NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is in the mid 50’s. Water level is about 6 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing is good just about everywhere on the lake. Town Bay, around the handicap dock, near the inlet bridge and the outlet are producing fish. Use a small hook tipped with a worm suspended from a bobber fished about 2 feet deep near shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers have had luck fishing the north side of Ice House Point. Fish drop offs and brush piles in 3-4 feet of water. Use crankbaits, plastics and spinner baits. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Black Hawk Lake. Black Crappie – Good: Fish are 8-10 inches. Use live minnows below a bobber or a small tube jig. Try Town Bay, Ice House Point and near the inlet bridge.
Black Hawk Pits
Black Crappie – Fair: Use 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. Use small jigs tipped with bait. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish 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 5-15 feet of water. Fish are being picked up near weed lines and structure.
Nelson Park Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have picked up nice sized bluegills near the dam and along the shoreline with jigs tipped with bait fished below a bobber. Try also drifting jigs along submerged trees and structure. Black Crappie – Good: Use a small jig such as a 1/32nd ounce jig tipped with crawler or power bait fished below a bobber near the dam and along structure and submerged trees near shore.
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: Use crankbaits, leeches or minnows and a slip bobber. Drift in the dredge cuts and fish near shore in morning and evenings to find fish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Storm Lake has a good catfish population; target catfish from shore using stink bait or cut bait fished off the bottom.
Water temperatures in the Black Hawk District are in the mid to low 50’s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Water temperature is around 52 degrees. The fish cleaning station at McIntosh is closed for the season. The bathrooms at Ventura Access and the Ventura Jetties are also closed. The courtesy docks at Main Street, McIntosh and Ventura boat ramps have been removed. The State fishing dock and the courtesy dock at the south shore access are still in but will be removed any day. Yellow Bass – Good: Action has been good at Hy-Vee reef, State Reef, the sandy shoreline near the Ventian Village mouth, McIntosh swim beach, the hump on the little lake out from McIntosh swim beach and the inlet from the Ventura Marsh. Tip a small jig with a minnow or a piece of cut bait and bump it along the bottom. Walleye – Fair: Some walleyes are being caught near the Ventura grade. Use a jig and minnow or cut bait in many of the same areas that yellow bass are biting. Boat anglers may find walleyes near the Hy-Vee reef, the edge of the North Shore Reed bed, the island or Dodges point. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers have caught a few in the Baptist camp area out near 10 contour. Muskellunge – Fair: Musky fishing has been decent; October is usually a good month for musky fishing. Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch are hitting by the grade on 1/16 ounce black leadhead with a piece of cut bait or crawler.
Rice Lake
Fishing has been good; best bite is right at dusk or dawn due to the clear water. Walleye – Good: Anglers have occasionally caught limits of walleyes measuring 14 to 17 inches. Fishing has been best near the deeper water and shoreline off the Park point. Yellow Perch – Good: Anglers are catching 8- 12.5 inch perch on minnows or cut bait.
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
Yellow Perch – Good: Fishing activity has heated up with excellent numbers of fish being caught. Try along the weed lines; best action is early morning and evening, but perch have been caught throughout the day. Walleye – Good: Walleye action picked up this last week. Reports of fish being caught at the north grade; early morning and evening hours produce the best results. Dock and wader anglers are also catching fish; early morning and evening hours are best. Yellow perch anglers fishing the weed lines are also catching walleye. Black Crappie – Good: Reports of bluegill and crappie being caught at the north grade; morning and evening hours produce the best action. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Good numbers of fish have been caught this week in 12 feet of water; fish typical smallmouth bass areas.
Dog Creek (Lake)
Bluegill – Good: Recent survey reflects good numbers of quality sized fish up to 8 inches in the lake.
East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Good action early morning and evening hours; fish bridge sites for the best action. Try also the north end of the lake from the public docks. Bluegill – Good: Fish are being caught on the south end of the lake. As the water cools, look for shallow water rock piles, docks associated with deeper water and aquatic plants for the best action. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish early morning and evening for the best action. Walleye – Good: Report of fish being caught in the lakes basin; troll crank baits or crawlers for the best action. Yellow Perch – Good: Anglers are catching fish off the public docks located on the north end of the lake.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Good: Recent surveys reflect numbers of 1.5 – 3.5 pounds walleye. Black Crappie – Good: Black crappie will provide an upswing for anglers and will sustain the fishery for the next couple of years.
Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Good numbers of yellow bass are being caught from shore. Sorting is necessary; persistence will be rewarded with good numbers of fish harvested. Yellow Perch – Good: Yellow perch have been caught from the lake.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: Use crank baits for the best action. Look for wader fishing to heat up as the water cools; this is the time when trophy size fish are caught from Silver Lake.
Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Yellow Perch – Good: Report of anglers are catching fish from Silver Lake. Walleye – Good: Walleye action has improved with the cooler water temperatures.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are moving inshore as the water cools; fish weed lines and docks for the best action. Yellow Perch – Good: Fish are being caught in 10 feet; use traditional baits 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 are rising. Clarity is poor. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
Decorah District Streams
Trout streams should be fishable by the weekend. It is hunting season; be courteous to other recreational users. All catchable stockings are unannounced through October. All streams continue to be stocked. There have been good hatches of small mayflies and caddis flies midday. Brook Trout – Good: Use flies or lures that look like sculpins or suckers in flood ravaged streams where there is no aquatic vegetation. Brown Trout – Good: Brown Trout are beginning their pre-spawn activities. Anglers should start to see small indentations in the stream bottom called redds. Try not to step in these areas. Rainbow Trout – Good: Find rainbow trout hiding in the upper and lower ends of pools. Dance a meaty looking fly or lure in these areas and wait.
Lake Hendricks
The restrooms are closed and the water has been turned off for the year. Anglers and boaters are welcome. A fishing jetty project will begin soon. Fish are becoming more aggressive as water begins to cool down. Fish when the sun is overhead for best luck. Bluegill – Good: Use a small jig tipped with a wax worm fished under a slip bobber about 2 feet off the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Lake Meyer
The lake is in good condition and anglers are catching fish. The dock will be in through this weekend. Look for fish in the shallow bays in the afternoons and evenings. Bluegill – Good: Tip a small jig with a wax worm then cast out and slowly reel in. Anglers are catching a variety of sizes including some 9 inchers. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels on the Turkey River have gone up about 3 feet and are slowly rising. Clarity is poor. Canoe accesses faired pretty well with the flooding that occurred late August and September. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Use rubber skirted jigs. Black Crappie – No Report: Try fishing along the brushy edges for best luck.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water levels are rising and clarity is poor. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are rising and clarity is poor. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are on the rise and clarity is poor. Walleye – No Report: Anglers bank fishing and floating were having success using a jig tipped with a nightcrawler or plastic twister tail. Fish are starting to move into their winter holes. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Try a jig tipped with a nightcrawler.
Volga Lake
Water clarity is good. Try along the rocky shoreline in the afternoon and evenings. Bluegill – Good. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
After Wednesday night’s rainfall event, many streams are off color and flows are up. Most streams should clear and flows should level off by the weekend. Temperature highs will be in the 50’s during the day to low 40’s at night. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Big Woods Lake
Anglers are reporting catches of largemouth bass and crappie. Black Crappie – Good: Float a crappie minnow under a slip bobber at various depths to locate fish.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River has been producing catches of walleye and smallmouth bass now that the river has receded from recent flooding. Backwater areas with structure have been producing some crappie as well. Walleye – Good: Cast crankbaits or fish a jig twister tipped with a minnow. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits or fish a jig tipped with a nightcrawler. Black Crappie – Good: Try fishing a crappie minnow under a slip bobber near structure or cast and retrieve tube jigs.
Heritage Pond
Heritage Pond located in Dubuque County will be stocked with trout this Saturday, October 29th. In conjunction with this stocking, Dubuque County Conservation Board will host a family event. The forecast for Saturday looks beautiful, bring the entire family. Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River is in good condition. The watershed received a few inches of rainfall Tuesday evening, but should not greatly impact angling. Walleye and smallmouth bass fishing has been good. Walleye – Good: Cast crankbaits or fish a jig/twister tipped with a minnow. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits or fish a jig/twister tipped with a minnow.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River is in excellent condition; walleye fishing has been fantastic. Walleye – Good: Cast crankbaits or fish a jig twister tipped with a minnow. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast artificial crankbaits.
Silver Lake (Delaware)
Anglers are reporting catches of bluegill, largemouth bass and northern pike. Bluegill – Good: Try fishing a piece of worm or night crawler a couple feet under the surface with a bobber or small 1/16 ounce hair jigs. Bluegill here to tend to run in the 6-7 inch size range. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast crankbaits, spinner baits or top water baits. Northern Pike – Fair: Troll or cast spoons along weed edges.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
There have been reports of anglers catching walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike on the Wapsipinicon River in Bremer and Buchanan Counties. Walleye – Good: Cast crankbaits or fish a jig tipped with a nightcrawler. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits or fish a jig tipped with a nightcrawler. Northern Pike – Good: Cast spinner baits near woody structure for these elusive pike.
Interior river levels are in excellent condition. Anglers are reporting good to excellent catches of walleye and smallmouth bass once again on the interior rivers. Recent surveys on the Wapsipinicon River in Buchanan County have found good numbers of quality size northern pike. Heritage Pond in Dubuque will be stocked with trout this coming Saturday, October 29th. Trout streams remain in excellent in the Manchester District. For further information, call the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 10.2 feet at Lansing and is predicted to rise slightly over the next week. A lot of vegetation and debris is still present in the river after multiple high water events. New Albin Ramp has reopened. Black Crappie – Fair: Some anglers are reporting a few crappies this week as the river has returned to its banks. Fish the tree piles in backwater areas using minnows under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth are holding tight up in vegetation beds near overwintering holes. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Lots of current in the river right now makes for great smallmouth fishing. Fish crankbaits along exposed riprap on main channel borders. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing is picking up in backwaters and side sloughs. Fish tight up against tree lines out of the current using crawlers under a bobber.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 19.2 feet at Lynxville with predictions calling for a slight bump in levels. Fish close to shore on the side channels and backwaters as fish begin moving toward overwintering areas. Black Crappie – Fair: Some anglers are reporting a few crappies this week as the river has returned to its banks. Fish the tree piles in backwater areas using minnows under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth are holding tight up in vegetation beds near overwintering holes. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Lots of current in the river right now makes for great smallmouth fishing. Fish crankbaits along exposed riprap on main channel borders. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing is picking up in backwaters and side sloughs. Fish tight up against tree lines out of the current using crawlers under a bobber.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 10.8 feet at Guttenberg and is predicted to rise about a foot this week to 11.6. Fish are returning to regular fall habitats and doing some pre-winter feeding. Main channel temperature at Lock and Dam 10 is 53 F. Black Crappie – Fair: Some anglers are reporting a few crappies this week as the river has returned to its banks. Fish the tree piles in backwater areas using minnows under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth are holding tight up in vegetation beds near overwintering holes. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Lots of current in the river right now makes for great smallmouth fishing. Fish crankbaits along exposed riprap on main channel borders. Sauger – Fair: Lock gates are still out of the water this week making it difficult to fish below the dam. A few sauger are being picked up on main channel borders.
The Upper Mississippi River levels remain high and are expected to bump up this week with recent rains. Water temperatures have fallen into the mid 50’s. There is still a lot of current and debris coming downriver this week making fishing a challenge. Expect flows to return to normal over the next few weeks. Fishing will be more productive in backwaters and side channels away from the strong main channel current.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is near 9.6 feet at Dubuque tailwater and near 11.8 feet at the RR bridge. The water is down from last week and is expected to remain steady. The main channel is near 61 degrees. Fishing has improved and it’s time to enjoy the fall colors while fishing on the Mississippi River. Largemouth Bass – Good: Lots of bass are being reported often by walleye anglers. Try jigs or spinners near shoreline areas and current breaks. Some nice bass were being taken in the wood, generally by those using plastics. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: 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; try to avoid freezing them. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cats can be found right along the shoreline, in one or two foot of water. Try rock lines for best results. Bluegill – Fair: Good bluegill angling should return when/if the river returns to normal seasonal water levels. First reports of people catching bluegills in backwater areas are beginning to filter in. Smallmouth Bass – Good: 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. Lots of nice crappies are present in the Mississippi River. Walleye – Good: Some walleye are being taken by anglers fishing wing dams very close to the bank. A lot of current remains in the Mississippi River which pushes the fish near shore. White Bass – Good: These fish can school up and action can be fast. Use spinners or small crank baits.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is near 10.8 feet at Bellevue, which is a foot lower than last week. The water temperature is around 62 degrees. The Bellevue DNR ramp is once again functional and water levels are expected to stay steady all week. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are being caught in near shore areas in 1 to 5 feet of water. People are often pitching jigs or slow rolling crank baits. Floating vegetation is frustrating many anglers as the bite appears to be good but getting through the floating vegetation is difficult. Largemouth Bass – Good: Many good catches of bass were reported this week. Bass are on the bite often feeding on shad as their primary food item. Use larger silver colored crankbaits; try your best to keep vegetation off your line. 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: Find catfish very close to the shoreline. Try to catch them in one or two feet of water. 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. White Bass – Fair: White bass schools are being reported in the tailwater area at times. Try a spinner or minnow imitation lure.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The level is near 10.3 feet at Fulton, 13.2 feet at Camanche and 7.4 feet at Le Claire. Some boat ramps may have debris and floating vegetation on them making the ramps slick. The water temperature is near 55 degrees. Angling was improving, but water is on the rise and may affect the fishing. Freshwater Drum – Good: Use a simple sliding sinker and worm fished in current. Worms are the best bait. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish are located near shoreline in one to three feet of water. Walleye – Good: Walleye bite is back on or at least water levels are such that anglers can again fish for walleyes. Most are found somewhat near shore on the inside track of the wing dams or rock eddies. 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. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are biting once again. They are still out in the edges of the main channels and side sloughs; fish out of the high current areas. Pockets and eddies give you the best shot at quality bass right now. White Bass – No Report: Expect the white bass and hybrid striped bass catches to improve greatly. Try fishing in the tailwater this fall using minnow imitations such as spinners.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 10.3 feet at Rock Island, which is up slightly from last week. Water will rise again all week. Water temperature is up slightly and is around 55 degrees in the main channel. Lots of floating eel grass reported. Freshwater Drum – Good: Freshwater drum are abundant in Pool 15. Try fishing the eagles landing area or the outside channel south of I 74 with a with worm and egg sinkers. Channel Catfish – Good: 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 or so. Fish close to the shorelines for best success. White Bass – No Report: Seen a lot of nice white bass in a recent survey of Pool 15. Target these fish in near shore current eddies or in the tailwater area.
Water temperatures steadily dropped this week and are near 55 throughout the district. The water levels are still a bit higher than most anglers are accustomed to at this time of year, and will rise again. Some boat ramps still have some debris on them and many also have floating vegetation along the shoreline. This can make ramps slick for walking or when pulling the boats out of the water. Do your best to remove all vegetation from your trailer when exiting the boat ramps to prevent the spread of non-native species.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities is 10.30 feet and rising. River stage is forecasted to reach 11.2 feet early next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. There has been some fishing for walleye, sauger and white bass. Walleye – Fair: Look for walleye in Sylvan Slough by the Arsenal. Troll crankbaits or three-way rigs with stick baits. Try also between the mouth of the Rock River and Sunset Marina. White Bass – Fair: Some white bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough. Troll or cast crankbaits. Some white bass have been caught in Sunset Marina. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters like the Andalusia Island. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows fished around brush piles.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine is 9.02 feet and rising. River stage is forecasted to reach 10.3 feet by early next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. The ramp at Big Timber is currently open. White Crappie – Fair: Look for crappie in the backwaters like Big Timber or Cleveland slough. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows around brush piles.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston is 10.72 feet and rising. River stage is forecasted to reach 12.7 feet next week. The Toolsboro road and landing are closed. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters like Huron Island. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows around brush piles.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington is 6.98 feet and rising. River stage is forecasted to reach 8.6 feet by next week. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwater in the Burlington Island complex. Fish with minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows around brush piles.
River stages are rising again due to recent rains. Main channel water temperature is 54-55 degrees and water clarity is poor. We have not received much for fishing reports this week. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Environmental Discovery Park North Pond
The fall trout release will be this Saturday, October 29th at 10:00 am. 1000 trout will be released with 100 will be tagged for prizes. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Trout fishing will be very good shortly after 10 a.m. on Saturday morning.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is down to 62 to 64 degrees. Water clarity is around 6 feet. Black Crappie – Excellent: Crappies are in shallow with the bluegills. Use white or yellow jigs. Bluegill – Good: Good numbers of fish in the 7-8 inch range. They are up in the shallow water where the sun can warm them up. Largemouth Bass – Good: Some nice sized bass are working the shallows picking up crawdads and YOY bluegills. With the water cooling off, start with a slower presentation such as jigs and soft plastics.
Lake Geode
Water temperature is down to 64 degrees. There is a little bit of an algae bloom going on. Bluegill – Fair: Try the edges on the water willow beds to locate bluegills.
Wilson Lake
The fall trout release will be this Saturday, October 29th with fishing starting at 1:00 p.m. 1,000 trout will be released with 200 of them tagged for prizes. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Around 1:00 p.m. this Saturday will be a very good time to go trout fishing at Wilson Lake.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.
Corydon Reservoir
The fisheries renovation at Corydon Reservoir has been completed. Fish will be restocked.
Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinner baits and rubber worms. Target areas around rocky shorelines and areas with submerged structure. Lake Sugema has a slot limit, so all largemouth bass 12-18 inches must be immediately released. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill fishing has improved with the cooler water temperatures. Try small jigs tipped with a wax worm fished below a bobber around any aquatic vegetation or structure. Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers are starting to catch crappies. Use minnows fished under a bobber or small jigs tipped with live bait. Walleye – Slow: Recent surveys show walleye in the 15-20 inch range. Drift or troll nightcrawlers or minnows along the rip-rapped shorelines and along submerged points.
Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Good: Try spinner baits or rubber worms in areas with submerged structure. Slow down your presentation as the water cools. Areas along the aquatic vegetation and around structure will also hold fish. Black Bullhead – Fair: Use nightcrawlers fished on the bottom in 4-6 feet of water. Most fish are running around 10 inches.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.66 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. The current surface water temperature is in the low 60’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 picking up a few walleye. Crankbaits have been the best baits. Choose baits that mimic gizzard shad. Target submerged points and rock piles. Try also minnows and jigs fished in shallow water. White Crappie – Fair: Try minnows or crappie jigs in areas with submerged structure. White Bass – Fair: Anglers have been catching white bass casting toward shore with jigs. Rathbun contains wipers as well; using the same technique.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait. Cast along the shoreline and keep moving until you find active fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try rubber worms or spinner baits around structure and along the dam.
Take your trash with you so your favorite fishing spot is clean and litter free. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406
