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 3 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. 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: Lower Pine Lake has produced a few large largemouth bass with top water next to wood (downed trees).
Upper Pine Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass from Upper Pine on deep diving crank bait. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are biting on worms.
Lake Smith
Anglers are doing fair on bluegill near the dam and also picking up a few bass. Bluegill – Good. Largemouth Bass – Good. Bluegill – Good.
Clear Lake
Crappie – Good: Crappies can be caught near the edges of the reed beds with bobber and minnow or light weedless jig tipped with a piece of crawler. Fish the last hour of the day or early morning. 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 – Excellent: Catfish are in the pre-spawn period. Expect fast action in the shallows after dark. Fish with a piece of cut bait, live chub, stinkbait, or worms at MacIntosh Park, the Ventura Jetties, Farmers Beach, the C.L. city dock, and state dock area. Muskellunge – Good. Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers have had continued success this week for yellows 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: 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: Action has picked up. Fish the last hour of light and after dark with cut bait, worms, or stinkbait.
Crystal Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers are fishing with artificial worms or weedless presentations on the weed edges with good luck. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are starting to catch bluegills near the shoreline between the bullhead statue and the public boat ramp. Bluegills have been on and off their nests with varying weather. Spawning activity should continue to improve.
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 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 large numbers in the 7-8in 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 – Good: Fish are bedding along the north banks. Fish that are bedding can be caught using drop shots placed around the bed or larger Texas rigged baits. Go with a lighter color to keep your bait visible. Walleye – Good: Local anglers are catching walleye around 5:00 till dark at the North Grade. Fish above and below the slot are being caught and creeled. Use dark deer hair jigs tipped with leeches. 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. Successful anglers using jig heads and wax worms. Crappie – Fair: Larger black crappie have been creeled and reported by multiple anglers at the grade. Anglers are using slip bobbers and minnows. Anglers are having the best success fishing along the fishing bridge.
Center Lake
Bluegill – Fair: 6-8 inch bluegill are being caught in low numbers along the north bank. Fish were being harvested using small lipstick jigs tipped with a nightcrawler. 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 larger 8-9 inch fish. Throw soft plastic shad for them. 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 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 in 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.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching limits of walleye on Silver Lake in Lake Park. Many anglers are catching limits using leeches, crankbaits while trolling, or slip bobbers with minnows. Anglers are catching these fish throughout the water body.
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. Pocahontas Point is holding a good population of bluegills with anglers catching large fish with little sorting. 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 and catch a few. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are being caught by shore anglers fishing the canal bridges after dark. Successful anglers are fishing darker crankbaits and bottom jigs with leeches. 13-19inch fish are being caught. Yellow Bass – Good: In Smiths bay just north of the amusement park, anglers are reporting a high catch rate of large yellow bass. Anglers using orange twister tails or a plain hook with worm and split shot are catching yellows on every cast.
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: Large yellow bass can be caught at the outlet of little lake. These fish are being seen and caught under the overhang of the outlet structure. A large number of smaller fish can be caught near the bridge where Lost Island dumps into little lake. Black Bullhead – Excellent: A very large number of bullheads are being seen while crews are electrofishing on Lost Island. These large numbers of bullhead are being seen at the mouth of little lake just west of the bridge. Crappie – Fair: Crappies are starting to group in the shallow coves of little lake. These fish are swimming into the cattails in preparation for the spawn.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
The lake is looking good. Lots of shoreline anglers are 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 hang 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 water. Give it a quick jerk and reel it in. Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching 7-8 inch crappies along the rip-rapped shoreline along the dam front. Use a hook tipped with a minnow.
Lake Hendricks
Angling continues to be spotty but should pick up with warmer temperatures. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Try using a jig tipped with a brightly colored twister and a slow. Channel Catfish – No Report: Anglers using a hook with a night crawler 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 are using a jig with a twister tail. 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 night crawler 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 hooked drifted along the bottom of the river will catch fish. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are beginning to bite on jigs tipped with a minnow. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Trout can be caught in the river at the Big Spring Hatchery.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity remains good. Anglers are 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 increase 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 are 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 sides, dorsal fin and tail.
Temperatures will be in the mid 70’s for the weekend. There is a chance of showers most days but wait 10 minutes and the sun will shine. Rivers and streams are in good condition. Remember, the fishing is always good. It’s the catching that varies. For more information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Brinker Lake
Brinker Lake has been producing good catches of crappie and a recent fisheries survey produced good numbers and size as well. Crappie – Good: Try fishing a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or casting colored tube jigs off shore or in and around structure.
George Wyth Lake
Anglers have been successful catching both bluegill and crappie. Bluegill – Fair: Cast and retrieve small jigs or use a piece of worm on both a small hook and bobber casted from shore. Use small tackle when fishing bluegills. Crappie – Fair: Fish a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or cast colored tube jigs off shore or in and around structure.
Harold Getty Lake
Anglers are catching crappie, bluegill, northern pike and largemouth bass. Bluegill – Good: Cast and retrieve small jigs or use a piece of worm on both a small hook and bobber casted from shore. Use small tackle when fishing bluegills. Crappie – Good: Fish a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or cast colored tube jigs off shore or in and around structure. Largemouth Bass – Good: Artificial crankbaits or spinner baits work well casted and retrieved along the shorelines. Northern Pike – Fair: Try trolling in 8-10 feet of water using crankbaits for northern pike.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Channel Catfish are biting well on the Cedar River in Black Hawk County as the river recedes.
Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are doing well using night crawlers, cut baits and chubs fished on the bottom or near snags.
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River levels continue to fall and there have been good reports of smallmouth bass fishing. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Crankbaits or other artificial baits worked near rocky shorelines or woody debris are good for smallmouth bass this time of year.
The upcoming free fishing weekend looks great for angling opportunities on most lakes, interior rivers and trout streams in N.E. Iowa. River levels have continued to fall with improved water clarity. Channel catfish and smallmouth bass are biting well on the rivers. Black Hawk County lakes are providing bluegill and crappie opportunities as the weather warms. For further information, contact the N.E. Iowa District Office at 563-927-3276.
SOUTHEAST
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 – Fair.
Iowa Lake
Bluegill – Good: Fish with small jigs or worms along the bank. Overhanging brush tends to up your odds. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish around shallow rock for catfish looking to spawn. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for shallow bass guarding fry.
Kent Park Lake
Bluegill – Good: Fish shallow pockets with a small jig or worm for spawning fish. Many fish are 7-8 inches. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Lake Macbride
The 9.9 horsepower maximum rule is in effect. These motors must also observe the 5 mph speed limit. Crappie – Slow: Some fish remain shallow but most are back to deeper water. Walleye – Fair: Troll spinner rigs off shore and cast crankbaits to windblown shores. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most fish are being caught shallow yet.
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 – Good: Chicken livers are working well. Target these fish around rock.
Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Crappie – Fair: Most fish are about 9 inches. Many fish are still around shallow brush and rock, 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: Night crawlers, chicken livers, and stinkbait work well.
Otter Creek Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Cut bait, chicken liver, or crawlers work well. Yellow Bass – Good: The yellows are up shallow spawning. Use small jigs or worms under bobbers. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills should be up shallow spawning.
Union Grove Lake
The lake will be drawn down soon for the renovation project. There are relaxed fishing regulations; no length or bag limits for any species at this lake. Crappie – Fair: 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: Use crankbaits and soft plastics fished around shallow rock.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake is holding at summer pool of 683.4 feet. Water temperatures are in the low 70’s. Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being caught on the rock banks. Channel Catfish – Good: Spawning fish are being caught on the rocks and staging fish are being caught drifting/trolling the channel.
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: Chicken livers or crawlers are working well.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Odessa
The water remains fairly turbid. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching some nice catfish in Burris Ditch and along the upper end of Sand Run.
Lake Geode
Geode was hit with heavy rain last week and is still muddy. Fishing remains fairly slow. These fish just aren’t use to muddy water.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is running about 69 degrees. The water also has a green tint to it from an algae bloom but is still fairly clear. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on the nests if you are willing to work your way to them through the curlyleaf. Redear Sunfish – Good: Redears can be found a little deeper than bluegills. Crappie – Good: Crappies seem to be out deeper; look for them around the mounds at the upper end of the lake and along the creek channel.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is between 69 and 70 degrees. The water remains fairly clear as we keep dodging the heavier rains. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing remains fairly good as they are still on the beds. Fish are between 7 and 8 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are in 8 to 10 feet of water around the willows and brush piles. You’ll catch a lot of little ones but the better ones are 10 to 11 inches.
Lost Grove Lake
All three boat ramps are now open; be careful around the middle (red barn) ramp, it just became useable last week after the rains and might be a little shallow. Black Crappie – Good: The better ones are in the ten inch range. Look for them near where the water runs under the causeway and back in the flooded vegetation in the bays. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are between 6 and 7 inches. Look for them to be on the beds in the shallow water and around the tops of the mounds just under the water.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The skunk remains at a level where you can still get around with a boat and with the forecasted rains that shouldn’t change. Fishing remains fairly slow but should pick back up when the weather settles down.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Management station at (319) 694-2430.
Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Good: Try rubber worms and crankbaits fished around the cedar trees. Spinner baits can be productive when fished along the shorelines and around rock jetties. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have started catching bluegill along the shorelines. Use small jigs and try different depths until you find active fish.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching bluegills using small jigs or a chunk of night crawler fished under a bobber. Crappie – Fair: Fish minnows under a bobber or small tube jigs. Concentrate on areas with submerged structure. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use spinner baits and crankbaits around the rock jetties and along the face of the dam. Rubber worms should also be tried around any submerged structure.
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: Fish small jigs 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 lake renovation. 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 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. Use a bobber and a minnow or small jigs. Walleye – Slow: Use a jig and minnow combo in areas of the lake with rip-rapped shorelines. 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 906.78. The water temperature is 68 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 – Good: Anglers have been catching crappies using a bobber and a minnow and also fishing a tube jig under a bobber. Anglers should also try small jigs fished around structure. Sorting is required for larger fish. 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. Anglers have also been catching some walleye while crappie fishing in 3-6 feet of water using crappie jigs.
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.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 10.6 feet at Lansing and expected to fall to 9.2 feet. Water temperature is 65 degrees. The boat ramp at New Albin is closed due to flooding. Walleye – Slow: Higher water levels will make it difficult to find walleyes on wing dams. Bluegill – Fair: High water has bluegills scattered but many should be preparing to spawn in shallow backwater areas. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are beginning to move in to backwater areas and may be preparing to spawn. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouths are feeding along rocky areas. Look for good current breaks in high water. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cat will spawn soon. Try floating a minnow on a bobber along rocky shorelines. 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 have been caught 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 close to 20.1 feet at Lynxville and is expected to fall a foot and a half to 18.6. Water temperature is 65 degrees. Walleye – Slow: With stable water levels look for walleyes to start feeding on the top sides of wing dams. Bluegill – Fair: High water has bluegills scattered but many should be preparing to spawn in shallow backwater areas. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are beginning to move in to backwater areas and may be preparing to spawn. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouths are feeding along rocky areas. Look for good current breaks in high water. Sauger – Slow: A few saugers are being picked up in the tailwaters. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cat will spawn soon. Try floating a minnow on a bobber along rocky shorelines. 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 have been 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 11.6 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to fall close to 2 feet to 9.5. Water temperature is 65 degrees. Walleye – Slow: Higher water levels will make it difficult to find walleyes on wing dams. Bluegill – Fair: High water has bluegills scattered but many should be preparing to spawn in shallow backwater areas. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are beginning to move in to backwater areas and may be preparing to spawn. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouths are feeding along rocky areas. Look for good current breaks in high water. Sauger – Slow: A few saugers are being picked up in the tailwaters. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cat will spawn soon. Try floating a minnow on a bobber along rocky shorelines. 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 have been 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 high on the Upper Mississippi which is affecting river access at some areas. Levels are expected to fall steadily over the next week. As the river falls active fish may be harder to find as they pull back to deep water. Water temperatures are getting into the mid 60’s and many fish are spawning.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is 10.7 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 12.8 feet at the Dubuque RR bridge. Water temperature in the main channel is 70 degrees. Water levels are expected to raise heading into the weekend and then start dropping. Northern Pike – Good: Pike are in the feeding mode. Lots of anglers are targeting pike using 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 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. The bite for walleyes has been hit or miss. Bluegill – Fair: Gills were hitting well over the past few weeks but the bite has slowed as the water has risen. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Both channel and flathead catfish are being caught by trot lines and pole anglers using worms. Flathead Catfish – Excellent: Both channel and flathead catfish are being caught by trot lines and pole anglers using worms for bait.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is 11.7 feet at Bellevue up over three feet from last week. The main channel temperature is 70 degrees. Conditions for angling are still very good on the Mississippi River but the water is getting somewhat turbid from the runoff. Northern Pike – Good: Northern pike are being reported feeding in a variety of places throughout Pool 13. Try using 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 – Good: We are expecting a banner year for largemouth on the Mississippi and fishing has been 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 bite has slowed considerably. White Bass – Slow: The white bass bite has shut off 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 channel catfish bite has really cranked up in earnest. Catfish are biting on worms and stink bait in side channels just above brush piles. Flathead Catfish – Excellent: 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 10.5 feet at Fulton, 13.2 feet at Camanche, and 7.6 feet above the dam at LeClaire. Readings are up from last week. Main channel water temperature is around 70 degrees. Largemouth Bass – Fair: 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 on them 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, however as the water has risen the bite seemed to have slowed. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes are being caught off the wing dams with many people throwing crank baits or using worm rigs. White Bass – Fair: Some nice white bass and even some Hybrid white bass were reported in the Pool 14 tailwater. Some of the “wipers” 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 – Excellent: 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 at 10.6 feet at Rock Island and should rise a bit this weekend. Water temperature is around 70 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 bite immediately or not be there. Flathead Catfish – Good: They are biting everywhere else in Pools 12-14, so they should be going in Pool 15 too.
Fishing has slowed a bit but good conditions still exist on the Mississippi River. The water levels are rising throughout the basin.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 10.51 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and rising. Water clarity is poor. 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. White Bass – Fair: Some white bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough by the outflow at the power dam. Cast 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: Look for channel catfish along rocky shorelines this time of year. Try floating leeches or crawlers under a bobber along the rocks. Sauger – Fair: There have been reports of some saugers being caught trolling out from the mouth of the Rock River up to Sunset Marina.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 9.14 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and rising. Water clarity has been poor on Pool 17. Walleye – Slow: Wing dam fishing for walleyes has been slow with the rise in river stages and poor water clarity. Fishing for walleyes around GPC has also been slow. 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. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for channel catfish around rocky shorelines. Fish with leeches or crawlers under a bobber along the rocks.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 10.93 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and rising. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters close to shore. Try fishing with pieces of worms under a bobber. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish along rocky shorelines. Try drifting leeches or crawlers under a bobber along the rocky shorelines.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 6.99 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and rising. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters along the shore. Try fishing with pieces of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish along the rocky shorelines. Drift leeches or crawlers under a bobber along the rocky shorelines.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Tailwater stages have been rising the past few days. Fishing has slowed with muddy water conditions. 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.
SOUTHWEST
Beaver Lake
Crappie – Good: Crappies are moving 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 or pitching small panfish jigs. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are being caught shallow off beds throughout the lake. 7-8 inch fish are common.
Rock Creek Lake
Crappie – Good: Remaining spawning crappie are being caught 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. Crappie are also being caught drifting panfish jigs or minnows mid-lake on the lower portion of the lake.
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 fishing minnows under slip bobbers off the jetties. Bluegill – Good: 7-9 inch spawning bluegill are being caught throughout the lake. Areas to start searching are the shoreline across from the 100th St. boat ramp, the backs of the coves, and the bay north of the marina.
Hickory Grove Lake
Crappie – Fair: Crappie can be caught fishing minnows 2 to 6 foot deep tight to the fallen and overhanging trees in the coves. Bluegill – Good: Spawning bluegill are being caught fishing crawlers and small plastics close to shore, especially where overhanging tree branches are dipping into the water.
Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill – Good: Good size bluegills are being caught fishing crawlers or small panfish jigs 2 to 6 feet deep on the lower portions of the lake where the vegetation is less dense.
Red Rock Reservoir
Crappie – Fair: The crappie spawn is wrapping up, but some fish are being caught fishing minnows under a bobber near shallow rock and wood throughout the lake. The Whitebreast arm is producing the best catches. Crappies are also being caught in the dredged area of the marina bay fishing minnows in 3 to 10 feet.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Fair: The channel catfish bite is picking up in the rivers using crawlers or prepared stink baits. Flows are favorable for boat navigation.
The crappie spawn is close to an end in most central Iowa lakes and the bluegill spawn is peaking. 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. Bluegills will move into shore this week. Greenfield also has good largemouth bass and catfish numbers. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills up to 8 inches are being caught just off shore with small jigs. Crappie – Slow: A few crappies averaging nine inches can be caught casting jigs around the jetties and along the dam. Try fishing cedar tree piles for post spawn fish. 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 – Slow: 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 13 to 16 inch fish. 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 – Fair: Bluegills are coming close to shore to spawn. Work the shoreline casting small jigs to find nesting fish. Crappie – Slow: 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 – Fair: Bluegills will move close to shore soon. Cast small jigs to catch fish up to 9 inches. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappie spawn is winding down. 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. Channel Catfish – No Report.
Lake Anita
Crappie spawn is over. Bluegills will move close to shore and on top of underwater reefs. Anglers have reported catching bluegills on the roadbeds. Black Crappie – Slow: The crappie spawn is winding down. Anglers should switch to a summer pattern of drifting and fishing structure. 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
The catfish bite is good in the canals and on the main lake. 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 2 pound catfish 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 to catch 10 inch fish. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills at Anderson will average 7.5 inches.
Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek will provide good fishing this spring for all fish species. The lake is turbid after last week’s rains. Bluegill – Fair: Cast small jigs close to shore in the upper end up the lake to catch spawning bluegills. 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 around structure and along weed lines. Fish minnows under a bobber or smaller jigs to catch post spawn crappies. 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. Crappie spawn is coming to an end. Bluegills have moved close to shore and this week 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 on the fish mounds. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish up to 3 pounds have been caught using cut bait or liver fished near rock mounds.
West Lake (Osceola)
The marina is closed for improvements. Channel Catfish – Slow: Channel catfish up to 3 pounds have been caught using night crawlers under a bobber.
Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye – Fair: Walleye up to 17 inches have been caught using jigs tipped with a minnow or leech fished in 10 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.
Fogle Lake S.W.A.
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using jigs tipped with a wax worm fished near the fishing
