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: Bluegill are being caught in 15 – 20 feet of water. Muskellunge – Fair: Anglers have had success catching 30-40 inch fish. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are spawning and can be caught near shore.

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 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 7-8 inch bluegill. Fish for bluegills around the emergent vegetation with a small jig set about 2 feet under a bobber. Black 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. 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. 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 – Fair: Walleye are being caught in Town Bay and near Ice House Point. Anglers are using twister tails, jigs/minnows, leeches, and crawlers. Mornings and evenings are most productive. Black Crappie – Slow: A few crappie are being picked up while bluegill fishing.

Arrowhead Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills on nests 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.

For more information on the Black Hawk District call 712-657-2638.

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: Catfish are in the pre-spawn period. Anglers can expect fast action in the shallows after dark. Fish with a piece of cut bait, live chub, stinkbait, or worms. MacIntosh Park, the Ventura jetties, Farmers Beach, and the C.L. city dock are good places to try for them. 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 in the 1/32 or 1/64 oz. range. 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.

Crystal Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are starting to catch bluegills near the shoreline between the bullhead statue and the public boat ramp. Bluegills have started to go on nests.

Black Pit
Black Pit and Blue Pit in Mason City are worth a try for bluegills. Bluegills should be close to shoreline setting up nests for spawning. Try a bobber and worm or a small (1/16 oz.) jig and worm.

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 many 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 – Good: An evening bite is happening at the north grade, anglers showing up around 8:30 pm are quickly catching walleye. Fish above and below the slot are being caught and creeled. Anglers using dark deer hair jigs tipped with leeches are proving the most successful. 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. Yellow Perch – Fair: The fishing pier at the grade is producing more perch in the 6-8 inch range for anglers willing to sort through bullheads and bluegill. Anglers using jig heads and wax worms are having success.

Center Lake
Bluegill – Fair: 6-8 inch bluegill are being caught in low numbers along the north bank. Fish were being caught using small lipstick jigs tipped with a night crawler. Crappie – Good: Smaller crappies are being caught on the north and east side of Center lake. Anglers are using jigs tipped with wax worms.

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Large numbers of yellow bass are being caught near East Okoboji beach near the boat docks. Fish vary in size from small to a few 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: 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 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 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 – Good: Smallmouth are on beds in bays with sandy cobble and larger boulders. These fish will be bedded near larger rocks. Placing any soft plastics near the bed will result in a strike. Northern Pike – Good: Little Emerson and little millers are filled with northerns. Throw anything at this time and catch a few. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are being caught by shore anglers fishing the canal bridges after dark. Anglers fishing darker crankbaits or bottom jigs with leeches are having the most success. Fish being caught are in the 13-19 inch range.

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 really biting in 8 feet of water on soft plastic shad. Anglers are getting their fill this week.

NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
The lake is looking good. 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: Find submersed brush piles and rock mounds; fish will be hanging around these areas. 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. 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 off due to a brown algae bloom occurring. Angling continues to be spotty but some can take home a nice catch.  Largemouth Bass – No Report: Try using a jig tipped with a brightly colored twister and a slow retrieve. Channel Catfish – No Report: Anglers using a hook with a nightcrawler may find some action. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers using worms fished over structure in shallow bays are finding fish. Crappie – Fair: Crappie are hanging around rock mounds. Use a small jig for success.

Lake Meyer
Park personnel have begun drawing down the lake. A wetland is scheduled to be constructed in the northeast arm of the lake this summer. Water levels will remain low throughout the 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 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. Crappie – Slow: Anglers are catching a few crappie using small jigs.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is about 2 feet on the Upper Iowa River above Decorah. Water levels have gone up less than a foot with recent rainfall. 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 in the mid 60’s to low 70’s. Water clarity has decreased with rainfall from earlier in the week. Anglers, both floating and shoreline, are reporting slowed activity. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: 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 small crankbaits. Sucker – Fair: Anglers continue to catch suckers 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. 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 Big Spring Hatchery.

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity remains good. 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. Use a jig tipped with a twister. Channel Catfish – Fair: Hooks tipped with dead chubs or night crawlers 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 for the weekend with sunshine for Saturday and Sunday. Showers are expected on Friday. River and stream conditions are off color due to rain earlier in the week but should be clearing. If the 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, crappie and largemouth bass fishing has been good. 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. Crappie – Good: Cast light, small hair or colored tube jigs in and around the jetties or dam area of the lake.

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

George Wyth Lake
There have been reports of anglers catching crappie and bluegill. Crappie – Fair: Cast colored tube jigs or fish with a crappie minnow under a slip bobber around structure. Bluegill – Fair: Fish a small worm under a bobber or cast small jigs over the tops of bluegill beds for aggressive fish.

North Prairie Lake
There have been good reports of bluegill and crappie being caught. Bluegill – Good: Fish a small worm under a bobber or cast small jigs over the tops of bluegill beds for aggressive fish.

South Prairie Lake
Anglers have been catching crappie. With the warmer forecast ahead, the crappie action should 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. Bluegill – Good: Fish a small worm under a bobber or cast small jigs over the tops of bluegill beds for aggressive fish.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Fishing has declined with the recent rise in river levels, but may offer good opportunities for some channel catfish angling. Channel Catfish – Fair: Stink baits and dead cut baits are providing good catches of channel catfish.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
There have been no reports on the Shell Rock River for this week.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Fishing has declined with the recent rise in river levels, but may offer good opportunities for some channel catfish angling. The Wapsi River is currently at 6.76 feet and rising. Channel Catfish – Fair: Stink baits and dead cut baits are providing good catches of channel catfish.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Fishing has declined with the recent rise in river levels, but may offer good opportunities for some channel catfish angling. The Maquoketa River is currently at 5.92 feet and falling. Channel Catfish – Fair: Stink baits and dead cut baits are providing good catches of channel catfish.

With the recent onset of rain, angling pressure has slowed on the interior rivers. Crappie and bluegill are moving into shallows with the recent warm-up of water temperatures. Lakes in and around Black Hawk County have been reporting good catches of bluegill and crappie. Trout fishing opportunities have been excellent all spring and early summer. For further information, call the Northeast District Office at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 9.1 feet at Lansing and expected to rise slowly to 9.7 feet. Water temperature is 63 degrees. Walleye – Slow: Higher water levels will make it difficult to find walleyes on wing dams. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are biting well along main and side channel structure. Look for bluegills to begin moving toward spawning areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are beginning to move in to backwater areas and may be preparing to spawn. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouths are feeding along rocky areas. In high water, look for good current breaks. 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 – Fair: Some nice size white bass are being caught 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 close to 18 feet at Lynxville and is expected to rise to slightly above 19 feet. Water temperature is 63 degrees. Walleye – Slow: With stable water levels, look for walleyes to start feeding on the top sides of wing dams. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are biting well along main and side channel structure. Look for bluegills to begin moving toward spawning areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are beginning to move in to backwater areas and may be preparing to spawn. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouths are feeding along rocky areas. In high water, look for good current breaks. Sauger – Slow: A few saugers 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 – Excellent: Drum are actively feeding just about everywhere. Fish with a worm on the bottom. White Bass – Fair: Some nice size white bass are being caught 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 9.15 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to rise to 11 feet. Water temperature is 63 degrees. Walleye – Slow: Higher water levels will make it difficult to find walleyes on wing dams. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are biting well along main and side channel structure. Look for bluegills to begin moving toward spawning areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are beginning to move in to backwater areas and may be preparing to spawn. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouths are feeding along rocky areas. In high water, look for good current breaks. Sauger – Slow:  A few saugers 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 – Excellent: Drum are actively feeding just about everywhere. Fish with a worm on the bottom. White Bass – Fair: Some nice size white bass are being caught along the main channel and tailwaters of the dams. Northern Pike – Fair: Occasional northern pike are being picked up fishing for bass along structure.

River levels are on the rise on the Upper Mississippi River which has fish on the move. Shoreline fishing over the next week should improve as fish follow the rise. Water temperatures are getting into the mid 60’s and many fish are preparing to spawn.

Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is 7.8 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 10.3 feet at the Dubuque RR bridge. Water temperature in the main channel is 68 degrees.  Water levels are expected to rise around one foot this week and the river may start getting more turbid due to runoff from the rain.   Northern Pike – Excellent: Pike are in the feeding mode. Lots of anglers targeting pike use gaudy spinners or large chubs. Crappie – Fair: The Crappie bite has slowed.  They are mostly done spawning and are moving out in the sloughs and deeper water habitats. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Largemouth fishing is generally pretty good with many nice sized fish reported this week.  Cranks and larger spinners seem 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 crank baits or using worm rigs.  The bite for walleyes has been a little hit or miss. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills were hitting well over the past few weeks, but the bite has slowed as the water has risen. Channel Catfish – Good: Both channel catfish and flathead catfish are being caught by trot lines and pole anglers using worms.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is 8.8 feet at Bellevue; up over a foot from last week. The main channel temperature is 68 degrees. Conditions for angling are still excellent on the Mississippi River but the water is getting somewhat turbid from the runoff.  Northern Pike – Excellent: Northern pike are being reported feeding in a variety of places throughout Pool 13.  Use a gaudy white spinner bait. Crappie – Fair: The crappie bite has slowed as they move out of the spawning habitat and into deeper sloughs. 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 – Fair: Some nice bluegills are still being reported in the big backwater areas like Savannah Bay and Spring Lake but the bit has slowed considerably. White Bass – Fair: The white bass run slowed as the water has risen.  Still hoping for some strong summertime runs of these fish.  Look for white bass chasing minnow near the surface around wing dam habitats. Channel Catfish – Excellent: The bite of channel catfish has really cranked up in earnest.  Catfish are biting on worms and stink bait in side channels just above brush piles. Flathead Catfish – Good: Lots of smaller eater flatheads are still being caught in the tailwaters by anglers using worm rigs. Some are also being taken on trot lines.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is 7.8 feet at Fulton, 11.2 feet at Camanche, and 6.2 feet above the dam at LeClaire. Readings are up from last week.  Main channel water temperature is around 68 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 – Fair: Crappies are close to done spawning and the bite slowed from the last few weeks. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Lots of reports of channel catfish hitting on stink bait and worms. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are being caught in the backwater areas on worm rigs; as the water has raised the bite seemed to have slowed. 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 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 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. Northern Pike – Good: The pike bite has been good this year on Pool 14. Backwaters such as Rock Creek and Cattail Slough have been some of the best target lakes.  Use gaudy white spinners for best results.

Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 7.0 feet at Rock Island and should rise a bit this week. Water temperature is around 63 degrees.  No fishing was reported to us on Pool 15 this week.  Channel Catfish – Good: Try launching at Eagles Landing in Bettendorf and fish near smaller tributary mouths above and below the park.  Use worms or stink bait but move often if you are not having success.  Catfish will either bite immediately or not be there.

Fishing has slowed a bit but good conditions still exist on the Mississippi River.  Water levels are rising throughout the basin.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 9.47 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and rising. 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. Also look for smallmouth bass on the wing dams or rocky shore lines with current. Walleye – Fair: Some walleyes are being caught on the wing dams around Credit Island. Cast crankbaits or jigs. Some anglers have also 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. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are being caught fishing the wing dams around Credit Island. Look for channel catfish in the sloughs around brush piles and snags. Try fishing with stinkbait or night crawlers.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 8.17 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and rising.  Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught on the wing dams at Muscatine. Cast crankbaits or pull three-way rigs with crawlers. Also 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 trolling or casting crankbaits by GPC. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegill close to shore around brush piles and logs. Fish with a piece of worm under a bobber along the shore at Big Timber.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 9.79 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and rising. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Walleye – No Report: Look for fish on the wing dams or along rocky shorelines. Try cast crankbaits or jigs and plastics. White Bass – No Report: Look for white bass up by the dam. Try casting crankbaits, in-line spinners, or jigs with twister tails. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters close to shore.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 6.04 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and rising. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week.

Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Tailwater stages have risen close to a couple feet with the recent rains. Anglers have been catching some walleyes on the wing dams. Some panfish are being caught in the backwaters. With the recent rains the water has muddied some but clarity is fair. Main channel water temperature has been around 70 degrees. If you have questions on fishing pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST
Kent Park Lake
Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Slow. Crappie – Slow.

Lake Macbride
The main lake water temperature is about 70 degrees. Crappie – Fair: Some fish remain shallow, but most are back to deeper water. Walleye – Fair: Trolling spinner rigs off shore and casting crankbaits to windblown shores is producing some fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Quite a few fish are being caught shallow now.

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.

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Crappie – Fair: Most fish are about 9 inch. Some fish are still around brush, others have pulled off and suspended in open water. Bluegill – Good: Small jigs fished around the jetties and brush work well. Many fish are 7-9 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Nightcrawler, chicken livers, and stinkbait have been working.

Otter Creek Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Cut bait works best. Yellow Bass – Good: The yellows are up shallow spawning. Use small jigs or worms under bobbers. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most are being caught shallow and most are less than 15 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills should be up shallow spawning. Crappie – Slow.

Union Grove Lake
The lake will be drawn down starting as soon as June 1 for the renovation project. There will be relaxed fishing regulations beginning Saturday, May 16. There are no length or bag limits for any species at this lake. Crappie – Good: Use jigs or minnows around jetties, brush, and shallow pockets. Bluegill – Good: Use small jigs or worms around shallow brush and pockets. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Crankbaits and soft plastics fished around shallow rock has been working.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is now up to summer pool of 683.4′. Water temperatures are about 70 degrees. Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being caught on the rock banks and in shallow brush. Channel Catfish – Fair: The catfish are beginning to move to rock for spawning.

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: Chicken livers or crawlers are working well.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Channel Catfish – Fair. Flathead Catfish – Good: Bank pole fishermen are doing well. Shovelnose sturgeon – Fair.

Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
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 spinner baits. Anglers should also try rubber worms fished around 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 the bluegills like the best.

Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching bluegills using small jigs or a chunk of nightcrawler 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 also.

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 currently undergoing a lake renovation project. The lake is 4.5 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 inch 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. 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 906.77. The water temperature is 64 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 are catching crappies using a bobber and a minnow and also fishing a tube jig under a bobber. Try small jigs fished around structure. As the water warms the crappie will continue to move into shallow water. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use larger minnows or night crawlers. Try areas with large rip-rap. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have reported catching walleyes using crawler harnesses around submerged rocky areas.

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. They have moved shallow near the rock jetties and face of the dam. As they move back off the shallows after spawning, the abundant crappie congregate around the standing timber broke off at the water’s surface mid-lake. They can be targeted 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 shallow spawning 5 to 20 yards out from shore on a majority of the shoreline west of the beach around to the dam face. The tips of any trees in the lake and around the rock jetties are also holding fish.

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 foot of water in the East ramp bay and around the point between the beach and the marina. Shore anglers can pick up walleye as well fishing minnows under slip bobbers off the jetties. Crappie – Fair: Crappies are spawning, but the population is not dense enough to expect large catches. With the very clear water in the lower portion of the lake, fish the wood structure in 6 foot of water or more.

Lake Ahquabi
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 as more stained water is entering the main lake.

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 in the upper 60’s. The crappie spawn is peaking in most central Iowa lakes and the bluegill spawn is going. A good to excellent panfish bite should continue into next week. 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. Bluegills will move into shore this week. Greenfield also has good largemouth bass and catfish numbers.  Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches are being caught just off shore with small jigs. Crappie – Slow: Crappies averaging nine 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. Bluegills are moving on top of the reefs. A few crappies are being caught close to shore. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills will move on top of underwater reefs to spawn. Cast small jigs to catch fish up to 9 inches. Crappie – Fair: Meadow has large white crappies that 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 – Good: The lake has a good number of fish in the 13 to 16 inch size range. Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappies with jigs or minnows 2 feet under a bobber. Fish around the jetties and along the dam. Bluegill – No Report: Cast small jigs in the corner of the jetties to find spawning fish.

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 is turbid after last week’s rain. 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 at the lake. 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. Channel Catfish – No Report.

Lake Anita
Anglers are still finding spawning crappie on the underwater reefs. Bluegills will move close to shore this week and on top of underwater reefs. Anglers have reported catching bluegills on the roadbeds.  Black Crappie – Fair: The crappie spawn is winding down but fish are still on underwater reefs. Sorting is necessary for larger fish. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have begun to spawn and fishing will improve. 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. Bluegills are close to shore spawning. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth of all sizes are being caught casting small spinnerbaits with a slow retrieve around the shoreline and jetties. Crappie – Slow: Crappies have moved off shore. Fish around cedar tree piles with minnows to catch post spawn fish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish can be caught in the campground arm of the lake using cut bait. Fish average 2 pounds. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills at Viking have grown to an acceptable size and anglers are beginning to harvest 8 inch fish.

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 in the lake during the renovation. Cast small jigs to catch bluegills that are up to 9 plus inches. Channel Catfish – No Report.

Lake Manawa
Crappie spawn is winding down but a few are still being caught on the west shore. Catfish bite is good in the canals. Crappie – Fair: A few crappies have been caught in the main lake on the west shore. Sorting is necessary for larger fish. Walleye – Slow: Walleye can be caught on the south and west side of the lake trolling crankbaits. Channel Catfish – Fair: A few catfish in the 2 pound range are being caught on cut bait.

Anderson Area Pond 1
The lake is full and bluegills are close to shore. Crappie – Slow: The crappie bite has slowed. Cast small jigs or minnows close to shore to catch 10 inch fish. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills will average 7.5 inches.

Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek will provide good fishing this spring for all fish species. Bluegill – Good: 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 – Good: The lake has a good bass population with all sizes up to 20 inches.

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 in the southwest district have climbed into the upper 60’s. Anglers can still find spawning crappies. Bluegills have moved close to shore and should be in full spawning mode. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587

Lake Icaria
Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 11 inches have been caught using jigs or minnows fished along the campground. 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.

Q Pond City Park
Bluegill – Good: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using jigs tipped with a wax worm fished along the shoreline.

West Lake (Osceola)
The marina is closed for improvements. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish up to 3 lbs. have been caught using night crawlers under a bobber.

Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye – Good: Walleye up to 17 inches have been caught trolling night crawler harnesses or crankbaits in 5-7 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using jigs fished near the brush piles. Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught using jigs or minnows fished near the brush piles.

Lake of Three Fires
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8.5 inches have been caught using jigs tipped with a wax worm fished near brush piles or the fish mounds.

Green Valley Lake
Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using night crawlers fished near the fishing jetties.

Three Mile Lake
Crappie – Slow: Crappies up to 9 inches have been caught using jigs or minnows fished near the fishing jetties. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill up to 7 inches have been caught using jigs fished near the fishing jetties.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught on jigs fished near the brush piles. Crappie – Slow: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught on jigs or minnows fished near brush piles. Yellow Perch – Slow: Yellow perch up to 11 inches have been caught using jigs fished near the roadbed.

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)
Inclement weather has hindered anglers getting out on the Missouri River. Sauger – No Report. Sauger and walleye fishing- No report. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Anglers are catching drum on worms. Shovelnose sturgeon – Slow: Anglers are catching a few shovelnose on worms using slide sinker rigs in sandy areas; try where the slack water meets the current. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfishing is picking up. Anglers are reporting success with worms and dip baits. Flathead Catfish – Slow: A few flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines/rod and reel using live baits.

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Inclement weather has hindered anglers getting out on the Missouri River. Sauger – No Report: Sauger and walleye fishing – No report. Channel Catfish – Fair: A few channel catfish are being caught on worms and dip baits. Fishing should improve with warmer water conditions. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught mostly by trotline anglers using chubs and live baits. Blue Catfish – Fair: Anglers are having some success catching blue catfish on fresh cut bait. Shovelnose sturgeon – Slow: A few shovelnose are being caught in