NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are are in the mid-70s. Water levels are about 4 inches above the spillway. Water clarity is about 1-2 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Pick up crappie in and around the fish house in Town Bay and along Ice House Point shoreline. Crappie are up to 10- to 12-inches. Morning bite is best. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill fishing from shore is productive. Catch keeper-sized bluegill from shore with nightcrawlers. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Pick up bass along shore with a variety of bass baits. Walleye – Slow: Walleye action has slowed; try the rock piles in the east basin and the shoreline along Ice House Point.
Brushy Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near submerged structure in 5-10 feet of water. Fish are 5-inches up to 13-inches. Bluegill – Fair: Pick up bluegill near shore with a piece of crawler under a bobber. Fish are still on beds. Largemouth Bass – Good: Pick up bass along shore near weed lines with traditional bass baits. Walleye – Fair: Pick up walleye in 5-10 feet of water near rock and woody structure Yellow Perch – Slow.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Water temperatures are in the upper 70s. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are guarding nests along shore; use a small jig with a piece of crawler under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass along shore near weed lines; can be picked up with a variety of traditional bass baits.
North Twin Lake
Water levels are about 1 foot below the crest of the spillway. Courtesy docks are installed.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s. Black Crappie – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass close to shore near rocky structure and overhanging trees. Walleye – Fair: Pick up walleye off shore near the dredge cuts; use crawler harness and crankbaits. White Bass – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair.
Water temperatures are in the upper 70s. Bluegills can be seen on nests in many area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638
|
|
Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Try a small jig or minnow off the causeway or drift fish the north shore. Bluegill – Good.
Clear Lake
Water level is 3 inch over crest. Water temperature is in the low 70s. Water clarity is 25 inches. Black Crappie – Slow. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try crawlers or cut bait from the wind-swept shore or rocky areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing near the edge of vegetation. Walleye – Fair: Anglers continue to catch walleye near shallow rocky habitat and vegetation with jigs and live bait. Evening bite is best. Yellow Bass – Slow: Best bite is early morning.
Crystal Lake
Black Crappie– Slow: Drift fish small jigs or live bait near the dredge cut. Bluegill – Good: Use a piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good. Walleye – Slow.
Lower Pine Lake
Bluegill – Good: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Channel Catfish – Fair.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Find bass close to shore near woody habitat.
Rice Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are on beds near shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing the edge of vegetation and near woody habitat. Walleye – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Good: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are biting on a variety of baits.
Upper Pine Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Drift fish or troll small jigs. Bluegill – Good: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Find bass close to shore near woody habitat.
Winnebago River
River level is 6.64 feet. Smallmouth Bass – 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
Lake level is 2 feet above crest. The lake is under a 5 mph no wake ordinance until further notice. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Good:  Bluegill – Good: Lots of bluegill have been seen in shallower waters; many fish are on beds. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are a little ways off shore; you can still find some around docks and other structure. Yellow Perch – Good: Many perch have been seen; sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and afternoon.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Lake level is 1.5 inches over crest. The lake is under a 5 mph no wake ordinance until further notice. Walleye – Good: Bite has been hit-or-miss, but has been very good when the bite is on.
Spirit Lake
Lake level is 1.3 foot over crest. The lake is under a 5 mph no wake ordinance until further notice. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are finding quality-size crappie; they are biting on almost anything. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching quality-sized walleye. Evening bite is best with leech and bobber from shore or crankbaits and slip bobbers by boat. Yellow Perch – Good: Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji Lake
Lake level is 2 feet above crest. The lake is under a 5 mph no wake ordinance until further notice. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
Due to flooding, all lakes in Dickinson County are under a 5 mph no wake ordinance until further notice. Many lakes have floating debris due to recent high winds. Area water temperatures are in the low 70s. Water levels are well above crest and have flooded some lower level areas. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
|
|
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are rising with a possible crest Thursday afternoon. Water clarity is poor. Use caution when on water; watch for submerged hazards. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information. Channel Catfish – Slow: Try worms or chubs fished on the bottom in calm water or the edge of current. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find bass in slack water areas. Use a spinner or crankbait. Walleye – Slow: Find walleye in off-channel areas or eddies. Use minnows or jigs tipped with plastics.
Decorah District Streams
Water levels are elevated at most locations. Stream clarity is highly variable depending on where rain fell, but most are clear or clearing Use caution when wading streams with high flows. All streams were stocked this week. Gnats and no-see-ums are out in force. Wild parsnip is starting to bloom. Don’t touch this plant; it can cause painful blisters. Brook Trout – Slow: Brook trout take more persuasion to bite in off-color water. Sneak up on brook trout for a better chance to catch one of these beauties. Good hatches of gnats, mayflies, caddis flies, and midges. Brown Trout – Good: Try fishing near or around logs or undercut banks. Spinnerbaits work well. Also try streamers on larger waterbodies. Brown trout like cloudy water. Rainbow Trout – Good: Use spinnerbaits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm, bread, or cheese floated through deeper holes.
Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is about 4-5 feet. Water temperature is in the 70s.Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs under a bobber from shore near woody debris.  Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are in shallow; use a small piece of worm or waxworm. Channel Catfish – Good: Try a nightcrawler or squashed minnow on a hook near the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the edge of vegetation.
Lake Meyer
Water is stained with about 2 feet visibility. Water temperature is in the 70s. Black Crappie – Slow: Use spinnerbaits or a jig tipped with a minnow near structure. Bluegill – Slow: Try small hooks tipped with a waxworm or a small piece of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: Try a nightcrawler on a hook fished at the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use a spinnerbait fished along the edge of vegetation. Reports of anglers catching quite a few small bass.
North Bear Creek
Stream improvements are taking place on upper North Bear just downstream of 380th St. and soon between 128th Ave. and 380th St. Rainbow Trout – Slow: There are many other great locations to find fish below this area. Stocking continues below this area weekly.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels are falling. Use caution when on the water. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find bass in eddies or slack water areas. Try a jig tipped with a plastic tail. Walleye – Slow: Evening bite is best.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water levels rose slightly. Water clarity is fair. Use caution when on the water. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find smallies in deeper holes or near rock ledges. Walleye – Slow: Use crankbaits or jigs tipped with plastics in off channel areas.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are rising. Water clarity is fair. Use caution when on the water. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find smallmouth in eddies or near rock ledges; use spinnerbaits. Walleye – Slow: Find walleye in deeper holes and off channel areas. Afternoon bite is best.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are high. Water clarity is fair. Use caution as snags and debris move through the system. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Try spinners near rock ledges or snags. Walleye – Slow: Use spinners or crankbaits near rock ledges, eddies, or deeper holes. Evening bite is best.
Volga Lake
Water clarity is improving. Water temperature is in the 70s. Black Crappie – Slow. Bluegill – Fair. Channel Catfish – Good: Use a squished minnow or worm fished on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use spinners or crankbaits along jetties or drop-offs.
Volga River
Water levels are high. Water clarity is poor. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find bass in deeper holes or off channel areas. Use a spinner or crankbait.
Yellow River
Water levels are slowly rising. Water clarity is fair.  Use caution as snags and debris move through the system. Brown Trout – Fair: Find trout below or just off riffles. A spinner or shallow running crankbait should interest a hungry mouth.
Water levels vary depending on rainfall eve in area rivers and streams. Weekend temperatures in the mid-80s to mid-60s with a chance of storms daily. For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
|
|
Big Woods Lake
Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie. Black Crappie – Good: Try a minnow under a slip bobber near structure. Bluegill – Excellent: Use a piece of nightcrawler under a slip bobber off shore; bluegills are spawning and on are beds.
Brinker Lake
Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie. Black Crappie – Good: Try a minnow under a slip bobber near structure. Bluegill – Good: Use a piece of nightcrawler under a slip bobber off shore; bluegills are spawning and on are beds.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are catching channel catfish with the rise and fall of river levels. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stink baits, dead cut baits, and chubs. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few walleye again; best baits are leeches and crawlers.
George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching crappie and bluegill; some sorting may be needed. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a minnow under a slip bobber near structure or lily pads on the west end of the lake. Bluegill – Fair: Use a piece of nightcrawler under a slip bobber off shore; bluegills are spawning and on are beds. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try artificial baits early morning or later evening.
Lake Delhi
Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie. Try fishing early morning or late evening to avoid heavy boat traffic. Black Crappie – Good: Use a minnow under a slip bobber near structure along the shoreline.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Anglers are catching panfish. Try fishing below the whitewater park in Manchester or below the Lake Delhi dam. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a minnow under a slip bobber. Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of nightcrawler under a slip bobber off the shoreline.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
South Prairie Lake
Anglers are catching crappie and bluegill. Black Crappie – Good: Try a minnow under a slip bobber near structure. Bluegill – Excellent: Use a piece of nightcrawler under a slip bobber off shore; bluegills are spawning and on are beds.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
The interior rivers are on the rise with the recent rainfall, but are providing opportunities for good channel catfish angling. Lakes within the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area are providing good panfish angling. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For more information, contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.
|
|
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 12.43 feet at Lansing and is predicted to reach 13.5 feet next week. Water clarity is cloudy. Water temperature is 73 degrees. Army Road at New Albin is closed due to high water. Black Crappie – Good: Try light tackle in the flooded timber as the river rises; use minnows. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill have moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on weed beds. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers. Flathead Catfish – Good: Look for flathead to start feeding as they gear up for the summer spawn. Freshwater Drum – Good: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along main channel and side channel current.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast frog baits along weed edges in upper portions of the backwaters. Northern Pike – Good: Try fishing the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Shore Slough at Lansing has been good fishing for northern pike. Sauger – Fair: Sauger are biting on a minnow rig fished just off the bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines. Walleye – Slow: Tailwater fishing has tapered off. Use jigs tipped with a minnow or crawlers on three-way rigs along channel or closing dams. White Bass – Good: Throw inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for schools of minnows jumping as white bass are feeding. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are biting on live minnows and crawlers along weed lines in about 6 feet of water.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 621.74 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to reach 623.2 feet next week. Water temperature is 73 degrees at the Lock & Dam in Lynxville. The boat ramp at Sny Magill is closed due to high water. Water is over the road at Nobles Landing. Black Crappie – Good: Try fishing the flooded timber as the river rises; use minnows around submerged structure. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill have moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on weed beds. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers. Flathead Catfish – Good: Expect flathead to start feeding as they gear up for the summer spawn. Freshwater Drum – Good: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along the main channel and side channel current. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast frog baits along weed edges in upper portions of the backwaters. Northern Pike – Fair: Try fishing the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Sauger – Fair: Sauger are biting on a minnow rig fished just off the bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines or at the spillway. Walleye – Slow: Tailwater fishing has tapered off. Use jigs tipped with a minnow or crawlers on three-way rigs along side channel or closing dams. White Bass – Good: Throw inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for schools of minnows jumping as white bass are feeding. Yellow Perch – Slow: Perch are biting on live minnows and crawlers along weed lines in about 6 feet of water.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 12.53 feet at Guttenberg in the tailwaters and is expected to reach 13.7 feet next week. Water clarity is diminished. Water temperature is 73 degrees. Tailwater fishing at the Lock & Dam is not recommended with increased turbulence due to the lock gates being up. Black Crappie – Good: Try light tackle in the flooded timber as the river rises; use minnows. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill have moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on weed beds. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers or cut bait. Flathead Catfish – Good: Expect flathead to start feeding as they gear up for the summer spawn. Use live bluegill or shiners in the tailwater. Freshwater Drum – Good: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along the main channel and side channel current. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast frog baits along weed edges in upper portions of the backwaters. Northern Pike – Good: Try fishing the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Sauger – Fair: Sauger are biting on a minnow rig fished just off the bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines. Walleye – Slow: Tailwater fishing has tapered off. Try jigs tipped with a minnow or crawlers on three-way rigs along side channel or closing dams. White Bass – Good: Throw inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for schools of minnows jumping as white bass are feeding. Yellow Perch – Slow: Perch are biting on live minnows and crawlers along weed lines in about 6 feet of water.
Upper Mississippi River levels are predicted to rise next week. Water temperature is in the mid-70s. Fishing along rocks is starting to pick up.
|
|
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is 12.7 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 15.1 feet at the RR bridge. Water levels are rising and are stained. Water temperature is near 75 degrees. Some ramps like at Massey Station are experiencing minor flooding issues. The courtesy dock at Spruce Creek has water on the walkway. Black Crappie – Fair: Some nice black crappie are being reported on minnow rigs in brush piles. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish like flood waters and will move along the banks to feed; use stink baits. They should be spawning soon; rock lines are a good place to start. Flathead Catfish – Good: Anglers are starting to use trot lines where they can find non-flooded banks. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are often stacked up along cleaner water edges. Most anglers are using crankbaits or spinning baits to catch abundant bass. Walleye – Fair: Many anglers are targeting smaller flowing sloughs with crankbaits. White Bass – Fair: White bass have been a consistent in the creel, even with the dirty water. Try some flashy spinners in the tailwater areas.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is rising to near 13.4 feet at Bellevue. Water temperature is 75 degrees. The water is stained. The Iowa DNR ramp at Bellevue has water on it; it is difficult to launch a boat. Black Crappie – Good: Try small minnows in brush piles; move often. Brown Bullhead – Good: Anglers using egg sinker and worm rigs in the lower pool above Clinton are catching good numbers of this unique bullhead. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish like flood waters and will move along the banks to feed; use stink baits. They should be spawning soon; rock lines are a good place to start. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are a consistent biter in moderate current areas; use an egg sinker worm rig. Largemouth Bass – Good: Find weed lines away from the main channel. Anglers are using gaudy spinnerbaits. Rainbow Trout – Slow: The kids trout pond by the DNR station is mostly overgrown with vegetation, but especially on windy days some pockets may exist and a few trout many still be caught. Time is limited to catch fish in the pond. Walleye – Fair: Use rattles to allow the fish to find the bait in stained waters. White Bass – Good: Try white jigs or small spinners in the Bellevue tailwaters.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is steady at near 13.1 feet at Fulton, 15.4 feet at Camanche and 9.3 feet at LeClair. Water is stained. Water temperature is 75 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Use small minnows in brush piles. Move often if you are not catching fish. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish like flood waters and will move along the banks to feed; use stink baits. They should be spawning soon; rock lines are a good place to start. Freshwater Drum – Good: Worm rig with egg sinker fished along shore in moderate current will catch this consistent biter. Largemouth Bass – Good: Find weed lines away from the main channel; use gaudy spinnerbaits. White Bass – No Report: Some white bass were hitting on spinners in the tailwater areas. Dirty water is making it more difficult to find fish.
Mississippi River Pool 15Â
The water level is steady at near 13.4 feet at Rock Island. The water is stained. Water temperature is around 76 degrees. Water levels are at “action” flood stage. Freshwater Drum – Good: Worm rig with egg sinker fished along shore in moderate current will catch this consistent biter.
Lots of wind and pesky high water is making fishing on the Mississippi River a challenge. Many boat ramps and courtesy docks are experiencing minor flooding issues as water hovers near “action” flood levels in most locations. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.
|
|
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is staying fairly steady at 13.20 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities. Flood stage is 15 feet. Fishing is being reported as slow. The boat ramps at Clark’s Ferry and Shady Creek are closed due to high water. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills up shallow. Try pieces of worm under a bobber along brush piles in the backwaters. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around snags and flooded timber. Use nightcrawlers or stink bait. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Look for bass up shallow in the backwaters around brush piles in Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island complex. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Cast jigs and plastics or troll three-way rigs with crawlers. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies to move up shallow. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in brush piles at Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island complex.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is staying fairly steady at 12.47 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are out of the water at Lock and Dam 16. The ramps at Kilpeck and Big Timber are closed due to highwater. Fishing is being reported as slow. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills to start to move shallow around brush piles in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around snags and flooded timber; use nightcrawlers or stink bait. Look for channel catfish along rip-rap shorelines; float a bobber with leeches or crawlers along the rocks. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Largemouth bass fishing in Big Timber is being reported as slow. Look for bass to move up shallow around brush and logs. Walleye – Slow: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Cast jigs and plastics or troll crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles in the backwaters. Try minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is staying fairly steady at 13.42 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. River stage is 12.80 feet at Keithsburg; flood stage is 14 feet. The Toolsboro ramp is closed due to high water. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills to move shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around snags and flooded timber; use nightcrawlers or stink bait. Look for channel catfish along rip-rap shorelines; float a bobber with leeches or crawlers along the rocks. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Look for bass to move up shallow around brush and logs as water temperatures rise; try fishing at Huron Island.  White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies up shallow in the backwaters. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in brush piles at the Huron Island complex.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is staying fairly steady at 9.67 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. The gates are out of the water at the dam. River stage is 14.63 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 527.43 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. Tama Beach and Sullivan Slough boat ramps will be inaccessible due to high water. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills to start to move shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around snags and flooded timber; use nightcrawlers or stink bait. Look for channel catfish along rip-rap shorelines; float a bobber with leeches or crawlers along the rocks. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Look for bass up shallow in the backwaters around brush piles and logs. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in brush piles.
River stage is forecast to stay fairly steady over the weekend. Water clarity is poor. Main channel water temperature is around 76 degrees. Fishing is being reported as slow. Some boat ramps are inaccessible due to high 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 low 80s. Water is clear. Duck weed is along the edges of the lake where the wind blows it; much of the lake remains open water. Bluegill – Fair: Work the edges of the flooded trees in 6 to 7 feet of water. The bite has slowed down with the heat the last few days. Channel Catfish – Good: Normally it would be early to talk about fishing for spawning catfish, but they are starting to spawn in the rocks along the face of the dam. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing the flooded timber where bass are chasing the little bluegills.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa River is holding steady. Channel Catfish – Good: Bite is improving with more stable water levels. Try Cut baits and minnows around the front of brush piles.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is in the upper 70s to low 80s. Water clarity remains decent at just under 4 feet. Curly-leaf pondweed beds are getting thin. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappies in 10 to 12 feet of water by vertically jigging or slow drift trolling. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing in the early morning (before 10 am) in 6-8 feet of water along the edges of the last of the curly-leaf beds and out a little deeper in the flooded trees. Largemouth Bass – Fair: You can still find nice-sized bass along the edges of the weed beds, especially early in the morning; work the edges of the old creek channel with jigs. Redear Sunfish – Fair: Redears have moved out to deeper water. Look for them at the upper end of the lake over top of the mounds with rock on them where there are plenty of snails to eat.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is in the low 80s. Water clarity is good at 38 inches. Just a hint of green color. Black Crappie – Fair: With the hot weather, expect crappies to remain around the deeper (10-12 feet) habitat. Anglers are vertical jigging for them. Bluegill – Fair: Most males have moved out to the mid-depth habitat in 6-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for bass to be hunting for bluegills and green sunfish along the rocks and edges of the weed beds early in the morning or late evening. They retreat out to deeper water during the day.
Lake Geode
Water temperature is in the 80s. Water clarity is good at a little over 6 feet. Black Crappie – Slow: Vertical jig for crappie over the fish habitat in 8-10 feet of water or slow troll along the edges of the long mounds across from the beach. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing the outer edges of the deeper weed beds and back in the deeper flooded brush in 6-10 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most bass have headed out to deeper water; expect to find them hunting the tree falls for bluegills and green sunfish on cloudy mornings.
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperatures was in the upper 70s late afternoon, probably close to 80 degrees.  Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies are bunched up at between 13 and 18 feet down in the lower half of the lake in the flooded trees. Vertical jigging and moving around works best to find them. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing the outer edges of the deeper weed beds and back in the deeper flooded brush in 6-10 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish like the heat. Look for spawning males around the rocks and culvert piles where they are sitting on the nests. Females are more difficult to find; look for them to be anywhere water is running into the lake after a good rain. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for bass during the first and last hours of daylight to be hunting the outer edges of the weed beds; jig for them along the deeper water habitat in 13-18 feet of water.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The Skunk River is about 1/2 bank full. The South Skunk River south of Oskaloosa is sending a bunch more water down the line. Channel Catfish – Good: More boats are getting out on the water and are doing fairly well on catfish using minnows and cut bait.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
|
|
Central Park Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid-70s. Black Crappie – Slow: Try fishing 6-9 feet down in open water. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills up to 9-inches are available. Most have moved off beds to deeper water. Channel Catfish – Fair: Quite a few 2-3 pound catfish have moved into shallower rock. Largemouth Bass – Good: Most fish are less than 15-inches They are cruising mid-depth rock. Redear Sunfish – Slow: Find redears on deeper rock. Fish up to 10-inches are available.
Coralville Reservoir
Water levels is back to normal summer pool. Channel Catfish – Fair: Some anglers have had luck trolling cut bait; catfish are being caught along shallow rock.
Diamond Lake
Bluegill – Fair.
Hannen Lake
There is an algae bloom. Bluegill – Fair: Smaller are more common. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try fishing around rock and concrete. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing shallow banks. Some better fish are caught occasionally.
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
The curly-leaf pondweed is dying back. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing 6-10 feet down over 14-20 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Most fish are deeper; some on the bottom, some suspended. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish are moving shallower. Evenings bite is best. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass on remaining weedlines or rock.
Lake Macbride
The 10 hp maximum is in effect. Water temperatures are in the low 70s. Black Crappie – Slow: Target deeper brush/stumps or look for suspended fish in open water. Bluegill – Fair: Some fish are in shallow pockets; others have slid out to deeper rock. Fish size is improving. Channel Catfish – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Slow.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Look for surface activity at sunrise/sunset or look for suspended fish or wind-blown banks where there are shad.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Water clarity is still high. Water temperatures are in the mid-70s.  Walleye – Fair: Try fishing in rock after dark. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Try fishing towards dusk. There has been some surface activity.
Union Grove Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Try fishing 6-9 feet down in open water. Bluegill – Good: Try fishing the shorelines to catch spawning fish.
Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
The river is getting back to better fishing conditions. Bluegill – Good: Backwater areas are producing fish.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
|
|
Hawthorn Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try jig and minnow combinations in brush piles. Bluegill – Fair: Use jigs along the shoreline and open areas in the vegetation. Tip the jigs with a chunk of nightcrawler. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Use plastics in these areas and in open areas of the vegetation.
Lake Miami
Black Crappie – Fair: Use jigs and minnows along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs in the brush piles and along the shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use plastics around brush piles and along rip-rapped shorelines.
Lake Sugema
Black Crappie – Fair: Try jigs and minnows in the standing timber. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs around submerged brush piles and the shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try plastics or spinnerbaits along rip-rapped shorelines and around submerged structures.
Lake Wapello
Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs in brush piles.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Use plastics and crankbaits around the brush piles and rip-rapped shoreline.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.50 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels so properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody. Black Crappie – Fair: Try jigs around submerged cedar tree piles and docks. Crappie have moved to deeper water after spawning. Walleye – Fair: Try trolling crankbaits or crawler harnesses. All walleye less than 15-inches must be immediately released unharmed. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Good: Use jigging spoons or crankbaits over rock piles and near the old river channel.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs around the shorelines and submerged structure near the campground shoreline. Channel Catfish – Slow: Use nightcrawlers along the fishing jetties or the face of the dam. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try plastics along rip-rapped shorelines and the fishing jetties.
Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.
|
|
SOUTHWEST
Big Creek Lake
Bluegill – Good: Catch bluegills shallow in 5 feet of water or less with crawler or leech pieces under floats. Walleye – Fair: Use crawlers or leeches jigging or troll live bait rigs in 5 to 15 feet of water. Water clarity is improving, making for better fishing on the upper half of the lake.
Boone District Farm Ponds
Find a map with city pond locations and fish species present on the Fish Local page. Black Crappie – Good: Catch crappies near any rip-rap, docks, or wood habitat. Bluegill – Excellent: Catch bluegills that have moved shallow for spawning with small pieces of nightcrawler or redworms.
Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift or troll light jigs with minnows or twister tails from the main boat ramp area to about three quarters up the lake.
Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill – Good: Catch bluegills that have moved shallow to spawn with nightcrawlers or redworms. Target the back of any cove in 3 feet of water or less.
Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie – Slow: Post-spawn crappie fishing has been slow. Drift or slowly troll light jigs with plastics or live minnows in bays off the main reservoir. Channel Catfish – Good: Drift or try still fishing cut baits near rip-rap or rock cliffs.
Roberts Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Drift minnows or jigs with plastics in 2 to 6 feet of water.
For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
|
|
Carter Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers are catching good numbers of bass along the weedline. A high percentage of the population is more than 15-inches.
Greenfield Lake
Black Crappie – Slow. Bluegill – Fair: Fish average 7.5 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try fishing around the jetties. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass anglers are having success along the dam and around jetties.
Lake Anita
Black Crappie – Fair: Look for black crappies in deeper tree piles and around the roadbeds. The large year class is 10- to 12-inches. Bluegill – Good: The spawn is winding down; anglers are still catching bluegills on top of the reefs. Anglers are slow trolling over the roadbeds and having success. Largemouth Bass – Fair:.
Nodaway Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Cast the shoreline to find spawning bluegill. Fish will average 8-inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching channel catfish in the upper end of the lake using blood bait. Largemouth Bass – No Report: The lake has a large population of 12- to 14-inch bass.
Orient Lake
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning; cast the shoreline and move often to find fish.
Prairie Rose Lake
There is some vegetation to fish around on underwater reefs. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappies slow trolling open water areas. Fish are 10- to 12-inches. Bluegill – Fair: Catch bluegills on underwater reefs and pea-gravel spawning areas. The spawn id winding down; anglers are starting to troll and drift. Largemouth Bass – Good.
Viking Lake
Black Crappie – No Report: Sorting is needed for larger fish. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are spawning. Fish will average 7.5-inches.
For information on lakes in the Southwest District, call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.
|
|
Green Valley Lake
Docks are in at the boat ramps. Black Crappie – Slow: Catch crappie up to 9-inches with jigs along deep cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill up to 7.5-inches with small jigs near deep cedar tree brush piles early in the morning and late in the evening.
Lake Icaria
Docks are in at all boat ramps. Marina docks and courtesy docks at Lake View Campground are not in due to low water. Channel Catfish – Good: Use nightcrawlers around rocky shorelines to catch all sizes of channel catfish.
Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Bluegill – Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches with small jigs fished along creek channels early in the morning and late in the evening. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use finesse plastics near rocky shorelines to catch all sizes of largemouth bass.
Three Mile Lake
Lake level is 8 feet below normal pool. Walleye – Slow: Use twister tails or crankbaits along the dam to catch all sizes of walleye.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Docks are in at the main boat ramp. Black Crappie – Slow: Try jigs or twister tails along rocky shoreline areas early in the morning and late in the evening to catch all sizes of crappie. Bluegill – Slow: Use small jigs tipped with live bait near deep rock piles early in the morning and late in the evening to catch all sizes of bluegill. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 19-inches with jigs or finesse plastics near rock piles.
West Lake (Osceola)
Lake level has increased with recent rains, but still remains about 2 feet below normal pool. Boaters can use the boat ramps at their own risk.
Water temperatures are in mid-70s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. For more information, call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
