NORTHWEST
Arrowhead Lake
Water clarity is good. Surface water temperature is in the lower 80s. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappie near structure and contour in 5-15 feet of water. Use a jig tipped with a crawler or a small minnow on a jig drifted over deeper habitat. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegill in 5-15 feet of water near woody structure.
Black Hawk Lake
Water levels are about 3 inches below the crest of the spillway. Surface water temperature is in the low 80s. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish are 8- to 11-inches. Most fish have moved to more off shore areas, but can still be picked up along Ice House Point and around the fish house and stone piers in Town Bay. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills along shore near Ice House Point and the rock pile by Gunshot Hill. Fish are 6- to 7-inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Look for cats around the deeper rockpiles or try drifting in the evening and at night. Use cut bait, crawdads or dip bait. Catfish average 4 to 7 pounds.
Browns Lake
Water levels remain low; use caution when launching boats.
Brushy Creek Lake
Surface water temperature is in the upper 70s. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near submerged woody structure in 5-20 feet of water. Use a small jig tipped with a crawler or small minnow. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics and traditional bass lures along submerged woody structure and weed lines near shore.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Largemouth Bass – Good: Catch largemouth bass along shore and weed lines with traditional bass baits.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Surface water temperature is in the upper 70s. All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching fish from shore. Storm Lake has a good population of 4-6 pound catfish. Try cut bait, liver or crawlers fished on the bottom along shore or minnows or crawlers fished under a bobber. Walleye – Fair: Boat anglers have had luck trolling crankbaits and drifting leeches and crawler harnesses in the edges of the dredge cuts. Others have had luck with a minnow under a slip bobber. Yellow Bass – Fair: Fish are 5- to 11-inches long. Use a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try crawlers or small minnows fished under a bobber near rocky shorelines.
Surface water temperature is in the low 80s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
The lake is 1 inch above crest. Water temperature is in the low 80s.Water clarity is about 17 inches. 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. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or crawlers on the bottom. Best bite is after sunset. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing weedless baits near the vegetation edge. Walleye – Good: Try fishing a slip bobber with live bait on the rock reefs or a jig and minnow near the vegetation edge. Yellow Bass – Slow.
Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Troll or drift fish a small jig or a minnow in the dredge cut.
Lake Cornelia
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait on the bottom after sunset.
Rice Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of nightcrawler under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are biting on a variety of baits; try fishing near the edge of the vegetation.
Upper Pine Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs or minnows. Best bite is early morning. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are biting on a variety of baits fished near woody structure.
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 temperature is in the mid-80s. The water level is 4 inches over crest. Fish are moving deeper post-spawn. Trolling has been working very well. Find crappie and yellow bass in 10-16 feet of water. Try fishing weed lines where there is new vegetation growth. Black Crappie – Good: Best bite is in 10-15 feet of water along weed lines. Bluegill – Good. Walleye – Fair: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps in the main basins. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. Yellow Bass – Good.
Lost Island Lake
Fishing/trolling is getting more difficult as aquatic vegetation reaches the surface in many places. Black Crappie – Fair. Walleye – Slow: Try trolling crankbaits or with lindy rigs off weed lines. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Minnewashta Lake
Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good; some sorting may be needed. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Good.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The late afternoon bite has been fair. Many anglers are targeting fish schools during the day. Vegetation growth is making fishing more difficult in many areas. Walleye – Fair: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps.
Spirit Lake
Water temperature is in the low 80s. The lake is at crest. The walleye season is open. Most species are out deeper in 15+ feet of water. Black Bullhead – Good: Try fishing the northern grade of Spirit Lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Good: Use spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps; try to find weed lines. Yellow Perch – Fair: Many perch can be caught, you may need to sort for size.
West Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is in the low 80s. The water level is 4 inches over crest. Most fish are out deeper in 15+ feet. Rocky points and areas with new vegetation growth have seen the most success. Black Crappie – Fair: Use crankbaits or shad raps. Bluegill – Good: Try small shad raps. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing off points with surface baits or jerk baits. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing off points by trolling crankbaits or with lindy rigs. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. Some fish have been caught while trolling for crappie.
Most area lake temperatures are in the 80s. This week’s forecast calls for continued temperatures in the 80s-90s. Algae blooms have popped up on few area lakes making visibility much lower. Bass and panfishing has been great on most lakes out along weed lines in 10-15 feet of water. Most fish are moving out deeper as water temperatures increase. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are stabilizing. Visit the USGS Water Dashboard for current water levels. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Try a hook loaded with a crawler, chub, chicken livers or stink bait. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use a spinnerbait or crankbait along lake edges at dawn and dusk. Northern Pike – No Report: Find pike in shallow vegetated areas out of current. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find smallies below the dams; use a hook tipped with a ringworm, twister tail or nightcrawler. Walleye – Slow: Try worms or minnows under a slip bobber with enough weight to get your bait near the bottom.
Decorah District Streams
Wild parsnip is in peak bloom; protect yourself from this plant by keeping arms and legs covered. Sap from this plant can cause serious blisters. Most area trout streams are high with improved water clarity; use caution when crossing or fishing in faster current. You might have to find a new favorite fishing hole or stream this week. Brook Trout – Good: Try fishing the weed lines and head end of riffles for actively feeding fish. Terrestrial insects abundant. Brown Trout – Fair: Dirty water favors brown trout anglers. Increasing terrestrial insect numbers such as crickets, beetles and grasshoppers washing into streams creates a feeding frenzy for brownies. Rainbow Trout – Fair: A few streams get too warm to stock rainbow trout in the heat of the summer (July and August). This is an annual occurrence; plenty of fish remain in the streams. Stocking the other streams continues as scheduled.
Lake Hendricks
Severe green algae bloom on Lake Hendricks. Angling is slow with recent weather and warm temperatures. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappie in 6 to 8 feet of water. Bluegill – Slow: Catch one of these beauties with a small piece of worm. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Best time to catch a nice-size cat is at night using stink bait. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Find fish on the edges of vegetation; use weedless lures to minimize the frustration of casting into weeds.
Lake Meyer
Anglers are finding hit-and-miss action. The lake is very weedy; electric motors may have trouble getting through the vegetation. Angling pressure slowed with recent weather conditions. Black Crappie – No Report: Find crappie in 6 to 8 feet of water around vertical structure. Bluegill – Slow: Find a cove or weed edge. Use an ice fishing jig tipped with a small piece of worm. Channel Catfish – Good: Try a chunk of worm or squished minnow fished off the bottom near stumps or other woody debris. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use crankbaits or a jig with plastic tail on weedless hooks along vegetation edges.
North Bear Creek
Bridge replacement work is starting on the Sacquitne Bridge on 360th St. Stream access and parking lot remain open; be courteous to workers. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Stocked weekly from April through October.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels are stabilizing with improved water clarity. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Find smallies near undercut banks or rock ledges; use a jig with a twister tail or crankbait. Walleye – Good: Find walleye in deeper pockets just out of flow.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water levels are stabilizing with better water clarity. Paddling is not recommended. Visit the USGS Water Database for more information on water levels. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Try fishing the eddies and drop-offs. Walleye – Slow: Find walleye in current breaks or eddies; use crankbaits or spinnerbaits.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are stabilizing: clarity remains fair. River access is limited. Use caution; watch for unseen hazards.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are stabilizing with fair clarity. Use caution when paddling; current is swift and submerged hazards can’t be seen. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find deeper holes and eddies. Try fishing near the bottom. Walleye – Slow: Anglers are catching 10-inch walleye with a jig tipped with a natural colored twister tail in the edges of eddies.
Volga Lake
Water clarity is fair. Water temperature is in the upper 70s. Few anglers are out. Black Crappie – Slow: Use small jigs tipped with plastic tails or minnows off the jetties. Bluegill – Slow: Anglers are finding gills off the jetties. Try a small piece of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: Trophy-sized catfish are abundant in this lake. Use a dead chub or squished minnow fished off the bottom near woody debris. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use crankbaits in drop-offs and around brush piles and other attracting structures.
Temperatures are in the 90s to upper 60s with high humidity. Chance of storms through the weekend. Area river and stream water levels are stabilizing with improving water clarify. Use caution when paddling when flows are up and the water is dirty. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Anglers are catching bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass and channel catfish. Black Crappie – Slow: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber along the edge of the weed beds off of the jetties. Bluegill – Slow: Use a piece of crawler under a slip bobber along the edge of the weed beds off of the jetties. Channel Catfish – Good: Try fishing off of the old beach area and to the west using stink baits, livers, leopard frogs or dead cut baits fished on the bottom. Any time of the day has been productive.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are catching channel catfish on the river with the receding high water levels. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stink baits, chicken livers or dead cut baits fished above fallen tree snags.
George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching northern pike, crappie and largemouth bass; some sorting needed on crappie as fish are on the small side. Black Crappie – Good: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber near structure. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast topwater artificial or spinnerbaits early morning or late evening. Northern Pike – Good: Troll crankbaits around the lake or cast spinnerbaits along the edges of willows on the west end of the lake.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River is in good condition. Anglers are catching smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a piece of crawler on a jig or fished off of the bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast spinnerbaits, crankbaits or jigs near rocky shoreline areas. Walleye – Fair: Tip a jig with a plastic and half of a nightcrawler or cast crankbaits.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports of anglers catching smallmouth bass on the Shell Rock river. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Casting spinnerbaits or crankbaits; concentrate on areas of rock or rip-rapped shorelines.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Water levels on the Wapsipinicon River continue to drop. Smallmouth bass bite should pick up as the river continues to clear.
Interior river levels are falling in N.E. Iowa. The rivers are providing catfish and smallmouth bass activity. Trout streams are in excellent condition across NE Iowa. Area Black Hawk county lakes are producing catches of panfish and largemouth bass. Contact your local area bait shops for the most recent hot spots. For more information, contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 8.2 feet at Lansing and is expected to be stable. Water temperature is 78 degrees. The water is somewhat stained after heavy recent rains and the Upper Iowa River running turbid. Heytman’s Landing will be closed due to railroad bridge replacement. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappies in the flooded timber on crappie rigs with minnows. Bluegill – Excellent: Use light tackle tipped with piece of worm in areas away from current along the weed edges in backwaters. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Try cut bait or stink bait fished in deeper holes along current breaks of side channels. Also try rock lines where they are spawning. Flathead Catfish – Good: Reports of lots of small flathead biting on nightcrawlers. Try a shiner or small bluegill for bait to catch bigger catfish. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum bite is coming on. Use a weighted crawler rig in the current anywhere from shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast jigs or jerk baits in woody cover in the shallows of backwaters. Northern Pike – Excellent: Cast crankbaits off vegetation lines or near the mouth of tributary streams. Sauger – Slow: Reports of sauger coming in using a crawler drifted on the bottom in tailwater shorelines. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth are getting more active along main channel rock structure. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along the faster current. Walleye – Good: Troll crankbaits off the wing-dams and side channels. Yellow Perch – Good: Use a jig tipped with a crawler.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 614.9 feet at Lynxville and is expected to be stable. Water temperature is 80 degrees at Lynxville dam. Some debris may be floating as heavy rains was reported on some tributaries to Pool 10. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappies in the flooded timber on crappie rigs with minnows. Bluegill – Excellent: Use light tackle tipped with piece of worm in areas away from current along the weed edges in backwaters. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or stink bait fished in deeper holes along current breaks of side channels. Flathead Catfish – Good: The flathead bite is picking up with the warmer temperatures. Try a shiner or small bluegill for bait. Some anglers are using bank poles with bullheads for bait. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum bite is coming on. Use a weighted crawler rig in the current anywhere from shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast jigs or jerk baits in woody cover in the shallows of backwaters. Northern Pike – Excellent: Cast crankbaits off vegetation lines or near the mouth of tributary streams. Sauger – Slow: Reports of sauger coming in using a crawler drifted on the bottom in tailwater shorelines. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth are getting more active along main channel rock structure. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along the faster current. Walleye – Good: Troll crankbaits off the wing-dams and side channels. Yellow Perch – Good: Use a jig tipped with a crawler.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 6.5 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to be somewhat stable. Water temperature is 72 degrees at the Guttenberg dam. The water is slightly turbid after recent rains with the Turkey River running very turbid. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappies in the flooded timber on crappie rigs with minnows. Bluegill – Good: Use light tackle tipped with piece of worm in areas away from current along the weed edges in backwaters. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or stink bait fished in deeper holes along current breaks of side channels. Flathead Catfish – Good: The flathead bite is picking up with the warmer temperatures. Try a shiner or small bluegill for bait. Lots of bank pole fishing with anglers using live bullheads or green sunfish for bait. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum bite is coming on. Use a weighted crawler rig in the current anywhere from shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast jigs or crankbaits in woody cover in the shallows of backwaters. Northern Pike – Excellent: Cast crankbaits off vegetation lines or near the mouth of tributary streams. Sauger – Slow: Reports of sauger coming in using a crawler drifted on the bottom in tailwater shorelines. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth are getting more active along main channel rock structure. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along the faster current. Walleye – Good: Troll crankbaits off the wing-dams and side channels. Yellow Perch – Good: Use a jig tipped with a crawler.
Upper Mississippi River levels are mostly stable, but tributaries are running turbid after recent rains. Water temperature is in the upper 70s. 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.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are 6.2 feet at the Lock and Dam and 8.7 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is good. Water levels are stable. Water temperature is around 80 degrees. Lots of mixed bags of many species reported. Black Crappie – Good: Black and white crappie are being caught on woody structures in larger side channel areas; most anglers are using small jigs or minnows. Bluegill – Good: Use a simple bobber and worm around rock lines and behind fallen trees. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Catfish angling is still very good, but moving to post-spawn. Many anglers switch to stink baits in larger sloughs and mud flats. Flathead Catfish – Good: Most anglers are using banklines with live bullheads or small carp for bait. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are being taken in areas of moderate current with an egg sinker and worm rig. Keep fish on ice if you plan to eat them; they can be very good table fare. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass of all sizes are being reported mostly from backwater areas on spinnerbaits and swimbaits. Northern Pike – Good: Some nice pike are being reported on spinnerbaits. Find fish along the newly established vegetation lines; use gaudy white spinnerbaits. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Use a spinnerbait or crankbait along rock lines with moderate current. Walleye – Good: The walleye bite has picked up with many anglers throwing crankbaits on wing-dams. White Bass – Good: Use white spinners or jigs. Yellow Perch – Fair: Find lots of yellow perch in the Mississippi River after several good reproduction events. Usually caught incidentally when panfishing, but you can try to target them with minnow heads on a jig.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level at the Bellevue Lock is stable at near 6.6 feet. The water temperature is around 80 degrees. Lots of mixed bags of many species reported. The water is completely off the DNR ramp at Bellevue; the courtesy dock is in place. The Maquoketa River is running quite turbid after recent rains. Black Crappie – Fair: Black and white crappie are being caught on woody structures in larger side channel areas; most anglers are using small jigs or minnows. Bluegill – Excellent: Try a simple bobber and worm rigs along rock lines or near fallen trees in larger sloughs. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Switch to stink baits for post-spawn channel cats. Flathead Catfish – Good: Many anglers are using bank poles and a live bullhead or green sunfish for bait. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are being taken in areas of moderate current with a egg sinker and worm rig. Keep your fish on ice if plan to eat them; they can be very good table fare. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: The bass bite is hot. They are heavily feeding on minnows in side channels and rock lines. Northern Pike – Good: Use gaudy white spinners. Rainbow Trout – No Report: The Kids Trout Pond is unfishable due to excessive vegetation. The pond will be restocked with trout in later fall. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits along rock lines. Some nice 3 pound smallmouths have been reported this spring; most are small, but fun on light action poles. Walleye – Good: Good numbers coming off the wing-dams; use crankbaits or worm rigs. White Bass – Fair: Small white bass have been reported in the tailwater area; use small white jigs or spinners.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level at the Fulton Lock and Dam is stable at 6.4 feet, 10.6 feet at Camanche, and 5.3 feet at Le Claire. Water temperature is around 81 degrees in the main channel. Water clarity is good. The Wapsipinicon River is running turbid after recent rains. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on the bite throughout Pool 14; use a simple bobber and worm rig in 3 feet of water or less. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Switch to stink bait for post-spawn walleyes. Try fishing in larger sloughs upstream of fallen trees. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Walleye and bass anglers are encountering flatheads in rocky habitat using crankbaits. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are taken in areas of moderate current with an egg sinker and worm rig. Keep your fish on ice if you plan to eat them; they can be very good table fare. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass of all sizes are being reported out of most of the common highly fished backwater lakes in Pool 14 like Beaver Island, Rock Creek and Sunfish Lake. Longnose Gar – Good: Numerous large gars are biting in Pool 14. Northern Pike – Good: Some pike have been seen in mixed species bags, mostly by anglers bass fishing. Look for pike along weedy shorelines with gaudy white spinners. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Look for smallmouth bass along rock lines with stronger currents; try fishing in 1 to 2 feet of water next to the rock. Walleye – Good: Some nice walleyes continue to be reported from sloughs and near shore wing-dams. Most anglers are using crankbaits. White Bass – Good: Good numbers of white bass mixed in with hybrid striped bass reported near the tailwater area. Use a white jig or small spinner. White Crappie – Fair: Some crappie are being taken in marina areas around docks. A few reported around the fallen trees at Rock Creek. Yellow Perch – Fair: Lots of small perch are in the system; the future for yellow perch fishing looks bright in Pool 14. Yellow perch are often caught by anglers fishing for bluegills and crappies.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is stable at 6.8 feet at Rock Island. The water temperature is near 81 degrees. Water clarity is good. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Switch to stink bait for post-spawn channel cats. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are being taken in areas of moderate current using an egg sinker and worm rig. Keep your fish on ice if you plan to eat them; they can be very good table fare. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Pool 15 can be surprising good smallmouth fishing with lots of rock lines available; this a preferred habitat for smallmouth bass. Use small spinners or crankbaits near these rock habitats.
Generally good water conditions throughout the Mississippi River in Pools 12 to 15. Water temperatures are near 80 degrees throughout the district. Water levels are stable. If you have angling questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Management Station at 563-880-8781.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 7.09 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Use pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles in Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Islands. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try stink baits or chicken livers around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels in the Andalusia Island complex. Walleye – Fair: Look for walleye on the wing-dams. Cast or troll crankbaits or three-way rigs with nightcrawlers. Some walleyes are also being caught in Sylvan slough on jigs and plastics. White Bass – Fair: Cast jigs and twister tails in Sunset Marina and Sylvan Slough. Some white bass can also be caught fishing from shore below the Lock and Dam. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber around brush piles.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 5.87 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. The ramp at Big Timber is open. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles at Big Timber and Cleveland Slough. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try stink bait or nightcrawlers around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Some channel catfish can also be caught fishing from shore along the Muscatine River front along the rocks floating bobbers with worms or leeches. Walleye – Fair: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Cast or troll crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. White Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles. Use jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in Big Timber and Cleveland Slough.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 7.42 feet at Lock and Dam 17 and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Toolsboro ramp is open. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try pieces of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use stink bait and crawlers or float nightcrawlers or leeches under a bobber along rocky shorelines. Walleye – No Report: Walleye fishing has been difficult with the higher water conditions. Look for walleyes on the wing-dams. Cast or troll crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. White Bass – Fair: Some white bass are being caught in Boston Bay by the bridge; cast jigs and twister tails. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber around brush piles.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 4.61 feet at Lock and Dam 18 and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill – No Report: Use pieces of worm under a bobber in the backwaters around brush piles. Channel Catfish – No Report: Try stink bait or nightcrawlers around snags and brush piles along the main channel and side channels. White Crappie – No Report: Use jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in the backwaters around brush piles.
River stage has been falling the past few days. Water clarity is fair. Main channel water temperature is around 79 degrees. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is in the mid- to upper 80s. Water is fairly clear; the duck weed is spreading. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappie fishing is sporadic. Crappies remain in 14-16 feet of water. Move around to find the schools that are feeding. Anglers are catching them using vertical jigging. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are in 6-7 feet of water around the trees and brush piles. Bobber and minnow in the evenings is still catching some fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass fishing has slowed as the water temperature climbed into the mid- to upper 80s. Best bite is early morning before it gets hot. Try fishing near the deep water drop-offs.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa River has been dropping steadily the last week. Some of the sandbars by Wapello are starting to show themselves. Channel Catfish – Fair: If we get the jump in water level forecast for early next week, catfish should get back into active feeding mode.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is in the low to mid-80s. The lake is stratified at 11 feet at the lower end and at 6 feet at the upper end; no oxygen below those two depths. Black Crappie – Fair: Slow troll along the tree line in front of the beach or along the face of the dam. Bluegill – Slow: Find bluegills in 8-11 feet of water trying to stay cool. Try vertical jigging along the tree line or slip bobber and worms. Largemouth Bass – Fair: With most weed beds gone and hot weather, look for bass to have moved to deeper water. The sides of the mounds at the upper end of the lake is a good place to find them in early summer.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is around 82 degrees. The lake is stratified at 8 feet; no oxygen below that. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill fishing has slowed some with the heat and unstable weather patterns. Find bluegill in 6-8 feet of water around the rock piles. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most bigger fish are in 6-8 feet of water in the habitat near the drop-offs.
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is in the low to mid-80s. Water is developing a green color due to a phytoplankton bloom. Black Crappie – Fair: Slow troll along the north side in deeper water just over top of the tree lines completely underwater. Bluegill – Slow: Find bluegills in their deeper water summer homes. Try the brush and small trees in 6-9 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Plenty of the small males in shallow; bigger bass are in 10-14 feet of water. Best bite is in the evening fishing. Bounce jigs along the edge of the tree line in deeper water. Have a rod capable of yanking them out of the heavy cover.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The Skunk River is dropping fairly steadily, depends on the rain over the next couple of days if this trend continues. You can still fish by boat for at least a little while longer. Channel Catfish – Fair: A good rain would help the bite pick back up. The mulberries continue to fall off the tree; under the overhanging mulberry trees is a good place to look for catfish with a sweet tooth.
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319- 694-2430.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at summer pool of 683.5 feet. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try slow trolling the channel with cut bait.
Lake Macbride
The 10 horsepower maximum is in effect. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Slow. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Good.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Hawthorn Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs along the shoreline. Channel Catfish – Fair: Look for catfish around the jetties and along the dam or other areas with large rocks. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use plastics around submerged structure and the shoreline.
Lake Miami
Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline. Try different colors until you find the right combo. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead chubs around the jetties and shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try spinnerbaits and crankbaits around the jetties and shorelines.
Lake Sugema
Black Crappie – Fair: Use small jigs and minnows around the flooded trees. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs around shorelines and vegetated areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use plastics or spinnerbaits around structure.
Lake Wapello
Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching some crappies with jigs. Look for structure to hold fish. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs around the cedar tree piles and other underwater structures. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try nightcrawlers around the fishing jetties. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use rubber worms or other plastics fished around the cedar tree piles.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.24 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies have moved into deeper water and have suspended. Try small crankbaits fished in a little deeper water. Channel Catfish – Good: Try dead chubs or nightcrawlers in areas with large rocks. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching walleyes with jig and minnow combos and trolling nightcrawler rigs. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Try vertically jigging around rock piles or trolling crankbaits.
Red Haw Lake
Red Haw State Park has partially reopened. Visitors can access the beach and north boat ramp area, but are asked to avoid the campground. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs along the shoreline. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use nightcrawlers around the dam and the rock jetties. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try spinnerbaits around underwater structure near the rock jetties.
Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.
SOUTHWEST
Big Creek Lake
Bluegill – Good: Find bluegill in depths less than 6 feet. Use small pieces of crawler fished at these depths. Walleye – Fair: Catch walleye in the evenings from shore just before and after sunset; cast jigs with twister tails, swimbaits or live bait. Boat anglers can catch walleye jigging or trolling live bait rigs over humps, near points, and near creek channel drop-offs along flats. A good starting area is out from the marina around to the beach. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Good: Wipers are biting on crankbaits being trolled and jigs tipped with live bait.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing on the river has been good for both channels and flatheads. Anglers are catching fish on live bait and cut bait. White Bass – Good: Cast twister tails, swimbaits, spoons and in-line spinners below the dams in Des Moines. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Good: Try twister tails, swimbaits or live minnows on jigs below the dams in Des Moines and below Red Rock.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: Try dip baits or cut bait just upstream and under log piles and fallen trees.
Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Catch crappies suspended just off shore and mid-lake by slowly trolling small twister tail or tube jigs 3 to 6 feet deep over the upper half of the lake.
For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
Greenfield Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Greenfield has a good year class of 8- to 10-inch black crappie. Bluegill – Fair: Slow troll or drift small jigs to find 7-inch bluegill. Channel Catfish – Good: Use a slip bobber with shrimp around the jetties. Largemouth Bass – Good: Greenfield has a good largemouth bass population with a good percentage of fish more than 15-inches.
Lake Anita
Water clarity is good. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies on the roadbeds and around deep tree piles. Bluegill – Fair: Try slow trolling or drifting. Largemouth Bass – Good: Lake Anita has a good bass population.
Meadow Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Try chicken liver and shrimp in the shallow tree piles in the lake. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast spinners and buzz baits over submersed vegetation.
Mormon Trail Lake
Anglers report good catfishing. The water is extremely clear. Channel Catfish – Good: Get your bait in 10 feet of water to be out of the vegetation.
Nodaway Lake
Water clarity is 25 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Concentrate on deep tree piles to find crappies. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing around structure to catch 8-inch bluegill. Channel Catfish – Good: The lake has good numbers of 22-inch channel catfish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers report catching good numbers of bass casting the shoreline.
Orient Lake
Water temperature is 80 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Cast around the tree piles to find crappies. Bluegill – Fair: Try worms under a bobber in 4 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers report catching catfish along the dam with shrimp.
Prairie Rose Lake
Water clarity is good. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for 9.5-inch crappie around deep tree piles. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills slow trolling or casting around structure. Fish will average 8.5-inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Catch channel catfish around the jetties. Largemouth Bass – Good: There is a high percentage of 14- to 16-inch bass in Prairie Rose.
Viking Lake
All boat ramps are usable. Water clarity is good. Black Crappie – Fair: Viking will be a good destination for crappie fishing in 2022. Many crappies are being caught casting around the flooded terrestrial vegetation. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have gained size and are in good body condition due to the drawdown. Anglers are slow trolling or fishing around tree piles. Channel Catfish – Good: Viking has a good channel catfish population. Fishing bait in 6 feet of water will get you out of the flooded terrestrial vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Good: Viking Lake has a very good largemouth bass population and will provide quality bass fishing in 2022.
For information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.
Green Valley Lake
Bluegill – Slow: Use nightcrawlers near brush piles to catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20-inches with finesse plastics or jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles.
Lake Icaria
Docks are in at all boat ramps. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or nightcrawlers along rocky shoreline areas to catch channel catfish of all sizes.
Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at main ramp. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a jig near cedar tree brush piles or along the creek channel in the flooded timber to catch crappie up to 11-inches. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches with small jigs fished near brush piles or along the creek channel in the flooded timber. Walleye – Slow: Try jigs tipped with a nightcrawler fished along the creek channel in the flooded timber to catch walleye up to 22-inches.
Three Mile Lake
Courtesy docks are in at the main ramp. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill up to 9-inches with small jigs fished along the fish mounds. Walleye – Slow: Use jigs along the roadbed to catch walleye of all sizes.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The dock is in at the main ramp. Bluegill – Slow: Try small jigs fished near brush piles or rock piles to catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches.
Water temperature is in the upper 70s to low 80s at most Mount Ayr district lakes. For more information, call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
