NORTHWEST
Brushy Creek Lake
Anglers are picking up good numbers of bluegill in 10-15 feet of water and crappie near shore in the north end of the lake. Try areas near structure. Use a piece of crawler on a small jig under a bobber or small minnows.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
The dredge is in operation in the northeast portion of the lake. Boaters should use extreme caution in this area of the lake and must maintain a 100 foot distance from the dredge, booster pump and all dredge pipes at all times. Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17 to 22-inch walleye must be released; and no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair: Try near shore with a crawler or small minnow on a jig. Anglers are having the most luck in the marina and near the inlet. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing has been hit or miss, but anglers fishing from shore and boat are picking up some walleye. Use leeches, crawlers or crankbaits near shore and in the dredge cuts.
North Twin Lake
There are several reports of crappie being picked up near shore. Try near shore with minnows or crawlers on a jig suspended below a bobber.
Black Hawk Lake
Water levels are about 13 inches over the crest of the spillway. Water temperatures are in the low 60’s. Fish are biting well at Black Hawk Lake. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers continue to have luck picking up crappie in 2-4 feet of water along shore with a small jig fished below a bobber in Town Bay and near the inlet bridge. As water temperatures climb into the mid-60s crappie action will be best near shore. Bluegill – Good: Large numbers of bluegill are being caught on jigs tipped with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber. They are biting in all areas of the lake in about 3-5 feet of water. The most popular areas are Town Bay and the inlet bridge. Walleye – Good: Anglers are having good success fishing for walleyes using leeches. If you’re using artificial, a white twister works great. Walleye are being picked up near the inlet bridge on leeches and crankbaits. Fish are still being picked up along the east side of the lake and near the outlet. Ice House Point has also been productive. There is no minimum length limit for walleye at Black Hawk Lake and a daily bag limit of 5 fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass fishing continues to be great. Use crawlers, crankbaits, plastics and topwater lures. Those fishing near the inlet bridge and in 2-4 feet of water along shore are experiencing the most action. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Black Hawk Lake.
River levels are still fairly high in our district. Fish are biting well in most of our area lakes. Look for warming water temperatures to bring crappies in closer to shore to spawn; target crappies in areas containing rock or other structure near shore. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District Office at 712-657-2638.
Eldred Sherwood Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass continue to bite in the mornings and evenings. Bluegill – Good.
Upper Pine Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish the shorelines with a plastic worm or crankbait.
Lake Smith
Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers are catching a few bass at Smith Lake. Black Crappie – Good: Bluegill and crappie catches are fair in rocks near the dam.
Clear Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Fish the shallows in the evening or right after dark with cut bait, live bait or worms. Try the windward shorelines during the day. Yellow Bass – Good: Yellow bass fishing has been ok to good when the weather is warm and slow on the colder days. Wait for a string of a few warm days to fish. Yellow bass are staging for their spawn near the rocky areas of the lake. Fish near the island, Dodges Point, the rocky shoreline near the outlet or Billys Reef. Use a small 1/32 ounce hair jig tipped with a small piece of minnow or crawler under a bobber or with a couple split shot on bottom. Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing has been a little slower with the cold weather, but fish can still be caught near dark from shore or on the wind swept points from a boat. Walleyes can be caught almost anywhere: north shore docks, docks on the east shoreline, rock reefs, island or weed edges. Boat anglers have had good luck trolling, drifting with lindy rigs or anchor fishing with bobbers and minnows. Shore fishermen have had good luck with minnows on a jig or a swimbait. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching crappies on the west side of the main lake and in the little lake in the rushes. Use a small jig and cane pole and dip it in pockets or fish the edges with a bobber and a minnow. Muskellunge – Fair: Musky fishing has been ok, but is slow with the cooler weather.
Lake Cornelia
Walleye – Good: Smaller sized walleyes have been biting well on artificial bait. Yellow Bass – Good. Bluegill – Good: Panfish bite is good. Lots of smaller ones are biting on live bait.
Bluebill Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish the shorelines with a plastic worm on a Carolina rig or a worm on a bobber. Bluegill – Good: Fish the shorelines with a small piece of worm on a 1/32 ounce jig and a bobber.
Torkelson Pit W.A. (north)
Largemouth Bass – Good. Bluegill – Good.
For lake updates and fishing information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Big Spirit Lake
Black Bullhead – Fair: Look for action at the north grade to improve as water temperatures warm. Try crawlers on the bottom for the best action. Walleye – Good: Numbers of keeper sized fish was harvested from the north grade.
Center Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught from the pier. Use a minnow under a bobber.
East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers fishing after dark will catch angler acceptable size and larger fish. Use cut bait on the bottom for this hard fighting game fish. Bluegill – Good: Boat anglers fishing the north end docks on the east side of the lake will catch good numbers of bluegill, crappie and yellow perch. Cast a mini jig and swim it back to the boat slowly. Yellow Bass – Fair: Dock anglers casting a mini jig will catch numbers of fish. Best action will be in the early evening hours. Black Crappie – Good: Cast small jig lures tipped with bait on the wooden docks. Yellow Perch – Good: Yellow perch fishing has been “hit or miss” from the docks. Try early morning or evening for the best results.
Little Spirit Lake
Walleye – Good: Dock anglers are catching numbers of walleye. Black Bullhead – Good: Anglers report catching large bullheads. Fish a night crawler on the bottom.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: Shore and boat anglers have been harvesting good numbers of walleye with the additional “jumbo” yellow perch mixed in the catch.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Expect an upswing to the fishery once warmer weather returns; try the wooden docks for the best action.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
A few roads in the park are scheduled for maintenance this year, but the park will remain open during this time. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with a minnow or a small plastic worm. Cast your line out with a bobber. Let it sit for a bit then give your line a tiny tug. Take up the slack and repeat very slowly. Bluegill – Fair: A worm threaded on a hook fished under a bobber should catch bluegills moving in to warmer water.
Lake Hendricks
Fish activity remains slow, but should pick up as temperatures rise. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills are looking for shallower water to build their nests in silty sandy substrate; the nests look like baby elephants stomped in the lake bed. Black Crappie – Slow: A few anglers are catching crappies with a small jig tipped with a minnow fished under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are cruising the shallow rocky shoreline likely keying in on the little bluegills. Try a bait that imitates a small bluegill.
Lake Meyer
Lake Meyer has about 5 feet of water clarity. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are actively hitting a hook tipped with a worm. Gills can be found along the rocky areas in the evening.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
River water clarity is excellent and levels are stable. Water temperatures are in the upper 50’s. Walleye – Slow: Try around log jams or current breaks and under rock ledges for best luck. White Sucker – Fair: Anglers are still catching a few suckers. A worm on a hook fished off the bottom works best.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
River clarity is excellent and levels are relatively stable. Water temperatures are in the upper 50’s. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Use small crankbaits, spinner baits and bright colored jigs tipped with a minnow. Walleye – Slow. Brown Trout – Fair: Anglers continue to catch trout around the mouths of tributaries. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers using stink baits are catching catfish.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
River levels are on a slow rise this week with wet weather. Anglers are reporting spotty catches of walleye and crappie. Water temperatures are in the upper 50’s. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a minnow. Walleye – Slow: A variety of baits are working for walleye. Be patient, when the bite is on, it’s on. Yellow Perch – Fair: Surprised crappie anglers are catching perch instead. Use jigs tipped with a minnow or crawlers.
Decorah District Streams
Trout anglers should be aware turkey hunting season runs through May 22. Hunters are highly camouflaged. Wear bright colors but NOT red, blue, brown or white. Morel mushrooms are beginning to pop up. Our angler accesses on private property only allow for fishing. All other activities must be permitted by the landowner. Brook Trout – Good: Stream conditions are excellent and require a bit more stealth when approaching. Brown Trout – Good: Warmer temperatures are bringing out more insects in the afternoon. Caddis flies, small mayflies, midges and gnats are becoming more numerous. Rainbow Trout – Good: All streams are being stocked with trout.
It’s still definitely spring in northeast Iowa with cooler temperatures in the mid to upper 50’s during the day to upper 30’s at night forecast for the weekend. Area lakes and streams remain in good condition even with our wet weather pattern. Please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324 for more information.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River remains productive for walleye and smallmouth bass. Walleye – Good: A jig tipped with half a crawler is a deadly combination this time of year along with casting crankbaits. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast and retrieve crankbaits near and along both rocky shorelines or woody debris for some great smallmouth bass action.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River remains productive for walleye and smallmouth bass. Walleye – Good: A jig tipped with half a crawler is a deadly combination this time of year along with casting crankbaits. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast and retrieve crankbaits near and along both rocky shorelines or woody debris for some great smallmouth bass action.
Smallmouth bass and walleye continue to provide angler satisfaction on the interior rivers; reports are good on the Cedar and Shell Rock rivers in particular. Crappies are staging in the area lakes for the days of sunshine to move into the shallows for their annual spring spawn routine. Trout streams remain in excellent condition in Northeast Iowa, for further information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 8.9 feet at Lansing and is expected to fall a foot over the next week. The road to the boat ramp at New Albin has reopened. Water temperatures have risen to 61 degrees. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum continue to bite well on worms on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth fishing slowed a bit in the cool weather, but should pick up as the water warms. Look for fish along backwater structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cut bait or worms on the bottom work best to find feeding cats. Walleye – Slow: Walleye should be moving towards wing dams but fishing has been slow with so much water.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 18.5 feet at Lynxville and is expected to drop to 17 feet over the next week. The gates are out of the water at the Lynxville dam. Water temperature has risen to 61 degrees. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum continue to bite well on worms on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth fishing slowed a bit in the cool weather, but should pick up as the water warms. Look for fish along backwater structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cut bait or worms on the bottom work best to find feeding cats. Walleye – Slow: Walleye should be moving towards wing dams but fishing has been slow with so much water.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 10.0 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to fall a foot over the next week. All boat ramps remain open, but work being done at the Turkey River Landing makes launching there difficult. Water temperature has risen to 61 degrees. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum continue to bite well on worms on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth fishing slowed a bit in the cool weather, but should pick up as the water warms. Look for fish along backwater structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cut bait or worms on the bottom work best to find feeding cats. Walleye – Slow: Walleye should be moving towards wing dams but fishing has been slow with so much water.
The Upper Mississippi River levels remain high, but are predicted to fall slowly this week. Boat ramp accessibility and fishing continues to improve as water levels fall. Water temperatures have reached the 60’s.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is 9.7 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and 11.9 feet at the RR bridge. These levels are up from last week but water levels are expected to recede as week progresses. Water temperature in the main channel is 60 degrees. Northern Pike – Fair: The River has a good population of northern pike. Walleye – Slow: Weather was not always favorable and walleyes are scattered. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Last week we heard of some nice largemouths being caught in Pool 12. Changing water levels makes it tough to consistently catch bass. Freshwater Drum – Good: Lots of freshwater drum can be caught. Cut out all the red meat when cleaning them and they are a fine eating fish. Black Crappie – Fair: Still getting a few crappie and bluegill reports but not consistently good fishing.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 11.1 feet at Bellevue which is up slightly from last week. Expect water to slowly recede all week. The weather and temperatures have been going up and down, but when conditions are favorable, several species of fish are being caught. Walleye – Slow: Walleyes were on the wing dams but now with the higher water levels appear to be scattered. Fishing for them is slow but an excellent population exists and we are expecting a good walleye year. Largemouth Bass – Good: Lots of bass of all sizes reported this week. Spring Lake has been producing some real nice sized bass for tournament anglers. Yellow Perch – Good: Try using a minnow head fished on the bottom. Freshwater Drum – Good: Loads of freshwater drum are being caught, many from bank anglers. Use large crayfish to catch really large drum. Channel Catfish – Good: Some catfish are beginning to show up in the creel. Most anglers are using cut bait. Northern Pike – Fair: Not a lot of pike reported this week, but the pike populations are excellent.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level was recorded at 10.6 feet at Fulton, 13.3 feet at Camanche and 7.7 feet at LeClaire. These readings are all up from last week. Water is expected to recede slowly all week. Walleye – No Report: Conditions were not that conducive this week for walleye fishing. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum have started biting in earnest. Simple sliding sinker and worms fished in current work best. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Lots of small bass are being taken in the tailwaters but some larger ones are coming out of bigger backwaters. Expect the bass spawn to begin soon. Black Crappie – Fair: Not a lot of crappie reported, but they are quite nice sized when caught. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish like the high water levels and reports of catfish catches have increased. Most anglers are still using cut bait.
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is 10.8 feet at Rock Island, up from last week. Expect water levels to recede this upcoming week. Not a lot of angling reported, but that is mostly due to weather conditions. Lot of rain in this area on Wednesday may result in turbid conditions. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are abundant in Pool 15 and can easily be caught from shore. Try fishing the eagles landing area a with worm and egg sinkers. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are starting to show up in the creel. Many are being caught by anglers fishing night crawlers on the bottom.
Water temperature is climbing, but still below the temperature we had three weeks ago. The main channel is around 61 degrees. We expect panfish spawning to begin in earnest here over the next few weeks. Water levels are predicted to fall slowly throughout the district this week.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 11.07 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities. Channel Catfish – Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught around Sunset Marina in the main channel. Use dip baits or crawlers. Try fishing from the mouth of the Rock River below the 280 bridge. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Some smallmouth bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough on the lower end around the bridges. Try casting jigs and white twister tails. Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught in Sylvan Slough. Try vertical jigging with minnows or pulling three-way rigs with stick baits. Some walleyes are also being caught on the wing dams along Credit Island and by the 280 bridge. White Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing has been hit or miss in Sunset Marina. Some crappies are being caught in the Andalusia Island complex. Try the Sunfish Slough backwater using minnows under a bobber.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 10.09 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. Flood stage is 15 feet. The ramp at Big Timber is closed due to the high water. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try casting crankbaits or trolling three-way rigs with stick baits. Some walleyes can be caught trolling crankbaits around GPC. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 12.05 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Toolsboro landing is currently open, but that may change if river forecasts change and the river comes up. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 8.57 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Flood stage is 10 feet. We have not received any fishing information for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pool 16-19: Tailwater stages have been higher with the recent rains. Main channel water temperature is around 63-64 degrees. The water has muddied up some with the recent rains. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Hannen Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Black Crappie – Slow. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
Look for fish around shallow rock and brush, especially on warmer days. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Lake Macbride
Surface temperatures are up to the low 60’s this week. The water is very clear with visibility in the main lake up to 18 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: The bite had slowed a bit. It should fire up next week when it warms again. Try fishing around shallow rock and wood. Many fish are 9-10 inches. Walleye – Fair: Anglers trolling spinner rigs and crankbaits are having some success. Most fish are 13-18 inches. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for fish around rock. They are off the bank a bit on cooler days and tighter to shore on warmer days.
Central Park Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Some nice bluegills are being caught on small jigs or worms. Look for them to be shallow on warm days.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is 9′ low due to the upcoming lake restoration project. The main 4 lane ramps have been extended with rock to allow smaller boats to still get in. The farthest east ramp is the deepest, but caution still should be used. 4×4 vehicles only. Muskellunge – Fair. Walleye – Fair. White Bass – Fair.
Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Black Crappie – Excellent: Look for crappies around shallow rock and brush. Two age classes of 7-8 and 9-11 inch crappies are being caught. Chartreuse and black tube jigs work well. Bluegill – Fair: Some 7-8 inch fish are being caught on worms and small jigs.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal spring pool of 679′. The lake will begin to rise to summer pool starting after the weekend. Boating above Bobbers Marina is not recommended. Channel Catfish – Fair. White Crappie – Fair: Try very shallow rock and wood on warm days. On cooler days, try brush piles off the bank a bit. Black Crappie – Fair: Try very shallow rock and wood on warm days. On cooler days, try brush piles off the bank a bit.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Current outflow from the Coralville Dam is 3500 CFS, and flows are predicted to fall after the weekend when they start holding back water to raise the Reservoir. Walleye – Fair: Some walleyes are being caught around Iowa City on a variety of baits.
Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Worms have been catching about everything. Bluegill – Fair. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.
Lake Iowa Pond
Bluegill – Good: Lots of 6 inch fish are available. Try small worms. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Smaller bass are being caught on worms.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass are hitting on spinner baits or crankbaits fished around the cedar tree piles or the shorelines. Bluegill – Slow: Use a chunk of night crawler under a bobber around the shoreline.
Red Haw Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows fished under a bobber. Try areas with underwater structure or around trees in the water. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have been catching bluegills using a chunk of night crawler under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass have been hitting on rubber worms or lizards and also on spinner baits.
Lake Keomah
The road construction project at Lake Keomah State Park is ongoing, but the roads are now open to get to the lake. Try spinner baits to catch largemouth bass around the shoreline. Bluegills and crappies will begin to move shallow; use small jigs or a small jig tipped with a minnow.
Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target shorelines or rock jetties using crankbaits or spinner baits. Try also jig and pig combos. Black Crappie – Slow: Use jigs or jig and minnow combinations. Try areas in the flooded timber or rocky shorelines. Use different colors until you find the one the fish like. Walleye – Fair: Use jigs tipped with a minnow along the dam or other rip-rapped shorelines.
Bob White Lake
A complete fisheries renovation was completed in September. Fingerlings were stocked in the fall.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.60. The current surface water temperature is 59 °F. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing has started to pick up in some areas. Look for areas along the shoreline with structure as the fish are moving into these areas. Crappies are scattered in deeper water waiting to come shallow to spawn. Try jig and minnows combinations or minnows fished under a slip bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are biting on night crawlers and cut bait. Look for areas with water flowing into the lake or windblown shorelines. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing remains slow. Very few anglers have been targeting walleye this spring. Troll or drift night crawlers around underwater islands or submerged points.
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
Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Crappies can be found in high numbers in Don Williams this spring. Their sizes are not large yet, but with selection a decent bag can be caught. Most fish are not tight to shore spawning yet. Slowly troll or drift 1/8 ounce jigs with small white or chartreuse twister tails out from shore in 15-20 feet of water. Crappies are suspended from 5 to 10 feet down. As the water temperature climbs into the mid to upper 60s, crappie will be more catchable near the shore using minnows under a bobber.
Beaver Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are not in shallow yet at Beaver Lake. They are being caught fishing minnows under a bobber in the submerged trees NW of the boat ramp. Fish in 3 to 6 feet of water.
Rock Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Crappie fishing is good. Anglers fishing in 2 to 6 feet of water with jigs tipped with live minnows or minnows under a bobber are doing well. The jetties around the SE boat ramp are good areas for shore anglers to target first. Another good area during the crappie spawn is along the face of the dam, especially the western half.
Roberts Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Crappie anglers are beginning to do well on Roberts Creek. Crappies have moved shallow and are being caught mostly on live minnow presentations in 2-4 feet of water.
Big Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are starting to pick up a few crappies in the bays with minnows. The peak of the spawn is still to come, likely late in the 3rd week of May and into the fourth. Walleye – Good: Walleye are being caught trolling spinner rigs with minnows in 15-20 feet of water. Areas to try include the perimeter of the East boat ramp bay and the stretch between the marina ramp and beach.
Hickory Grove Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: A fair to good pre-spawn crappie bite has been going at Hickory Grove. Some crappies are still being caught along the shore at the tubes on the upper end of the lake. Better catches will start to come from the wood habitat, especially in the bays. Cast bright colored chartreuse panfish jigs or live minnows under a bobber close to treefalls and alongside the shoreline shrubbery that hangs out into the water.
Lake Ahquabi
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are beginning to be caught shallow. They are being found in open pockets in the vegetation around the rock jetties, along the west shoreline and along the dam. Cast minnows under a bobber into these open pockets.
Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie – Fair: Rising water levels are giving anglers a challenge to locate crappies. Start by fishing minnows near any flooded rock and riprap, willows or shoreline vegetation in bays off the main lake and Whitebreast arm. The spawn is not near peak yet, so drifting or trolling minnows and panfish jigs in these bays may help locate fish.
Crappie fishing will be the best bite in Central Iowa lakes through May. For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.
Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake is a good spot for early spring catfishing and crappie fishing. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are moving close to shore along the dam and around jetties. Fish will average 9 inches. Channel Catfish – Slow: Greenfield is a good lake for early spring catfishing. Cast shad sides or cut bait around jetties to catch fish averaging 2 pounds.
Meadow Lake
Meadow Lake has good bluegill and crappie populations and is a good spot for early spring fishing. White Crappie – Slow: Meadow has a small population of large white crappie. Try around the jetties and underwater reefs to catch fish up to 14 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish surveys indicate a large year class of black crappie in Meadow. They will average 8.5 inches. Concentrate on rocky shorelines and underwater reefs for spawning fish. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are being caught around the underwater reefs. Fish will average 8.5 inches.
Mormon Trail Lake
There is a big year class of 9 inch black crappies in Mormon Trail Lake that is expected to provide some good spring fishing. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers reported catching crappies around the jetties and along the dam. Fish will average 9 inches. Bluegill – Slow: A few 8 inch bluegills are being caught.
Littlefield Lake
Littlefield is a good spot for early spring catfishing action. Crappies will move close to shore soon to spawn. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish in the upper ends of the lake where water warms first. Use cut bait or shad sides for best success. Black Crappie – Fair: A few crappies are being caught with minnows. Forecasted warm temperatures will move crappies to rocky shorelines to spawn. Fish will average 10 inches.
Lake Anita
Anglers are beginning to catch crappies and bluegills in the east arm of the lake. Forecasted warm temperatures will move crappies in to spawn this weekend. Black Crappie – Good: Fish in the pontoon area of the lake with jigs and minnows 2 feet under a bobber. Sorting is necessary for 10 inch fish. Bluegill – Fair: Cast small jigs tipped with power bait to catch bluegills up to 9.5 inches.
Viking Lake
Crappies are close to shore spawning at Viking Lake. Water clarity is good after heavy rains. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cast shad sides or cut bait on the edge of vegetation to catch catfish. Fish will average 2 pounds. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies have moved to shore at Viking to spawn. Try around jetties and rocky shorelines to catch crappie averaging 9 inches. Largemouth Bass – Good: Viking has a good bass population. Cast swim baits or plastics along vegetation and around structure to catch fish of all sizes.
Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose water clarity is good. Bluegills are being caught around brush piles and jetties. Bluegill – Fair: Quality size bluegills can be caught around brush piles and jetties. Tip small black jigs with power bait or a crawler for best success.
DeSoto Bend at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge
Anglers report catching walleye and crappie at Desoto Bend. White Crappie – Fair: A few crappies are being caught around rocky shorelines with minnow. Fish are 10 inches. Walleye – Fair: Anglers report catching walleye slow trolling minnows in 5 feet of water on sand bars.
Lake Manawa
Anglers are catching crappies in the canals and on rocky shorelines. Sorting is necessary for larger fish. A few catfish are being caught on the south side of the lake. White Crappie – Fair: Cast jigs or minnows under a bobber close to shore to catch crappies in the canals. Fish will range in size up to 12 inches. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes can be caught drifting crawlers or slow trolling crankbaits on the south side of the lake. Channel Catfish – Slow: Anglers are catching catfish with cut bait.
Anderson Area Pond 1
Anglers have reported good catches of crappie along the dam. Water clarity at Anderson is better this week. Black Crappie – Fair: Cast jigs 2 feet under a bobber along the dam or in the upper end by the parking area to catch crappie averaging 10 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills can be caught along the dam and upper end of the lake with small jigs tipped with a crawler. Fish average 8 inches.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Some ponds in the southwest district are still turbid from heavy rains two weeks ago. Always get permission before fishing private ponds. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers reported large catches of crappies using jigs and minnows under a bobber. Bluegill – Fair: Cast tear drops or very small jigs with wax worms or power bait under a slip bobber to find spring bluegills. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cast shad sides or cut bait in the upper ends of ponds for best success. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are hitting a variety of lures and soft plastics.
Atlantic Quarry Pond 3
White crappies have moved close to shore and are spawning close to overhanging willow trees. White Crappie – Good: Cast close to overhanging willow branches to catch white crappie. Fish are 10 to 12 inches.
Anglers should concentrate close to rocky shorelines for spawning crappies this week in the southwest district. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587
Lake Icaria
Black Crappie – Good: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught with jigs or minnows fished near shallow rocky areas or cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8.5 inches have been caught with jigs fished near the fish mounds and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught with night crawlers fished near shallow rocky areas.
Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye – Fair: Walleye up to 20 inches have been caught with leeches fished under a bobber along weed lines. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught with jigs and minnows fished along rocky areas in the campground cove.
Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 19 inches have been caught with spinners or crankbaits fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8.5 inches have been caught with night crawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles.
Three Mile Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies up to 9 inches have been caught with jigs or minnows fished near shallow flooded timber. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught with night crawlers fished near shallow flooded timber.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills up to 10 inches have been caught with night crawlers or jigs tipped with a wax worm fished near shallow flooded timber. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 12 inches have been caught with jigs or minnows fished near cedar tree brush piles. Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch up to 12 inches have been caught with night crawlers or jigs tipped with a wax worm fished near shallow flooded timber.
Water temperature in Mount Ayr district lakes is approximately 68 degrees. For more information, please contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Sauger – Slow: Use a jig tipped with minnow or crawler.
Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Flathead Catfish – Slow: Chubs have been working well as bait.
Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
With high water not may are out fishing. No Report
The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 21.29 ft. /31,200cfs./ 62 degrees Fahrenheit. The Missouri has fallen 1.63 feet from last week and is still on a slow fall. The Missouri River is a little high especially the farther down river you are.
