Bacon Creek Lake

Approximately 1,500 rainbow trout were stocked into Bacon Creek on November 12. Bacon Creek had open water and water temperature was 40 degrees as of Wednesday.  Rainbow Trout – Good: Anglers should try casting Mepps spinners and other shiny lures.

Black Hawk Lake

The lake is about seven inches over crest.  Black Hawk Lake was completely open as of November 12. Bluegill – Slow:

Moorland Pond

1,500 rainbow trout were stocked on November 5.  Moorland Pond had open water on November 12. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Anglers experienced excellent catch rates at Moorland when the trout were stocked. Silver colored Mepps spinners have been very effective.

Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)

Linn Grove discharge is 125 CFS, gage height 15.41 feet, in the 35th percentile.

Correctionville discharge is 375 CFS, gage height 5.17 feet, 62nd percentile.  Walleye – Good: Anglers are reporting good catches of walleye on the Little Sioux, especially around the Linn Grove Dam.  Try casting white twisters with a piece of bait or use live chubs.

North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 Bridge near Auburn)

Sac City discharge 122 CFS, gage height 6.91 feet, water temp 36 degrees, 52nd percentile.  Channel Catfish – No Report:

Des Moines River (Humboldt to Stratford)

Fort Dodge discharge 913 CFS, gage height 4.14 feet, 68th percentile. Stratford discharge 1140 CFS, 6.06 feet, 52nd percentile.  Channel Catfish – No Report:

Strong winds and below freezing temperatures this past week have made it difficult for anglers to get out.  For more information on lakes and rivers in this area contact the Black Hawk District Office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake

The boat docks at McIntosh, Ventura, and the island have been taken out for the season.  Crappie – Slow: No reports. Try the mouths of the canals or in deeper water in the little lake.  Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers have had action with a slip bobber and minnows around the Ventura jetties.  Walleye – No Report: Anglers were picking up an occasional walleye on the Ventura jetties. Yellow Bass – Fair: Tips of the jetties by Ventura are getting some action. Boat fishermen are drifting around the edges of the deeper water.

Lake Cornelia

Yellow Bass – Excellent: The bite is still on for yellows. They’ve had fast action on the north end in the old dredge cut. Size of many of the yellows is 7-8 inches. Fish with worms or cutbait.

Interstate Park Lake

Crappie – No Report: Crappies may provide a bite. Try fishing with a minnow on a light jig on bottom. Size is around 8-9 inches. A few nice perch mixed in.

Iowa River (Iowa Falls to Marshalltown)

Smallmouth Bass – Fair: No reports; try either a twister tail or a minnow and a bobber.

Winnebago River

Northern Pike – No Report: A few northerns were being caught below Fertile Dam and East Park in Mason City.  Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouth have been hitting good on 1/8 ounce jigs and plastics from Fertile to Mason City.

East Fork Des Moines (Algona to Humboldt)

Walleye – Fair: No reports this past week; Anglers should still be able to pick up some walleyes on minnows in the deeper holes.

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

Scharnberg Pond

Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked November 8.

Very little fishing activity reported for all lakes within the Spirit Lake District.