NORTHWEST

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is around 75 degrees. Panfish action has picked up near shore. Walleye – Fair: Walleye action is picking up; anglers are having luck fishing close to shore in Town Bay near the outlet and from the inlet bridge. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish from the East Shore near the outlet off the inlet bridge and from shore in Town Bay; use crawlers and cut bait fished on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use traditional bass lures anywhere along shore. Yellow Perch – Fair: Catch perch from shore along Ice House Point from the fish house in Town Bay and the inlet bridge; use crawlers or small minnows on a jig. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie are biting in Town Bay; anglers are having most luck at the fish house on Ice House Point. Fish are 6-11 inches.

Brushy Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use traditional bass lures and topwater lures along the edges of vegetation. Bluegill – Fair: Catch bluegill near structure using a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler. Yellow Perch – Fair: Find perch along vegetation edges and structure in 5-10 feet of water. Use a small jig with minnow or crawler.

North Twin Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-70s. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use crawlers or cut bait fished on the bottom from shore. Walleye – Fair: Try next to vegetation near shore in 5-8 feet of water.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water temperature is in the mid-70s. Fishing action has picked up. White Bass – Fair: Use crankbaits , crawlers and twisters fished from shore and near the inlet. Walleye – Fair: Pick walleye up in the dredge cuts on the east and west side of the lake. Walleye action closer to shore has picked up; use crankbaits, live bait, and twisters near shore. Evenings and low light may be better. Try the east shore north shore and near the inlet. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try crawlers or cut bait fished on the bottom from shore or rock piles near the islands.

Water temperatures in West Central Iowa are in the mid 70’s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
The water temperature is in the low 70’s. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are having success slip bobber fishing the rock reefs with a jig and minnow. Shore anglers are catching walleyes fishing from lighted docks at night. Yellow Bass – Fair: Drift fish a small jig tipped with a small piece of crawler in 4 to 6 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait fished on the bottom from the windswept shore and areas where water is entering the lake.

Crystal Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast spinnerbaits near downed trees. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish or troll small crappie jigs in 5-9 feet of water.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass – Good: Try topwater baits fished near vegetation.

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

East Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Some fish remain in deeper water; schools of fish have started to migrate to shallower water. Be mobile to find active fish using traditional bluegill baits. Yellow Bass – Good: Action remains good with 8 – 9 inch fish being caught. Find fish in 10 feet of water; move often to find active fish. Channel Catfish – Good: Action has picked up with the cooler water temperature. Use traditional baits fished after dark.

Five Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers report good numbers of fish being caught; sorting is needed. Channel Catfish – Good: Action has picked up; use traditional baits fished after dark.

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – No Report: Recent surveys show good numbers of angler-acceptable size and larger bluegill in the lake.

Lost Island Lake
Walleye – Fair: Report of 14 – 18 inch fish being caught. Yellow Bass – Good: Cast mini-jigs tipped with wigglers in shallow water during the morning and evening. Boat anglers – troll crankbaits to find active fish then anchor and cast small plastics and prepare for plenty of pole-bending action. Channel Catfish – Good: Good numbers of large angler-acceptable size fish continue to be caught. Use cut bait to provide plenty of pole-bending action. Bluegill – Good: Action continues for bluegill, black crappie and yellow perch. Use plastics on light jigs fished in shallow water in the evening.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Yellow Perch – No Report: Recent surveys show good numbers of fish approaching 11 inches. Channel Catfish – No Report: Recent surveys show good numbers of 16 – 23.9 inch fish in the lake.

Spirit Lake
Walleye – Fair: Walleyes action has improved with the drop in water temperatures. Fish the basin; don’t overlook the weed edges. Use crawlers and bottom bouncers or troll crankbaits. Yellow Perch – Good: Good numbers of 8.5 inch fish are being caught. Persistence and patience will be rewarded with larger fish caught.

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Fish the outside weed edges for larger sized bluegill; do not overlook deeper rock piles in 20 – 25 feet of water with aquatic plants.

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels and flows are high after recent rainfall events. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current conditions. Use caution when boating; submersed hazards hazards may have moved. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use worms and cheese or stink baits fished on the river bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits fished on the edge of eddies or drop-offs. Walleye – Slow: Use a jig and twister tail or worm fished in the eddies and slack water. Bluegill – Slow: Try a small hook tipped with piece of worm fished along the shoreline. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappies in side channels and backwaters. Use a hook tipped with a minnow or bladed spinner.

Decorah District Streams
Some streams are muddy and high from recent rain events. Streams with better watersheds should clear quickly. It’s the perfect time to use terrestrial terminal tackle when fly fishing. Grasshoppers, crickets, and ants should turn a trout head. Check the 2019 trout stream stocking calendar  or call the stocking number at 563-927-5736 to find out when your favorite trout stream will be stocked. Brown Trout – Good: Brown trout are feasting on terrestrial insects; try grasshopper or cricket flies. Also try crayfish. Rainbow Trout – Good: A crappie or bluegill set-up works great for trout fishing. Put a piece of cheese or small piece of worm on a hook under a bobber in a good hole and wait. Brook Trout – Good: With dirtier water, try woolly buggers, San Juan worms or other subsurface flies and lures. For clear water, use emerging insects with a scud dropper.

Lake Hendricks
Water temperatures are in the low 70’s. Clarity is poor with an algae bloom limiting visibility. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a hook tipped with a minnow under a bobber. A slow troll might get one to come to a hook. Bluegill – Slow: Find fish on the edge of weed beds. Use a small piece of worm about a foot below a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use topwater lures fished in the edge of weeds. Channel Catfish – Slow: Channel catfish are biting. Use worms or baits. Leave your bait on the bottom until you feel a tug; set the hook.

Lake Meyer
Water temperatures are in the low 70’s. Water clarity is good. The road to the boat ramp and the ramp will be closed September 25 to October 1 for improvements. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small piece of worm under a bobber just above the submersed weeds. Black Crappie – Slow: A bladed spinnerbait just above the vegetation should turn a crappie head. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Fish topwater lures in the evening and morning. Channel Catfish – Slow: Catch nice sized catfish in shallow water near woody structures. Fish during low light conditions with clear water.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels are rising . Water temperatures are in the low 70’s. Flows remain high. Walleye – Slow: Find walleye in deeper pools and brush piles. Use spinnerbaits or a jig tipped with a twister tail. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Use a jig tipped with a twister tail or crawfish crankbait fished near eddies, rocky outcroppings and ledges.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Flows and water levels are high with recent rainfall amounts. Use care when paddling; read the water ahead of you – get out if needed.For more information on current water levels, visit the USGS website. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Use spinnerbaits or a jig tipped with plastic tails fished in the deeper pools and eddies. Walleye – Fair: Fish undercut ledges and brush piles.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are high with recent rainfall. Use caution on the water; high flows and low water levels can cause dangerous conditions for paddlers. Watch for strainers; go around log jams. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Use crawdad crankbaits or jigs tipped with black or white twister tails. Walleye – Fair: Fish the eddies and drop-offs. Jigs tipped with minnows or twister tails work well.

Volga Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 70’s. A green algae bloom is present. Bluegill – Fair: Find fish at depths of 6 feet or less. Use a small piece of worm on a small hook under a bobber. Black Crappie – Fair: Slowly troll through the lake to find suspended fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Run a crank or jerk bait along the edge of rocky or woody structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Find a shallow shoreline littered with woody debris. Use cut bait or worms and wait for a whiskery tug.

Rain likely through the weekend. Temperatures are unseasonably warm and humid. Water clarity is poor on area streams. Fish action slowed with variable stream conditions. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Bluegill – Fair: Find structure or fish from jetties or off of the dam to find bluegill. Cast and retrieve small jigs or use a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead cut baits or stink baits fished after dark.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
There are no reports on the Cedar River this past week. River levels are back on the rise with recent rainfall.

Lake Delhi
Lake Delhi is producing bluegill and largemouth bass. Recent rainfall has caused a rise in river levels; the lake may become turbid. Bluegill – Fair: Find structure or fish from docks to find bluegill. Cast and retrieve small jigs or use a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast and retrieve spinnerbaits, crankbaits or plastics along area docks and shorelines. Black Crappie – Fair: Try colored tube jigs near structure or a crappie minnow under a slip bobber at various depths to find crappie.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
There are no reports for the Maquoketa River. River levels are back on the rise with recent rainfall.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
There are  no reports on the Shell Rock River. River levels are back on the rise with recent rainfall.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
There are no reports for the Wapsipinicon River. River levels are back on the rise with recent rainfall.

Interior river levels rose, some more than others, with the recent rainfall. Lakes in and around Black Hawk county have been hit and miss. Trout streams vary in condition with the recent rainfall; call ahead to check stream conditions. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is up 3 feet from last week to 11.5 feet and is expected to level out next week. Water temperature is 70 degrees. New Albin army road is closed due to high water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass in areas of no or slight current in backwaters with clearer water. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use crankbaits fished on rocky areas along main channel shoreline. Bluegill – Fair: Fish fallen trees in 5-6 feet of water in side channels with slight current. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use crawlers or stink bait fished in side channel current. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are biting. Use worms on the bottom or crayfish to target larger fish. Walleye – Fair: Try crankbaits fished along side-channel areas and rock closing structure. Yellow Perch – No Report: Use crawlers fished just off the bottom in about 6-8 feet of water. Black Crappie – No Report: Try a minnow in the fallen trees in slight current of backwater sloughs.

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville is up four feet from last week at 20.3 feet. Level is expected to reach 21 feet this week. Water temperature is 73 degrees at Lock & Dam 9. Sny Magill ramp is not accessible due to high water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass in areas of no or slight current in backwaters with clearer water. Bluegill – Fair: Fish fallen trees in 5-6 feet of water in side channels with slight current. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use crawlers or stink bait fished in side channel current. Freshwater Drum – Good :Drum are biting. Use worms on the bottom or crayfish to target larger fish. Walleye – Fair: Try crankbaits fished along side-channel areas and rock closing structure. Yellow Perch – No Report: Use crawlers fished just off the bottom in about 6-8 feet of water. Black Crappie – No Report: Use a minnow in the flooded trees in slight current of backwater sloughs. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try crankbaits fished on rocky areas along main channel shoreline.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg is up four feet from last week at 12.1 feet and is expected to reach 12.7 feet before leveling off this week. The Turkey River boat ramp is still closed for flood repair work. Water temperature is near 65 degrees at Lock & Dam 10. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass in areas of no or slight current in backwaters with clearer water. Bluegill – Fair: Fish fallen trees in 5-6 feet of water in side channels with slight current. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use crawlers or stink bait fished in side-channel current. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Drum are biting. Use worms on the bottom or crayfish to target larger fish. Walleye – Fair: Try crankbaits fished along side-channel areas and rock closing structure. Yellow Perch – No Report: Try crawlers fished just off the bottom in about 6-8 feet of water. Black Crappie – No Report: Crappies have moved into side-channels with flooded trees and slight current flows; use a minnow. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try crankbaits fished on rocky areas along main channel shoreline.

Upper Mississippi River levels continue to rise after recent heavy rains. Water clarity is poor. Look for fish in side-channels or backwater lakes. Water temperature is in the lower 70’s.

Mississippi River Pool 12
The water levels is around 11.8 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 13.8 feet at the RR bridge. River levels at Dubuque are expected to rise over the next week. The water temperature has risen to around 70 degrees. Water clarity is poor; a lot of vegetation is floating downriver. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish are on the bite with most anglers using stink bait. High water levels are often good for catfishing. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try to find clearer water in backwater areas to catch largemouths. Walleye – Slow. Black Crappie – Good: Find crappie around downed trees and submerged logs out of the current. Use a small minnow for bait. Bluegill – Slow: Changing water levels and dirty water makes for a poor bluegill bite. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Use a simple egg sinker and worm rig fished in moderate current areas.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 12.4 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam and is rising. The water temperature has risen and is around 70 degrees. Water clarity is poor; a lot of vegetation is floating downriver. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Look for clearer water in the backwater areas. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish along the shorelines with stink bait. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappie around downed trees and submerged logs out of the current. Use a small minnow for bait. Bluegill – Slow: Dirty water makes for poor bluegill fishing. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Use a simple egg sinker and worm rig fished in moderate current areas. Use large crayfish for bait to catch larger freshwater drum. Flathead Catfish – Slow: Use live black bullheads or green sunfish for bait. The best bite is toward the evening hours when flatheads start moving around.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is around 11.8 feet at the Fulton Lock and Dam, 14.2 feet at Camanche and 8.4 feet at LeClair. River levels are expected to rise over the next week. Lots of debris is floating downriver. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try to find clear water in the upper reaches of Cattail Slough or Rock Creek. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish are on the bite with most anglers using stink bait. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappie around downed trees and submerged logs out of the current. Use a small minnow for bait. Bluegill – Slow: Dirty makes for a poor bluegill bite. Freshwater Drum – Good: Use a simple egg sinker and worm rig fished in moderate current areas. Catch larger freshwater drum with large crayfish for bait. Flathead Catfish – Slow: Use live black bullheads or green sunfish for bait. The best bite is toward the evening hours when flatheads become active. Walleye – Slow: Lots of floating debris is limiting fishing for walleyes.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are around 12.7 feet at Rock Island. River levels at Rock Island are expected to rise over the next week. The water temperature has fallen to near 71 degrees. The water clarity is poor. Channel Catfish – Slow: Use stink bait fished along the shorelines in flooded conditions. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Use a simple egg sinker and worm rig fished in moderate current areas. Catch larger freshwater drum with large crayfish for bait.

The Mississippi River has changed rapidly since the last report. Heavy rains caused the river to rise and debris is moving down river. If you have any fishing questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 12.48 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and has risen close to 5 feet since last week. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 15. River level is 13.03 feet at Fairport; flood stage is 14 feet. River stage is forecast to stay fairly steady through the weekend. Fishing has been slow due to the muddy water.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 11.81 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 13.60 feet at Muscatine; flood stage is 16 feet. Tailwater stage has risen close to 5 feet since last week. Fishing has been slow with muddy water. The ramp at Big Timber is closed due to high water.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 12.70 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and has risen close to 6 feet since last week. Flood stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 15 feet. The ramps at Toolsboro are flooded over. Fishing has been slow with high and muddy water conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 8.63 feet at Lock and Dam 18; flood stage is 10 feet. River stage is 13.57 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 527.01 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528 feet. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool.

River stage has risen since last week. Tailwater stages have risen around 4-5 feet since last week due to heavy rains. Water clarity is poor. Main channel water temperature is around 72 degrees. Fishing has been slow with the muddy water. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-70’s. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are picking up nice bluegills in 6 to 8 feet of water in the flooded timber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Work the flooded timber with soft plastics in 6 to 8 feet of water or around the big brush piles near the upper end of the lake.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
Water coming down the Cedar will make the water level in this section of the Iowa River jump about 18 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Might be a little pick up with the bite as the water from the Cedar River makes its way down the Iowa River.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is in the upper 70’s. The lake is still green. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for bass near the deeper water as they wait for fall to arrive. Bluegill – Fair: Not a lot of angler activity this week, but they continue to pick up the bluegills in 10 to 12 foot of water. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try around the mounds near the upper end of the lake where there is some deep rock on the sides.

Lake Darling
The water is green again; need a good rain to flush it out. Hot daytime temperatures have brought the water temperature back up to near 80 degrees. Largemouth Bass – Fair: A few early morning anglers are catching a few nice bass before they go deep for the balance of the day. Bluegill – Fair: The bigger bluegills are still mostly in the deeper water (8-10 feet) around the rock piles and brush piles. A few smaller ones are in shallow. Black Crappie – Fair: Warming water has slowed them back down. Look for crappie in 10 to 12 feet of water around the habitat.

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 70’s. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most bass have moved back out to the edges of the deep water; they are waiting for cool weather and fall to arrive. Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers are picking up a few crappies in 12 to 16 feet of water around the trees. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are catching a few more bluegills this week. The better ones are still be out deep, with the smaller ones venturing into shallow water around the weeds.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The Skunk River is holding steady with a slow drop in water levels, but the big rocks are sticking out. Channel Catfish – Fair: Work the pools just downstream of the rock riffles, slow drifting crawdads or nightcrawlers to catch some nice eating-size catfish. Don’t forget to work the brush piles.

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

Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is 684.2 feet. Channel Catfish – Fair: Slow troll or drift cut bait. White Crappie – Fair: Use minnows or bright jigs over brush piles. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Flip jigs/plastics or shallow running crankbaits along chunk rock.

Diamond Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Try stink bait or chicken livers. Bluegill – Fair: Use worms or small jigs fished in brush. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish brush piles or drift the basin with jigs. Early and late in the day is best.

Hannen Lake
Mornings are best as the water is at its coolest part of the day. Bluegill – Fair:  Use small worms. Channel Catfish – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try spinnerbaits and buzz baits.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.
Bluegill – Slow. Black Crappie – Slow. Channel Catfish – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Slow.

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Reports were good before the recent rains. Walleye – Fair: Try jigging in the deeper holes with the low water conditions.

Lake Macbride
Water temperatures are in the upper 70’s. Any sized motor may now be used at no wake speed (5 mph). Walleye – Slow. Black Crappie – Fair: Try jigging over deeper brush piles. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

Pleasant Creek Lake
The main ramp is still closed for repaving. Channel Catfish – Good: Use shrimp livers or stink bait in 10-14 feet of water; sandy or rocky areas have been best.

Sand Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink bait.

Union Grove Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most fish are around 10 inches.

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

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try rubber worms or spinnerbaits along the rock jetties and the face of the dam. Use topwater lures early and late in the day in the same spots. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead chubs or nightcrawlers in 4-8 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a waxworm. Sorting is needed for larger fish.

Lake Miami
Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler fished around the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Drifting this time of year can also produce some fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use spinnerbaits or rubber worms around the fishing jetties and around the submerged cedar trees. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try nightcrawlers along the shorelines.

Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try rubber worms around openings in the vegetation or spinnerbaits around the jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Black Crappie – Slow: Use jigs tipped with a minnow around the flooded timber and submerged structure. Drifting in open water areas can also produce some fish this time of year. Bluegill – Fair: Try small  jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler in the open areas of the aquatic vegetation and along the outer edges.

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or dead chubs along the shore. Don’t fish too deep, most lakes have stratified. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try rubber worms or spinnerbaits around rock jetties and submerged cedar trees. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs along the shorelines and around the aquatic vegetation. Black Crappie – Fair: Try drifting in open water areas for suspended crappie.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.06 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or nightcrawlers fished along the shorelines or any place with some water flowing into the lake. Black Crappie – Slow: Catch suspended crappie with small crankbaits. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Anglers have been successful trolling crankbaits along rocky shores. Anglers are also vertically jigging over rock piles with some success. Walleye – Slow: Troll baits that imitate gizzard shad or bottom bouncers with a nightcrawler over submerged points or along rocky shores.

Red Haw Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or nightcrawlers along the shorelines. Don’t fish too deep; the lake is stratified. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs with a chunk of nightcrawler fished around the shores and submerged structure. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use rubber worms or spinnerbaits around brush piles and other submerged structure.

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

SOUTHWEST

Big Creek Lake
Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing is slower after the gizzard shad hatch. Use live bait on jigs or troll spinner rigs and shad imitating crankbaits in the upper half of the lake around road beds humps and weed edges in 10 feet of water and less. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift or troll jigs with twister tails or minnows in the West Boat Ramp bay. Shore anglers should fish live minnows near the rock jetties in the evenings.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut baits and dip baits below the Saylorville spillway.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use stink baits or cut baits.