NORTHWEST
Nelson Park Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Successful anglers are using traditional catfish baits (e.g., dip baits, cut bait, chicken liver).

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 6-9 inch bluegill 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 have likely dropped a few degrees due to cooler air temperatures and recent rainfalls. Walleye – Slow: A few walleye have been picked up in about 20 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Varying reports; some anglers are catching limits of bluegill on crawlers and leeches in about 10-15 feet of water while others are picking up a few. Fish areas 10-20 feet deep with drop-offs and submerged structure. Black Crappie – Slow: The crappie bite is hit or miss; successful anglers are fishing in 15 feet of water. Look for crappies near suspended mid-water structure or near the flooded creek channels by submerged structure. Yellow Perch – Slow: Fish along edges of vegetation or structure suspended in 15 feet of water.

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: Walleye have been caught while trolling shad colored crankbaits in 7 to 10 feet of water. Fish the dredge cuts. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are using dip baits, cut bait, and chicken liver from boat and shore. White Bass – Fair: White bass are being caught on crankbaits while fishing for walleyes.

North Twin Lake
A hoop netting survey designed to collect catfish was conducted on North Twin Lake the week of 7-20-15. Nice sized channel catfish ranging from 8-25 inches were collected, with most falling in the 12-18 inch category. Target catfish using leeches, cut bait, or dip baits fished on or near bottom in areas anywhere from 3-8 feet deep.

Swan Lake
Swan Lake experienced a substantial fish kill the weekend of August 15th. The fish kill was likely caused by a large diurnal swing in dissolved oxygen levels that dropped to lethal levels during the night or early morning. Swan Lake was experiencing a strong algae bloom, which can cause big swings in dissolved oxygen. The fish population will be sampled this fall to determine if additional stocking is needed.

Black Hawk Lake
Lake level is 11 inches above crest. Water temperatures have cooled slightly, which might explain the recent increase in walleye angling activity. Bluegill – Slow: Fish out deeper near rock piles. Use crawlers or leeches. Walleye – Good: 14-19 inch walleye have been picked up near rock piles in the east end. Successful anglers are fishing minnows, spinners, and twister tails in the lake while casting from the outlet structure. Fish along the shoreline near Ice House Point and along the northeast shore of the Shotgun Point area. 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.

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.

Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
As of Thursday, discharge around Linn Grove is 319 cfs (66th percentile) and around Correctionville is 1430 cfs (91st percentile).

Little Sioux River (Correctionville to Missouri River)
As of Thursday, discharge around Turin is 2520 cfs (90th percentile).

North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 bridge near Auburn)
As of Thursday, discharge around Sac City is 410 cfs (81st percentile).

Des Moines River (Humboldt to Stratford)
As of Thursday, discharge in the Fort Dodge area is 2310 cfs (90th percentile) and 3860 cfs (90th percentile) in the Stratford area.

Water temperatures have cooled slightly in the Black Hawk District; this may trigger a bite in some of our waters. River discharges are above average. For more information on the Black Hawk District, call 712-657-2638.

Upper Pine Lake
Angler activity has slowed.

Clear Lake
Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes have been taken off of the rock reefs such as Billys Reef. Muskellunge – Good: Anglers are having some luck. Yellow Bass – Good: Fish Billys reef, Fishermans reef, and the little lake. Channel Catfish – Good: Drift along the weed edges on the little lake.

Lake Cornelia
Bluegill – Fair: A few 6-7 inch bluegills are being caught in vegetation. Channel Catfish – Good: A few catfish are being caught in the evenings.

Little Wall Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are still biting on stinkbait, liver or cut bait.

Bluebill Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish in the 2-5 pound range are being caught on stink bait on the windblown shorelines at Bluebill.

Iowa River (above Iowa Falls)
Fishing near Alden access has been good for smallmouth and walleyes.

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)
Water levels are high this week but are starting to drop. Smallmouth Bass – Good. Northern Pike – Good.

Winnebago River
Smallmouth Bass – Good: Reports of smallmouth biting on twister tails downstream of Mason City.

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. Fish the inside and outside edge of weed lines with Texas rigs, drop shots, swimbaits, or crankbaits in 8-9 feet of water. Smallmouth are hitting top-water along the west shore in the evening. Walleye – Fair: 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 – Excellent: Yellow perch are biting on the south end in 12-20 feet of water. Use small jigs and wigglers. Black Bullhead – Slow: 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 worm on the bottom and fishing around submerged vegetation. Northern Pike – Slow: Anglers using weedless frogs or surface lures back in the north grade in the dense weeds are catching smaller northerns. Bluegill – Slow: A few bluegills are starting to show up on anglers’ hooks with all the rain lately. Anglers fishing at the north grade are reporting catching a few 8 inch bluegills.

Center Lake
Bluegill – Fair: 6-8 inch bluegill are being caught in low numbers along the north. Fish were harvested using small lipstick jigs tipped with a night crawler. Crappie – Good: Smaller crappies are being caught on the north and east side. 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 throughout the water body. Yellow Perch – Fair: While setting hoop nets yellow perch were seen in the 10+ inch range 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: While setting hoop nets there were over a dozen 5-6 pound channel catfish caught along the west shore of the south bay.

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. Crappie – Fair: Crappies are starting to bite. Fish the bays with 22-24 feet of water. Crappies are suspending at 5-10 feet in the deeper waters. Fish a small white jig with light line to catch 10-12 inch fish. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills can be caught in 25 feet of water off the points using pilkies tipped with red worms. Northern Pike – Good: Northern pike are biting on spinner baits in Millers bay. Fish the north bank with a black spinner bait in 7 feet of water. Fish range in size from mid-20s to 30 inches. Also try top-water for these fish.

Five Island Lake
Walleye – Fair: 14-17 inch walleye are being caught just north of town bay. 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
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 – Good: 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.  A good amount of habitat has been placed around the jetties. For boaters, there are a few rock structures placed in the north side of the lake. 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 – Fair: Fish are active about mid-day around the jetties and rock reefs. Stink baits and night crawlers are work well for finicky catfish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass can be found around the rock reefs. Pitch a jig tipped with a twister or worm alongside or over the reefs.

Lake Meyer
As of 8/27, water levels have risen about 16 inches so siphons will be restarted to keep levels low for the construction. The boat ramp is unusable and will remain so until water levels are allowed to return to normal. 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 walk steep banks can find a spot to fish. Use 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)
Renovation to rid the pond of nuisance fish was completed on August 19. The fish toxicant was applied to the entire pond and all shallow water areas. The park is closed through September 2, 2015. Do not consume dead fish or swim or wade from the treated area. The pond will be restocked with bluegills, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. This combination assures an excellent fishery for all to enjoy. Dewatering is scheduled for a later date. 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)
The Upper Iowa is in great condition. The best spots to fish this time of year are where the tributaries empty into the river and log jams. 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)
Paddlers are catching quite a few fish below the Highway 76 bridge downstream to Wilde Bottoms. Fish are hanging out near the mouths of the tributaries and log jams. A few pike have been in the creel this week. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Use a jig tipped with a dark twister tail with a flash of color or crankbait. Cast in the eddies and pockets of slack water. Walleye – Good: Anglers vertical jigging a hair jig have been successful. Fish from mid-day to late afternoon.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Summertime water levels and temperatures are concentrating fish in deeper pools. Anglers can wet wade many areas to find hidden gems. Rock Bass – Excellent: Goggle eye are hitting small crawdad imitation crankbaits below Vernon Spring near Cresco. Walleye – Slow: Patient anglers will catch a walleye using crankbaits in the pools above riffles.

Turkey River (below Clermont)
Use care when paddling around obstructions. Water temperatures are in the mid 60’s. Water levels are stable with improved clarity. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fish a jig tipped with a twister tail along seams and eddies. Walleye – Fair: Fish the deeper pools and along current seems.

Cedar River (above Nashua)
The Cedar River is in great condition. It’ll be a great weekend to get on the river and wet a line. Channel Catfish – Slow: Fish chubs and chicken liver around brush piles and log jams. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Fish a jig tipped with a minnow or night crawler in deeper holes and off current areas. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are beginning to catch a few more walleye but you really have to work for them.

Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are in excellent condition. Spin fishers using a flashy spinner bait should catch fish. Look for more frequent Tricorythodes and Ephoron (mayfly species) hatches through August. Grasshoppers have finally entered into the picture but trout are looking caddis and scuds. Brown Trout – Good: 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.

Rain is forecast for Friday but the rest of the weekend looks fantastic. Water levels on area rivers are in great condition and ready for anglers. 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, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Bluegill – Good: Float a small piece of worm or crawler under a slip bobber near the edge of weed beds around the lake. Fish early morning or later evening. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are biting well all hours of the day. Fish shrimp, cut bait, stink baits and chicken livers on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish weedless spinner baits of the dam and near and around jetties early morning and late evening.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River has provided some great angling opportunities for channel catfish, walleye and smallmouth bass this past week, particularly in Bremer County. 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, tail ends of riffles and off of current breaks and eddies. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Fish artificial crankbaits and spinner baits or live bait tipped on a jig around rocky shorelines and tail ends of riffles. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are biting well on stink baits.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fish artificial crankbaits and spinner baits or live bait tipped on a jig around rocky shorelines and tail ends of. 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, tail ends of riffles and off of current breaks and eddies.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River has been providing some great smallmouth bass angling with an occasional northern pike on the end of the rod. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fish artificial crankbaits and spinner baits or live bait tipped on a jig around rocky shorelines and tail ends of riffles. Northern Pike – Fair: Cast crankbaits near woody cover or float a live chub under a bobber for some great pike action.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Creel information on the Maquoketa River reflects anglers are having good success on both walleye and smallmouth bass. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fish artificial crankbaits and spinner baits or live bait tipped on a jig around rocky shorelines and tail ends of riffles. 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 of current breaks, tail ends of riffles and eddies.

Reports have been good for many gamefish on the interior rivers. Fishing reports for the inland lakes in and around Black Hawk County have been slow this week. Trout streams in N.E. Iowa are in excellent condition. It should be a great weekend to get out and wet a line. For further information, contact the N.E. Iowa District Office at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 8.4 feet at Lansing and expected to remain stable. Water temperature is in the upper 70’s. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have been a little harder to find this summer. Some nice sized bluegills are being caught near wing dams closer to shore or in snags in side channels. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cats are feeding well on stink bait in deep holes near wing dams and large snags in running sloughs. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are biting well. Fish woody structure along the main channel. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A worm on the bottom almost anywhere has a good chance of catching drum. Try sandy areas along the main channel. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are biting well in rocky areas with good current in the evening. Walleye – Fair: Low water makes it easier to find walleye on the wing dams. Fish the top sides with a jig and twister tail tipped with a worm.

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 14.6 feet at Lynxville and expected to remain stable. Water temperature is in the upper 70’s. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have been a little harder to find this summer. Some nice sized bluegills are being caught near wing dams closer to shore or in snags in side channels. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cats are feeding well on stink bait in deep holes near wing dams and large snags in running sloughs. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are biting well. Fish woody structure along the main channel. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A worm on the bottom almost anywhere has a good chance of catching drum. Try sandy areas along the main channel. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are biting well in rocky areas with good current in the evening. Walleye – Fair: Low water makes it easier to find walleye on the wing dams. Fish the top sides with a jig and twister tail tipped with a worm.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 6 feet at Guttenberg and expected to remain stable. Water temperature is in the upper 70’s. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have been a little harder to find this summer. Some nice sized bluegills are being caught near wing dams closer to shore or in snags in side channels. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cats are feeding well on stink bait in deep holes near wing dams and large snags in running sloughs. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are biting well. Fish woody structure along the main channel. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A worm on the bottom almost anywhere has a good chance of catching drum. Try sandy areas along the main channel. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are biting well in rocky areas with good current in the evening. Walleye – Fair: Low water makes it easier to find walleye on the wing dams. Fish the top sides with a jig and twister tail tipped with a worm.

River levels remain low but stable on the upper Mississippi. Slightly cooler weather has kept water temperature in the upper 70’s. Low stable warm water is making wing dams an attractive fishing spot for many species.

Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is near 6.0 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 8.6 feet at the Dubuque RR bridge. This is up from last week.  The river will be stable to slightly dropping during the week.  The water temperature in the main channel has dropped quite a bit and is 73 degrees.    Largemouth Bass – Fair: Some smaller bass are being reported in the tailwater areas.  Some nicer bass are being caught in shallow backwater locations in the side channels.  Walleye – Fair: Early in the week the bite seemed to be decent and last few days it has been poor.  Fall is a great time to fish walleyes on the Mississippi River. Bluegill – Slow: Only a few reports of catching bluegills along the Mississippi River.  Try the insides of the wing dams for best results. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink bait 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 on spinners or floating worms. Northern Pike – Lots of reports of pike so far this week but none for the past two weeks.  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 6.2 feet at Bellevue which is up over a foot from last week. Water levels will recede slightly during the week.  The main channel temperature is 74 degrees. The water is generally clear however the winds during the week have muddied the water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for clearer water especially in weed bed locations.  The bass are not moving quickly out of the shallow backwaters this year.  Low water usually makes them vulnerable along the rock piles near the channel border. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Use small spinners or crankbaits. Walleye – Fair: The walleye bite was extremely hit or miss this week.  Most anglers struggled to catch fish but we are still expected a good fall bite. Bluegill – Slow: Finding good consistent bluegill fishing is a challenge but it could pick up soon. Try the insides of wing dams as the water recedes. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Fish stink bait 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 – No Report: We have not had many reports of pike lately but populations are extremely high and we expect them to return to the creel as fall begins.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is 5.8 feet at Fulton, 10.0 feet at Camanche, and 4.9 feet above the dam at LeClaire. All water level readings are similar to last week and expected to recede slightly. The water temperature in the main channel is at 74 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: Fish stink bait or cut shad above the wing dams or on big fallen trees in the major side channels.  Move often if not catching channel catfish. Use cut bait to catch bigger channel cats. Bluegill – Fair: With the water receding most bluegills are moving out to the channel border. Fish along rock or bush piles in the major side channels. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fish spinners or jigs close to exposed rocky areas. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum can be caught easily in areas of modest current and in 6 to 10 feet of water.  Boat ramp areas often have good access to freshwater drum fishing. Simple egg sinker and worm rigs work best. Walleye – Fair: Some walleyes were reported but it appears to be hit or miss like all the other pools.  We expect a strong bite of walleyes yet before the end of the year. Crappie – Fair: Some crappies were reported earlier in the week from the Rock Creek marina area.

Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 6.0 feet at Rock Island which is up slightly from last week.  The water temperature is around 75 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, stink bait or cut shad but move often if you are not successful.  Catfish will bite within the first 15 minutes or so.  If you do not catch any in that amount of time, move on.  Cut bait works best for catching larger sized catfishes. 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.
The bite was mixed this week with some folks catching nice fish while others saying fishing is poor.  Conditions are good for angling,  the air is cooling and we still expect some great fishing on the river yet this fall.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 5.95 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport. Fishing is being reported as slow. Largemouth Bass – No Report: With low water conditions look for bass in areas with some current. Fish flowing sloughs around brush piles and logs. Walleye – Slow: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast or troll crankbaits. Use three-way rigs with night crawlers or jigs with night crawlers on the wing dams. Walleye fishing has been slow. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around the wing dams along the main channel. Fish stink bait in 15-18 feet of water below the wing dams. Try fishing above the snags and log jams along the main and side channels. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Look for smallmouth around rock and current. Cast crankbaits to the rock.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 4.64 feet at Lock and Dam 16 at Muscatine. Fishing has been slow. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish in brush piles and snags along the main channel and in side channels. Use stink bait, 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 – No Report: Look for largemouth bass in the backwaters and sloughs around brush piles and stumps. Cast shallow running crank baits or spinner baits. Pitching plastics to brush works too. Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Big Timber. Look for fish around the brush piles and logs. Fish a piece of worm under a bobber.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 5.38 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston. 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. Try fishing above and below the wing dams. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Troll or cast crankbaits or pull three-way rigs with crawlers. White Bass – No Report: Look for white bass by the Lock and Dam, the outlet of Lake Odessa, or on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits, in-line spinners, or jigs and twister tails.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 2.76 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. 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 stink bait, cut bait, or night crawlers above the snags. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wing dams. Crappie – No Report: Look for crappie in the backwater sloughs around brush piles and logs in deeper water. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows.

Mississippi River Pools 16-20. Water clarity has improved. Main channel water temperature has fallen to 73-74 degrees. Fishing has been slow this past week. River conditions are still low. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperatures are starting to cool but have not left the upper 70’s yet. Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills are in shallow in the early hours but most are still out suspended in about 6 feet of water. Redear Sunfish – Fair: Fish around the mounds and along the edges of the weed beds in 6 to 8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Good numbers of bass continue to be caught working the edges of the weed beds and flooded trees.

Lake Darling
Water temperature continues to be in the low 80’s degrees. 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 – Fair: Look in the shallow ends of the bays. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching mostly short bass along the flooded timber. Most of the bigger ones remain above the Causeway. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are picking up a good number of 12-14 inch catfish throughout the lake, using night crawlers.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
Water levels have held steady this week, about half bank full. The current is still pretty fast. Channel Catfish – Fair: With the fast current work the back eddies with cut bait or night crawlers.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The river has been coming down this week and some of the bigger sandbars are starting to show. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching some nice catfish.

Big Hollow Lake
Bluegill – Good: With the cooler weather this week there are more anglers out and they are finding good numbers of bluegills. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers are picking up good numbers of bass using soft plastics around the flooded timber in 3 to 4 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish when they are willing to work for them. Fish along the face of the dam.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Hannen Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Channel Catfish – Good: Use liver and stink bait. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Mostly small fish are being caught, but some nice ones are also being picked up. Try soft plastics in a little deeper water.

Rodgers Park Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Decent sized bluegills are being caught.

Lake Macbride
There is a 10 horsepower maximum (and 5 mph speed limit) on outboard motors here. Walleye – Fair: Troll crankbaits over rock in 8-12 of water early and late in the day. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use Cut bait or stink bait. Crappie – Fair: Fish jigs around islands and brush.

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is SLOWLY lowering for the lake restoration project. As of 8/27, it is about 8 feet low.

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Channel Catfish – Fair. Bluegill – Slow. Crappie – Slow.

Otter Creek Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Try spinners or live bait. Channel Catfish – Good: Evening fishing with cut bait or stinkbait is working well. Bluegill – Fair: Fish with worms or jigs around the brush piles.

Union Grove Lake
The lake is currently de-watered for the lake restoration project.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is dirty, but it is at normal summer pool of 683.4′. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are having luck drifting cut bait in the channel.

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers fishing in the Cedar Rapids area have been doing well below the dams.

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

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 for the best action. Bluegill – Fair: Use jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler. Target areas along the shoreline and around aquatic vegetation.

Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have reported catching bluegill on night crawlers. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use a rubber worm or a spinner bait along the fishing jetties. Work the face of the dam with the same presentations. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish night crawlers or chicken liver 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 released immediately. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Concentrate on areas with rock and try spinner baits or crankbaits. Bluegill – Fair: Fish small jigs or chunks of night crawler under a bobber. Some sorting may be required for larger fish. Black Bullhead – Fair: Recent surveys show good numbers of 9-11 inch bullheads. Fish night crawlers 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 are catching largemouth bass and a few bluegills. Channel catfish have 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: Fish crankbaits or spinner baits around the jetties and the rocks along the dam. Bluegill – Fair: Fish a chunk of night crawler below a bobber. Keep moving until you find active fish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use liver or crawdads.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 917.90. 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 night crawlers in areas where water is flowing into the lake. Walleye – Slow: Fish crankbaits that mimic shad or drift or troll night crawlers in areas around submerged points.

Take your trash with you so your favorite fishing spot is clean and litter free.  Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions regarding angling in south central Iowa.

SOUTHWEST
Rock Creek Lake
Crappie – Good: Drift 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 crank baits 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: Drift a split shot and hook with crawler over roadbeds in the west boat ramp bay and at the 100th St. access. 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 hit or miss the past week, but warmer temperatures returning for the weekend and next week should help the bite. Find areas where gizzard shad are concentrated and busting on the surface. Cast or troll spoons and shad imitating crank baits. 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.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: Water levels have bumped up again making for good conditions to get boats back on the river. Good catches of channel catfish have been coming out of the Des Moines River above Saylorville using stink baits and cut bait.

Bluegill and crappie are being caught drift fishing in many lakes while white bass action is cycling from slow to 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. 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 – Slow: 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
Expect to catch 8 inch bluegills and 9 inch crappie. Crappie – Slow: Drift with white twister tails and cast to sunken trees to catch up to 12 inch crappie. Late afternoon bite is best. Bluegill – Slow: 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 has picked up. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are having success using shrimp or crawdads. Average size catfish is 18 to 20 inches.

Lake Anita
Anglers are catching panfish in 13 to 15 feet of water. Bass fishing has been good.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass anglers are catching good numbers of bass casting the edges of vegetation. Vertical jig the roadbeds for larger fish. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift around the roadbeds and cast along vegetation edges to catch up to 12 inch crappie. Afternoon bite is best. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill can be caught drifting small jigs tipped with crawler or power bait. Fish can also be found in the upper ends of the lake around jetties and sunken trees.

Viking Lake
Viking has a good largemouth bass population. A few crappies can be caught drifting. Anglers are catching channel catfish north of the beach. 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 – Fair: Catfish can be caught in the campground arm of the lake and south of the beach using cut bait. Fish average 2 pounds. Crappie – Slow: Drift open water areas 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. The initial stocking of catfish are in the 14 to 16 inch range. Bluegill – Fair: 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. Channel Catfish – No Report: Channel catfish are in the 14 to 16 inch range.

Lake Manawa
Fishery surveys found good numbers of walleye on the west side of the main lake. Channel Catfish – Fair: The night bite is best using Sonny’s dip bait or cut bait. Walleye – Slow: Try slow trolling night crawlers or leeches on the west side of the lake.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Panfish are in deeper water now and around structure. Largemouth bass hang around structure and along weed edges. Catfish are close to structure. Always get permission to fish privately owned ponds. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast along vegetation and around structure to catch bass in their summer pattern. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching bluegills with small jigs and 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 – Fair: Fish cut bait around sunken logs and along vegetation edges.

With water temperatures in the low 70’s anglers are finding panfish deeper than last week. Largemouth bass fishing was good this week. 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 along the fish mounds or near brush piles. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using liver or night crawlers fished along the fishing jetties. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught on small jigs fished on the fish mounds.

West Lake (Osceola)
The marina has re-opened to the public.

Little River Watershed Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish up to 22 inches have been caught using liver or night crawlers fished in the flooded timber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 17 inches have been caught using jigs fished near brush piles.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 18 inches have been caught using crankbaits or jigs fished near the cedar tree piles.

Three Mile Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 20 inches have been caught using jigs fished near brush piles.
Water temperature in most Mount Ayr District lakes is approximately 75 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)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching channel catfish with worms and stink bait in the mouths of incoming rivers, creeks, around brush piles, and below wing dikes. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flathead fishing is fair on trotlines/rod and reel using live baits. Chubs work well as bait; you might also try bluegills/green sunfish if that isn’t working. Fishing has slowed some with the cooler weather. Blue Catfish – Fair: A few blue cats have been caught in this stretch. Fresh cut bait works well. Sauger – Fair: Anglers are catching a few sauger and walleye on jigs and live bait rigs.

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)