NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature are in the low 50s. Water clarity is around 12 inches. Water levels are 4 inches below the crest of the spillway. 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. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small hair or tube jig tipped with a small piece of bait near shore areas and under docks as water cools. Bluegill numbers are not high, but large individuals are here. Walleye – Fair: 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 or under a slip bobber.
Brushy Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappie in 5-10 feet of water near submerged wood structure. Bluegill – Slow: Find bluegill near submerged structure in 3-10 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for largemouth bass along shore. Target areas with wood structure. Walleye – Slow. Yellow Perch – Fair. Anglers are catching decent numbers of yellow perch when they find schools; some sorting is needed as many are small.
North Twin Lake
Water levels are around 20 inches below crest. With low water levels, use caution launching boats at the 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. North Twin Lake 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, anglers are mostly targeting them in the marina. Walleye – Slow: Pick up walleyes while trolling; most are small (10-inches or less). This is a good time of year to fish from shore in the evenings. 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 worth fishing.
Water temperatures are in the 50s in most area lakes. Most ramp docks are still in. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
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Clear Lake
Water level is 10.5 inches below crest. Water temperature is in the upper 40s .The courtesy docks at McIntosh and Ventura access have been taken out for the season. Walleye – Fair: Try live bait and jigs near rock reefs areas and near the edge of vegetation. Best bite is after sun set. Yellow Bass – Slow: Anglers are catching a few yellow bass while targeting walleye.
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 – Slow: 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. Use a jig and a piece of crawler near vegetation.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near edges of vegetation. Yellow Perch – slow.
Winnebago River
River level is 4.89 feet. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Try fishing 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.
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East Okoboji Lake
Lake level is just below crest. Black Crappie – Good: Bluegill – Good: Many bluegill seen; easily catchable around functional docks. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are a ways off shore; you can find some around docks and 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 and experiencing a large algae bloom. Walleye – Good: Bite hit-or-miss, but very good when bite is on.
Spirit Lake
Lake is few inches below crest. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are finding quality-size crappie up to 14 inches. Bluegill – Good. Walleye – 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 a few inches below crest. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good. Largemouth Bass – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good.
Area buoys have been pulled for the season. The bite for most species has been good. Most fish have move closer to shore as temperatures drop. Weedlines have been slowly fading back and most lakes have been clearing up. Most public docks can be fished from. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
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NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water level remain low. Black Crappie – Good: Find fish in backwater areas with woody debris. Use minnow under a bobber. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Use a hook tipped with a ringworm, twister tail, or nightcrawler. Walleye – Good: Use live baits.
Decorah District Streams
Trout stream stocking are done for the year. Staff would like to thank all our trout anglers and supporters for making this season fun and rewarding. Fall community pond stocking is in full swing. Visit our website to find out more. Many trout streams flow through public areas where hunting is allowed. Brook Trout – Slow: Brook trout are in pre-spawn condition and more interested in spawning than feeding making catching more difficult. 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 spawning activity nearing an end. Cleared gravel areas are showing up in areas with faster moving water. These are trout nests or redds. Use flies imitating minnows or other small fish. 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 good. Find fish near shore in morning moving deeper in evening. Slow your presentation with cooler water. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing near shoreline with live baits. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small piece of worm or waxworm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use a spinner or crankbait with a slow retrieve in cooler water.
Lake Meyer
Water clarity is good. Evening bite is best. Try fishing in deeper water. Black Crappie – Slow: Use spinnerbaits or small jig with plastic tail in deeper water. Bluegill – Good: Find bluegills near shore. Use a small piece of worm under a bobber or small spinnerbait with a slow retrieve. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use artificial lures with a slow retrieve in the evenings.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels remain low. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallies in deeper holes or near rock ledges. Use a small jig or crankbait. Walleye – Fair: Try a jig tipped with twister tail or spinnerbait with enough weight to get lure near bottom at deeper holes.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels remain low. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find fish near drop-offs eddies and rock ledges with a spinnerbait or crankbait. Walleye – Fair: Find deeper holes with a crankbait or jig tipped with enough weight to get toward bottom.
Volga Lake
Water clarity is good. Black Crappie – Fair: Use live baits with a slow retrieve. Bluegill – Fair: Try tube jigs tipped with artificial attractant or a small piece of worm under a bobber along rocky shoreline or off jetties. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try crankbaits at fish drop-offs and around brush piles toward evening.
Rain showers earlier in the week did little to raise water levels on area rivers and streams. Most remain steady to low for this time of the year. Showers likely through weekend with temperatures in the 50s to 30s at night. For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
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Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are catching a few walleye. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Use lead head jigs with twister tails. Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with a nightcrawler or minnow.
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Anglers are catching a few walleye. Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with a nightcrawler or minnow.
Interior rivers are at usual to low levels this time of year. Anglers are catching a few walleye. There have been no reports for lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For more information, contact Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.
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MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 8.1 feet at Lansing and is predicted to remain stable next week. Water temperature is 55 degrees. Water is slightly stained. Boaters should use caution in low water to avoid backing off the end of the ramp at New Albin and Lansing Village Creek. Black Crappie – Good. Crappie are on the fall feed. Fish fallen trees and stumps in 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 – Fair: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along main channel and side channel current. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits 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 tailwaters of 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 tailwaters of 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 613.8 feet at Lynxville and predicted to rise slightly next week. Water temperature 55 degrees. Water is slightly stained. Avoid backing off the ramp during low water conditions. Black Crappie – Good. Crappie are on the fall feed. Fish fallen trees and stumps in backwaters 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 – Fair: 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 backwaters. Northern Pike – Good: Try fishing shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Sauger – Fair: Sauger have started moving up to tailwaters of dams with colder water temperature. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along main channel rock shorelines or spillway. Walleye – Fair: Troll crankbaits on three-way rigs along deep side channel borders and wing-dams. Expect walleye to start moving to tailwaters of 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 vegetation off edge of cuts in 6-8 feet of water.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 5.6 feet in the tailwaters and expected to rise to near 6.3 feet at Guttenberg. Water temperature is 55 degrees at the Lock & Dam. Water is slightly stained. Guttenberg City Ramp, the furthest south lane has a scour hole at end of ramp. Avoid backing trailers in too far when water levels are extremely low. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie are on the fall feed. Fish 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 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 – Fair: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along the main channel and side channel current. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits along weed edges in upper portions of backwaters. Northern Pike – Fair: Fish shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Sauger – Fair: Sauger have started moving up to tailwaters of dams with colder water. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Fish are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along 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 tailwaters of dams with colder waters. 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 vegetation off edge of cuts in 6-8 feet of water.
Upper Mississippi River levels at Pools 9 -11 have risen slightly but remain extremely low. Boaters should use caution to avoid backing off the end of ramps. Water temperatures have cooled into the mid-50s. Fall fishing is picking up. Fish are on the feed to prepare for cold weather and will start moving into overwintering holes.
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Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level stable at 5.1 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 8.2 feet at the RR bridge. Water is clear. Water temperature is around 54 degrees. Black Crappie – Excellent: Hit brush piles with small jigs and minnows. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are starting to move to the brush piles and dead falls in deeper backwater habitats. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass are stacked up along shoreline old weed lines and in large woody habitats. Northern Pike – Good: Lots of small young of the year pike reported. This bodes well for future pike fishing. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Try small crankbaits or spinners along rock lines. Walleye – Good: Some angling is starting in tailwaters as walleye and sauger make their annual movements to dams. Walleye and sauger are reported by crappie anglers in brush piles as well. White Bass – Excellent: White bass have been a consistent in the creel. Try flashy spinners in tailwater areas.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is stable and very low near 5.8 feet at Bellevue. Water temperature is 55 degrees. Water is clear. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie starting to show up in the creel; use minnows in brush piles in larger sloughs. Bluegill – Good: Fish woody habitats in deeper backwater areas. Channel Catfish – Good: Cats can be found on mud flats with stink or cheese bait. Catfish often bite much later in the year than most people expect. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Anglers are using jig baits along slough brush piles in side channel areas. Fish are concentrating on woody habitats. Northern Pike – Good: Pikes are biting while folks are bass fishing along channel edges. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Try spinners or jigs around rock lines to catch abundant smallies. Fish areas with strong current. Walleye – Good: Some angling is beginning to take place in tailwaters as walleye and sauger make their annual movement to dams. Walleyes and saugers reported by crappie anglers in brush piles as well. White Bass – Excellent: Try white jigs or small spinners in Bellevue tailwaters.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is stable at 5.7 feet at Fulton, 9.9 feet at Camanche and 5.1 feet at LeClaire. Water is clear. Water temperature is around 57 degrees. Black Crappie – Good: Use minnows in brush piles in larger sloughs. Bluegill – Excellent: Fish are starting to move to backwater habitats with woody debris. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Frog lures and spinnerbaits work best. Concentrate on woody habitats area. Northern Pike – Good: Pike have returned to the creel with anglers mainly using flashy spinner baits. White is preferred. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Use spinners or jigs next to rock lines with strong current. White Bass – Excellent: Try flashy spinners or small white jigs along shorelines near the tailwater.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is stable at 6.3 feet at Rock Island. The water is clear. Water temperature is around 57 degrees. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Worm rig with egg sinker fished along shore in moderate current will catch this consistent biter. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try fishing along the many rock lines with moderate current to catch abundant smallmouth bass. Pool 15 can be an overlooked spot for smallmouth; fish 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 until ice in. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.
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Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 6.25 feet and has been rising this past week at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities. Tailwater stage has risen close to 1.5 feet this past week due to recent heavy rains. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Try cut shad or dip baits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing wing-dams. With lower water, look for catfish toward the ends of wing-dams 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. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on wing-dams; cast or troll crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With low water conditions, look for walleyes towards ends of wing-dams with current. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs and minnows. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 4.96 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and forecast to rise slightly over the weekend. Tailwater stage has risen close to 1.5 feet over the past week due to recent rains. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Try cut shad or dip baits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing wing-dams. With lower water, look for catfish toward ends of the wing-dams where there is more flow. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Try around logs in areas like Big Timber. Sauger – No Report: We have not received any reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam. Fishing should improve as water temperatures fall. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on wing-dams; cast or troll crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With low water conditions, look for walleyes towards ends of wing-dams where there is more current. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in backwaters and side channels. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 5.30 feet and forecast to rise slightly over the weekend at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Tailwater stage has risen close to 2.0 feet this past week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along main channel and side channels. Try cut shad or dip baits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wing-dams. With lower water conditions, look for catfish toward ends of wing-dams where there is more flow. Sauger – No Report: We have not received reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam. Fishing should improve as water temperatures fall. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on wing-dams; cast or troll crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With low water, look for walleyes towards ends of wing-dams where there is more current. Try vertical jigging with minnow or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in backwaters and side channels. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 2.78 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Tailwater stage has risen close to 1.5 feet this past week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along main channel and side channels. Try cut shad or dip baits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing wing-dams. With lower water conditions, look for catfish toward ends of wing-dams with 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. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on wing-dams; cast or troll crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With low water, look for walleyes towards ends of wing-dams with more current. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnow. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in backwaters and side channels. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.
Tailwater stages have risen 1.5 – 2 feet this past week due to heavy rains. Main channel temperature is around 57 degrees. Water clarity is fair to poor due to recent rains. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
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SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 50s yet and touching 60 degrees in the afternoons when the sun is shining. Black Crappie – Fair: The weather seem to have put a halt to the crappies moving into shallow water, back to drifting over the brush in 6-8 foot of water. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are staying in 4-6 feet of water. Anglers are catching some along the jetties on the north side.
Discovery Park Pond
The fall trout release was Oct. 26th. Rainbow Trout – Good: A lot of trout have already been taken home, but there is still more than a few to be caught. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Emma Young Pond
The fall trout stocking was Oct. 26. Rainbow Trout – Good: Lots of trout have been caught and taken home, but there are more than a few left. Use worms or power bait under a bobber fished near the habitat. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is in the low to mid-50s. Weather has been keeping angling pressure low. Black Crappie – Fair: Head for the south side and work the ends of the jetties. Use small 1/16 ounce jigs. Bluegill – Fair: Continue to work those 4-6 feet depths. Would not be surprised to see them move out to deeper water soon. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Still up in the trees in shallower water, but they are also moving to deeper water again.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is holding in the mid-50s. Water clarity continue to improve. Black Crappie – Fair: Work with rocky shorelines that are close to deeper water like those down at the lower end of the lake at that high bank on the south side with the brush piles in deeper water. Bluegill – Fair: Fishing pressure has been low. The constantly changing weather continues to make it hard to pattern the fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find a warmer sunny day and target the rocky shoreline where the sun is shining on it.
Lake Geode
Water temperature is in the mid to upper 50s. Water clarity is improving (less green). Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappies in the rock piles and other fish habitat in 5-7 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: The bluegills are holding out in 4-6 feet of water. Try the rock piles along the haul road running from the spillway up to straight across the beach. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Work the shallow water fish habitat around the jetties at the upper end of the lake where the bass are in to feed on the little green sunfish and baby bluegills. Work crankbaits along the face of the rocks.
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is holding in the lower to mid-50s. Water clarity is good. Wind remains a big problem. Bluegill – Fair: Find a bay where the waves are not beating on the shoreline and you should be able to find the bluegills hiding there. Worm and bobber to tempt them to bite. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Work the shoreline where the waves have been crashing in. The bass will be hanging out close by in a little deeper water where the waves do not get them.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The recent rains have brought the Skunk back up to levels suitable for boating. Channel Catfish – No Report: Most catfish have started to migrate to their overwintering sites. You can catch good numbers if you know where they are.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
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Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try crankbaits in the rocks. Walleye – Fair: Use jigs or crankbaits in deeper pools and current seams. White Bass – Fair: Try fishing the current seams with moving baits.
Coralville Reservoir
Lake level is 686.9 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Try bright jigs or minnows over rock bluffs or sunken brush . Channel Catfish – Fair: Slow troll cut bait. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try rock banks or laydowns with artificials. White Crappie – Fair: Try minnows or bright jigs over rock bluffs or sunken brush.
Lake Macbride
Any sized motor may be used at 5 mph or less. Water temperatures are in the low 50s. Black Crappie – Fair: Try jigs or minnows around brush in 5-15 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing near shallow to mid-depth rock or laydowns. Walleye – Slow: Fish windblown rocks. Evening are best. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Troll crankbaits for suspended fish during the day and target windblown banks towards evening.
Liberty Centre Pond
2000 Rainbow Trout were stocked on Oct. 25. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Good: Small spinners and scented baits work best.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The fish cleaning station and modern bathrooms are closed for the season. Walleye – Fair. Try fishing rocky areas preferably with wind towards evening and after dark.
Prairie Park Fishery
2000 Rainbow Trout were stocked on 10/25. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Good: Small spinners and scented baits work best.
Sand Lake
2000 Rainbow Trout were stocked on 10/18. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Small spinners and scented baits work best.
Union Grove Lake
The west boat ramp dock has been removed for the year. Bluegill – Fair.
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Use crankbaits or soft plastics along rocky areas. Walleye – Fair: Try crankbaits or jigs in deeper pools.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
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Hawthorn Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Try jig and minnow combinations in brush piles. Bluegill – Slow: Use jigs along shoreline and open areas in the vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use plastics or spinnerbaits around the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines.
Lake Keomah
Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project. Please keep out of the lake bed. Dried silt appears solid, but is very soft.
Lake Miami
Black Crappie – Fair: Use jigs and minnows along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs in brush piles and along shore. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use plastics or spinnerbaits around brush piles and along rip-rapped shorelines.
Lake Sugema
Black Crappie – Fair: Try jigs and minnows in standing timber along rocky shorelines. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs around submerged brush piles and shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics or spinnerbaits along rip-rapped shorelines and around submerged structures.
Lake Wapello
Black Crappie – Fair: Target cedar tree piles with small jigs. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs around brush piles. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use plastics and crankbaits around brush piles and rip-rapped shoreline.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond)
Trout were stocked on Oct. 24. Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler or in-line spinners. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 903.47 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 water cools, try around docks and shallow brush piles. Walleye – Slow: Try trolling crankbaits or crawler harnesses around rock piles and 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.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs around shorelines and submerged structure near the campground shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use plastics around fishing jetties and along face of the dam. Slow down your presentation as the water cools.
Fishing pressure has slowed with the cooler weather. Contact Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing south central Iowa.
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SOUTHWEST
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Oct. 31. Use spinners, spoons, minnows, wax worms or flies. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Big Creek Lake
Walleye – Fair: Try trolling shad imitating crankbaits or live bait rigs in 10 to 15 feet of water in the upper half of the lake. Fish shallower near sunset in 5 to 10 feet of water.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye – Fair: Cast jigs tipped with live minnows, twister tails or swim baits below Saylorville dam, city dams and any deeper pool with slow current.
Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: 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.
Lake Petocka
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked at on Oct. 31. Cast spinners, spoons, blade baits, live minnows, wax worms, or floating flies. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie – Slow: Fall crappie bite has been slow, but crappie fishing during mild weather in November can be good. Drift or troll small plastic or jigs tipped with minnow in bays and arms off the main lake and Whitebreast arm.
Terra Lake
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Oct. 28. Cast spinners, spoons, blade baits, live minnows, wax worms, or floating flies.You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Triumph Park West
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Oct. 28 in Triumph West and East. Cast spinners, spoons, blade baits, live minnows, wax worms, or floating flies. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
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Greenfield Lake
Black Crappie – No report. Anglers are catching 10-inch crappies around jetties.
Lake Anita
Water clarity is good. Black Crappie – No report: Try slow trolling. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Bluegill – No report: Slow troll small jigs to catch 8-inch bluegill. Tipping with a nightcrawler or Berkley helps. The north arm and around the beach is a good place to start. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Meadow Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Find 9-inch black crappies in the cedar tree piles. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching bluegills around reefs. Fish average 8-inches.
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.
Viking Lake
Black Crappie – No report: Boat anglers can find black crappies in tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Bluegill – No report: 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.
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Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass– Fair: Use finesse plastic near cedar tree brush piles to catch largemouth bass up to 19-inches.
Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Black Crappie – Slow. Try jigs tipped with live bait along creek channels in flooded timber to catch all sizes of crappie. Bluegill – Slow. Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished creek channels in flooded timber.
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. Black Crappie– Fair: Catch crappie up to 10-inches with jigs tipped with live bait along creek channels in flooded timber. Bluegill – Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches with jigs tipped with live bait along creek channels in the flooded timber.
West Lake (Osceola)
Lake level increased with recent rains, but is still about 1 feet below normal. Boaters can use boat ramps at their own risk.
Water temperatures are in the upper 50s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. For more information, call Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
