Iowa DNR weekly fishing report - Jan. 18, 2018

Posted Thursday, January 18, 2018 5:02 pm

BY PCC STAFF DES MOINES - The following is the weekly fishing report for southeast Iowa lakes and Mississippi River Pool 19. Please be cautious this week as warmer temperatures and rain may compromise ice thickness.

Big Hollow Lake Be cautious of deteriorating ice conditions this weekend if the weather forecast holds true.Bluegill- Fair:Anglers are still picking up some nice bluegills out in the flooded timber and to the right of the boat ramp.

Lake Belva Deer Watch the weather; it looks like the next few days will affect the ice conditions.Just because the ice was good earlier this week, doesn't mean it will be good later thisweek.Bluegill- Slow: Work the creek channel out in the flooded trees.Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are still picking up crappies out along the creek channel in the flooded timber.

Lake Darling The warm weather last week added runoff color to the water and slowed down the fishing a little last weekend. Use caution out on the ice if we get the forecasted heavy rains.Bluegill- Fair:Bluegills are still down near the bottom in 10 to 12 foot of water. Fish near the habitat and you can still find them.Black Crappie- Fair:Work the habitat in the 10 to 12 feet range; it will take a while, but you can still catch a nice batch.

Lake Geode The lake is drained for renovation.

Lost Grove Lake Ice conditions are still pretty good as of Jan. 18. Don't look for them to be near as good by the end of the weekend.Black Crappie- Fair:Last weekend the crappie fishing was a little more hit and miss. Drill a few holes out around the trees and you can still find a nice batch of crappies.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Mississippi River Pool 19 Tailwater stage is3.14feet at Lock and Dam 18above Burlingtonand has beenrising the past few days.We have not received any ice condition reports for this pool this week. Warm weather and rain in the forecast for this weekend may create some poor ice conditions.

The main channel is frozen up and boat ramps are inaccessible.Rain and warm weather in the forecast for the weekend may make some poor ice conditions especially along shorelines.If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.