NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Cedar River water levels have stabilized. Clarity is improving. For more information on water levels, go to http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
Decorah District Streams
Conditions have improved greatly from last week and are fishable. Many streams sustained some damage to habitat and access points. Stocking has resumed on Decorah Hatchery streams on a limited basis. The ground in many areas is saturated. For more information, please call the trout stocking number at 563-927-5736. Brown Trout – Good. Brook Trout – Good. Rainbow Trout – Good.
Lake Hendricks
Lake Hendricks campground and boat ramp are open after last week’s high water. Water clarity is improving and fish are more active.
Lake Meyer
Lake Meyer is open and accessible. Water clarity is improving. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching nice sized bluegill on a hook tipped with a small piece of worm under a bobber.
Rudd Lake
Anglers have excellent shore and boat access. Channel Catfish – Good: Use a nightcrawler fished on the bottom just out past shoreline vegetation.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity remains very limited. Lime Springs campground is closed, but everything else is open. Chimney Rock access is open, but the bridge is closed, access from the CR W14 side.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is extremely limited. Flows remain high. Access points and campground accessibility varies at this time. Please call the local city or county conservation board offices for more information.
Volga Lake
Anglers drifting over rock or brush piles will find fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Good: Try small jigs with flat tailed plastic body. Bluegill – Slow. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink baits, chicken liver and crawlers. Volga Lake has a very nice population of catfish awaiting the patient angler.
Flood waters have receded on all rivers and streams and clarity is improving. Rainfall amounts varied from 2 to as much as 8 inches. Rivers and streams in Howard, Winneshiek and Allamakee counties are not fishable nor are they accessible. Another round of showers is forecast for the weekend. For fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Reports have been slow, but some anglers are picking up a few walleye and channel catfish on the Cedar River. Walleye – Fair: Try casting crankbaits or fishing a jig tipped with a night crawler. Channel Catfish – Fair: Concentrate near fallen snags using dead cut bait, night crawlers, stink bait or chicken livers.
Lake Delhi
Lake Delhi is at full water capacity and lake level. Expect heavy boat traffic as we head into the upcoming holiday Labor Day weekend. Walleye – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Maquoketa River remains in excellent shape; it missed the larger rainfall events. The river will sustain high recreational use this coming holiday weekend. Fish early morning or later evening hours to avoid the high use. Walleye – Fair: Try casting crankbaits or fishing a jig tipped with a night crawler.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Shell Rock River is currently at 10.08 feet as of Thursday morning and falling. There are no reports at this time as the river is high and turbid. Walleye – Slow. Smallmouth Bass – Slow.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Wapsipinicon River is currently at 7.73 feet as of Thursday morning and falling. There are no reports at this time as the river is high and turbid. Walleye – Slow. Smallmouth Bass – Slow.
Interior rivers continue to fall in the northeast corner of the state. Angler reports are few due to the higher water levels, but anglers are picking up some walleye and channel catfish. Lake angling reports are slow, but should increase as water temperatures begin falling with the onset of early fall. Trout streams remain excellent in the Manchester District. For further information, contact the Manchester Office at 563-927-3276.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 11.5 feet at Lansing and is expected to drop another foot before leveling off next week. New Albin army road is closed, but may open up later in the week. Water temperature is near 73. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are feeding well on worms bounced on the bottom. Reports of larger drum being caught on minnows. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth fishing is good alongside channel and main channel structure. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink bait or cut bait in shallow stump beds or snags in side channels. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills in side channel snags and main channel structure. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing on wing dams is tough with changing water levels, but should pick up as more normal levels return. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth fishing remains good along rocky shorelines and wing dams at dawn and early evening. Yellow Perch – Fair: A lot of yellow perch are hanging along weed lines in the back waters and slow moving side channels.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 20.1 feet at Lynxville and is expected to fall another two feet before leveling off late next week. Lock and dam gates at Lynxville are raised. Water temperature is near 72 degrees at the lock and dam. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are feeding well on worms bounced on the bottom. Reports of larger drum being caught on minnows. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth fishing is good alongside channel and main channel structure. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink bait or cut bait in shallow stump beds or snags in side channels. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills in side channel snags and main channel structure. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing on wing dams is tough with high water levels, some anglers are trolling side channels to find fish. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth fishing remains good along rocky shorelines and wing dams at dawn and early evening. Yellow Perch – Fair: A lot of yellow perch are hanging along weed lines in the back waters and slow moving side channels.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level has receded to 11.5 feet at Lock and Dam 10 at Guttenberg and will continue to fall over the next week. The gates at Guttenberg have been raised and most likely will remain raised all of next week. Water temperature is 68 degrees at the lock and dam. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are feeding well on worms bounced on the bottom. Reports of larger drum being caught on minnows. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth fishing is good alongside channel and main channel structure. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink bait or cut bait in shallow stump beds or snags in side channels. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills in side channel snags and main channel structure. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing on wing dams is tough with high water levels, some anglers are trolling side channels to find fish. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth fishing remains good along rocky shorelines and wing dams at dawn and early evening. Yellow Perch – Fair: A lot of yellow perch are hanging along weed lines in the back waters and slow moving side channels.
The Upper Mississippi River level is steadily falling this week. Levels are predicted to fall another two feet by late next week. Fishing activity is picking up this week. A little extra effort is required as fish are still scattered. Flood waters are carrying a lot of debris down the channel, but clarity is improving. Water temperature has dropped slightly into the upper 60’s to mid-70’s.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is near 11.8 feet at Dubuque tailwater and near 13.9 feet at the RR bridge. These levels are up from last week, but are expected to recede steadily. Tributaries such as Catfish Creek are very turbid after nearly every rain. Water temperature in the main channel is hovering near 75 degrees. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find clear water. The Frog pattern was working well in the weed beds, but anglers may need to switch tactics as water once again falls. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Good Drum fishing should return, but vegetation was flowing much of the week making fishing for them difficult. Cut out all the red meat when cleaning them and they are a fine eating fish. If you plan on eating drum throw them immediately on ice after catching them and try to avoid freezing them. Channel Catfish – Good: The channel catfish bite continues to be excellent in side channels around snags or rock structures. Move often if they do not bite. Some anglers are reporting a slower bite lately. Bluegill – No Report: Good bluegill angling should return when/if the river returns to normal seasonal water levels. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Smallmouth bass are doing very well in the Mississippi River with numerous year classes present. The combination of rock and current are a must to catch smallmouth bass, which often hold very tight to the rocks. The high water has made angling for them a challenge. Black Crappie – No Report: Expecting good fishing for crappies to return this fall.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is near 13 feet at Bellevue which is up from last week. Expect water levels to recede rapidly. The water temperature is around 75 degrees. Lots of debris was floating around this week. The Bellevue DNR ramp is still temporarily under water, but expect it to get back in operation early next week. Walleye – No Report: We have had three good year classes of walleyes in this reach of the Mississippi River and populations are very good. It has been a difficult year to find them with the River going up and down all the time. Largemouth Bass – Good: Go way back in large backwater complexes to find cleaner water; this is where the bass will be. Fish along the eel grass. Use frog imitation lures or plastics. Freshwater Drum – Good: Loads of freshwater drum are available and good fishing should return. Use large crayfish to catch really large drum. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink bait in flowing sloughs, especially above log jams or along rock piles. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Smallmouth bass are doing very well in the Mississippi River with numerous year classes present. The combination of rock and current are a must to find smallmouth bass. Smallies often hold very tight to the rocks. Stay away from the turbid tributary streams as smallmouths are sight feeders. Black Crappie – No Report: Before the latest water level rise, lots of 11 inch crappies were seen in side channel sloughs. Flathead Catfish – Good: Ditty poles with live bait can be a good way to catch nice flathead catfish from the Mississippi River.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level is near 12.8 feet at Fulton, 15.1 feet at Camanche and 9.0 feet at Le Claire. Water is forecast to recede all week. Some boat ramps may be out of operation, so plan ahead. The water temperature is near 75 degrees. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Once the water recedes a bit more, try a simple sliding sinker and worm fished in current. Channel Catfish – Good: The catfish bite is usually very good this time of year. High water has made all angling a challenge. Use stink bait once the water levels return to near normal flows. Walleye – No Report: Expect good walleye fishing to return to the Mississippi once the water levels return to near normal seasonal flows. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Smallmouth bass are doing very well in the Mississippi River with numerous year classes present. The combination of rock and current are a must to find smallmouth bass, which often hold very tight to the rocks. Flathead Catfish – Good: Ditty poles with live bait can be effective in catching nice flathead catfish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Go deep into the backwaters along vegetation lines with frog imitation lures.
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is 13.9 feet at Rock Island, which is up significantly from last week. Expect water levels to recede. Water temperature is around 75 degrees in the main channel. Pigeon Creek and Crow Creek are turbid after nearly every rain. Some boat ramps may be out of operation, so plan ahead on a trip to Pool 15. Freshwater Drum – No Report: 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 – No Report: Rising water levels usually trigger what has already been a good catfish bite. Lots of varieties of stink bait are being used. Move often if the fish do not bite in 15 minutes. Flathead Catfish – No Report: Ditty poles with live bait can be effective on catching nice flathead catfish this time of year.
Water temperatures have fallen to the mid-70’s throughout the district. Water levels are predicted to fall several feet during the week.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 13.61 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and has started falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Fishing has been slow due to the high and muddy water conditions. Some boat ramps may be hard to access due to the high water. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 13.32 feet at Lock and Dam 16 at Muscatine. Flood stage is 15 feet. The ramps at Big Timber and Kilpeck are closed due to the high water. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 15.27 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Flood stage is 15 feet. The river is forecasted to fall over the weekend. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Toolsboro is closed due to the high water. Hawkeye Dolbee will have water over the parking area.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 10.90 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage is forecasted to fall over the weekend. Some ramps may be closed due to the high water. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week.
Fishing has been slow due to the high and muddy water conditions. Main channel water temperature is around 75 degrees. Water clarity is poor. Some boat ramps are closed due to the high water. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat before going to another waterbody. If you have questions on fishing pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
The boat ramp bay has a lot of duck weed; the amount on the rest of the lake is down because of the flushing from the heavy rains. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching some pretty nice catfish. Start with chicken liver or a stink bait around the rocky. Bluegill – Fair: Not a lot of anglers out, but they have been catching bluegills. Look for them to be down about 6 feet out in the flooded timber.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The river level is at bank full levels and is forecasted to reach minor flooding level before starting to drop again sometime on Saturday.
Lake Belva Deer
Still fairly turbid at the upper end of the lake. The rest of the lake is getting back to decent water clarity. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing remains good; look for them along the face of the dam and at the upper end along the rocky shorelines. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill fishing has slowed with the rains; they should still be out in the deeper water down about 6 to 8 feet.
Lake Darling
The water clarity is starting to improve; it’s been a couple of days since our last rain. Water is still very warm; it cooled off some last night judging by the fog over the lake this morning. Bluegill – Fair: Work the rock piles out in 6 to 8 feet of water.
Lake Odessa
The inlet and outlet gates are closed because of the high river levels. Water levels in Odessa are plenty deep for boating. September Teal season opens on September 3rd. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing remains very good; cut bait or chicken liver are good baits to start with. Black Crappie – Fair: Even with the inlet closed, crappies are up in the inlet channel.
Lost Grove Lake
All boat ramps are open. Paving is done except for some of the paved trail sections. Dirt work around the paving has been delayed because of all the rain; expect to have to dodge some earth moving equipment as the ground dries. The water clarity is back to good after all the rains. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill fishing has slowed. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies have moved in shallow along the vegetation looking for little bluegills and crappies. Most are still on the smaller side (8-10 inches).
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The river level bumped up a little last night from rains a couple of days ago; it is really muddy and moving fairly fast. About 3/4 bank full. Forecasted to start back down later today. Channel Catfish – Fair: Not too many anglers have been out lately due to the hot weather and fairly fast current.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.
Central Park Lake
The lake will be drained this fall for a restoration project. Beginning this weekend, there will be relaxed fishing regulations for Central Lake with no daily bag limit on all fish species and no size limit on bass. The new 7 acre pond located west of the lake has been stocked with adult bass, bluegill and catfish, which were removed from Central Lake. All normal fishing regulations still apply to this pond. Contact the Jones County Conservation Board for additional information. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try soft plastics in green pumpkin or black/blue colors. Bluegill – Fair: Crickets have been producing well. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use crawlers and stink bait.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is at summer pool of 683.4′. The water is still dirty and no fishing reports are available. Channel Catfish – No Report: Drift/troll the channel with cut bait.
Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Bluegill – Slow. Black Crappie – Slow. Channel Catfish – Good.
Hannen Lake
There is quite a bit of vegetation in the lake. Some anglers are having difficulty fishing many areas. Channel Catfish – Good: The east side of the lake has been reported as best, as the vegetation is not as bad. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers in boats are having success.
Lake Macbride
There is a 10 horsepower limit operated at no wake (<5mph) speed in effect through Labor Day. On Tuesday, it will be back to any size motor operated at no wake. Bluegill – Fair: Some fish can be caught around shallow structure. Catch slightly bigger fish on the rock reefs. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Some small fish have been more willing to bite. Larger fish have been hit and miss. Evening has best by watching for surface activity. Black Crappie – Slow. Walleye – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use plastics, crankbaits and topwaters around shallow rock and wood. Try also the offshore rock reefs with crankbaits and plastics. Channel Catfish – Fair.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is close to being down 15′ for the restoration project in process. A lot of dirt work has been done to the lake bed. The boat ramp is very shallow, soft and difficult to use at this time. The contractors will work to get it functional again; use extreme caution at this time if attempting to launch a boat. White Bass – Fair: Look for schools feeding on the surface at sunset. Throw topwaters, small spoons or jigs. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Look for schools feeding on the surface at sunset. Throw topwaters, small spoons or jigs. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use crawlers and stink bait.
Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Bob White Lake
A complete fisheries renovation was completed in September of 2015. Fingerlings were stocked last fall. Fishing will continue to improve as the fish grow.
Corydon Reservoir
Due to an upcoming fisheries renovation, fishing regulations have been relaxed at Corydon Reservoir. Try cut bait or liver for channel catfish.
Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast shorelines in the mornings; fish deeper structure as the temperatures warm. Try rubber worms or crawdad imitations near cover and along the face of the dam. Black Bullhead – Good: Use nightcrawlers fished on the bottom. Most of the action has been on the upper end of the lake east of the gravel road. Bluegill – Fair: Sorting is necessary for larger fish; most fish are about 7 inches. Use small jigs tipped with live bait fished below a bobber.
Lake Keomah
Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with live bait under a bobber in areas with submerged structure and around the fishing jetties. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try crawdad imitations or rubber worms along the shorelines and around the jetties.
Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use topwater lures in the mornings. Fish shallow in the mornings then move deeper around structure as the day warms up. Lake Sugema has a slot limit; all largemouth bass 12-18 inches must be immediately released. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small jig tipped with a wax worm fished below a bobber around any aquatic vegetation or structure. Walleye – Slow: As the water starts to cool, drift nightcrawlers along the face of the dam.
Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast the shorelines with topwaters in the mornings. As that bite slows, look for cedar tree piles and try crankbaits or spinner baits. Try also jig and pig combos around the cedar trees.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.39 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. The current surface water temperature is in the upper 70’s °F. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Walleye – Slow: Fishing remains slow; anglers are still catching walleye, just not as many at each spot. Most of the walleye action has been on crankbaits that mimic gizzard shad. Target submerged points and rock piles. White Bass – Fair: Use crankbaits that resemble gizzard shad. Rathbun also contains hybrid striped bass (wipers); use the same used for white bass. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try nightcrawlers or cut bait. With the recent rains, target areas where water is flowing into the lake. White Crappie – Fair: Crappies are in a suspended summer pattern; troll crankbaits for best results.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try nightcrawlers fished under a bobber in areas with structure and around the jetties. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinner baits along the face of the dam and around the fishing jetties. Try also crawdad imitations such as a jig and pig. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use nightcrawlers or liver fished in 6-8 feet of water.
Take your trash with you so your favorite fishing spot is clean and litter free. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions regarding angling in south central Iowa.
SOUTHWEST
Big Creek Lake
Walleye – Fair: Troll spinner rigs with minnows or crawlers in 5-15 feet of water. Focus on the upper/shallower 1/3rd of the lake. The east arm out from and above the marina has been producing more fish. Flows coming in from the creeks will attract fish to the silt dam notches. Cast shallow diving crankbaits in these areas. White Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching white bass near schools of shad. Use your depth finder to locate the shad; look for larger fish surrounding the school. Use jigging spoons or crankbaits.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: The channel catfish bite is good using stink baits above tree falls and along deep cut banks. The Highway 30 boat ramp is currently the only ramp too shallow to launch boats.
Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: The summer crappie bite is still fair to good at Don Williams. Most fish are 8.5-9.5 inches. Slowly troll or drift 1/8 ounce jigs tipped with minnows or small white or chartreuse twister tails in 15-20 feet of water in the upper half of the lake. Crappies are suspended from 5 to 10 feet down.
Hickory Grove Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: A fair to good crappie bite has been going at Hickory Grove. Drift or slow trolling 1/8 ounce or lighter jigs with twister tails or minnows or 1.5 inch panfish tube jigs. Work the mid-lake area out from the Oriole Ridge Lodge. Bluegill – Good: Try small jigs tipped with crawler over pallet piles in water less than 15 feet deep. Some bluegills can be found between the island the beach and near buoy off the shore from the Plover Bay Shelter. Hickory Grove can produce some nice 7 to 8.5 inch bluegills.
Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass – Fair: The white bass bite has been hit or miss. Troll points and windblown shorelines with chrome, chrome/blue and firetiger spoons and lipless crankbaits. If trolling is producing little results, cast the same lures shallow to the windblown shoreline and retrieve.
Roberts Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are in a suspended summer pattern. Drift or troll small twister tail jigs or tube jigs in the main lake.
Rock Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing is good. Drift or troll in the lower half of the main lake. Use small tube jigs and 1/16 or 1/8 ounce jigs with twister tails or tipped with minnows. Keep your bait in the top 6 feet of water.
Saylorville Reservoir
White Bass – Fair: The white bass bite is hit or miss. The best chances are on the hot days. Cast or troll chrome or chartreuse spoons, lipless crankbaits or square bill crankbaits. Start in the stretch from Sandpiper Beach to the marina bay. Channel Catfish – Good: Drift cut creek chubs above the mile long bridge.
Catfishing is good on Central Iowa rivers. White bass fishing on the reservoirs is fair to good. For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.
Cold Springs Lake
Anglers are catching big channel catfish at Cold Springs. The lake has an 18 inch length limit on largemouth bass. Channel Catfish – Good: Cast cut bait or prepared dip bait in 4 to 6 feet of water to catch catfish up to 10 pounds. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are in the tree piles and stake beds. Cast plastics Texas rigged to catch fish up to 20 inches.
Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake has a good panfish population. Bluegills and crappies can be caught drifting. Bluegill – Fair: Drifting power bait or crawlers to catch bluegills up to 8.5 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Concentrate around the ends of jetties and submerged trees to find crappie up to 12 inches. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are actively feeding. Cast cut bait or shrimp to catch fish averaging 2 pounds.
Lake Anita
Anglers are catching bluegills and crappies drifting on the main lake. Bass fishing is also good at this time. Bluegill – Fair: Drift small black jigs tipped with power bait. Fish are 9 inches. Black Crappie – Good: Catch black crappies over the road beds and underwater reefs. Sorting is necessary for fish over 10 inches. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes are being caught. Cast the shoreline early in the morning; fish deeper around structure as the temperature warms.
Lake Manawa
Anglers are catching large catfish on the south and west side of the lake. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching large catfish on dip bait.
Prairie Rose Lake
Anglers are catching bluegills around underwater reefs and vegetation edges. Prairie Rose water clarity is good. Bluegill – Fair: Drift or slow troll around the underwater reefs to catch bluegill up to 9 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catch 14 to 16 inch channel catfish around the jetties on nightcrawlers.
Viking Lake
Largemouth bass fishing is good at Viking. Crappies can be caught around the underwater reefs and in brush piles. Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish plastics in tree piles to catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching catfish on wind swept points using cut bait. Fish will average 2 pounds. Black Crappie – Fair: Cast 1/32nd ounce jigs tipped with power bait around the many tree piles in the lake. Fish will average 9 inches.
Water temperatures are around 75 degrees in the district. Bass and catfishing is fair to good. Bluegills and crappies can be caught drifting and around brush piles. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587.
Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 19 inches have been caught using soft plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles. Try also topwater lures fished in the early morning. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with nightcrawlers fished under a bobber along the fishing jetties.
Lake Icaria
Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught with nightcrawlers or liver fished along rocky shoreline areas. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegills up to 8 inches using nightcrawlers fished under a bobber along the fishing jetties and along other rocky shoreline areas. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Wipers up to 12 inches have been caught trolling nightcrawler harnesses or with liver fished on the bottom.
Little River Watershed Lake
Bluegill – Good: Catch bluegills up to 8.5 inches with nightcrawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles and along the fishing jetties.
Three Mile Lake
Dewatering is planned to begin August 29th for the fish renovation scheduled for the third week in September. Expect limited access to boat ramps due to the low water. Boaters should use extreme caution for potential hazards such as tree stumps, cedar tree brush piles or underwater reefs that may be at or near the water’s surface.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with crankbaits fished near rocky structure.
Water temperature in Mount Ayr district lakes is in the upper 70’s. For more information, contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
MISSOURI RIVER
Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut bait, stink bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Flathead Catfish – Good: Try live chubs and bluegills fished on trotlines or rod and reel in current breaks near deeper water in the evening or after dark.
Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut bait, stink bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Flathead Catfish – Good: Try live chubs and bluegills fished on trotlines or rod and reel in current breaks near deeper water in the evening or after dark. Blue Catfish – Good: Use live chubs and bluegills fished on trotlines or rod and reel in current breaks near deeper water in the evening or after dark.
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 live chubs and bluegills fished on trotlines or rod and reel in current breaks near deeper water in the evening or after dark. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Try live chubs and bluegills fished on trotlines or rod and reel in current breaks near deeper water in the evening or after dark.
The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 20.26 ft. /27,600 cfs./ 76 degrees Fahrenheit. The Missouri fell 0.02 feet from last week. The Missouri River levels and water conditions are looking good to get out and fish. The water temperature has warmed 2 degrees Fahrenheit from last week.
