Nelson Park Lake

Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching good numbers of catfish in the cove east of the dam.  Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are starting to move onto nests.  Bluegills are 8.5 to 9.5 inches.

Crawford Creek Impoundment

Anglers should look for bluegills to move onto the nests.  Recent surveys show good numbers in the 8.5 to 9-inch bluegills.  There are good numbers of sublegal largemouth bass.  Anglers looking for some catch and release largemouth bass fishing should target the face of the dam.

Moorhead Park Pond

Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good.  Crappies are hitting on the west side around the stumps.

Brushy Creek Lake

Water clarity is excellent and aquatic vegetation is present in many areas. Bluegill – Good: Good sized bluegill were being caught close to shore earlier this week.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers are picking up a lot of nice bass while fishing for muskie.  Crappie – Good: Live minnows are working a lot better than plastics.  Walleye – Fair: Some walleye are being picked up casting crankbaits. Muskellunge – Good: Muskies are in post-spawn mode and there has been an increase in muskie activity.  Anglers have been reporting good catch rates and lots of follows.  Anglers need to be persistent as much of the action comes in a small window of opportunity.  If you get a muskie to follow, but can’t get it to bite, return to that area later that day and try again.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Storm Lake is at full pool.  Channel Catfish – Excellent: Anglers are catching good numbers of 18 to 22-inch channel catfish from shore using nightcrawlers and cut bait.  White Bass – Good: White bass are being picked up trolling crankbaits and fishing with nightcrawlers from shore.  Walleye – Good: Boat anglers have been catching quite a few walleye trolling crankbaits, but many are slot fish.  Anglers should also try crawler harnesses or bright colored jigs. Shore anglers should try fishing with a night crawler on the bottom near the return flow from the dredge machine (on the east side) or along the high banks on the north shore. Boaters should use caution on Storm Lake.  The hydraulic dredge is in operation in the east basin of the lake.  There is a pipeline running from the dredge to the shoreline and may rise to the surface at times.  Anglers are allowed three walleye per day, all fish between 17 and 22 inches must be released, and only one fish over 22 inches may be kept.

North Twin Lake

Water levels have reached crest elevation.  Water clarity is poor.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Some anglers are catching catfish from shore; try nightcrawlers on the bottom.  Crappie – Fair: Decent sized crappie are being picked up around the docks.  Walleye – Fair:   Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers having been catching decent numbers of yellow bass, but sorting is required.

Black Hawk Lake

Black Hawk Lake was renovated last fall.  Although fish have been restocked, there are no catchable size fish in the lake.  Black Hawk Lake is now flowing over the spillway.

Browns Lake

Catfish are biting on shrimp and crawlers.

Snyder Bend Lake

White bass and catfish are biting.  Some anglers are picking crappie.

Southwood Conservation Area Pond (east)

Bluegills are hitting on leeches and worms under a bobber.

Southwood Conservation Area Pond (west)

Bass are hitting spinner baits, purple plastic worms with a slow retrieve, and worms under a bobber.

Arrowhead Lake

Water clarity is good.  Water levels are around two feet low.  Bluegill – Fair: A few larger males are starting to move onto the beds.  Expect more to move into the shallows over the next few weeks. Use a 1/32 ounce black feather jig.  It helps to tip it with a small piece of nightcrawler.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass are biting on small hair jigs near shore and around downed trees.  They are biting aggressively, but are on the small side.  Most are 8 to 12 inches. Crappie – Slow: A few crappies can be picked up while targeting bluegill.  Try drifting and jigging for crappie.

Black Hawk Pits

Water clarity is excellent.  Water levels have returned to near normal.  Largemouth Bass – Slow: Some nice largemouth bass can be caught using minnows or casting twisters.  Walleye – Slow: A few smaller walleye have been caught with fire tiger colored twisters.  The water is very clear so anglers may have to try fishing in the early morning, late evening, or at night.

Little Sioux Park Lake

Fishing for bass has been good.  Use a worm or leech under a bobber or try a slow retrieve with a plastic worm.  Target the north part of the lake near the fork or between the catfish cages and the swim beach.

Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)

The Little Sioux is flowing fast and the water is turbid.  Fishing is difficult at this time.

Des Moines River (Humboldt to Stratford)

Channel catfishing has been good from south of Lehigh to Skillet Creek boat ramp.

For more information on lakes and rivers in the Black Hawk District contact the Black Hawk Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.