NORTHWEST
Nelson Park Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use traditional catfish baits (e.g., dip baits, cut bait, chicken liver).

Yellow Smoke Park Lake
A hoop netting survey designed to collect catfish was conducted on 7-24-15. Nice sized channel catfish ranging from 9 – 28 inches and 6-9 inch bluegill were collected. Target catfish using leeches, cut bait, or dip baits fished on or near bottom in areas 5-10 feet deep. Fish for bluegills using crawlers, minnows, or leeches in 3-10 feet of water.

Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Fish areas 10-20 feet deep with drop-offs and submerged structure. Walleye – Slow. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies in areas of about 15 feet of water near suspended mid-water structure or near the flooded creek channels by submerged structure. Yellow Perch – Slow: Fish along edges of vegetation or structure suspended in 15 feet of water.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Boaters should use caution around the dredge barge, booster pump barge, and pipeline. Walleye regulations for Storm Lake are three fish per day, all fish between 17 and 22 inches must be released and only one over 22 inches may be kept. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are still biting fairly well for this time of year; successful anglers are trolling crankbaits in the dredge cuts and the shallower areas near east shore. Shad-colored crankbaits have been productive. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish using dip baits, cut bait, and chicken liver from boat and shore. White Bass – Good: Use shad, crawlers, or crankbaits. Anglers fishing from shore using shad are having the best luck.

Swan Lake
Swan Lake experienced a substantial fish kill during the weekend of August 15th. The fish kill was likely caused by a large diurnal swing in dissolved oxygen levels that dropped to lethal levels during the night or early morning hours. Dissolved oxygen levels are still dipping low in some areas of the lake; however, a netting survey conducted 9-9-15 showed that a notable population of catchable-sized bluegills, crappies, and bullheads has persisted.

Black Hawk Lake
Lake level is 8 inches above crest and surface water temperatures are around 74 degrees. A recent netting survey designed to collect fish in near-shore areas showed an abundance of catchable-sized bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, walleye, and catfish.  Bluegill – Fair: A few have been picked up around the rock piles and in Town Bay. Walleye – Fair: 14-19 inch walleye have been picked up in the east end of the lake. Anglers continue to pick up some walleye along the east shore at or near the outlet structure. Anglers are fishing rooster tail spinners and twister tails. Some walleye have been picked up in Town Bay and along the shoreline near Ice House Point. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinners, twister tails, crawlers, or minnows and jigs. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass.

For more information on the Black Hawk District, call 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
Walleye – Good: Walleye action has picked up this week. Anglers are picking up a few walleyes when targeting yellow bass. Some walleyes have been caught while trolling the main lake basin. Muskellunge – Good. Yellow Bass – Good: Billy’s reef, Fisherman’s reef, the State Dock Area, and the little lake have been producing good numbers of 8.5 to 9 inch yellow bass. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers have had good luck drifting along the weed edges on the little lake. Boats fishing near the outlet on the east end have been catching a few; anglers near Ventura grade have been catching a few. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish near the lily pads on the little lake. Crappie – Good: Some luck on Billy’s Reef and the rock reef by State Dock area.

Lake Cornelia
Bluegill – Fair: A few bluegills being caught in vegetation, fish are 6-7 inch. ,Channel Catfish – Good: A few catfish being caught in the evenings.

Bluebill Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: 2-5 pound catfish are being caught on stink bait on the windblown shorelines.

Shell Rock River (above Greene)
Smallmouth Bass – Good. Northern Pike – Good.

Winnebago River
Smallmouth Bass – Good.

For lake updates and fishing information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are schooled up off the jetties. Bluegills are very large with many 7-8 inch fish. Fish a worm and bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Throwing spinner baits or soft plastics for the aggressive males will produce bites.

Big Spirit Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish are being caught under boat hoists anywhere around the lake using jigs, wacky worms, spinner baits. Fish the inside and outside edge of weed lines with Texas rigs, drop shots, swimbaits, or crankbaits in 8-9 feet of water. Smallmouths are hitting top-water along the west shore in the evening.

Center Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Smaller crappies are being caught on the north and east sides of Center Lake using jigs tipped with wax worms.

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Large numbers of yellow bass are being caught near East Okoboji beach near the boat docks. Fish vary from small to a few larger 8-9 inch fish. Throw soft plastic shad for them. Anglers fishing under the Highway 9 bridge are catching fair numbers of yellows using small plastic minnows. Walleye – Good: Anglers fishing the south end are reporting a hot bite for walleye. Anglers are drifting minnows along the bottom before dark. Larger walleye are being caught in 10-12 feet of water.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: A new walleye bite is going at Silver Lake. Anglers are catching many smaller 15-18 inch fish.

West Okoboji Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish jigs, crankbaits, or Texas rigs under boat hoists, near weed lines, and on the drop offs. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth have moved off beds and are headed towards the rocky drop offs. Fish the rock points that shoot out into the main basin of West Lake, Pillsbury, Fort Dodge, or Gull Point. Use jerk baits, football jigs, or swimbaits. Yellow Bass – Good: In Smiths bay just north of the amusement park anglers are reporting a high catch rate of large yellow bass. Anglers using orange twister tails or plain hook with worm and split shot are catching yellows on every cast.

Lost Island Lake
Northern Pike – Good: Northern pike are biting on spinner baits in Millers bay. Fish the north bank of Millers with a black spinner bait in 7 feet of water. Fish range from mid-20s to 30 inches. Also try top-water for these fish. Black Bullhead – Excellent: A large number of bullhead are being seen at the mouth of little lake just west of the bridge while crews are electrofishing on Lost Island.

NORTHEAST
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
There have been fair reports of anglers catching largemouth bass and some bluegill. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast spinner or crankbaits along the face of the dam and off the jetties. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of night crawler under a slip bobber in six to eight feet of water near submersed structure.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is in good condition for the upcoming weekend. There have been good reports of smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and some northern pike being caught, especially in Black Hawk County. Walleye – Good: Artificial crankbaits have been good for walleye this past week. Fish near woody structure and off current breaks and eddies targeting 5-7 feet of water. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Fish artificial crankbaits and spinner baits or live bait tipped on a jig around rocky shorelines and tail ends of riffles. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish have been taken biting very well on stink baits.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River at Shell Rock is currently at 989 cubic feet per second, vastly down from a week ago. Fishing should be productive for walleye and smallmouth bass.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River is in excellent condition. Anglers should be able to get out this coming weekend and have success on many gamefish species. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fish artificial crankbaits and spinner baits or live bait tipped on a jig around rocky shorelines and tail ends of riffles. Northern Pike – Fair: Cast crankbaits near woody cover or float a live chub under a bobber for some great pike action. Walleye – Good: Fish artificial crankbaits or half a crawler tipped on a light jig near woody structure, tail ends of riffles and off current breaks and eddies. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish bite well on stink baits this time of season, fish the deeper holes and snags on the bottom of the river.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River is in excellent condition heading into the coming weekend. Creel information reflects anglers are having good success on walleye and smallmouth bass. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fish artificial crankbaits and spinner baits or live bait tipped on a jig around rocky shorelines and tail ends of riffles. Walleye – Good: Fish artificial crankbaits or half a crawler tipped on a light jig near woody structure and off current breaks, tail ends of riffles and eddies. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish have been biting on stink baits this past week.

Reports have been fair to good for many gamefish species on the interior rivers. Walleye fishing has been pretty good over the last couple of weeks. Trout streams in N.E. Iowa are in excellent condition. It should be a great weekend to get out and wet a line. For further information, contact the N.E. Iowa District Office at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Pool 9 at Lansing is 8.3 feet and expected to remain steady this week. Water temperatures are in the mid 60’s. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Some large drum are being caught using crayfish or a whole night crawler fished in current of main channel borders. Northern Pike – Good: Fish the cool water at mouths of streams entering the Mississippi or cast wing dam areas with flashy colored spoons and crankbaits. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing can be hit or miss. Wing dams have produced some walleyes by bouncing a light jig tipped with crawler. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish backwater vegetation beds in early morning. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfishing has been a staple for several weeks. Stinkbait and cut baits are producing big cats fished along down trees in eddies in the large side channels. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill fishing has slowed some, but some nicer size fish are being caught in slack water in the deeper channels. Crappie – Fair: Look for crappie to settle into backwaters as the river levels stabilize. Fish minnows in larger brush piles off side channels and in the backwaters. Sauger – Slow: Sauger are beginning to move toward tailwater areas. Expect the bite to pick up as water temperatures drop.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Pool 10 at Lynxville is at 14.8 feet and projected to fall over the next week. Water temperatures are in the mid 60’s.  Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Some large drum are being caught using crayfish or a whole night crawler fished in current of main channel borders. Northern Pike – Good: Fish the cool water at mouths of streams entering the Mississippi or cast wing dam areas with flashy colored spoons and crankbaits. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing can be hit or miss. Wing dams have produced some walleyes by bouncing a light jig tipped with crawler. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish backwater vegetation beds in early morning. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfishing has been a staple for several weeks. stink baits and cut baits are producing big cats fished along down trees in eddies in the large side channels. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill fishing has slowed some, but some nicer size fish are being caught in slack water in the deeper channels. Crappie – Slow: Look for crappie to settle into backwaters as the river levels stabilize. Fish minnows in larger brush piles off side channels and in the backwaters. Sauger – Slow: Sauger are beginning to move toward tailwater areas. Expect the bite to pick up as water temperatures drop.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Pool 11 at Guttenberg is 6.8 feet and on a gradual fall. Water temperatures are in the mid 60’s.  Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Some large drum are being caught using crayfish or a whole night crawler fished in current of main channel borders. Northern Pike – Good: Fish the cool water at mouths of streams entering the Mississippi or cast wing dam areas with flashy colored spoons and crankbaits. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing can be hit or miss. Wing dams have produced some walleyes by bouncing a light jig tipped with crawler. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfishing has been a staple for several weeks. stink baits and cut baits are producing big cats fished along down trees in eddies in the large side channels. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill fishing has slowed some, but some nicer size fish are being caught in slack water in the deeper channels. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish backwater vegetation beds in early morning. Crappie – Slow: Look for crappie to settle into backwaters as the river levels stabilize. Fish minnows in larger brush piles off side channels and in the backwaters. Sauger – Slow: Sauger are beginning to move toward tailwater areas. Expect the bite to pick up as water temperatures drop.

The Upper Mississippi River levels have leveled and are on a gradual fall. Fish are staging to move into fall feeding areas. Water temperatures have dropped into the mid 60’s this week and fish are active.

Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is 6.7 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 9.0 feet at the Dubuque RR. This is up from last week.  The river will drop during the week.  The water temperature in the main channel is in the low 70’s.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass fishing has been decent all year but seems to be off from previous years. Many small bass are being caught in the tailwaters and a few larger bass are being found along weed lines lower in the pool. Walleye – Fair: Some anglers are reporting good success while others are struggling.  The best bite seems to be on the wing dams and expect that to continue into fall. Bluegill – Slow: Only a few people are reporting catching bluegills at sites along the Mississippi River.  Try the insides of the wing dams for best results. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use stink bait or cut bait above the wing dams or on big fallen trees in the major side channels. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Lots of sub-legal smallmouth bass are being caught along the rock lines using spinners or floating worms. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker rig fished in 6 to 10 feet of moving water is all that is needed to catch drum. Bait with crayfish or worms. The larger crayfish you use the larger drum you will catch. Crappie – Fair: Some crappie were reported to the creel. Some are coming out of the middle of shallow backwater lakes and other people are reporting catching some on fallen tree structures in deeper side channels.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is around 7.7 feet at Bellevue which is up from last week. Expect water levels to fall during the next week.  The main channel temperature is at 71 degrees.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for clearer water especially in weed bed locations. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallies are biting along the rock shorelines using small spinners or crankbaits.  Fish in places the floating weeds do not concentrate.  These are areas with swifter currents which will also let your crankbait or spinner work correctly. Walleye – Fair: The walleye bite has been extremely hit or miss all year. We see a lot of nice slot fish in surveys and some true lunker fish are present in good numbers.  Almost all walleyes are being caught on the wing dams. Bluegill – Slow: Finding good consistent bluegill fishing is a challenge this summer but it could pick up soon.  Try the insides of wing dams or brush piles in larger slide channel areas. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Fish stinkbait above the wing dams or on big fallen trees in the major side channels.  Move often if you do not get bites. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker rig fished in 4 to 10 feet of moving water is all that is needed to catch drum. Bait with crayfish or worms.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is 7.0 feet at Fulton, 10.7 feet at Camanche, and 5.6 feet above the dam at LeClaire. All water level readings are higher than last week but are expected to fall during the week. The water temperature in the main channel is 71 degrees.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Good populations of bass exist in Pool 14. Some bass may have moved into the bigger backwater areas and clearer waters.  Anglers report using frog imitations in the weed lines for best results. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Fish stink bait or cut shad above the wing dams or on big fallen trees in the major side channels. Move often if not catching channel catfish. Use cut bait to catch bigger channel cats. Bluegill – Fair: Fish along rock or bush piles in the major side channels. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fish spinners or jigs close to exposed rocky areas. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum can be caught easily in areas of modest current and 6 to 10 feet of water.  Boat ramp areas often have good access to freshwater drum fishing. Simple egg sinker and worm rigs work best. Walleye – Fair: Some walleyes were reported but it appears to be hit or miss like the other pools. Expect a strong walleye bite before the end of the year. Crappie – No Report: Some crappies were being reported out of the Rock Creek Marina area but nothing was reported the last two weeks.

Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 7.2 feet at Rock Island which is higher than last week.  Expect water levels to drop over the coming week. The water temperature is around 71 degrees.  Eagles Landing and Leach park are two nice areas to put in and enjoy fishing on Pool 15.  Channel Catfish – Excellent: Fish near smaller tributary mouths above and below the park at Eagles Landing.  Use worms, stink bait or cut shad but move often if you are not successful.  Catfish will generally bite in the first 15 minutes or so.  If you do not catch any in that amount of time, move on. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are a consistent biter this time of year.  A simple rig with worms and an egg sinker work best.  Use large crayfish to catch larger drum.

Conditions are favorable for a good fishing outing on the Mississippi River. Water levels are higher than last week and somewhat clear. Expect water levels to fall all week. Main channel water temperatures are in the low 70’s.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 6.75 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport. Fishing is being reported as slow. Largemouth Bass – No Report: With the low water conditions look for bass in areas with some current. Fish flowing sloughs around brush piles and logs. Walleye – Slow: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits. Using three-way rigs with night crawlers or jigs with night crawlers on the wing dams works too. Walleye fishing has been slow. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around the wing dams along the main channel using stink bait, night crawlers, cut bait or shad. Fish above the snags and logjams along the main channel and side channels. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Look for smallmouth around rock and current. Cast crankbaits to the rock. White Bass – Slow: A few white bass are being caught around the docks at the mouth of Sylvan Slough. Cast crankbaits, in-line spinner baits, or jigs with twister tails.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 5.54 feet at Lock and Dam 16 at Muscatine. Fishing has been slow. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish in brush piles and snags along the main channel and in side channels. Use stink bait, cut bait, or night crawlers. Some channel catfish can also be caught fishing on the wing dams. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams casting or trolling crankbaits or pulling three-way rigs with crawlers. Some walleyes can be caught trolling crankbaits along GPC. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Look for largemouth bass in the backwaters and sloughs around brush piles and stumps. Cast shallow running crankbaits or spinner baits. Pitching plastics and jigs to brush works too. Look for largemouth bass in Big Timber or Cleveland Slough. Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Big Timber. Look for fish around brush piles and logs. Fish a piece of worm under a bobber. Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being caught in Big Timber. Fish minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows around logs and brush piles along the shore. Look for fish around submerged brush piles as well.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 6.94 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston. Fishing has been slow this past week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish in the side channels and along the main channel. Fish above brush piles and snags with stink bait, cut bait, or night crawlers. Fish above and below the wing dams as well. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Troll or cast crankbaits or pull three-way rigs with crawlers. White Bass – No Report: Look for white bass by the Lock and Dam, the outlet of Lake Odessa, or on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits, in-line spinners, or jigs and twister tails. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Look for largemouth bass in the backwater areas around stumps and logs. Cast shallow running crankbaits or spinner baits. Pitching plastics and jigs to stumps and logs works too.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 3.84 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish in brush piles and snags along the main channel or side channels. Fish stink bait, cut bait, or night crawlers above the snags. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wing dams. Crappie – No Report: Look for crappie in the backwater sloughs around brush piles and logs in deeper water. Fish minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows.

Mississippi River Pools 16-20. Water clarity is poor to fair. River levels have risen some the past few days. Main channel water temperature is around 73 degrees. Fishing has been slow this past week. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST
Lake Odessa
Wildlife is starting to slowly bring Odessa back up to its fall water level. Bringing it up a couple of tenths of a foot every couple of days gives the millet every chance to mature before flooding it. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are picking up some catfish by the outlet and in the Sand Run and Main Lake areas.

Lake Geode
With the nicer weather angler numbers are starting to increase. Water temperature is around 75 degrees. The water is fairly clear (about 4 feet). Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are starting to catch more bluegills around the edges of the drop offs.

Lake Belva Deer
Hopefully a return of cooler weather this week will allow the water temperatures to start to drop. Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills are in shallow in the early hours of the day but most are still out suspended in about 6 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Slow. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Catfishing is good. Work the face of the dam and where water enters the upper end of the lake.

Lake Darling
Water temperatures this week are staying in the low 70’s. Look for the fish to start moving in shallow for the fall. Bluegill – Fair.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The Skunk is starting to drop faster; down a couple of feet this week. Channel Catfish – Good: These fish are starting to feed getting ready for fall.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The river level is holding steady. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing remains good. While still higher than normal the river level remains fairly stable and that seems to be helping the fishing.

Big Hollow Lake
Angler numbers are increasing; looking for the fishing to improve as the water cools. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are starting to get some pretty good bluegills. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers have been picking up good numbers of bass using soft plastics around the flooded timber in 3 to 4 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers continue to catch catfish when they are willing to work for them. Concentrate along the face of the dam. Crappie – Slow: Crappie fishing is starting to pick up.

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

Iowa Lake
The campground pond has also had decent fishing. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Bluegill – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.

Lake Macbride
The lake is back to a no wake speed (5 mph) of any size motor. Water temperatures were in the mid 70’s this week. Walleye – Fair: Troll crankbaits over rock in 7-12 feet of water. Early and late in the day have been best. Crappie – Fair: Fish jigs around islands and brush. White Bass – Fair: Look for surface activity early and late day.

Central Park Lake
Channel Catfish – Good. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Good.

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is SLOWLY lowering for the lake restoration project. As of 9/17, it is about 15″ low. Yellow Perch – Fair: Fish live bait in 10-20 feet of water. Walleye – Fair: Fish rock and roadbeds in 10-20 feet of water. Most fish have been smaller. White Bass – Fair: Fishing for white bass has been streaky. Some days are good while others are poor. Early and late day has been best. Look for feeding schools on the surface at these low-light periods.

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Bluegill – Fair: Fish around brush or jetties with jigs or worms. Crappie – Fair: Early and late day has been best. Try around brush with jigs. Walleye – Fair: A few bonus walleyes are also being caught.

Otter Creek Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Some nice 20-24 inch fish are being caught on cut bait and stink bait. Bluegill – Fair: Early day has been best with worms or fly fishing. Yellow Bass – Fair: Try spinners or live bait in the morning.

Union Grove Lake
The lake is currently de-watered for the lake restoration project.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is back to normal summer pool of 683.4′. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are having luck drifting cut bait in the channel. Crappie – Fair: Fish the steep rock banks with jigs/minnows.

Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing is picking up. Fish jigs, crankbaits, and live bait in the deeper holes below the dams, under bridges, and on outside bends.

For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Good: Mornings and evenings can be a good time to try top-water lures. Look for areas where the cedar trees are sticking out of the water. Spinnerbaits should also be tried in these same areas. Bluegill – Fair: Use jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler. Target areas along the shoreline and around aquatic vegetation. Black Bullhead – Fair: Fish night crawlers on the bottom in 4-6 feet of water.

Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have reported catching bluegills using a chunk of night crawler. Use a small hook and bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish a rubber worm or spinner bait along the fishing jetties. Work the face of the dam with the same presentations. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish night crawlers or chicken liver around the fishing jetties.

Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
Hawthorn Lake has a slot length limit for largemouth bass and all 12 to 16 inch bass must be released immediately. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Concentrate on areas with rock and try spinnerbaits or crankbaits. Bluegill – Fair: Fish small jigs or chunks of night crawler under a bobber. Some sorting may be required for larger fish. Black Bullhead – Fair: Recent surveys show good numbers of 9-11 inch bullheads. Fish night crawlers on the bottom in about 6 feet of water.

Lake Keomah
Lake Keomah State Park is undergoing a road construction project so access to the park is limited. The boat ramps are still accessible by using the entrance to the north and east of the park.

Lake Miami
Lake Miami is full. New jetties and cedar tree piles were installed during a lake renovation project. Anglers have reported catching largemouth bass and a few bluegills. Channel catfish have been stocked.

Lake Sugema
Lake Sugema has a 12-18 inch protected slot length limit for largemouth bass. Anglers are encouraged to harvest largemouth bass less than 12 inches in length to improve overall largemouth bass growth. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target the fishing jetties and the rocks along the dam. Use jig and pig combos or crankbaits fished down to about 8 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Fish a chunk of nightcrawler below a bobber around aquatic vegetation areas and near the rock jetties. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use liver or crawdads.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 916.05. The water temperature is 77 degrees. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry boats before transporting to another water body. Spray boats and trailers with high pressure hot water (above 104 degrees) or let them dry for at least 10 days (5 days in the sun).  Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or night crawlers in areas where the wind is blowing into the shoreline. Walleye – Slow: Troll crankbaits around areas with submerged points and underwater rock piles. Drifting or trolling night crawlers in these same areas can also produce some fish.

Take your trash with you so your favorite fishing spot is clean and litter free. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions regarding angling in south central Iowa.

SOUTHWEST
Rock Creek Lake
Crappie – Good: Drift panfish jigs or minnows mid-lake on the lower portion of the lake.

Big Creek Lake
Walleye – Fair: Walleye are being caught in good numbers with more fish over 15 inches.  Troll crank baits or spinner rigs with crawlers or minnows on the upper half of the lake in less than 20 feet of water. Shore anglers can pick up walleye as well fishing minnows under slip bobbers off the jetties. Bluegill – Fair: Drift just a split shot and hook with crawler over roadbeds in the west boat ramp bay and at the 100th St. access. Also fish the outside edges of vegetation beds in shallow water with small hooks, crawler pieces and a bobber.

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass – Good: White bass action has been good over the past week. Find areas where gizzard shad are concentrated and busting on the surface. Cast or troll spoons and shad imitating crank baits. Shallow diving chrome or firetiger colored baits work well.

Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish – Good: Drift cut bait above the mile long bridge. White Bass – Fair: White bass are in their summer pattern and being caught trolling spoons and crankbaits. Good areas to start searching are out from Sandpiper beach, the Oak Grove Recreation Area, around the mile long bridge and along the face of the dam.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: Water levels have bumped up again making for good conditions to get boats back on the river. Good catches of channel catfish have been coming out of the Des Moines River above Saylorville using stink baits and cut bait.

Bluegill and crappie are being caught drift fishing in many lakes while white bass action is good in Red Rock. River levels remain high and are accessible by boat. For information on central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

Greenfield Lake
Fish surveys indicate a large crappie population in Greenfield. Panfish can be caught drifting. Greenfield also has good largemouth bass and catfish numbers. Crappie – Fair: Drift twister tails to catch crappies averaging 9 inches. Bluegill – Slow: Drift with black jigs tipped with a night crawler or power bait. Fish will average 8 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish can be caught around the jetties and close to rock with shrimp. Fish will average 2 pounds.

Nodaway Lake
Anglers can expect to catch 8 inch bluegills and 9 inch crappie. Crappie – Slow: Drift with white twister tails and cast to sunken trees to catch crappie up to 12 inches. Late afternoon bite is best. Bluegill – Slow: Drift or slow troll small jigs tipped with a crawler. Fish are 6 feet deep. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish are being caught with cut bait in the upper end of the lake. Fish will average 18 to 20 inches.

Orient Lake
Anglers are catching catfish from the east shore picnic area and along the rock sediment dyke. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are having success using shrimp or crawdads. Average size catfish will be 18 to 20 inches.

Lake Anita
The vegetation has gone down and the thermocline is gone. Use a fall fishing pattern as fish are not concentrated at this time.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass anglers are catching good numbers of bass casting the shoreline and around the underwater roadbeds. Fish are all sizes. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift around the roadbeds and cast along vegetation edges to catch crappie up to 12 inches. Anita has a large year class of crappies that are 5 to 7 inches. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill can be caught drifting small jigs tipped with crawler or power bait. Fish can also be found in the upper ends of the lake around jetties and sunken trees.

Viking Lake
Viking has a good largemouth bass population. A few crappies can be caught drifting. Anglers have reported catching channel catfish north of the beach. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth of all sizes are being caught casting small spinner baits with a slow retrieve or plastics around the shoreline and jetties. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish can be caught in the campground arm of the lake and south of the beach using cut bait. Fish average 2 pounds. Crappie – Slow: Drift open water areas of the lake with small jigs or twister tails. Fish will average 9 inches.

Prairie Rose Lake
The fishery at Prairie Rose is doing well. Bluegill growth has been good with fish over 9 inches being caught this spring and summer. The crappie fishing is still a couple of years away as they were just stocked last fall. Largemouth bass are growing quickly with many 8 to 10 inch fish in the lake at this time. The initial stocking of catfish are in the 14 to 16 inch range. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching quality size bluegill around the underwater reefs casting small jigs tipped with power bait. Boat anglers are drifting or slow trolling in open water areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Many 8 to 10 inch bass are being caught. Channel Catfish – No Report: Channel catfish are in the 14 to 16 inch range.

Lake Manawa
Fishery surveys found good numbers of walleye on the west side of the main lake. Walleye – Slow: Try slow trolling night crawlers or leeches on the west side of the lake. Channel Catfish – Slow. Crappie – Slow.

Hacklebarney East
Hacklebarney East has a new concrete boat ramp. Panfish are scattered throughout the lake in 6 to 8 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Drift open water with small jigs tipped with a crawler or power bait to catch 8 inch bluegill. Black Crappie – No Report: Drift or cast to structure to catch 10 inch black crappie.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Panfish are in deeper water going into fall. Largemouth bass and channel catfish hang around structure and along weed edges. Always get permission to fish privately owned ponds. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast along vegetation and around structure. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have reported catching bluegills with small jigs and a crawler 4 feet under a bobber with a very slow retrieve. Crappie – Fair: Crappie will be in 4 to 6 feet of water around structure. Cast jigs or minnows under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish cut bait around sunken logs and along vegetation edges.

Water temperatures are in the mid 70’s in the southwest district. Catfishing has picked up and anglers can still catch panfish drifting. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587

Lake Icaria
Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught using jigs or minnows fished near brush piles. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught on small jigs fished on the fish mounds.

West Lake (Osceola)
The marina has re-opened to the public.

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 17 inches have been caught using jigs fished near brush piles.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 18 inches have been caught using spinners or jigs fished near the cedar tree piles. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught on night crawlers and liver fished along the fishing jetties.

Three Mile Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using night crawlers fished near the flooded timber. Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught using minnows fished near the flooded timber.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 18 inches have been caught using crankbaits fished along rocky shoreline areas or near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 9 inches have been caught using night crawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles or near the flooded timber.

Water temperature in most Mount Ayr District lakes is approximately 72 degrees. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, call 641-464-3108.

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching channel catfish with worms and stink bait in the mouths of incoming rivers, creeks, around brush piles, and below wing dikes. Flathead Catfish – Good: Flathead fishing is picking up on trotlines/rod and reel using live baits. Chubs have been working well as bait; try bluegills/green sunfish if that isn’t working. Fishing is picking up with cooler water temperatures. Blue Catfish – Fair: A few blue cats have been caught in this stretch. Fresh cut bait or crawdads work well. A 76 pound blue cat was landed by Sioux City this week. Sauger – Fair: Anglers report catching a few sauger and walleye on jigs and live bait rigs.

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Successful anglers are using stinkbait and worms. Try cut bait  for larger fish. Fish below wing dikes and in slower portions of the Missouri. Catfish are also being caught in the mouth of tributary streams and rivers. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flathead catfish continue to be caught on trotlines and rod and reel using chubs, green sunfish and live baits. Blue Catfish – Fair: Blue catfish are being caught on fresh cut bait and live bait. Sauger – Fair: Anglers are catching a few sauger and walleye on jigs and live bait rigs.

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers continue to have success on worms, cut bait, and stink bait/dip bait. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Anglers are having success on trotlines/rod and reel catching flatheads with chubs, bullheads, and green sunfish. Blue Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching blue catfish on trotlines and rod and reel using cut bait and live baits.

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 21.2 ft. /31,200 cfs./ 72 degrees Fahrenheit. The Missouri River is down 0.1 feet and 2 degrees Fahrenheit from last week on the Decatur, NE gage. Angler success should increase over the next couple weeks as fish become more active with slowly decreasing water temperatures on the Missouri River.