NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Courtesy docks are in. Water temperatures are in the low 50s. Anglers are picking up fish in Town Bay, along shore near Ice House Point, the inlet bridge, and near the outlet. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up crappie along the Ice House Point shoreline and from the fish house using small jigs. Walleye – Good: Anglers are picking up walleye along shore near Ice House Point, the inlet bridge, and the outlet. Boat anglers have had success fishing the rock piles. Use leeches under a bobber or throw twisters and crankbaits. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are picking up perch up along Ice House Point shoreline and from the Inlet Bridge area.
Brushy Creek Lake
Boat ramp courtesy docks are in at all ramps. Black Crappie – Fair. Walleye – Fair.
North Twin Lake
Water levels remain low; use caution when loading boats at the ramps.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are in the low to mid-50s. All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; and no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappie in the marina. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing from shore in the evenings. Yellow Bass – Fair: Most fish are 5- to 7-inches. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are picking up perch in the marina with small jigs and minnows.
Water temperatures are in the low to mid-50s in most area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
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Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 40s. Lake level is 2.8 inches above crest. The courtesy docks are in at the City, Island, McIntosh and Ventura boat ramps. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. No more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Good: Best bite is in the morning. Channel Catfish – Good: It’s time to target catfish; use cut bait on the bottom from the wind-swept shore. Walleye – Good: Anglers are having success fishing from the jetties and wader fishing along the east shore and at the island after sunset. White Bass – Good. Yellow Bass – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Angles are catching perch from the jetties.
Crystal Lake
The courtesy dock at the boat ramp is in.
Winnebago River
Water levels are up to 7.0 feet. Northern Pike – Fair. Walleye – Good: Use a jig head and minnow along current breaks.
For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
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East Okoboji Lake
The lake is open; no courtesy docks are in place. The water temperature is in the mid-40s.The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair.
Lost Island Lake
Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Good.
Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
The lake is ice-free. The water temperature is in the mid-40s. The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie – Good. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji Lake
The lake is ice-free. The water temperature is in the low 40s.The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
All lakes are ice-free. Most courtesy docks are not yet in place. The walleye season on the Iowa Great Lakes is closed until May 6th. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
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NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
The river is on a slow rise. Clarity is good. Fish are more active as water temperatures rise to near 50 degrees. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a minnow fished in a backwater or near current breaks. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a dead chub, dips or stink baits fished near bottom near current breaks. Walleye – Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow or worm below dams or eddies. Try using a 3-way with just enough weight to keep the weight on the bottom or use a worm harness for nightcrawlers.
Decorah District Streams
Area streams are in good condition. All stocked streams are announced at least once a month. Stocking continues at traditional rates, weekly or bimonthly. When on private property open to fishing, fishing is the only activity allowed. Be mindful of turkey hunting seasons. Third season runs through April 25th. Do not wear red, white, or blue clothing at this time. Brook Trout – Fair: Use midge, caddis fly, or mayfly patterns for insects hatching streamside. Brown Trout – Good: Try fishing near or around logs or undercut banks. Spinner or crankbaits work well. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Use small spinnerbaits, hair jigs or hooks tipped with imitation eggs floating past structure. Freshly stocked fish are waiting to take your bait.
Lake Hendricks
Find warmer water along the shoreline in evening from days heating. Try fishing in the afternoon to dusk for best luck.
Lake Meyer
Water clarity is good. Largemouth Bass – Fair: A few anglers are picking up bass along the shoreline in the evening. Northern Pike – Fair: Find pike in shallow bays. Use a steel leader to avoid line cuts from sharp teeth.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water levels are slowly rising with temperatures nearing the 50s. Good to water clarity. Walleye – Good: Try a jig tipped with a plastic tail bounced off the bottom. White Sucker – Fair: The sucker bite is picking to prepare for spawning. Use a hook tipped with a nightcrawler fished on the bottom under a bobber.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are slowly rising with good clarity. Water temperatures are near the 50s. Walleye – Good: Use a hook tipped with a minnow or plastic tail fished in an eddy or off a current break.
Volga Lake
Fish activity is slow. Water clarity is declining with resuspension of sediment. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass near shore in the evenings as shallower water warms.
Temperatures remain cool over the weekend from the upper 40s to 30s and breezy. Scattered showers and mixed precipitation also forecast. This cooler weather may slow the bite for many fish species. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
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Heritage Pond
Heritage Pond will be stocked with rainbow trout April 22 around 10:00 am. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Good: Cast and retrieve small and flashy jigs or lures.
Manchester District Streams
Anglers have had success catching brown trout on Spring Branch Creek. There has been some good insect hatches with the recent warmer temperatures. Brook Trout – Fair: Try matching insect hatches using a flyrod or casting small flashy spinners with a spincast rod.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Reports of anglers catching walleye and smallmouth bass on the Maquoketa River this past week. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast jigs and ringworm plastics or cast and retrieve spinnerbaits. Walleye – Fair: Cast jigs and ringworm plastics tipped with a minnow.
North Prairie Lake
Rainbow trout were recently stocked. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Cast and retrieve small and flashy jigs or lures.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Few reports on the Shell Rock this past week; anglers should be able to pick up a few walleye and smallmouth bass with the current river conditions. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast jigs and ringworm plastics or cast and retrieve spinnerbaits. Walleye – Fair: Cast jigs and ringworm plastics tipped with a minnow.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Few reports on the Wapsipinicon River. The river remains steady and in good condition. Expect a good walleye and smallmouth bass bite. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast jigs and ringworm plastics or cast and retrieve spinnerbaits. Walleye – Fair: Cast jigs and ringworm plastics tipped with a minnow.
Interior rivers remain fairly stable and are producing catches of walleye and smallmouth bass. No reports of panfish on lakes yet; water temperatures are in the mid-50s and continue to warm. Trout streams are in excellent condition; stocking season kicked off on April 3rd. Heritage Pond in Dubuque County will be stocked with rainbow trout this coming Saturday, April 22nd. Contact your local bait shop for the most recent angling opportunities. For more information, contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.
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MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 15.8 feet at Lansing and is expected to reach 19.6 feet this week. New Albin Army Road is closed due to water over the road. Lansing Village Creek is becoming inaccessible under the railroad bridge. Gates are all out of the water at the dam. Fish are biting, but it’s harder to find them with high water conditions. Water temperature is near 51 degrees. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a crawler in the current seams. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding. Try fishing a weighted crawler in moderate current from the shoreline. Shorthead Redhorse – Excellent: Redhorse are running; they are fun to catch. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is near 626 feet at Lynxville and is expected to reach 630 feet this week. Ramps at Noble’s Island, Bussey Lake and the road to Sny Magill ramp is under water and closed. Gates are all out of the water at the dam. Fish are biting, but it’s harder to find them with high water conditions. Water temperature is 52 degrees. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a crawler in the current seams. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding. Try fishing a weighted crawler in moderate current from the shoreline. Shorthead Redhorse – Good: Redhorse are running; they are fun to catch. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is near 16.6 feet at Guttenberg and is predicted to rise to over 20 feet over the next week. The South boat ramp at Guttenberg and the DNR ramp are under water and closed. Gates are all out of the water at the dam. Fish are biting, but it’s harder to find them with high water conditions. Water temperature is near 53 degrees. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a crawler in the current seams. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding. Try fishing a weighted crawler from the shoreline. Shorthead Redhorse – No Report: Redhorse are running; they are fun to catch. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks.
Upper Mississippi River water levels are at or approaching major flood stage. Boat ramps are under water and are closed. Water temperatures are in the mid-50s. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches 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.
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Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is rising to near 17 feet at Lock and Dam 11 and near 18 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 52 degrees; the water is stained. Levels are changing rapidly and will soon hit major flood stage in most locations. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills will follow along the shorelines, even in flooded water. Yellow Perch – No Report: Lots of smaller yellow perch are in the system; this is a good indicator for yellow perch fishing this upcoming year. It is still possible to catch yellow perch along hard shoreline banks, even during the flooding conditions.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is rising to near 16 feet at Lock and Dam 12 at Bellevue. Water clarity is stained. Water temperature is around 52 degrees. Many boat ramps will soon be flooded out, such as the Iowa DNR ramp at Bellevue which is presently unusable. Water level is in action stage, but will move quickly to major flood stage. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills will follow along the shorelines, even in flooded water. Channel Catfish – Good: Try to catch channel catfish in places like Middle Sabula Lake, which should not be affected by flood conditions. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed. Flooding conditions are optimal for successful paddlefish spawns; hopefully this flood will create another strong year class. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: The Bellevue kids trout pond is open and relatively vegetation free. It is a nice safe place to fish with kids on warmer days. If you plan on keeping fish please only keep two fish per child. This pond will be covered in vegetation in a month or so; now is the time to fish it. This area will likely flood out in the coming week. Shorthead Redhorse – Excellent: Redhorse are running up the tributary rivers like the Maquoketa; will make some fun action on an egg sinker worm rig. Yellow Perch – No Report: Smaller yellow perch are in the system; this is a good indicator for yellow perch fishing this upcoming year.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is near 15 feet at Fulton, 17 feet at Camanche, and 11 feet at LeClaire. The river is rising. Water clarity is stained. Water temperature is near 53 degrees. Water levels are in action stage, but will move up quickly to major flood stage in a week. Bluegill – No Report: Many good reports in general on all panfish species in Pool 14 over the winter season. Hope this translates into a good open water season. Paddlefish – No Report: Paddlefish season is closed. Flooding conditions are optimal for successful paddlefish spawns; hopefully this flood will create another strong year class. Shorthead Redhorse – Good: Redhorse will soon start to bite and will run up rivers like the Wapsipinicon. They can provide good early season fishing action.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is near 15 feet and is rising at Rock Island. Water clarity is stained. Water temperature is 53 degrees. Water level is in minor Flood stage, but will quickly move up to major stage later this week.
The Mississippi River is in action flood stage and will move up quickly to major flood stage probably within a week. Water levels are rising fast. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.
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Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 14.58 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is rising.
River stage is forecast to reach 18.7 feet by next Wednesday. Flood stage is 15 feet. The boat ramp at Clark’s Ferry Landing is closed due to high water. White Bass – Good: Some white bass are being caught in Sunset Marina. Try jigs and twister tails or in-line spinners. White Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are starting to be caught in Sunset Marina. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 13.82 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach flood stage on Friday or Saturday. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is forecast to reach 17.9 feet by next Wednesday with current predictions. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. The ramps at Big Timber and Kilpeck are closed due to high water. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week due to high water conditions.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 14.54 feet at Lock and Dam 17 and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to rise over the weekend and reach flood stage by Thursday or Friday. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is forecast to reach 18.5 feet by next Wednesday. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. The Toolsboro ramp and Ferry Landing are closed due to high water. The Hawkeye Dolbee ramp is under water. White Bass – Fair: Some white bass are being caught in Belle Pocket. Try jigs and twister tails or inline spinners.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 10.26 feet at Lock and Dam 18 and is rising. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 13.2 feet by Wednesday. Flood stage is 10 feet. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Sullivan Slough Access and the Tama Beach Access are under water.
Tailwater stages have been on the rise this week. Tailwater stages are at or near floodstage and forecast to keep rising. Main channel water clarity has been fair to poor. Water temperature is around 55 degrees. Fishing has been slow due to high water conditions. Some boat ramps may be under water due to high water conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
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SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
The water temperature is getting back to 60 degrees after having dropped over the weekend with the colder weather. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few crappies in the trees out 5 feet of water vertically jigging or with minnow and bobber. The fish are scattered; you need to move around to find your limit of fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are starting to catch some bass as the water warms. Mostly working soft plastics slowly along the bottom in 3-4 feet of water again after the colder weather last weekend pushed them back out to deeper water.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is in the upper 50s. Black Crappie – Slow: Occasionally an angler will find a school of crappies in the flooded timber before they move off and you have to move. Crappie are scattered. Jig and minnow will let you work slow when you find them, but cover plenty of water when you’re not on them. Largemouth Bass – Fair: They start to get use to the warmer temps and it snows and rains cooling the water back off. Work soft plastics slow through the trees at mid-depths.
Lake Darling
After the weekend, the water temperature dropped to the mid 50s; Wednesday afternoon it got back up to 58 degrees, but will be headed down for the weekend. Water clarity is a little over 3 feet. Bluegill – Fair: The bluegill bite is hit-and-miss. Pick up a few here and there out over the rock piles in 5-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are still a little timid; a more stable weather pattern would help. Work the edges of the deeper water with slow trolled crankbaits to pick up a few.
Lake Geode
The lake is fully stocked with bass, redears, bluegills, crappies, and catfish. While still growing to size, it’s a good place to take kids fishing. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are starting to pick up some crappies. Try jigs tipped with minnows; they are out over the habitat in 7-8 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are getting close to a keeper-size. Try fishing the sunny bays that are a little warmer and you should be able to catch enough to keep it interesting. Largemouth Bass – Fair: While still below the 15 inch size limit, these fish are more than eager to hit your bait on warmer days.
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is in the mid to upper 50s. Water is fairly clear with a little green cast. Bluegill – Fair: The occasional warm day brings in bluegills a little bit into the shallows to feed, but then it cools off and they return to deeper water. Channel Catfish – Slow: Catfishing slowed some with the cooler weather over the last weekend. When we get a warm day, work the rocks with a piece of cut bait under a bobber and you should be able to find them. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers continue to pick up a few bass that have been working the rocks along the north shore of the lake. Try a slow retrieved crankbait or jig bounced off the underwater rocks.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319- 694-2430.
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Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
Reports of anglers catching walleye and smallmouth bass. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast jigs and ringworm plastics or cast and retrieve spinnerbaits. Walleye – Fair: Cast jigs and ringworm plastics tipped with a minnow.
Central Park Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid-50s. Fishing has been reported as very slow.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is 683.5 feet. Water temperature is in the 50s. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait on the upper end towards 380/965. White Crappie – Fair: Use bright jigs or minnows in brush piles or rock banks near spawning coves.
Diamond Lake
All facilities are open. Black Crappie – Fair: A few fish are being caught on jigs tipped with waxies in 4-6 feet of water off the jetties. Most fish are 8- to 9-inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Some fish have been caught in the shallows and inlet areas. White Crappie – Slow: A few bigger white crappies have been caught.
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Water temperature is around 50 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish are suspended in 5-10 feet of water. Cast or troll jigs over these depths. Bluegill – Fair: Look for fish in 4-8 feet of water; use a worm. Some fish are on the bottom while some are suspended.
Lake Macbride
The docks are in. Water temperature is in the mid-50s. Any sized motor may be used at 5 mph. The fish cleaning station should be open this week. Black Crappie – Fair: Some fish are in brush and some have moved shallower. Try jigs or minnows in 5-15 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish are moving to shallower structure and areas adjacent to spawning flats. Walleye – Fair: Some fish are on shallow rock at night and the rest have moved to back to post-spawn feeding areas. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair.
Liberty Centre Pond
Rainbow Trout – Fair: Trout were recently stocked. Try small jigs, spinners, scented baits or live bait. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Otter Creek Lake
The lake is drained for the ongoing renovation project.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The docks are in. Water temperature is in the mid-50s. Pit toilets are available; the modern bathroom and fish cleaning station won’t be available until May. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing over brush in 5-15 feet of water. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing in rock in 10-20 feet of water during the day and shallower rock towards evening.
Prairie Park Fishery
Rainbow Trout – Fair: Trout were recently stocked. Try small jigs, spinners, scented baits or live bait. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Sand Lake
Rainbow Trout – Good; Trout were recently stocked. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Union Grove Lake
The boat docks are in. Water temperature is around 50 degrees. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish are moving shallower with warming water.
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Dam removal has started at Central City. Public access below the dam is not permitted during the project. Black Crappie – Fair: Target backwater areas, especially around brush. Walleye – Fair.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
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Hawthorn Lake
Try cut bait for channel catfish. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Target rip-rapped shorelines fishing slowly with jigs and plastics.
Lake Miami
Bluegill – Slow: Try small jigs fished near shore. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use jigs fished along structure and near shore.
Lake Sugema
Black Crappie – No Report: Look for crappie to start gathering around structure as the water temperature increases. Try small jigs in these areas. Channel Catfish – No Report: Try cut bait on wind-blown shorelines.
Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish – No Report: Try cut bait along the shorelines. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Try jigs or plastics in areas with structure. Fish slower until the water temperature increases.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond)
Trout were stocked recently. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Good: Try spinners or trout bait. Adjust the retrieval speed of your lure until you find what the trout are interested in.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.78 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Courtesy docks have been installed at the Dedication Point boat ramp, Honey Creek State Park and Bridgeview. The Corps campgrounds are still closed. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody. Channel Catfish – No Report: Channel catfish are usually caught on the wind-blown shorelines using dead shad or chubs. Walleye – No Report: There is a 15-inch minimum length limit on walleye at Lake Rathbun. This was effective January 1st. All walleyes measuring less than 15-inches must be immediately released unharmed.
Red Haw Lake
Visitors are asked to avoid the campground area due to the continued storm damage cleanup. Bluegill – No Report: As the water temperature increases, look for bluegill to start to move closer to shore. Try small jigs, changing your retrieval speed until you find one the fish like.
Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.
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SOUTHWEST
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked recently. Use small in line spinners, spoons 1/8 ounce or smaller, twister tail jigs or live bait under a float. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Big Creek Lake
Walleye – Fair: Catch walleyes jigging with twister tails, swimbaits, minnows, and leeches or trolling live bait rigs with minnows or leeches. Concentrate on the upper half of the lake in 10 to 25 feet of water around road beds points and humps during the day and shallow in the evenings.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish – Good: Catch channel catfish out of the main current or in the mouths of feeder creeks using dead shad or cut bait. Walleye – Fair: Try jigs tipped with twister tails, swimbaits or live minnows below Saylorville Dam, the dams in Des Moines, and deeper pools.
Lake Petocka
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were recently stocked. There are some tagged trout for prizes offered by the City of Bondurant. Use small in line spinners, spoons 1/8 ounce or smaller, twister tail jigs or live bait under a float. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Terra Lake
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were recently stocked. Use small in line spinners, spoons 1/8 ounce or smaller, twister tail jigs or live bait under a float. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Triumph Park West
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked recently. Try small in line spinners, spoons 1/8 ounce or smaller, twister tail jigs or live bait under a float. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
For information on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
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Lake Anita
Overall, the fish population looks good at Anita for 2023. Black crappie will start to move up into the pontoon arm of the lake as water temperatures warm. Black Crappie – Slow: Try small jigs 2 feet under a bobber behind the pontoon boats. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good lake to catch channel catfish in early spring. Channel Catfish – Good: Try shad sides or cut bait on windy shorelines. Catch catfish of all sizes. Walleye – Fair: Cast jigs on the south shoreline.
Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer excellent fishing in 2023. The largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie populations look very good. Black Crappie – Fair: Fishing for crappies is picking up. Try fishing around jetties and rocky shorelines to catch 10-inch black crappie. Bluegill – Slow: Cast small jigs tipping with a piece of crawler on the south shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass can be caught all around the lake.
Viking Lake
The Viking Lake water level is close to full and will offer good fishing opportunities in 2023. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing the deep water around the jetties in the lake to find 9-inch black crappie. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait on wind-blown shorelines. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
For information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.
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Green Valley Lake
Docks are in at the beach and dam boat ramps. Black Crappie – Fair: Try jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch crappies of all sizes. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 20-inches with finesse plastics fished along rocky shoreline areas.
Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Black Crappie – Good: Try minnows fished along cedar tree brush piles to catch crappies of all sizes.
Three Mile Lake
Docks are in at main ramp. Black Crappie – Fair: Catch crappies up to 11-inches with tube jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Walleye – Fair: Use jigs fished along the dam in the evenings to catch all sizes of walleyes.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The dock is in at main boat ramp. Black Crappie – Fair: Try jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch all sizes of crappies.
Water temperature is in the mid to upper 50s in most lakes. For more information, call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
