NORTHWEST

Arrowhead Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegill spawning beds near shore in gravel and sandy substrate.  Cast a small jig fished under a bobber near these areas to target the males guarding the nests.

Black Hawk Lake
Yellow Perch – Slow. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish anywhere from shore with rock and structure. Use a small jig tipped with crawler or small minnow fished under a bobber along shore in Town Bay, Ice House Point from the inlet bridge and from the floating pier and fish house in Town Bay. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast traditional bass lures and plastics along shore. You can catch fish anywhere around the lake, but some of the best areas are Ice House point shoreline, inlet bay and bridge area near the outlet, and along Gunshot Hill. Walleye – Slow. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are spawning near rocky shorelines; a variety of baits, including crankbaits, work well. Bluegill – Fair.

Brushy Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small piece of crawler or minnow on a jig fished under a bobber near shore between patches of vegetation in 5-10 feet of water by rocks or woody structure. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Throw traditional bass lures, plastics or weedless lures near submerged structure and along weed lines. Yellow Perch – Slow. Walleye – Slow. Bluegill – Fair.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Brushy Creek Lake has a low-density population of larger channel catfish. You may not catch high numbers, but the fish you catch will likely be large. Channel catfish are spawning; target these large fish near shore with rocky structure. They are aggressive this time of year; try a variety of cut baits and crankbaits.

North Twin Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 70’s. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler or waxworm fished under a small bobber in 3-6 feet of water near shore. If fishing from boat, you may need to move around to stay on top of fish. Yellow bass are 6-10 inches long. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are numerous in North Twin Lake and are spawning. Use cut baits and crankbaits near shore with rocky structure to catch these aggressive fish.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye, and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair: The bite has slowed; use crawlers and minnows on a small jig fished in the marina near the inlet and along the north and east shore of the main lake. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have had luck in the main lake drifting with leeches or crawlers along the dredge cuts and trolling crankbaits. Yellow Perch – Fair: Pick up perch along shore in the marina and north and east shores. White Bass – Fair: The bite has been hit or miss. Anglers are picking up white bass from shore and in the main like while trolling. Use twisters, crawlers or crankbaits in the marina, near the inlet and north and east shores in the main lake. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are abundant in Storm Lake.  They are spawning; try a variety of dip baits, cut baits and crankbaits fished near rocky shores.

Water temperatures are in the upper 70’s in the Black Hawk District. Bluegill are spawning in many area lakes and ponds. Bluegill spawning beds can often be seen near shore in gravel and sandy substrate. Cast a small jig fished under a bobber near these areas to target the males guarding the nests.  For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber near the shore. Black Crappie – Slow. Yellow Bass – Fair.

Clear Lake
The water temperature is in the mid-70’s. Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching walleyes drift fishing a jig and crawler near vegetation. Try slip bobber fishing a leech on the rock reefs. Yellow Bass – Fair: The best bite is at first light. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a piece of cut bait or chicken liver fished on the bottom after sunset.

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Use a minnow or small jig near shore and around vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Good. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber near the shore and around vegetation.

Lower Pine Lake
Popular fishing spots become crowded in the afternoon; arrive early to avoid crowds.  Don’t park along the west side of the highway.  If the boat trailer parking lot is full, try Upper Pine Lake. Bluegill – Good: Shore anglers are catching good numbers of 4 to 7 inch fish. Black Crappie – Good. Largemouth Bass – Good. Channel Catfish – Good: Try chicken liver or cut bait fished on the bottom near the spillway.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass – Good. Bluegill – Good: Cast small jigs or a piece of crawler below a bobber.

Upper Pine Lake
Bluegill – Good: Shore anglers are catching good numbers of 4 to 7 inch fish. Largemouth Bass – Good. Black Crappie – Good.

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

East Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is open. The water temperature is 70 degrees. There is a great panfish bite along the shorelines in the shallows; many fish are bedding, allowing for easy shore and dock fishing. Bluegill – Excellent: Large schools are moving into the shallows to bed and can easily be caught around hoists and docks. Black Crappie – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair.

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Good: Use small jigs tipped with waxworms. Black Crappie – Good: Try small jigs tipped with waxworms. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use rubber worms or other slow moving jigs.

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair. Walleye – Fair.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good.

Spirit Lake
The walleye season is open. The water temperature is 72 degrees. Walleye and panfish bite has been great. Bluegill – Good: Large schools have been found gathering around hoists and docks. Walleye – Good: Evenings have had fairly good bites; daytime bite is picking up. Black Bullhead – Fair: Anglers have been successful at the north grade.

West Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is open. The water temperature is 70 degrees. The panfish bite has been great. Bluegill – Good: Large schools have been found gathering around hoists and docks. Black Crappie – Good. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair:

Iowa Great Lake water temperatures have warmed up quickly and are  around 70 degrees. The bite is picking up with warmer water temperatures. The panfish bite has taken off throughout the chain of lakes; they are nesting in the shallows along the shoreline. This week’s extended forecast calls for temperatures ranging from the upper 70’s to low 80’s. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Repairs to the Nashua dam continue after high water. The river level stabilized with improved water clarity. Continue to use caution; underwater hazards may have moved. Go to the USGS Current Conditions website for more information on water levels. Channel Catfish – Good: Use chicken liver or dead chub fished on the bottom out of current. Walleye – Slow: Try a nightcrawler fished in a worm harness or jig tipped with a minnow. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Use a jig tipped with natural colored twister tails and crank or spinnerbaits for bass.

Decorah District Streams
Water clarity is much improved on all streams. All streams are being stocked. All trout stream stockings are unannounced due to COVID-19 precautions. Hatchery grounds are open to the public, but feeders and other conveniences are temporarily closed. Hatchery visitors must be mindful of one another’s safety and keep at least 6 feet of distance between you and others. Brook Trout – Good: When fishing private property open to angling, leave that property as was or better by picking up trash. Close gates if you opened them; be considerate. Brown Trout – Good: Gnat hatches are good to excellent. Afternoon hatches of caddis and may flies have been slow. Pheasant tailed nymphs and bead headed midges working well. Use hair jigs or spinners for aggressive fish. Rainbow Trout – Excellent:Try a worm or cheese floated through a pool under a bobber. Use an ultra-light pole and reel for fun action. Try small crappie or bluegill jigs.

Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is improving with water temperatures in the 70’s. Early morning and evening bite are best. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappie suspended in deeper water around structure. Use a minnow or small lure drifting over structure. Bluegill – Fair: Gills are spooky, especially in clear water. Use care not to scare them when tossing out your rig. Try a small piece of worm on a hook under a small bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are guarding nests. Use a jig tipped with piece of worm or twister tail. Channel Catfish – Fair: With warmer water temperatures, try cheese or stinkbaits. Nightcrawlers will work.

Lake Meyer
Hit and miss activity. Fish early morning and evening when shadows aren’t cast on the water. Water temperatures are in the 70’s. Water clarity is improving. Black Crappie – Slow. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of worm fished under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are guarding nests. Use a jig tipped with a twister tail or worm fished along the shore. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a nightcrawler fished on the bottom near stumps or other structure. Also try chicken liver or cheese baits.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels have dropped and stabilized. Clarity is improving. Go to the USGS Current Conditions website for more information on water levels. Walleye – Slow: Find fish in deeper holes around brush piles. Toss a jig tipped with a twister tail near a brush pile.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are stabilizing with improved clarity. Use caution when paddling; current remains strong. Water hazards may have moved. Walleye – Fair: Flip a jig with twister tail along a brush pile or rock ledge. White Sucker – Slow: Try a hook tipped with a nightcrawler fished on the bottom.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are stabilizing with improved water clarity. Use care when paddling; strong current. Water hazards and stream conditions change fast. Walleye – Fair: Find walleye along current breaks or around log jams. White Sucker – Slow: Try a hook tipped with a nightcrawler fished on the bottom.

Volga Lake
Lake levels are back to normal. Best bite is early morning or just before dark. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small hook tipped with waxworm or small piece of nightcrawler fished around brush piles and rocky shores. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use a jig tipped with a ringworm or twister tail. Channel Catfish – Good: Try a nightcrawler, cheese bait or chicken livers fished on the bottom. Best catfishing lake around. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a minnow under a bobber along a rocky shoreline or around brush piles.

Area rivers are recovering from last week’s rain. Most remain high, but are stabilizing. Expect a rainy weekend with temperatures in the 80’s for highs and 60’s for lows. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Brinker Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Cast and retrieve colored tube jigs from shore or vertical jig from a boat.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Largemouth Bass – Good: Try topwater baits early morning or late evening. Use buzzbaits or spinnerbaits during the daylight hours. Black Crappie – Fair: Cast and retrieve colored tube jigs from shore or vertical jig from a boat near brush piles. Bluegill – Good: Cast and retrieve small tinsel jigs from shore or use a small piece of worm under a slip bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: The bite is on throughout the day. Try chicken livers, stinkbaits or dead cut baits fished off of the bottom of the lake.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Channel Catfish – Good: The bite is on throughout the day. Try chicken livers, stinkbaits or dead cut baits fished above snags or log jams. Smallmouth Bass – Slow. Walleye – Slow.

Manchester District Streams
Anglers are catching brown trout on area trout streams.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River should provide good angling opportunities this weekend.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River is falling and should provide good angling opportunities this weekend.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River is falling and should provide good angling opportunities this weekend.

Interior rivers are falling and should provide good angling opportunities this weekend. Target channel catfish. There have been few reports on the lakes in and around Black Hawk County. Trout streams are in great condition. Call the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276 for more information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 9.2 feet at Lansing with a steady fall this week. Water temperature is 74 degrees. New Albin Army road is reopened. Hwy 82, Lansing Bridge is closed until July 2. Use caution at ramps during low water. Lansing Village Creek is shallow near the creek mouth. Heytman’s Landing is accessible with shallow drive boats only at this time. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes are biting on crankbaits on wingdams and channel border structure. Northern Pike – Good: Northern pike bite has picked up with warmer water temperatures. Use a lure with steel leaders fished in shallow backwaters. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a small piece of crawler fished just off the bottom near shorelines with slight current. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are in about 10 feet of water. Use a minnow under a bobber in areas with less current in backwaters or side channels. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass will be on pre-spawn bite as temperatures rise. Cast plastics or blade baits in backwater lakes. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try spinnerbaits fished in rock piles at the tip of the islands on main channel borders. Shovelnose sturgeon – Fair: Some shovelnose are being picked up with a crawler fished off the bottom in main channel areas. Flathead Catfish – Good: Expect the flathead bite to improve near spawning and as the water warms up. Use large shiners or a small bluegill for bait. Channel Catfish – Good: Try nightcrawlers or cut bait fished off the bottom in deeper side channel areas. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning. Use light tackle tipped with small piece of worm along the shorelines.

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 19 feet at Lyxnville and is expected to fall to 15 feet. Water temperature is 73 degrees. Sny Magill access is open. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are biting on crankbaits on wingdams and channel border structure. Northern Pike – Fair: Northern pike bite has picked up with warmer water temperatures. Use lures with steel leaders fished in shallow backwaters. Yellow Perch – Excellent: Use a small piece of crawler fished just off the bottom near shorelines with slight current. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are in 8-10 feet of water. Use a minnow under a bobber in areas near current breaks in backwaters and side channels. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass will be on pre-spawn bite as temperatures rise. Cast plastics or blade baits in backwater lakes. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try spinnerbaits fished in rock piles at the tip of the islands on main channel borders. Shovelnose sturgeon – Good: Some shovelnose are being picked up using a crawler fished off the bottom in main channel areas. Flathead Catfish – Good: Expect the flathead bite to improve near spawning and as the water warms up. Use large shiners or a small bluegill for bait. Channel Catfish – Good: Try nightcrawlers or cut bait fished off the bottom in deeper side channel areas.  Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning. Use light tackle tipped with small piece of worm along the shorelines.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 11.2 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to fall to 7 feet this week. Water temperature is near 70 degrees. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are biting on crankbaits on wingdams and channel border structure. Northern Pike – Good: Northern pike bite has picked up with warmer water temperatures. Use lures with steel leaders fished in shallow backwaters. Yellow Perch – Excellent: Use a small piece of crawler fished just off the bottom near shorelines with slight current. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are in about 10 feet of water. Use a minnow under a bobber in areas with less current in backwaters and side channels. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass will be on pre-spawn bite as temperatures rise. Cast plastics or blade baits in backwater lakes. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try spinnerbaits fished in rock piles at the tip of the islands on main channel borders. Shovelnose sturgeon – Fair: Some shovelnose are being picked up with a crawler fished off the bottom in main channel areas. Flathead Catfish – Good: Expect the flathead bite to improve near spawning and as the water warms up. Use large shiners or a small bluegill for bait. Channel Catfish – Good: Try nightcrawlers or cut bait fished off the bottom in deeper side channel areas. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning. Use light tackle tipped with small piece of worm along the shorelines.

Upper Mississippi River levels are expected to fall several feet this week. Fish will be scattered with falling water, but expect them to settle into their regular spots as conditions stabilize. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Mississippi River for Pools 9-12. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches long must be released immediately. Only one walleye greater than 27 inches can be kept. Combined walleye/sauger daily harvest limit of 6 and possession of 12.

Mississippi River Pool 12
The water levels are stable, but will start to recede later this week. The water level is near 10.8 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 12.8 feet at the RR bridge.The water temperature has dropped to around 71 degrees with the cool nights, The water clarity is fair. Northern Pike – Excellent: Flashy spinners in warm sun filled waters might trigger these predators. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on beds. Try a simple bobber and worms. White Crappie – Fair: Crappie are reported around tree falls in backwater areas. Most anglers are using a bobber and small minnow. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Lots of anglers are switching to prepared stinkbaits. Some catfish have started to move along the rock lines to prepare for spawning. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on an egg sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. Largemouth Bass – Good: Male bass are being caught in large numbers, but the larger females remain a little elusive since they are done spawning.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 11.9 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam and is stable. Levels should start to recede later this week. The water temperature has dropped to 72 degrees. Boat ramps at Pleasant Creek, Bulgers Hollow and the Iowa DNR boat ramp at Bellevue are available for use. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Some cats have moved along rock lines. Anglers are switching to prepared stinkbaits. White Crappie – Fair: A few crappie are being picked up in backwater areas near dead falls. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on a sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. Northern Pike – Excellent: Try flashy spinners fished along old weed edges and rock shorelines. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Male bass are being caught in large numbers. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill nests can be seen along shorelines in the backwater areas. Flathead Catfish – Good: Flathead catfish are being caught by walleye anglers jigging in the tailwaters or by anglers who are targeting fish with live fish for bait. Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being reported near locations where the wing dams meet the shorelines. If the water recedes enough, wingdam fishing may start back up.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is 11.2 feet at the Fulton Lock and Dam, 13.8 feet at Camanche and 8.2 feet at LeClaire. Water temperature has fallen to 73 degrees. The water is turbid. The Corps of Engineers boat ramp at Cattail Slough in Fulton, Illinois is open for boaters Walleye – Fair: Angler are finding some walleyes on wing dams near shore with crankbaits. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Anglers are switching to prepared stinkbaits. Look for channel cats to move along the rock lines when spawning gets closer. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on a worm sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. Largemouth Bass – Good: Male bass are being caught in large numbers, but the larger females are a little elusive since they are done spawning. Northern Pike – Good: Use flashy spinners along backwater shorelines or in the tailwaters for this aggressive fish. Flathead Catfish – Good: Try large live bait to catch big flathead catfish. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on the spawning beds. Fish along the weed lines or in pockets of vegetation.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is around 11.6 feet at Rock Island and is stable. The water temperature has fallen to 73 degrees; water clarity is turbid. Freshwater Drum – Good: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on a worm sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel cats are readily biting on cut bait and prepared baits. Flathead Catfish – Good: Try live bait around brush piles or in the tailwater area.
Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Some smallmouth bass may start lurking around the channel rock lines when the river recedes to lower levels.

Water level is stable to falling in most locations. There may be some minor debris on boat ramps after recent floods. If you have any fishing questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-880-8781.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 70’s. Water clarity is good. Duckweed on top of the water will cause some hassles, but not too bad. Largemouth Bass – Good: Early and late in the day bite are best. Work some soft plastics around the big brush piles in 6-8 feet of water. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegill fishing was good over the weekend with lots of nice fish out in 3 to 4 feet of water on the spawning beds.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa River at Wapello is still running at bank full level.

Lake Belva Deer
The lake has settled back down after last week’s heavy rains. Water temperature is in the mid to upper 70’s. Largemouth Bass – Good: Work the flooded timber and around the mounds at the upper end of the lake. Bluegill – Good: Work the edges of the weed beds.

Lake Darling
Water level is still a little high, but water clarity is back to about 3-4 feet. Water temperature had cooled to 77 degrees on Wednesday morning (6/17). Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers are catching nice bass on topwater baits early and late in the day. Bluegill – Good: The return of better water conditions improved bluegill fishing. Channel Catfish – Good: Work just out of the the weirs in the in-lake silt dams to catch nice catfish as they wait for the high water to wash food by them.

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70’s. The aquatic vegetation is thick this year, but should start to die back some with the hot weather. Largemouth Bass – Good: Work the outer edge of the weed beds or use weedless top water baits like scum frogs or moss bosses to get them out of the pockets. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on nests; work the edges of the weed beds and any holes you can find in them. Some bluegills have finished spawning; find them in the flooded timber out in deeper water.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The Skunk River dropped several feet this week; just a little over half bank full now.

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

Central Park Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most fish are 12-13 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Most fish are smaller, up to 7 inches.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is 696.3 feet on 6/18 (normal summer pool is 683 feet) and is predicted to start slowly falling. Water temperatures are in the mid-70’s. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait in the channel or live bait along rock banks for spawning fish. White Crappie – Slow: Try minnows or jigs around brush piles or along steeper rock banks .

Diamond Lake
All facilities are open. Black Crappie – Fair: Most fish are 8-12 feet down in deeper water around brush or suspended in open water. Try small jigs for these 8-9 inch fish. Bluegill – Good: Use small jigs or worms in the shallows as they are spawning. Many fish are 7-8 inches. Channel Catfish -Good: Try stinkbait or crawlers. After rain events has been best.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Water temperature is around 75 degrees. The shoreline is heavily vegetated with aquatic plants. Bluegill – Fair: Look for pockets in the weeds for bedding fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try a weedless frog fished in weed lines or over the weeds. Black Crappie – Fair: Target weed lines or drift open water with jigs. Most fish are 9-11 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish are moving shallower to spawn.

Lake Macbride
Water temperatures are around 75 degrees. The 10 hp outboard maximum limit is in effect. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish are moving back out to summer areas over brush stumps or rock piles. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Look for surface activity towards sunset; try plastics or topwater baits. Walleye – Fair: A lot of small fish are being caught with bigger ones mixed in. Troll crankbaits and live bait rigs in 7-13 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target shallow cover for post-spawn fish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Typical baits are working. Fish will start to move to shallow rock to spawn.

Otter Creek Lake
Docks are in; the bathroom at the ramp is open. The fish cleaning station is open. Bluegill – Good. Yellow Bass – Good.

Pleasant Creek Lake
Walleye – Slow: Use crawlers or plastics fished towards evening. Bluegill – Fair: Some fish are being seen moving shallower. Try small worms or jigs in warmer water areas. Black Crappie – Slow: Some fish are being caught on jigs or minnows in the brush or suspended in the mouths of bays. Keep moving until you find the right area. Fish up to 12 inches are reported. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Target windblown areas. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try chicken livers and stinkbait.

Union Grove Lake
Bathrooms and the fish cleaning station are open. Bluegill – Good:Target shallow bays and brush or pockets in the weeds. Catch fish up to 8 inches. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most fish are smaller. Walleye – Slow: Some 12-14 inch fish are being caught on crankbaits. Channel Catfish – Slow: Use cut bait.

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Bluegill – Fair: Fish are being caught in the backwaters, specifically at Pinicon Ridge.

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

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try areas along the fishing jetties and the face of the dam.
Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs around the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines.

Lake Miami
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target areas along the dam and the cedar tree piles. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs around the fishing jetties.

Lake Sugema
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use nightcrawlers or chicken liver. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try areas along the fishing jetties.

Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target the cedar tree piles and any structure along the shorelines. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try nightcrawlers or chicken liver.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.18 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 waterbody. Walleye – Fair: Troll or drift nightcrawlers around rock piles and submerged structure. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Try vertically jigging around rock piles and underwater islands.

The district includes Appanoose, Davis, Lucas, Mahaska, Monroe, Wapello, Wayne 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 – Fair: Troll live bait rigs or vertical jig with minnows, nightcrawlers, or leeches near points, humps and roadbeds. Target the East Boat ramp bay, the West Boat Ramp bay and the marina to beach area. Bluegill – Good: Cast small jigs or hooks tipped with nightcrawlers under a bobber. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift or troll jigs with twister or paddle tails down 3 to 6 feet in the upper half of the lake. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Cast or troll shad imitating spoons, crankbaits or plastics. There are many 18-21 inch wipers in Big Creek.

Boone District Community Fishing Ponds
Largemouth Bass – Good: Vegetation starts to become abundant in some community fishing ponds this time of year. Try weedless frogs; they rarely get stuck in vegetation. Also try green pumpkin colored weightless worms. Bluegill – Excellent:  Bluegills are being caught on a variety of lures. Try a 1/16 oz black jig tipped with a piece of artificial worm or nightcrawler, 12-16 inches under a bobber. Start near structure like logs or trees as well as the edges of the weeds; move often until you find them. Channel Catfish – Slow: Use chicken livers or stinkbait in ponds and rivers.