Pool 13

Water levels have stabilized again on the River and water temps are still around 46 degrees. Unseasonable weather is allowing for some "bonus" fishing. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

The water level at Lock and Dam 13 is stable and near 5.2 feet. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 45 degrees. We may get low enough that backing off the ends of the ramps may become an issue again.

Bluegill - Excellent: Gills have moved out of flowing current for the most part and now reside in backwater areas and marina areas.

Channel Catfish - Good: Fish stink bait or worms along rock piles. In the lower parts of the pool try to concentrate in the stump fields or along the weed lines. Bigger cats may bite on cut bait but move often if not biting. It is late in the year but cats still seem to be biting well.

Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Fish in moderate current areas.

Rainbow Trout - Excellent: The kids trout pond north of the DNR fisheries station is now stocked with trout and can provide fun action for your kids throughout the winter. If you plan to keep trout please limit yourself to 2 trout per child so we can keep good fishing in the pond throughout the winter. The duck weed has not died out yet but try to fish in open pockets.

Black Crappie - Good: Crappie have moved into slack water brush piles or in slack moving side channels.

Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass have moved into backwater areas for the winter. Fish with spinner baits and chatterbaits in sunlit areas for best success.

Northern Pike - Fair: Pike fishing should pike up this fall. Use gaudy white spinners.

Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Try tips of wing dams in stronger currents.

Walleye - Good: Walleyes and saugers have moved toward the lock and dams. Some can still be caught on the wingdams as well. Most anglers are using jigs and minnows.

White Bass - Good: White bass have been biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows. Watch for feeding gulls as they often will feed when white bass are chasing minnows.

Yellow Perch - Good: Healthy nine inch yellow perch were reported along vegetation lines and bush piles. Some ring perch are also showing up in10 feet or so water in the tailwaters.

Sauger - Excellent: Very nice Sauger are being caught in the tailwater mostly on a jig and minnow rig.

Water levels have stabilized again on the River and water temps are still around 46 degrees. Unseasonable weather has allowed for some "bonus" fishing. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Bluegill - Excellent: Gills have moved out of flowing current for the most part and now reside in backwater areas and marina areas.

Rainbow Trout - Excellent: The kids trout pond north of the DNR fisheries station is now stocked with trout and can provide fun action for your kids throughout the winter. If you plan to keep trout please limit yourself to 2 trout per child so we can keep good fishing in the pond throughout the winter.

The water level at Lock and Dam 13 is stable and near 4.8 feet. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 45 degrees. We may get low enough that backing off the ends of the ramps may become an issue again.

Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Fish in moderate current areas.

Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass have moved into backwater areas for the winter. Fish with spinner baits and chatterbaits in sunlit areas for best success.

Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Try tips of wing dams in stronger currents. Might try a little more vertical jigging as water temperatures cool.

Walleye - Good: Walleyes and saugers have moved toward the lock and dams. Some can still be caught on the wingdams as well. Most anglers are using jigs and minnows or jigging spoons. Bite may have slowed down a little as of late.

White Bass - Good: White bass have been biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows. Watch for feeding gulls as they often will feed when white bass are chasing minnows.

Black Crappie - Good: Crappie have moved into slack water brush piles or in slack moving side channels.

Northern Pike - Fair: Pike fishing should pike up this fall. Use gaudy white spinners.

Sauger - Good: Nice Sauger are being caught in the tailwater mostly on a jig and minnow rig or jigging spoons.

Yellow Perch - Good: Healthy nine inch yellow perch were reported along vegetation lines and bush piles. Some ring perch are also showing up in10 feet or so water in the tailwaters.

Source: Iowa DNR

The river is rapidly falling this week after last week's raise. Water temps are still around 48 degrees. Unseasonable weather is allowing for some "bonus" fishing. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Bluegill - Excellent: Gills have moved out of flowing current for the most part and now reside in backwater areas and marina areas.

Channel Catfish - Good: Fish stink bait or worms along rock piles. In the lower parts of the pool try to concentrate in the stump fields or along the weed lines. Bigger cats may bite on cut bait but move often if not biting.

Rainbow Trout - Excellent: The kids trout pond north of the DNR fisheries station is now stocked with trout and can provide fun action for your kids throughout the winter. If you plan to keep trout please limit yourself to 2 trout per child so we can keep good fishing in the pond throughout the winter. The duck weed has not died out yet but try to fish in open pockets.

The water level at Lock and Dam 13 is falling and near 5.0 feet. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 48 degrees. We may get low enough that backing off the ends of the ramps may become an issue again.

Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Fish in moderate current areas.

Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass have moved into backwater areas for the winter. Fish with spinner baits and chatterbaits in sunlit areas for best success.

Northern Pike - Fair: Pike fishing should pike up this fall. Use gaudy white spinners.

Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Try tips of wing dams in stronger currents.

Walleye - Good: Walleyes and saugers have moved toward the lock and dams. Some can still be caught on the wingdams as well. Most anglers are using jigs and minnows.

White Bass - Good: White bass have been biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows. Watch for feeding gulls as they often will feed when white bass are chasing minnows.

Black Crappie - Good: Crappie have moved into slack water brush piles or in slack moving side channels.

Yellow Perch - Good: Healthy nine inch yellow perch were reported along vegetation lines and bush piles.

Source: Iowa DNR

Lots of changes with the river this past few weeks with the water levels raising dramatically and water temperature rapidly falling. Water temps are now around 47 degrees. Good fishing continues throughout the district and enjoy the fall fishing. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Bluegill - Excellent: Gills have moved out of flowing current for the most part and now reside in backwater areas and marina areas.

Rainbow Trout - Excellent: The kids trout pond north of the DNR fisheries station is now stocked with trout and can provide fun action for your kids throughout the winter. If you plan to keep trout please limit yourself to 2 trout per child so we can keep good fishing in the pond throughout the winter.

The water level at Lock and Dam 13 has stabilized at 9.4 feet. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 47 degrees.

Channel Catfish - Good: Fish stink bait or worms along rock piles. In the lower parts of the pool try to concentrate in the stump fields or along the weed lines. Bigger cats may bite on cut bait but move often if not biting.

Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Fish in moderate current areas.

Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass have moved into backwater areas for the winter. Fish with spinner baits and chatterbaits in sunlit areas for best success.

Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Try tips of wing dams in stronger currents.

Walleye - Good: Walleyes and saugers have moved toward the lock and dams. Some can still be caught on the wingdams as well. Most anglers are using jigs and minnows.

Black Crappie - Good: Crappie have moved into slack water brush piles or in slack moving side channels.

Northern Pike - Fair: Pike fishing should pike up this fall. Use gaudy white spinners.

White Bass - Good: White bass have been biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows. Watch for feeding gulls as they often will feed when white bass are chasing minnows.

Yellow Perch - Good: Healthy nine inch yellow perch were reported along vegetation lines and bush piles.

Source: Iowa DNR

Expect a big bump in water levels this coming week but as of now the river is still low for a few more days. When boating, please be careful to not back trailers off the back of ramps. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats off trailer. Water temps are around 60 degrees. Good fishing continues throughout the district and enjoy the fall fishing. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

The water level at Lock and Dam 13 is low but rising at Bellevue with levels near 5.2 feet. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 60 degrees. Be careful not to back off the ramps in this extremely low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. It is very easy for instance to back off the Bellevue City Boat Ramp. Expect at least a five foot rise in water levels this week.

Bluegill - Excellent: Gills are still out in moderate current areas but will soon be moving toward backwater habitats for the winter.

Channel Catfish - Good: Fish stick bait or worms along rock piles . In the lower parts of the pool try to concentrate in the stump fields or along the weed lines. Bigger cats may bite on cut bait but move often if not biting.

Rainbow Trout - No Report: The nuisance aquatic vegetation is starting to die back and the pond will be restocked later this month with trout when vegetation clears out.

Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Fish in moderate current areas.

Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Try tips of wing dams in stronger currents.

Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Fish along vegetation lines with plastics for the best success.

Walleye - Good: Walleye bite has picked up a bit this week and expecting a good fall season. Walleyes and Sauger will transition to the tailwaters as the temperatures fall.

White Bass - Good: White bass have been biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows. Watch for feeding gulls as they often will feed when white bass are chasing minnows.

Black Crappie - Good: Catch on crappie reported all over the board. Some anglers report it as good and are finding them in the usual brush piles while other anglers report fishing as poor.

Northern Pike - Fair: Pike fishing should pike up this fall. Use gaudy white spinners.

Yellow Perch - Good: Healthy nine inch yellow perch were reported along vegetation lines and bush piles.

Source: Iowa DNR

The River received a nice bump up but now is receding and is still low. When boating, please be careful to not back trailers off the back of ramps. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats off trailer. Water temps are around 57 degrees. Good fishing continues throughout the district and enjoy the fall fishing. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Bluegill - Good: Gills are still out in moderate current areas but will soon be moving toward backwater habitats for the winter.

Channel Catfish - Good: Fish stick bait or worms along rock piles . In the lower parts of the pool try to concentrate in the stump fields or along the weed lines. Bigger cats may bite on cut bait but move often if not biting.

Rainbow Trout - No Report: The nuisance aquatic vegetation is starting to die back and the pond will be restocked later this month with trout when vegetation clears out.

The water level at Lock and Dam 13 is low and receding at Bellevue with levels near 5.1 feet. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 56 degrees. Be careful not to back off the ramps in this extremely low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. It is very easy for instance to back off the Bellevue City Boat Ramp.

Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Fish in moderate current areas.

Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Fish along vegetation lines with plastics for the best success.

Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Try tips of wing dams in stronger currents.

Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite has picked up a bit this week and expecting a good fall season. Walleyes and Sauger will transition to the tailwaters as the temperatures fall.

White Bass - Good: White bass have been biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows. Watch for feeding gulls as they often will feed when white bass are chasing minnows.

Black Crappie - Good: Catch on crappie reported all over the board. Some anglers report it as good and are finding them in the usual brush piles while other anglers report fishing as poor.

Northern Pike - Fair: Pike fishing should pike up this fall. Use gaudy white spinners.

Yellow Perch - Good: Healthy nine inch yellow perch were reported along vegetation lines and bush piles.

Source: Iowa DNR

The River bumped up again this week but is still low. When boating, please be careful to not back trailers off the back of ramps. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats off trailer. Water temps are around 65 degrees. Good fishing continues throughout the district and enjoy the fall fishing. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

The water level at Lock and Dam 13 is low and rising at Bellevue with levels near 4.4 feet. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 65 degrees. Be careful not to back off the ramps in this extremely low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. It is very easy for instance to back off the Bellevue City Boat Ramp.

Bluegill - Good: People pitching small jigs with worms are catching gills off rock lines. Gills seem to be moving around a bit so keep moving if they do not bite right away.

Rainbow Trout - No Report: The nuisance aquatic vegetation is starting to die back and the pond will be restocked later this month with trout when vegetation clears out.

Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish stick bait or worms along rock piles . In the lower parts of the pool try to concentrate in the stump fields or along the weed lines. Bigger cats may bite on cut bait but move often if not biting.

Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Fish in moderate current areas.

Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try tips of wing dams in stronger currents.

Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Fish along vegetation lines with plastics for the best success.

Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite has picked up a bit this week and expecting a good fall season. Walleyes and Sauger will transition to the tailwaters as the temperatures fall.

Black Crappie - Fair: Catch on crappie reported all over the board. Some anglers report it as good and are finding them in the usual brush piles while other anglers report fishing as poor.

Northern Pike - Fair: Pike fishing should pike up this fall. Use gaudy white spinners.

White Bass - Good: White bass have been biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows.

Yellow Perch - Good: Healthy nine inch yellow perch were reported along vegetation lines and bush piles in lower pool 12.

Source: Iowa DNR

The River bumped up a bit this week but is still low. When boating, please be careful to not back trailers off the back of ramps. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats off trailer. Water temps are around 70 degrees. Good fishing continues throughout the district and it is a perfect time to get out. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Bluegill - Good: People pitching small jigs with worms are catching gills off rock lines. Gills seem to be moving around a bit so keep moving if they do not bite right away.

Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish stick bait or worms along rock piles . In the lower parts of the pool try to concentrate in the stump fields or along the weed lines. Bigger cats may bite on cut bait but move often if not biting.

Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead anglers have switched over to trot lines baited with Green Sunfish or Carp.

Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Fish in moderate current areas.

Rainbow Trout - No Report: The kids fishing pond is unfishable as the vegetation has taken hold. The pond will be restocked later this month with trout when vegetation clears out.

The water level at Lock and Dam 13 is low and steady at Bellevue with levels near 4.6 feet. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 70 degrees. Be careful not to back off the ramps in this extremely low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. It is very easy for instance to back off the Bellevue City Boat Ramp.

Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish along vegetation lines with plastics for the best success.

Northern Pike - Fair: Pike fishing should pike up this fall. Use gaudy white spinners.

Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try tips of wing dams in stronger currents.

Walleye - Slow: Some walleyes are being picked up on wingdams but catch has been sporadic.

White Bass - Good: White bass have been biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows.

Black Crappie - Fair: Catch on crappie reported all over the board. Some anglers report it as good and are finding them in the usual brush piles while other anglers report fishing as poor.

Source: Iowa DNR

A much needed bump in the River this week but river levels are still extremely low. When boating, please be careful to not back trailers off the back of ramps. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats off trailer. Water temps are in the lower 70's. Good fishing continues throughout the district and it is a perfect time to get out. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Bluegill - Good: People pitching small jigs with worms are catching gills off rock lines. Gills seem to be moving around a bit so keep moving if they do not bite right away.

Rainbow Trout - No Report: The kids fishing pond is unfishable as the vegetation has taken hold. The pond will be restocked later in October with trout when vegetation clears out.

The water level at Lock and Dam 13 is low but rising at Bellevue with levels near 5.7 feet. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 70 degrees. Be careful not to back off the ramps in this extremely low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. It is very easy for instance to back off the Bellevue City Boat Ramp.

Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish stick bait or worms along rock piles . In the lower parts of the pool try to concentrate in the stump fields or along the weed lines. Bigger cats may bite on cut bait but move often if not biting.

Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead anglers have switched over to trot lines baited with Green Sunfish or Carp.

Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Fish in moderate current areas.

Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish along vegetation lines with plastics for the best success.

Smallmouth Bass - Good: Casting inline spinners or crank baits just off rock points has been good for smallmouth feeding in the rocks. Lots of small fish so use light tackle.

Walleye - Slow: Some walleyes are being picked up on wingdams but catch has been sporadic.

Black Crappie - Fair: Some nice crappies are being caught out of the sluggish deeper side channels. Usually anglers are targeting wood piles in the river using small minnows.

Northern Pike - Fair: Pike fishing should pike up this fall. Use gaudy white spinners.

White Bass - Good: White bass have been biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows.

Source: Iowa DNR

River levels are still extremely low. When boating, please be careful to not back trailers off the back of ramps. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats off trailer. Water temps are in the lower 70's. Good fishing continues throughout the district and it is a perfect time to get out. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

The water level at Lock and Dam 13 is low and stable at Bellevue with levels near 3.5 feet. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 70 degrees. Be careful not to back off the ramps in this extremely low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. It is very easy for instance to back off the Bellevue City Boat Ramp.

Bluegill - Excellent: People pitching small jigs with worms are catching gills off rock lines. Gills seem to be moving around a bit so keep moving if they do not bite right away.

Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish stick bait or worms along rock piles . In the lower parts of the pool try to concentrate in the stump fields or along the weed lines. Bigger cats may bite on cut bait but move often if not biting.

Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Fish in moderate current areas.

Rainbow Trout - No Report: The kids fishing pond is unfishable as the vegetation has taken hold. The pond will be restocked this fall with trout when vegetation clears out.

Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead anglers have switched over to trot lines baited with Green Sunfish or Carp.

Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish along vegetation lines with plastics for the best success.

Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Casting inline spinners or crank baits just off rock points has been good for smallmouth feeding in the rocks. Lots of small fish so use light tackle.

Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being picked up on wingdams but catch has been sporadic.

Black Crappie - Fair: Some nice crappies are being caught out of the sluggish deeper side channels. Usually anglers are targeting wood piles in the river using small minnows.

Northern Pike - Fair: Pike fishing should pike up this fall. Use gaudy white spinners.

White Bass - Good: White bass have been biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows.

Source: Iowa DNR

River levels are still extremely low. When boating, please be careful to not back trailers off the back of ramps. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats off trailer. Water temps are in the lower 70's. Good fishing continues throughout the district and it is a perfect time to get out. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Bluegill - Excellent: People pitching small jigs with worms are catching gills off rock lines. Gills seem to be moving around a bit so keep moving if they do not bite right away.

Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish stick bait or worms along rock piles . In the lower parts of the pool try to concentrate in the stump fields or along the weed lines. Bigger cats may bite on cut bait but move often if not biting.

Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead anglers have switched over to trot lines baited with Green Sunfish or Carp.

Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Fish in moderate current areas.

Rainbow Trout - No Report: The kids fishing pond is unfishable as the vegetation has taken hold. The pond will be restocked this fall with trout when vegetation clears out.

The water level at Lock and Dam 13 is low and stable at Bellevue with levels near 3.3 feet. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 73 degrees. Be careful not to back off the ramps in this extremely low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. It is very easy for instance to back off the Bellevue City Boat Ramp.

Black Crappie - Good: Some nice crappies are being caught out of the sluggish deeper side channels. Usually anglers are targeting wood piles in the river using small minnows.

Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish along vegetation lines with plastics for the best success.

Northern Pike - Fair: Pike fishing should pike up this fall. Use gaudy white spinners.

Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Casting inline spinners or crank baits just off rock points has been good for smallmouth feeding in the rocks. Lots of small fish so use light tackle.

Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being picked up on wingdams but catch has been sporadic.

White Bass - Good: White bass have been biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows.

Source: Iowa DNR