NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are are in the upper 70s. Water levels are 4 inches above the spillway. Water clarity is about 1-2 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Pick up crappie in and around the fish house in Town Bay and along Ice House Point shoreline. Crappie are up to 10- to 12-inches. Morning and evening bite are best. Bluegill – Fair: Try a nightcrawler under a bobber fished from shore. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass along the shoreline and submerged rock piles; try a variety of bass baits. Walleye – Slow: Walleye action has slowed; try the submerged rock piles in the east basin and the shoreline along Ice House Point.
Brushy Creek Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 70s.Water clarity is about 4-5 feet. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappie near submerged structure in 5-150 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 started to move into deeper habitat. Try soft plastics in deeper weedlines and rock/brush piles in 8-15 feet of water. Walleye – Fair: Pick up walleye in 10-15 feet of water on rock/brush piles. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Des Moines River (Humboldt to Stratford)
Unsafe conditions; water levels are receding, but watercraft are advised to avoid the Des Moines River .
Little Sioux River (Correctionville to Missouri River)
Unsafe conditions; water levels are receding, but watercraft are advised to avoid the Little Sioux River.
Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
Unsafe conditions; water levels are receding, but watercraft are advised to avoid the Little Sioux River.
North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 bridge near Auburn)
Discharge is nearly average in the North Raccoon River. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallmouth bass in slack water near rock and woody habitat; use spinnerbaits or soft plastics.
North Racoon River (Auburn to Perry)
Discharge is nearly average in the North Raccoon River. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallmouth bass in slack water near rock and woody habitat; use spinnerbaits or soft plastics.
North Twin Lake
Water levels are about 10 inches below the crest of the spillway. Courtesy docks are installed.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are in the upper 70s. 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
|
|
Clear Lake
Water level is 6.1 inches over crest. Water temperature is in the upper 70s. Water clarity is 25 inches. Black Crappie – Slow. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try crawlers or cut bait from the wind-swept shore or rocky areas. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing near the edge of vegetation. Walleye – Fair: Troll spinnerbaits and leeches near the edge of vegetation or slip bobber fish half a crawler on the rocky habitat. Best bite is early morning and evening Yellow Bass – Slow: Best bite is early morning.
Crystal Lake
Black Bullhead – Fair: Try a crawler fished on the bottom from the jetties. Black Crappie– Slow: Drift fish small jigs or live bait near the dredge cut. Bluegill – Fair: Use a piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Slow.
Lower Pine Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Channel Catfish – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Good: Find bass close to shore near woody habitat.
Rice Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are on beds near shore. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try fishing the edge of vegetation and near woody habitat. Walleye – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are biting on a topwater and weedless baits.
Upper Pine Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Drift fish or troll small jigs. Bluegill – Good: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Find bass close to shore near woody habitat.
Winnebago River
River level is 9.77 feet.
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 3.6 feet above crest. The lake is under a 5 mph no wake ordinance until further notice. The Highway 9 and Hattie Elston boat ramps are the only functional boat ramps. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Good: Bluegill – Good: Lots of bluegill have been seen in shallower waters; many fish are on beds. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are a little ways off shore; you can still find some around docks and other structure. Yellow Perch – Good: Many perch have been seen; sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and afternoon.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Lake level is 1.5 feet over crest. The lake is under a 5 mph no wake ordinance until further notice. Walleye – Good: Bite has been hit-or-miss, but has been very good when the bite is on.
Spirit Lake
Lake level is 1.9 feet over crest. The lake is under a 5 mph no wake ordinance until further notice. All major boat ramps are available; most courtesy are out of the water. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are finding quality-size crappie; they are biting on almost anything. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching quality-sized walleye. Evening bite is best with leech and bobber from shore or crankbaits and slip bobbers by boat. Yellow Perch – Good: Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji Lake
Lake level is 3.6 feet above crest. The lake is under a 5 mph no wake ordinance until further notice. The Emerson Bay boat ramp is the only functional access. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
Due to flooding, all lakes in Dickinson County are under a 5 mph no wake ordinance until further notice. Many ramps and access docks are still under water. Use caution; many lakes have floating debris. Area water temperatures are in the mid-70s. Water levels are well above crest and have flooded some lower level areas. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
|
|
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are predicted to crest late July 3 . Water clarity is poor. Use caution when on water; watch for submerged hazards. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information. Channel Catfish – Good: Try worms or chubs fished on the bottom in calm water or the edge of current.
Decorah District Streams
Many areas received about 2 inches of rain on July 2. Flows are high at most locations. Stream clarity is highly variable depending on the watershed; many should clear by the weekend. Use caution when wading streams with high flows. All streams were stocked this week. Gnats and no-see-ums are out in force. Wild parsnip is starting to bloom. Don’t touch this plant; it can cause painful blisters. Brook Trout – Slow: Brook trout take more persuasion to bite in off-color water. Sneak up on brook trout for a better chance to catch one of these beauties. Good hatches of gnats, mayflies, 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 about 2 feet. Water temperature is in the 70s. Black Crappie – Slow: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow in deeper water. Bluegill – Slow: 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
Water is stained with about 2 feet visibility. Water temperature is in the 70s. Black Crappie – Slow: Use spinnerbaits or a jig tipped with a minnow fished deeper. Bluegill – Slow: Try small hooks tipped with a waxworm or a small piece of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: Try a nightcrawler on a hook fished at the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use a spinnerbait along the edge of vegetation. Reports of anglers catching quite a few small bass.
North Bear Creek
Stream improvements are taking place on upper North Bear just downstream of 380th St. and soon between 128th Ave. and 380th St. Rainbow Trout – Slow: There are many other great locations to find fish below this area. Stocking continues below this area weekly.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels may crest late July 3. Water clarity is poor. Use caution when on the water. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water levels may crest late July 3. Water clarity is poor. Use caution when on the water. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find smallies in deeper holes or near rock ledges. Walleye – Slow: Use crankbaits or jigs tipped with plastics in off channel areas.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water level will crest early July 4. Water clarity is poor. Use caution when on the water.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are falling. Water clarity is poor. Use caution as snags and debris move through the system.
Volga Lake
Water clarity is good. Water temperature is in the 70s. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappies in deeper water or near drop-offs; use a jig tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Slow: 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 – Good: Use spinners or crankbaits along jetties or drop-offs.
Volga River
Water levels are high, but are stabilizing. Water clarity is poor. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information.
Yellow River
Water levels have crested and are slowly falling. Water clarity is poor. Use caution as snags and debris move through the system. Brown Trout – Slow: Find trout below or just off riffles. A spinner or shallow running crankbait should interest a hungry mouth.
Water levels vary depending on rainfall amounts on area rivers and streams. Many have crested or will crest in the next few days baring more rain. Weekend temperatures in the 70s to 60s with a chance of storms daily. For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
|
|
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers may have best success in targeting channel catfish with the high and turbid river conditions. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try stink baits or dead cut baits.
Interior rivers are high and muddy with the ongoing rainfall. Anglers may have best success in Black Hawk County lakes for panfish or bass. Trout streams are hit-and-miss with higher water levels and turbidity in some counties. Check with your area bait shops for the most recent and up to date fishing reports. For more information, contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.
|
|
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 17.8 feet at Lansing and is predicted to crest near 18.4 feet early next week. Army Road at New Albin is closed due to high water. Black Crappie – Good: Try light tackle in the flooded timber as the river rises; use minnows. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill have moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on weed beds. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers. Flathead Catfish – Good: Look for flathead to start feeding as they gear up for the summer spawn. Freshwater Drum – Good: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along main channel and side channel current. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast frog baits along weed edges in upper portions of the backwaters. Northern Pike – Good: Try fishing the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Shore Slough at Lansing has been good fishing for northern pike. Sauger – Fair: Sauger are biting on a minnow rig fished just off the bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines. Walleye – Slow: Tailwater fishing has tapered off. Use jigs tipped with a minnow or crawlers on three-way rigs along channel or closing dams. White Bass – Good: Throw inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for schools of minnows jumping as white bass are feeding. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are biting on live minnows and crawlers along weed lines in about 6 feet of water.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 627.8 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to reach 628.5 feet next week. Boat ramps at Nobles Island, Marquette, McGregor, Sny Magill, and Bussey Lake are under water. Water is to the top of the high water ramp at Harpers Ferry. Black Crappie – Good: Try fishing the flooded timber as the river rises; use minnows around submerged structure. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill have moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on weed beds. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers. Flathead Catfish – Good: Expect flathead to start feeding as they gear up for the summer spawn. Freshwater Drum – Good: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along the main channel and side channel current. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast frog baits along weed edges in upper portions of the backwaters. Northern Pike – Fair: Try fishing the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Sauger – Fair: Sauger are biting on a minnow rig fished just off the bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines or at the spillway. Walleye – Slow: Tailwater fishing has tapered off. Use jigs tipped with a minnow or crawlers on three-way rigs along side channel or closing dams. White Bass – Good: Throw inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for schools of minnows jumping as white bass are feeding. Yellow Perch – Slow: Perch are biting on live minnows and crawlers along weed lines in about 6 feet of water.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 18.65 feet at Guttenberg in the tailwaters and is expected to reach 18.7 feet next week. Tailwater fishing at the Lock & Dam is not recommended with increased turbulence due to the lock gates being up. Guttenberg City ramp, Turkey River and Mud Lake are under water. Black Crappie – Good: Try light tackle in the flooded timber as the river rises; use minnows. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill have moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on weed beds. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers or cut bait. Flathead Catfish – Good: Expect flathead to start feeding as they gear up for the summer spawn. Use live bluegill or shiners in the tailwater. Freshwater Drum – Good: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along the main channel and side channel current. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast frog baits along weed edges in upper portions of the backwaters. Northern Pike – Good: Try fishing the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Sauger – Fair: Sauger are biting on a minnow rig fished just off the bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines. Walleye – Slow: Tailwater fishing has tapered off. Try jigs tipped with a minnow or crawlers on three-way rigs along side channel or closing dams. White Bass – Good: Throw inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for schools of minnows jumping as white bass are feeding. Yellow Perch – Slow: Perch are biting on live minnows and crawlers along weed lines in about 6 feet of water.
Upper Mississippi River levels are at or above moderate flood stage. Most public boat ramps are closed. Use caution due to floating trees and debris.
|
|
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is 20.2 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 21.7 feet at the RR bridge. Water levels are rising to at or near near major flood stage; use caution when boating on the River. Water temperature is near 72 degrees. Water clarity is stained. Most boat ramps are affected by the flooding. Campgrounds at Massey and Spruce Creek are closed. Water is expected to go peak in a few days. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish like flood waters and will move along the banks to feed; use stink baits. Catfish should be well along their way in the spawning process. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Anglers are starting to use trot lines where they can find non-flooded banks. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Bass are often stacked up along cleaner water edges. Most anglers are using crankbaits or spinning baits to catch abundant bass. Northern Pike – Good: Some pike are being reported in flooded areas like the OLearys access. Walleye – No Report: 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 the tailwater areas.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is near 19.2 feet at Bellevue. River levels are on the rise to at or near major flood stage; use caution when boating on the river. Water temperature is 72.5 degrees. The water is stained. Most boat ramps on Pool 13 are flooded. Pleasant Creek campground near Bellevue, Jackson County Campground at Sabula and Bulgers Hollow campground near Clinton are closed. Water is expected to peak this week. Brown Bullhead – Good: Anglers using egg sinker and worm rigs in the lower pool above Clinton are catching good numbers of this unique bullhead. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish like flood waters and will move along the banks to feed; use stink baits. They should be spawning soon; rock lines are a good place to start. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are a consistent biter in moderate current areas; use an egg sinker worm rig. Largemouth Bass – Good: Find weed lines away from the main channel. Anglers are using gaudy spinnerbaits. Walleye – No Report: 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 rising to near 18.3 feet at Fulton, 19.7 feet at Camanche and 12.7 feet at LeClair. River levels are on the rise to at or near major flood stage; use caution when boating on the river. Water is stained. Water temperature is 73 degrees. Most boat ramps into Pool 14 will be flooded; the campground at Rock Creek will also be affected. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish like flood waters and will move along the banks to feed; use stink baits. They should be spawning soon; rock lines are a good place to start. Freshwater Drum – Good: Worm rig with egg sinker fished along shore in moderate current will catch this consistent biter. Largemouth Bass – Good: No Report: Marina areas and flooded pockets will hold bass feeding on minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is rising to near 18.3 feet at Rock Island. Water is at major flood stage; use caution when boating on the river. The water is stained. Water temperature is 74 degrees. Most boat ramp have flooding issues. Freshwater Drum – No Report: Worm rig with egg sinker fished along shore in moderate current will catch this consistent biter.
Water is at or near major flood stage; use caution required when boating on the river. Only a few of the major boat ramps will be in operation over the next week or so. Water is expected to peak later this week and begin to recede. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.
|
|
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 18.27 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is forecast to reach 20.0 feet by July 7. Flood stage is 15 feet. Fishing is being reported as slow with the high water conditions. The Marquette St ramp in Davenport is flooded. The boat ramps at Clark’s Ferry and Shady Creek are closed due to high water. Docks have been pulled at the Fairport Recreational Area and there is water into the parking lots.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 17.90 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is rising. River level is forecast to reach 20.2 feet by July 7. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are out of the water at Lock and Dam 16. The boat ramps at Muscatine are inaccessible due to high water. 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 18.93 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 21.0 feet by July 8. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. River stage is 17.39 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.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 14.44 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is rising. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 16.2 feet by July 8. The gates are out of the water at the dam. River stage is 18.73 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 529.82 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. Boat ramps like Tama Beach and Sullivan Slough will be inaccessible due to high water.
River stage is above major flood stage throughout Pools 16-19. River level is forecast to continue to rise and crest on July 7 or July 8. Water clarity is poor. Main channel water temperature is around 74 degrees. Fishing is being reported as slow. Most boat ramps are inaccessible due to high water. If 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 upper 70s to low 80s. Water is clear. Duck weed is not bad. 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. Channel Catfish – Good: The face of the dam is the place to catch catfish; after a heavy rain, try where those steep gullies hit the lake.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa River in this section is bank full or higher for at least the next several days.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is 77 degrees. Water is getting greener with clarity down to 22 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappies in 10 to 12 feet of water by vertically jigging or slow drift trolling. They remain in their summer pattern. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching bluegill while slow trolling for crappies and also off the rock points and mounds in the lake. Bigger bluegill want to stay closer to deeper water. Channel Catfish – Good: Try fishing in the rocks along the face of the dam and off the ends of the jetties. After a heavy rain, check where the marsh overflow enters the lake under the gravel road. 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 78 degrees. Water is getting green. Heavy rains have cut water clarity to 9 inches. The lake level is a little higher than normal pool. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers continue to catch some bluegills over top of the rock piles between the point and the campground boat ramp; also off the tips of the jetties. They are hanging around the habitat in 5-6 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Good: Try fishing around the rip rap shorelines and over the culvert piles along the shore. The lake is stratified; don’t fish below 10 feet with little to no oxygen below that. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for bass to be hunting for bluegills and green sunfish along the rocks and edges of the weed beds early in the morning or late evening. They retreat out to deeper water during the day.
Lake Geode
Water temperature is 80 degrees. While the water is green, water clarity remains at just over 4 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have moved to their summer spots. Try slow trolling (drifting) with a small jig tipped with bait until you find them and then vertically jigging. Anglers are also picking up some around the docks. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing is picking up; 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 temperatures is in the mid to upper 70s. Water clarity remains decent at 4+ feet. Bluegill – Fair: Most are hanging out in 8 to 10 fee of water around the brush. Worm and bobber works best, but be ready to pull them out of there when they bite or lose fish and tackle. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish like the rain. Work the face of the dam for nesting males; also look to the causeways culvert pass through for catfish working the flowing water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for bass during the first and last hours of daylight to be hunting the outer edges of the weed beds; jig for them along the deeper water habitat in 13-18 feet of water.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The Skunk River was about one foot below bank full on July 3. The North Skunk River by Sigourney is heading to moderate flood stage and will be sending a lot of water down the Skunk the next few days. The South Skunk is at just above bank full and will be doing the same.
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 levels is at normal summer pool; predicted to rise next week. Black Crappie – Fair: Try bright jigs or minnows along steep rock banks or deeper brush piles. Channel Catfish – Fair: Some anglers have had luck trolling cut bait; catfish are being caught along shallow rock.
Lake Macbride
The 10 hp maximum is in effect. Water temperatures are in the low 80s. Black Crappie – Slow: Target deeper brush/stumps or look for suspended fish in open water. Bluegill – Fair: Some fish are in shallow pockets; others have slid out to deeper rock. Fish size is improving. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try fishing around shallow rock. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Spotted bass – Fair: Try fishing around shallow rock. Walleye – Slow. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Look for surface activity at sunrise/sunset or look for suspended fish or wind-blown banks where there are shad.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are moving shallower towards evening and after dark. Channel Catfish – Fair: Evening bite is best. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing in rock after dark. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Try fishing towards dusk. There has been some surface activity.
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: Use 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 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 905.63 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) – Good: Use jigging spoons or crankbaits over rock piles and near the old river channel.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs around the shorelines and submerged structure near the campground shoreline. Channel Catfish – 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.
Red Rock Reservoir
Channel Catfish – Good: Drift or try still fishing cut baits near rip-rap or rock cliffs.
For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
|
|
Carter Lake
Channel Catfish – No Report: Anglers have the opportunity to catch a large channel catfish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers are catching good numbers of bass along the weedline. A high percentage of the population is more than 15-inches.
Greenfield Lake
Black Crappie – Slow. Bluegill – Fair: Fish average 7.5 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try fishing around the jetties. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass anglers are having success along the dam and around jetties.
Lake Anita
Black Crappie – Fair: Look for black crappies in deeper tree piles and around the roadbeds. The large year class is 10- to 12-inches. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are slow trolling over the roadbeds and having success. Bluegill average 8-inches. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast along the edge of the lilies.
Meadow Lake
Water clarity is 3 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Catch 8-inch bluegill around the cedar tree piles. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Nodaway Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching channel catfish in the upper end of the lake using blood bait. Largemouth Bass – No Report: The lake has a large population of 12- to 14-inch bass.
Prairie Rose Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappies slow trolling open water areas. Crappie are 10- to 12-inches. Bluegill – Fair: Catch bluegills trolling or drifting. Largemouth Bass – Good: There is a good population of largemouth bass.
Viking Lake
Black Crappie – No Report: Sorting is needed for larger fish. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill average 7.5-inches. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
For information on lakes in the Southwest District, call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.
|
|
Green Valley Lake
Docks are in at the boat ramps. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill up to 7.5-inches with small jigs near deep cedar tree brush piles early in the morning and late in the evening. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use nightcrawlers along rocky shoreline areas to catch all sizes of channel catfish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try finesse plastics around the fishing jetties to catch all sizes of largemouth bass.
Lake Icaria
Docks are in at all boat ramps. Marina docks and courtesy docks at Lake View Campground are not in due to low water. Channel Catfish – Good: Use nightcrawlers around rocky shorelines to catch all sizes of channel catfish.
Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches with small jigs fished along creek channels 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 along weedlines in 6-8 feet of water to catch all sizes of largemouth bass.
Three Mile Lake
Lake level is 8 feet below normal pool. Walleye – Slow: Use twister tails or crankbaits along the dam to catch all sizes of walleye.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Docks are in at the main boat ramp. Black Crappie – Slow: Try jigs or twister tails along creek channels early in the morning and late in the evening to catch all sizes of crappie. Bluegill – Slow: Use small jigs tipped with live bait near deep rock piles early in the morning and late in the evening to catch all sizes of bluegill. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try nightcrawlers along rocky shoreline areas to catch all sizes of channel catfish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 19-inches with jigs or finesse plastics in 6-8 feet of water along weedlines.
West Lake (Osceola)
Lake level has increased with recent rains, but still remains about 2 feet below normal pool. Boaters can use the boat ramps at their own risk.
Water temperatures are in upper 70s to low 80s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. For more information, call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
