NORTHWEST
Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Look for bluegill spawning beds near shore in 2-6 feet of water in areas with sandy or gravel substrate. Fish are usually visible as they guard these nests; try throwing a small jig fished under a bobber. Use a small piece of crawler or wax worm. This lake has good numbers of 8+ inch bluegills and this is a great time of year to target these fish.

Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on beds near shore. Fish these areas with a small jig tipped with a crawler under a bobber. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are spawning. Fish areas near shore in 3-5 feet of water with a jig under a bobber. Use a small piece of crawler or minnow.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
The dredge is in operation in the northeast portion of the lake. Boaters should use extreme caution in this area of the lake and must maintain a 100 foot distance from the dredge, booster pump and all dredge pipes at all times. . Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17 to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are picking up crappie in the marina with a small jig fished under a bobber. Use a small piece of crawler or minnow. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are being picked up with crankbaits fished in the dredge cuts and also from shore using leeches or crankbaits. Shore anglers are having the best luck in early morning and around sunset. White Bass – Slow: The white bass bite has been slow. A few have been picked up with crawlers and crankbaits. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers have reported catching catfish from shore with stink bait or cut bait fished off the bottom.

Swan Lake
Bluegill – Good: Anglers are picking up bluegill near shore in areas with 2-5 feet of water. Expect to see bluegills guarding nests near shore in areas with sandy or gravel substrate. Fish a small jig under a bobber with a small piece of crawler, wax worm or minnow. Black Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being picked up with minnows or crappie candy baits fished under a bobber in 2-5 feet of water.

Black Hawk Lake
Water levels are about 11 inches over the crest of the spillway. Water temperature is around 67 degrees. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are picking up spawning crappie near shore. Throw a jig tipped with crawler or crappie candy bait fished under a bobber in 2-3 feet of water. Bluegill – Good: Large numbers of bluegill are being caught on small jigs tipped with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber near shore. They are biting in all areas of the lake in about 2-4 feet of water. Bluegill nests can be seen in some areas near shore with sandy and gravel substrate. Use a small jig tipped with a crawler fished under a bobber. Walleye – Good: Anglers are having the most luck using leeches, white twisters and light colored crankbaits. Shore along Ice House Point and the North Shore Picnic area have been productive, especially around sunset and after dark. Fish are being picked up anywhere with rocky structure and also near the inlet bridge in the evening. There is no minimum length limit for walleye at Black Hawk Lake and a daily bag limit of 5 fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass fishing continues to be great. Most are being caught on plastics and minnows fished in 1-5 feet of water. Top water baits and twisters work well. They are biting any time of day. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Black Hawk Lake.

Arrowhead Lake
Expect to see bluegill spawning beds near shore in areas 2-6 feet deep with sand or gravel substrate. With the clear water, the males guarding the nests are often visible and can be targeted using a small jig fished under a bobber. Try a small black colored jig tipped with a small piece of crawler or wax worm under a bobber. Spawning crappie can also be picked up near shore with a jig and minnow or crawler.

Black Hawk Pits
Expect to see bluegill spawning beds near shore in areas 2-6 feet deep with sand or gravel substrate. With the clear water, the males guarding the nests are often visible and can be targeted using a small jig under a bobber. Try a small black colored jig tipped with a small piece of crawler or wax worm under a bobber. Spawning crappie can also be picked up near shore with a jig and minnow or crawler.

Water temperatures in western Iowa are in the mid to upper 60’s. Bluegill and crappie fishing near shore is good in most of our area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District Office at 712-657-2638.

Blue Lake
Water levels are high but fishing has been good.  Black Crappie – Fair: Use a jig or minnow fished under a bobber. Look for downed tree, docks and submerged logs to concentrate fishing around. Largemouth Bass – Good: With the water levels up, there is a lot of shoreline vegetation submerged. Try these areas with weedless lures. Bluegill – Fair.

Lower Pine Lake
Some anglers are catching decent sized crappie with minnows and artificial lures. Bluegills are slow and small on bother upper and lower lakes. There have been a few reports of big largemouth being caught in both upper and lower pine lakes.

Lake Smith
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are biting well and should be in pre-spawn and making nests. Size varies. Largemouth Bass – Good. Channel Catfish – Good: Try fishing near the rocks with cut bait or worms under a bobber. Black Crappie – Slow: Slow to fair. Use small jigs in and around rocks where they might be spawning.

Lake Catherine
Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are biting on plastic worms jigged along the bottom.

Clear Lake
Water temperature is about 62 degrees. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are starting to use the shallows in the pockets of the cattails and rushes. Use a bobber and cut bait, worms or minnows. Yellow Bass – Excellent: Anglers have been catching baskets full on some mornings between 5:00 and 8:00 am. Try near the island, Dodges Point, the rocky shoreline near the outlet or Billys Reef. Northshore docks have also been good on a south wind day. Use a small 1/32 ounce hair jig tipped with a small piece of minnow or crawler under a bobber or with a couple split shot on bottom. Walleye – Good: Walleye action has picked with the warmer weather. Fish are generally still using shallow water since it is fairly turbid from wind and rain. Boats have been generally trolling or live baiting. The rushes near MacIntosh have been producing for waders. North and east shore docks have been good early in the morning. Boat anglers have been trolling or staying stationary on spots around the Dodges Point reef, Billy’s reef, the state reef or Dollar Dock Point. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching crappies on the west side of the main lake and in the little lake in the rushes. Use a small jig and cane pole and dip it in pockets or fish the edges with a bobber and minnow. Muskellunge – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Target perch inside the rushes on the north shore or near Farmers Beach.

Bluebill Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish the shorelines with a plastic worm on a Carolina rig or a real worm on a bobber. Bluegill – Good: Some nice bluegills are being caught wading the shoreline and drifting live baits or flies. A few largemouth, crappie and perch are also biting while bluegill fishing. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies have been hit or miss this week, with a few bigger days for nice sized crappies.

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
Black Bullhead – Good: Good action continues at the north grade. Fish crawlers on the bottom for the best action. Walleye – Good: Numbers of slot sized fish with the occasional keeper are being caught at night from docks; cast twister tails or minnow imitation lures. Black Crappie – Good: Fish are currently on beds. Anglers Bay and Hales Slough will produce the best action. Largemouth Bass – Good: Good action reported; fish shallow water habitat such as rocks or emerging aquatic vegetation.

Center Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught along the shallow water habitat. Cast a mini jig or fish a minnow under a bobber.

East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers fishing after dark will catch angler acceptable size and larger fish. Use cut bait on the bottom for this hard fighting game fish. Bluegill – Good: Boat anglers fishing the north end docks on the east side of the lake will catch good numbers of bluegill, crappie and yellow perch. Cast a mini jig and swim it back to the boat slowly. Yellow Bass – Fair: Dock anglers casting a mini jig will catch numbers. Best action is in the early evening hours. Black Crappie – Good: Cast small jig lures tipped with bait on the wooden docks. Yellow Perch – Good: Yellow perch bite has been “hit or miss” from docks. Try early morning or evening for the best results.

Little Spirit Lake
Walleye – Good: Dock anglers are catching numbers of walleye. Black Bullhead – Good: Large bullheads are being caught; however, the action has slowed. Fish a night crawler on the bottom.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: Shore and boat anglers have been harvesting good numbers of walleye with the additional “jumbo” yellow perch mixed in the catch.

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Fish the wooden docks and watch for bedding fish. Black Crappie – Good: Fish are currently on beds; use a slow presentation such as small jigs. Walleye – Good: Some fish are being caught at early evening through the night.

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Boat anglers are catching good numbers; fish vertically with a jig tipped with wigglers. Dock anglers casting jigs will produce numbers; fish evening hours for the best action. Black Crappie – Good: Look for action of this species in the canals.

NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
A few roads in the park are scheduled for maintenance this year, but the park will remain open during this time. The recreation area is in excellent condition with quite a bit of activity. Black Crappie – Good: Use a small jig tipped with a minnow or small plastic worm. Cast your line out with a bobber. Let it sit for a bit then give your line a tiny tug. Take up the slack and repeat very slowly. Bluegill – Fair: A worm threaded on a hook fished under a bobber should catch bluegills moving in to warmer water.

Lake Hendricks
Fish activity has increased and anglers are beginning to take a few fish home. Live baits are working well for all fish. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have moved in to shallower water in preparation for spawning. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are into post spawn mode. Anglers are catching quite a few 5-6 inch crappies but bigger ones have been more finicky. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are on beds and anglers are having a hard time catching them.

Lake Meyer
Water clarity on Lake Meyer is excellent at 10 to 12 feet. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills are moving in to spawning beds. It’s been difficult to get them to bite. Black Crappie – Slow: Focus efforts on crappies around the submerged habitat. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing in evening with a shallow water crankbait from shore.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
River water clarity is excellent and levels are stable. Water temperatures are in the upper 60’s. Water levels and clarity may change depending on rainfall amounts over the next several days. Walleye – Slow: Try fishing around log jams or current breaks and under rock. White Sucker – Fair: Anglers are still catching a few suckers. A worm on a hook fished off the bottom works best. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Use small crankbaits or a hook tipped with a worm.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
River clarity is excellent and levels are relatively stable. Water temperatures are in the upper 60’s. Conditions could change depending on the track and amount of rain over the next several days. Anglers are catching a nice variety of fish. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use small crankbaits fished off current breaks. Walleye – Good: Crankbaits fished off current breaks work well. Northern Pike – Fair: Pike can be found in brush piles and undercut banks or rock ledges. Channel Catfish – Fair: A hook tipped with a worm fished along a brush pile works well.

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Currently the river is in excellent condition, but this may change depending on where the storms go and how much rain falls. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Use a jig tipped with a minnow. Walleye – Good: Use a jig tipped with a twister tail or minnow. Switch between the two when action slows.

Decorah District Streams
Water clarity is excellent, but may turn off color depending on rain amounts over the next several days. This may spur a feeding frenzy for brown trout. Our angler accesses on private property only allow for fishing. All other activities must be permitted by the landowner.  Brook Trout – Good: Stream conditions are excellent and require a bit more stealth when approaching. Brown Trout – Good: Caddis flies, small mayflies, midges and gnats are becoming more numerous. Dry fly angling has been excellent. Use a #16 or 18 for the pale evening dun hatches. Try a blue wing olive with a gnarly midge dropper. Be prepared to change flies often. Rainbow Trout – Good: All streams are being stocked with trout. Use a hook tipped with a worm, cheese or dough ball.

A chance of scattered thunderstorms is currently forecast throughout the holiday weekend for our area with temperatures remaining on the warm side in the low 80’s during the day to mid-60’s at night. Area lakes and streams are in excellent condition. Please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324 for more information.

Silver Lake (Delaware)
Bluegills have moved into the shallows along the weedy edges of vegetation; catch has been good but some sorting may be required. Bluegill – Good: Cast light jigs near the edges of vegetation or a small piece of worm under a bobber. Black Crappie – Fair: Try casting or vertical fishing small colored jigs near the weed edges.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Anglers have been doing well on largemouth bass and fair on bluegill in Casey Lake. Bluegills have been moving in shallow in preparation for the spring spawn. Bluegill – Fair: Slowly drift and retrieve small 1/32 or 1/16 oz. jigs over the spawning beds. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try casting topwater baits early morning or late evening. Spinner baits or crankbaits have been productive during the daytime hours.

George Wyth Lake
There have been good reports of quality size crappie being taken from George Wyth Lake. Try near the fishing dock or off of the jetties for some good crappie action. Black Crappie – Good: Cast hair jigs or various colored tube jigs near the shallows.

Harold Getty Lake
Catches of both crappie and largemouth bass have been reported as being good on Harold Getty Lake. Black Crappie – Good: Cast hair jigs or various colored tube jigs near the shallows. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try casting crankbaits or spinnerbaits along and near shoreline and structure; mornings and evenings have been the most productive.

South Prairie Lake
Reports have been good for crappie and bluegill on South Prairie Lake, but quality has been on the smaller side. Black Crappie – Good: Cast hair jigs or various colored tube jigs near the shallows and along submerged vegetation. Bluegill – Good: Try casting light jigs near the edges of vegetation or small piece of worm under a bobber.

Plainfield Lake
Plainfield Lake has provided some quality sized bluegills, but anglers have had to work for them. Bluegill – Fair: Present the lightest oz. jig possible allowing it to slowly fall in water column for some great bluegill action.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River has provided some excellent smallmouth bass fishing this past week. Walleye fishing has remained steady with some reports of quality sized fish being caught. Walleye – Good: Casting crankbaits has been hot this past week as water temperatures warm. A jig tipped with half a crawler is a deadly combination this time of year. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Cast & retrieve crankbaits, spinnerbaits or topwater plugs near and along both rocky shorelines or woody debris. Channel Catfish – Good: Cut baits fished on the bottom have been producing some nice catches of channel catfish. Water temperatures still remain too cold for stink baits.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River has provided some excellent smallmouth bass fishing this past week. Walleye fishing has remained steady with some reports of quality sized fish being caught. Walleye – Good: Casting crankbaits has been hot this past week as water temperatures warm. A jig tipped with half a crawler is a deadly combination this time of year. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Cast and retrieve crankbaits, spinnerbaits or topwater plugs near and along both rocky shorelines or woody debris. Northern Pike – Fair: Artificial baits have been successful for pike this past week. Channel Catfish – Good: Cut baits fished on the bottom have been producing some nice catches of channel catfish. Water temperatures still remain too cold for stink baits.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Anglers are catching smallmouth bass and walleye on the Maquoketa River, particularly in Delaware County. Walleye – Fair: Casting crankbaits has been hot this past week as water temperatures warm. A jig tipped with half a crawler is a deadly combination this time of year. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast and retrieve crankbaits, spinnerbaits or topwater plugs near and along both rocky shorelines or woody debris.

Smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and channel catfish continue to provide angler satisfaction on the interior rivers. Reports are really good for both on the Cedar and Shell Rock Rivers in particular. Crappies are staging in the area lakes for the days of sunshine to move into the shallows for their annual spring spawn routine. Trout streams remain in excellent condition in Northeast Iowa. For further information, contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 8.1 feet at Lansing and is expected to remain stable over the next week. The road to the boat ramp at New Albin is open. Water temperature is 66 F. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum continue to bite well on worms on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth fishing slowed a bit in the cool weather, but should pick up as the water warms. Look for fish along backwater structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cut bait or worms on the bottom works best to find feeding cats. Walleye – Slow: Walleye should be moving towards wing dams, but fishing has been slow with so much water. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flathead catfish are getting more active as they prepare for the spawn. Fish deep holes along main channel or side channel closing dams with live bait. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on the spawning beds. Fish backwater area shorelines with small tackle tipped with a worm. Walleye – Fair: Walleye have scattered to wing dams and deep closing dams. Try slow trolling a crawler rig along the wing dams.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 15.9 feet at Lynxville and is expected to stabilize over the next week. Water temperature is 66 F. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum continue to bite well on worms on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth fishing slowed a bit in the cool weather, but should pick up as the water warms. Look for fish along backwater structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cut bait or worms on the bottom work best bets to find feeding cats. Walleye – Slow: Walleye should be moving towards wing dams, but fishing has been slow with so much water. Flathead Catfish – Good: Flathead catfish are getting more active as they prepare for the spawn. Fish deep holes along main channel or side channel closing dams with live bait. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on the spawning beds. Fish backwater area shorelines with small tackle tipped with worm. Walleye – Fair: Walleye have scattered to wing dams and deep closing dams. Try slow trolling a crawler rig along the wing dams.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level has fallen to 7.2 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to remain stable.  Water temperature is at 66 F. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum continue to bite well on worms on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth fishing slowed a bit in the cool weather, but should pick up as the water warms. Look for fish along backwater structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cut bait or worms on the bottom work best to find feeding cats. Walleye – Slow: Walleye should be moving towards wing dams, but fishing has been slow with so much water. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flathead catfish are getting more active as they prepare for the spawn. Fish deep holes along main channel or side channel closing dams with live bait. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on the spawning beds. Fish backwater area shorelines with small tackle tipped with a worm. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes have scattered to wing dams and deep closing dams. Try slow trolling a crawler rig along the wing dams.

The Upper Mississippi River levels have fallen this week and remain steady. Fishing action continues to improve as water levels have stabilized and water temperatures rise. Water temperature is at 66 F and is expected to rise with hotter weather forecasts.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is 6.6 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and 9.2 feet at the RR bridge. These levels are down from last week and water levels are expected to continue to recede. Water temperature in the main channel is 67 degrees which is up from last week.  Northern Pike – Fair: The River has a good population of northern pike. Walleye – Good: The reports on walleye angling in Pool 12 were mixed, but some nice walleyes are being caught. Anglers using crawlers seem to have the best results. Largemouth Bass – Fair: The bass bite seemed to be off the past few weeks, but anglers are starting to again report many small bass along rock piles and in the tailwater rip rap. Freshwater Drum – Good: Lots of freshwater drum can be caught.  Cut out all the red meat when cleaning them and they are a fine eating fish. Throw them immediately on ice if you plan on eating them.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 7.6 feet at Bellevue which is down from last week. Expect water to slowly recede all week. Fishing picked up this week along with the water temperatures. Walleye – Good: Walleyes were reported back on the wing dams.  Most anglers are using a small crawler rig. Largemouth Bass – Good: Spring Lake has been producing some nice sized bass for tournament anglers. Smaller bass are being caught in the upper tailwater reaches. Yellow Perch – Fair: No reports this week, but we have had a great spring with many nice yellow perch being caught. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Loads of freshwater drum are being caught, many from bank anglers. Use large crayfish to catch really large drum. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish angling really picked up this week.  Most anglers are using stink bait in flowing sloughs, especially above log jams. Northern Pike – Fair: Not a lot of pike reported this week, but the populations of pike are excellent and even Green Island is producing some pike.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level was recorded at 7.0 feet at Fulton, 10.9 feet at Camanche and 5.7 feet at LeClaire.  These readings are all down a bit from last week. Water is expected to recede slowly all week.
Freshwater Drum – Excellent: The drum bite is on. Simple sliding sinker and worms fished in current work best. Largemouth Bass – Good: Lots of small bass being taken in the tailwaters, but some larger ones are coming out of bigger backwaters. Females have been reported nesting in the backwater areas. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are back in the report. Few in numbers, but they are nice sized. Channel Catfish – Good: The catfish bite has started. Most anglers are using crawlers when drum fishing but also some stink bait.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is at 7.6 feet at Rock Island, which is down over a foot from last week. Expect water levels to recede further this upcoming week. Water clarity is great right now in Pool 15 and conditions look excellent for angling. 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 – Fair: Many cats are being caught by anglers just fishing night crawlers on the bottom.

The river warmed up this week. Temperatures rose around 8 degrees this week and are in the upper 60’s in the main channel. Water is predicted to recede all week.  Many of the panfish species and bass have started spawning.

SOUTHEAST
Lake Geode
Water temperatures are in the mid-70’s. Start looking for bluegills in the nesting areas. Good numbers of anglers have been out on the lake. Bluegill – Good: Males are in shallow around the beds, but are not defending yet although that may change with the warm weather.

Lake Belva Deer
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are in fairly shallow getting ready for the spawn. You’ll be catching mostly males. Females are in deeper water staging for the spawn. Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers seemed to have one last shot at the spawn last Friday, but since then the crappies have moved back out to deeper water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass fishing remains good; with the curly leaf pondweed beds developing, work those edges and overtop the weed beds.

Lake Darling
Water temperature was 73 degrees on Wednesday afternoon. Water clarity is good; can easily see a lot of fish in shallow. Black Crappie – Fair: Most of the nicer sized crappies are out deeper around the rock piles and other habitat in 10-12 feet of water. Lots of smaller ones are in shallow. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills remain in fairly close to shore. The nicer ones are a little over 8 inches. Use small jigs tipped with a piece of worm. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are in shallow feeding on the little crappies that haven’t moved back out deep yet.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
River levels have stabilized, at least until we get some of those rains predicted. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are picking up some nice channel catfish on the bank poles. Haven’t heard of any big flatheads yet.

Big Hollow Lake
Water clarity is good. The duckweed is back, but anglers can work around it without too much trouble. Water temperature has climbed to the low 70’s. Bluegill – Good: Male bluegills are in shallow staging for the spawn. Worm and bobber will catch them. Try the gravel flats around the jetties. Largemouth Bass – Good: Males are in shallow water.

Deep Lakes
Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass fishing is picking up with the return to warm weather; the rain seems to be holding off. Bluegill – Good: With the clear water, look for the bedding areas that the male bluegills are setting up. While they’re not actively guarding nets yet, they still don’t want to abandon their territories.

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

Hannen Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish around brush piles. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are moving to shallow pockets to spawn. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

Rodgers Park Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Some nice sized fish are being caught. Redear Sunfish – Fair: Some 9-10 inch fish are being picked up in the shallows.

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
There is quite a bit of weed growth around the shoreline of the entire lake. Bluegill – Fair: There are nice sized fish on beds up shallow if you can find holes in the weeds. Black Crappie – Fair: Try drifting the basin for suspended fish or target off shore brush piles. Many fish are around 11 inches. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Many fish are tucked in the weeds and some are on beds.

Lake Macbride
Black Crappie – Fair: Most fish are done spawning and are pulling off the bank. Many fish are 9-10 inches. Walleye – Fair: Anglers trolling spinner rigs and crankbaits are having some success. Most fish are 13-18 inches. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for fish around shallow rock and wood. The bass should be getting ready to spawn, if they haven’t already.

Central Park Lake
Bluegill – Good: Some nice bluegills are being caught on small jigs or worms. Look for them shallow on warm days.

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is 9′ low due to the upcoming lake restoration project. The main 4 lane ramps have been extended with rock to allow smaller boats to still get in. The farthest east ramp is the deepest, but caution still should be used. 4×4 vehicles only. Walleye – Fair: Crankbaits have been working well. White Bass – 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 7-8 and 9-11 inch crappies are being caught. Tube jigs have been the most productive. Chartreuse and black work well. Bluegill – Fair: Some 7-8 inch fish are being caught on worms and small jigs.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at summer pool of 683.3′. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try slow trolling cut bait. Catfish will begin moving to shallow rock to spawn in the next couple weeks. White Crappie – Good: Look for fish on shallow rock or brush. Black Crappie – Good: Look for fish on shallow rock or brush.

Sand Lake
You need a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Fair. Black Crappie – Good.

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

Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass have been hitting on spinner baits or crankbaits fished around the cedar tree piles or the shorelines. Try rubber worms or lizards in the same areas. Bluegill – Slow: Try using a chunk of night crawler under a bobber. Keep moving until you find active fish.

Red Haw Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows fished under a bobber. Try different depths until you find active fish. Try areas near underwater structure or around trees in the water. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have been catching bluegills with a chunk of night crawler under a bobber. Try shorelines and areas near structure. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass have been hitting on rubber worms or lizards and spinner baits. Try rocky shorelines and along the dam.

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Use crankbaits or spinner baits around brush piles and other underwater structure. Try also rip-rapped shorelines with rubber worms or crawdad imitating lures. Black Bullhead – Fair: Use night crawlers fished on the bottom. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs or a jig and a minnow. Try different depths until you find active fish.

Lake Keomah
Try crankbaits and spinner baits around the end of the rock jetties and along the shorelines. Use a small jig tipped with a minnow along the shoreline for bluegills and crappies. Try different depths until you find active fish.

Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target shorelines or rock jetties with crankbaits or spinner baits. Try also jig and pig combos. Black Crappie – Fair: Use jigs or jig and minnow combinations. Target areas in the flooded timber or rocky shorelines. Try different colors and different depths until you find active fish. Walleye – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a minnow along the dam or other rip-rapped shorelines. Minnows fished under a bobber can also be productive. Try different depths.

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

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.65. The current surface water temperature is 63 °F. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing has started to pick up in some areas. Target areas along the shoreline with structure as the fish are moving into these areas. Crappies are scattered in deeper water waiting to come shallow to spawn. Try jig and minnows combinations or minnows fished under a slip bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish have been biting on night crawlers and cut bait. Look for areas with water flowing into the lake or windblown shorelines. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing remains slow. Very few anglers have been targeting walleye this spring. Troll or drift night crawlers around underwater islands or submerged points for walleye.

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 not large yet, but with selection a decent bag can be caught. Most fish are not being caught tight to shore. Slowly troll or drift 1/8 ounce jigs tipped with minnows or small white or chartreuse twister tails out from shore in 15-20 feet of water. Crappies are suspended from 5 to 10 feet down.

Beaver Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: There are good size crappie to be caught in Beaver Lake. The better catches are being caught fishing minnows under a bobber in the submerged trees northwest of the boat ramp. Fish 3 to 6 feet deep.

Mariposa Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Good catches of crappies and bluegills are being caught shore fishing off the face of the dam using small panfish jigs tipped with crawlers.

Rock Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Crappie fishing is good. Anglers fishing in 2 to 6 feet of water with jigs tipped with live minnows or minnows under a bobber are doing well. The jetties around the southeast boat ramp are good areas for shore anglers to target first. Another good area during the crappie spawn is along the face of the dam, especially the western half.

Roberts Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Crappie anglers are doing well on Roberts Creek. Crappies have moved shallow into the flooded vegetation and willows and are being caught mostly on live minnow presentations in water 2-4 feet deep.

Big Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: The crappie spawn bite has been slow. Anglers are picking up a few crappies in the back of the small bays near wood using minnows under a bobber. Walleye – Good: Walleye are being caught trolling spinner rigs with minnows in 10-20 feet of water. Areas to try include the perimeter of the East boat ramp bay and the stretch between the marina ramp and beach. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are up shallow right now in Big Creek. Good size fish between 8 and 9 inches are being caught on small jigs tipped with crawlers fished under bobbers in 2 to 4 feet of water.

Hickory Grove Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: A fair to good crappie bite has been going at Hickory Grove. They are being caught near the wood habitat, especially in the bays. Cast bright colored chartreuse panfish jigs or live minnows under a bobber close to treefalls and alongside the shoreline shrubbery that hangs out into the water. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are being caught shallow fishing small jigs tipped with wax worms or small pieces of crawler. Hickory Grove can produce some nice 7 to 8.5 inch bluegills.

Lake Ahquabi
Black Crappie – Fair: Few crappies are being caught shallow. Suspended fish are being picked up drifting or slow trolling 1/16 or 1/8 ounce jigs with twister tails in water 10 feet or deeper. Start out from the west shoreline or out from the face of the dam. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills have moved shallow and can be caught with small jigs tipped with a crawler under a bobber near treefalls on any of the rip-rap banks and in open pockets in the vegetation close to shore in 2-4 feet of water.

Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie – Fair: High water levels are giving anglers a challenge to locate crappies. Start by fishing minnows near any flooded rock and riprap, willows or shoreline vegetation in bays off the main lake and especially the Whitebreast arm. Try drifting or trolling minnows and panfish jigs in these bays. White Bass – Good: Anglers casting jigs with spinners below at the Roberts Creek outlet are doing well on white bass and are also catching the occasional crappie.

Crappie and bluegill fishing is good to excellent in Central Iowa lakes right now. For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake has a good panfish population. Crappies are close to shore spawning. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies can be caught along the dam and around jetties. Fish will average 9 inches. Channel Catfish – Slow: Greenfield is a good lake for spring catfishing. Cast shad sides or cut bait around jetties to catch fish averaging 2 pounds. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are beginning to move close to shore and can be caught on small jigs tipped with a crawler.

Meadow Lake
Meadow Lake has a good bluegill and crappie population. Bluegills have moved up on underwater reefs to spawn. White Crappie – Slow: Meadow has a small population of large white crappie. Try around the jetties and underwater reefs to catch fish up to 14 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish surveys indicate a large year class of black crappie in Meadow. They will average 8.5 inches. Concentrate on rocky shorelines and underwater reefs for spawning fish. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are moving up on the reefs to spawn. Fish will average 8 inches.

Mormon Trail Lake
There is a big year class of 9 inch black crappies in Mormon Trail Lake that is expected to provide good fishing this year. The lake also has a good largemouth bass and catfish population. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish deeper brush piles for post spawn crappies. Fish will average 9 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills will spawn on the south side of the lake. Fish will average 8 inches. Largemouth Bass – No Report: The Lake has a good bass population.

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a good catfish population. Bluegills are close to shore spawning. 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 can still be caught along the dam casting jigs or minnows under a bobber. Fish will average 10 inches. Bluegill – Good: Cast the shoreline to find spawning bluegills. Fish will average 8.5 inches.

Cold Springs Lake
Bluegills are spawning and largemouth bass are being caught around the lake. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are being caught next to the pump house and along the bluff. Fish will average 8 inches. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cold Springs has a good bass population of all sizes. The Lake has an 18 inch length limit on largemouth bass.

Lake Anita
Anglers are catching crappies and bluegills in the east arm of the lake. Bluegills are moving up on the underwater reefs and on the road bed. Black Crappie – Fair: 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 – Good: Cast small jigs tipped with power bait to catch bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Anglers report good catches on the road bed. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass can be caught along vegetation lines all around the lake. Fish are all sizes.

Willow Lake
Bluegills and redears are spawning at Willow. The lake has excellent water clarity. Bluegill – Fair: With such good water clarity, spawning fish are hard to get close to. Find beds and cast from a long distance to catch bluegills averaging 8.5 inches. Redear Sunfish – Fair: Fish with a whole crawler under a bobber to catch redear up to 12 inches.

Viking Lake
Largemouth bass fishing is good at Viking. Crappies can still be caught around the jetties and along the dam. Water clarity is good. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cast shad sides or cut bait on the edge of vegetation. Fish will average 2 pounds. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies can still be caught close to shore. Concentrate around jetties and rocky shorelines to catch crappie averaging 9 inches. Largemouth Bass – Good: Viking has a good bass population. Cast swim baits or plastics along vegetation and around structure to catch fish of all sizes.

Prairie Rose Lake
Anglers report catching spawning bluegills on the underwater reefs and gravel spawning beds placed in the lake. Prairie Rose water clarity is good. Bluegill – Good: Quality size bluegills can be caught on top of underwater reefs and pea gravel spawning beds placed in the lake during the renovation. Tip small black jigs with power bait or a crawler. Largemouth Bass – Good: Prairie Rose has many 10 to 12 inch bass in the lake at this time.

Lake Manawa
Anglers are catching crappies in the canals and on rocky shorelines. Sorting is necessary for larger fish. A few catfish are being caught on the south side of the lake. White Crappie – Fair: Cast jigs or minnows under a bobber close to shore to catch crappies in the canals. Fish will range in size up to 12 inches. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes can be caught drifting crawlers or slow trolling crankbaits on the south side of the lake. Channel Catfish – Slow: Anglers are catching catfish with cut bait.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Heavy spring rains have affected water clarity in many ponds. Always get permission before fishing private ponds. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers reported large catches of crappies using jigs and minnows under a bobber. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning and close to shore in many ponds at this time. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cast shad sides or cut bait in the upper ends of ponds for best success. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are hitting a variety of lures and soft plastics.

Atlantic Quarry Pond 3
White crappies have moved to shore and are spawning close to overhanging willow trees. White Crappie – Good: Cast close to overhanging willow branches to catch 10 to 12 inch white crappie.

This is a good time to get out and fish in the southwest district. Bluegills have moved close to shore and anglers report catching late spawning crappie. 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 with jigs or minnows fished near shallow rocky areas or cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8.5 inches have been caught with jigs fished near the fishing jetties or fish mounds. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes of all sizes have been caught with minnows fished near main lake points or the fish mounds.

Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye – Good: Walleyed up to 20 inches have been caught with jigs and minnows fished along main lake points. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill up to 9 inches have been caught with night crawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles or shallow rock/sandy areas.

Lake of Three Fires
Black Crappie – Fair: Black crappies up to 15 inches have been caught using minnows fished near cedar tree brush piles. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass up to 19 inches have been caught with spinners or jigs fished along rocky shoreline areas and fishing jetties.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass up to 19 inches have been caught with spinners fished near the cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8.5 inches have been caught using night crawlers or jigs tipped with a wax worm fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Three Mile Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies up to 13 inches have been caught with minnows or jigs fished near shallow flooded timber.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills up to 10 inches have been caught using night crawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies up to 12 inches have been caught with minnows fished near cedar tree brush piles or shallow bays. Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch up to 12 inches have been caught using night crawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles or shallow flooded timber. Walleye – Fair: Walleye of all sizes have been caught with night crawlers or leeches fished near the roadbed.

Water temperature in Mount Ayr district lakes is in the mid to upper 60’s. For more information, please contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Try using cut bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Shovelnose sturgeon – Slow: Crawlers fished on the bottom works well.

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Cut bait or crawlers fished on the bottom has been the most effective. Flathead Catfish – Slow: Chubs have been working well. Shovelnose sturgeon – Slow: Use crawlers fished on the bottom.

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish – Slow: Try cut bait or worms fished on the bottom. Blue Catfish – Slow: Use cut bait.

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 21.94 ft. /33,700 cfs./ 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The Missouri has risen 0.89 feet from last week. The Missouri River is a little high and with recent rains will likely stay that way this week. Heavy rains near Sioux City have caused tributary streams to muddy the river downstream.