NORTHWEST
Moorhead Park Pond
Fishing activity has been low at Moorhead Park Pond.
Brushy Creek Lake
Water temperatures are around 60 degrees. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing has improved and anglers have been catching nice sized fish on leeches in 15 to 20 feet of water. Try south of the swimming beach and in the northern part of the lake around the foot bridge. Bluegill – Slow: Panfishing has been slow. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass tournaments have been bringing in fair numbers of 15+ inch bass. Muskellunge – Fair: Anglers have had success catching muskies this last week. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are having success catching crappie in about 10 feet of water.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
The city is in the process of getting the dredge machine out on the lake. Boaters should be aware of the dredge barge, booster pump, and pipeline in the water. 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 – Good: Anglers are catching walleye using plastics, crankbaits, leaches, and minnows fished along the east and south sides of the lake. Anglers are doing well fishing along the dredge cuts between Chautauqua Point and the big island. Fishing the dredge cuts between the big island and Shorty’s Island has also been productive. White Bass – Good: White bass are being caught along the east side of the lake and around the dredge cuts; they are biting on plastics, leaches, and minnows.
Swan Lake
Water clarity is good. Bluegill – Good: Fishing for bluegill has been good. The fish are stacked in around the emergent and submergent vegetation. Most fish are around 7.5 inches, but are plentiful. Black Crappie – Fair: Some decent size crappie are also being picked up while bluegill fishing.
Black Hawk Lake
Water clarity is good and water levels are about 7 inches above crest. Water temperatures are around 60 degrees. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are being caught in Town Bay and near Ice House Point. Anglers are having success using twister tails, jigs/minnows, and crawlers. Mornings and evenings are most productive. Bluegill – Good: Anglers continue to catch bluegills in Town Bay along the shoreline and off the piers. Use a piece of crawler on a lead head jig fished under a bobber. Anglers have also caught some nice bluegill in the state marina using a small black jig worked closely along the docks. Bluegills are a hefty 8 inches.
Browns Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: A few nice sized crappies have been picked up with twisters or minnows.
Arrowhead Lake
Bluegill – Slow: Anglers have reported catching a few bluegill using crawlers fished on a lead head jig. Anglers should expect bluegill to start sitting on nests in the next couple of weeks.
Little Sioux Park Lake
There has been very little fishing on Little Sioux Park Lake.
For more information on the Black Hawk District, call 712-657-2638.
Blue Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers continue to catch a few crappies near the shore by the jetties, docks, shoreline vegetation, and a few of the brush piles in the lake. Jigs tipped with minnows and slip bobber rigs are working well. Largemouth Bass – Fair: A few largemouth bass continue to be caught near the shoreline and around brush piles.
Beeds Lake Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish in the late evenings or after dark with worms, stink bait, or cut bait.
Upper Pine Lake
Anglers are catching panfish (bluegill, crappie) from both lakes and the Iowa River below the Steamboat Rock dam.
Lake Smith
Anglers at Smith Lake are doing fair on bluegill near the dam and also picking up a few bass.
Clear Lake
The water temperature is around 60 degrees. Water is a little clearer than last year, so anglers may need to adjust their tactics by fishing early in the morning, late in the evening, deeper, or on the windward side of the lake. Crappie – Good: Crappies have been caught near the edges of the cattails and rushes around the lake. Some have started to move in. Use a cane pole or waders and a long rod to drop a light jig (1/8 oz. or smaller) tipped with a minnow or quarter piece of worm into little pockets in the reeds. Walleye – Excellent: Anglers have caught fish near the outlet on the east end, Dodges Point, Billys Reef, the north shore docks, and the city seawall. Anglers have been using jigs/minnows, twister tails, and crankbaits. Trolling has been good. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish the windy shoreline and shallows with cut bait, worms, stink bait, or minnows. Muskellunge – Fair: Muskies have been caught by walleye anglers on jigs. Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers have had good success on Woodford Island this week. Fishing is best before sunrise and at sunset or on overcast or windy days. Fish with small hair jigs in the 1/32 or 1/64 oz. range. Tip jig with a small portion of worm if need be. Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills have been caught in the canals. A few have been caught near the weed beds.
Little Wall Lake
Fishing has been very slow but anglers have picked up a few bass using spinner baits around the jetty on the north end of the Lake.
Bluebill Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are biting well on artificial lures along the shorelines. The minimum size limit for largemouth bass is 15 inches. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish from the jetty or the windward side of the lake, if fishing from a boat. Try cut bait or worms.
Winnebago River
Northern Pike – Good: Northern pike (2-3 lbs.) are biting well in the deeper pools on artificial lures.
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 large numbers in the 7-8 inch range. Fish a worm and bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth are beginning to bed in the shallows along the south banks in shallower water. Throwing spinner baits or soft plastics for the aggressive males will produce bites.
Big Spirit Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Small bass are in trickles. Larger bass are still out deep. Males are staging on beds. Many bedded bass are being seen along the north shore near Trickle Slough. Walleye – Slow: Few above the slot walleye are being caught, but many in the 10-14inch range are being caught at Marble and Templar on the rock bars. Bullhead – Excellent: The north grade is keeping anglers busy with bullheads. Anglers being creeled have reported catching many bullheads over a pound. Anglers are using worm weighted to the bottom.
Center Lake
Bluegill – Fair: 6-8 inch bluegill are being caught in low numbers along the north bank of Center Lake as of Saturday. Fish were being harvested using small lipstick jigs tipped with a night crawler.
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 fish in the 8-9 inch range. Throw soft plastic shad. Yellow Perch – Fair: Numbers of smaller yellow perch are being caught while anglers are fishing for yellow bass. Pulling similar baits near the bottom will force more perch into your bucket. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish near the inlet to the upper gar along the rocks to find a fast paced bass bite. Anglers are seeing bass bedding up in the upper gar then swimming into East Okoboji. Walleye – Fair: Parks Marina and Lone Tree Point 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.
West Okoboji Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are schooled up in the warm water of the canals and harbors as they enter their pre-spawn. Many male bass are already on beds while females are still out swimming the depths. Males are being caught on trick worms, wacky rigs, and drop shots. Females are enjoying jigs and deep diving cranks. Bluegill – Good: The canals are loaded with bluegills. Large and small fish are being caught in good numbers. Crappie – Fair: The trestle is still being reported to be a good bite. The canals are starting to fill up with larger crappies. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Smallmouth are being caught along the southeast banks of West near Pillsbury Point and Fort Dodge. Fish the drop offs with drop shots and huskyjerks. Northern Pike – Good: Little Emerson and little millers are filled with northerns. Throw anything at this time and catch a few. Walleye – Slow: Walleyes after dark at Pikes Point, Manhattan, Fort Dodge, Pillsbury, and Gull Point. All locations listed are reported to hold good numbers of walleyes swimming near shore after dark. Anglers are catching fish but not in good numbers. Water clarity and temperatures are keeping fish from biting.
Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Yellows are really biting in 8 feet of water on soft plastic shad. Anglers are getting their fill this week.
West Fork Des Moines (Emmetsburg to Humboldt)
Walleye – Slow: Few large walleye are being caught along the Hwy 18 bridge. Fishermen are using xraps and twister tails.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
The lake is looking good. Warm shoreline temperatures will draw fish into this area. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers have found bass suspended over brush piles. A jig tipped with a twister has been working. Bluegill – Fair: Fish submersed brush piles and rock mounds. Channel Catfish – Slow: Use a hook tipped with a night crawler just off the bottom. Put a bobber on the line and wait for it to go under water. Give it a quick jerk and reel it in. Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching 7-8 inch crappies along the rip-rapped shoreline along the dam front. Use a hook tipped with a minnow for best luck.
Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is excellent. Angling has been spotty but some can take home a nice catch. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a brightly colored twister and a slow retrieve. Channel Catfish – Slow: A few catfish are running the shoreline. Anglers using a hook with a night crawler should find some action. Bluegill – Good: Anglers using worms fished over structure are finding fish. Crappie – Good: Crappie are hanging around rock mounds. Use a hook tipped with a live minnow.
Lake Meyer
A 10 foot maximum drawdown will begin on May 26. Water levels will remain 10 feet low throughout the wetland construction period. Completion of the wetland should be by November 1, 2015 when water levels will be allowed to return to normal. Repairs to the dam will take place at this time. While the water is down, the Iowa DNR and Winneshiek County personnel will install stake beds, brush piles and other fish habitat. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Anglers using a jig with a twister tail have been having the best luck. Bluegill – Slow.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is good on the Upper Iowa River above Decorah. Rain in the upper watershed may impact clarity by the end of the weekend. Walleye – Slow: Anglers using crankbaits and a jig tipped with a twister are catching fish but catching is variable.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Temperatures are running in the low 60’s this week. Anglers are reporting hit-n-miss for catches. Sucker – Good: Suckers and redhorse activity is starting to tail off. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are finding success using a smaller crank bait. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching walleye using crankbaits. Northern Pike – Slow: A few pike are entering the creel for anglers fishing from the mouth of Canoe Creek downstream. Rock bass – Fair: Anglers are catching quite a few rock bass while fishing for smallmouth.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity continues to improve. Water temperatures are in the low 60’s. Sucker – Good: The sucker bite is on. Anglers using a hook drifted along the bottom of the river will catch fish. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are beginning to bite on jigs tipped with a minnow. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Trout can be caught in the river at the Big Spring Hatchery.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity has improved. Warmer temperatures predicted for the weekend should improve fish activity. Walleye – Slow: Anglers are starting to catch a few walleye using a jig tipped with a minnow. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Smallmouth activity should pick up with warmer temperatures. A jig tipped with a twister will work for smallies. Channel Catfish – Slow: Hooks tipped with dead chubs or night crawlers work well.
Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are in excellent condition. Increased hatches of caddis flies, Hendrickson’s, and blue wing olives have been observed. Anglers have been taking trout on #14 caddis flies and #16 or #18 Hendrickson or Adams. Match the size of the fly with the critter hatching. Spin fishers using small minnow imitation crankbait fished through deeper holes are taking nice catches. Brook Trout – Good: Water temperatures 65 degrees or less are a brookies favorite. Brown Trout – Good: Brown trout spawn from October to November with fry emerging from the streambed in March and April. Rainbow Trout – Good: Rainbow trout tolerate slightly higher temperatures than brook trout but do best in waters that remain below 70 degrees.
Temperatures will be in the mid 70’s to low 80’s by Sunday with an increasing chance of thunderstorms on Sunday. The majority of rain has soaked in so river and stream levels have remained steady. Water clarity is good to excellent on most water bodies. Warmer damp temperatures should also bring on the mushrooms. For more information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 8.0 at Lansing and expected to remain stable. Water temperature is in the lower 60’s. Walleye – Slow: With stable water levels look for walleyes to start feeding on the top sides of wing dams. Yellow Perch – Slow: The spring perch bite has slowed slightly, but some are still being caught fishing minnows offshore and in backwater structure. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills have been biting well along main and side channel structure. Look for bluegills to begin moving toward spawning areas. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Largemouth are feeding well and are using a variety of habitat along the main channel and in sloughs; bass should be moving to spawning areas soon. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouths are actively feeding along rocky areas with good current. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfish are putting on the feedbag getting ready for the spawn. Fish worms and cut bait along main channel structure. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are actively feeding just about everywhere. Fish with a worm on the bottom. White Bass – Good: Reports are coming in of some nice size white bass caught jig fishing along the main channel and tailwaters of the dams. Sauger – Slow: A few sauger are being picked up in the tailwaters. Northern Pike – Fair: Occasional northern pike are being picked up fishing for bass along structure.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 15.0 at Lynxville and expected to remain stable at this level. Water temperature remains in the lower 60’s. Walleye – Slow: With stable water levels look for walleyes to start feeding on the top sides of wing dams. Yellow Perch – Slow: The spring perch bite has slowed slightly, but some are still being caught fishing minnows offshore and in backwater structure. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills have been biting well along main and side channel structure. Look for bluegills to begin moving toward spawning areas. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Largemouth are feeding well and using a variety of habitat along the main channel and in sloughs; bass should be moving to spawning areas soon. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouths are actively feeding along rocky areas with good current. Sauger – Slow: A few saugers are being picked up in the tailwaters. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfish are putting on the feedbag getting ready for the spawn. Fish worms and cut bait along main channel structure. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding just about everywhere. Fish with a worm on the bottom. White Bass – Good: Reports are coming in of some nice size white bass being caught jig fishing along the main channel and tailwaters of the dams. Northern Pike – Fair: Occasional northern pike are being picked up fishing for bass along structure.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 6.5 at Guttenberg and expected to drop slightly and remain stable at this level. Water temperatures are in the lower 60s. Walleye – Slow: With stable water levels look for walleyes to start feeding on the top sides of wing dams. Yellow Perch – Slow: The spring perch bite has slowed slightly, but some are still being caught fishing minnows offshore and in backwater structure. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills have been biting well along the main and side channel structure. Look for bluegills to begin moving toward spawning areas. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Largemouth are feeding well and using a variety of habitat along the main channel and in sloughs; bass should be moving to spawning areas soon. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Look for smallmouth to become active as water temperatures warm back into the 50s. Sauger – Fair: Sauger spawn is over and a few may start feeding again in the tailwaters. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfish are putting on the feedbag getting ready for the spawn. Fish worms and cut bait along main channel structure. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are actively feeding just about everywhere. Fish with a worm on the bottom. White Bass – Good: Reports are coming in of some nice size white bass caught jig fishing along the main channel and tailwaters of the dams. Northern Pike – Fair: Occasional northern pike are being picked up fishing for bass along structure.
Rainy and cooler weather over the past week kept some anglers away and water temperatures in the low 60’s. River levels on the Upper Mississippi remain lower but stable and many fish are biting well.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is 6.4 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 8.9 feet at the Dubuque RR. These readings are up slightly from last week. Water temperature in the main channel is 62 degrees. Water levels are expected to rise slightly and then maybe hold steady. Expect good fishing conditions this week. Northern Pike – Good: Pike are well done spawning and are now in the feeding mode. Lots of anglers targeting pike, either using gaudy spinners or large chubs for bait. Crappie – Good: Some nice sized crappies were being reported from deep into brushy areas of the backwaters. Many anglers are using a long pole to reach into the brush with minnows for bait. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Largemouth fishing is generally good with many nice sized fish reported this week. Cranks and larger spinners seemed to do the trick. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallies are setting up along rip rap shorelines. Use spinners or slow falling jigs. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are being caught off the wing dams with many people throwing crankbaits or using worm rigs. Bluegill – Good: Gills are hitting on worm rigs in many backwater areas.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is 6.9 feet at Bellevue and predicted to rise slightly then hold steady. The main channel temperature is 62 degrees. Conditions for angling are excellent right now on the Mississippi River. The passing cold front slightly slowed the fishing but in general fishing is good. Northern Pike – Good: Northern pike are being reported feeding in a variety of places throughout Pool 13. Try using a gaudy white spinner bait for best fishing. Crappie – Good: Crappies have moved into their spawning areas. These are shallow areas along the shorelines in various backwaters. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: We are expecting a banner year for largemouth on the Mississippi and early season fishing has been very good for both bass species. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Some nice smallmouth bass were reported hitting cranks and spinners along rock piles. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are being caught off the wing dams with many people throwing crank baits or using worm rigs. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are hitting on simple worm rigs in many backwater areas. White Bass – Good: Some nice white bass fishing was recorded this week. This has been the first good white bass run in quite some time in this reach of river. Channel Catfish – Good: Some nice channel cats were reported. They are biting on worms and stink bait in side channels just above brush piles.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is 6.3 feet at Fulton, 10.3 feet at Camanche, and 5.7 feet above the dam at LeClaire. All readings are up slightly from last week. Main channel water temperature is around 63 degrees. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Some bass are now showing up in the creel; angling for both smallmouth and largemouth is only expected to get better. Populations of bass on Pool 14 are excellent. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies can be found in shallow waters in the backwater lakes initiating spawning activity. Channel Catfish – Good: Some reports of channel catfish hitting on stink bait and worms. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are being caught in the backwater areas on worm rigs. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are being caught off the wing dams with many people throwing crankbaits or using worm rigs. White Bass – Good: Some nice white bass and even some Hybrid white bass were being reported in the Pool 14 tailwater. Some “whipers” reported are in the 6 to 7 pound range. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Some nice smallmouths are being reported on the rock piles in Pool 14. Use spinners or jigs and fish close to exposed rocky areas.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 7.0 feet at Rock Island and rising. Water temperature is around 63 degrees. No fishing was reported to us on Pool 15 this week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Pool 15 can be an excellent catfishing pool. They should start biting soon as water warms. Some reports from other pools of catfish beginning to bite on stink baits. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills are being reported throughout the river system and would expect Pool 15 to also have some nice catches recorded.
Good fishing conditions exist on the Mississippi River. A cold front passed through this week and slowed the fishing but it has been red-hot at times for some species.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 7.01 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport. Water clarity is fair. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Some smallmouth bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough. Casting crankbaits or jigs with twister tails. Some smallmouth bass are also being caught in Sunset Marina. Look for smallmouth bass on the wing dams or rocky shore lines with current. Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies in the shallow backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or vertical jigging with minnows or plastics at Sunset Marina or the Andalusia Island Complex. Walleye – Fair: Some walleyes are being caught on the wing dams around Credit Island. Try casting crankbaits or jigs.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 6 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. Water clarity is fair. Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or vertical jigging with minnows or plastics in Big Timber, Eagle Fill, or Cleveland Slough. There has been a lot of activity in Big Timber this week, but we have received no reports on how the fishing has been. Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught on the wing dams at Muscatine. Try casting crankbaits or pulling three-way rigs with crawlers. White Bass – Fair: A few white bass are being caught on the wing dams casting crankbaits. Some white bass are also being caught by the spillway. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching some largemouth bass in Big Timber. Look for bass up shallow around brush piles and logs.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 7.3 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Crappie – No Report: We have not received any reports for crappie fishing for this pool, but look for fish in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or vertical jigging with minnows or plastics at the Huron Island complex or the Campbell Chute/Burnt Pocket area. White Bass – Good: White bass are being caught by the dam at New Boston. Try casting crankbaits, jigs and twister tails, or spinnerbaits.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 3.99 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the shallow backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or vertical jigging with minnows or plastics at the Burlington Island Complex.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Anglers have been catching some walleyes on the wing dams. Some panfish are being caught in the backwaters. Water clarity has been fair. If you have questions on fishing pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Coralville Reservoir
The Corps is now beginning to raise the lake level to summer pool. It is predicted to reach 683.4′ on May 21. Crappie – Slow: Some crappies are being caught on the rock banks and in shallow brush. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish stink bait or crawlers in the channel.
Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Channel Catfish – Fair. Shovelnose sturgeon – Good.
Iowa Lake
Bluegill – Excellent: Use small jigs or worms. Many fish are 7-9 inches. Crappie – Excellent: Use small jigs or minnows. Most fish are running about 9-10 inches long. Channel Catfish – Good.
Lake Macbride
The main lake water temperature is in the low to mid 60’s. Crappie – Good: Fish are starting to move shallower. Most fish are 8-9 inches, but some larger ones are also being caught. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing is picking up. Trolling spinner rigs off shore and casting crankbaits to windblown shores is producing some eaters. Largemouth Bass – Good: Quite a few fish are being caught shallow now.
Central Park Lake
Bluegill – Good: Some 8-10 inch fish are being caught in the shallows. Try small jigs, worms, or even a fly rod.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Muskellunge – Fair. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are still not on the bank due to the extremely clear water. Walleye – Fair: Jigs tipped with live bait work best.
Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Crappie – Good: Most fish are about 9 inch, but 10-12 inch fish are also being caught. Use small jigs around jetties and brush piles. Bluegill – Good: Fish small jigs around the jetties and brush.
Otter Creek Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Chicken livers work best. Yellow Bass – Good: Try small jigs or live bait. Most fish are 7-10 inches. Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
Union Grove Lake
The lake will be drawn down starting after Memorial Day for the renovation project. There will be relaxed fishing regulations beginning Saturday, May 16. Watch for news releases and the DNR website (www.iowadnr.gov) for details. Crappie – Good: Use jigs or minnows around jetties, brush, and shallow pockets.
Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Smallmouth Bass – Good: Crankbaits and jigs work well. Rock bass – Good: Jigs and live bait is working below the dams along the rocks. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Backwaters areas have been producing fish looking to spawn.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Odessa
The water is fairly turbid. Carp are spawning so it might be a good time to break out the bow fishing arrows. Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching some nice crappies. Work the fallen trees and beaver lodges next to deeper water. Channel Catfish – Excellent: If you are using minnows for crappies right now you might be catching a lot of catfish. Good numbers of 3 to 7 pound catfish are in shallow right now feeding.
Lake Geode
Water temperatures are in the low 60’s. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish are in the upper end of the bays and lake working on what is coming down with the water from up above. Bluegill – Good: The bluegills are starting to come in to spawn.
Lake of the Hills
Trout are still active and biting. Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park where the use of live minnows as bait is allowed. Fishing seems to be about the same as last week. Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout are active and hitting on a variety of baits and lures. Try jigs, spinners, corn under a bobber, and worms. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish have shifted over to wanting chicken liver.
Railroad Lake
The use of Live Minnows as bait is not allowed on Railroad Lake. Bluegill and crappie fishing is improving with the warmer weather. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are starting to pick up a few bluegills using worms. Crappie – Good: Anglers are also starting to catch a few crappies. Look for them around the stump field along the north side. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfishing is starting to pick up; look for them around the inflow from Bluegrass Lake.
Lake Darling
The water temperature hit 70 at the end of last week, but has returned back into the mid 60’s this week. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing has good takes, good numbers of 7 to 8 inch fish. Crappie – Good: The spawn seems to have come to an early end with the very warm weather last week. Most of the 10 inch crappies being caught are spawned out. Lots of little crappies but you will catch some of the bigger ones now and then.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The river is pretty muddy but it’s really not up that much. Channel Catfish – Good: Work the mouths of the feeder creeks with night crawlers and minnows.
Big Hollow Lake
The planktonic algae are starting to bloom; there also seems to be a good amount of filamentous algae starting up in the flooded timber. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are in shallow getting ready to spawn. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass fishing is pretty good. Work the shallow water. Try rubber salamanders rigged teas style around the flooded timber.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers have been catching bass along the shorelines with spinnerbaits. Try areas around the cedar tree piles using crankbaits. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have started catching bluegill along the shorelines. Try small jigs and different colors until you find the one the bluegills like the best.
Red Haw Lake
Anglers have started to catch bluegills along the shorelines using a chunk of night crawler on a small jig. Anglers have also been catching a few crappies using tube jigs. Largemouth bass can also be caught using small crankbaits and twister tails.
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 currently undergoing a lake renovation project. The lake is 6 feet below normal and the boat ramps are difficult to use. New jetties and cedar tree piles have been installed.
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 inch in length to improve overall largemouth bass growth. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers should try spinnerbaits or crankbaits along rip-rapped shorelines and around fishing jetties. Crappie – Slow: Anglers have started to catch a few small crappies. Fishing should improve as the water warms. Try using a bobber and a minnow or small jigs. Walleye – Slow: Try using a jig and minnow in areas of the lake with rocked shores. Concentrate in areas along the dam and other rip-rapped shorelines.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.50. The water temperature is 60 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). Crappie – Fair: Anglers have been catching crappies using a bobber and a minnow and also fishing a tube jig under a bobber. Crappies are still out in 6-10 feet of water. Try small jigs fished around structure. As the water warms crappie will continue to move into shallow water. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use larger minnows or night crawlers.
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: Crappie are moving shallow for the spawn as the water continues to warm. Target rock jetties, the southeast boat ramp area and along the dam.
Roberts Creek Lake
Crappie – Good: The crappie bite is going good using minnows fished in the lower half of the lake. The old beach area across from the boat ramp has been good.
Big Creek Lake
Walleye – Good: Walleye are being caught in good numbers with a few fish over 15 inches. Troll spinning rigs with minnows in about 15 feet of water in the East ramp bay and around the point between the beach and the marina. Shore anglers can pick up walleye fishing minnows under slip bobbers off the jetties. Crappie – Fair: Crappie are beginning to spawn. With the very clear water in the lower portion of the lake, fish the wood structure in 6 feet of water or more. Cappie will be shallower in the upper portion of the lake.
Lake Ahquabi
Crappie – Fair: Spawning crappies can be caught close to rock and wood in the gap between the vegetation and shoreline. Bluegill – Good: Good size bluegills are being caught tight to shore in the narrow gap of open water between the vegetation and shoreline. A good approach is to access them from shore using a long pole to reach out.
Red Rock Reservoir
Crappie – Good: Crappie are being caught fishing minnows under a bobber near shallow rock and wood throughout the lake. The Whitebreast arm has been producing the best catches.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
White Bass – Good: White bass and wipers are being caught in decent numbers below the Scott St. dam and at the Red Rock spillway.
Water temperatures in central Iowa are remaining in the mid 60’s. Crappies have been moving in and out in central Iowa. Warm weather predicted for the end of the week and weekend should make for a good weekend crappie bite in many lakes. 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. Fish will average 9 inches. Greenfield also has good catfish numbers which makes it a good choice for early spring catfishing. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches are being caught just off shore with small jigs. Crappie – Good: Crappies averaging nine inches are being caught casting jigs around the jetties and along the dam. Largemouth Bass – No Report. Channel Catfish – Slow: Anglers are beginning to catch channel cats around the jetties with shad sides.
Meadow Lake
Meadow Lake has quality size panfish. Crappies are close to shore spawning. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills will move on top of underwater reefs to spawn. Cast small jigs to catch fish up to 9 inches. Crappie – Good: Large white crappies can be caught around the two underwater reefs in the lake. Also cast along the jetties and dam.
Mormon Trail Lake
Mormon Trail has a large year class of crappies that are 8 to 9 inches long. Largemouth Bass – No Report. Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching crappies with jigs and minnows 2 feet under a bobber. Fish around the jetties and along the dam.
Nodaway Lake
Anglers can expect to catch 8 inch bluegills and 9 inch crappie this spring. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills are coming close to shore to spawn. Work the shoreline casting small jigs to find nesting fish. Crappie – Fair: Crappies are being caught along the dam and on the south side of the lake around rock casting minnows under a bobber. Channel Catfish – No Report: Nodaway has a good population of channel catfish.
Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a good panfish population. The lake also supports a good catfish population. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills will be moving close to shore soon. Cast small jigs to catch fish up to 9 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Find spawning fish close to shore with rock. Cast minnows under a bobber or small jigs to catch crappie up to 12 inches. Channel Catfish – No Report.
Cold Springs Lake
Bluegill fishing has responded at Cold Springs after the 2012 partial renovation of the fishery. Excessive vegetation has also been addressed at the lake. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills up to 8.5 inches can be caught close to shore in the south cove and east of the beach. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cold Springs has a good bass population.
Lake Anita
Crappies can be caught in the pontoon arm of the lake and around the jetties. Bluegills are moving close to shore and on top of underwater reefs to spawn. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are being caught in the pontoon arm of the lake casting small jigs. Warm sunny days are best. Sorting is necessary for larger fish. Bluegill – Fair: Cast small jigs or night crawlers under a bobber to catch quality size bluegills. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are being caught all over the lake casting a variety of lures. Fish are all sizes up to 20 inches.
Viking Lake
Viking has a good largemouth bass population. Crappies are close to shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth of all sizes are being caught casting small spinnerbaits with a slow retrieve around the shoreline and jetties. Crappie – Good: Sorting is necessary but anglers are having success in the campground arm and behind the pontoon area. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish can be caught in the campground arm of the lake using cut bait. Fish average 2 pounds.
Prairie Rose Lake
The fishery at Prairie Rose is back. Large bluegills are being caught on spawning beds that were placed in the lake during the renovation. 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. The initial stocking of catfish are in the 14 to 16 inch range. Bluegill – Good: Find the pea gravel spawning beds placed during the renovation. Cast small jigs to catch bluegills that are up to 9 plus inches. Channel Catfish – No Report.
Lake Manawa
Crappie and catfish bite is good in the canals. Crappie – Fair: Crappie have moved back into the canals. Sorting is necessary for larger fish. Walleye – Slow: Walleye can be caught on the south and west side of the lake trolling crankbaits.
Anderson Area Pond 1
The lake is full and crappies are close to shore. Crappie – Fair: Crappies can be caught close to shore along the dam and in the upper arm of the lake with tube jigs or rubber shad sides. Fish average 9 inches. Bluegill – No Report.
Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek will provide good fishing this spring for all fish species. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have begun to nest. Cast small jigs close to shore in the upper end of the lake. Farm Creek bluegills will average 9 inches. Black Crappie – No Report. Largemouth Bass – No Report.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Farm ponds have been good this week for panfish. Always get permission to fish privately owned ponds. Crappie – Fair: Anglers can find crappies in the corners of the dam or upper ends of ponds where water warms first. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning now in ponds. Cast small jigs or worms under a bobber close to shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are being caught casting small spinners with a slow retrieve. Channel Catfish – Slow: Shad sides or cut bait are good choices for early season catfishing.
Crappie fishing has been good this week. Rain and cool temperatures have slowed fishing a bit but should pick up again by the weekend. Bluegills are also beginning to spawn. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at (712) 769-2587
Lake Icaria
Crappie – Good: Crappies up to 11 inches have been caught using jigs or minnows fished along the fishing jetties. Walleye – Fair: Walleye up to 29 inches have been caught trolling crankbaits in 5-7 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using jigs fished along the fishing jetties.
West Lake (Osceola)
The marina is closed for improvements. Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 9 inches have been caught on jigs and minnows fished along the dam or near the casino.
Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye – Fair: Walleye up to 17 inches have been caught trolling night crawler harnesses near points and along the rock fields. Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught using jigs fished along the fishing jetties or brush piles. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using jigs fished near the brush piles.
Fogle Lake S.W.A.
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught on jigs tipped with a wax worm fished near the fishing jetties or along the dam.
Lake of Three Fires
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8.5 inches have been caught using jigs fished near brush piles.
Green Valley Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using jigs or night crawlers fished near the fishing jetties.
Three Mile Lake
Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught using jigs fished near brush piles. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 16 inches have been caught using jigs fished near brush piles.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught on jigs fished near the fishing jetties. Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 11 inches have been caught on jigs fished along the fishing jetties.
Water temperature in most Mount Ayr District lakes is approximately 65 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)
Sauger – Slow: sauger and walleye fishing continues to be slow. A few fish have been caught on jigs tipped with minnows. Freshwater Drum – Good: Anglers are catching drum while fishing for sauger. If targeting drum, worms will work well. If cleaned and prepared correctly they are decent eating. Shovelnose sturgeon – Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose on worms using slide sinker rigs in sandy areas; try where the slack water meets the current. Channel Catfish – Slow: Channel catfish reports have been slow. Patience using worms and fresh cut bait can yield a few fish.
Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Sauger – Slow: Sauger and walleye fishing has been slow. A few fish are being caught on jigs tipped with minnows and worms. Freshwater Drum – Slow: Anglers are catching drum on worms. Shovelnose sturgeon – Slow: Shovelnose are being caught on worms with sinker rigs in slack water near the current. Channel Catfish – Slow: Not much of a report on channel catfish. Fishing should improve with warmer water conditions.
Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Sauger – Slow: Sauger and walleye fishing continues to be slow. A few fish are being caught on jigs tipped with minnows and worms. Freshwater Drum – Slow: Fishing has been good for drum using live bait rigs tipped with worms. Shovelnose sturgeon – Slow: Shovelnose have been caught on sinker rigs tipped with worms. Fish the slack water near the current break. Channel Catfish – Slow: Fishing has been slow for channel catfish. Try worms and cut baits this time of year. Flathead Catfish – Fair: A few anglers have had success catching flatheads with live baits. Blue Catfish – Slow: A few anglers have had luck catching blue catfish while fishing for flatheads.
The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 21.8 ft. /33,500 cfs./ 59 degrees Fahrenheit. The Missouri River is up 1.96 feet from last week and dropped 3 degrees Fahrenheit. Fishing has been slow overall on the Missouri River due to rainy and cool weather.
