• NORTHWEST
• NORTHEAST
• MISSISSIPPI RIVER
• SOUTHEAST
• SOUTHWEST

NORTHWEST

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 80s. Water levels are several 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 and evening bite are best. Bluegill – Fair: Try a nightcrawler under a bobber fished from from the fish house or around the rock piles. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass along the shoreline and submerged rock piles; try a variety of bass baits. Walleye – Fair: Walleye action has slowed; try the submerged rock piles in the east basin and the shoreline along Ice House Point. Yellow Perch – Fair.

Brushy Creek Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 80s. Water clarity is about 3-4 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near submerged structure in 5-15 feet of water. Fish are 5-inches up to 13-inches. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegill near submerged rock/brush piles in 5-15 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass have moved into deeper habitat. Try soft plastics in deeper weedlines and rock/brush piles in 8-15 feet of water.  Walleye – Slow: Pick up walleye in 10-15 feet of water on rock/brush piles. Yellow Perch – Fair: sorting is needed.

North Twin Lake
Water levels are about 11 inches below the crest of the spillway. Surface water temperatures are in the low 80s. Water clarity is about 2 feet.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are around 80 degrees. Water clarity is 2-3 feet. Black Crappie – Slow. Channel Catfish – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass along the shore near rocky habitat with overhanging trees. Walleye – Fair: Pick up walleye off shore near the dredge cuts; use a crawler harness or crankbaits. White Bass – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair.

For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs along the north shore. Yellow Bass – Fair.

Clear Lake
Water level is about 3.4 inches over crest. Water temperature is in the upper 70s. Water clarity is 20 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Use your electronics to find suspended fish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try fishing the reef areas and wind swept shorelines. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching walleye with live bait and crankbaits. Fish are in 3 to 8 feet of water. Try rock reefs areas and near the edge of vegetation. Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching a few yellow bass while targeting walleye.  Live bait below slip bobbers or drifting works best.

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie– Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs in the dredge cut.

Winnebago River
River level is 6.1 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 1.4 feet above crest. Most boat ramps and docks are now functional. Black Crappie – Good:  Bluegill – Good: Many bluegill have been seen and are easily catchable around functional docks. 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 6 inches over crest. Walleye – Good: Bite has been hit-or-miss, but has been very good when the bite is on.

Spirit Lake
Lake level is around 8 inches over crest. All major boat ramps and docks are available. 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 1.4 feet above crest. All ramps and docks are available. Some public docks that were damaged from high waters have not been repaired. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.

The 5 mph ordinance has been lifted on all lakes. Water is receding around an inch a day on many lakes. Most ramps and accesses are out of the water. Area water temperatures are in the upper 70s to low 80s. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water clarity is improving as levels return to normal. Use caution when on water; watch for submerged hazards. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information. Channel Catfish – Good: Try worms or chubs fished on the bottom in calm water or the edge of current. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use crankbaits in off channel areas or eddies. Walleye – Fair: Find walleye in deeper water; try jigs tipped with minnow or spinnerbaits.

Decorah District Streams
Flows are high with improved clarity at most locations. Use care when wading streams with elevated flows. All announced and unannounced streams were stocked this week. Gnats, mosquitoes, and no-see-ums are out in force. Wild parsnip is  blooming. 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, caddisflies, 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 is improving. Water temperature is in the 80s. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow in about 6 feet of water.  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 – Good: Use topwater lures along the edge of vegetation.

Lake Meyer
Lake clarity is improving with at least 4 feet visibility. Water temperature is in the low 80s. Most fish are suspended at a depth not greater than 6 feet. Black Crappie – Slow: Use spinnerbaits or a jig tipped with a minnow fished deeper. Bluegill – Fair: 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 – Good: Use a spinnerbait along the edge of vegetation. Reports of anglers catching quite a few small bass.

North Bear Creek
Stream habitat improvements have been completed on upper North Bear just downstream of 380th St. bridge with seeding and mulching. Improvements between 128th Ave. and 380th Street are starting soon. Rainbow Trout – Slow: Thanks for staying out of this area until vegetation gets established. There are many other great locations to find fish on North Bear. Stocking continues below this area weekly.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water clarity is improving as levels stabilize. Use caution when on the water. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information.

Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water clarity is improving as levels return to normal. Use caution when on the water. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallies in deeper holes or near rock ledges. Walleye – Fair: Use crankbaits or jigs tipped with plastics in off channel areas.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water level is stabilizing with improved clarity. Use caution when on the water. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Find bass along rock ledges and deeper pools around woody habitat. Walleye – Good: Find walleye in deeper runs or pools and in back eddies; use spinnerbaits or a jig tipped with a plastic worm.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water level is stabilizing with improved clarity. Use caution as snags and debris move through the system. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Find smallies in off channel areas and back eddies; use spinners or streamers. Walleye – Fair: Find walleyes in deeper water and back eddies. Evening bite is best; try spinners or crankbaits.

Volga Lake
Water clarity is fair. Last week’s brown algae bloom should lessen as temperatures and rain moderate. Water temperature is in the 80s. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappies in deeper water or near drop-offs; use a jig tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of worm on a hook under a bobber near brush or rocky areas. Channel Catfish – Good: Use a squished minnow or worm fished on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use spinners or crankbaits along jetties or drop-offs.

Volga River
Water levels are high, but are stabilizing. Water clarity is improving. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information.

Yellow River
Water levels are stabilizing with improved water clarity. Use caution as snags and debris move through the system. Brown Trout – Good: Find trout below or just off riffles. A spinner or shallow running crankbait should interest a hungry mouth. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try jigs tipped with plastics in deeper holes or near rocky ledges.

Water levels on area rivers and streams are falling or stabilizing baring localized rainfall. Water clarity good on most waterbodies. Weekend temperatures in the 80s for highs to low 60s. For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Big Woods Lake
Anglers are catching crappie. Black Crappie – Good: Find structure using electronics in that 8 to 10 feet of water using a live minnow under a bobber.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are catching channel catfish. Channel Catfish – Good: Try chubs fished on the river bottom below snags or other structure.

George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching crappie and bluegill. Black Crappie – Good: Find structure using electronics in 8 to 10 feet of water using a live minnow under a bobber. Bluegill – Good: Use a piece of worm under a bobber in areas with structure or off the jetties.

Manchester District Streams
Rainbow trout stocking has been on schedule. Brown trout fishing has been fair, especially in the evenings. Brown Trout – Fair: Use crankbaits, jigs, spinners, dry flies or nymphs. Rainbow Trout – Good: Try jigs, spinners, crankbaits or live bait.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Reports of anglers catching smallmouth bass within Manchester below the whitewater park. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use live or artificial tackle.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
We have not received information about fishing on this water body this week.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
We have not received information about fishing on this water body this week.

Interior river levels are at usual levels for this time of year and should provide some great angling opportunities. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls are producing some catches of panfish. 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 10.4 feet at Lansing and is predicted to fall to 9 feet by next week. Water is slightly stained. Water temperature is 79 degrees. Army Road at New Albin is closed. Lansing Village Creek is open. Black Crappie – Fair: Try light tackle in the flooded timber as the river rises; use minnows. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegill have moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on flooded shorelines and weed beds. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers. Flathead Catfish – Good: Expect flathead to go on the feed after the spawn. Use live bluegill or shiners in the tailwater. 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 – Excellent: 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 620 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to fall to 618 feet by next week. Boat ramps at Nobles Island, Marquette, McGregor, and Bussey Lake are open. Sny Magill may be closed for a while as it will need to dry out and be cleared of debris. Black Crappie – Good: Try fishing the flooded timber as the river rises; use minnows around submerged structure. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegill have moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on flooded shorelines and weed beds. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers. Flathead Catfish – Good: Expect flathead to to go on the feed after the 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 – 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 11.3 feet at Guttenberg in the tailwaters and is expected to fall to 9.3 feet by next week. Guttenberg City, Finley’s Landing and Mud Lake ramps are open. Black Crappie – Good: Try light tackle in the flooded timber as the river rises; use minnows. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegill have moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on flooded shorelines and weed beds. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers or cut bait. Flathead Catfish – Good: Expect flathead to go on the feed after the 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 – Excellent: 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 at Pools 9 -11 continue to fall steadily. More boat ramps are opening back up. Water temperatures are in the upper 70s to 80 degrees. Water is just starting to come down off the islands. Use caution when boating; there is still a lot of current and debris in the river.

 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is 11.6 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 13.5 feet at the RR bridge. Water levels are receding and are out of flood stage. Water clarity is decent. Water temperatures are near 77 degrees. Many boat ramps may still have flood debris and mud on them, but will get cleaned up shortly. The campgrounds on Pool 12 may still be affected by recent floods; call ahead to determine if they are back open.  Bluegill – Good: Try fishing along the weedline edges that are starting to show back up after the flood receded. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfish like flood waters and will move along the banks to feed; use stink baits. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Anglers are using trot lines where they can find non-flooded banks. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass are often stacked up along cleaner water edges. Most anglers are using crankbaits or spinning baits to catch abundant bass. Northern Pike – No Report: Some pike are being reported in flooded areas like the OLearys access. Walleye – Fair: Many anglers are targeting smaller flowing sloughs with crankbaits. White Bass – No Report: White bass have been a consistent in the creel, even with the dirty water. Try flashy spinners in tailwater areas.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is receding to near 12.7 feet at Bellevue. Water temperature is 77 degrees. The water is stained. Most boat ramps on Pool 13 are flooded or have flood debris on them. Please call ahead if you want to use the campgrounds on Pool 13; they may still be affected by recent flood. Brown Bullhead – No Report: Anglers using egg sinker and worm rigs in the lower pool above Clinton are catching good numbers of this unique bullhead. Channel Catfish – Excellent: 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 – Excellent: Find weed lines away from the main channel. Anglers are using gaudy spinnerbaits or frog imitation lures. Walleye – Fair: Use rattles to allow the fish to find the bait in stained waters. White Bass – No Report: Try white jigs or small spinners in the Bellevue tailwaters.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is receding to near 12.8 feet at Fulton, 15.1 feet at Camanche and 9.1 feet at LeClair. Water is stained. Water temperature is 77 degrees. Most boat ramps into Pool 14 are flooded or will have flood debris on them. The campground at Rock Creek will also be affected; call ahead if you are planning a camping trip. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfish like flood waters and will move along the banks to feed; use stink baits. Freshwater Drum – Good: Worm rig with egg sinker fished along shore in moderate current will catch this consistent biter. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Find weedlines that remain after the flood recedes; throw frog lures or spinner baits.

Mississippi River Pool 15 
The water level is receding to near 13.9 feet at Rock Island. Water is at action flood stage; use caution when boating on the river. The water is stained. Water temperature is around 79 degrees. Most boat ramp have flooding issues or have flood debris on them.  Freshwater Drum – No Report: Worm rig with egg sinker fished along shore in moderate current will catch this consistent biter.

Water is finally coming down at a decent rate; have patience at some boat ramps and camp grounds as they will have mud and debris on them. Levels are mostly below flood stages throughout the district. It’s time to fish! If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 14.03 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is falling. River stage is forecast to fall over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. Fishing is being reported as slow with the high water conditions. Boat ramps at Clark’s Ferry, Shady Creek, and Fairport Recreational Area are closed due to flooding. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 13.94 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. River level is forecast to fall over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are out of the water at Lock and Dam 16. Boat ramps at Muscatine were still closed as of Thursday morning (7/25). The ramps at Kilpeck and Big Timber are closed due to high water. Fishing is being reported as slow.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 15.28 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall over the weekend. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. River stage is 14.50 feet at Keithsburg; flood stage is 14 feet. The Toolsboro ramp is closed due to high water. The Hawkeye Dolbee ramp will also be under water. Fishing is being reported as slow with the highwater conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 11.86 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. Tailwater stage is forecast to fall over the weekend. The gates are out of the water at the dam. River stage is 16.65 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 528.74 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. Boat ramps like Tama Beach and Sullivan Slough are inaccessible due to high water. Fishing is slow.

River stage is starting to fall below flood stage in some portions of Pools 16-19. River level is falling and forecast to keep falling over the weekend. Water clarity is poor. Main channel water temperature is around 78 degrees. Fishing is being reported as slow. Most boat ramps are inaccessible due to highwater. 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-80s. Water is fairly clear. More duckweed. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few crappies by slow trolling along the outer edges of the trees. Try fishing down about 6 to 8 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Work the edges of the flooded trees in 6 to 7 feet of water. The 6 feet depth is their perennial sweet spot during the summer.

Cedar River (Moscow to Columbus Junction)
River level is about 2.5 feet below bank full. Water levels are forecast to continue to drop very slowly.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
River levels continues to drop. Currently about 2.5 feet below bank full at Wapello.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is about 80 degrees. Water clarity is just about a foot and a half with green water. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappies in 10 to 12 feet of water by vertically jigging or slow drift trolling at about the speed of a slow walk. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching bluegill while drifting for crappies; also look on top of the mounds at the upper end of the lake.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Early in the morning you can get some topwater action along the shallower brush and trees along the north shoreline between the two boat ramps.

Lake Darling
Water temperature is  80 degrees. The blue green bloom is coming to an end with it clumping up and dying. Water is very green; water clarityis  just a few inches. The lake is stratified with no oxygen below 10-11 feet.  Bluegill – Fair: Most bluegills remain over top of the rock piles between the point and the campground boat ramp. Most are staying under 3 feet of water where the water clarity is much better. Channel Catfish – Good: The lake is stratified; don’t fish below 10 feet with little to no oxygen below that. Find catfish around the rocks on the in-lake silt dams and the culvert piles just out from the shoreline between the lodge and the point. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing below a couple of feet where the water is clearer. Stay away from topwater baits unless they make a lot of noise

Lake Geode
Water temperature is holding in the mid-80s. Water clarity has decreased ; there is a definite green color to the water. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching lots of small crappies over the habitat in 8-10 feet of water, especially that on top of the old Agency Road. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are out at their deep water spots. Try slow trolling (drifting) with a small jig tipped with bait until you find them and then vertically jigging. Channel Catfish – Good: Try fishing around the rip-rap shoreline. Use stink bait and cut bait; good numbers of pan-sized fish. 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 temperature is holding at just under 80 degrees. The water is green with decreased water clarity. Bluegill – Fair: Work the submerged brush in 8-10 feet of water. Some move into shallower water off the jetties and fish cleaning stations on the overcast days.  Keep your bait below a couple of feet so the fish can get a good look at it. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try jigging off the deeper (10-12 feet) habitat: trees and rock piles.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
Water level is down to just over half bank full; current is still moving right along. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing remains fairly good. With faster current speeds, use cut baits and live baits.

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

Central Park Lake
Bluegill – Good: Evening bite is best. Channel Catfish – Good.  Largemouth Bass – Good.  Redear Sunfish – Good: Sunset and later bite has been good.

Coralville Reservoir
Water temperature is around 80 degrees. The lake level is 685.5 feet and falling. Black Crappie – Fair: Try bright jigs or minnows along steep rock banks or deeper brush piles. Channel Catfish – Fair: Troll or drift cut bait in the channel. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast artificials along tapering rock banks.

Kent Park Lake
There is quite a bit of vegetation on the lake. Bluegill – Good: Use a small jig or worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try stink bait. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing over or along weed edges.

Lake Macbride
The 10 hp maximum is in effect. Water temperatures are around 80 degrees. Black Crappie – Slow: Target deeper brush/stumps or look for suspended fish in open water. Bluegill – Fair: Some fish are on rock banks; others have slid out to deeper rock. Fish size is improving. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try fishing around shallow rock. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Spotted bass – Good: Use plastics around shallow rock. Walleye – Slow.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Look for surface activity at sunrise/sunset or look for suspended fish or wind-blown banks where there are shad.

Pleasant Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are moving shallower towards evening and after dark. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing outside weedlines. Channel Catfish – Fair: Evening bite is best. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing in rock after dark. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Try fishing towards dusk. There has been some surface activity.

Union Grove Lake
There is quite a bit of vegetation in the lake. Water temperature is in the upper 70s. Bluegill – Good: Try fishing outside weedlines or look for suspended fish in 6-10 feet over open water.

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. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try nightcrawlers or chubs in 6-10 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Target the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Use plastics in these areas and in open areas of the vegetation.

Lake Keomah
Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project.

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. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use nightcrawlers along the face of the dam and around the jetties. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try 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 around brush piles. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead chubs around rip-rapped shorelines. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try plastics and crankbaits around the brush piles and rip-rapped shoreline.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.64 msl; the 2024 summer recreation target pool is 905.60 msl; typical recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels; 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. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use minnows or nightcrawlers along areas with large rocks. Walleye – Fair: Try trolling crankbaits or crawler harnesses. All walleye less than 15-inches must be immediately released unharmed. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: 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 – Fair: 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
Walleye – Fair: Use crawlers or leeches jigging or troll live bait rigs in 5 to 15 feet of water. Also try trolling live bait jigs or shallow diving crankbaits along the edge of any aquatic vegetation.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Drift or troll light jigs with minnows or twister tails from the main boat ramp area to about three quarters up the lake. Crappie are suspended 2 to 6 feet deep away from shore.

Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Drift live bait over habitat in 15 feet of water or less.

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

Green Valley Lake
Docks are in at the boat ramps.  Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill up to 7.5-inches with jigs tipped with live bait near cedar tree brush piles early in the morning and late in the evening. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use nightcrawlers along rocky shoreline areas to catch all sizes of channel catfish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try finesse plastics around cedar tree brush piles to catch all sizes of  largemouth bass.

Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches with small jigs tipped with live bait along creek channels early in the morning and late in the evening. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use nightcrawlers in the flooded timber to catch all sizes of channel catfish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try finesse plastics near cedar tree brush piles 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
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. 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 – Slow: 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 1 feet below normal pool. Boaters can use the boat ramps at their own risk.

Water temperatures are in upper 70s to low 80s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. For more information, call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.