NORTHWEST

Arrowhead Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Drift or slow troll in 5-10 feet of water near structure. Try also a small jig and wax worm below a bobber. Fish are up to 9.5 inches. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Using worms at night.

Black Hawk Lake
Water level is about 5 inches over the crest of the spillway. Water temperature is 75 degrees. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing is good just about everywhere on the lake. Try Town Bay, around the handicap dock, near the inlet bridge and the outlet. Use a small hook tipped with a worm suspended from a bobber fished about 2 feet deep near shore. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have had some luck fishing the rock piles in the east basin and near Cottonwood Point. Try crankbaits at 5-7 feet deep early in the morning. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers have had luck fishing the north side of Ice House Point. Use grey crankbaits, green plastic worms and spinner baits in drop offs and brush piles in 3-4 feet of water. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Black Hawk Lake. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try stink bait, leeches and worms on the bottom toward evening. Fish are between 17 and 23 inches.

Black Hawk Pits
Black Crappie – Fair: Black crappie are being picked up on minnows fished in areas along shore and in areas with contour and structure 5-10 feet deep. Bluegill – Fair: Drift in deeper areas or fish near shore with a small black jig tipped with bait suspended below a bobber.

Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are picking up some bluegill in 10-15 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics and spinners along weed lines and near structure in 4-10 feet of water. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some perch are being picked up near structure in 10-15 feet of water along the creek channel. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig such as a 1/32nd ounce jig tipped with crawler or power bait in 10-15 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. Walleye – Fair: Try crankbaits fished in the dredge cuts. A few walleye have been picked up from shore with leeches or minnows and a slip bobber fished in the evening. Channel Catfish – Fair: Storm Lake has a good catfish population; use stink bait or cut bait fished off the bottom.

Water temperatures in the Black Hawk District are in the mid 70’s.  Bass and bluegill fishing is fair to good in most area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District Office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Recent surveys have produced some nice sized largemouth near submerged trees on Beeds lake shorelines.

Bluebill Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are biting on chicken liver or worms fished on the bottom.  Some nice bluegills are mixed in as well. Bluegill – Good.

Clear Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Hy-Vee reef, Baptist camp (outside the longleaf pondweed) and sandy areas by MacIntosh have been the more consistent places to find schools of yellows. Lots of 8-9.5 inch fish. Use plastics, cut bait or a small piece of worm. Try also bobbers and minnows on the Ventura jetties at dusk. Walleye – Fair: An occasional keeper walleye is being caught with the yellow bass fisherman. Dock fishing before sunrise in the early morning can be good for walleyes with minnows and bobbers. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers fishing on the bottom will need to fish deeper than 8 feet in most locations to avoid the submergent weeds. Use bobbers in close to a weed edge or shoreline with a piece of cut bait or live bait. Anglers fishing for yellow bass on sand have been picking up some very nice sized catfish. Black Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being near the Hy-Vee reef or in tight to docks in early morning. Largemouth Bass – Good: Small to a few keeper size (15 inches) bass have been caught near the south Ventura Jetty with artificials or bobbers and minnows. Muskellunge – Good: Musky fishing has been decent; this is usually a good month for musky fishing.

Lake Cornelia
Channel Catfish – Fair: A number of nice catfish have come out of the lake this past week. Walleye – Slow. Bluegill – Fair.

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
Little fishing activity has been observed on the lake. Yellow Perch – Good: Fish are being caught along the weed lines; best action is early morning and evening, but perch have been caught throughout the day.

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Good action early morning and evening hours; fish bridge sites for the best action. Try also the south end of the lake; look for rock piles in 15 – 20 feet of water. Bluegill – Good: Fish are being caught on the south end of the lake in 15 feet of water. Rock piles close to aquatic plants will produce the best action. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish early morning and evening for the best action.

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills have moved to deeper water; fish weed lines for the best action.

For more information on the above lakes, call the Spirit Lake Fisheries Station at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Cedar River water levels crested. Clarity is improving. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt for information on water levels. Walleye – Slow: Use a crawler fished near the bottom in the eddies and off channel areas around woody debris. Channel Catfish – Slow: Catfish are hitting crawlers; try also chicken liver.

Decorah District Streams
Many area trout streams are slowly clearing after rain earlier in the week. Many streams sustained some damage to habitat and access points. Stocking continues on a limited basis on Decorah Hatchery streams. The ground in many areas is saturated limiting truck access. For more information, please call the trout stocking number at 563-927-5736. Brown Trout – Fair.  Brook Trout – Slow. Rainbow Trout – Slow.

Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is improving; fish activity is improving as fish are gearing up for winter. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use jigs tipped with a variety of soft plastics.

Lake Meyer
Lake Meyer is open and accessible. Water clarity is improving. Bluegill – Fair: Catch 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: A nightcrawler fished on the bottom just out past shoreline vegetation is finding fish.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized; clarity remains very limited. Lime Springs campground is closed until further notice, but everything else is open. Chimney Rock access is open, but the bridge is closed; access from CR W14 side. Use caution if paddling; there are many submerged logs not visible that could tip a kayak or canoe.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is extremely limited.  Flows remain high. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt for information on water levels. Use caution when paddling on the river under current conditions; there are many submerged hazards and new tree falls on the river.

Volga Lake
Anglers drifting over rock or brush piles will find fish. Shoreline access is excellent with many submerged cedar trees within casting distance. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Good: Use small jigs with flat tailed plastic body. Bluegill – Slow. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stink baits, chicken liver and crawlers. Volga Lake has a nice population of catfish awaiting the patient angler.

Rain from Wednesday caused additional flooding in our area. Many rivers have crested, but are still running high and muddy. Additional rain is forecast for Friday. Rainfall amounts will dictate what streams will be like for the weekend.  Rivers and streams in these counties are currently not fishable. For fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Reports have been slow; some anglers are picking up a few walleye and channel. Walleye – Fair: Cast crankbaits or fishing a jig tipped with a night crawler. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try dead cut bait, nightcrawlers, stink bait or chicken livers near fallen snags.

Lake Delhi
Lake Delhi is at full water capacity and lake level. Walleye – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Maquoketa River remains in excellent shape; it has missed the larger rainfall events. Walleye – Fair: Cast crankbaits or fish a jig tipped with a nightcrawler.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
There are no reports for the Shell Rock river; 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; the river is high and turbid. Walleye – Slow. Smallmouth Bass – Slow

Interior rivers continue to rise in the northeast corner of the state from all the recent rainfall. Angler reports are few due to the higher water levels, but anglers are catching primarily channel catfish and a few walleye. Lake angling reports are improving as some anglers are now picking up panfish in area Black Hawk County lakes. Trout streams remain excellent in the Manchester District. For further information, call the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 10.6 feet at Lansing and is expected to rise  over the next week before leveling off. New Albin army road remains closed. 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 19.3 feet at Lynxville and is expected to rise another two feet before leveling off late next week. 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: Try 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 is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 10 at Guttenberg and will continue to rise  over the next week. The gates at Guttenberg are lowered, but probably will be raised 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 on the rise again this week. Levels are predicted to rise 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 still 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 8.4 feet at Dubuque tailwater and near 10.6 feet at the RR bridge. These levels are down from last week, but water is expected to rise. 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: Cut out all the red meat 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: Channel cats bite well in rising water. Move often if they do not bite. Bluegill – No Report: Good bluegill fishing 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: Expect good fishing for crappies to return this fall.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is near 9.6 feet at Bellevue which is down nearly four feet from last week; expect water to again rise rapidly. The water temperature is around 75 degrees. Lots of debris was floating around this week.  The Bellevue DNR ramp may once again have water on the parking lot. 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. Largemouth Bass – Good: Go way back in large backwater complexes to find cleaner water; this is where the bass will be. Try 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 9.2 feet at Fulton, 12.3 feet at Camanche and 6.9 feet at Le Claire. Water is forecasted to once again rise. Some boat ramps may be out of operation, so plan ahead. The water temperature is near 75 degrees.  Freshwater Drum – Fair: Try a simple sliding sinker and worm fished in current. Worms are the best bait. Channel Catfish – Good: The catfish bite is usually very good this time of year. High water has made all fishing a challenge. Use stink bait once water levels return to near normal flows. Walleye – No Report: Expect good walleye fishing to return to the Mississippi once 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 using frog imitation lures.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is 9.7 feet at Rock Island, which is down significantly from last week but will soon rise again. 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 a 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 are in the mid 70’s throughout the district. Water levels are receding, but the river will be back on the rise with recent rains. Expect at least a three feet rise throughout the week.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 9.68 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities. River stage had been falling the past few days, but is forecasted to rise again with the recent heavy rains. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 8.55 feet at Lock and Dam 16 at Muscatine. River stage had been falling the past few days, but is forecasted to rise once again with the recent heavy rains. We have not received any fishing reports this week for this pool.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 10.45 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage had been falling the past few days, but is forecasted to rise once again. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 7.08 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage had been falling over the past few days, but is forecasted to rise again.  We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week.

River stages had been falling the past few days, but with the recent rains the river is forecasted to rise once again. We have not received much for fishing reports this week. 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
Still a good amount of duckweed on the lake. Bluegill – Fair: Mostly a morning (before 10am) bluegill bite.  Look for them to be down about 6 feet out in the flooded timber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching some very nice bass but it’s mostly an early morning bite.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa dropped a few feet since being at minor flood level last week. Last night’s rains should bring it back up a little, but not close to bank full.

Lake Belva Deer
The water continues to clear, but still has a ways to go. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Catfishing moved into the excellent fishing over the holiday weekend. Bluegill – Excellent: Look for bluegills to be down about 6-8 feet deep. If it starts to cool off again, they should be ready to move shallow. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers, when they could find the schools, were catching some really nice (up to 13-14 inches) crappie in 8 feet of water. Drift for them along the lower end of the lake.

Lake Darling
Water temperature is in the upper 70’s. Water clarity continues to slowly improve; can see down about three feet. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies have moved into shallow water and are more than willing to bite. Most are 9 to 10 inches. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass fishing has picked up over the weekend. They are hanging around the flooded willow trees.

Lake Geode
Water temperature is 80 degree. The lake also has a planktonic algae bloom with all of the rain.  Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegills around the ledges to deeper water along the north side and down by the dam on the south side.

Lost Grove Lake
All boat ramps are open again. Paving is done except for some of the paved trail sections. Dirt work around the paving has been delayed with all the rain; expect 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 had been dropping pretty fast over the last week. Last night’s rains is forecasted to give it about a 1 foot rise before it starts to head back down. Channel Catfish – Fair: Good numbers of anglers were on the river over the holiday weekend.  They were catching catfish on nightcrawlers as well as cut bait.

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. Fishing regulations have been relaxed for Central Lake. There will be 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, but may creep up with the recent and forecasted rains. Channel Catfish – Fair: Drift/troll the channel with cut bait. Black Crappie – Fair: Try jigs or minnows over brush piles. White Crappie – Fair: Use jigs or minnows over brush piles.

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Bluegill – Slow. Black Crappie – Slow. Channel Catfish – Fair.

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 – Slow: Anglers in boats are having success. Bluegill – Slow.

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
Channel Catfish – Good. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Slow.

Lake Macbride
Any sized motor may be operated at no wake speed (5mph) now. Bluegill – Fair: Some fish can be caught around shallow structure. Slightly bigger fish can be caught on the rock reefs. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Some small fish are more willing to bite. Larger fish have been hit and miss. Evening is the best bite by watching for surface activity. Black Crappie – Slow. Walleye – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try around shallow rock and wood with plastics, crankbaits and topwaters or try the offshore rock reefs with crankbaits and plastics. Channel Catfish – Fair. White Bass – Fair: Try crankbaits along windblown points and reefs.

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is down 15′ for the restoration project in process. A lot of dirt work has been done to the lake bed. The boat ramp has been extended with rock and a section of concrete; use extreme caution if attempting to launch a boat as the water just out from the ramp is shallow and may contain some stumps. 4×4 vehicles only. 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 – Good: Use crawlers, livers, cut bait and stink bait. The area towards the north end of the dam has been good.

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: Use rubber worms or crawdad imitations near cover and along the face of the dam. Black Bullhead – Good: Try nightcrawlers on the upper end of the lake on the east side of the gravel road. Bluegill – Fair: Sorting is needed for larger fish with most fish running 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; target 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. Fishing around aquatic vegetation can also be productive.

Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try topwater lures in the mornings. Fish shallow in the morning; move deeper around structure as the day warms. Lake Sugema has a slot limit; all largemouth bass 12-18 inches must be immediately released. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a wax worm fished below a bobber around any aquatic vegetation or structure. Walleye – Slow: Drift nightcrawlers along the face of the dam.

Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Good: Look for tops of the cedar tree piles; use crankbaits or spinner baits. Try also jig and pig around the cedar trees.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.28 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: 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 techniques 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 the best results.

Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try nightcrawlers fished under a bobber; target 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 in these areas. 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. Try jigging spoons or crankbaits.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: The river is on a rise. Small boats will be able to access again. Use stink baits above tree falls and along deep cut banks.

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: Drift or slow troll 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: Use small jigs tipped with crawler over pallet piles in water less than 15 feet deep. Try also 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 retrieving.

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. A good area to begin is 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: Find bass 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: Bluegill up to 8.5 inches are being caught drifting with power bait or crawlers. Black Crappie – Fair: Concentrate around the ends of jetties and submerged trees to find crappie up to 12 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cast cut bait or shrimp to catch fish averaging 2 pounds.

Lake Anita
Anglers are catching bluegills and crappies drifting on the main lake and vertical jigging around cedar tree piles. Bass fishing is also good at this time. Bluegill – Fair: Drift small black jigs tipped with power bait. Fish are 9 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Try over the cedar tree piles 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 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 night crawlers.

Viking Lake
Largemouth bass fishing is good at Viking. Crappies can be caught around the many tree piles in the lake. Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish plastics in tree piles to catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish on wind swept points using cut bait. Fish will average 2 pounds. Black Crappie – Fair: Vertical jig 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
Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using cut bait fished along windblown points.

Lake of Three Fires
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught using jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles and rock reefs. Bluegill – Fair: Catch bluegills up to 8 inches with nightcrawlers fished along the fishing jetties or near cedar tree brush piles.

Lake Icaria
Bluegill – Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with nightcrawlers fished under a bobber along the fishing jetties and along other rocky shoreline areas. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Catch wipers up to 12 inches using minnows fished along main lake points.

Little River Watershed Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches using nightcrawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles and along the fishing jetties. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with finesse plastics or crankbaits fished along main lake points. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes of all sizes have been caught using crankbaits fished along main lake points.

Three Mile Lake
Three-Mile Lake is approximately 11 feet below normal pool.  Dewatering will continue in preparation for the fish renovation planned 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 using crankbaits or tubes fished along the flooded timber. Walleye – Fair: Walleye of all sizes have been caught with twister tails or crankbaits fished along the flooded timber. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with cut bait fished along rocky main lake points.

Water temperature in Mount Ayr district lakes is in the low to mid 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: Try cut bait, stink bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Flathead 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. Blue 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 (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 look good to get out and fish.  The water temperature has warmed up 2 degrees Fahrenheit from last week.