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 lately but several have been picked up in about 25 feet of water. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up crappie in depths of 12-20 feet of water and also near structure located 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)
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 catches of bluegill and crappie this last week.

Black Hawk Lake
Lake level is 9 inches above crest. 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 – Fair: 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 656 cfs (78th percentile) and around Correctionville is 1510 cfs (93rd percentile). 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 1550 cfs (98th percentile).

Des Moines River (Humboldt to Stratford)
As of Thursday, discharge in the Fort Dodge area is 1310 cfs (78th percentile) and 1650 cfs (70th percentile) 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 doing well in this warm weather for yellows. North shore areas on a south wind or the Little Lake near the dredged areas of the boat ramps. 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: Use a slower presentation as it gets colder.

Winnebago River
Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Use a slower presentation as it gets colder.

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.

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Fair: A few bluegills are being caught from shore. The bite has slowed the past few weeks.

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 and south of Templar Point. Silver and blue has been the hot color. Walleye – Fair: Wader fishing in the evenings with live bait has been producing a few walleyes. Many of the fish are in the protected slot.

East Okoboji Lake
Walleye – Good: Wader fishing has been producing some nice walleyes in the evening and after dark.

Minnewashta Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers are finding some nice yellow bass along the northeast shore in 8-10 feet of water.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Slow: Anglers have been catching a few small walleyes fishing from shore. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are still finding a few perch on the northeast side of the lake in 8 feet of water

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching average sized bluegills on the northwest corner of Smiths bay along the weed lines. Yellow Bass – Good: Some nice yellow bass have been caught in Smiths bay on top of the weeds. Yellow Perch – Fair: A few perch have been reported by anglers after bluegill in Smiths bay.

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 the week of 11/16. 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. Use 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 11/12, water levels have come up about 2 feet. All construction is complete. The boat ramp remains unusable. Come out and take a look and see what the County Conservation Board, NRCS, 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. Cast downstream using the current to pull the line out toward current breaks. Walleye – Slow: Fish at or near dusk. Use a jig tipped with a twister tail or spinner baits fished with a slow return in deeper pools. Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout can be found in the faster moving water along current breaks. Use minnow imitations. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallies are hitting on crankbaits fished around rockier substrates.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Shoreline anglers are catching fish this week especially toward evening hours. Water clarity is excellent. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Crankbaits fished around rockier habitats are turning smallmouth bass heads. Northern Pike – Good: Anglers fishing around the mouths of larger tributaries have been catching pike on crankbaits. Walleye – Fair: Walleye have been biting on crankbaits or jigs tipped with bright twister tails. Brown Trout – Good: Anglers have been finding brown trout throughout the Upper Iowa. Trout have been 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 is excellent. Water temperatures are in the upper 40’s. The bite has slowed but anglers are still catching fish. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallies continue to bite well. Use a jig tipped with twister tails. Use minnows instead of crawlers when water temperatures drop below 50. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are hitting on hooks or jigs tipped with a minnow using a slow retrieve or letting the bait trail with the current. Crappie – Good: The crappie bite continues to be strong above the railroad bridge in Charles City. Channel Catfish – Slow: Anglers using a hook tipped with minnows upstream of Howards Woods have caught some nice catfish.

Decorah District Streams
Blue wing olive hatches are more prevalent in late afternoon to early evening now. Look for sporadic midge hatches. For these hatches, use #18 or 20 emergers or nymphs with a #22 or #24 drop hook gnarly midge. Use night crawlers, crankbaits or spinner baits. Brook Trout – Good: Brook trout are fall spawners so watch for shallow cleared gravel depressions or nests called redds and walk around these areas. Spawning usually takes place in October and November with fry emerging from the streambed in March and April. Brown Trout – Good: 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 is in store for the weekend but winds should die down and the sun should shine. A reminder to anglers that it is hunting season; be aware and be respectful. You may be sharing your favorite hole with a hunter. River and stream clarity is excellent but levels continue to be low. Stream temperatures are below 50 degrees. For more information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Reports have been good for walleye and fair for smallmouth bass on the Cedar River in Black Hawk County. Concentrate efforts near the deep overwintering holes for walleye this time of year. Walleye – Good: Use a lead head jig and twister tail tipped with a minnow. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Fish a lead head jig and twister tail tipped with a minnow near rocky shoreline areas.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports on the Shell Rock River have been fair for walleye this past week. Walleye – Fair: Use a lead head jig and twister tail tipped with a minnow.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week. Walleye – No Report. Smallmouth Bass – No Report.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week. Walleye – No Report.

Most angling activity has been on the interior rivers for walleye. Concentrate efforts in the deeper holes where walleye will spend time overwintering and yet still remain active in feeding patterns. There have been no reports on the lakes in and around the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Trout streams remain in excellent condition, for further information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing has risen to 7.6 and will remain stable this week.  Water temperature is at 48. Walleye – Good: Walleye action has picked up again this week as more fish move into the tailwaters of the lock and dams. Vertical jigs tipped with minnows are productive. Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish the margins of backwater lakes with spinners and crankbaits fished a little more slowly for cooler water. Crappie – Good: Fish side channels with slight current using small jigs with minnows. Vertically jig in larger brush piles. Sauger – Good: Sauger continue to feed actively going into winter.  Fish heavy jigs tipped with minnows in the tailwaters and along deeper side channels. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Some larger smallmouth are being caught on main channel rip rap.  Fish flashy spinners along rocky borders.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Mississippi River at Lynxville is at 14.8 and expected to rise to 17 feet over the next week. Water temperature is at 48.  Walleye – Good: Walleye action has picked up again this week as more fish move into the tailwaters of the lock and dams. Vertical jigs tipped with minnows are productive. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Fish side channels with slight current using small jigs with minnows. Vertically jig in larger brush piles.  Crappie – Good: Fish side channels with slight current using small jigs with minnows. Vertically jig in larger brush piles.  Sauger – Good: Sauger continue to feed actively going into winter. Fish heavy jigs tipped with minnows in the tailwaters and along deeper side channels. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Some larger smallmouth are being caught on main channel rip rap. Fish flashy spinners along rocky borders.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Mississippi River level at Guttenberg is at 5.9 and expected to rise to 8.6 over the next week.  Walleye – Good: Walleye action has picked up again this week as more fish move into the tailwaters of the lock and dams. Vertical jigs tipped with minnows are productive. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Fish side channels with slight current using small jigs with minnows. Vertically jig in larger brush piles. Crappie – Good: Fish side channels with slight current using small jigs with minnows. Vertically jig in larger brush piles. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Some larger smallmouth are being caught on main channel rip rap. Fish flashy spinners along rocky borders.

Fishing on the Upper Mississippi in late fall can have its rewards for those anglers willing to brave the elements. Water temperatures are gradually falling into the mid 40’s and fish are still actively feeding, although a slower presentation may be required.  Water levels are rising this week.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water temperature in Pool 12 is around 49 degrees in the main channel. Water is very clear and has risen a foot or so from last week. Water level was reported at 6.1 feet at Lock and Dam 11 and at 8.6 feet at the railroad bridge. Both are down slightly from last week. Water levels will again rise this week after the recent storms. 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 yet. 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 work best but floating weeds can cause some problems getting to the fish. Sauger – Fair: Some sauger angling is taking place in the tailwaters with fishing being reported as fair.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water temperature in Pool 13 is around 49 degrees in the main channel. Water is very clear. Floating weeds are hindering some angling. Water level was reported at 6.5 feet at Lock and Dam 12 which is down from last week. Expect water to rise slightly all week. Crappie – Excellent: Crappies are being taken out of Pool 13, mostly from brush piles in areas of slight to modest current. Use minnows for best success. Walleye – Good: Walleye have moved to the wing dams and some very nice fish have been reported.  Fishing was a bit up and down but mostly good. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass populations remain very good on the Mississippi River.  Bass will soon be on the move to their winter backwater homes. Fish brush piles and lily bed remains. White Bass – Good: White bass can be seen chasing minnows in many areas. Look for feeding galls which usually indicate a school of white bass feeding. 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 50 degrees in the main channel. Water is very clear. Water levels are 6.4 feet at Fulton, 10.3 feet at Camanche and 5.4 feet above the dam at LeClaire. These are down slightly from last week but expect water levels to again rise during the week. Crappie – Good: Try snags in Rock Creek backwater and Cattail Sloughs for 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. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Fish rocky shoreline areas below the mouth of the Wapsipinicon River to find wintering smallmouth bass.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water temperature in Pool 15 is around 51 degrees in the main channel. Water is very clear. Water level was reported at 6.7 feet at Rock Island which is down slightly from last week.  After the storm on Wednesday night expect water levels to again rise. 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: No report this week but the week prior we heard of some nice white bass being caught in Pool 15 near the tailwater. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try the areas around Crow Creek and the rip rap shorelines that have modest to heavy current.

Fall fishing is upon us and the Mississippi River can provide some high quality fall fishing.  Lots of people are thinking of deer hunting but this can be some of the best times to be fishing. Winter is at hand, take some time this fall to enjoy the Mississippi River and all it has to offer.

SOUTHEAST
Lake Macbride
The lake is no wake speed (5 mph) of any size motor. The fish cleaning station at the primitive campground ramp is closed. Walleye – Fair: Some anglers are having luck jigging in about 15 feet of water over structure. Casting to windblown rock can also be effective. Early and late day have been best. Crappie – Good: Many fish are around 10 inches. Fish 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.

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

Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is now at fall pool of 686.4′. Crappie – Fair: Fish the steep rock banks or over deeper brush with jigs/minnows. Walleye – Slow: A few walleyes are also being picked up along the rock banks.

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 stocked were stocked here 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: Use small jigs fished around tree branches or other underwater structure. Openings in the lily pads should also be fished with a small hook tipped with a chunk of night crawler fished under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try using a rubber worm or a jig and pig combo along the fishing jetties. Work the face of the dam with the same presentations.

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 rubber worms 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. 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 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 using a jig and pig combo. 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 here on October 22. Use small spinners or other baits that will grab the trout’s attention.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 910.34. The water temperature is 56 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: Try areas with submerged points and underwater rock piles and troll or drift crankbaits or minnows. Drifting or trolling night crawlers in these same areas can also produce some fish. Crappie – Slow: Anglers have been catching a few 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 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.

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout will be stocked on Thursday, November 19th around noon. They can be 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 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 of water with depths greater than 4 feet out of 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 of water with depths greater than 4 feet out of or on the edge of the main current.
A late fall crappie bite can still be found in many lakes and 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 indicate a large crappie population in Greenfield. Anglers should 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
Expect to catch 8 inch bluegills and 9 inch crappie at Nodaway. 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 a crawler along the south shore to catch 8 inch fish.

Lake Anita
Anglers should 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 to catch largemouth bass. 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. Try vertical jigging 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. 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 – Fair: Walleye up to 20 inches have been caught using minnows fished in 10 feet of water.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass – Slow: 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 – Slow: 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 50 degrees. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, call 641-464-3108.