NORTHWEST

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the low to mid 80s. Water clarity is 14 inches. Water levels are 12 inches below the crest of the spillway. Panfish have moved to deeper habitat. Try fishing the dredge cuts and the rock piles. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing over the rock piles and from boat in 2-6 feet of water. Anglers have also had success in the fish house in Town Bay. Bluegill – Fair: Pick up 7- to 8-inch bluegill near rock piles and isolated timber near shore. Try floating a bobber with live bait or a jig tipped with a minnow or plastic. Channel Catfish – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try a plastic or crankbait near shallow rock piles and outcroppings. Walleye – Slow: Try fishing offshore near rock piles and dredge cuts.

Brushy Creek Lake
With warmer water temperatures, there is a slight green algae bloom. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish have moved to deeper habitat. Look for suspended fish near isolated brush and rock piles in 5-15 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing around open patches of vegetation along shore in 3-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use a plastic or crankbait in 6-10 feet of water or isolated vegetation and structure along the edge of the channel. Walleye – Slow: Try a jig tipped with a minnow/plastic or crankbaits near isolated rock and brush piles in deeper water. Yellow Perch – Fair: Look for perch near isolated vegetation and shallow brush piles.

North Twin Lake
Water levels are about 2 feet below the crest of the spillway; use caution when launching boats at the ramps. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are off shore. Try fishing in 3-6 feet of water near rock or structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: This lake has a good population of catchable-sized fish. Use cut bait or dip baits near shore and around rocky structure.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
All walleye between 19- and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; and no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Channel Catfish – Fair: There is a good population of 3-6 pound catfish. Try cut bait, dip baits or crankbaits near shallow rocks. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing the dredge cuts with crankbaits and crawler harnesses. Yellow Bass – Fair: Most fish are 5- to 7-inches. Yellow Perch – Slow.

Swan Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Fish are around 7-inches. Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near edges of vegetation or structure in 2-4 feet of water.

Water temperatures are in the low to mid-80s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try drift fishing or troll tube jigs along the north shore.  Bluegill – Fair: Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water.

Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the 80s. Lake level is 3.3 inches below crest. Water clarity is 3 feet. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17- and 22-inches must be immediately released unharmed. No more than one walleye longer than 22-inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Slow. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait near rocky areas or near the edge of vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Slow: Try a jig or live bait near vegetation. Best bite is early morning and after sunset.  Yellow Bass – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with bait in 8 to 10 feet of water. Use your electronics to find fish.

Rice Lake
Bluegill – Slow: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber in 3 to 4 feet of water.   Largemouth Bass – Good. Yellow Perch – Slow.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Slow: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber on the edge of the vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use topwater baits. Yellow Perch – Slow.

Winnebago River
Water level is 4.68 feet.

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 water temperature is in the mid-80s. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill have moved deeper. Use a small hook and piece of worm. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will be needed.

Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and evening.

Lost Island Lake
Water temperatures are in the lower 80s. Black Crappie – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Try trolling with spinners over weeds.

Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair.  Bluegill – Fair. Pumpkinseed – Good.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The lake is currently experiencing a large algae bloom. Black Bullhead – Good. Walleye – Fair: Try trolling with spinners over or off weed lines.

Spirit Lake
Water temperatures are in the lower 80s. You may have to move out deeper to find the edge of weed lines. Black Bullhead – Good: Anglers have been very successful fishing the north grade. Black Crappie – Fair: Many nice-sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill – Good: Try a small hook with a small piece of worm from the docks. Walleye – Fair: Leeches and minnows work well. Anglers have been successful with slip bobbers off points and pulling spinners over vegetation. Yellow Perch – Fair.

West Okoboji Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 80s. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are are moving off beds to deeper water post-spawn. Pumpkinseed – Good. Walleye – Fair: Leeches and minnows work well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Water temperatures are in the low to mid-80s. Water temperatures have been increasing more rapidly due to recent warmer weather. Most area water levels are at or slightly below crest. The fish bite is moving out to deeper water. Finding weed lines and rock points to fish off has given anglers the most success. Many lakes are starting to experience algae blooms as water temperatures increase and become more stagnant. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Brinker Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try early morning or late evening topwater artificial baits.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Anglers are having success with bluegill, black crappie, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Black Crappie – Good: Find structure using electronics and jig colored tube jigs at various depths to locate fish; the south corner of the damn has been really good for crappie. Bluegill – Excellent: Use a small jig with a piece of crawler under a slip bobber at various depths to find fish. Channel Catfish – Good: Best bite is mornings and evenings. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers are catching bass on most everything thrown at them; try spinners, crankbaits, and topwater baits.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are catching walleye, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish on the river. Channel Catfish – Good: Use crawlers. stink baits, and chicken livers. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try a jig with a twister and half of a crawler or cast crankbaits. Walleye – Good: Use a jig with a twister and half of a crawler/whole leech or cast crankbaits.

George Wyth Lake
Anglers have been fishing George Wyth Lake for largemouth bass.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Anglers are catching walleye, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish on the river. Channel Catfish – Good: Use crawlers, stink baits, and chicken livers. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try a jig with a twister and half of a crawler/whole leech or cast crankbaits. Walleye – Good: Use a jig with a twister and half of a crawler/whole leech or cast crankbaits.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Anglers are catching walleye, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish on the river. Channel Catfish – Good: Use crawlers, stink baits and chicken livers. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try a jig with a twister and half of a crawler/whole leech or cast crankbaits. Walleye – Fair: Use a jig with a twister and half of a crawler/whole leech or cast crankbaits.

Interior river levels remain low. Anglers are not getting out and fishing with the extended high heat forecast. Trout streams remain in excellent condition across N.E. Iowa. For more information, contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 7.9 feet at Lansing and is expected to remain stable. Water temperature is near 79 degrees. Village Creek ramp is extremely shallow. Large boat launching is not recommended. Boaters should avoid power loading; use caution and go slow when loading and unloading. Black Crappie – Slow: Use artificial jigs or a crappie minnow along the fallen trees in 6-8 feet of water. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill have moved into sloughs and main channel areas; larger sizes are being caught.  Float a garden worm under a bobber along the shoreline. Channel Catfish – Good: Use crawlers and stink bait in deeper holes off main channel structure. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Try crawlers, live bluegill, or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are actively feeding. Try a weighted crawler in moderate current from shore. Use a deep dive crankbait or crayfish to catch large drum. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing the edge of weed beds in backwater and side channel areas. Northern Pike – Good: Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits near the mouths of streams during hot summer days.  Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast a spinner or crankbaits in current along the rocky shorelines. Walleye – Good: Try a 3-way rig on the wing-dams with a whole crawler or use crankbaits or twister tail jigs off the rocks from shore. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a light jig or crawler in weeded areas with slight current.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 612.3 feet at Lynxville and is expected to remain steady. Water temperature is 802 degrees at the Lynxville dam. Use caution at Sny Magill due to low water. There is a scour hole below the concrete ramp and a rock mound behind the scour. Damage to boat props and trailers is possible. There are several snags at the mouth of Sny Magill creek to avoid. Black Crappie – Fair: Use artificial jigs or a crappie minnow along the fallen trees in 6-8 feet of water. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegill have moved into sloughs and main channel areas; larger sizes are being caught. Float a garden worm under a bobber along the shoreline. Channel Catfish – Good: Try crawlers and stink bait in deeper holes off main channel structure. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding. Use a weighted crawler in moderate current from shore. Use a deep dive crankbait or crayfish to catch large drum. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing the edge of weed beds in backwater and side channel areas. Northern Pike – Good: Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits near the mouths of streams during hot summer days. Shorthead Redhorse – Good: Redhorse are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks and around submerged trees. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast a spinner or crankbaits in current along the rocky shorelines. Walleye – Fair: Try a 3-way rig on the wing dams with a whole crawler or use crankbaits or twister tail jigs off the rocks from shore. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a light jig or crawler in weeded areas away with slight current.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 4.0 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to remain steady this week. Use caution at the Guttenberg city ramp which drops off in low water. Damage to boat props and trailers is possible. Water temperature is near 80 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Use artificial jigs or a crappie minnow along the fallen trees in 6-8 feet of water. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill have moved into sloughs and main channel areas; larger sizes are being caught. Float a garden worm under a bobber along the shoreline. Channel Catfish – Good: Try crawlers and stink bait in deeper holes off main channel structure. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are actively feeding. Try a weighted crawler in moderate current from shore. Use a deep dive crankbait or crayfish to catch large drum. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing the edge of weed beds in backwater and side channel areas. Northern Pike – Fair: Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits near the mouths of streams during hot summer days. Shorthead Redhorse – Fair: Redhorse are biting; they are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast a spinner or crankbaits in current along the rocky shorelines. Walleye – Good: Try a 3-way rig on the wing dams with a whole crawler or use crankbaits or twister tail jigs off the rocks from shore. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a light jig or crawler in weeded areas with slight current.

Upper Mississippi River water levels have fallen to extremely low levels. Damage to boat props and trailers is possible. Boaters should use caution to avoid backing off the end of ramps. Use caution and go slow when loading and unloading as ramps are very shallow. Water temperatures are near 80 degrees. Water clarity is improved. Many species are moving into the current. Low water has fish concentrated, making for good fishing.

Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level has stabilized to 4.6 feet at Lock and Dam 11 and 7.3 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 84 degrees; water clarity is good. Be careful not to back off the ramps in this very low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers pitching small jigs with worms are catching gills off the wing-dams. Gills are moving around a bit; keep moving if they do not bite right away.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or stink bait in the current seams or above tree falls. Flathead Catfish – Good: Use live green sunfish, bullheads, or gigging spoons in tailwater areas. Downriver many anglers will fish above big log jams in moderate current areas. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker with a worm rig works best to catch abundant drum. Use large crayfish to catch larger drum. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass are on the feed. Try plastic baits along shoreline weed beds during low water. Hit shady spots when the sun is bright. Northern Pike – Fair: Try fishing near cooler tributary streams in the evenings. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Cast inline spinners or crankbaits just off rock points to catch smallmouth feeding in the rocks. Lots of smallmouth have moved on to the wing-dams. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes and sauger are being picked up on wing-dams. Some sauger are being picked up off rock piles. Most anglers are pulling or throwing crankbaits at higher speeds to start the bite. White Bass – Fair: Try minnows or small spinners in tailwater areas to catch abundant white bass. They have been seen blowing up minnows in tailwater areas. Yellow Perch – Fair: An occasional yellow perch has been reported; surveys show that their populations are very strong in the river.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level at Lock and Dam 13 at Bellevue is stable at near 3.9 feet. Water clarity is good. Water temperature is around 84 degrees. The Iowa DNR ramp is back open; minor maintenance may occur again in the near future. Use caution to avoid backing off the ramps in this very low water.  Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. Bluegill – Fair: Use worms along rock lines to catch abundant bluegills. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stick bait or worms along rock piles. In the lower parts of the pool, try to concentrate in the stump fields or along the weed lines. Flathead Catfish – Good: Anglers are using live bullheads or bluegills to catch flathead catfish in tailwater areas. Jigging spoons are also effective. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker with a worm rig works best to catch abundant drum. Try fishing in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Lots of bass are biting in the marina areas and backwater lakes. Some fish are moving out onto the vegetation lines; use plastic baits. Northern Pike – Good:  Use flashy white spinnerbaits near the confluence of cooler tributary streams. Rainbow Trout – No Report: The kids fishing pond is unfishable as the vegetation has taken hold. The pond will be restocked this fall with trout when vegetation clears. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Cast inline spinners just off rock points to catch smallmouth feeding on minnows. Many smallmouth are also on the wing-dams, especially in this low water. Walleye – Fair: Some walleyes are being picked up on wing-dams; catch has been sporadic. White Bass – Good: White bass are biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level at Fulton is stable at near 4.0 feet, 9.0 feet at Camanche, and near 4.0 feet at LeClaire. Levels are predicted to be stable all week. Water temperature is around 85 degrees. Use caution to avoid backing off the ramps in this very low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. Bluegill – Fair: Use worms rigs and a simple bobber along rock lines. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the current seams or along rock lines. The bite has slowed a bit; keep moving if you are not catching fish. Lots of anglers use stink bait; expect bites within 20 minutes or move to other spots. Catfish can be extremely clumped up; you can catch many when you find them. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker with a worm rig works best to catch abundant drum. Need areas with moderate current flow; many areas around boat ramps can be good places to target drum. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass fishing is good along boat ramp areas and newly exposed flooded vegetation lines. Try soft plastics along vegetation lines and brush piles. Northern Pike – Fair: Use flashy white spinnerbaits near cooler tributary streams. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast inline spinners just off rock points to catch smallmouth feeding in the rocks. Walleye – Fair: Lots of trolling being done in side channel areas using crankbaits. White Bass – Fair: Try small spinners or jigs in the tailwater to catch abundant white bass and occasional hybrid white bass.

Mississippi River Pool 15 
The water level at Rock Island is stable at near 3.9 feet. Water clarity is improving. Water temperature is 86 degrees. Use caution to avoid backing off the ramps in this very low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stink bait around log jams or rock lines. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Use an egg sinker and worm rig to catch abundant drum. Keep your fish on ice after catching; they make excellent table fare. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try throwing spinners along the rock lines in Pool 15.  Lots of rock is available; need somewhat strong current to hold smallmouth bass. White Bass – Good: Try throwing small spinners in the tailwater areas to  catch feeding white bass.

The river water levels continue to be stable, but very low. When boating, use caution to avoid backing trailers off the back of ramps.  Use the minimum amount of water to float boats off trailer. Water temperatures are in the mid-80s. Good fishing is occurring throughout the district; it’s a perfect time to get on the water. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 3.56 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and is forecast to stay fairly steady the next few days. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 15. River stage is 10.06 feet at Fairport; flood stage is 14 feet. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill fishing has slowed with the low water conditions. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel. Use dip baits, shad guts, or nightcrawlers. Look for channel catfish around shorelines with rip-rap and current. Try floating leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along the rocks. Walleye – Fair: Reports of walleyes being caught around current breaks along the main channel; use crankbaits. Also look for walleyes on the wing-dams; use crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. With the low water conditions, look for fish on the outer ends of wing-dams. White Bass – Good: Look for white bass in Sylvan Slough around the outfalls of the dams. Try jigs and twister tails or in-line spinners.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 2.87 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is forecast to stay fairly steady the next few days. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 5.48 feet at Muscatine; flood stage is 16 feet. Bluegill – Slow: Fishing for bluegills in the backwaters has been slow  with the low water conditions. Try a piece of worm under a bobber around brush at Big Timber, Cleveland Slough. and Eagle Fill. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along side channels and the main channel. Use dip baits, cut shad, or nightcrawlers. Also look for channel catfish along shorelines with rip-rap and current. Try floating leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along the rocks. Walleye – Fair: Look for walleyes around current breaks. Cast jigs with plastics or crankbaits. Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Try fishing the wing-dams with three-way rigs and crawlers or casting crankbaits. With the low water conditions, fish the outer end of the wing-dams. White Bass – No Report: Look for white bass around current breaks or down by GPC. Cast jigs and plastics or crankbaits.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 2.79 feet at Lock and Dam 17 in New Boston and is forecast to stay fairly steady. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegill fishing has been slow with the low water conditions. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles at the Huron Island complex. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags in side channels and along the main channel. Use dip baits, cut shad, or nightcrawlers. Look for channel catfish on shorelines with rip-rap and current. Try floating leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along the rocks. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes on the outer ends of the wing-dams. White Bass – Slow: White bass fishing has slowed at the outlet of Lake Odessa. Cast crankbaits or jigs and plastics.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 0.86 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and has been fairly steady. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage is 7.50 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 525.22 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. We have not received much for fishing reports for this pool this week. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use dip baits, cut shad, or nightcrawlers. Look for channel catfish around rip-rap shorelines with current. Try floating leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along the rocks.

River stages have been steady to falling slightly the past few days. Main channel water temperature is around 83-85 degrees. Water clarity has been fair. River conditions are low; use caution when boating. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
The water temperature is 83 degrees. Thermocline is bottoming out at 6 feet. The duckweed is thinner than usual this summer; there are fairly large areas of “open” water. Water clarity is 30 inches. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies remain in 6 feet of water in the flooded timber. Vertical jigging works best. Slip bobber and minnows are also picking up a few fish. Bluegill – Slow: Look for bluegill in 6-7 feet of water in the flooded brush and trees. Worm and bobber work best in the dense cover. Channel Catfish – Fair: Look for catfish along the face of the dam and in the old creek channel, especially out from the boat ramp bay where the old bridge was.  Largemouth Bass – Slow: Find bass around the drop-offs to deeper water; this steep sided lake has more than a few of those. Look for them down at about 6 feet, no deeper. Work the “shaded” bays and shores first.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The extra water from the Cedar River last week is gone. You can see the sandy bottom of the river above the highway bridge at Columbus Junction nearly all the way across now. Channel Catfish – Fair: Water temperatures are 83-84 degrees. It’s time to break out the stink baits and cut bait. Use the slow current to carry the smell to the catfish; try fishing just above the bigger log jams or just off the backside of the sandbars. Find the deeper water and you will find the fish.

Lake Belva Deer
The green color (Phytoplankton) has set in this last week. Water temperatures is 83-84 degrees. Water clarity is a couple of feet. Thermocline is at 5 to 7 feet. Black Crappie – Slow: A few anglers early in the morning are still picking up a few in about 6 to 7 feet along the trees out from the beach. They are moving a little shallower as the summer wears on and the deeper water runs out of oxygen. Bluegill – Slow: Try vertically jigging around the trees to a depth of about 6-7 feet.  Drift quietly from spot to spot; use a 1/64 oz jig tipped with a waxworm. Look back in the bays on the south side to find some on the beds. Channel Catfish – Fair: Along the face of the dam is always a good place to catch nice catfish. Don’t forget to try the “Old Pond”. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Bass are trying to stay cool; look for them in about 6-7 feet of water out in the trees. Try soft plastic or weedless jigs early in the morning.

Lake Darling
Water temperature is 82-83 degrees. Water clarity is about 2 feet. Water remains a definite green color. The thermocline bottoms out at 9 feet; don’t fish below that. Most fish are hanging out at between 6.5 and 7.5 feet. Bluegill – Slow: Try slow trolling out over tops of the rock piles. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use chicken liver just off the where the rip-rap ends underwater. Catfish like to cruise along this edge looking for food. It also keeps them in 6-7 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Bass are hunting up in the rock piles in 6-8 feet of water early in the mornings.

Lake Geode
The water temperature was hitting 86 degrees on July 24. Water has turned really green with a transparency of only a couple of feet now. The bottom of the thermocline is holding out at 9 feet. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies are out in deeper water for the summer. Try slow trolling in 8 to 10 feet of water along the drop-offs. Bluegill – Slow: Work the rock piles and flats in 8-9 feet of water; they are trying to stay cool. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Bass are out at the drop-offs; they have slid down the slope a little to cooler water to avoid the heat. They have decent oxygen at about 8-9 feet of water. Best bite is early or just as the sun goes down.

Lost Grove Lake
Water clarity has remained fairly good this summer at 7 1/2 feet. Water temperature is 82 degrees. The thermocline starts at 7 feet and bottoms out at 12 feet. Look between those two depths to find a majority of the fish. Lost Grove Lake has Eurasian Watermilfoil; be sure to clean all vegetation off your boat and trailer before leaving the boat ramp area. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies are out along the edge of the flooded timber in 8 to 10 feet of water. Try vertical jigging or slow trolling until you find them. Bluegill – Fair: Try slip bobbers and worms off the jetties in 5-6 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Fair: A few anglers are catching catfish along the face of the dam down along the rocks in about 10 feet of water using cut bait or stink bait. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try vertically jigging in or along the outer edge of the flooded timber in 10-12 feet of water. Weedless rigged soft plastics can help you keep get out of the snags.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The water level in the Skunk really dropped this week. Water temperature in this stretch is about 83 degrees; the water was at 86 degrees below Oakland Mills. Channel Catfish – Fair: With the drop in water levels, find the deeper water and the fish will be there. Try fishing during the cooler parts of the day.

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

Coralville Reservoir
Channel Catfish – Fair: Try slow trolling cut bait in the channel.

Diamond Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Look for suspended fish over deeper water. Bluegill – Fair: Some fish are on shallow flats; others are on deeper structure. Channel Catfish -Good: Try crawlers, stink bait or chicken livers. Most fish are 1-2 pounds.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows fished 4-8 down over deeper water. Some sorting is required; 8-inch and 10-inch fish are being caught. Bluegill – Fair: Some fish are still shallow; others are suspended over deeper water. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try stink bait or liver. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing around remaining weeds or laydowns. Most fish are 1-2 pounds.

Kent Park Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing the outside weedline with plastics

Lake Macbride
The 10 hp maximum is in effect. Bluegill – Fai