Fishing Report

Lake Delhi

   Anglers are catching panfish, bass and channel catfish. Try fishing early mornings and evenings to avoid heavy boat traffic. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for structures; use a live minnow under a slip bobber. Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of nightcrawler under a slip bobber near structure along the shorelines. Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut baits, stink baits and nightcrawlers. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast and retrieve topwater baits early morning or late evening. Spinnerbaits and crankbait are productive.

Manchester District Streams

   Trout streams are in excellent condition.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)

   Anglers are catching smallmouth bass, channel catfish and walleye. The river is in excellent condition and should provide good angling opportunities. Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut baits, stink baits and nightcrawlers. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast crankbaits or jig and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler. Walleye – Fair: Cast crankbaits or jig and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler.

Maquoketa River (below Monticello)

   Anglers are catching walleye, catfish and smallmouth bass on the lower Maquoketa River. A recent electrofishing survey above Pictured Rocks revealed a very abundant population of 16-inch to 20-inch channel catfish. Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut baits, stink baits and nightcrawlers. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Cast crankbaits or jig and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler. Walleye – Fair: Cast crankbaits or jig and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler.