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. 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:Try cut bait, dip baits or crankbaits fished near shore. 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. Target these larger fish near shore with rocky structure using a variety of cut baits and crankbaits.

North Twin Lake
Water temperature is in the low 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)
Water temperatures are in the low 70’s. Water clarity is 3-5 feet. 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: 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. Try a variety of dip baits, cut baits and crankbaits fished near shore.

Water temperatures are in the mid-70’s in the Black Hawk District. 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 low 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 – Slow: 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: Drift fish a minnow or small jig near the dredge cut. Largemouth Bass – Good. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber near the shore.

Lower Pine Lake
Popular fishing spots get 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 – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Good. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try chicken liver or cut bait fished on the bottom near the spillway.

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

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 71 degrees. There is a great panfish bite that is moving further out into deeper water post-spawn. 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 – Good: A good open water bite has started to pick up.

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. A great yellow perch bite has been seen lately. The water temperature is 73 degrees. Bluegill – Good: Schools are starting to move deeper off shore post-spawn. Walleye – Good: A fairly good bite lately can also be seen from shore. Black Bullhead – Fair: Anglers have been successful at the north grade. Yellow Perch – Good: The bite has really picked up; fish are a little deeper than what can be easily fished from shore.

West Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is open. The water temperature is 71 degrees. The panfish bite has been great. Bluegill – Good: Schools are starting to move deeper off shore. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Schools have started to move deeper off shore.

A great Yellow Perch and Bluegill open water bite has been seen lately. Iowa Great Lake water temperatures have warmed up quickly and are a little warmer than 70 degrees. This week’s extended forecast calls for temperatures ranging from the upper 80’s to low 90’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 as water levels and flows drop. Water levels are high and falling. Clarity is poor. 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 and stinkbaits or dead chub fished on the bottom out of current. Walleye – Slow. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Use a jig tipped with natural colored twister tails and crank or spinnerbaits for bass.

Decorah District Streams
Water clarity is variable depending on stream and watershed. 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 – Slow: 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 – Slow: Gnat hatches are good to excellent. Afternoon hatches of caddis and may flies have been slow. Pheasant tailed nymphs and bead headed midges work well. Use hair jigs or spinners for aggressive fish. Rainbow Trout – Slow: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
Aquatic vegetation is coming on strong. 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: Try a small piece of worm on a hook under a small bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use top water lures or weedless hooks fished along the weed edges.Channel Catfish – Fair: With warmer water temperatures, try cheese or stinkbaits. Nightcrawlers will work.

Lake Meyer
Hit and miss activity. Water clarity is fair. Fish bite better with off-color water. Fish early morning and evening when shadows aren’t cast on the water. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small spinnerbait tossed along a steep depth change. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of worm fished under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: 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 are falling, but are high and muddy. 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 high and muddy. Paddling is not recommended; current remains strong. Water hazards may have moved. Walleye – Slow: 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 high and muddy. Paddling is not recommended; strong current. Water hazards and stream conditions change fast. Walleye – Slow: 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
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 and streams remain high and muddy. 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.

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 – Good: 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.

George Wyth Lake
We received no information about fishing on this waterbody this week.

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

South Prairie Lake
We received no information about fishing on this waterbody this week.

Interior rivers are currently flooding and more rain is expected in the extended forecast. Concentrate on the Black Hawk County area lakes where panfish opportunities exist. George Wyth Park is currently closed. 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 8.7 feet at Lansing is stable this week. Water temperature is 72 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. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes are biting on crankbaits on wingdams and channel border structure. Northern Pike – Excellent: 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 – Excellent: 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 at Lynxville dropped to 617 feet and is expected to fall to 616 feet this week. 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 – Excellent: 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 – Excellent: 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 at Guttenberg has fallen to 9 feet with a continued fall this week. Water temperature is near 70 degrees. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are biting on crankbaits on wingdams and channel border structure. Northern Pike – Excellent: Northern pike bite has picked up with warmer water temperatures. Use lures 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 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 – Excellent: 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 on a gradual fall this week. Water clarity is poor after heavy rains. 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 8.6 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 10.9 feet at the RR bridge.The water temperature is around 73 degrees. The water clarity is good. Northern Pike – Excellent: Flashy spinners in warm sun filled waters might trigger these predators. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are still on the spawning 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: Bass are being taken mostly along vegetation lines, but some are also coming off rock piles. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Some smallies have moved in along the rock piles; use flashy spoons or crankbaits.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 9.9 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam and is stable, but should start to recede later this week. The water temperature is 74 degrees. Boat ramps at Pleasant Creek, Bulgers Hollow and the Iowa DNR boat ramp at Bellevue are available to 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: Use live fish for bait. Lots of trot lines are being set. Walleye – Fair: Wingdam fishing for walleyes is expected to start up if water recedes just a bit.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is 9.6 feet at the Fulton Lock and Dam, 12.5 feet at Camanche and 7.2 feet at LeClaire. Water temperature is 74 degrees. Water clarity is fair. 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: Small bass are being caught in big numbers. 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. Walleye – Fair: Wingdam fishing for walleyes is expected to start up if water recedes just a bit.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is around 10.2 feet at Rock Island and is stable. Expect water levels to recede later in the week. The water temperature is 74 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, but may recede later in the week. Most areas are back to being usable after spring high water. If you have any fishing questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16
River stage is 10.17 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is forecast to reach 10.6 feet by Sunday. Fishing has been slow with the muddy water conditions. Channel Catfish – No Report: Use worms or dip baits around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Bluegill – No Report: Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles in the backwaters. White Bass – No Report: Cast jigs and twister tails in Sylvan Slough or along the Davenport Riverfront.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 9.44 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is forecast to reach 9.8 feet by Sunday. Channel Catfish – No Report: Use worms or dip baits around brush piles and snags in the main channel and side channels. White Bass – No Report: Cast jigs and twister tails down by GPC. Bluegill – No Report: Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles in the backwaters.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 11.86 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. River stage is forecast to reach 12.8 feet by Monday. The gates are out of the water at the dam. Toolsboro ramp is closed due to water over the access road. River stage is 12.07 feet at Keithsburg; flood stage is 14 feet. Channel Catfish – No Report: Use worms or dip baits around brush piles and snags in the main channel and side channels. Bluegill – No Report: Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles in the backwaters.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 8.58 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is forecast to reach 10.1 feet on Sunday. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. River stage is 13.83 feet at Burlington and is forecast to reach 15.1 feet by Monday. Flood stage is 15 feet at Burlington. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week.

River levels have been falling the past few days, but are forecast to rise some over the weekend due to recent rains. Main channel water temperature is around 74 degrees. Water clarity is poor, Fishing has been slow with high and muddy water conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 70’s. 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. Bigger females should be coming out of post-spawn pretty quick. Bluegill – Good: Most bluegills have moved off the beds and are out in 6 to 8 feet of water.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The crest for the Iowa River at Wapello is predicted to be sometime Monday at near the moderate flood level.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperatures in the mid to upper 70’s, especially with the forecast of the return of 90+ degree weather. 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
Heavy rains Sunday into Monday brought the lake back up; the water is muddy. Level has gone back down; the water is starting to clear. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching nice bass on topwater baits early and late in the day. Bluegill – Anglers continue to catch bluegills; a majority of them have moved out to 5 to 7 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Good: Work just out of 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. Water clarity is still good. 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: A majority of the bluegills have moved off into 10-15 feet of water. Try small jigs tipped with waxworms or red wigglers. Some bluegills have finished spawning; find them in the flooded timber out in deeper water.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The Skunk River is back up to near bank full. Weather forecast predicts to will stay there for a while.

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

Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is 697 feet on 6/25 (normal summer pool is 683 feet) and is predicted to keep raising to a crest of 703 feet on 6/28.

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 in the mid-70’s. 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 – Slow: 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. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs or worms in rock islands or rock reefs.

Otter Creek Lake
Docks are in; the bathroom at the ramp is open. The fish cleaning station is open. Bluegill – Good. Yellow Bass – Good. Channel Catfish – Fair: Look for spawning fish near rocky shores.

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. Black Crappie – Slow: Some fish are being caught on tube 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 or look for surface activity in the evening. Muskellunge – Fair: Cloudy or rainy days have had the fish active.

Union Grove Lake
Bathrooms and the fish cleaning station are open. Bluegill – Fair: 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.

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: Use spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the dam and the cedar tree piles. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs with a small chunk of nightcrawler around the fishing jetties.

Lake Sugema
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use nightcrawlers or chicken liver. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the fishing jetties and other rip-rapped areas. Use topwaters early and late in the day.

Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinnerbaits or rubber worms along 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 905.08 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. 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.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish and flathead catfish are being caught. Try live bait, stinkbait and crawlers.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: Try stinkbaits or cut bait fished in or just upstream of tree falls.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift or troll panfish jigs out a little deeper on the edges of the treefalls and over sunken pallets. Most crappies are 8.5 to 10 inches. Bluegill – Good: Catch spawning bluegills shallow fishing small jigs tipped with nightcrawlers under a bobber.

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.