout - Good: Spring branch Creek is a favorite amongst anglers for quality and trophy sized brown trout. Where in Iowa Are the Fish Biting this Weekend? Some reports of largemouth biting on … Bluegill - Fair: The winter doldrums have hit for ice fishing and most anglers only report poor to fair catch rates. Feeding is said to be less vigorous. Sauger - Slow: Vertical jigging with jigs in tailwaters of lock and dam has been effective. Anglers are catching panfish on Martens Lake. Due to extreme cold very little ice fishing was noted this week. No motorized vehicles allowed on the ice. Something that has been amazing is the perch bite that has been going on Big Spirit for the past few weeks. The water level at Rock Island is receding at 6.9 feet. Minor periods last for about one or two hours. The links below are the podcast recordings of their conversations, and can also be found on the iHeartRadio app. The sun will rise at 07:08 am and sets at Largemouth Bass - Good: Lots of bass are being caught by anglers using tip ups and minnows. All field stations and fish hatcheries remain closed at this time, for further information contact the N.E. You can check the activity of your favorite lake or stretch of river within each region, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), as well as a hot bait or lure pattern. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885. Check out those days when they happen during sunrise or sunset for an extra boost. If you're looking to fish in the general area be sure to check out Hot Spots tab to see where the fish are biting. Activity picking up. The second major solunar feeding period starts at 03:18 pm. The water level is expected to hold steady this week. Heavy snow cover has made access to ice fishing difficult. The Iowa Guide service is on the water fishing Okoboji or Spirit Lake nearly everyday insuring your group the hottest bite in area. Ice is covered with snow. Largemouth bass are one of the most sought after Iowa fish. The first major solunar feeding period starts at 03:07 am. Check ice depths often. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. visible. Located in Northeast Iowa on the banks of the Mississippi River, Lansing offers a variety of fish and fishing adventures. If you're looking to fish in the general area be sure to check out Hot Spots tab to see where the fish are biting. September 2020 Fishing Report - Shane Akin joins us to talk about musky fishing on the Iowa Great Lakes; plus local fishing information, river fishing tips and stocking channel catfish in community fishing ponds and lakes across Iowa, October 2020 Fishing Report - Dr. Scott Bonar, professor of natural resources at the University of Arizona, joins us to discuss how climate change is affecting fish and their habitats across the United States and the world; plus fall fish stockings and hot spots for fall fishing, November 2020 Fishing Report -  Robbie Weber, former ISU grad student, joins us to talk about musky and walleye at Big Creek and Brushy Creek; plus community trout stockings and fall river fishing, December 2020 Fishing Report - Keith Meals, Mississippi fisheries biologist, joins us to talk about crappie managment and fishing in the big four flood control reservoirs; plus getting ready for ice fishing, January 2019 Fishing Report - Jeff Kopaska reports on his fishing trip to Clear Lake, Scott Grummer joins to talk ice fishing opportunities in north central Iowa, February 2019 Fishing Report - Ice fishing opportunities across Iowa, April 2019 Fishing Report - big fish/internet legends from Davenport, how to best handle the fish you are keeping to eat, May 2019 Fishing Report - River monsters (lake sturgeon) below Red Rock, walleyes at Big Creek and Brushy Creek, June 2019 Fishing Report - Free fishing weekend, fish stories from 100 year olds, fish local information, DNR fishing atlas, July 2019 Fishing Report - Pond fishing info, urban fishing opportunities, August 2019 Fishing Report - Summer family fishing trips, how to fish the thermocline, September 2019 Fishing Report - Upcoming Professional Musky Tournament Trail event at Okoboji, with Corey Montgomery, October 2019 Fishing Report - National Musky Tournament and Taneycomo Trout, November 2019 Fishing Report - Pheasant opener, fall sampling at Big Creek and Brushy Creek (big muskies and walleyes), trout stocking and more, December 2019 Fishing Report - Ben Schneider joins us to talk about hunting for reindeer on a remote Alaskan island, January 2018 Fishing Report - Ice fishing safety, ice fishing tips, February 2018 Fishing Report - Lots of ice fishing, Lake Miami by Albia, Littlefield Lake, DNR Fishing atlas, new ponds in Altoona, Fishermen’s Swap Meet, March 2018 Fishing Report - Community fishing atlas, getting ready for open water, April 2018 Fishing Report - Local fishing in Des Moines, trout stocking, May 2018 Fishing Report - Post-sampling information about Big Creek and Brushy Creek, big muskies, community fishing program, Fort Des Moines pond, walleye opener at Okoboji, June 2018 Fishing Report - Free Fishing Weekend, fishing at Prairie Rose and Big Creek, more great spots to fish, July 2018 Fishing Report - What to do with all the high water, how do we fish these conditions, August 2018 Fishing Report - Mick Klemesrud talks about the August Roadside Survey, pheasant hunting, fishing downtown Des Moines, statewide hot spots, fishing for hot weather bluegills, September 2018 Fishing Report - Why there are slot limits, grass carp stocking and fishing, October 2018 Fishing Report - Trout stocking in Iowa, hunting seasons with Mick Klemesrud, November 2018 Fishing Report - Ice fishing outlook for the Iowa Great Lakes with Mike Hawkins, December 2018 Fishing Report - "50 fish" goals from Scott Gritters, November 2017 Fishing Report- How to catch fish when the water cools down, Big Creek and Brushy Creek report, prep for winter ice fishing, December 2017 Fishing Report - Ice fishing information, fishing Christmas gifts. Head out and fish before the weather gets too cool! Water temperature is around 33 degrees and the water clarity is good. The first minor solunar feeding period starts at 08:43 am. Check out our Hot Spots to learn where the fish are being caught in this area. weather, tides, sunrise, etc are favorable those times could be just as good as the major times. January 2021 Fishing Report - Kevan Paul joins us to talk about ice fishing on Clear Lake, February 20201 Fishing Report -  fishing in community ponds, plus hybrid striped bass in Big Creek, and the hot yellow perch bite at Clear Lake, January 2020 Fishing Report - Great Lakes Salmon, February 2020 Fishing Report - Andy Fales joins us to talk about Boundary Waters fishing, plus local fishing information, March 2020 Fishing Report - Local fishing, plus a conversation with Ben Wallace about Brushy Creek, Storm Lake and Black Hawk Lake, April 2020 Fishing Report - Coronavirus Impacts on Iowa fishing, Minnesota panfish regulations, The Mighty Mississippi River - Kirk Hansen talks about habitat restoration projects on the Mississippi River, May 2020 Fishing Report - Dr. Mark Pegg, Fisheries Ecologist, shares his channel catfish radio telementry research on the Red River of the North; crappie and bluegill fishing hot spots and tips, June 2020 Fishing Report - Clear Lake fishing trip; fishing in community ponds; where to catch Master Angler size fish, July 2020 Fishing Report - Chad Dolan joins us to talk about the science of electrofishing and turtle studies; plus local fishing information. While we have countless lakes, rivers, and ponds, it can still be hard to find a good fishing spot. Support conservation in Iowa by buying a natural resource plate for your vehicle. More specifically, it can be found at 42.4927635192871 and -92.3429641723633. Check out our Hot Spots to learn where the fish are being caught in this area. Anglers should use caution on snow covered ice and areas having current. Fish have feeding times just like us, we call them bite times. Black Crappie - Fair: Minnows work best for crappie. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Fishing conditions are excellent on eastern Iowa streams, lakes and rivers after a period of moderate temperatures and dry weather. Sorting is needed. Jody Gifford, Patch Staff. Check out our Hot Spots to learn where the fish are being caught in this area. Iowa's trout season remains open all year. Black Crappie - Fair: Nice size crappie found in deeper holes out of current. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing a dead stick with a minnow on one rod and jigging an ice jig tipped with a waxworm or spike. This fierce predator feasts on small fish, frogs, and sometimes snakes. Northern Pike - Fair: Fish using tip-up devices or rigs under the ice using a live shiner or chub for some great pike action. I have a wide variety of baits and I can paint anything you want. Water temperature is around 33 degrees clarity is good. Sorting is needed with some fish up to 8". But when the fish got closer, they saw the tell-tale glow. For the most part, ice conditions are decent but never assume good ice anywhere. The big, flood-control reservoir on the Des Moines River, about 40 miles southeast of Des Moines, consistently floods during the crappie spawn to provide excellent spawning and nursery habitat. Search the report by location, specific fish, conditions or by water body. There have been reports of anglers catching bluegill on South Prairie Lake. For more information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. The water levels at the Fulton Lock and Dam is holding steady and currently at 5.5 feet, Camanche is at 9.7 feet and Leclaire is at 4.6 feet. Use care when parking along road if a parking area isn't plowed. Black Crappie - Fair: Use wax worms and small live minnows. The bite not only continued through the winter but into the spring and summer of 2009, leaving ice-anglers wondering what they'll find beneath Big Spirit's ice this winter. Spring panfish fishing is a great opportunity to introduce beginners of all ages to fishing. Find local fishing reports on the following websites to keep you up-to-date on local fishing information. Check out our Fishing Times charts to determine when the fish will be most active. Due to extreme cold very little ice fishing was noted this week. The Fishing Report: Where in Iowa Are the Fish Biting? Please use extreme caution as there have also been reports of thin ice on areas of the lake with the recent warmer weather. Northern Pike - Good: Anglers are catching some quality northern pike on tip-up rigs. Subzero temp is building ice but avoid ice in areas with current. Ice depths 10 inches with 8 inches snow. Anglers are also catching a few pike on tip-up rigs. Bluegill - Fair: Best bite on overcast days. Bluegill - Fair: Use small brightly colored jig tipped with a waxworm or spike under a bobber in 10 ft. water. Ice anglers are catching bluegill in shallow backwaters using jigs tipped waxworms. Explore our pages and find your next fishing spot. The Fishing Report: Where in Iowa Are the Fish Biting? f: 515-725-8201 MAY - Walleyes: Iowa Great Lakes. Chance of snow Thursday thru Saturday and subzero temperatures through the weekend may slow outdoor activities and impact area roads. More than 2,000 anglers entered last spring's walleye tournament. Best fishing times are indicated by the four solunar periods of high feeding activity. By Dan Anderson. - Johnston, IA - Check Patch's weekly central Iowa fishing report for Aug. 17-19. No lake in Iowa has more potential for producing 14-inch crappies than Red Rock Lake, and no lake has more probability of breaking anglers’ hearts than Red Rock Lake. Bluegill - Slow: A few gills caught while targeting crappie. Most fish are 6-10" with some 11- 12 inches. Anglers looking for the challenge of hooking a trout to fighting a walleye, find a haven in Lansing…. It takes sorting with a mix of 5-6, 7-8, 9-10 inch fish along with a few in the 11-12 inch range. Fish 8-10" reported. Bluegill - Fair: Fish just off of the bottom with an ice jig tipped with a waxworm. Lansing water level is 8.1 feet. District Office at 563-927-3276. Access for boats may be difficult on some sections of river given lower stream and river flow. Black Crappie - Good: Crappie bite is best in shallow backwaters fishing just below the ice surface. Our weekly fishing report is broken down by counties or regions – Northwest, Northeast, Mississippi River, Southeast and Southwest. Brown Trout - Good: Use tackle imitating forage fish and fish the edge of a weed bed or large rock. Use caution around this area. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill nests can be seen along shorelines in the backwater areas. Use small pieces of bait and lures. Electronics are very helpful in locating suspended crappie. (KMAland) -- Southwest Iowa has several fishing hot spots this summer. Because sun and moon will change during the years, months and days the bite times for each day will vary. August 2020 Fishing Report -  Jason Schooley from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation joins us to talk about their assault on the paddlefish record books, and the legend of "the big one" from Okoboji from over a century ago; plus local fishing hot spots. For the most part, ice conditions are decent but never assume good ice anywhere. Best Times to Fish. Many streams maintain excellent populations of Brown Trout and stocked catchable size Rainbow Trout. But their feeding times follow a natural rythm of sun and moon. Situated at the end of Lansing’s Main Street, Mississippi’s Pool 9 —at 31.3 miles long and with 35,169 acres of aquatic habitat—is home to 104 … Anglers are able to cross Johnson Slough at Sny Magill ramp. For further information contact your area bait and tackle shops. Find brush piles. Waterloo can be found in the great state of Iowa. Water levels are currently 5.6 feet at the Lock and Dam and 8.2 feet at the RR bridge. Mon - Fri, 8:00am - 4:30pm CST Use care when walking to your favorite ice fishing hole. Information / Records Requests Bluegill - Fair: Use a waxworm or spike on a small jig under a bobber. Brook Trout - Good: Fish pool edges and heads using flies imitating prey drifting down. Iowa summers mean long days, warm nights, barbecues, bonfires, and one of our favorite pastimes: fishing. Tagged walleyes are released before the tournament. Ice in the east basin may have thinner areas. Ice conditions in Browns Lake were reported as marginal in a few locations a few weeks ago but may have improved. Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish the SW portion of the lake in the areas between Provost Point, Denison Beach, and Ice House Point. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. Posted Thu, Sep 27, 2012 at 9:04 pm CT. Check depths often. Each month, Jeff Kopaska of the Iowa DNR and Ross Peterson from KXnO Sports Fanatics get together to talk about fishing opportunities, seasons and events in Iowa and around the Midwest. 3 out of 4 rating Lake has 8-10 inches of ice and about 6 inches of snow. Use small jig tipped with waxworm or spike. Fish deeper water. Please be cautious when angling in this lake. They are often joined by other DNR staff and guest speakers. Anglers are using wax worms and tungsten jigs. Doug knows every rock reef, sandbar and weed bed in Spirit Lake, West & East Okoboji and the other small connected lakes of the area. Here are 9 of the best fishing spots in Iowa that will pretty much guarantee a good catch. Although not as big of populations in southern Iowa waters, the fish are usually larger. Fish cleaning station, paved trails, playground and many picnic spots. the Tailwater ramps are iced in throughout the district. Diamond Lake, Poweshiek County – catch lots of 7- to 10-inch crappie; excellent access with 11 jetties. The fish have been biting! The Bellevue City ramp finally iced in due to the recent cold snap. Iowa lake restoration projects, habitat improvements and fishing regulations help make and keep quality largemouth bass fishing opportunities. is Clarity excellent with 15 ft. visibility. The water temperature is around 33 degrees and the water clarity is good. Fishing reports may include information on stream or river flows (and if it is rising or dropping), ice conditions, depths that fish are biting (watch for trends if this changes), or safety issues like if the water suddenly becomes shallow in spots. Ice anglers have been catching panfish at Mud Lake and Zollicoffers. Find out where the fish are biting, the best places to go and what baits and lures to use to catch big fish today. According to our calculations, today Feb 16, 2021 Many fish are in spawning mode. The Iowa Great Lakes offer fantastic fishing opportunities on a series of lakes. Find an eddy or deeper pool. Bite has been hit or miss. Make your online reservation for state park cabins, camping sites, shelters and lodges. 05:48 pm Yellow Perch - Slow: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4 to 12 feet of water with jig and a minnow. With the Toe Biter, the name is pretty self explanatory. The second minor solunar feeding period starts at 09:54 pm. Customer Service: 515-725-8200 | Iowa DNR Headquarters Wallace State Office Building | 502 East 9th Street, 4th Floor | Des Moines, IA 50319-0034, Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP), Declaratory Orders and Rulemaking Petitions, State Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Plan. Use caution and avoid the creek area. “Late May and early June is a great time to take kids fishing,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau. All that, including links to your local fish and wildlife websites, records for a location, photos, videos, GPS coordinates for where the fish can be found, and much more. ) and is a good day for fishing. Ice thickness is around eight inches or more over most of lake. Support conservation in Iowa by buying a natural resource plate for your vehicle. Any questions let me know. Iowa Fishing Reports Minnesota Fishing Reports Wisconsin Fishing Reports Forums-Hot Tips-Secrets ... fished a bunch of smaller lakes in the area for crappies for the past week and the bite has been as hot as first ice bite. All area Manchester trout streams are in excellent condition and hold vast populations of brown trout. Most activity is occurring on the north end of the marsh as anglers cross the reservoir for access. This giant water beetle can deliver a painful bite and pinch to its prey, or anything that threatens it. Due to extreme cold very little ice fishing was noted this week. Crappie bite is best in shallow backwaters fishing just below the ice surface. Walleye - Slow: The bite has slowed. Bluegill - Fair: The winter doldrums have hit for ice fishing and most anglers only report poor to fair catch rates. Water temperature in the main channel is near freezing and water level is stable throughout the district. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Mississippi River. Fish a live chub or shiner just off of the bottom for some great pike action. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Tailwater fishing is still accessible by both boat ramps in Guttenberg. 02/11 09:25: Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Northeast