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Iowa DNR Fishing Report Week of May 4, 2023


Two women in kayaks

Paddle. Fish. Win

The Hook n’ Paddle Passport, launched last summer, has been refreshed and is ready for a second year of fun.

Get your 2023 passport and start collecting points. Each check-in from May 1 – Aug. 31 rewards you with 100 points. Keep building points to redeem for prizes. Redeem your points once you’ve reached your desired point total.

The water is waiting. Have fun exploring!


NORTHWEST

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 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, from the fish house in Town Bay, and in the marina with small jigs. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up walleye along shore near Ice House Point, the inlet bridge, and the outlet. Boat anglers have had success. Use leeches under a bobber or throw twisters and crankbaits. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are picking up perch along the Ice House Point shoreline, the Inlet Bridge area, and the marina.

Brushy Creek Lake
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)
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 – Slow: Try live bait and twisters from shore in the evenings. Yellow Bass – Fair: Most fish are 5- to 7-inches. As water temperatures warm, try the edges of the dredge cuts with crawler harnesses or crankbaits. Yellow Perch – Fair.

Water temperatures are in the upper 50s in most area lakes.  For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.


Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the low 50s. Lake level is 1 inch above crest. Water clarity is over 5 feet. The fish cleaning station is open. 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 – Fair: Anglers are catching crappies from the jetties. Best bite is in the morning. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a piece of cut bait fished on the bottom from the wind-swept shore. Walleye – Good: Anglers are having success fishing a jig and minnow near vegetation or trolling crankbaits in 8 to10 feet of water. Yellow Bass – Fair.

Rice Lake
Water temperature is in the low 50s.Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Best bite is after sunset. Yellow Perch – Slow.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Water temperature is in the low 50s.Largemouth Bass – Good. Yellow Perch – Slow.

Winnebago River
Water levels continue to drop to 5.7 feet. Northern Pike – Fair. Walleye – Fair: 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.


East Okoboji Lake
The water temperature is in the lower 50s. The walleye season opens May 6. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will be needed.

Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair.

Lost Island Lake
Water temps are in the lower 50s. Check out the Iowa Walleye Challenge being held May 1 – June 30 for prizes given to anglers catching the most walleye. Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Good.

Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair.  Bluegill – Fair.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Courtesy docks are in place. Check out the Iowa Walleye Challenge being held May 1 – June 30 for prizes given to anglers catching the most walleye. Walleye – Fair.

Spirit Lake
The water temperature is in the low 50s. All boat ramp docks are in place. The walleye season opens May 6. Black Crappie – Good. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.

West Okoboji Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 40s. All docks are in place. The walleye season opens May 6. Check out the Iowa Walleye Challenge being held May 1 – June 30 for prizes given to anglers catching the most walleye. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Courtesy docks are in for the season.  Water temperatures are in the upper 40s and low 50s. Most fish are still out in deeper water, but should start to make their way shallower as water temperatures increase. The 41st annual Iowa Great Lakes Walleye Weekend begins May 6th when the Walleye season opens. Check out the Iowa Walleye Challenge that runs 5/1 – 6/30 for statewide prizes for anglers. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.


NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
River levels are slowly falling. Water 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. Northern Pike – Fair: Anglers are finding pike while fishing for other species. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try fishing eddies and 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. Fourth season turkey hunting runs through May 14th. 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 day’s heating. Try fishing in the afternoon to dusk for best luck. Largemouth Bass – Good: Find fish around rock reefs and the shoreline. Use spinnerbaits with a slow retrieve.

Lake Meyer
Water clarity is about 2 feet. Water temperature is in the low 50s. Find a majority of fish at 2 to 10 feet. Largemouth Bass – Good: A few anglers are picking up bass along the shoreline in the evening. Use a spinnerbait imitating smaller fish. 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 falling 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 – Good: 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 falling with good clarity. Water temperatures are nearing the 50s. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Find smallmouth near undercut banks and current breaks. 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 picking up as water warms. Water temperatures is in the low 50s. Black Crappie – Slow: Find fish on the bottom near habitat. A patient angler can catch a sluggish fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Find bass near shore in the evenings as shallower water warms.

Rivers and streams in excellent condition. Temperatures are warming to the mid-70s during the day to 50s overnight. Breezy with a change of storms every day.  For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.


MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 16.6 feet at Lansing  and is expected to fall to 13.5 feet over the next week. New Albin Army Road is closed due to water over the road. Lansing Village Creek is inaccessible for larger boats under the railroad bridge. Fish are biting, but are more difficult to find with high water conditions. Water temperature is near 51 degrees. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a crawler in the current seams as water temperature rises this week. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding. Try a weighted crawler in moderate current from shore. Shorthead Redhorse – Good: Redhorse are running; they are fun to catch. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 627 feet at Lynxville and is expected to fall below 624 feet this week. Ramps at Noble’s Island, Bussey Lake and road to Sny Magill ramp are under water and closed. All gates are out of the water at the dam. Fish are biting, but are more difficult to find with high water conditions. Water temperature is 52 degrees. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a crawler in the current seams as water temperature rises this week. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding. Use a weighted crawler in moderate current from shore. Shorthead Redhorse – Good: Redhorse are running; they are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 185 feet at Guttenberg and is predicted to fall to 15 feet over the next week. The south boat ramp at Guttenberg and the DNR ramp are under water and closed. All gates are out of the water at the dam. Fish are biting, but are more difficult to find with high water conditions. Water temperature is near 50 degrees. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a crawler in the current seams as water temperature rises this week. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding. Try a weighted crawler from shore. Shorthead Redhorse – Fair: Redhorse are running; they are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks.

Upper Mississippi River water levels crested after reaching major flood stages. Water is expected to gradually recede. Boat ramps are closed due to flooding and will be full of mud and debris as water recedes. 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.


Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is dropping to near 20.3 feet at Lock and Dam 11 and around 21.9 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 49 degrees; the water is stained. Some fishing is still taking place in parking lots and along hard banks. It will take some time to clean up parks and ramps after the flood recedes. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills will follow along the shorelines, even in flooded water. White Bass – Good: You can still find fish in flooded conditions; most fish will be along the shorelines. Try minnows or small spinners to catch white bass feeding in these locations. 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 flooding conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level at Lock and Dam 12 at Bellevue is dropping to near 20 feet. Water clarity is stained. Water temperature is around 50 degrees. Many boat ramps are flooded out. Water levels are still in major flood stage, but should drop out of that stage early next week. It will take some time to clean up boat ramps and parks after the flood. 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. Fishing in flood waters should yield abundant channel cats. 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 – No Report: The Bellevue kids trout pond is completely flooded out and unfishable. Shorthead Redhorse – Excellent: Redhorse are running up the tributary rivers like the Maquoketa; they 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 at Fulton is receding at near 20.9 feet, 22 feet at Camanche, and near 15 feet at LeClaire. Water temperature is 51 degrees. Water levels are still in major flood stage, but will fall out of that stage by next week. It will take some time to clean up parks and ramps after floods recede. Bluegill – No Report: Many good reports on all panfish species in Pool 14 over the winter season. Hope this translates into a good open water season. Channel Catfish – No Report: Expect channel catfish fishing to be good over the next few weeks. 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 at Rock Island is dropping to near 20.1 feet. Water clarity is stained. Water temperature is 51 degrees. Water level is still in major flood stage, but should fall out of that stage by next week.

The river is finally starting to drop throughout the district. This flood was ranked the 3rd highest in this stretch of the Mississippi River. The Mississippi River is still in major flood stage, but will fall out of that soon. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.


Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 21.14 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is falling.
Flood stage is 15 feet. The boat ramps at Marquette St, Credit Island, Buffalo Shores, Clark’s Ferry Landing, Shady Creek and the Fairport Recreational Area are closed due to high water. No fishing reports have been received for this Pool this week.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 21.03 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is starting to fall. 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. Mississippi Drive in downtown Muscatine is 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 20.82 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is forecast to start to fall by Thursday or Friday. Flood stage is 15 feet. 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. We have not received any fishing reports for this Pool this week due to flooding conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 15.88 feet at Lock and Dam 18 and is is forecast to start to fall by Friday. River stage is 19.94 feet at Burlington.  Flood stage is 15 feet at Burlington. River stage is 529.45 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528 feet. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week.

River stages are above major flood stage throughout Pools 16-19. River stages have crested and are starting to fall or will begin falling in the next couple days.  Main channel water clarity has been fair. Water temperature is around 51 degrees. Fishing has been slow due to high water conditions. Most boat ramps are closed due to high water conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.


SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
The water temperature is back to the mid- to upper 50s. Black Crappie – Fair: : Not seeing any spawners yet; shouldn’t be long now. Most are caught in 6-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are moving into shallow water in the afternoons, and back to deeper water in the early morning and evenings. Work soft plastics slowly along the bottom in 3-4 feet of water during the afternoon.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperatures was 54 degrees on May 2. Water clarity at about 8 feet. The curly leaf pondweed is just starting to come up. Black Crappie – Fair: A few anglers are finding the schools in deeper water out from the north ramp and have done fairly well there. Needs to warm the water up a little bit more. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Be on the water early, finish fishing up by 10 am, and be quiet – they can see along ways in this clear water; any noise you make, they can very easily see your boat.

Lake Darling
The water temperature was 56 degrees on May 3. Water clarity is 6-7 feet. Black Crappie – Fair:  Crappie fishing has slowly been picking up. A few more degrees of water temperature, and they should be in spawning. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill bite continues to be decent. Look for them around the rock piles and tree falls in 5-7 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: The past few days of wind has kept most anglers away. Bass should be working their way into shallow water for pre-spawn.

Lake Geode
Water temperature is 57-58 degrees. Water clarity is 6 feet. 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; 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 was 54 degrees on May 3. Water clarity is about 7 feet. Some of the curly leaf pondweed and other pondweeds are starting to come up. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few more crappies. The strong winds the last few days have kept most anglers off the water. Bluegill – Fair: Pick a warm afternoon without the wind. Find a chunk of shoreline where the sun is really hitting the water and you should find bluegills. Worm and bobber work well; try also a small jig tipped with a waxworm. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Work the flooded timber in the shallows to find pre-spawn bass

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


Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is 683.5 feet. Water temperature is in the 50s. Black Crappie – Fair: Try bright jigs or minnows in brush piles or some rock banks near spawning coves. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait in the channel or on wind-blown flats.

Diamond Lake
All facilities are open. Black Crappie – Good: Target the jetty areas and shorelines with brush. 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.

Hannen Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Most fish are 8- 9-inches; some 13- 14-inxh fish are available. Bluegill – Fair: Fish up to 10-inches are being reported. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most fish are 1-2 pounds.

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 others are suspended.

Lake Macbride
The docks are in. The fish cleaning station is open. Water temperatures is in the mid 50s. Any sized motor may be used at 5 mph. Black Crappie – Fair: Some crappie are starting to move to shallow water, while others are staged out from spawning areas. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish are moving to shallower structure and areas adjacent to spawning flats. Muskellunge – Fair. Spotted bass – Good: Bass are moving to shallower structure and areas adjacent to spawning flats. Walleye – Fair: Some walleye are on shallow rock at night; the rest have moved to back to post-spawn feeding areas. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Most wipers are deeper, but some have been feeding shallow or on the surface at sunrise/sunset.

Liberty Centre Pond
Rainbow trout were recently stocked. Rainbow Trout – Fair: 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
Water temperatures have dropped to the low 50s. The modern bathrooms are open. The fish cleaning station should be open by the weekend. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing over brush in 10-15 feet of water. Muskellunge – Fair. 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 were recently stocked. Rainbow Trout – Fair: 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 were recently stocked. Rainbow Trout – Fair; 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.

Union Grove Lake
The boat docks are in. Water temperature is around 50 degrees. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass 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.


Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass – No Report: Target rip-rapped shorelines fishing slowly with jigs and plastics.

Lake Miami
Bluegill
 – Slow: Try small jigs fished near shore. Keep moving until you find active fish. 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)
Rainbow 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 904.73 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Courtesy docks have been installed at the Dedication Point boat ramp, Honey Creek State Park and Bridgeview. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies are starting to move into shallow water. The water temperature is in the low to mid-50s. 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.


SOUTHWEST

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow trout were stocked recently. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Good: Use small in line spinners, spoons 1/8 ounce or smaller, twister tail jigs or live bait under a float.

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 were stocked recently. There are some tagged trout for prizes offered by the City of Bondurant. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Good: Use small in line spinners, spoons 1/8 ounce or smaller, twister tail jigs or live bait under a float.

Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie – Fair: Catch pre-spawn crappies drifting or trolling jigs tipped with plastics or minnows in coves off the main lake and Whitebreast Arm.  Some of these include Teter Creek Arm, Campetine Creek Arm, and the South Overlook Arm. Try fishing near riprap as the water warms over the next week.

Terra Lake
Rainbow trout were stocked recently. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Good: Use small in line spinners, spoons 1/8 ounce or smaller, twister tail jigs or live bait under a float.

Triumph Park West
Rainbow 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 small in line spinners, spoons 1/8 ounce or smaller, twister tail jigs or live bait under a float.

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


Greenfield Lake
Anglers are staring to catch crappies around the jetties. Black Crappie – Fair: Cast small jigs around the jetties to find 9-inch black crappies. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Greenfield has a good largemouth bass population with a good percentage of 14- to 16-inch fish.

Lake Anita
Overall, the fish population looks good. Black crappie will start to move up into the pontoon arm of the lake as water temperatures warm. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs 2 feet under a bobber behind the pontoon boats and around the jetties. Bluegill – Slow: A few nice bluegills can be caught using crawlers. Try around the roadbeds and underwater reefs. Largemouth Bass – Good.

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is 2 feet low. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try shad sides or cut bait on windy shorelines. Catch catfish of all sizes. Walleye – Good: Walleye anglers are having success casting crankbaits.

Orient Lake
Bluegill – Slow. Channel Catfish – Good: Catch channel catfish up to 5 pounds with cut bait near the cleaning station.

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose offers excellent. The largemouth bass, bluegill and black crappie populations look very good. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing is picking up. Try fishing around jetties and rocky shorelines to catch 10-inch black crappie. Bluegill – Fair: 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. Black Crappie – Good: Catch 9- to 10-inch black crappies around the jetties. Bluegill – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait on wind-blown shorelines. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing just outside the flooded terrestrial vegetation.

For information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.


Green Valley Lake
Docks are in at the beach and dam boat ramps. Black Crappie – Slow: 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 – Fair: 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 – Slow: Catch crappies up to 11-inches with tube jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Walleye – Fair: Use jigs fished along creek channels and rockpiles 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 upper 50s in most lakes. For more information, call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

Mark Pitz

News Director/Weekdays 10am to 2pm on 95.9 KCHA
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