NORTHWEST
Nelson Park Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers have had some luck using traditional catfish baits (e.g., dip baits, cut bait, chicken liver). Bluegill – Fair: Some keeper bluegills are being picked up near the dam.
Yellow Smoke Park Lake
A hoop netting survey designed to collect catfish was conducted on 7-24-15. Nice sized channel catfish ranging from 9 – 28 inches and bluegill 6-9 inches were collected. Target catfish using leeches, cut bait, or dip baits fished on or near bottom in areas 5-10 feet deep. Fish for bluegills using crawlers, minnows, or leeches in 3-10 feet of water.
Brushy Creek Lake
Surface water temperatures are 82-84 degrees. Walleye – Slow: Some walleye have been picked up in about 20 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are being caught on crawlers and leeches in about 10-15 feet of water. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are being picked up in 10-15 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Some largemouth bass are being picked up.
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 walleye trolling crankbaits and fishing leeches in the dredge cuts. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching catfish using dip baits, cut bait, and chicken liver fishing from boat and from shore. White Bass – Fair: White bass are being caught on crankbaits while fishing for walleyes.
Black Hawk Lake
Lake level is 8 inches above crest. Bluegill – Fair: Fish for bluegill out deeper near rock piles. Use crawlers or leeches. Walleye – Fair: 14-17 inch walleye have been picked up near rock piles. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching largemouth bass using spinners, crawlers, or minnows and jigs. Most fish are below the 15 inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish have been picked up in town bay near the floating dock and also out deeper near rock piles.
Browns Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have caught a few bluegill with crawlers fished under a bobber.
Snyder Bend Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers have picked up some channel catfish using crawlers and stink bait. Shortnose gar – Good: Anglers are picking up gar fishing from shore.
Southwood Conservation Area Pond (east)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Some catfish are being picked up using dip baits and crawlers.
For more information on the Black Hawk District, call 712-657-2638.
Upper Pine Lake
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are being caught on crawlers from both lakes. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are being caught from Upper Pine with deep diving crankbait.
Clear Lake
Walleye – Slow: Fish the rock reefs or the weed edges. Muskellunge – Good: Anglers have had good success fishing docks and weed lines. Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers are catching yellows in a variety of locations. Some are being caught on the state artificial reef on the main lake, the Baptist camp area, or in the little lake in 8 feet of water. Use a small jig tipped with a piece of worm. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers have been catching a few largemouths with plastic worms near the edges of vegetation in the little lake. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers have had good success fishing with jigs and worms near the state artificial reef on the main lake. Some cats have been caught off MacIntosh point.
Little Wall Lake
Channel Catfish – Slow: A few catfish are being caught in the early morning and evenings using stink bait or chicken liver.
Bluebill Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Successful anglers are catching largemouth bass on top water baits. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are biting on live bait fished on the bottom.
Iowa River (Iowa Falls to Marshalltown)
Smallmouth Bass – Good: The Iowa River at Steamboat Rock is producing a few very nice smallmouth bass. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are biting on livers.
Shell Rock River (above Greene)
Smallmouth Bass – Good: River levels are good, smallmouth should be biting well.
Winnebago River
Smallmouth Bass – Good: River levels are good, smallmouth should be biting well.
For lake updates and fishing information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are schooled up off the jetties. Bluegills are very large with many 7-8 inch fish. Fish a worm and bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Throwing spinner baits or soft plastics for the aggressive males will produce bites.
Big Spirit Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish are being caught under boat hoists around the lake. Fish jigs, wacky worms, or spinner baits. Go out into 8-9 feet of water and fish the inside and outside edge of weed lines with Texas rigs, drop shots, swimbaits, or crankbaits. During the evening smallmouth are hitting top water along the west shore. Walleye – Good: Local anglers are catching walleye around 7:00 till dark at the North Grade. Fish above and below the slot are being caught, and creeled. Successful anglers are using jigging raps, bobber and leech, or just jigging a leech. Walleyes are also being caught along the weed line in Anglers bay in 16-17 feet of water. This weed line runs east to west and larger walleyes are swimming along this edge. Fish jigs tipped with a leech. Yellow Perch – Good: Yellow perch are biting on the south end in 12-20 feet of water. Use small jigs and wigglers. Black Bullhead – Fair: The bullhead bite at the north grade is slowing. Creeled anglers are taking home single digits of 12-14 inch fish. Successful anglers are leaving the worm on the bottom and fishing around submerged vegetation. Northern Pike – Good: Anglers using weedless frogs or surface lures back in the north grade in the dense weeds are catching smaller northerns.
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 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 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 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 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. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching low numbers of 8 inch bluegills while fishing docks throughout East Okoboji. Anglers are fishing small jigs under docks tipped with wax worms. Crappie – Fair: Large numbers of crappie are being caught on the north side of the narrows. 10 inch fish are being caught using pilkies, small jigs, or minnows.
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. Yellow Perch – Fair: While setting hoop nets 10+ inch yellow perch were seen in the west end of Silver Lake. Higher numbers of 8-9 inch perch have been seen in nets in the north bay. Channel Catfish – Fair: Over a dozen 5-6 pound channel catfish were caught along the west shore of the south bay while setting hoop nets.
West Okoboji Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish football jigs, crankbaits, or Texas rigs under boat hoists, near weed lines, and on the drop offs. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth have moved off beds and are headed towards the rocky drop offs. Fish the rock points that shoot out into the main basin of West Lake, Pillsbury, Fort Dodge, or Gull Point. Use jerk baits, football jigs, or swimbaits. Walleye – Fair: Many anglers fishing off Manhattan point after dark are reporting an increase in quality non-slot walleyes. Anglers are trolling deep diving crankbaits and are picking up these walleyes as they come up the point. 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 plain hook with worm and split shot are catching yellows on every cast. Yellow Perch – Fair: A perch bite is going on in Millers and Emerson bays with 9-11 inch fish caught in 12-18 feet of water.
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 under the overhang at the outlet of little lake. A large number of smaller fish can be caught near the bridge where Lost Island dumps into little lake. Black Bullhead – Excellent: A large number of bullhead are being seen at the mouth of little lake just west of the bridge while crews are electrofishing on Lost Island.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Panfish activity continues to be slow but catfish activity is excellent. Volga Lake is one of the best catfish lakes around. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small piece of worm near brush piles along the dam and other rocky shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Fish over brush piles or rock reefs. Crappie – Slow: Drift along open water using a small tube jig. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish stink bait or worms off the bottom near submersed logs or along a rocky shore.
Lake Hendricks
Lake Hendricks has a lot of great shoreline access. Fishing for catfish is great on a hot summer day. Bait your hook with a piece of worm or stinkbait and wait for the pole to bend. Stay hydrated while you’re waiting. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills can be found spread out along the weed beds. Use a hook tipped with a small piece of night crawler fished under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish have been active about mid-day around the jetties and rock reefs. Stink baits and night crawlers are working for finicky catfish. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Bass can be found along the weed edges and around the rock reefs. A jig tipped with a twister or worm will get some attention.
Lake Meyer
As of 8/6, water levels continue to be about 9 feet below normal. The boat ramp is unusable and will remain so until water levels are allowed to return to normal. DNR and Winneshiek CCB personnel have been busy installing a variety of fish habitat. Water retention structure construction should be completed by November 1, 2015 when water levels will be allowed to return to normal. Bluegill – Slow: Anglers willing to brave the rocks to get to water can find bluegills. Successful anglers are using a hook tipped with a small piece of night crawler under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – No Report: ,Channel Catfish – Slow: Little angling is being attempted due to low water levels but fish can still be caught.
New Hampton Pond (Garnant)
Garnant Pond has an abundance of small sunfish and carp. It is scheduled for renovation the middle of August. The pond will be drained and a fish toxicant will be applied to all wet areas to make sure no fish will be left. The pond will then be restocked with bluegills, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. This combination assures an excellent fishery for all to enjoy. Common Carp – Slow.
Split Rock Lake
Split Rock Lake experienced a complete fish kill in 2014. It was stocked with 7000 inch bluegill in the fall of 2014 and 700 two inch channel catfish and 490 two inch largemouth bass this spring. Bluegill – No Report.
Ringneck Haven
Ringneck Haven had a partial winterkill in 2014 and is now overpopulated with green sunfish. The Iowa DNR is currently in the process of rebuilding the fishery. This spring it was stocked with 200 fingerling northern pike, 400 two inch channel catfish, 280 two inch largemouth bass, 5,000 inch long yellow perch, and 100 eight to ten inch largemouth. Anglers are asked to release any bass, pike, perch, and catfish if caught until the sunfish population is under control. Green sunfish – Fair.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized with improved clarity. Be mindful of new strainers, such as log jams, tree falls, and other obstructions. The best spots to fish at this time of year are where the tributaries empty into the river. Many types of fish can be caught here including trout. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth bass are hitting jigs tipped with twister tails. Crankbaits imitating crawdads should turn a smallie head.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Be mindful of new snags, log jams, and other strainers when paddling in water with increased flows. Visibility has improved. Fish are hanging out near the mouths of the tributaries. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Successful anglers are using a jig tipped with a dark twister tail with a flash of color or crankbait. Cast around log jams and other woody structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a crawler or stink bait. Walleye – Good: Successful anglers are using an crayfish imitation crankbait. Anglers fishing around current breaks toward evening are finding fish. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Anglers using a hook tipped with a crawler can expect to catch drum.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
New snags, log jams, submersed logs and other debris may be observed. Use care when paddling around obstructions. Water temperatures are in the mid 70’s. Water clarity has improved this week. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Fish a jig tipped with a twister tail along seams and eddies.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity improved. It’ll be a great weekend to get on the river and wet a line. Channel Catfish – Good: Successful anglers are using chubs and chicken liver fished around brush piles and log jams. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Fish a jig tipped with a twister tail or night crawler in eddies below the dams and off current areas. Walleye – Slow: A few anglers have been catching walleye but you really have to be patient.
Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are in good condition. Much of the wild parsnip (yellow lacey flower) is dying back but still be careful around this plant. The sap reacts with sunlight and can cause the skin to blister. Spin fishers using silver spinner baits with a variety of shiny blades should catch fish. Look for more frequent Tricorythodes and Ephoron (mayfly species) hatches through August. Ants, beetles and grasshoppers will become more prevalent as summer progresses. Brown Trout – Good: Off color or slightly turbid water is a great time to catch brown trout. Use a flashy spinner to antagonize finicky browns. Rainbow Trout – Good: A good quality trout stream will typically have trout, sculpins, and white suckers but outstanding insect diversity. Brook Trout – Good: Seven coldwater streams in Northeast Iowa have consistent brook trout natural reproduction.
Another fabulous weekend is in store for us. Temperatures will be in the low 80’s for daily highs and 60’s at night. Water levels on area rivers have stabilized with improved clarity. Reminder to trout anglers, during the heat of the summer, a few trout streams are not stocked in July and August. Abundant opportunities to catch trout continue to be available. For more information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Angling success has been good for bluegill and channel catfish. Bluegill – Good: Float a small piece of worm or crawler under a slip bobber near the edge of weed beds around the lake. Fishing has been best early morning or later evening hours. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are biting well during all hours of the day. Shrimp, cut bait, stink baits and chicken livers fished on the bottom are all good choices for Casey Lake. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Weedless spinnerbaits fished off of the dam and near and around jetties are your best bet for largemouth bass action during early morning and late evening hours.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports have been good for smallmouth bass and walleye. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Artificial crankbaits and spinner baits or live bait tipped on a jig fished around rocky shorelines and tail ends of riffles is good this time of year. Walleye – Good: Artificial crankbaits or half a crawler tipped on a light jig can be deadly for walleye this time of year. Fish near woody structure and off current breaks and eddies.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Creel information on the Maquoketa River reflects anglers as having good success on walleye and smallmouth bass. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Artificial crankbaits and spinner baits or live bait tipped on a jig fished around rocky shorelines and tail ends of riffles is good this time of year. Walleye – Fair. Artificial crankbaits or half a crawler tipped on a light jig can be deadly for walleye this time of year. Fish near woody structure and off current breaks and eddies.
Interior river levels remain in excellent condition making for a perfect weekend to get out and fish. Fishing reports for the inland lakes in and around Blawk Hawk County have been slow this past week. Trout streams in N.E. Iowa remain in excellent condition, for further information contact the N.E. Iowa District Office at 563-927-3276.
SOUTHWEST
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: Water levels are getting more challenging for boat navigation, but good catches of channel catfish have been coming out of the Des Moines River above Saylorville using stink baits and cut bait.
Rock Creek Lake
Crappie – Good: Crappie are being caught drifting panfish jigs or minnows mid-lake on the lower portion of the lake.
Big Creek Lake
Walleye – Fair: Walleye are being caught in good numbers with more fish over 15 inches. Concentrate on the upper half of the lake in less than 20 feet of water trolling crankbaits or spinner rigs with crawlers or minnows. Shore anglers can pick up walleye as well fishing minnows under slip bobbers off the jetties. Bluegill – Fair: Fish the outside edges of vegetation beds in shallow water with small hooks, crawler pieces, and a bobber.
Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass – Good: White bass action has been good. Find areas where gizzard shad are concentrated and busting on the surface. Cast or troll spoons and shad imitating crankbaits. Shallow diving chrome or firetiger colored baits work well.
Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish – Good: Drift cut bait above the mile long bridge. White Bass – Fair: White bass are in their summer pattern and are being caught trolling spoons and crankbaits out from Sandpiper beach, the Oak Grove Recreation Area, around the mile long bridge, and along the face of the dam.
Bluegill and crappie are being caught drift fishing in many lakes while white bass action is good in Red Rock and Saylorville. 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. Panfish can be caught drifting. Greenfield also has good largemouth bass and catfish numbers. Crappie – Fair: Crappies averaging 9 inches can be caught drifting twister tails. Bluegill – Good: Drift with black jigs tipped with a night crawler or power bait. Fish will average 8 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish can be caught around the jetties and close to rock with shrimp. Fish will average 2 pounds.
Nodaway Lake
Anglers can expect to catch 8 inch bluegills and 9 inch crappie. Crappie – Slow: Drift with white twister tails and cast to sunken trees to catch crappie up to 12 inches. Late afternoon bite is best. Bluegill – Fair: Drift or slow troll small jigs tipped with a crawler. Fish are 6 feet deep. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish are being caught with cut bait in the upper end of the lake. Fish will average 18 to 20 inches.
Orient Lake
Catfishing is good at Orient. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are having success using shrimp or crawdads. Average size catfish is 18 to 20 inches.
Lake Anita
Anglers are catching panfish drifting mid lake. Largemouth bass fishing is good along vegetation edges. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass anglers are catching good numbers of bass casting the edges of vegetation and vertical jigging the roadbeds for larger fish. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift around the roadbeds and cast along vegetation edges to catch crappie up to 12 inches. Afternoon bite is best. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill can be caught drifting small jigs tipped with a crawler or power bait. Fish are in 6 to 8 feet of water.
Viking Lake
Viking has a good largemouth bass population. A few crappies can be caught drifting. Channel catfishing has been good this week. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth of all sizes are being caught casting small spinner baits with a slow retrieve or plastics around the shoreline and jetties. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish can be caught in the campground arm of the lake and south of the beach using cut bait. Fish average 2 pounds. Crappie – Fair: Drift open water areas of the lake with small jigs or twister tails. Fish will average 9 inches.
Prairie Rose Lake
The fishery at Prairie Rose is doing well. Bluegill growth has been very good with fish over 9 inches being caught this spring and summer. 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 – Good: Anglers are catching quality size bluegill around the underwater reefs casting small jigs tipped with power bait. Boat anglers are drifting or slow trolling in open water areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Many 8 to 10 inch bass are being caught in the lake at this time. Channel Catfish – No Report: Channel catfish are in the 14 to 16 inch range at this time.
Lake Manawa
The catfish bite is good in the canals and on the main lake in the evenings. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing has been good this week. The night bite has been best using Sonny’s dip bait or cut bait.
Hacklebarney East
Hacklebarney has good water clarity with a nice ring of aquatic vegetation. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills can be caught drifting or slow trolling the lake with black jigs tipped with a crawler. Fish average 8 inches. Black Crappie – No Report: Fish early morning or late afternoon for crappies averaging 10 inches.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Panfish are in deeper water during the summer. Bass fishing has been good this week early morning and in the afternoon. Catfish are close to structure. Always get permission to fish privately owned ponds. . Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast along vegetation and around structure to catch bass in their summer pattern. Bluegill – Good: Anglers have reported catching bluegills with small jigs and a crawler 4 feet under a bobber with a very slow retrieve. Crappie – Fair: Crappie will be in 4 to 6 feet of water around structure. Cast jigs or minnows under a bobber to catch crappie in the summer. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish will associate themselves around sunken logs and along vegetation edges. Fish with cut bait around these habitat types for good summer catfishing.
Drifting open water for panfish has been good this week in the southwest district. Water temperatures remain around 80 degrees. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587
Lake Icaria
Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught using jigs or minnows fished near cedar tree piles. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using jigs fished near the fish mounds. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish up to 20 inches have been caught using liver fished near fish mounds.
West Lake (Osceola)
The marina has re-opened to the public.
Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye – Fair: Walleyes up to 20 inches have been caught trolling crankbaits near rock reefs. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish up to 22 inches have been caught using liver fished near rock reefs. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 17 inches have been caught using crankbaits fished along weed lines.
Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass up to 18 inches have been caught using crankbaits fished near the cedar tree piles and rock structure. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using small jigs fished near the cedar tree piles.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Walleye – Slow: Walleyes up to 19 inches have been caught trolling crankbaits along weed lines. Yellow Perch – Slow: Yellow perch up to 11 inches have been caught using jigs and worms fished near the road bed.
Water temperatures in most Mount Ayr District lakes are in the mid-80’s. 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)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching channel catfish with worms and stink bait. Anglers have had success in the mouths of incoming rivers, creeks, around brush piles, and below wing dikes. Flathead Catfish – Good: Flathead fishing is good on trotlines/rod and reel using live baits. Chubs have been working well as bait; you might also try bluegills/green sunfish if that isn’t working. Blue Catfish – Fair: A few blue cats have been caught in this stretch. Fresh cut bait works well.
Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are having the best success on stink bait and worms for larger fish try cut bait. Fish below wing dikes and in slower portions of the Missouri. Catfish are also being caught in the mouth of tributary streams and rivers. Flathead Catfish – Good: Flathead catfish continue to be caught on trotlines and rod and reel using chubs and live baits. Blue Catfish – Good: Blue catfish are being caught on fresh cut bait.
Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers continue to have success on worms, cut bait, and stinkbait/dip bait. Flathead Catfish – Good: Anglers are having success on trotlines/rod and reel catching flatheads with live baits-chubs, bullheads, goldfish, and green sunfish work well. Blue Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching blue catfish on trotlines and rod and reel using cut bait and live baits.
The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 21.1 feet /30,800 cfs./79 degrees Fahrenheit. The Missouri River is down 0.6 feet from last week. Tributary streams and rivers are up with recent rains and the debris load is still high in the Missouri River. Fishing continues to be good for anglers that are getting out on the river.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 7.7 feet at Lansing and expected to remain stable over the next week. Water temperature is in the 80’s. Walleye – Fair: Fish with a crawler on a three-way rig or crankbait trolled on the wing dams. Bluegill – Fair: Larger bluegills have been reported on side channel areas near tree or rock structure. Largemouth Bass – Good: Look for bass near woody structure in side channels and along the shoreline near wing dams on the main channel. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouths are feeding along rocky areas with good current breaks. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are starting to bite on stink baits fished in deeper side channel holes. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are biting well fishing a worm on the bottom along the main channel border. Northern Pike – Fair: Look for northern pike in cooler water sources such as springs and mouths of streams. Fish spoons using a leader. Crappie – Fair: Fish a minnow under a bobber or a small tube jig in fallen trees or snags on side channels. Flathead Catfish – No Report.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 13 feet at Lynxville and expected to remain stable over the next week. Water temperature is in the 80’s. Walleye – Fair: With stable water levels look for walleyes to start feeding on the top sides of wing dams. Bluegill – Fair: Larger bluegills have been reported on side channel areas near tree or rock structure. Largemouth Bass – Good: Look for bass near woody structure in side channels and along the shoreline near wing dams on the main channel. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouths are feeding along rocky areas with good current breaks. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are starting to bite on stink baits fished in deeper side channel holes. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are biting well fishing a worm on the bottom along the main channel border. Northern Pike – Fair: Look for northern pike in cooler water sources such as springs and mouths of streams. Fish spoons using a leader. Crappie – Fair: Fish a minnow under a bobber or a small tube jig in fallen trees or snags on side channels. Flathead Catfish – No Report.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 4.8 feet at Guttenberg and expected to remain stable over the next week. Water temperature is in the 80’s. Walleye – Fair: Fish with a crawler on a three-way rig or crankbait trolled on the wing dams. Bluegill – Fair: Larger bluegills have been reported on side channel areas near tree or rock structure. Largemouth Bass – Good: Look for bass near woody structure in side channels and along the shoreline near wing dams on the main channel. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouths are feeding along rocky areas with good current breaks. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cats are starting to bite on stink baits fished in deeper side channel holes. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are biting well fishing a worm on the bottom along the main channel border. White Bass – Fair: Look for schools of jumping minnows and try pitching small silver spinners. Northern Pike – Fair: Look for northern pike in cooler water sources such as springs and mouths of streams. Fish spoons using a leader. Crappie – Fair: Fish a minnow under a bobber or a small tube jig in fallen trees or snags on side channels.
Upper Mississippi River levels are low but expected to be stable over the next week. Stable water levels will hopefully increase fishing success. With lower water levels more fish will be using areas along the main channel and sloughs with good current. Water temperature is near 80.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is near 5.0 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 7.8 feet at the Dubuque RR bridge. This is down a half a foot from last week. The river will be stable to falling all week. The water temperature in the main channel is at 79 degrees. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are using frog imitations in the weeds. The normal tailwater bite of 12 inch bass seems to be a bit off right now but could pick up soon. Walleye – Fair: A little hit and miss but anglers that target this pool often are successful off the wing dams and rock lines. Bluegill – Fair: Some gills are being taken out of brush piles in the side channels and along vegetation lines in the lower pools. Try the insides of the wing dams, that is where some anglers are reporting taking of a few bluegills. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stinkbait or cut bait above the wing dams or on big fallen trees in the major side channels. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Lots of sub-legal smallmouth bass are being caught along the rock lines by people using spinners or floating worms. Northern Pike – Good: Lots of reports of pike, especially by anglers fishing for bass. The last few seasons the pike spawns have been fantastic and the fishery for pike is responding. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker rig fished in 6 to 10 feet of moving water is all that is needed to catch drum. Bait with crayfish or worms. The larger crayfish you use the larger drum you will catch.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is around 5.4 feet at Bellevue and will slowly recede again this week. The main channel temperature is at 80 degrees. The water is generally clear but the bite has not been great. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for clearer water especially in weed bed locations to catch bass. The bass are not moving quickly out of the shallow backwaters this year. Usually low water makes them vulnerable along the rock piles near the channel border. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallies are biting along the rock shorelines by anglers using small spinners or crankbaits. Walleye – Fair: Lots of activity fishing for walleyes on wing dams but anglers are reporting only short fish. We have had good reproduction the past two years but these fish are still below the 15 inch keeper size range. Bluegill – Slow: Finding good bluegill fishing seems to be a challenge right now but it could pick up soon. Try the insides of wing dams as the water recedes. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish stinkbait above the wing dams or on big fallen trees in the major side channels. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker rig fished in 4 to 10 feet of moving water is all that is needed to catch drum. Bait with crayfish or worms. Northern Pike – Good: Strong northern pike populations are evident throughout Pool 13 as many pike were again caught this week. Most came off of flashy spinners and crank baits.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is 5.0 feet at Fulton, 9.4 feet at Camanche, and 4.5 feet above the dam at LeClaire. All water level readings are down from last week. The water temperature in the main channel is 80 degrees. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Good populations of bass exist in Pool 14. Some bass may have moved into the bigger backwater areas and clearer waters. Successful anglers are using frog imitations in the weed lines. Channel Catfish – Excellent: The spawn of catfish is nearly over so you might want to try fishing stinkbait above the wing dams or on big fallen trees in the major side channels. Move often if not catching channel catfish. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are being caught in the backwater areas on worm rigs. Muddy water has taken its toll on the bluegill bite but is clearing up nicely. Expect good fishing for bluegills to resume. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use spinners or jigs and fish close to any exposed rocky areas. Northern Pike – Good: Pike were again caught this week in good numbers in Pool 14. Most people who catch pike are generally bass fishing throwing white spinners or crankbaits. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum can be caught easily in areas of modest current and depths in the 6 to 10 feet. Boat ramp areas often have good access to freshwater drum fishing. Simple egg sinker and worm rigs work best. Walleye – Fair: A few “short” walleyes were reported being caught on the wing dams.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 5.4 feet at Rock Island. The water temperature is around 82 degrees. Eagles Landing and Leach park are two nice areas to put in and enjoy fishing on Pool 15. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Launch 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 successful. Catfish will either bite within the first 15 minutes or so. If you do not catch any in that amount of time, then move on. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads were caught mixed in with the channel catfish by anglers using worms or live bait. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are a consistent biter this time of year. A simple rig with worms and an egg sinker will prove best. Use large crayfish to catch larger drum. Some are being reported on crankbaits too.
The river is now getting close to its normal summertime low flows. Fishing reports have been extremely mixed from great to poor. However, it really does not matter because any day fishing on the Mississippi River is a good day and time well spent.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 5.15 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and falling. Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina. Fish with minnows under a bobber. Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina fishing with small minnows or pieces of worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Some largemouth bass are being caught in Velie Chute within the Andalusia Island complex. Cast spinner baits or crankbaits. White Bass – Fair: Some white bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough but fishing has been hit or miss. Cast crankbaits, in-line spinners, or jigs and twister tails. Some white bass are also being caught trolling crankbaits on the wing dams. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits. Using three-way rigs with night crawlers or jigs with nightcrawler on the wing dams works too. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are being caught in Sunset Marina, around the mouth of the Rock River, and in Sylvan Slough. Fish on the bottom with night crawlers, shad, or stinkbait. Try fishing above the snags and log jams along the main channel and side channels.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 4.18 feet at Lock and Dam 16 at Muscatine and falling. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for channel catfish in brush piles and snags along the main channel and in side channels. Try fishing with stinkbait, cut bait, or night crawlers. Some channel catfish can also be caught fishing on the wing dams. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams casting or trolling crankbaits or pulling three-way rigs with crawlers. Some walleyes can be caught trolling crankbaits along GPC. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for largemouth bass in the backwaters and sloughs around brush piles and stumps. Cast shallow running crankbaits or spinner baits. Pitching plastics to brush works too.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 5.79 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and falling. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish in the side channels and along the main channel. Fish above brush piles and snags with stink bait, cut bait, or night crawlers. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try trolling or casting crankbaits or pulling three-way rigs with crawlers. White Bass – No Report: Look for white bass up by the Lock and Dam, the outlet of Lake Odessa, or on the wing dams. Try casting crankbaits, in-line spinners, or jigs and twister tails.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 3.32 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and falling. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish in brush piles and snags along the main channel or side channels. Fish above the snags with stink bait, cut bait, or night crawlers. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wing dams.
Mississippi River Pools 16-20. River levels have been falling the past few days. Water clarity has been fair to good. Main channel water temperature is around 80 degrees. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Geode
The water has cleared and the temperature remains in the low 80’s. Best fishing is at first light and last light. The thermocline has set up at 5 to 7 feet. Fishing any deeper than that won’t do you any good; not enough oxygen below that. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills on the outer edges of the weed beds and along the ledges going to deep water.
Lake Belva Deer
The thermocline is between 10 and 12 feet, fish any lower than that and you are wasting your time. Surface water temp remains near 83 degrees. Water clarity is 36 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are picking up some bluegills down about 8 to 10 feet deep.
Lake Darling
Water temperature continues to be in the low 80’s degrees. But the cooler nights have started to cool the water down. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills and most of the rest of the fish are about 7 to 8 feet down around the willow bats and other flooded habitat.
Lost Grove Lake
Lost Grove Lake has an 18 inch minimum size limit for bass. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill fishing has picked up a little bit but is still pretty slow. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for bass to be near the causeway where the upper end of the lake comes through the culvert. Most of the bigger bass that are being caught are still above the causeway. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are picking up a good number of 12-14 inch catfish using night crawlers.
Big Hollow Lake
The duckweed has come back after the rains had flushed at least part of it out. Most of the fish are being caught in 5 to 6 feet of water where the thermocline is at. Bluegill – Good: Work your way around the algae and duckweed and you can find some pretty nice fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try at last light with some top water baits. Don’t be too surprised if you catch a small musky or two.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319- 694-2430.
Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Good: Top water lures can be productive this time of year when fished in the mornings and evenings. Look for areas where the cedar trees are sticking out the water for the best action. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have been catching bluegill along the shorelines. Use a small jig tipped with a chunk of night crawler. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try liver or night crawlers fished in about 8 feet of water.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs or a chunk of night crawler fished under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Fishing jetties and along the dam are good areas to try using a rubber worm or a crankbait. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try using night crawlers and cut bait around the fishing jetties.
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: Concentrate on areas with rock and try spinner baits or crankbaits. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs or chunks of night crawler fished under a bobber. Some sorting may be required for larger fish. Black Bullhead – Fair: Recent surveys show good numbers of 9-11 inch bullheads. Try night crawlers fished on the bottom in about 6 feet of water.
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 full. New jetties and cedar tree piles were installed during a lake renovation project. Anglers have reported catching largemouth bass and a few bluegills. Channel catfish have also already been stocked.
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: Top water lures should be tried in the early mornings and evenings. Crankbaits can also be productive when fished along the jetties and along rocky shorelines. Walleye – Slow: Try jig and minnow combos along the face of the dam. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs fished along the shoreline in 2-6 feet of water. Also try a chunk of night crawler fished about 12 inches below a bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers have been catching catfish using crawdads and liver.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 920.91. The water temperature is 78 degrees. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry boats before transporting to another water body. Spray boats and trailers with high pressure hot water (above 104 degrees) or let them dry for at least 10 days (5 days in the sun). Crappie – Fair: Anglers have had some success trolling crankbaits and catching suspended crappies. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or chicken liver in areas where water is flowing into the lake. Walleye – Slow: Anglers should try drifting or trolling live bait along submerged points and rock piles. Crankbaits should also be tried in the same areas. Use a crankbait that mimics a gizzard shad.
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.
