NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is around 55 degrees. Water clarity is around 12 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Pick up crappie in and around the fish house in Town Bay, along Ice House Point shoreline, and near the inlet bridge. Crappie are up to 10- to 12-inches. Morning bite is best. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small hair or tube jig tipped with a small piece of bait. Find them near shore areas and under docks as water cools. Bluegill numbers are not high, but large individuals are here. Walleye – Good: The walleye bite is picking up. Walleye have moved in close to shore. Try fishing along Ice House Point, the east shore near the outlet, and Shotgun Hill in the morning and evening. Throw twisters or fish a crawler near the bottom under a slip bobber.
Brushy Creek Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid 50s. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappie in 5-10 feet of water. Bluegill – Slow: Find bluegill near submerged structure in 3-10 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for largemouth bass along shore. Target fish along remaining stands of vegetation. Walleye – Slow: Pick up walleye in on rock piles. Also look near shore and along the foot bridges in the evening. Yellow Perch – Fair. Anglers are catching decent numbers of yellow perch when they find schools; some sorting is needed as many of them are small.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Water levels are at crest. Bluegill – Fair: Recent fishery surveys show a good population and size structure of bluegill with many 8.5 to 9.5 inches. Try drifting/slow trolling or target some of the submerged structure in the lake.
North Twin Lake
Water levels are around 20 inches below crest. With low water levels, use caution launching at boat ramps. Channel Catfish – Slow: Try fishing from shore in 2-6 feet of water along rocky structure and the wooded shores in Muddy Bay. A recent survey showed good numbers of 16-inches to 24-inches fish (~1 to 3 pounds). Walleye – Slow. Find walleyes around docks and boat lifts. Cast around those structures; move often to find actively feeding fish.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water level are below crest. Water temperatures are in the low 50s. Largemouth Bass – Slow. Storm Lake has a bass population, but the only place really targeting them is the marina. Walleye – Slow: Pick up walleyes while trolling; most are small (10-inches or less). The Chautauqua Jetty and Frank Starr Park attract a lot of walleyes in the evenings. If there is flow coming through the inlet, it is also worth fishing there.
Water temperatures are in the mid-50s in most area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
|
|
Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs along the north shore. Bluegill – Fair.
Clear Lake
Water level is 12 inches below crest. Water temperature is in the low 50s. Water clarity is about 23 inches. The fish cleaning station is closed for the season. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching walleye with live bait and jigs. Find fish in rock reefs areas and near the edge of vegetation. Anglers fishing docks after sunset are having some success. White Bass – Slow. Yellow Bass – Slow: Anglers are catching a few yellow bass while targeting walleye. Live bait below slip bobbers or drifting works best.
Crystal Lake
The courtesy docks have been removed for the season. Black Crappie– Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs in the dredge cut. Bluegill – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a piece of crawler near shore. Walleye – Slow: Try fishing near vegetation edge and along the old roadbed.
Rice Lake
Any water west of the north boat ramp is a waterfowl refuge and is closed to all activity from Sept. 1st through the final day of the duck season. Signs across the lake mark this area. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye – slow. Yellow Perch – Fair. Fish a jig and piece of crawler near vegetation.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of vegetation. Yellow Perch – slow.
Winnebago River
River level is 4.54 feet. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Fish a jig in the deeper pools. Walleye: Fair.
For information on lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
|
|
East Okoboji Lake
Lake level is currently below crest. Black Crappie – Good: Bluegill – Good: Many bluegill seen; easily catchable around functional docks. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are a little ways off shore; you can still find some around docks and other structure. Yellow Perch – Good: Many perch seen; sorting most likely needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Morning and afternoon bite is best.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Lake level is below crest. The lake is experiencing a large algae bloom. Walleye – Good: Bite hit-or-miss, but very good when bite is on.
Spirit Lake
Walleye bite is really picking up. Crappie and Perch bite is alos good. Many boat ramps have been reaching capacity. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are finding quality-size crappie up to 14 inches. Bluegill – Good. Walleye – Good: The night shore bite is good. Evening bite is best with leech and bobber from shore or crankbaits and slip bobbers by boat. Yellow Perch – Good: Sorting is needed; anglers are finding many of acceptable size.
West Okoboji Lake
Lake level is below crest. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good. Largemouth Bass – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good.
Water temperatures are in the upper 50s to low 60s. Most area buoys have been pulled for the season. The bite for most species has been good. Most fish are moving in closer to shore as temperatures drop. Weedlines have been slowly fading back. Most public docks can be fished from. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
|
|
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Mitchell dam will undergo a rehabilitation project on the powerhouse intake structure requiring the impoundment to be lowered. Desired levels will be maintained during the work. After completion, water levels will be allowed to return. Users should prepare for limited access due to lowered water levels. The river below the dam will not be dewatered. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallies in deeper pools and off channel rocky areas. Use crankbaits or spinnerbaits. Walleye – Good: Find walleye in deeper water and back eddies. Try jigs tipped with a minnow or twister tails.
Decorah District Streams
All stream stockings continue through October. All trout stream stockings are not announced. Take time to enjoy the fall weather and fish a new stream. A variety of hunting seasons are open; many streams pass through public areas open to hunting. Brook Trout – Fair: Brook trout are getting ready to spawn. Trout clear gravel on stream bottoms to make trout nests or redds Dabble a fly through the narrow unvegetated runs or find deeper pool above beaver dams. Brown Trout – Fair: Brown trout are getting ready to spawn. Cleared gravel areas are showing up in areas with faster moving water. These are trout nests or redds. Avoid walking in these spots. Anglers need to be more stealthy when approaching steams due to clear water. Rainbow Trout – Good: A small chunk of worm or cheese under a bobber fished through a deeper hole will turn a rainbow head. Cut the line on a deeply hooked fish if returning it to the water.
Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is improving as water temperatures continues to fall. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing near woody structure along shoreline with a small spinnerbait or crankbait. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are in shallow water in the evening; use a jig tipped with a small piece of worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Toss a lure along the edge of vegetation to draw out a bass. Use a shallow running lure in the evening.
Lake Meyer
Water clarity is improving as temperatures fall. Black Crappie – Fair: Use spinnerbaits or crankbaits near overhanging trees or near logs in water. Use spinner or crank baits. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills near rocky shoreline. Use a small jig tipped with small piece of worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try along the edge of vegetation. Use a shallow running crankbait in open water in the evenings.
North Bear Creek
Improvements between 128th Ave. and 380th Street are occurring. Please avoid this area. Stream stocking continues at lower sections. Rainbow Trout – Good: Thanks for staying out of this area until improvements are completed. There are many other great locations to find fish downstream of this area.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Excellent water clarity. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallies in deeper holes or near rock ledges. Use a small jig or crankbait. Walleye – Good: Try a jig tipped with twister tail or spinnerbait through deeper holes or rock ledges.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Excellent water clarity. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find fish near drop-offs eddies and rock ledges with a spinnerbait or crankbait. Walleye – Good: Find deeper holes with a crankbait or jig tipped with enough weight to get toward bottom.
Volga Lake
Water clarity is improving as water temperature drops. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappies around woody structures along shoreline; use a minnow under a bobber or a small spinnerbait. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small jig with a small piece of worm under a bobber along rocky shoreline. Channel Catfish – Slow: Trophy catfish abound in this lake. Use a squished minnow or worm fished close to the bottom near woody debris. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try crankbaits along rocky shoreline or along drop offs in the evening.
Water levels on most area rivers and streams are steady for this time of year. Weekend temperatures in the 60s to 30s at night. For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
|
|
Brinker Lake
Anglers are catching crappie. Black Crappie – Good: Use electronics to find and drift a live minnow under a bobber or artificial jigs over structure in 6 to 8 feet of water.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are catching channel catfish, smallmouth bass, and walleye. Black Crappie – Good: Find brush piles or rip-rap along shorelines with a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or vertical jigging various colored tube jigs. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try chubs fished on the river bottom below snags or other structure. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use lead head jigs with twister tails. Walleye – Fair: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with a nightcrawler.
George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching crappie and bluegill. Black Crappie – Good: Use electronics to find and drift a live minnow under a bobber or artificial jigs over structure in 6 to 8 feet of water.
Manchester District Streams
Rainbow trout stockings are on schedule. Brown trout fishing is fair, especially in the evenings. Brown Trout – Fair: Use crankbaits, jigs, spinners, dry flies, or nymphs. Rainbow Trout – Good: Try jigs, spinners, crankbaits, or live bait.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Anglers are catching smallmouth bass and walleye in Delaware County. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Use live or artificial tackle. Walleye – Fair: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with a nightcrawler.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
No fishing information this week.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Anglers are catching walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, and smallmouth bass. Channel Catfish – Good: Try dead cut baits, stink baits, and chicken livers above woody snags. Northern Pike – Good: Cast and retrieve artificial crankbaits or spoons near woody structure. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try lead head jigs with twister tails. Walleye – Good: Use crankbaits off of the edge of sandbar drop-offs.
Interior rivers are at usual to low levels this time of year and are providing fair to good walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, crappie and channel catfish angling. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls are producing catches of panfish. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For more information, contact Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.
|
|
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is near 8.1 feet at Lansing and is predicted to remain stable next week. Water temperature is 57 degrees. Boaters should use caution in low water to avoid backing off the end of the ramp at New Albin. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie are on the fall feed. Fish around fallen trees and stumps in the back waters using a small jig tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Use light tackle with hooked tipped with a small piece of worm. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching channel cats on crawlers and stink bait. Flathead Catfish – Good: Use live bluegill or shiners in tailwaters of Lock & Dams and large tree snags in deeper sloughs. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: 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 backwaters. Northern Pike – Fair: Try fishing the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Sauger – Fair. Sauger have started moving up to the tailwaters of the dams with colder water temperature. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines. Walleye – Fair: Troll crankbaits on three-way rigs along deep side channel borders and wing-dams. Expect walleye to start moving up to the tailwaters of the dams with colder water temperature. White Bass – Good: Throw inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for schools of minnows jumping as white bass are feeding. Yellow Perch – Fair: Jig for perch in the vegetation off the edge of cuts in 6-8 feet of water.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 612.5 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to remain stable next week. Water temperature is 58 degrees. Avoid backing off the ramp during low water conditions. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie are on the fall feed. Fish around fallen trees and stumps in the back waters using a small jig tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Use light tackle with hooked tipped with a small piece of worm. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers. 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 have started moving up to the tailwaters of the sams with colder water temperature. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines or at the spillway. Walleye – Fair: Troll crankbaits on three-way rigs along deep side channel borders and wing-dams. Expect walleye to start moving up to the tailwaters of the dams with colder water temperature. White Bass – Good: Throw inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for schools of minnows jumping as white bass are feeding. Yellow Perch – Fair: Jig for perch in the vegetation off edge of cuts in 6-8 feet of water.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 4.0 feet at Guttenberg in the tailwaters and is expected to remain there next week. Water temperature is 58 degrees at the Lock & Dam. Guttenberg City Ramp, the furthest south lane has a scour hole at end of ramp. Avoid backing trailers in too far when the water levels are extremely low. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie are on the fall feed. Fish around fallen trees and stumps in backwaters using a small jig tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegill have moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on flooded shorelines and weed beds. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers. Flathead Catfish – Good: Use live bluegill or shiners in the tailwaters of the Lock & Dams and large tree snags in deeper sloughs. 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: Fish the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Sauger – Fair: Sauger have started moving up to the tailwaters of the dams with colder water temperature. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines. Walleye – Fair: Troll crankbaits on three-way rigs along deep side channel borders and wing-dams. Expect walleye to start moving up to the tailwaters of the dams with colder water temperature. White Bass – Good: Throw inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for schools of minnows jumping as white bass are feeding. Yellow Perch – Fair: Jig for perch in the vegetation off edge of cuts in 6-8 feet of water.
Upper Mississippi River levels at Pools 9 -11 remain extremely low. Boaters should use caution to avoid backing off the end of ramps. Water temperatures are in the mid-50s. Fall fishing is picking up. Fish are on the feed in preparation for cold weather and will start moving into their overwintering holes. Water clarity is good.
|
|
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is stable at 4.2 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 6.9 feet at the RR bridge. Water is clear. Water temperature is around 53 degrees. Black Crappie– Good: Crappie are starting to show up in the creel with anglers using minnows in brush piles in the larger sloughs. Bluegill – Good: Can be hard to find in low water but try to concentrate along deeper rocky banks or tree falls. Channel Catfish – No Report: Channel cats will bite even this late into the fall but have not heard many people chasing them. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Big drum are caught often on big crayfish. Otherwise try a simple egg sinker worm rig in areas of moderate
current. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass are stacked up along shorelines with old weed lines and in large woody habitats. Northern Pike – Good: Lots of small young of the year pike have been reported lately. This bodes well for the future of pike fishing in the Mississippi River. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Try fishing along rock lines with small crankbaits or spinners Walleye – Good: Many anglers are targeting smaller flowing sloughs with crankbaits. Some angling is beginning to take place in the tailwaters as walleye and sauger make their annual movements to the dams. White Bass – Good: White bass have been a consistent in the creel. Try some flashy spinners in the tailwater areas.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is stable and and very low near 3.7 feet at Bellevue. Water temperature is 54 degrees. The water is clear. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie are starting to show up in the creel with anglers using minnows in brush piles in the larger sloughs. Bluegill – Excellent: Some sorting to find nicer bluegill may be necessary but many are caught with worm rigs along the main channel shoreline. Channel Catfish -No Report: Channel cats will bite even this late into the fall but have not heard many people chasing them. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are a consistent biter in moderate current areas. Use and egg sinker and worm rig. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Find weed lines away from the main channel for the best action on bass. Anglers mainly use gaudy spinner baits or frog imitation lures. Anglers are also using jig baits along slough brush piles in side channel areas. Fish are really concentrating on woody habitats. Northern Pike – Good: Some nice pike are being picked up in along the channel edges. Most pike are biting while folks are bass fishing. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Try rock lines with spinners or jigs for abundant smallies. You need to be in areas with strong current. Walleye – Good: Tailwater angling is beginning with most anglers using jig and minnow type rigs. White Bass – Excellent: White bass are being caught in the Bellevue tailwaters on white jigs or small spinners.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is stable at 4.1 feet at Fulton, 8.9 feet at Camanche and 4.1 feet at LeClaire. The water is clear. Water temperature is around 54 degrees. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie are starting to show up in the creel with anglers using minnows in brush piles in the larger sloughs. Bluegill – Excellent: Some sorting to find nicer bluegill may be necessary but many are being caught with worm rigs along the main channel shoreline. Channel Catfish – No Report: Channel cats will bite even this late into the fall but have not heard many people chasing them. Freshwater Drum -Excellent: Worm rig with egg sinker fished along shore in moderate current will catch this consistent biter. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Frog lures and spinner baits seem to be lures of choice. Northern Pike – Good: Pike have returned to the creel with anglers mainly using flashy spinner baits. White is preferred. Smallmouth Bass -Excellent: Fish spinners or jigs next to rock lines with strong current. White Bass -Excellent: Fish along shorelines near the tailwater with flashy spinners or small white jigs.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is stable at near 4.1 feet at Rock Island. The water is clear. Water temperature is around 55 degrees. Channel Catfish – No Report: Channel cats will bite even this late into the fall but have not heard many people chasing them. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Worm rig with egg sinker fished along shore in moderate current will catch this consistent biter. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fish along the many rock lines with moderate current for abundant smallmouth bass. Pool 15 can be an overlooked spot for smallmouth but you need be along the abundant rock lines in moderate to fast current. Smallies live in rock areas with current.
Water levels are low. Boaters should use caution to avoid backing off end of ramps.
Fall fishing can be great on the River right until ice in. If you have angling
questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.
|
|
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities is 4.14 feet and has been steady this past week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Try fishing for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Fish with cut shad or dipbaits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wingdams. With the low water conditions look towards the ends of wingdams where there is more flow. Sauger – No Report: We have not received any reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam and in Sylvan Slough. Fishing should
improve as water temperatures fall. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wingdams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions look for walleyes towards the ends of the wingdams where there is more current. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 at Muscatine is 3.22 feet. Tailwater stage has
been steady this past week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Try fishing for channel
catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Fish
with cut shad or dipbaits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wingdams. With the low water conditions look for channel catfish towards the ends of wingdams where there is more flow. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Try fishing for largemouth bass in areas like Big Timber around logs. Sauger – No Report: We have not received any reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam. Fishing should improve as water temperatures fall. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wingdams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions look for walleyes towards the ends of the wingdams where there is more current. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston is 2.99 feet and steady this past week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Try fishing for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Fish with cut shad or dipbaits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wingdams. With the low water conditions look for channel catfish towards the ends of wingdams where there is more flow. Sauger – No Report: We have not received any reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam. Fishing should improve as water temperatures fall. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wingdams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions look for walleyes towards the ends of the wingdams where there is more current. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington is 1.10 feet. Tailwater stage has been fairly steady this past week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Try fishing for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Fish with cut shad or dipbaits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wingdams. With the low water conditions look for channel catfish towards the ends of wingdams where there is more flow. Sauger – No Report: We have not received any reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam. Fishing should improve as water temperatures fall. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wingdams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions look for walleyes towards the ends of the wingdams where there is more current. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies around
brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.Tailwater stages have been rising slightly this past week. River conditions are low. Main channel water temperature is around 59 degrees. Water clarity is fair. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Tailwater stages have been steady this past week.
River conditions are low. Use caution when boating. Main channel water
temperature is around 59 degrees and water clarity is fair. We have not received
much for reports on tailwater fishing for walleye and saugers yet. If you have
questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-
5062.
|
|
SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature holding at or just above 60 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: The crappies are staying out in that deeper 6-8 foot of water. A few are finally moving a little shallower inside the trees. Bluegill – Good: They seem content to stay where they are at in 4-6 foot of water. On the north side they are catching some along the jetties
Discovery Park Pond
The fall trout release is Saturday (October 26th) at noon. Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout fishing will really pick up the afternoon of October 26th. (After we get trout off the hatchery truck).
Emma Young Pond
The fall trout release is Oct. 26 at 10 am. Rainbow Trout – Good: trout will be released at 10 am on October 26th (Saturday).
Industrial Park Pond
This pond in Fairfield is a new location for the Community Trout Stocking Program. The trout release is Oct. 26 at 11 am.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temp down a little more to 58-60 degrees. Water clarity decent for Belva Deer (~4 feet). Black Crappie – Fair: The bite continues to improve. Along with those out in their 10-14 foot deep haunts more are starting to work off the ends of the jetties. Bluegill – Fair: Continue to work those 4-6 foot depths. A few are moving in a little shallower finally. Largemouth Bass – Fair: The bass seem to have moved into the 3-4 depths back in the brush to feed finally.
Lake Darling
Water temperature has dropped a couple of degrees to 58 degrees. Water clarity is at 38 inches — a definite improvement. Lake down about 13 inches from full. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are starting to catch more crappies in shallow close to shore but most of them are the smaller 8 inchers. Bluegill – Fair: The place to go for the nicer bluegills continues to be the rock piles and tree falls in 5-6 foot of water. Channel Catfish – Fair: Find the culvert piles and you should be able to find the catfish. Chicken liver or cutbait seems to work well this time of year. Largemouth Bass – Good: The smaller bass (10-12″) are definitely moving in shallow to feed. The bigger ones are for the most part still out around the 8-10 foot habitat.
Lake Geode
Water temp holding at 60-62 degrees. Water clarity is improving (less green). Black Crappie – Fair: The crappies around the rock piles along the old haul road seem to be getting more aggressive. More are starting to come in shallow around the rock piles. Bluegill – Fair: The bluegills are holding out at that 4-6 foot depth. Some are starting to move in shallower around the tree falls. Largemouth Bass – Fair: The bass seem to have finally made the move into shallower water to feed on the little green sunfish and baby bluegills. Work crankbaits along the face of the rocks
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is dropping into the 50’s at night but getting back up to around 60 during the day. Bluegill – Fair: More and more bluegills are headed in shallow as October comes to a close. Worm and bobber in 3 to 4 foot of water out close to the flooded brush is best. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for them in the flooded brush out in 4-6 foot of water. That’s where the little bluegills are.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
|
|
Central Park Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Fish are scattered and in deeper water. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try live bait on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Good. Redear Sunfish – Slow: Best bite is evening and after dark.
Coralville Reservoir
Lake level is 685.5. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish rock bluffs or sunken brush with minnows or bright jigs. Channel Catfish – Fair: Slow trolling cutbait is still getting some fish. White Crappie – Fair: Fish rock bluffs or sunken brush with minnows or bright jigs.
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Water temperatures are in the mid-60s. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for fish suspended 5-10 feet over deeper water. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegill in mid depths; they are moving shallower. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try stink baits in the evening. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass in mid depths; they are moving shallower.
Lake Macbride
Any sized motor may be used at no-wake speed (5 mph). Water temps are in the upper 50’s. Black Crappie – Good: Target brush in 5-15 of water with jigs or minnows. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target shallow to mid depth rock. Walleye – Slow: Fish windblown rock. Evenings are best. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Troll crankbaits for suspended fish during the day and target windblown banks towards evening
Pleasant Creek Lake
The fish cleaning station and modern bathrooms are closed for the season. Walleye – Fair: Fish rocky areas preferably with wind towards evening and after dark.
Union Grove Lake
The west boat ramp dock is removed for the year. Bluegill – Fair
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Fish rocky areas with crankbaits or soft plastics. Walleye – Fair: Fish deeper pools with jigs or crankbaits.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
|
|
Hawthorn Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Target brush piles with jig and minnow combinations. Bluegill – Fair: Try jigs along the shoreline and open areas in the vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Good: Target the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Use plastics or spinnerbaits in these areas
Lake Keomah
Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project. Please keep out of the lake bed. Conditions of dried silt give the appearance of solid ground, but the soils are very soft.
Black Crappie – Fair: Try jig and minnows along the cedar tree piles or drifting over the brush piles. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs around the brushpiles and along the shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use plastics or spinnerbaits around the brush piles and along the rip-rapped shoreline areas.
Lake Sugema
Black Crappie – Fair: Try jig and minnows in the standing timber and along rocky shorelines. Bluegill – Fair: Target shorelines and submerged brush piles with small jigs. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try plastics or spinnerbaits along rip-rapped shorelines and around the submerged structures.
Lake Wapello
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift jig and minnows out in deeper water. Try different depths until finding active fish. As the water cools these fish should move shallower around cedar tree piles. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs around the brush piles. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try plastics and crankbaits around the brush piles and the rip-rapped shoreline
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 903.41 msl; 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. Target brush piles in 15-20 feet of water. Trolling for suspended crappies can also be effective. As the water cools, try around docks and shallow brush piles. Walleye – Fair: Try trolling crankbaits or crawler harnesses around rock piles and the old river channel. All walleye less than 15-inches must be immediately released unharmed. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Use jigging spoons or crankbaits over rock piles and submerged islands.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond)
Trout will be stocked on Thursday, October 24th around 11 AM. Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler or in-line spinners. A trout stamp is required to fish for or possess trout
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs around the shorelines and submerged structure near the campground shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics around the fishing jetties and along the face of the dam.
Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.
Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Fish rock with crankbaits. Walleye – Fair: Fish deeper pools and current seams with jigs or crankbaits. White Bass – Fair: Fish current seams with moving baits.
|
|
SOUTHWEST
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye – Fair: Cast jigs tipped with live minnows, twister tails or swim baits below Saylorville dam, the city dams, and any deeper pool with some slow current.
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 in 2-6 feet of water away from shore.
Hickory Grove Lake
Black Crappies – Good: Try slowly trolling small twister tail or swim baits in 3-6 feet of water in the upper two thirds of the lake. Bluegill – Fair: Drift live bait over habitat in 15 feet of water or less.
Rainbow trout—good: Stocking at noon on Thursday, Oct 31. Use spinners, minnows or wax worms.
Rainbow trout—good: Stocking at noon on Monday, Oct 31. Use spinners, minnows or wax worms.
Rainbow trout—good: Stocking at noon on Thursday, Oct 28. Use spinners, minnows or wax worms
Rainbow trout—good: Both the West and East Ponds will be stocked at 1:30pm on Mon, Oct 28th.
Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie – Slow: The fall crappie bite has been slow so far but water temperature are dropping now which may trigger a window of good crappie fishing mid to late October. Drift or troll small plastic or jigs tipped with minnow in bays and arms off the main lake and Whitebreast arm.
For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
|
|
Greenfield Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers report catching some nice 10 inch black crappies around the jetties. Largemouth Bass – Fair:
Lake Anita
Water clarity is good. Black Crappie – Fair: Black crappies are being caught slow trolling. Sorting necessary for larger fish. Bluegill – Fair: Slow troll small jigs to catch 8 inch bluegill. Tipping with nightcrawler or Berkley helps. The north arm and around the beach is a good place to start. Largemouth Bass – Fair:
Meadow Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Find 9-inch black crappies in the cedar tree piles. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching bluegills around the reefs. Fish average 8-inches. Largemouth–No report
Prairie Rose Lake
Water clarity is poor. Black Crappie – No report: Find submerged tree piles and vertical jig to catch 10- to 12-inch black crappie. Bluegill – Slow: Anglers are catching a few fish slow trolling deep water areas. Largemouth Bass – No Report
Viking Lake
Black Crappie – No report: Boat anglers can find black crappies in tree piles. 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 boat ramps. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill up to 7.5-inches with jigs tipped with live bait in shallow coves.
Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Black Crappie – Slow. Try jigs tipped with live bait fished near rock fields or creek channels to catch all sizes of crappie. Bluegill – Slow. Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished in 8-10 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use finesse plastics near cedar tree brush piles to catch all sizes of largemouth bass.
Three Mile Lake
Lake level is 11 feet below normal pool. Boat ramp lanes are out of the water at the main boat ramp.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished in shallow coves.
West Lake (Osceola)
Lake level increased with recent rains, but still is about 1 feet below normal. Boaters can use the boat ramps at their own risk.
Water temperatures are in the low 60s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. For more information, call Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
