NORTHWEST
Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Panfish and catfish angling activity has picked up lately as water temperatures decrease. Target mid-water depths as well as shallower areas containing structure. Channel Catfish – Good. Bluegill – Good.

Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Fish areas 10-20 feet deep with drop-offs and submerged structure. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow but several have been picked up in about 25 feet of water. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up crappie in 12-20 feet of water and also near structure in 35 feet of water. Use a minnow and spoon. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch have been picked up while fishing for crappie near submerged structure. Minnow and spoon have been productive.

Bacon Creek Lake
Approximately 1,500 rainbow trout were stocked into Bacon Creek Lake on November 3rd.

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 having success in the shallower areas near east shore. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish near shore. White Bass – Fair: White bass are being caught on shad, crawlers, and crankbaits.

Swan Lake
Despite the partial fish kill in August from low dissolved oxygen related to algal blooms, notable populations of bluegill and crappie were seen during a netting survey in September. Anglers have reported good catches of bluegill and crappie.

Black Hawk Lake
Lake level is 8 inches above crest. Water temperature is 56 degrees F. Bluegill – Fair: A few have been picked up in Town Bay and around the inlet bridge. Walleye – Fair: 14-19 inch walleye have been picked up in the east end of the lake, in Town Bay, and along the shoreline near Ice House Point. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching largemouth bass using spinners, twister tails, crawlers, or minnows and jigs. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass. Yellow Perch – Good: Perch fishing near shore remains productive as water temperatures remain in the low to mid-50s. Use a small minnow, piece of crawler, or wax worm on a small jig. Anglers are having luck around the inlet bridge, Ice House Point, and Town Bay. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up crappie while fishing for yellow perch.

Moorland Pond
Approximately 1,500 rainbow trout were stocked into Moorland Pond on November 4th.

Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
As of Thursday, discharge around Linn Grove is 435 cfs and around Correctionville is 832 cfs. A few walleye are being caught around the Correctionville area.

North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 bridge near Auburn)
As of Thursday, discharge around Sac City is 560 cfs.

Des Moines River (Humboldt to Stratford)
As of Thursday, discharge in the Fort Dodge area is 1410 cfs and 1680 cfs in the Stratford area.

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

Clear Lake
Docks at the city ramp, McIntosh State Park, and Ventura are out for the season. The fish cleaning station is closed. Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers have been having action near the Batiste Camp area and the MacIntosh swim beach fishing with cut bait. The rock humps by the State Dock area on the north shore have been producing yellows and an occasional walleye. The mouths of the canals have also been good especially on south wind days. Yellows seem to want a slow moving bait rather than a still bait. Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught while slow drifting for yellows bass. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some perch have been caught near the south Ventura jetty.

Shell Rock River (above Greene)
Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Smallmouth bass should be biting well. Fall is a great time to fish the small rivers. Try a small spoon, spinner, or a twister tail.

Winnebago River
Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Smallmouth bass should be biting well. October is a great time to fish the small rivers. Try a small spoon, spinner, or a twister tail.

East Fork Des Moines (Algona to Humboldt)
Walleye – Good: Anglers have had good action the last few weeks. Try minnows on a light jig or twister tails in deeper holes.

For lake updates and fishing information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

Big Spirit Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are picking up some nice perch in 18-20 feet of water off of the Marble Beach boat ramp. Silver and blue has been the hot color.

Rock River
Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Casting jigs tipped with plastics or live bait near rapids have been producing some decent smallmouth.

NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
The boat dock will be removed for the winter next week. Restrooms have been winterized and are now closed. Crappie – Fair: Anglers will find crappies hanging around rip-rapped shoreline and cedar tree clusters around the dam. Try a hook tipped with a minnow fished under a bobber or a crappie jig.

Lake Hendricks
Park users should be aware that shower and restroom facilities are closed for the season. The campground and boat ramp remain open. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small hook tipped with worm under a bobber around rocky shoreline.

Lake Meyer
As of 11/5, water levels have come up about 2 feet. All construction is complete. The boat ramp remains unusable at this time. Come out and take a look and see what the County Conservation Board and Iowa DNR have been up too this fall. Bluegill – Slow: Very few anglers have been taking advantage of the low water.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is excellent so try fishing at dawn or toward dusk when the sun is not directly on the water. Fly fishers should fish during the warmest part of day and use streamers such as white wholly buggers. Casting downstream using the current to pull the line out toward current breaks will produce fish. Walleye – Slow: Nice walleyes are out there. Successful anglers are using crankbaits fished with a slow return. Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout can be found in the faster moving water along current breaks. Use minnow imitations.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Shoreline anglers are catching fish this week especially toward evening hours. Water clarity is excellent. Smallmouth Bass – Slow. Walleye – Good: Use small pieces of cut baits. Northern Pike – Good: Anglers fishing downstream from Lundy Bridge to below Highway 76 have been catching pike on large flashy spinner baits. Brown Trout – Fair: Anglers are finding brown trout throughout the Upper Iowa. Trout are going after jigs tipped with natural colored twister tails or larger spinner baits. If you want to keep trout from the Upper Iowa, you need a trout stamp.

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water clarity has improved this week. Water temperatures are in the mid 50’s.  Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallies continue to bite well. Successful anglers are using a jig and night crawler. When water temperatures drop below 50, try minnows instead of crawlers. Northern Pike – Fair: Pike activity has picked up especially later in the evening. A jig tipped with a minnow has caught fish. Crappie – Good: The crappie bite has improved this week. Fish 10-14 inches are common in the backwaters.

Decorah District Streams
Blue wing olive hatches are more prevalent in late afternoon to early evening. Look for sporadic midge hatches. For these hatches, try #18 or 20 emergers or nymphs with a #22 or #24 drop hook gnarly midge. Anglers using night crawlers, crankbaits and spinner baits will catch fish. Brook Trout – Fair: Brook trout are fall spawners so watch for shallow cleared gravel depressions or nests called redds; walk around these areas. Spawning usually takes place in October and November with fry emerging from the streambed in March and April. Brown Trout – Fair: Brown trout are building nests or redds. Anglers can find fish guarding these areas. Please walk around these small cleared depressions in the stream bottom. Rainbow Trout – Good: Rainbow trout spawn in the spring, usually from March to May in riffles and gravel runs.

Fall-like weather will return for the weekend. Many of the leaves are off the trees and the weeds are down. This is a great time of year to get out because it’s easier to get to the water to fish. River and stream clarity is excellent but levels continue to be low. For more information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
There have been good reports of anglers catching quality bluegill and channel catfish from shore and off the jetties. Bluegill – Good: Use very small tackle tipped with a wax worm under a bobber in 3-4 feet of water off of the beach area or jetties. Channel Catfish – Fair:
Use very small tackle tipped with a wax worm under a bobber in 3-4 feet of water off of the beach area or jetties.

George Wyth Lake
There have been reports of anglers fishing George Wyth Lake for crappie. Late summer fisheries surveys showed some quality size crappie in the lake. Crappie – No Report: Try fishing a crappie minnow under a bobber along the vegetation edges or structure placed within the lake.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is in good condition for the upcoming weekend. There have been good reports of walleye and smallmouth bass being caught. Walleye – Good: With cooler temperatures ahead, switch to a jig tipped with a minnow or crankbaits retrieved in deeper water. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast rocky shorelines or near woody debris with crankbaits.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Recent electrofishing survey results showed many quality sized walleye on the Shell Rock River. Reports are good to excellent for walleye fishing on the river. Walleye – Good: With cooler temperatures ahead, switch to a jig tipped with a minnow or crankbaits retrieved in deeper water.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Anglers have been reporting fair success on the Upper Wapsipinicon River for northern pike.
There have been no reports on walleye in Buchanan County this past week. Walleye – Fair: With cooler temperatures ahead, switch to a jig tipped with a minnow or crankbaits retrieved in deeper water. Northern Pike – Fair: Cast spoons or spinner baits covering a lot of water; riffles, woody habitat and deeper holes. Floating a live chub under a bobber has been productive as well.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Anglers have had success fishing the Maquoketa River the past few weeks, especially for walleye. Walleye – Good: With cooler temperatures ahead, switch to a jig tipped with a minnow or crankbaits retrieved in deeper water. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast and retrieve a jig tipped with a piece of crawler or minnow.

There have been good fishing reports for all of the interior rivers in northeast Iowa this past week. Trout streams are in excellent shape. For further information, contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Pool 9 is 8.4 feet at Lansing and expected to remain fairly stable this week. Water temperatures are near 50 degrees. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are moving into tailwaters of the lock and dams. Fish jigs tipped with a minnow in the tailwaters. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth are actively feeding along openings to backwater lakes and in the vegetation beds. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill fishing has slowed, but some nicer size fish are being caught in slack water in the deeper channels. Crappie – Good: Look for crappie to settle into backwaters as the river levels stabilize. Use minnows in larger brush piles off side channels and in the backwaters. Sauger – Good: Sauger are beginning to move toward tailwater areas. Expect the bite to pick up as water temperatures drop. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Many reports of smallmouth bass being caught on main channel and side channel areas off the riprap.

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level in Pool 10 is 15.8 feet at Lynxville and expected to remain at this level over the next week.  Water temperatures are near 50 degrees. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are moving into tailwaters of the lock and dams. Fish jigs tipped with a minnow in the tailwaters. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth are actively feeding along openings to backwater lakes and in the vegetation beds. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill fishing has slowed, but some nicer size fish are being caught in slack water in the deeper channels. Crappie – Good: Look for crappie to settle into backwaters as the river levels stabilize. Use minnows in larger brush piles off side channels and in the backwaters. Sauger – Good: Sauger are beginning to move toward tailwater areas. Expect the bite to pick up as water temperatures drop. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Many reports of smallmouth bass being caught on main channel and side channel areas off the riprap.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Pool 11 at Guttenberg has risen to 7.5 feet and is expected to remain at this level over the next week.  Water temperatures are near 50 degrees.  Walleye – Good: Walleyes are moving into tailwaters of the lock and dams. Fish jigs tipped with a minnow in the tailwaters. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill fishing has slowed, but some nicer size fish are being caught in slack water in the deeper channels. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Largemouth are actively feeding along openings to backwater lakes and in the vegetation beds. Crappie – Good: Look for crappie to settle into backwaters as the river levels stabilize. Use minnows in larger brush piles off side channels and in the backwaters. Sauger – Good: Sauger are beginning to move toward tailwater areas. Expect the bite to pick up as water temperatures drop. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Many reports of smallmouth bass being caught on main channel and side channel areas off the riprap.
Fall fishing will pick up as fish are actively feeding in preparation for colder weather. Fish are staging nearby their over-wintering holes.  Water temperatures are falling into the lower 50’s.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water temperature in Pool 12 is around 53 degrees in the main channel. Water is very clear and low but rose a foot or so from last week. Water level was reported at 6.8 feet at Lock and Dam 11 and at 9.2 feet at the railroad bridge. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass are being taken out of backwater areas on large plastic baits and spinners. Low water will concentrate the bass in the mouths of many of the bigger backwater areas. Bass are also biting in the remains of the lily pad beds.  Cranks and worms can pull them out. Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills were reported but fishing for Gills lately in this reach has been slow.  There have been rumors of some being taken out of the various marinas in Dubuque, but that too has been spotty. Walleye – Good: Nice walleye are being taken off the wing dams.  Use a crankbait or worm rig on a three way swivel. Crappie – Good: Crappie fishing is good in brush piles in large side channel sloughs.  Concentrate efforts in areas of very slight current. A small jig tipped with a minnow works best. Buy jigs with bendable hooks to get them out of the brush piles when snagged. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Schools of smallies are roaming the edges of rocky shorelines. Spinners remain the best bet but floating weeds can cause some problems getting to the fish.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water temperature in Pool 13 is around 54 degrees in the main channel. Water is very clear and lots of weeds are floating hindering angling. Water level was reported at 7.3 feet at Lock and Dam 12 which is up over a foot from last week. Expect water to stabilize this week.  Crappie – Excellent: Crappies are being taken out of Pool 13, mostly from brush piles in areas of slight to modest current. Walleye – Good: Walleye have moved to the wing dams and some very nice fish were reported. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass populations remain very good on the Mississippi River.  Bass will soon move to their winter backwater homes but fish brush piles and lily bed remains for the best action. White Bass – Good: White bass can be seen chasing minnows in many areas. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth bass are found tight to the rock piles and rocky shorelines in areas with considerable current.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water temperature in Pool 14 is around 54 degrees in the main channel. Water is very clear and has risen a foot from last week. Expect water levels to stabilize this week. Water level was reported at 6.7 feet at Fulton, 10.2 feet at Camanche and 5.5 feet above the dam at LeClaire.  Crappie – Good: Try snags in Rock Creek backwater and Cattail Sloughs. They have been producing some nice crappies. The lower sections of Beaver Island across from Clinton have also been good at times. Largemouth Bass – Good: Good catches of bass were reported out of Pool 14 this week on spinners. Bass will concentrate in the mouths of the major backwater areas as fall progresses. Walleye – Good: Walleye are biting off the wing dams. Use three way rigs with a small chuck of night crawler or a floating crankbait. White Bass – Good: White bass are being reported in the tailwaters biting on white spinners and jigs.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water temperature in Pool 15 is around 55 degrees in the main channel. Water is very clear. Water level was reported at 7.0 feet at Rock Island which is up two feet from last week.   Walleye – No Report: We have not received any reports on fishing on Pool 15 but do not overlook some fine walleye fishing that can be had here. It is generally not fished as hard as some of the pools but each fall we hear of some very nice catches of walleyes in this reach. White Bass – Good: Try white bass fishing in the tailwater using small white spinners. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try the areas around Crow Creek and the rip rap shorelines that have modest to heavy current in them.

Fall fishing is upon us and the Mississippi River can provide high quality fall fishing. Colors are still looking fantastic on the bluffs and crappie and walleye fishing remains good. Winter is at hand, take some time this fall to enjoy the Mississippi River and all it has to offer.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 6.98 feet at Lock and Dam 15 and has been rising the past few days. Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught in the Sylvan Slough. Try trolling crankbaits or vertical jigging with minnows. Look for walleyes on the wing dams casting jigs and plastics. A few walleyes are also being caught along the wall above the casino in Davenport. Crappie – Fair: A few crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina. In Sunset Marina, try smaller minnows fished 3-4 feet under a bobber along the shore. Look for crappies in the backwater around brush piles and logs. Use jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber. Sauger – Fair: Some saugers are being caught in Sylvan Slough. Fish are being caught on jigs and minnows. Fishing has been better towards evening.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 5.68 feet and rising the past couple of days with the recent rains. Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies in the backwaters and sloughs around brush piles and logs. Try minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows at Eagle Fill, Big Timber, and Cleveland Slough. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits, troll three-way rigs, or cast jigs to the upstream side on the wing dam. Sauger – Slow: Fishing for saugers below the dam in Muscatine is being reported as slow. Try vertical jigging with minnows or pulling three-ways rigs with minnows or stick baits.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 6.84 and has been rising the past few days. Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and logs in the backwaters and side channels. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows. Sauger – Slow: Fishing below the dam at New Boston is being reported as slow. Try vertical jigging with minnows or pulling three-way rigs with minnows or stick baits.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 3.74 feet and rising. We have not received any fishing information for this pool this week. Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles and logs. Use a minnow under a bobber or jigs and minnows. Sauger – No Report: Look for saugers by the dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or pulling three-way rigs with minnows or stick baits.

Mississippi River Pool 16-19. Tailwater stages have raised a couple of feet with the recent rains. The main channel has muddied some with the recent rains. Main channel water temperature is around 53 degrees. Tailwater fishing for walleye and saugers has been slow. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is around 53-54 F. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are stilling catching some bluegills in shallow.

Lake of the Hills
Trout continue to be a majority of the fish caught. Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park where the use of live minnows for bait is allowed. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Worm and bobber work best. Also try a small jig tipped with a wax worm.

Lake Darling
Water temperatures are down to 53 degrees. Very little angler activity this week. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have moved in shallow; a little sorting and you can get a nice batch of 7-8 inch fish.

Wilson Lake
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout have started to spread out across the lake now. Concentrate your efforts in 3 to 4 feet deep water.

Environmental Discovery Park North Pond
Rainbow Trout – Good: Worm and bobber work best.

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is about 53 degrees. The fish have moved into deeper water. Black Crappie – Fair: There are a few crappies still in shallow; work the north shore down in the open area by the dam. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have ended their short stay in shallow water. Start working the trees in 9 to 10 feet of water.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Iowa Lake
Crappie – Fair: Some 9 inch crappies are being caught around brush.

Lake Macbride
The lake is no wake speed (5 mph) of any size motor. Water temperatures are in the low-mid 50’s. The fish cleaning station at the primitive campground ramp is closed. Walleye – Fair: Trolling crankbaits over rock in 7-12 of water has been producing some fish. Casting to windblown rock can also be effective. Early and late in the day have been best. Crappie – Good: Crappie fishing seems to be picking up. Many fish are around 10 inches. Try fishing jigs or minnows over sunken brush.

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is 15′ low and at the level it will remain for the restoration project taking place over the next year. Boat ramps are unusable for boat trailers. There is a make-shift ramp at the main ramp that a few smaller boats have been using.

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. There has not been much fishing activity here lately. Crappie – Fair: Early and late day has been best. Try tube jigs fished around brush or jetties. Most fish are 8-10 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Jigs tipped with worms are catching some fish.

Union Grove Lake
The lake and pond are currently de-watered for the lake restoration project.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is at fall pool of 686.4′. Crappie – Fair: Fish the steep rock banks or over deeper brush with jigs/minnows.

Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing is picking up. Fish the deeper holes below the dams, under bridges, and on outside bends. Jigs, crankbaits, and live bait work best. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Jigs with plastic or live bait work best.

Prairie Park Fishery
2000 trout were stocked here on Friday, November 6. You must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Good.

Terry Trueblood Lake
2000 trout were released here on Friday, October 30th. You must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Fair.

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

Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs fished around any underwater structure. Fish the openings in the lily pads with a small hook tipped with a chunk of night crawler fished under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try a rubber worm or a spinner bait along the fishing jetties. Work the face of the dam with the same presentations. Other good areas include any place with structure near the shoreline.

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: Fish spinner baits or crankbaits along the shorelines. Slow down your presentation as the water cools. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs or chunks of night crawler fished under a bobber. Sorting will 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 have reported 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: Target areas with rip-rap. Use jig and pig combos in these areas. Crankbaits can also be used around the rock jetties and submerged flats. Crappie – Slow: Use minnows around the standing timber. Try different depths until finding active fish.

Bob White Lake
Bob White Lake has recently undergone a complete fisheries renovation. Fingerlings have been stocked this fall.

East Greater Ottumwa Central Park Pond
Trout were stocked on Thursday, October 22. Use small spinners or baits that mimic trout eggs.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 910.87. The water temperature is 54 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). Walleye – Slow: Troll or drift crankbaits or minnows in areas with submerged points and underwater rock piles. Drifting or trolling night crawlers in these same areas can also produce some fish. Crappie – Slow: Anglers have been catching a few more crappies but sorting is required for larger fish. Try minnows around areas with underwater habitat and around structure such as downed trees or boat docks.

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
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.

Red Rock Reservoir
Crappie – Fair: Fall is a good time to target crappies on Red Rock. There is currently a good size population of 10-13 inch black crappies. Fish live minnows or vertical jig in any cove protected from the wind with 10 feet of water or more and the marina docks.

Saylorville Reservoir
Crappie – Fair: Fair to good crappie fishing can be found on Saylorville in the fall. Fish jigs, jigs tipped with minnows, or live minnows under a bobber near the marina docks and along the rock forming the Cherry Glen wave break.

Lake Petoka
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Friday, October 16th. They are being caught on a variety of methods including small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons, and live minnows under a bobber.

Banner Lake (south)
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Thursday, October 15th. They are being caught on a variety of methods including small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons, and live minnows under a bobber.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Walleye – Fair: Mid fall is a great time to target actively feeding walleyes in the rivers. Use slow presentations of 1/16 to 1/4 oz. jigs tipped with minnows or twister tails. Slow retrieves on diving crank baits is another good option. Target areas greater than 4 feet deep or on the edge of the main current.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye – Fair: Mid fall is a great time to target actively feeding walleyes in the rivers. Use slow presentations of 1/16 to 1/4 oz. jigs tipped with minnows or twister tails. Slow retrieves on diving crank baits is another good option. Target areas greater than 4 feet deep or on the edge of the main current.

The fall crappie bite is good in many lakes. Now is an excellent time to target river walleyes. For information on central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

Greenfield Lake
Fish surveys show a large crappie population in Greenfield. Look for panfish in deep water along the creek channel and brush piles. Crappie – Slow: Crappies averaging 9 inches can be caught vertical jigging deep structure. Bluegill – Slow: Drift or cast around brush piles with black jigs tipped with a night crawler or power bait. Fish will average 8 inches.

Nodaway Lake
Anglers can expect to catch 8 inch bluegills and 9 inch crappie. Target the deep cedar tree piles in the lake. Crappie – Fair: Target the many tree piles in the lake to catch crappie up to 12 inches. Bluegill – Slow: Cast small jigs tipped with crawler along the south shore to catch 8 inch fish.

Lake Anita
Target the roadbeds and deeper structure for successful fall fishing.  Black Crappie – Slow: Drift around the roadbeds and cast around tree piles or reefs to catch crappie up to 12 inches. Anita has a large year class of 5 to 7 inch crappies. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill can be caught vertical jigging the roadbeds using small jigs tipped with a crawler or power bait. Fish can also be found in the upper ends of the lake around jetties and sunken trees.

Viking Lake
Target the many cedar tree piles in the lake to find fall crappie. Crappie – Fair: Vertical jig or cast to the many tree piles in the lake to find crappie up to 10 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. 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. Channel Catfish – No Report: Channel catfish are in the 14 to 16 inch range.

Anderson Area Pond 1
Anderson Pond 1 will provide good panfishing this fall and winter. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are catching 8 inch bluegill with night crawlers under a slip bobber in the upper end of the pond. Crappie – No Report.

Hacklebarney East
Hacklebarney East has a new concrete boat ramp. Panfish are scattered throughout the lake in deep water. Bluegill – Slow: Drift open water with small jigs tipped with a crawler or power bait to catch 8 inch bluegill. Black Crappie – Slow: Drift or vertical jig in 20 feet of water to catch crappie up to 12 inches.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Panfish are in deeper water during the fall months. Always get permission to fish privately owned ponds. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Cast along deeper structure with a slow retrieve. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have reported catching bluegills with small jigs and a crawler under a bobber with a very slow retrieve. Crappie – Fair: Crappie are in deep water during the fall months. Vertical jig around deep structure to catch fall crappies. Channel Catfish – No Report.

Fish have moved into a fall pattern associating themselves around deeper structure and brush piles. 1000 rainbow trout were stocked into Big Lake on October 15th. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at (712) 769-2587

Lake Icaria
Campground and cabins are closed for the season, but all boat ramps are open. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills up to 8.5 inches have been caught using jigs tipped with a wax worm fished near brush piles. Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught using minnows fished near brush piles.

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

Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye – Good: Walleye up to 20 inches have been caught using minnows fished in 10 feet of water.

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

Three Mile Lake
Crappie – Slow: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught using minnows fished near the flooded timber. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using jigs or night crawlers fished near the flooded timber.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 9 inches have been caught using night crawlers fished near the flooded timber. Crappie – Slow: Crappies up to 11 inches have been caught using minnows fished near brush piles.

Water temperature in most Mount Ayr District lakes is approximately 53 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 – Slow: Anglers continue to catch a few channel catfish with worms, cut bait, and stink bait. Anglers have had success in the mouths of incoming rivers, creeks, along the revetment, around brush piles, and below wing dikes. Flathead Catfish – Slow: Live baits work well –chubs, bluegills, green sunfish, and bullheads are all good baits. Sauger – Fair: Anglers report catching a few sauger and walleye on jigs and live bait rigs tipped with minnows. White Bass – Fair: Anglers fishing for sauger and walleye are catching a few white bass on jigs and spinners around wing dikes and incoming tributaries.

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish – Slow: Successful anglers are using stink bait and worms. Try cut bait for larger fish. 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 – Slow: Flathead catfish continue to be caught on trotlines and rod and reel using chubs, green sunfish and live baits. Blue Catfish – No Report. Sauger – Fair: Anglers are catching a few sauger and walleye on jigs and live bait rigs tipped with minnows. White Bass – Fair: Anglers fishing for sauger and walleye are picking up a few white bass along current breaks and incoming tributaries.

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish – Slow: Anglers continue to have success on worms, cut bait, and stinkbait/dip bait. Flathead Catfish – Slow: Anglers are having the best success on trotlines using live chubs. A few flatheads are also being caught on rod and reel. Blue Catfish – No Report. Sauger – Fair: Anglers are catching a few sauger on jigs and live bait rigs.

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 21.25 ft. /31,400 cfs./ 54 degrees Fahrenheit. The Missouri River level at Decatur, NE has not changed from last week and the water temperature has dropped one degree from last week. The weather has been warm for this time of year, it is predicted to cool off this week and water temperatures should drop. Fall can be a good time of year to catch some species; the fishing continues to be fair to slow this week on the Missouri River.