NORTHWEST
Brushy Creek Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have had some success fishing with leeches and live minnows with a slip bobber off the fishing jetties. Bluegill – Fair: Expect panfishing to pick up when the weather warms. Muskellunge – Good: Anglers have had good success fishing muskies. Many fish are 30 to 40 inches.

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: Anglers are picking up a lot of 12 to 13 inch and 17 to 19 inch walleye. Try trolling shad colored crankbaits in 7 to 9 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use traditional catfish baits. A few are also being picked up while walleye fishing.

Swan Lake
Water clarity is good. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are picking up 7.5 to 8.25 inch bluegill. Fish for bluegills around the emergent vegetation with a small jig set about 2 feet under a bobber. Crappie – Fair: Some crappie are mixed in with the bluegills.

Black Hawk Lake
Water clarity is good and water levels are about 7 inches above crest. Water temperatures are around 60 degrees. 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. Anglers should expect bluegill to start building and guarding nests. Look for nests in 3 to 5 feet of water where there is sandy/gravel substrate. Walleye – Slow: 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. Crappie – Slow: A few crappie are being picked up while bluegill fishing.

Arrowhead Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills on the nest along the east shoreline off the points. Cast small black jigs set 1 to 2 feet below a bobber into the nests.

Black Hawk Pits
Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegill nests on the sandbars and submerged islands.

Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
As of Thursday, discharge around Linn Grove is 1050 cfs (48th percentile) and around Correctionville is 1830 cfs (71st percentile).

Little Sioux River (Correctionville to Missouri River)
As of Thursday, discharge around Turin is 2960 cfs (63rd percentile).

North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 bridge near Auburn)
As of Thursday, discharge around Sac City is 1090 cfs (84th percentile).

Des Moines River (Humboldt to Stratford)
As of Thursday, discharge in the Fort Dodge area is 5920 cfs (85th percentile) and 8970 cfs (78th percentile) in the Stratford area.

Blue Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Crappie fishing is slowing but a few are still being caught near the shore by the jetties, docks, shoreline vegetation, and brush piles in the lake. Jigs tipped with minnows and slip bobber rigs work 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, stinkbait, or cut bait.

Lower Pine Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good.

Upper Pine Lake
Anglers are catching panfish (bluegill, crappie) from both lakes and the Iowa River below the Steamboat Rock dam.

Lake Smith
Anglers are doing fair on bluegill near the dam and also picking up a few bass.

Clear 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 – Good: Dodges Point and Billys Reef have been producing for anglers drifting or anchoring. Trolling has also been good. Shore fishermen have been catching some on north shore docks, city seawall, docks by the outlet and the island. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing should be good with a little warmer weather. They will be in the pre-spawn bite shortly with fast action in the shallows after dark. Fish with a piece of cut bait, live chub, stink bait, or worms. Muskellunge – Good. Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers have had good success on Woodford Island. Fishing is best before sunrise (4:30-5:30) and at sunset or on overcast or windy days. Fish with small hair jigs (1/32 or 1/64 oz.). Tip jig with a small portion of worm, leech, or minnow. Anglers are sorting fish, with size ranging between 6.5 -7.1 inches or 7.9-8.3 inches. Bluegill – No Report: Anglers should look for spawning activity in the rushes on sandy bottom. Yellow Perch – Slow: A few nice perch have been caught in or near edges of rushes with a bobber and minnow.

Little Wall Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: The action has picked up. Fish the last hour of light and after dark with cut bait, worms, or stinkbait.

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.

Iowa River (Iowa Falls to Marshalltown)
Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fish are being caught with a jig and minnow.

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 – Excellent: Bluegills are schooled up off the jetties. Bluegills are very large with many 7-8 inches. Fish a worm and bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth are beginning to bed in the shallows along the south banks. 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 along the north shore near Trickle Slough. Walleye – Fair: 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. Anglers are catching more non-slot walleye at the north grade using worms and small hair jigs. Fishing the channel where the old foot bridge once was is proving to be a good spot for those with waders. 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 a worm weighted to the bottom. Yellow Perch – Fair: The fishing pier at the grade is producing more 6-8 inch perch for anglers willing to sort through bullheads and bluegill. Use jig heads and wax worms.

Center Lake
Bluegill – Fair: 6-8 inch bluegill are being caught in low numbers along the north bank. Anglers are 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 8-9 inch fish. Throw soft plastic shad. Anglers fishing under the Highway 9 bridge are catching fair numbers of yellows using small plastic minnows. Yellow Perch – Fair: 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 upper gar along the rocks. 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 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 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 dropshots and huskyjerks. Northern Pike – Good: Little Emerson and little millers are filled with northerns. Throw anything and catch a few. Walleye – Slow: Good numbers of walleyes swimming near shore after dark at Pikes Point, Manhattan, Fort Dodge, Pillsbury, and Gull Point. Anglers are catching fish but not in good numbers. Water clarity and temperatures are keeping fish from biting.

Five Island Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers fishing just north of Town Bay are catching 14-17 inch walleye. Anglers using bottom bouncers are stumbling upon numbers of walleyes as they approach the shallows.

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Yellows are biting in 8 feet of water on soft plastic shad. Anglers are getting their fill this week.

NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Lots of shoreline anglers have been taking home nice catches of panfish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers have found bass suspended over brush piles. A jig tipped with a twister works well. Bluegill – Fair: Fish submersed brush piles and rock mounds. Channel Catfish – Slow: Use a hook tipped with a nightcrawler just off the bottom. Put a bobber on the line and wait for it to go under. 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.

Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is excellent. Angling continues to be spotty but some can take home a nice catch. Some success has occurred around sunset. 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 nightcrawler should find some action. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers using worms fished over structure are finding fish. Crappie – Fair: Crappie are hanging around rock mounds. Use a hook tipped with a live minnow.

Lake Meyer
Water temperatures are hovering around 60 degrees. A 10 foot maximum drawdown will begin on May 26. Water levels will remain low throughout the wetland construction. 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 a variety of fish attractant structures. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Anglers using a jig with a twister tail are having the best luck. Bluegill – Slow: Panfishing has been spotty but some anglers have picked up a few nice bluegills.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is good on the Upper Iowa River above Decorah.  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. Anglers are reporting increased bites. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Anglers are finding success using a variety of tackle. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching walleye using a jig and brightly colored twister tails or a spinnerbaits. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching a few catfish using a hook tipped with a nightcrawler bounced on the bottom.

Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity continues to improve. Water temperatures are in the low 60’s.  Sucker – Slow: The sucker bite is tailing off. Use a hooked drifted along the bottom of the river. 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. Anglers have been catching a variety of gamefish but patience is key. Walleye – Slow: Anglers have to work to catch a few walleye. Use a jig tipped with a minnow or dark colored twister tails. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Smallmouth activity should pick up with warmer temperatures. A jig tipped with a twister works well. Channel Catfish – Slow: Hooks tipped with dead chubs or nightcrawler work well.

Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are in excellent condition. Increased hatches of caddis flies and gnats have been observed. Anglers have been taking trout on #14 caddis flies and #16 or #18 Hendrickson, Adams or Griffiths gnat. Match the size of the fly with the critter hatching. Spin fishers using small crankbaits fished through deeper holes are taking nice catches. Brook Trout – Good: Brook trout are intolerant of siltation, turbidity, and elevated water temperatures. Brown Trout – Good: Brown trout eat aquatic and terrestrial insects, snails, crustaceans (including crayfish), and fish. Rainbow Trout – Good: Rainbow trout have a broad pink stripe on both sides and spots covering the sides, dorsal fin and tail.

Temperatures will be in the mid 60’s to low 70’s for the holiday weekend with an increasing chance of thunderstorms on Sunday and Monday. River and stream conditions are good to excellent. If fish don’t bite on one kind of tackle, don’t be afraid to change it up. For more information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Bluegill – Good: Fish a small worm under a bobber or cast small jigs over the tops of bluegill beds for aggressive fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Carolina rigs have been working well.

Big Woods Lake
There have been reports of anglers catching crappie out of Big Woods Lake. Crappie – Fair: Cast colored tube jigs or fish with a crappie minnow under a slip bobber around structure.

George Wyth Lake
There have been reports of anglers catching crappie out of George Wyth Lake. Crappie – Fair: Cast colored tube jigs or fish with a crappie minnow under a slip bobber around structure.

South Prairie Lake
Anglers have been catching crappie in South Prairie Lake. With the warmer forecast ahead the crappie action should only improve as most area lakes warm. Crappie – Good: Cast colored tube jigs or fish with a crappie minnow under a slip bobber along edges of vegetation.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Fishing has been hit and miss with fluctuating temperatures but should improve with warmer temperatures. Anglers can expect catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have switched to a crawler tipped on a jig or casting crankbaits for active walleye. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits for active smallmouth bass as water temperatures increase. Channel Catfish – Fair: Stink baits and dead cut baits are providing good catches of channel catfish.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Fishing has been hit and miss with fluctuating temperatures but should improve with warmer temperatures. Anglers can expect catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have switched to a crawler tipped on a jig or casting crankbaits for active walleye. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits for active smallmouth bass as water temperatures increase. Channel Catfish – Fair: Stink baits and dead cut baits are providing good catches of channel catfish.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Fishing has been hit and miss with fluctuating temperatures but should improve with warmer temperatures. Anglers can expect catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have switched to a crawler tipped on a jig or casting crankbaits for active walleye. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits for active smallmouth bass as water temperatures increase. Channel Catfish – Fair: Stink baits and dead cut baits are providing good catches of channel catfish.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Fishing has been hit and miss with fluctuating temperatures but should improve with warmer temperatures. Anglers can expect catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have switched to a crawler tipped on a jig or casting crankbaits for active walleye. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast crankbaits for active smallmouth bass as water temperatures increase. Channel Catfish – Fair: Stink baits and dead cut baits are providing good catches of channel catfish.

With the recent onset of colder temperatures the angling pressure and catch has declined but there is warmer weather ahead. The interior rivers are providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Crappie and bluegill were moving into shallows but colder weather moved them deeper within the lakes. Trout fishing opportunities have been excellent all spring, for further information call the Northeast District Office at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 8.2 feet at Lansing and expected to rise slowly to 8.6. 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 are 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 move to spawning areas soon. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouths are actively feeding along rocky areas with good current. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel cat 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: Nice size white bass are being caught jig fishing along the main channel and tailwaters of the dams. Sauger – Slow: A few saugers 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 15.7 feet at Lynxville and expected to rise to 17.2. 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 are biting well along main and side channel structure. Look for bluegills to move toward spawning areas. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Largemouth are feeding well and are a variety of habitat along the main channel and in sloughs; bass should move to spawning areas soon. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouths are actively feeding along rocky areas with good current. Sauger – Slow: A few sauger are being picked up in the tailwaters. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel cat 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: Nice size white bass are 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 7.1 feet at Guttenberg and expected to rise to 8.6. 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 are biting well along main and side channel structure. Look for bluegills to move 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 move 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 cat 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: Nice size white bass are 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.

Now is a great time to fish the Upper Mississippi as many fish are feeding heavily before spawning. River levels are expected to rise slowly next week. Water temperatures remain in the lower 60’s.

Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is 6.6 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 9.3 feet at the Dubuque RR bridge. These readings are up slightly from last week. Water temperature in the main channel is 62 degrees although it had been up to near 70.  Water levels are expected to rise slightly.  Expect good fishing conditions to persist.  Northern Pike – Good: Pike are in the feeding mode.  Lots of anglers are targeting pike either using gaudy spinners or large chubs. Crappie – Good: Some nice sized crappies are 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.  Crappies are nearly done with their spawning and starting to be found back out in current sloughs. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Largemouth fishing is good with many nice sized fish reported this week.  Cranks and larger spinners work well. 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 crank baits or using worm rigs. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are hitting on worm rigs in many backwater areas.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is 7.1 feet at Bellevue and predicted to rise slightly. The main channel temperature is 62 degrees but was much higher. Conditions for angling are excellent on the Mississippi River.  The passing cold front slightly slowed fishing but in general angling is excellent. Northern Pike – Excellent: Northern pike are being reported feeding in a variety of places throughout Pool 13.  Use a gaudy white spinner bait. Crappie – Good: Some nice sized crappies were 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. Crappies are nearly done with their spawning and starting to be found back out in current sloughs. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Expect a banner year for largemouth on the Mississippi; 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: Bluegills are hitting on simple worm rigs in many backwater areas. White Bass – Good: Some nice white bass fishing were again 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 6.5 feet at Fulton, 10.3 feet at Camanche, and 5.3 feet above the dam at LeClaire. Readings are up slightly from last week.  Main channel water temperature is around 63 degrees.   Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Some bass are 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 crank baits 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 of the “whipers” reported are 6 to 7 pounds. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Some nice smallmouths are being reported on the rock piles in Pool 14.  Use spinners or jigs and fish close to any exposed rocky areas. Flathead Catfish – Good: Some nice flathead catfish are being caught by people crappie and walleye fishing.  Flatheads are live fish eating catfish and will readily hit on flashy lures.

Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 7.0 feet at Rock Island and should rise a bit. 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 the 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. Cold fronts continue to pass through and stall fishing a bit; overall it is very good fishing on the Mississippi River.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 7.04 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and rising slightly. Water clarity is fair. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Some smallmouth bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough. Cast 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. Cast crankbaits or jigs. Some anglers have been trolling between the mouth of the Rock River and Sunset Marina. White Bass – Fair: Some white bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough pulling three-way rigs with a minnow or shallow running crankbaits. White bass can also be caught casting crankbaits, jigs and twister tails, or in-line spinners. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills in the shallow backwaters. Fish with pieces of worm under a bobber along the shorelines. Largemouth Bass – Fair: A few largemouth bass are being caught in the Andalusia Island complex casting shallow diving crankbaits to the shorelines.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 5.42 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and rising slightly. Water clarity is fair. Crappie – Fair: 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 some activity in Big Timber until this recent cold snap and rain. Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught on the wing dams at Muscatine. Cast crankbaits or pull three-way rigs with crawlers. Try trolling crankbaits around GPC. 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. Cast shallow running crankbaits to shorelines.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 6.93 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and has been rising slightly. Crappie – No Report: We have not received any reports for crappie fishing for this pool; 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. Cast crankbaits, jigs and twister tails, or spinnerbaits. Walleye – No Report: We have not received any reports on walleye fishing for this pool; look for fish on the wing dams or along rocky shorelines. Cast crankbaits or jigs and plastics.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 3.86 fee 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. Main channel water temperature has been 62-63 degrees. If you have questions on fishing pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST
Lake Odessa
The water is fairly turbid. Carp continue to spawn so it might be a good time to break out the bow fishing arrows. Channel Catfish – Excellent: If you are using minnows to catch crappies you might be catching a lot of catfish. Good numbers of 3 to 7 pound catfish are in shallow right now feeding.

Lake Belva Deer
Bluegill – Good: The bluegill fishing has been hit and miss depending on the weather. Redear Sunfish – Good: Anglers are picking up some nice redears in shallow when the wind dies down long enough to get to them.

Lake Darling
The water temperature is holding between 66 and 67 degrees. The weather has been keeping most anglers off the water. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing has good numbers of 7 to 8 inch fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Most bass are from 12 inches.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfishing has slowed some with the colder weather.

Big Hollow Lake
The water has a green cast from the planktonic algae but it’s not bad. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are in shallow getting ready to spawn. Largemouth Bass – Good: Work the shallow water. Try rubber salamanders rigged Texas style around the flooded timber.

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

Iowa Lake
Bluegill – Good: Use small jigs or worms. Many fish are 7-9 inches. Crappie – Good: Small jigs or minnows work well. Most fish are 9-10 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair.

Kent Park Lake
Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

Lake Macbride
The main lake water temperature is in the low to mid 60’s. Fishing slowed a bit this week with the cool down. Crappie – Fair: Fish pulled back off the bank again, but should move back up with warmer weather. Most fish are 8-9 inches, but some larger ones are also being caught. Walleye – Fair: Troll spinner rigs off shore and cast crankbaits to windblown shores. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Quite a few fish are being caught shallow now.

Central Park Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Some 8-10 inch fish are being caught in the shallows. Try small jigs, worms, or even a fly rod.

Pleasant Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Fish around overhanging brush along the shorelines. Walleye – Fair: Jigs, bottom-bouncer rigs, and slip bobbers tipped with crawlers or leeches work best. White Bass – Fair: White bass and wipers can be caught along windblown shorelines on crankbaits and twisters. Channel Catfish – Fair.

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. Channel Catfish – 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. Crappie – Good: Use jigs or minnows around jetties, brush, and shallow pockets.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is now up to summer pool of 683.4′. Crappie – Slow: Some crappies are being caught on the rock banks and in shallow brush. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish stink bait or cut bait in the channel.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Channel Catfish – Fair.

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Channel Catfish – Fair. Shovelnose sturgeon – Good.

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

Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching bass along the shorelines with spinnerbaits. Anglers should also try rubber worms fished amongst the cedar trees. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have started catching bluegill along the shorelines. Use small jigs and try different colors until you find the one bluegills like best.

Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching bluegills using small jigs or a chunk of night crawler fished under a bobber. Crappie – Fair: Use minnows fished under a bobber or small tube jigs. Concentrate on areas with submerged structure. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers have been using rubber worms to catch largemouth bass. Try using spinnerbaits and crankbaits.

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 immediately released. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try rubber worms along the shoreline. Concentrate on areas with rock or stumps. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs fished around spawning areas. Some sorting may be required for larger fish.

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 undergoing a lake renovation. The lake is 5 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 inches in length to improve overall largemouth bass growth. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits along rip-rapped shorelines and around fishing jetties. Rubber worms can also be a good choice along the shorelines and around any type of structure. 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: Use a jig and minnow in areas of the lake with rocked shores. Concentrate in areas along the dam and other rip-rapped shorelines. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have had some success using small jigs and fishing around spawning areas.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.69. The water temperature is 62 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. Try areas with large rip-rap.

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
Beaver Lake
Crappie – Good: 9-10 inch crappie are being caught in decent numbers. Males have moved shallow near the rock jetties and the face of the dam. Females should move shallow soon, but are also being caught out of the timber in the center of the lake fishing minnows under a bobber 3 to 5 feet down. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are being caught shallow off beds throughout the lake. 7-8 inch fish are common.

Rock Creek Lake
Crappie – Good: Crappie are moving shallow to continue the spawn as the water warms back into the mid-60s. Target the 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. Crappie 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 is 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 have dipped into in the low 60’s. Bluegill and crappies are moving in and out. The peak crappie spawn is still to come in many central Iowa lakes. Warm weather predicted for the end of the week and weekend should make for a good panfish bite. 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 largemouth bass and catfish numbers.  Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills up to 8 inches are being caught just off shore with small jigs. Crappie – Slow: Crappies averaging 9 inches are being caught casting jigs around the jetties and along the dam. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass can be caught around the shoreline casting a variety of plugs and lures. Fish are all sizes. 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 – Fair: Large white crappies can be caught around the two underwater. Cast along the jetties and dam.

Mormon Trail Lake
Mormon Trail has a large year class of 8 to 9 inch crappies. Largemouth Bass – Good: The lake has a good number of 13 to 16 inch fish. Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching crappies with jigs or 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. Bluegill – Slow: 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 move 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. Issues with excessive vegetation have also been addressed. Bluegill – Fair: 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 – Fair: 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 – Fair: 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. 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: 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.

Water temperatures have dropped a bit with unseasonable cool weather. Bluegills and crappie are moving in and out trying to spawn. With forecasted warm weather next week the fishing in southwest Iowa should be very good. 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 15 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. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish up to 3 lbs. have been caught using cut bait fished in 8-10 feet of water.

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. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using jigs fished near the brush piles.

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 – Good: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using night crawlers fished near the fishing jetties.