FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: APRIL 21, 2016
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For lake locations, maps and other information, go to www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/FishingReports.aspx

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.

NORTHWEST
Brushy Creek Lake
Anglers are picking up bluegill, crappie and a few perch. Try areas near structure and closer to shore in 6-8 feet of water. Use a piece of crawler fished on a small jig under a bobber or small minnows.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Black Crappie – Fair: Fish near shore with a crawler or small minnow on a jig in the marina and near the inlet. Walleye – Fair: Shore and boat anglers are picking up walleye. Use crawlers or crankbaits near shore on the north and south areas of the lake. Fish in the evening and into dark for the most action.

North Twin Lake
There are several reports of crappie being picked up near shore. Fish near shore with minnows or crawlers on a jig suspended below a bobber.

Black Hawk Lake
Water level is 9 inches over the crest of the spillway. Black Crappie – Good: Use a small jig fished below a bobber near shore. Most action has been in Town Bay and near the inlet bridge. Bluegill – Good: Large numbers of bluegill are being caught on jigs and also a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber. They are biting in all areas of the lake but most are having luck in Town Bay along shore and especially on the stone piers. Lots of 6 inch fish, but some anglers are picking up good numbers of 8 inch fish so some sorting is required. Walleye – Good: Walleye continue to be caught on the east side of the lake. Anglers are having good luck fishing evening and into the dark. Throw mid-sized twister tails, rooster tails and bottom-bounce a crawler near shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are hitting almost anything thrown at them right now in efforts to beef up before their spawning season. Use crawlers, crankbaits, plastics and topwater lures. Those fishing near the inlet bridge are experiencing the most action. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Black Hawk Lake. Muskellunge – Fair: Anglers are picking up some over 30 inches. Those fishing crankbaits from a boat in 3-5 feet of water have had the most luck. There is a 40 inch minimum length limit on muskellunge.

For more information, contact the Black Hawk District Office at 712-657-2638.

Lake Smith
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching a few bass. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegills and crappies are fair in rocks near the dam.

Clear Lake
Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing continues to be good. Boat anglers are catching fish near Dodges Point and Billys Reef on minnows with leadheads or on slip bobbers. Trolling has also started to produce. Shore fishermen are catching fish near the island, the east outlet, Ventura grade or on the State Dock on the north shore. Use minnows or a twister or swimbait. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish near inlets and windblown shorelines in the early season with cut bait, worms or minnows. The water is still very clear in the shallows, so fish a little deeper on the calm days. Muskellunge – Fair: Some muskies have been caught near the Ventura grade, the east outlet and the state dock area. Black Crappie – Good: Fishing has been good for crappies in the canals, near the Ventura grade and near the edges of the cattail beds on the little lake. Use minnows and a bobber or a small jig and piece of worm. Yellow Bass – Good: Yellow bass fishing has been good to excellent on certain days and locations. Good numbers of yellows have been caught this week off of the state dock on the north shore and also by the Ventura grade with minnows and crawlers. White Bass – Fair: A few white bass have been caught on the Ventura grade with minnows or twisters.

Lake Cornelia
Walleye – Good: Smaller sized walleyes have been biting well on artificial bait. Yellow Bass – Good. Bluegill – Good: Panfish bite is good. Lots of smaller ones are biting on live bait.

Iowa River (Iowa Falls to Marshalltown)
Northern Pike – Good: The Iowa River above Eldora: Northern pike are biting on spinner baits.

Winnebago River
Northern Pike – Fair: One report of some northerns being caught this week around 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.

Big Spirit Lake
Smallmouth Bass – Good: Good numbers of fish have been caught in the shallow rock piles casting jigs tipped with live bait. Look for sunny warm days with calm conditions. Black Bullhead – Fair: Look for action at the north grade to improve as water temperature’s warm. Fish crawlers on the bottom for the best action.

East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers fishing after dark will catch acceptable size and larger fish. Use cut bait on the bottom for this hard fighting game fish. Bluegill – Fair: Panfish action has been reported from the trestle located on the south end of the lake. Black Crappie – Good: Dock anglers casting a mini jig tipped with bait has resulted in good results; swim the jig slowly back for the best action. Yellow Bass – Good: Good action during the late afternoon casting small jigs.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: Shore anglers fishing after dark will have the best action. Cast slowing moving lures such as a modified minnow imitation lure.

West Okoboji Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Look for action to pick up as the water warms.

NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
A few roads in the park are scheduled for maintenance, but the park will remain open during this time. Anglers have been out, but the bite is slow this week. Black Crappie – Slow.

Lake Hendricks
A lot of anglers have been out, but the fish are very slow to take the bait. Black Crappie – Slow.

Lake Meyer
Many anglers have been taking advantage of the nice spring weather, but fish activity remains slow. Black Crappie – Slow.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
A variety of fish are showing up in the creel this week, including catfish, suckers, sauger and an occasional brown trout. The river is in excellent condition with excellent clarity. Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching walleye up to 29 inches using rooster tail spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Yellow Bullhead – Excellent: Fish up to 14 inches are being caught on colored hooks tipped with minnows fished from the bank. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use a spinnerbait to entice a hungry smallie. Northern Pike – Good: Anglers are having luck catching pike up to 29 inches around the mouths of some of the bigger tributaries.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Vernon Springs impoundment has been busy with anglers, but fish are slow to take the bait. Walleye – Slow.

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Anglers are having the best luck using a jig tipped with a minnow. Walleye – Slow.

Decorah District Streams
This is an excellent time to fish our trout streams. The fish are more active and so are the insect hatches. A large number of caddis flies are hatching along with an increasing numbers of mayflies and stoneflies. The woods are beginning to green up and morels will soon be making an appearance. Anglers may notice more fish coming into the creel as our catchable trout stocking program is in full swing. Brown Trout – Excellent. Brook Trout – Excellent. Rainbow Trout – Excellent.

It looks like it will be a nice spring weekend with temperatures in the upper 60’s to mid-70’s. Local lakes and streams are in good condition after recent rainfall events. Contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324 for more information.

Silver Lake (Delaware)
Anglers are catching crappie in Silver Lake in Delaware County near the town of Delhi.

Heritage Pond
Heritage Pond in Dubuque will be stocked this coming Saturday April, 23rd. Brook Trout – Good: Use scented baits or flashy jigs and/or spinners for some great trout action. Rainbow Trout – Good: Use scented baits or flashy jigs and/or spinners for some great trout action.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Smallmouth bass fishing has really picked up with the onset of warmer water temperatures. Walleye fishing has slowed a bit but still remains fair to good. Walleye – Good: Jig and plastics or bucktail jigs tipped with a minnow have been dynamite for walleye. Slowly bounce and retrieve while keeping contact with the river bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Apply the same techniques you would use while fishing for walleye for some great smallie action. Spinners and crankbaits work well as water temperatures increase.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports have been good for walleye on the Shell Rock River. Walleye – Good: Jig and plastics or bucktail jigs tipped with a minnow has been dynamite for walleye. Slowly bounce and retrieve while keeping contact with the river bottom.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
There have been a few reports of anglers targeting the Upper Wapsipinicon River for northern pike. There have been good reports of anglers catching walleye on the river as well. Northern Pike – Fair: Drift a live chub or shiner under a bobber near deep off-current areas. Walleye – Good: Jig and plastics or bucktail jigs tipped with a minnow have been dynamite for walleye. Slowly bounce and retrieve while keeping contact with the river bottom.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
There have been reports of anglers doing well on walleye and smallmouth bass on the Maquoketa River. Walleye – Good: Jig and plastics or bucktail jigs tipped with a minnow have been dynamite for walleye. Slowly bounce and retrieve while keeping contact with the river bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Apply the same techniques you would use while fishing for walleye for some great smallie action. Spinners and crankbaits work well as water temperatures increase.

The interior rivers remain in excellent condition. There are still good reports on catches of walleye and smallmouth bass on the rivers. Lake temperatures still remain too cold for panfish. Trout stocking season is in full swing with the streams remaining in excellent condition. Heritage Pond in Dubuque will be stocked this coming Saturday April, 23rd. For further information, contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 8 feet at Lansing and is expected to hold steady for the next week. Water temperature is 55 degrees. Walleye – Slow: The walleye spawn is mostly over and fishing may be slow for a while. Sauger – Slow: Saugers are done spawning, but a few are still being caught occasionally in the tailwaters. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth bass are beginning to turn on the feeding. Use jigs and twister tails in rock areas with good current. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass fishing is starting to get better. Use crankbaits near backwater structure. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are biting well, but may be hard to find.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 16.1 at Lynxville and is expected to fall slowly to just above 15 feet by next week. Water temperature is 55 degrees. Walleye – Slow: The walleye spawn is mostly over and fishing may be slow for a while. Sauger – Slow: Saugers are done spawning, but a few are still being caught occasionally in the tailwaters. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth bass are beginning to turn on the feeding. Use jigs and twister tails in rock areas with good current. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass fishing is starting to get better. Use crankbaits near backwater structure. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are biting well, but may be hard to find.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 8.2 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to fall slowly to 7 feet by next week. Water temp is 55 degrees. Walleye – Slow: The walleye spawn is mostly over and fishing may be slow for a while. Sauger – Slow: Saugers are done spawning, but a few are still being caught occasionally in the tailwaters. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth bass are beginning to turn on the feeding. Use jigs and twister tails in rock areas with good current. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass fishing is starting to get better. Use crankbaits near backwater structure. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are biting well, but may be hard to find.

Water levels are falling slowly on the Upper Mississippi River Pools 9-11 and water temperatures are rising. Spring fishing should begin to pick up with water temps in the mid-50’s as long as water levels remain fairly stable.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is 7.6 feet at Dubuque tailwater and 9.9 feet at the RR bridge.  These levels are down substantially from last week and are expected to continue to fall slowly. Water temperature in the main channel is 55 degrees. Northern Pike – Fair: The River has a good population of northern pike. The northern pike spawn is underway and usually pike don’t do much during that time. Once the spawn is over, they immediately go into feeding mode. This should occur in the next few weeks. Walleye – Fair: Loads of small walleye were caught this spring and continue to be persistent in the creel. The 2015 year class measures one of the largest ever.  It should bode well for the future of walleye fishing in the Mississippi River. Largemouth Bass – Good: Lots of small largemouth bass were reported being caught throughout the pool. Bigger female bass appear to be scouting good nesting spots as some very nice bass were reported. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Lots of freshwater drum are being caught.  Cut out all the red meat when cleaning them and they are a fine eating fish.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 8.5 feet at Bellevue which is down from last week. Expect water levels to fall slowly all week. Paddlefish season is closed. Lots of species of fish were reported caught this week. The time to fish is now as the river conditions are excellent. Walleye – Fair: The walleye spawn is near its tail end.  Some males are still reported on the spawning beds. Largemouth Bass – Good: Lots of bass of all sizes reported this week.  Spring Lake has been producing some real nice sized bass. Yellow Perch – Good: The perch appear to be done spawning and are starting to bite in the backwaters and in the tailwaters.  Try using a minnow head fished on the bottom. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Loads of freshwater drum are being caught, many from bank anglers.  Try using large crayfish to catch really large drum.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level was recorded at 7.8 feet at Fulton, 11.4 feet at Camanche and 6.0 feet at Le Claire.  These readings are all down several feet from last week. Water levels are expected to fall slowly all week. Paddlefish season is closed. Walleye – Slow: Spawning for walleyes is getting near the tail end. The walleye bite can be difficult during the spawn and post spawn.  Soon they will move onto the wing dams. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum have started biting in earnest. Simple sliding sinker and worms fished in current work best. Largemouth Bass – Good: Lots of small bass are being taken in the tailwaters, but some larger ones are coming out of bigger backwaters.  Fish are in shallow water.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is 8.4 feet at Rock Island, down nearly three feet from last week. Expect water levels to recede again this week.  Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are abundant in Pool 15 and can easily be caught from shore. Try fishing the eagles landing area with worm and egg sinkers. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are starting to show up in the creel.  Many are being caught with night crawlers fished on the bottom.

Water temperature in the main channel has jumped and is at 57 degrees and rising. Northern pike and yellow perch should be almost finished spawning with walleyes and sauger near completion.  Crappies will begin the process of making nests. Water levels are predicted for a slow fall throughout the week. Paddlefish snagging season is over for the year.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 8.36 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and has been falling. Sauger – Fair: A few saugers are being caught in Sylvan Slough by the Arsenal Dam. Try vertical jigging or pulling three-way rigs with stick baits. Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught in Sylvan Slough by the Arsenal Dam. White Bass – Fair: Some white bass are starting to be caught by the dam above the casino. Try casting jigs and twister tails. Channel Catfish – Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught around the mouth of the Rock River with night crawlers. Black Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina with minnows under a bobber.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 7.13 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. The ramp at Big Timber (The Breaks) and Kilpeck are open. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters like Big Timber or Cleveland Slough. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics around brush piles and logs.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 9.16 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is falling. The Toolsboro landing is open. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles and logs. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics. White Bass – No Report: Look for white bass by the dam or the outlet of Lake Odessa. Try casting jigs and twister tails or in-line spinners.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 6.03 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. We have not received any fishing information for this pool this week. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles and logs. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.

Mississippi River Pools 16-19: River levels have been falling steadily over the past few days. Main channel water temperature is around 60 degrees. 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 56-58 degrees, a little warmer on sunny warm days. Largemouth Bass – Good: Work the flooded timber and the underwater mounds at the upper end of the lake when the sun is out in the afternoons. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing has been pretty good when the weather is nice.

Lake of the Hills
Rainbow Trout – Good: Work the corner of the dam near where Lambach Lake dumps into the lake or around the stumps along the shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Good: Look for bass around the tree falls in the shallow water. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are sometimes shallow and sometimes not. The weather needs to settle down for a while so they can figure out what they want to do.

Lake Darling
Water temperature is 58 degrees this morning. Water clarity is very good 6 feet or so. Bluegill – Good: Depends on the day; the nicer the weather the better the fishing. Good numbers of 7-8 inch fish. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are kind of hit and miss. Look for them to be in shallow in the sun. Spawning is still a ways out. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are in around the shallow water habitat and along the riprap feeding.

Wilson Lake
Still plenty of trout left for the catching. Rainbow Trout – Good: Look for trout around the cedar tree and culvert piles. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are picking up a few bluegills while fishing for trout.

Environmental Discovery Park North Pond
There have been good numbers of anglers out catching trout during the nicer days. Rainbow Trout – Good: Plenty of trout are still left from the trout release. Use power bait or wax worms fished beneath bobbers or small jigs.

Big Hollow Lake
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are in shallow feeding on insects. Look for them in the bays on the north side of the lake and the islands where the sun can get the water a little warmer.

For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.

Lake Macbride
Surface temperatures are about 60 degrees. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are starting to move shallower with the warming weather and water temperatures. Try fishing around sunned rock and wood. Walleye – Fair: Look for shallow walleyes around rock early/late in the day. Some fish are being caught trolling out a bit deeper.

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is 10′ low due to the upcoming lake restoration project. The main 4 lane ramps have been extended with rock to allow smaller boats to get in. The farthest east ramp is the deepest, but caution still should be used. 4×4 vehicles only. Muskellunge – Fair. Walleye – Fair.

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Black Crappie – Excellent: Look for crappies around shallow rock and brush. There are two age classes of crappies being caught from 7-9 inches. Tube jigs have been the most productive. Bluegill – Fair: Some 7-9 inch fish are being caught on worms and small jigs.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal spring pool of 679.4′. Boating above Bobbers Marina is not recommended. Channel Catfish – Fair.

Sand Lake
This is the quarry on the east end of Marshalltown. Rainbow and brook trout will be stocked here on April 23rd at 11am. Prizes will be given to anglers that catch brook trout until 2pm. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing is improving as the fish are moving shallower. Many fish are 8-10 inches, but larger fish are also occasionally being caught.

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Reports are from Marshall/Tama Counties. Walleye – Fair.

Prairie Park Fishery
Trout were stocked here on April 16th. You must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. Brook Trout – Fair. Rainbow Trout – Good.

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

Red Haw Lake
Anglers have been doing well using a minnow and bobber for crappies. Channel catfish have been biting using liver or night crawlers. Target largemouth bass with crankbaits. Use a chunk of night crawler under a bobber for bluegills.

Lake Keomah
The road construction project at Lake Keomah State Park is ongoing, but the roads are now open to get to the lake. Anglers have been catching bluegills and crappies along with largemouth bass.

Lake Sugema
Target largemouth bass with crankbaits or spinner baits. Try a jig tipped with a minnow along the rocky shorelines for walleye. Try areas around the flooded timber for crappies. Keep moving until you find active fish.

Bob White Lake
A complete fisheries renovation was completed in September. Fingerlings were stocked in the fall.

Ottumwa Park Pond East (Trout Pond)
2000 trout were stocked on March 26. A trout stamp is required to fish for or possess trout. Try spinners or other baits that will catch the trout’s attention.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.44. The current surface water temperature is 53 °F. Anglers have been catching channel catfish with cut bait or shad sides. Target areas with the wind blowing into the shoreline or around rocky shorelines. Crappie fishing will improve as the water temperatures warm up. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another water body.

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
Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Crappies can be found in high numbers in Don Williams this spring. Their sizes are on the smaller end yet, but with selection a decent bag can be caught. They are starting to bite on minnows near large trees that have fallen on shorelines with deep water close to shore. Try also slowly trolling or drifting small twister tails mid-lake.

Rock Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Crappie fishing has picked up. Anglers fishing in 4 to 6 feet of water with jigs tipped with live minnows or minnows under a bobber are doing well. The jetties around the SE boat ramp are good areas for shore anglers to target first.

Hickory Grove Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: A fair to good pre-spawn crappie bite has started. The first area to see a good bite is along the shore at the tubes on the upper end of the lake. Cast bright colored chartreuse panfish jigs or live minnows under a bobber.

Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie – Good: Anglers should begin to test the waters at Red Rock for crappies. Numbers of large 11-14 inch crappies are the highest they’ve been in recent years, which should make for excellent spring crappie fishing, if water levels cooperate. Start by fishing minnows near rock and wood in bays off the main lake and Whitebreast arm. Try also drifting or trolling minnows and panfish jigs in these bays prior to the spawn.

Banner Lake (south)
Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Trout were stocked on April 9th. Cast small in-line spinners, small tube or twister jigs or live bait such as wax worms or live minnows under a bobber.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers fishing between Saylorville and Birdland and below Center Street dam in Des Moines have been doing well catching channel catfish slowly retrieving large plastic swim baits or still fishing with dead gizzard shad. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Anglers fishing large plastic swim baits for catfish and walleyes below the dams in Des Moines are occasionally hooking into some good size hybrid striped bass. White Bass – Good: White bass are being caught below the dams in Des Moines casting twister tails and shad imitating plastic swim baits.

Pre-spawn crappie fishing has picked up in many Central Iowa lakes. For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake is a good spot to try early spring catfishing and crappie fishing. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies can be caught along the dam and around jetties on warm days. Fish will average 9 inches. Channel Catfish – Slow: Greenfield is a good lake for early spring catfishing. Cast shad sides or cut bait around jetties to catch fish averaging 2 pounds.

Meadow Lake
Meadow Lake has a good bluegill and crappie populations and is a good spot for early spring fishing. White Crappie – Slow: Meadow has a small population of large white crappie. Fish around the jetties and underwater reefs to catch fish up to 14 inches. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish surveys indicate a large year class of black crappies. They will average 8.5 inches. Bluegill – Slow: Meadow bluegill will average 8.5 inches.

Mormon Trail Lake
There is a big year class of 9 inch black crappies in Mormon Trail Lake that is expected to provide some good spring fishing. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers reported catching crappies around the jetties and along the dam. Bluegill – Slow: A few 8 inch bluegills are being caught.

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield is a good spot for early spring catfishing action. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish in the upper ends of the lake where water warms first. Use cut bait or shad sides. Black Crappie – Fair: A few crappies are being caught with minnows. Fish will average 10 inches.

Lake Anita
Fishing starts early at Lake Anita as crappies and bluegills move into the east arm on the warm sunny days. Black Crappie – Good: Fish in the pontoon area of the lake with jigs and minnows 2 feet under a bobber. Sorting is necessary for 10 inch fish. Bluegill – Fair: Cast small jigs tipped with power bait to catch bluegills up to 9.5 inches.

Viking Lake
Viking Lake has a good channel catfish population and is a good spot to try early spring catfishing. The crappie bite also turns on early in the campground arm and behind the pontoon boats. Channel Catfish – Slow: Cast shad sides around structure to catch early spring catfish. Fish will average 2 pounds. Black Crappie – Fair: The crappie bite has picked up in the campground arm.

Lake Manawa
Anglers are catching crappies in the canals on the north side of the lake on warm sunny days. Sorting is necessary for larger fish. White Crappie – Fair: Cast jigs or minnows under a bobber on warm sunny days to catch crappies in the canals. Fish will range in size up to 12 inches.

Anderson Area Pond 1
Anglers have reported good catches of crappie along the dam on warm sunny days. Black Crappie – Good: Cast jigs 2 feet under a bobber along the dam or in the upper end by the parking area to catch crappie averaging 10 inches.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Farm ponds warm before lakes and provide good spring fishing. Always get permission before fishing private ponds. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers reported large catches of crappies using jigs and minnows under a bobber. Bluegill – Fair: Cast tear drops or very small jigs with wax worms or power bait under a slip bobber to find early spring bluegills. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cast shad sides or cut bait in the upper ends of ponds.

Crappies are moving closer to shore in the southwest district. Concentrate close to rocky shorelines for pre-spawn crappies. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587

Lake Icaria
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught using jigs or minnows fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye – Good: Walleye up to 20 inches have been caught on minnows and twister tail jigs fished along the dam and rock fields in the evening.

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

Three Mile Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 18 inches have been caught using crankbaits fished along rocky shoreline areas.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: All sizes of largemouth bass have been caught with jigs fished along rocky shoreline areas. Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch up to 12 inches have been caught with jigs fished along rocky shoreline areas.

Water temperature in Mount Ayr district lakes is approximately 57 degrees. For more information, please contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

Stay Where You Play
Make your next fishing trip an overnight stay. Take advantage of state park cabins near many of these bodies of water. Currently 12 state parks have cabins available to rent for two-night minimums. Between April 15 and May 1, seven more parks will open their cabins for the season, creating plenty of overnight opportunities during some of the best spring fishing. For more information on cabin availability and rates, visit iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com.