NORTHWEST
Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are on beds. Fish these areas (4-10 feet of water) near shore with a small jig tipped with crawler under a bobber. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish areas near shore in 3-8 feet of water with a jig fished under a bobber. Use a small piece of crawler or minnow. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some perch have been picked up in areas near shore with crawlers and minnows. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are being picked up in 10-20 feet of water.
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 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 – Fair: Some crappie have been picked up 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 using crankbaits fished in the dredge cuts and from shore with leeches or crankbaits; the walleye bite near shore has slowed, but a few are being picked up in early morning and around sunset. White Bass – Slow: The white bass bite has been slow lately. A few have been picked up with crawlers and crankbaits. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish from shore with stink bait or cut bait fished off the bottom.
North Twin Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers have picked up crappie near shore using minnows and crawlers fished on a jig under a bobber.
Swan Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegill near shore in areas with 2-5 feet of water. Use 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 10 inches over the crest of the spillway. Water temperature is in the upper 70’s. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up spawning crappie in 2-4 feet of water with small tube jigs (yellow or white) fished 2 feet below a bobber. Some have had success fishing near rocks with no bobber using a medium retrieval speed. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing is good in 1-4 feet of water. Use a small jig tipped with live bait, small piece of crawler or wax worms fished below a bobber. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up some walleye in deeper water near rock piles and dredge cuts in the shore off Ice House Point, the dredge cut out from Denison Beach and the rock piles near Gunshot Hill and in the east basin of the lake. Boat anglers are having the best luck. Try throwing crankbaits and twisters along the weed lines. There is no minimum length limit for walleye at Black Hawk Lake and a daily bag limit of 5 fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Top water and weedless baits work well. Anglers are having luck fishing plastic worms near cover and drop offs. Town Bay and the inlet bridge are popular spots for bass. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Black Hawk Lake. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers have picked up catfish on stink bait, leeches and worms off the bottom. Anglers are having success in Town Bay, especially on either side of the floating dock. Fish are 17-20 inches.
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 caught with a small jig fished under a bobber. Try a small black colored jig tipped with a small piece of crawler or wax worm fished 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 caught with a small jig fished under a bobber. Try a small black colored jig tipped with a small piece of crawler or wax worm fished 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 upper 70’s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District Office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Lake
Water levels in the lake are high, but fishing has been fine. Largemouth Bass – Fair: With the water levels up, there is a lot of shoreline vegetation submerged. Concentrate on these areas with weedless lures. Bluegill – Fair: Fish a worm under a bobber near vegetation. Some sorting is required because there are a lot of smaller fish.
Lower Pine Lake
Some anglers are catching decent sized crappies 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
Channel Catfish – Good: Fish near the rocks with cut bait or worms under a bobber.
Lake Catherine
Largemouth bass and some channel catfish have been caught this past week.
Clear Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Target catfish in the shallows or near the rock reefs. They are close to spawning time when they will move to rocks reefs to find a spawning cavity. Use cut bait on the bottom with a slip sinker or on a float in the shallows. Jig fish with a piece of cut bait or minnow if trying near the rocks. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass are scattered after the spawn, move until you find them. Walleye – Fair: Lots of sublegal walleyes are being caught; slower for the bigger fish. Use a weedless jig or a bobber in the shallows. Fish have been caught close to docks, in the rushes or edges of them and trolling shallow. Wader anglers have been catching a few keepers in the rushes on the north shore or by Baptist camp. Muskellunge – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Target perch inside the rushes on the north shore or near Farmers Beach. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills and pumpkinseeds should be on beds. Look for sand or fine gravel in 1-3 feet of water on the MacIntosh point or Farmers Beach shorelines.
Lake Cornelia Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait, worms or minnows near rocks as they are in their spawning season. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Fair: A few smaller walleyes reported being caught on live bait.
Little Wall Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing has been good in the early mornings and evenings.
Bluebill Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are biting well on the jetty.
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
Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing has slowed, best action has been reported after dark. Largemouth Bass – Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught; best areas are Hales Slough, Anglers Bay and Buffalo Run.
Center Lake
Black Crappie – Excellent: The black crappie bite has slowed but good numbers can be caught. Fish the main basin and search for schools.
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: Fish are currently on beds; fish shallow with small jigs. Black Crappie – Good: Cast small jig lures tipped with bait on the wooden docks. Yellow Perch – Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught. Walleye – Fair: Some angler acceptable fish are being caught on the south end of the lake.
Little Spirit Lake
Walleye – Good: Anglers report some fish action on this lake.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: The walleye bite has slowed but boat anglers have been harvesting nice fish. Best action is early morning and evening.
West Okoboji Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Good bluegill and crappie action reported fishing the deeper wooden docks; best action is during the evening hours.
Five Island Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Excellent channel catfish action was reported this week.
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. Channel Catfish – Good: Good numbers of large channel catfish were caught from the lake last week. Fish after dark.
NORTHEAST
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 – Fair: Cast light jigs near the edges of vegetation or a small piece of worm under a bobber. Black Crappie – Fair: Cast or vertical fish small colored jigs near the weed edges. Northern Pike – Good: Try vertical jigging near the edges of weed lines or cast and retrieve weedless spoons through the curlyleaf pondweed.
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Anglers have been doing excellent on largemouth bass and fair on bluegill in Casey Lake. Bluegills have moved off of the spawning beds so concentrate efforts near structure. Anglers are beginning to target channel catfish on the lake. Bluegill – Fair: Slowly drift and retrieve small 1/32 or 1/16 oz. jigs near submerged structure. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Cast topwater baits early morning or late evening. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try stink baits and cut baits fished on the bottom near the old beach area.
Martens Lake
Martens Lake has been really good for topwater action for largemouth bass during early morning and late evening hours. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast and retrieve topwater frogs near the lily pads.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is currently falling and there are no good reports at this time.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River is currently falling and there are no good reports at this time.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River is currently falling and there are no good reports at this time.
Interior rivers continue to fall after this past week’s rainfall; angling opportunities will be marginal at best for this upcoming weekend. Trout streams should be in good condition. For further information, contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level at Lansing has dropped slightly to 9.7 feet and is expected to stabilize and fall slightly over the next week. Water temperature is in the mid-70’s. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Drum continue to bite well on worms on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth should be moving into spawning areas in the backwaters. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfish are in spawning mode. Float a minnow or a worm on a bobber along rip rap with current. Flathead Catfish – Good: Flathead catfish coming off the spawn are still feeding. Fish deep holes along main channel or side channel closing dams using live bait. Bluegill – Slow: 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 at Lynxville is has risen to 18.5 feet and is expected to remain fairly stable over the next week. Water temperature is in the mid-70’s. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Drum continue to bite well on worms on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth should be moving into spawning areas in the backwaters. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfish are in spawning mode. Float a minnow or a worm on a bobber along rip rap with current. Flathead Catfish – Good: Flathead catfish coming off the spawn are still feeding. Fish deep holes along main channel or side channel closing dams with live bait. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills are on the spawning beds. Fish backwater area shorelines using 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.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level at Guttenberg has risen 10.4 feet and is expected to fall slowly next week. The gates are still up at the lock and dam. Water temperature is in the mid-70’s. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Drum continue to bite well on worms on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth should be moving into spawning areas in the backwaters. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfish are in spawning mode. Float a minnow or a worm on a bobber along rip rap with current. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flathead catfish coming off the spawn are still feeding. Fish deep holes along main channel or side channel closing dams with live bait. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills are on the spawning beds. Fish backwater area shorelines using 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 water clarity is poor and levels have risen slightly after recent heavy rains. Water temperature has risen into the mid-70’s over the past week. Anglers and boaters will have to work around debris and vegetation on the ramps; expect fishing to improve after conditions stabilize.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is 10.5 feet at Dubuque tailwater and 12.4 feet at the RR bridge. These levels are up from last week and water levels are expected to rise a bit more only to fall early next week. Water temperature is 75 degrees in the main channel, which is up slightly from last week. Northern Pike – No Report: The River has a good population of northern pike and they have been biting in numerous locations. Spinners work best. Dirty water makes sight predators hard to catch as fish have difficulty feeding. Walleye – No Report: Walleyes are on the wing dams; anglers using crawlers have the best results. The dirty water makes fishing for walleye difficult. Largemouth Bass – Fair: The bass bite seemed to be off the past few weeks, but bass populations are very good in the River and we expect them to pick up soon. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: 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 after catching them, if you plan on eating drum. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Lots of catfish are being caught off of rock lines and piles. Those bluish looking catfish are NOT blue catfish, rather the male channel cat in spawning colors. Catfish do very well in muddy water; the bit has been very good. Common Carp – Excellent: Bowfishing in the shallow backwaters should be excellent this weekend; the carp are rolling. Bluegill – No Report: Spawning bluegills were being caught out of backwater and marina areas. The water level rise makes it difficult to find nesting fish.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 11.9 feet at Bellevue, up two feet from last week. Expect water to slowly rise and then begin to fall later this week. Runoff has caused the river to turn very turbid. Walleye – No Report: Walleyes were reported back on the wing dams. Most anglers are using a small crawler rig. The dirty water will limit walleye angling for a bit. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Go way back in large backwater complexes to find cleaner water; this is where the bass will be. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Loads of freshwater drum are being caught, many from bank anglers. Use large crayfish to catch really large drum. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Catfish angling really picked up the last few weeks. Most anglers are using stink bait in flowing sloughs, especially above log jams or along rock piles. Northern Pike – Fair: Try the clean waters of Green Island. The Mississippi is too dirty to fish for pike now. Common Carp – Excellent: The time is now to go bowfishing for carp. Green Island and Sabula Lakes should be excellent.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level was recorded at 11.5 feet at Fulton, 14.1 feet at Camanche and 8.4 feet at LeClaire. These readings are all up from last week. Water is expected to rise slowly and then begin to fall later in the week. The water is muddy; the dirty water is negatively affecting what had been decent fishing. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: The drum bite is on. A simple sliding sinker and worms fished in current work best. Channel Catfish – Excellent: The catfish bite is very good. Most anglers are using crawlers but some are using stink bait. The Rock Creek area is a good place to find channel cats. Walleye – No Report: Walleye have been biting on wing dams; leeches are reported as the best bait. Dirty water has curtailed fishing for walleye and all predatory fish.
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is 11.8 feet at Rock Island, up from last week. Expect water levels to slowly rise this upcoming week and then hold steady. Water temperature is around 78 degrees in the main channel. Water is extremely turbid. 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: Many cats are being caught with night crawlers fished on the bottom. This bite should remain decent in the muddy water.
Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70’s throughout the district. Water levels rose during the week with heavy rainfall. Runoff has put a damper on fishing activity. Some ramps may have minor flooding or debris issues, but most are open for business. The DNR ramp is slightly flooded with lots of debris on the ramp area. It will be difficult to launch here this week.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 11.79 feet at Lock and Dam 15 and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 12.5 feet on Friday. Channel Catfish – Fair: Float crawlers or leeched under a bobber along areas with riprap. Try also dip baits fished above snags alongside channels and the main channel. Walleye – Fair: Some walleyes are being caught in Sylvan Slough.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 10.28 feet at Lock and Dam 16 at Muscatine and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 11.4 feet. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish along areas of riprap/rock. Float crawlers or leeches under a bobber along the shore. Also try fishing above snags alongside channels and the main channel with dip baits.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 11.82 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 13.5 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. We have not received any fishing information for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 7.62 feet at Lock and Dam 19 above Burlington and is rising. River level is forecasted to reach 9 feet by the weekend. Flood stage is 10 feet. We have not received any fishing information for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: With the recent heavy rains, river levels are on the rise. Water clarity is fair-poor. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat before going to another waterbody. If you have questions on fishing Pools16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Odessa
The water temperature is in the mid to upper 70’s. Water clarity is a little on the turbid side, but not too bad. Channel Catfish – Good: Lots of nice sized catfish can be found near any of the riprap from Snively on down to the outlet. A nice piece of chicken liver or stink bait could coax them out of the rocks. Bluegill – Good: Sandy shoreline + tree falls = bluegills. Good numbers of 8+ inch bluegills are on the beds at the lower end of Odessa. White Bass – Fair: Some nice white bass are being caught; you just have to locate a school. Look for fish chasing shad out of the water down stream of Sand Run near or after sunset.
Lake Geode
Water temperatures are in the low 80’s. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are moving in and out of the beds. With water temperatures in the 80s, it doesn’t take long for the eggs to hatch and the fry to swim off. Work the edges of the water willow beds that are near deeper water. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for catfish along the face of the dam and around the brush piles.
Lake Belva Deer
Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing is fairly good in the early morning, but slows down after about 10 am. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are hiding around the rock along the shorelines and on the mounds.
Lake Darling
The water temperature has climbed to 84 degrees. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are picking up more bluegills out in a little deeper water around the habitat as the bluegills finish up their spawning activities in shallow water. Black Crappie – Fair: There are plenty of smaller crappies in shallower water feeding on small fry; larger fish have moved to their summer haunts in deeper water. Largemouth Bass – Good: There are still some nice bass working the shallows in the early morning hours and just before dark. Work the rock piles and brush piles in deeper water later morning.
Lost Grove Lake
Bluegill – Good: Most bluegills are in shallow on the beds. With the forecasted continuation of hot weather, if you can’t find them on the beds, look for them to have moved to deeper water in the flooded timber.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
River levels seem to be holding their own right now. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing remains good. Anglers are catching them on a variety of baits from stink baits to minnows. Not hearing too much as far as flatheads.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The river level is still a little higher than normal for this time of year. Expect it to rise a little bit more later this week as the rains from northern Iowa start making their way down the channel. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are hanging around the upper ends of the log jams and the cut banks, especially the males guarding the nests and the young.
Big Hollow Lake
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are being caught in shallow water in the flooded timber as well as around the jetties. Worm and bobber or small jigs tipped with a worm or wax worms work best.
Deep Lakes
Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass fishing remains fairly good although most are smaller fish. A cloudy day with a light evening breeze to put a little ripple on the water helps. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are very easy to see on the beds which mean they can also see you. It’s a good time to break out the old fly rod and poppers.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Hannen Lake
Channel Catfish – Excellent. Bluegill – Good: Some nice sized fish are being caught in the shallows.
Rodgers Park Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Most anglers are catching bluegills on small worms under bobbers. Channel Catfish – Fair: Stinkbait works best.
Lake Macbride
The curlyleaf pondweed (vegetation) is dying off and a big algae bloom is occurring. The water is very green and clarity is less than two feet. The lake has a 10 horsepower maximum at less than 5 mph in effect. Black Crappie – Slow: Look for fish on deeper brush. Walleye – Fair: Anglers trolling spinner rigs and crankbaits are having some success. Most fish are 13-18 inches. Some fish are also caught with a jig/crawler. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for bass around shallow rock and wood. Some fish are on beds while others are done spawning. Channel Catfish – Good: Stink bait or worms work best. Best reports were coming from east of the causeway.
Central Park Lake Bluegill – Good: Some nice bluegills are being caught on small jigs or worms in shallow pockets. Largemouth Bass – Good: Most fish are under the 15 inch limit. Try crankbaits, soft plastics or crawlers. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stinkbait or chicken livers.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is 8′ 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: Crawlers or jig/twisters work best. White Bass – Fair: Jig/twister has been producing fish. Bluegill – Good: Try small worms in shallow pockets for spawning fish. Muskellunge – Fair: Several fish have been caught lately, although most have been unintentional.
Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappie fishing has slowed as the fish have pulled off the bank. Try around brush piles or suspended in open water. Bluegill – Fair: Use worms and small jigs. Look for fish in shallow pockets as they are spawning now. Channel Catfish – Good: Stink bait and chicken livers work best.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at summer pool of 683.4′. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish are moving to shallow rock for the spawn. Pitch jigs or live bait along the rocks. White Crappie – Slow: Try steeper banks or offshore brush. Black Crappie – Slow: Try steeper banks or offshore brush. Walleye – Slow: A few fish are being caught on crankbaits and jigs.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Good: Try rubber lizards or plastic crawdads around the cedar tree piles and along the shoreline. Crankbaits should also be tried in the same areas. The tops of the trees are slightly out of the water making them easy to find. Bluegill – Slow: Use a chunk of night crawler under a bobber. Keep moving until you find active fish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or night crawlers fished along the shorelines with larger rocks as the channel catfish are shallow looking for areas to spawn.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Use a chunk of night crawler fished under a bobber along the shorelines. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass have been hitting on rubber worms or lizards. Try also crankbaits. Target rocky shorelines and along the fishing jetties. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or night crawlers along the shorelines. Look for areas with rocks such as along the dam or around the fishing jetties.
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: Use small jigs or a jig and a minnow. Try different depths until you find active fish. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have been biting on small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler. Sorting is needed for larger fish; most fish are about 7 inches.
Lake Keomah
Try crankbaits and spinner baits around the end of the rock jetties and along the shorelines. Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler for bluegill. Try areas around the aquatic vegetation.
Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Jig and pig combos can be good this time of year. Try crankbaits and spinnerbaits around the rock jetties and shorelines. All 12 -16 inch largemouth bass must be immediately released. Black Crappie – Fair: Use jigs or jig and minnow combinations in 4-8 feet of water. Try different colors and depths until you find active fish. Walleye – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a minnow or night crawler along the dam or other rip-rapped shorelines. Try also minnows fished under a bobber.
Bob White Lake
A complete fisheries renovation was completed in September. Fingerlings were stocked in the fall.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.61. The current surface water temperature is in the upper 70’s. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Black Crappie – Fair: Target areas with structure. Most fish have spawned and have moved out from the shorelines. Try jig and minnows combinations or minnows fished under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are biting on night crawlers and cut bait. Channel catfish are in the shallows spawning, so try areas with big rocks such as the dam or around the bridge at Bridgeview. Walleye – Fair: Troll or drift night crawlers around underwater islands or submerged points. Try also casting jigs in the shallows.
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: The crappie population is strong at Don Williams this year. Most fish are 8-9 inches. They are not being caught close 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 in the upper half of the lake. Crappies are suspended from 5 to 10 feet down.
Rock Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing is good. The crappie spawn is winding down; move out into the main lake and find offshore habitat or drift the main lake with small jigs and minnows.
Roberts Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are moving back off of the shore and post spawn patterns should emerge. Drift small jigs or spinners in the main lake.
Big Creek Lake
Walleye – Good: Walleyes are being caught trolling spinner rigs with minnows in 5-15 feet of water and jigging tipped with crawlers or minnows. Focus on the upper/shallow 1/3rd of the lake. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are shallow right now < 4 feet of water. Good size fish (8 – 9 inch) are being caught on small jigs tipped with crawlers fished under bobbers. Target aquatic vegetation or rip rap; don’t be afraid to cast right next to shore.
Hickory Grove Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: A fair to good crappie bite is 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 10 feet or deeper water. Start out from the west shoreline or out from the face of the dam. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills can be caught near shore 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. Keep moving if you aren’t catching fish.
Ankeny Lake (DMACC)
Bluegill – Good: High numbers of 6-7.5 inch bluegills spawning close to shore right now can provide a good opportunity to introduce young anglers to fishing. Cast small pieces of crawler under a bobber just past the narrow band of vegetation around the edge.
Red Rock Reservoir White Bass – Good: Hot weather will likely kick off a good white bass bite. Troll points and windblown shorelines with spoons and lipless crankbaits. Popular color patterns include chrome, chrome/blue and firetiger. Anglers casting jigs with spinners below the Roberts Creek outlet are doing well on white bass and are also catching the occasional crappie.
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. Bluegills are close to shore spawning. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies can be caught drifting. Fish will average 9 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Greenfield is a good lake for catfishing. Cast shad sides or cut bait around jetties to catch fish averaging 2 pounds. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning and can be caught on small jigs tipped with crawler. Fish are 8 inches.
Meadow Lake
Meadow Lake has good bluegill and crappie populations. 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. 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 good largemouth bass and catfish populations. Black Crappie – Fair: Try 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. Water clarity has improved. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish along the dam. Use cut bait or shrimp. Black Crappie – Fair: A few crappies are being caught drifting and casting cedar tree piles. 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 on the vegetation edges all around the lake. Bluegills are spawning and close to shore. Black Crappie – Good: Cast jigs along vegetation edges and around underwater reefs. There is a large year class of 8 to 9 inch fish at this time. 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: Spawning fish are hard to get close to with such good water clarity. Find beds and cast from a long distance to catch bluegills averaging 8.5 inches. Redear Sunfish – Fair: Use a whole crawler under a bobber to catch redear up to 12 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are being caught late afternoon and after dark on cut bait.
Viking Lake
Largemouth bass fishing is good at Viking. Crappies can be caught around the underwater reefs and in brush piles. 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: Drift or cast to brush piles using jigs tipped with crawler or power bait to catch 8 to 10 inch crappies. 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. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are beginning to pick up 12 to 14 inch channel catfish on night crawlers under a bobber.
Lake Manawa
Anglers are still catching a few crappies. Catfish are picking up on the south and west side of the lake. White Crappie – Slow: Crappies have moved off shore. Cast jigs or minnows under a bobber on the lake side of 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 – Good: Anglers are catching catfish with cut bait and Sonny’s dip bait on the west side of the lake close to shore. Fish will average 2 pounds.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Water clarity has improved in most ponds after heavy rains in May. Always get permission before fishing private ponds. Black Crappie – Fair: 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. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cast shad sides or cut bait in the upper ends of ponds. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are hitting a variety of lures and soft plastics.
This is a good time to get out and fish in the southwest district. Bluegills are spawning and anglers report good bass and catfishing. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587
Lake Icaria
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 8.5 inches have been caught with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles or the fishing jetties. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes of all sizes have been caught using jigs fished near main lake points. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught with night crawlers fished near rocky shoreline areas.
Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye – Fair: Walleye up to 20 inches have been caught trolling night crawler harnesses along main lake points. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill up to 9 inches have been caught with night crawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using night crawlers fished along rocky structure or near the flooded timber.
Lake of Three Fires
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 19 inches have been caught with jigs fished along the weed line. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using night crawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles.
Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 19 inches have been caught with crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along rocky structure or cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills up to 8.5 inches have been caught using night crawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles.
Three Mile Lake
Largemouth Bass – Slow: A few largemouth bass have been caught with crankbaits fished near cedar tree brush piles or the flooded timber.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills up to 10 inches have been caught using night crawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles or along weed lines. Walleye – Fair: Walleye of all sizes have been caught with spinners fished along the roadbed.
Water temperature in Mount Ayr district lakes is in the mid-70’s to low 80’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: Use cut bait, stink bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Shovelnose sturgeon – Slow: Crawlers fished on the bottom work best. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Use live chubs fished in current breaks near deeper water.
Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait, stink bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Try live chubs fished in current breaks near deeper water. Shovelnose sturgeon – Slow: Use crawlers fished on the bottom.
Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait, stink bait or worms fished on the bottom. Blue Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Use live chubs fished in current breaks near deeper water.
The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 22.28 ft. /33,900 cfs./ 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The Missouri has risen 0.68 feet from last week. Missouri River levels and water conditions are looking very good to get out and fish. The water temperature increased by 6 degrees from last week.
