Southwest Iowa Fishing Reports

[Rick]

Rock Creek Lake

Crappie - Good: Crappie are being caught drifting panfish jigs or minnows mid-lake on the lower portion of the lake.

 

Big Creek Lake

Walleye - Fair: Walleye are being caught in good numbers with more fish over 15 inches. Concentrate on the upper half of the lake in less than 20 feet of water trolling crankbaits or spinner rigs with crawlers or minnows. Shore anglers can pick up walleye as well fishing minnows under slip bobbers off the jetties. Bluegill - Fair: Fish the outside edges of vegetation beds in shallow water with small hooks, crawler pieces and a bobber.

 

Lake Ahquabi

Bluegill - Good: Good size bluegills are being caught fishing crawlers or small panfish jigs 2 to 6 feet deep on the lower portions of the lake where the vegetation is less dense.

 

Red Rock Reservoir

White Bass - Good: White bass action is good right now. Find areas where gizzard shad are concentrated and busting on the surface. Cast or troll spoons and shad imitating crankbaits. Shallow diving chrome or firetiger colored baits work well.

 

Saylorville Reservoir

Channel Catfish - Good: Good summer channel catfishing can be found drifting cut bait above the mile long bridge. White Bass - Good: White bass are in their summer pattern and being caught trolling spoons and crankbaits. Good areas to start searching are out from Sandpiper beach and the Oak Grove Recreation Area.

 

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)

Channel Catfish - Good: Good catches of channel catfish are coming out of the Des Moines River above Saylorville using stink baits.

Bluegill and crappie are being caught drift fishing in many lakes while hot weather has white bass fishing picking up in Red Rock and Saylorville. For information on central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

 

Greenfield Lake

Fish surveys indicate a large crappie population in Greenfield. Panfish can be caught drifting. Greenfield also has good largemouth bass and catfish numbers. Crappie - Fair: Crappies averaging 9 inches can be caught drifting twister tails. Bluegill - Fair: Drift with black jigs tipped with a night crawler or power bait. Fish will average 8 inches. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish can be caught around the jetties and close to rock with shrimp. Fish will average 2 pounds.

 

Nodaway Lake

Anglers can expect to catch 8 inch bluegills and 9 inch crappie. Crappie - Fair: Drift with white twister tails and cast to sunken trees to catch crappie up to 12 inches. Bluegill - Slow: Drift or slow troll small jigs tipped with a crawler. Fish are 6 feet deep. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being caught with cut bait in the upper end of the lake. Fish will average 18 to 20 inches.

 

Orient Lake

Catfishing is good at Orient. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are having success using shrimp or crawdads. Average size catfish is 18 to 20 inches.

 

Lake Anita

Anglers are catching panfish drifting mid lake. Largemouth bass fishing is good along vegetation edges. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass anglers are catching good numbers of bass casting the edges of vegetation and vertical jigging the roadbeds for larger fish. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift around the roadbeds and cast along vegetation edges to catch crappie up to 12 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill can be caught drifting small jigs tipped with a crawler or power bait. Fish are in 6 to 8 feet of water.

 

Viking Lake

Viking has a good largemouth bass population. A few crappies can be caught drifting. Channel catfishing has been good this week. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth of all sizes are being caught casting small spinnerbaits with a slow retrieve or plastics around the shoreline and jetties. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish can be caught in the campground arm of the lake and south of the beach using cut bait. Fish average 2 pounds. Crappie - Fair: Drift open water areas of the lake with small jigs or twister tails. Fish will average 9 inches.

 

Prairie Rose Lake

The fishery at Prairie Rose is doing well. Bluegill growth has been very good with fish over nine inches being caught this spring and summer. The crappie fishing is still a couple of years away as they were just stocked last fall. Largemouth bass are growing quickly with many 8 to 10 inch fish in the lake at this time. The initial stocking of catfish are in the 14 to 16 inch range. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching quality size bluegill off the ends of the jetties with night crawler and bobber. Boat anglers are drifting or slow trolling black jigs in open water areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Many 8 to 10 inch bass are being caught in the lake at this time. Channel Catfish - No Report: Channel catfish are in the 14 to 16 inch range at this time.

 

Lake Manawa

The catfish bite is good in the canals and on the main lake in the evenings. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good this week. The night bite has been best using Sonny’s dip bait or cut bait.

 

Hacklebarney East

Hacklebarney has good water clarity with a nice ring of aquatic vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills can be caught drifting or slow trolling the lake with black jigs tipped with a crawler. Fish average 8 inches. Black Crappie - No Report: Try fishing early morning or late afternoon for crappies averaging 10 inches.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds

Panfish are in deeper water during the summer. Bass fishing has been good this week early morning and in the afternoon. Catfish are close to structure. Always get permission to fish privately owned ponds. . Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast along vegetation and around structure to catch bass in their summer pattern. Bluegill - Good: Anglers have reported catching bluegills with small jigs and crawler 4 feet under a bobber with a very slow retrieve. Crappie - Fair: Crappie will be in 4 to 6 feet of water around structure. Cast jigs or minnows under a bobber to catch crappie in the summer. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish will associate themselves around sunken logs and along vegetation edges. Fish with cut bait around these habitat types for good summer catfishing.

 

Water temperatures remain around 80 degrees in the southwest district. Bluegills and crappie can be caught drifting open water. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587

 

Lake Icaria

Crappie - Fair: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught with minnows and jigs fished near the cedar tree piles. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches have been caught with worms and small jigs fished near the fish mounds. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish up to 20 inches have been caught with worms and liver fished near the fish mounds. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass up to 19 inches have been caught on crankbaits fished near cedar tree piles and rock structure.

 

West Lake (Osceola)

The marina is closed for improvements.

 

Little River Watershed Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish up to 22 inches have been caught with worms and cut bait fished along the jetties. Walleye - Fair: Walleye up to 19 inches have been caught trolling crankbaits along the weed lines. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught with worms fished near the cedar tree piles. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass up to 17 inches have been caught with crankbaits fished along weed lines and near rock reefs.

 

Lake of Three Fires

Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass up to 18 inches have been caught with crankbaits and jigs fished along the dam and near cedar tree piles in the mornings.

 

Sands Timber Lake (Blockton Reservoir)

Sands Timber Lake has been drained for the construction of a wetland structure in the west arm.

 

Green Valley Lake

Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills up to 8 inches have been caught with worms fished along weed lines and near cedar tree piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass up to 18 inches have been caught with crankbaits and jigs fished near cedar tree piles and along rock structure.

 

Summit Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches have been caught with worms fished along the weed lines. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch up to 10 inches have been caught with worms and jigs fished along the weed lines.

 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake

Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch up to 11 inches have been caught on worms and jigs fished in 14 feet of water near the channel. Walleye - Fair: Walleye up to 19 inches have been caught trolling crankbaits along the weed lines. Crappie - Slow: Crappies up to 12 inches have been caught trolling crankbaits along the weed lines.

 

Walnut Creek Marsh

Walnut Creek Marsh has been drained for in-lake improvements.

 

Water temperature in most Mount Ayr District lakes is in the mid-80's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, call 641-464-3108.

 

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)

Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching channel catfish with worms, cut bait, and dip baits. Anglers have had success in the mouths of incoming rivers, creeks, around brush piles, and below wing dikes. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfishing is good on trotlines/rod and reel using chubs, bullheads, and green sunfish. Blue Catfish - Fair: A few blue cats have been caught in this stretch. Fresh cut bait works well.

 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)

Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are having the best success on stinkbait; for larger fish try cut bait. Fish below wing dikes and in slower portions of the Missouri. Catfish are also being caught in the mouth of tributary streams and rivers. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish continue to be caught on trotlines and rod and reel using chubs and live baits. Blue Catfish - Good: blue catfish are being caught on fresh cut bait.

 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)

Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers continue to have success on dead shad, worms, cut bait, and stink bait/dip bait. Flathead Catfish - Good: Anglers are having success on trotlines/rod and reel catching flatheads with chubs, bullheads, goldfish, and green sunfish. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching blue catfish on trotlines and rod and reel using cut bait and live baits.

 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 21.10 ft. /30,700 cfs./78 degrees Fahrenheit. The Missouri River is down 0.58 feet from last week. Fishing is good overall on the Missouri.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)

Channel Catfish - Good: Water levels are getting more challenging for boat navigation, but good catches of channel catfish have been coming out of the Des Moines River above Saylorville using stink baits and cut bait.

 

Rock Creek Lake

Crappie - Good: Crappie are being caught drifting panfish jigs or minnows mid-lake on the lower portion of the lake.

 

Big Creek Lake

Walleye - Fair: Walleye are being caught in good numbers with more fish over 15 inches.  Concentrate on the upper half of the lake in less than 20 feet of water trolling crankbaits or spinner rigs with crawlers or minnows. Shore anglers can pick up walleye as well fishing minnows under slip bobbers off the jetties. Bluegill - Fair: Fish the outside edges of vegetation beds in shallow water with small hooks, crawler pieces, and a bobber.

 

Red Rock Reservoir

White Bass - Good: White bass action has been good. Find areas where gizzard shad are concentrated and busting on the surface. Cast or troll spoons and shad imitating crankbaits. Shallow diving chrome or firetiger colored baits work well.

 

Saylorville Reservoir

Channel Catfish - Good: Drift cut bait above the mile long bridge. White Bass - Fair: White bass are in their summer pattern and are being caught trolling spoons and crankbaits out from Sandpiper beach, the Oak Grove Recreation Area, around the mile long bridge, and along the face of the dam.

 

Bluegill and crappie are being caught drift fishing in many lakes while white bass action is good in Red Rock and Saylorville. For information on central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

 

Greenfield Lake

Fish surveys indicate a large crappie population in Greenfield. Panfish can be caught drifting. Greenfield also has good largemouth bass and catfish numbers. Crappie - Fair: Crappies averaging 9 inches can be caught drifting twister tails. Bluegill - Good: Drift with black jigs tipped with a night crawler or power bait. Fish will average 8 inches. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish can be caught around the jetties and close to rock with shrimp. Fish will average 2 pounds.

 

Nodaway Lake

Anglers can expect to catch 8 inch bluegills and 9 inch crappie. Crappie - Slow: Drift with white twister tails and cast to sunken trees to catch crappie up to 12 inches. Late afternoon bite is best. Bluegill - Fair: Drift or slow troll small jigs tipped with a crawler. Fish are 6 feet deep. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being caught with cut bait in the upper end of the lake. Fish will average 18 to 20 inches.

 

Orient Lake

Catfishing is good at Orient. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are having success using shrimp or crawdads. Average size catfish is 18 to 20 inches.

 

Lake Anita

Anglers are catching panfish drifting mid lake. Largemouth bass fishing is good along vegetation edges. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass anglers are catching good numbers of bass casting the edges of vegetation and vertical jigging the roadbeds for larger fish. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift around the roadbeds and cast along vegetation edges to catch crappie up to 12 inches. Afternoon bite is best. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill can be caught drifting small jigs tipped with a crawler or power bait. Fish are in 6 to 8 feet of water.

 

Viking Lake

Viking has a good largemouth bass population. A few crappies can be caught drifting. Channel catfishing has been good this week. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth of all sizes are being caught casting small spinner baits with a slow retrieve or plastics around the shoreline and jetties. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish can be caught in the campground arm of the lake and south of the beach using cut bait. Fish average 2 pounds. Crappie - Fair: Drift open water areas of the lake with small jigs or twister tails. Fish will average 9 inches.

 

Prairie Rose Lake

The fishery at Prairie Rose is doing well. Bluegill growth has been very good with fish over 9 inches being caught this spring and summer. The crappie fishing is still a couple of years away as they were just stocked last fall. Largemouth bass are growing quickly with many 8 to 10 inch fish in the lake at this time. The initial stocking of catfish are in the 14 to 16 inch range. Bluegill - Good: Anglers are catching quality size bluegill around the underwater reefs casting small jigs tipped with power bait. Boat anglers are drifting or slow trolling in open water areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Many 8 to 10 inch bass are being caught in the lake at this time. Channel Catfish - No Report: Channel catfish are in the 14 to 16 inch range at this time.

 

Lake Manawa

The catfish bite is good in the canals and on the main lake in the evenings. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good this week. The night bite has been best using Sonny’s dip bait or cut bait.

 

Hacklebarney East

Hacklebarney has good water clarity with a nice ring of aquatic vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills can be caught drifting or slow trolling the lake with black jigs tipped with a crawler. Fish average 8 inches. Black Crappie - No Report: Fish early morning or late afternoon for crappies averaging 10 inches.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds

Panfish are in deeper water during the summer. Bass fishing has been good this week early morning and in the afternoon. Catfish are close to structure. Always get permission to fish privately owned ponds. . Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast along vegetation and around structure to catch bass in their summer pattern. Bluegill - Good: Anglers have reported catching bluegills with small jigs and a crawler 4 feet under a bobber with a very slow retrieve. Crappie - Fair: Crappie will be in 4 to 6 feet of water around structure. Cast jigs or minnows under a bobber to catch crappie in the summer. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish will associate themselves around sunken logs and along vegetation edges. Fish with cut bait around these habitat types for good summer catfishing.

 

Drifting open water for panfish has been good this week in the southwest district. Water temperatures remain around 80 degrees. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587

 

Lake Icaria

Crappie - Fair: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught using jigs or minnows fished near cedar tree piles. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using jigs fished near the fish mounds. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish up to 20 inches have been caught using liver fished near fish mounds.

 

West Lake (Osceola)

The marina has re-opened to the public.

 

Little River Watershed Lake

Walleye - Fair: Walleyes up to 20 inches have been caught trolling crankbaits near rock reefs. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish up to 22 inches have been caught using liver fished near rock reefs. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass up to 17 inches have been caught using crankbaits fished along weed lines.

 

Green Valley Lake

Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass up to 18 inches have been caught using crankbaits fished near the cedar tree piles and rock structure. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using small jigs fished near the cedar tree piles.

 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake

Walleye - Slow: Walleyes up to 19 inches have been caught trolling crankbaits along weed lines. Yellow Perch - Slow: Yellow perch up to 11 inches have been caught using jigs and worms fished near the road bed.

 

Water temperatures in most Mount Ayr District lakes are in the mid-80's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, call 641-464-3108.

 

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)

Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching channel catfish with worms and stink bait. Anglers have had success in the mouths of incoming rivers, creeks, around brush piles, and below wing dikes. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead fishing is good on trotlines/rod and reel using live baits. Chubs have been working well as bait; you might also try bluegills/green sunfish if that isn’t working. Blue Catfish - Fair: A few blue cats have been caught in this stretch. Fresh cut bait works well.

 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)

Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are having the best success on stink bait and worms for larger fish try cut bait. Fish below wing dikes and in slower portions of the Missouri. Catfish are also being caught in the mouth of tributary streams and rivers. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish continue to be caught on trotlines and rod and reel using chubs and live baits. Blue Catfish - Good: Blue catfish are being caught on fresh cut bait.

 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)

Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers continue to have success on worms, cut bait, and stinkbait/dip bait. Flathead Catfish - Good: Anglers are having success on trotlines/rod and reel catching flatheads with live baits-chubs, bullheads, goldfish, and green sunfish work well. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching blue catfish on trotlines and rod and reel using cut bait and live baits.

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 21.1 feet /30,800 cfs./79 degrees Fahrenheit. The Missouri River is down 0.6 feet from last week. Tributary streams and rivers are up with recent rains and the debris load is still high in the Missouri River. Fishing continues to be good for anglers that are getting out on the river.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9

River level is 7.7 feet at Lansing and expected to remain stable over the next week. Water temperature is in the 80's. Walleye - Fair: Fish with a crawler on a three-way rig or crankbait trolled on the wing dams. Bluegill - Fair: Larger bluegills have been reported on side channel areas near tree or rock structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for bass near woody structure in side channels and along the shoreline near wing dams on the main channel. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouths are feeding along rocky areas with good current breaks. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are starting to bite on stink baits fished in deeper side channel holes. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum are biting well fishing a worm on the bottom along the main channel border. Northern Pike - Fair: Look for northern pike in cooler water sources such as springs and mouths of streams. Fish spoons using a leader. Crappie - Fair: Fish a minnow under a bobber or a small tube jig in fallen trees or snags on side channels. Flathead Catfish - No Report.

 

Mississippi River Pool 10

River level is 13 feet at Lynxville and expected to remain stable over the next week. Water temperature is in the 80's.  Walleye - Fair: With stable water levels look for walleyes to start feeding on the top sides of wing dams. Bluegill - Fair: Larger bluegills have been reported on side channel areas near tree or rock structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for bass near woody structure in side channels and along the shoreline near wing dams on the main channel. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouths are feeding along rocky areas with good current breaks. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are starting to bite on stink baits fished in deeper side channel holes. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum are biting well fishing a worm on the bottom along the main channel border. Northern Pike - Fair: Look for northern pike in cooler water sources such as springs and mouths of streams. Fish spoons using a leader. Crappie - Fair: Fish a minnow under a bobber or a small tube jig in fallen trees or snags on side channels. Flathead Catfish - No Report.

 

Mississippi River Pool 11

River level is 4.8 feet at Guttenberg and expected to remain stable over the next week. Water temperature is in the 80's. Walleye - Fair: Fish with a crawler on a three-way rig or crankbait trolled on the wing dams. Bluegill - Fair: Larger bluegills have been reported on side channel areas near tree or rock structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for bass near woody structure in side channels and along the shoreline near wing dams on the main channel. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouths are feeding along rocky areas with good current breaks. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats are starting to bite on stink baits fished in deeper side channel holes. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum are biting well fishing a worm on the bottom along the main channel border. White Bass - Fair: Look for schools of jumping minnows and try pitching small silver spinners. Northern Pike - Fair: Look for northern pike in cooler water sources such as springs and mouths of streams. Fish spoons using a leader. Crappie - Fair: Fish a minnow under a bobber or a small tube jig in fallen trees or snags on side channels.

 

Upper Mississippi River levels are low but expected to be stable over the next week. Stable water levels will hopefully increase fishing success. With lower water levels more fish will be using areas along the main channel and sloughs with good current. Water temperature is near 80.

 

Mississippi River Pool 12

The water level is near 5.0 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 7.8 feet at the Dubuque RR bridge. This is down a half a foot from last week. The river will be stable to falling all week.  The water temperature in the main channel is at 79 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are using frog imitations in the weeds.  The normal tailwater bite of 12 inch bass seems to be a bit off right now but could pick up soon. Walleye - Fair: A little hit and miss but anglers that target this pool often are successful off the wing dams and rock lines.  Bluegill - Fair: Some gills are being taken out of brush piles in the side channels and along vegetation lines in the lower pools.  Try the insides of the wing dams, that is where some anglers are reporting taking of a few bluegills. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stinkbait or cut bait above the wing dams or on big fallen trees in the major side channels. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Lots of sub-legal smallmouth bass are being caught along the rock lines by people using spinners or floating worms. Northern Pike - Good: Lots of reports of pike, especially by anglers fishing for bass.  The last few seasons the pike spawns have been fantastic and the fishery for pike is responding. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A simple egg sinker rig fished in 6 to 10 feet of moving water is all that is needed to catch drum. Bait with crayfish or worms. The larger crayfish you use the larger drum you will catch.

 

Mississippi River Pool 13

The water level is around 5.4 feet at Bellevue and will slowly recede again this week. The main channel temperature is at 80 degrees. The water is generally clear but the bite has not been great. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Look for clearer water especially in weed bed locations to catch bass.  The bass are not moving quickly out of the shallow backwaters this year.  Usually low water makes them vulnerable along the rock piles near the channel border. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallies are biting along the rock shorelines by anglers using small spinners or crankbaits. Walleye - Fair: Lots of activity fishing for walleyes on wing dams but anglers are reporting only short fish.  We have had good reproduction the past two years but these fish are still below the 15 inch keeper size range. Bluegill - Slow: Finding good bluegill fishing seems to be a challenge right now but it could pick up soon.  Try the insides of wing dams as the water recedes. Channel Catfish - Good: Fish stinkbait above the wing dams or on big fallen trees in the major side channels. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A simple egg sinker rig fished in 4 to 10 feet of moving water is all that is needed to catch drum. Bait with crayfish or worms. Northern Pike - Good: Strong northern pike populations are evident throughout Pool 13 as many pike were again caught this week.  Most came off of flashy spinners and crank baits.

 

Mississippi River Pool 14

The water level is 5.0 feet at Fulton, 9.4 feet at Camanche, and 4.5 feet above the dam at LeClaire. All water level readings are down from last week. The water temperature in the main channel is 80 degrees.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Good populations of bass exist in Pool 14. Some bass may have moved into the bigger backwater areas and clearer waters. Successful anglers are using frog imitations in the weed lines. Channel Catfish - Excellent: The spawn of catfish is nearly over so you might want to try fishing stinkbait above the wing dams or on big fallen trees in the major side channels. Move often if not catching channel catfish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught in the backwater areas on worm rigs.  Muddy water has taken its toll on the bluegill bite but is clearing up nicely.  Expect good fishing for bluegills to resume. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinners or jigs and fish close to any exposed rocky areas. Northern Pike - Good: Pike were again caught this week in good numbers in Pool 14.  Most people who catch pike are generally bass fishing throwing white spinners or crankbaits. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum can be caught easily in areas of modest current and depths in the 6 to 10 feet.  Boat ramp areas often have good access to freshwater drum fishing.  Simple egg sinker and worm rigs work best. Walleye - Fair: A few "short" walleyes were reported being caught on the wing dams.

 

Mississippi River Pool 15

The water level is 5.4 feet at Rock Island. The water temperature is around 82 degrees.  Eagles Landing and Leach park are two nice areas to put in and enjoy fishing on Pool 15.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Launch at Eagles Landing in Bettendorf and fish near smaller tributary mouths above and below the park.  Use worms or stink bait but move often if you are not successful.  Catfish will either bite within the first 15 minutes or so.  If you do not catch any in that amount of time, then move on. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some flatheads were caught mixed in with the channel catfish by anglers using worms or live bait. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are a consistent biter this time of year.  A simple rig with worms and an egg sinker will prove best.  Use large crayfish to catch larger drum.  Some are being reported on crankbaits too.

 

The river is now getting close to its normal summertime low flows.  Fishing reports have been extremely mixed from great to poor.  However, it really does not matter because any day fishing on the Mississippi River is a good day and time well spent. 

 

Mississippi River Pool 16

Tailwater stage is 5.15 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and falling. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina. Fish with minnows under a bobber. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina fishing with small minnows or pieces of worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some largemouth bass are being caught in Velie Chute within the Andalusia Island complex. Cast spinner baits or crankbaits. White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough but fishing has been hit or miss. Cast crankbaits, in-line spinners, or jigs and twister tails. Some white bass are also being caught trolling crankbaits on the wing dams. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits. Using three-way rigs with night crawlers or jigs with nightcrawler on the wing dams works too. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught in Sunset Marina, around the mouth of the Rock River, and in Sylvan Slough. Fish on the bottom with night crawlers, shad, or stinkbait. Try fishing above the snags and log jams along the main channel and side channels.

 

Mississippi River Pool 17

Tailwater stage is 4.18 feet at Lock and Dam 16 at Muscatine and falling. Channel Catfish - Good: Look for channel catfish in brush piles and snags along the main channel and in side channels. Try fishing with stinkbait, cut bait, or night crawlers. Some channel catfish can also be caught fishing on the wing dams. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams casting or trolling crankbaits or pulling three-way rigs with crawlers. Some walleyes can be caught trolling crankbaits along GPC. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Look for largemouth bass in the backwaters and sloughs around brush piles and stumps. Cast shallow running crankbaits or spinner baits. Pitching plastics to brush works too.

 

Mississippi River Pool 18

Tailwater stage is 5.79 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and falling. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Channel Catfish - No Report: Look for channel catfish in the side channels and along the main channel. Fish above brush piles and snags with stink bait, cut bait, or night crawlers. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try trolling or casting crankbaits or pulling three-way rigs with crawlers. White Bass - No Report: Look for white bass up by the Lock and Dam, the outlet of Lake Odessa, or on the wing dams. Try casting crankbaits, in-line spinners, or jigs and twister tails.

 

Mississippi River Pool 19

Tailwater stage is 3.32 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and falling. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Channel Catfish - No Report: Look for channel catfish in brush piles and snags along the main channel or side channels. Fish above the snags with stink bait, cut bait, or night crawlers. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wing dams.

 

Mississippi River Pools 16-20. River levels have been falling the past few days. Water clarity has been fair to good. Main channel water temperature is around 80 degrees. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Good: Cast small in-line spinners, spoons, twister tail or tube jigs and live minnows or waxworms under a bobber in the open water areas. 

Big Creek Lake
As of Wednesday, March 8, Big Creek was open water north of the Williams Drive boat ramp. 

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye - Fair: As flows reduce, it’s a good time to start fishing below the Saylorville and downtown dams. Jigs tipped with twister tails and/or minnows work best. 

Lakes in Central Iowa are mostly ice free or the remaining ice is unsuitable for ice fishing.For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Fair: Cast small in-line spinners, spoons, twister tail or tube jigs and live minnows or waxworms under a bobber. Find trout in the north and south sections of the lake; move around to find the schools. 

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye - Fair: It is a good time to fish below the Saylorville and downtown dams. Jigs tipped with twister tails and/or minnows work best. The best walleye fishing will be through April if flows do not get too high. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing with dead shad has been good in the river from Saylorville through downtown Des Moines. 

Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Fair: A good catfishing opportunity is occurring as the catfish feed on winter killed gizzard shad.Fish dead shad under a bobber or on the bottom from the shoreline the wind is blowing into. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek Lake will offer good early spring crappie fishing in the upper end as water temperatures warm.

Lake Anita
As water temperatures warm, crappies will move into the pontoon area of the lake.

Lake Manawa
Warm sunny days offer good crappie fishing in the canals. Lake Manawa is also a good destination for early spring catfishing. White Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught in the canals. Warm sunny days are best. Channel Catfish - No Report: Fish the windy shoreline with shad sides or cut bait. Channel catfish in Manawa are all sizes. 

Meadow Lake
Meadow has a good population of 10 inch black crappie.

Viking Lake
Find early spring crappies in the campground arm and behind the pontoon area. 

There has been little fishing activity this week in the southwest district. Fishing reports will resume once open water angling begins. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 19 inches using tube jigs fished along the silt dams. 

Summit Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with tube jigs fished along the HWY 25 causeway. 

Lakes in the Mount Ayr district are 100% ice free. Water temperature in most district lakes is about 42 degrees F. Limited fishing activity observed this week. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Fair: Cast small in-line spinners, spoons, twister tail or tube jigs and live minnows or waxworms under a bobber. Find trout in the north and south sections of the lake; move around to find the schools. 

Banner Lake (south)
Rainbow Trout - Good: The spring trout stocking will be Saturday April 7th at 11:00 a.m.  Use inline spinners, small casting spoons, 1/8 ounce or smaller jigs with twister tails, and waxworms or minnows under a bobber. 

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Some anglers are starting to catch walleyes off points and rip rap shorelines in the mid and lower lake.  They are being caught on jig and twister tails, jig and minnow, or slow trolling minnow rigs. 

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye - Fair: It is a good time to fish below the Saylorville and downtown dams. Jigs tipped with twister tails and/or minnows work best. The best walleye fishing will be through April if flows do not get too high. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing with dead shad has been good in the river from Saylorville through downtown Des Moines. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek Lake will offer good early spring crappie fishing in the upper end as water temperatures warm.

Lake Anita
As water temperatures warm, crappies will move into the pontoon area of the lake.

Lake Manawa
Warm sunny days offer good crappie fishing in the canals. Lake Manawa is also a good destination for early spring catfishing. White Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught in the canals. Warm sunny days are best. Channel Catfish - No Report: Fish the windy shoreline with shad sides or cut bait. Channel catfish in Manawa are all sizes. 

Meadow Lake
Meadow has a good population of 10 inch black crappie.

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing this spring. The lake has quality sized bluegills and  crappies are acceptable size. Target the brush piles.   

Viking Lake
Find early spring crappies in the campground arm and behind the pontoon area. A few bass are being caught in the deeper brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles. 

There has been little fishing activity this week in the southwest district. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 19 inches using crankbaits fished along the silt dams and rocky shoreline areas. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye - Slow: Catch walleyes up to 22 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the roadbed. 

Lakes in the Mount Ayr district are 100% ice free. Water temperature in most district lakes is about 43 degrees F. Limited fishing activity observed this week. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST

Banner Lake (south)
Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout were stocked on April 7th. Use inline spinners, small casting spoons, 1/8 ounce or smaller jigs with twister tails, and waxworms or minnows under a bobber. 

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Some anglers are starting to catch walleyes off points and rip rap shorelines in the mid and lower lake. They are being caught on jig and twister tails, jig and minnow, or slow trolling minnow rigs. 

More Central Iowa reports will resume when warmer weather brings anglers back out. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek Lake will offer good early spring crappie fishing in the upper end as water temperatures warm.

Lake Anita
Crappies were caught this week at Lake Anita. As water temperatures warm, crappies will move into the pontoon area of the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Cast a jig two feet under a bobber in the pontoon area of the lake. Limits of crappie are being taken on warm sunny days. Bluegill - Slow: A few quality size bluegills are being caught. 

Lake Manawa
Warm sunny days offer good crappie fishing in the canals. Lake Manawa is also a good destination for early spring catfishing. White Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught in the canals. Warm sunny days are best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish the windy shoreline with shad sides or cut bait. Channel catfish in Manawa are all sizes. 

Meadow Lake
Meadow has a good population of 10 inch black crappie.

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing this spring. The lake has quality sized bluegills and  crappies are acceptable size. Target the brush piles.   

Viking Lake
Find early spring crappies in the campground arm and behind the pontoon area. A few bass are being caught in the deeper brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles. 

Anglers can catch crappie on the right day. Reports of limits taken on warm sunny days. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 19 inches using crankbaits fished along the silt dams and rocky shoreline areas. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye - Slow: Catch walleyes up to 22 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the dam. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. 

Lakes in the Mount Ayr district are 100% ice free. Water temperature in most district lakes is about 45 degrees. Limited fishing activity observed this week. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are being caught off points and rip rap shorelines in the mid and lower lake. Use jig and twister tails, jig and minnow, or slow trolling minnow rigs. 

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Slowly troll or drift small twister tails mid-lake or just out from the east shoreline. Expect to fish through some 5-7 inch fish for the 9-10 inchers. 

Lake Ahquabi
Black Crappie - Fair: Cast twister tails or minnows under a bobber around the rock jetties, fish house and trail bridge. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Farm ponds can offer good spring fishing. Always get permission to fish privately owned ponds. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are still in a winter pattern and can be caught around deep structure. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are getting active before the spawning period. Look for them just off shore and around shallow structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: As the water temperature warms, bass become very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish feed heavily in the spring on dead fish. Use cut bait or shad sides in the windy shorelines. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek Lake will offer good early spring crappie fishing in the upper end as water temperatures warm.

Lake Anita
Crappie fishing should get good this week in the pontoon arm of the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Cast a jig two feet under a bobber in the pontoon area of the lake. Limits of crappie are being taken on warm sunny days. Bluegill - Slow: A few quality size bluegills are being caught. 

Lake Manawa
Warm sunny days offer good crappie fishing in the canals. Lake Manawa is also a good destination for early spring catfishing. White Crappie - Fair: A few crappies are being caught in the canals. Warm sunny days are best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish the windy shoreline with shad sides or cut bait. Channel catfish in Manawa are all sizes. 

Meadow Lake
Meadow has a good population of 10 inch black crappie.

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing this spring. The lake has quality sized bluegills and crappies are acceptable size. Target the brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught around the jetties and in tree piles. Fish will average 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Find early spring crappies in the campground arm and behind the pontoon area. A few bass are being caught in the deeper brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught behind the pontoon boats fishing a minnow under a bobber. White Crappie - Slow: An angler reports catching a few large white crappies in deep brush piles and around underwater reefs. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles. 

Fishing should pick up with temperatures forecasted to warm over the weekend and next week. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes up to 22 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow or trolling along the dam. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. 

Lakes in the Mount Ayr district are 100% ice free. Water temperature in most district lakes is is in the upper 40's to low 50's. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Beaver Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are starting to be caught near shore on the rock jetties and on the rocks on the face of the dam. Crappie fishing should really pick up by the second week of May. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are in the shallow bays on the upper half of the lake between the fishing jetties. They should be easy to target in these areas through May. 

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleyes are being caught off mid and lower lake points and the east and west boat ramp bays. Use jig and twister tails, jig and minnow, or slow trolling minnow rigs. 

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Slowly troll or drift small twister tails or minnows mid-lake. Crappies are just starting to move towards near-shore wood habitat for the spawn.  Expect to fish through some 5-7 inch fish for the 9-10 inchers. 

Lake Ahquabi
Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are moving shallow. Cast twister tails or minnows under a bobber around the rock jetties and rip rap shorelines with tree falls. 

Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie - Good: Start targeting crappie in the shallows at Red Rock. Any cove off the main lake or Whitebreast arm with rocky shorelines or wood habitat is worth trying. Try also the rip-rap shorelines near the bridge on the Teter Creek arm and Marina Cove. 

Rock Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are moving shallow; catch them on the rocks along the face of the dam and around the jetties next to the SE boat ramp. 

Crappie fishing in Central Iowa is picking up and should be excellent the second and third week of May. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Farm ponds can offer good spring fishing. Always get permission to fish privately owned ponds. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are still in a winter pattern and can be caught around deep structure. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are getting active before the spawning period. Look for them just off shore and around shallow structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: As the water temperature warms, bass become very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish feed heavily in the spring on dead fish. Use cut bait or shad sides in the windy shorelines. 

Cold Springs Lake
The fish population at Cold Springs looks good. There is an 18 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass. Bluegill - Fair: Cast a small jig tipped with crawler under a bobber to catch bluegill up to 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass can be caught around the shoreline with a variety of spinners and lures. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek Lake will offer good early spring crappie fishing in the upper end as water temperatures warm.

Lake Anita
Crappie fishing should get good this week in the pontoon arm of the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Cast a jig two feet under a bobber in the pontoon area of the lake. Limits of crappie are being taken on warm sunny days. Bluegill - Slow: Crappie anglers are catching a few quality size bluegills. 

Lake Manawa
Warm sunny days offer good crappie fishing in the canals. Lake Manawa is also a good destination for early spring catfishing. White Crappie - Fair: A few crappies are being caught in the canals. Warm sunny days are best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish the windy shoreline with shad sides or cut bait. Channel catfish in Manawa are all sizes. 

Meadow Lake
Meadow has a good population of 10 inch black crappie. Black Crappie - No Report: Look for pre-spawn crappie along the dam and around underwater reefs. 

Orient Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Reports of good crappie fishing around the brush piles. Sorting is needed for the larger fish. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing this spring. The lake has quality sized bluegills and crappies are acceptable size. Target the brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: A few bluegills are being caught around the underwater reefs. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught around the jetties and in tree piles. Fish will average 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Find early spring crappies in the campground arm and behind the pontoon area. A few bass are being caught in the deeper brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught behind the pontoon boats fishing a minnow under a bobber. White Crappie - Slow: An angler reports catching a few large white crappies in deep brush piles and around underwater reefs. Channel Catfish - No Report: Catfish should be actively feeding in the upper ends of the lake where water warms sooner. Use cutbait or shad sides. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles. 

Fishing should pick up with temperatures forecasted to warm over the weekend and next week. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. 

Lake Icaria
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes up to 22 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow fished in 15 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 14 inches with minnows fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches using jigs or nightcrawlers fished along cedar tree brush piles. 

Three Mile Lake
Lake is about 2 feet low. Walleye - Slow: Catch walleyes up to 17 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow fished along main lake points or along the roadbed. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Lake is about 3 feet low. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 12 inches using minnows fished along cedar tree brush piles. 

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the upper 50's to low 60's.. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Beaver Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are starting to be caught near shore on the rock jetties and on the rocks on the face of the dam. Crappie fishing should really pick up by the second week of May. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are in the shallow bays on the upper half of the lake between the fishing jetties. They should be easy to target in these areas through May. 

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleyes are being caught off mid and lower lake points and the east and west boat ramp bays. Use jig and twister tails, jig and minnow, or slow trolling minnow rigs. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught in the coves near wood with minnows under a bobber or 1/16oz jigs with white or chartreuse twister tails and tubes. 

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Slowly troll or drift small twister tails or minnows up lake from the main boat ramp. Some crappie are starting to move towards near-shore wood on the upper half of the lake. Next week should be better shallow water fishing.  Expect to fish through some 5-7 inch fish for the 9-10 inchers. 

Fort Des Moines Pond
Bluegill - Good: Nice size bluegill are being caught casting small panfish plastics or bobber fishing crawlers. 

Lake Ahquabi
Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are moving shallow. Cast twister tails or minnows under a bobber around the rock jetties and rip rap shorelines with tree falls. 

Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie - Good: Start targeting crappie in the shallows at Red Rock. Any cove off the main lake or Whitebreast arm with rocky shorelines or wood habitat is worth trying. Try also the rip-rap shorelines near the bridge on the Teter Creek arm and Marina Cove. 

Rock Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are moving shallow; catch them on the rocks along the face of the dam and around the jetties next to the SE boat ramp. 

Crappie fishing in Central Iowa is picking up and should be excellent through most of May. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Farm ponds can offer good spring fishing. Always get permission to fish privately owned ponds. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are still in a winter pattern and can be caught around deep structure. Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are spawning and easy to catch. Find colonies of nesting fish by casting jigs close to shore. Largemouth Bass - Good: As the water temperature warms, bass become very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish feed heavily in the spring on dead fish. Use cut bait or shad sides in the windy shorelines. 

Cold Springs Lake
The fish population at Cold Springs looks good. There is an 18 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass. Bluegill - Good: Cast a small jig tipped with crawler under a bobber to catch bluegill up to 9 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: A few black crappie are being caught around the underwater rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass around the shoreline with a variety of spinners and lures. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm creek will offer good spring fishing. Crappie should be spawning and close to shore. Black Crappie - No Report: Crappie should be close to shore spawning. Black crappie in Farm Creek are quality size fish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills should begin to spawn soon. Cast the shoreline with small jigs and move often to find fish. 

Lake Anita
Crappie fishing is good right now. Bluegills are also being picked up close to shore.  Black Crappie - Good: Cast around rocky shorelines and the jetties to find spawning crappie. Fish will average 9 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Crappie anglers are catching a few quality size bluegills. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast to structure to catch bass of all sizes. 

Lake Manawa
Crappies are close to shore and can be caught with small jigs. Lake Manawa is also a good destination for early spring catfishing. White Crappie - Good: White crappies are close to shore. Move often if you are not catching fish. Concentrate on rocky shorelines like the west shore and canals. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish the windy shoreline with shad sides or cut bait. Channel catfish in Manawa are all sizes. 

Meadow Lake
Meadow has a good population of 10 inch black crappie. Black Crappie - No Report: Look for pre-spawn crappie along the dam and around underwater reefs. 

Mormon Trail Lake
Anglers report good crappie fishing around the jetties. Black Crappie - Good: Cast small jigs around the jetties and dam to find spawning crappie. Fish will average 9 inches. 

Orient Lake
Anglers report good crappie fishing in the new brush piles and along the dam. Black Crappie - Fair: Reports of good crappie fishing around the brush piles and along rocky shorelines. Sorting is needed for the larger fish. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing this spring. The lake has quality sized bluegills and crappies are acceptable size. Target the brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: A few bluegills are being caught around the underwater reefs. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught around the jetties and in tree piles. Fish will average 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Anglers are catching spawning crappies around underwater reefs and rocky shorelines. A few bass are being caught in the deeper brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught behind the pontoon boats fishing a minnow under a bobber. White Crappie - Good: Boat anglers are finding white crappies around underwater reefs. Channel Catfish - No Report: Catfish should be actively feeding in the upper ends of the lake where water warms sooner. Use cutbait or shad sides. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles. 

Water temperatures are reaching 70 degrees in the S.W. district. Crappies are close to shore spawning.For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. 

Lake Icaria
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 10 inches with jigs or minnows fished along rocky shoreline areas. 

Lake of Three Fires
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs fished along rocky shoreline areas. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes up to 22 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow or leech
fished along mainlake points or the roadbed. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 14 inches with minnows fished along rocky shoreline areas. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches using jigs or nightcrawlers fished along cedar tree brush piles or the fishing jetties. 

Summit Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 11 inches with jigs or minnows fished along rocky shoreline areas. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 9 inches using jigs or nightcrawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas or cedar tree brush piles. 

Three Mile Lake
Lake is about 2 feet low. Walleye - Slow: Catch walleyes up to 17 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow fished along main lake points or along the roadbed. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappies up to 10 inches using jigs or minnows fished along rocky shoreline areas. 

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the in the mid 60's. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

MISSOURI RIVER

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Slow: A few anglers are catching catfish on worms and cut bait below wing dams and along the banks. Sauger - Fair: Spring is a good time to catch sauger and walleye on the Missouri. Use jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon on live bait rigs tipped with worms. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - No Report: Spring can be a great time to catch some big blue catfish. Use fresh cutbait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Fair: A few anglers are catching catfish on worms and cut bait below wing dams and along the banks. Sauger - Fair: Spring is a good time to catch sauger and walleye on the Missouri. Use jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon on live bait rigs tipped with worms. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - No Report: Spring can be a great time to catch some big blue catfish. Use fresh cutbait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Fair: A few anglers are catching catfish on worms and cut bait below wing dams and along the banks. Sauger - Slow: Spring is a good time to catch sauger and walleye on the Missouri. Use jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon on live bait rigs tipped with worms. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on with fresh cutbait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 25.79 feet /50,700 cfs./61 degrees Fahrenheit . The Missouri River is up 5 degrees from last week and dropped .46 feet from last week. Fishing has been slow with few anglers out with the higher water conditions on the Missouri River along the Iowa border. The Army Corps of Engineers is releasing water from Gavin's Point Dam due to snow melt from up North, which has contributed to higher than normal water conditions.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Beaver Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift jigs or still fish minnows near the trees mid-lake. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are in the shallow bays on the upper half of the lake between the fishing jetties. They should be easy to target in these areas through May. 

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleyes are being caught throughout the lake in 10 to 15 feet of water. Mid lake out from the beach, marina and East boat ramp have been popular.
Use jig and twistertails, jig and minnow, slow trolling minnow or leech rigs and trolling crankbaits. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies have moved away from shore and are being caught over brushpiles in 10 to 15 feet of water with minnows under a slip bobber or drifting jigs with white or chartreuse twistertails or minnows.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught slowly troll or drift small twister tails or minnows throughout the lake. Expect to fish through some 5-7 inch fish for the 9-10 inchers. 

Fort Des Moines Pond
Bluegill - Good: Nice size bluegill are being caught casting small panfish plastics or bobber fishing crawlers. 

Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill have moved close to shore. Cast small jigs or little pieces of crawler in areas near shore that have slightly murky water compared to the otherwise very clear water right now. 

Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie - Good: Use live minnows next to any flooded vegetation or willows. Try also the rip-rap shorelines near the bridge on the Teter Creek arm and Marina Cove. 

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Fair: Crappies have moved off spawning areas. Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower portion of the lake between the beach and dam. 

The crappie spawn is mostly finished in Central Iowa. Bluegill fishing is excellent right now. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Anglers report excellent fishing in ponds right now. Always get permission to fish privately owned ponds. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawning and are close to shore in most ponds. Black Crappie - Fair: You can still catch spawning crappie. Find colonies of nesting fish by casting jigs close to shore. Largemouth Bass - Good: As the water temperature warms, bass become very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try along weed edges and around structure. 

Cold Springs Lake
The fish population at Cold Springs looks good. There is an 18 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass. Bluegill - Good: Cast a small jig tipped with crawler under a bobber to catch bluegill up to 9 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: A few black crappie are being caught around the underwater rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass around the shoreline with a variety of spinners and lures. Redear Sunfish - Fair: Redear are on their beds spawning. Catch fish up to 10 inches with nightcrawlers under a bobber. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm creek will offer good fishing this year. Bluegill should be spawning and close to shore. Black Crappie - No Report: Black crappie in Farm Creek are quality size fish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are spawning and close to shore. Cast the shoreline with small jigs and move often to find fish. 

Lake Anita
Bluegills are being picked up close to shore. Anglers can still find late spawning crappie. Black Crappie - Fair: Cast around rocky shorelines and the jetties to find late spawning crappie. Fish will average 9 inches. Move to deeper tree piles to find post spawn fish. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are moving in to spawn. Fish underwater reefs and sandy substrates to find fish up to 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast to structure to catch bass of all sizes. 

Lake Manawa
White crappies can still be caught close to shore with small jigs. Lake Manawa is also a good destination for channel catfish. White Crappie - Fair: White crappies are close to shore. Move often if you are not catching fish. Concentrate on rocky shorelines like the west shore and canals. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish the windy shoreline with shad sides or cut bait. Channel catfish in Manawa are all sizes. 

Meadow Lake
Meadow has a good population of 10 inch black crappie. Black Crappie - Fair: Look for post spawn crappie around underwater reefs and tree piles. Fish will average 10 inches. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill have moved on the underwater reefs to spawn. Cast small jigs for fish averaging 8 inches.

Mormon Trail Lake
Anglers report good crappie fishing around the jetties. Black Crappie - Good: Cast small jigs around the jetties and dam to find spawning crappie. Fish will average 9 inches. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. Target the spawning beds, underwater reefs and jetties to find spawning fish. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawning and can be caught on top of underwater reefs and on the spawning substrate placed in the lake. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are quality size fish. Black Crappie - Fair: Spawning crappies can still be caught around the jetties and rocky shorelines. Fish will average 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Concentrate on deeper brush piles to find crappie. Anglers are still catching spawning crappies around underwater reefs and rocky shorelines. A few bass are being caught in the deeper brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are beginning to be caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish. White Crappie - Fair: Boat anglers are finding white crappies along the dam and deeper tree piles. Fish will average 12 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Crappie spawn is winding down and bluegills have moved close to shore.For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles or along the silt dams. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs or nightcrawlers fished along the fishing jetties or fishing piers. 

Lake Icaria
Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 10 inches with jigs or minnows fished along rocky shoreline areas or cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Good: Walleye of all sizes have been caught using jigs or minnows fished along the roadbed or trolling along mainlake points. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using nightcrawlers fished along main lake points. 

Lake of Three Fires
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs fished along rocky shoreline areas or cedar tree brush piles. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes up to 22 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow or leech
fished along mainlake points or the roadbed. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 14 inches with minnows fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches using jigs tipped with a waxworm or leaf worms fished along cedar tree brush piles or the fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with nightcrawlers fished along main lake points. 

Summit Lake
Bluegill - Good: Bluegill up to 9 inches have been caught using jigs or nightcrawlers fished along shallow sandy areas. 

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Good: Catch walleyes up to 17 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the dam.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappies up to 10 inches using jigs or minnows fished in the flooded timber. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished along the fishing jetties or flooded timpber. Walleye - Slow: Catch walleyes up to 20 inches using jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the roadbed. 

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the lower 70's. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Slow: A few anglers are catching catfish on worms and cut bait below wing dams and along the banks. Sauger - Fair: Spring is a good time to catch sauger and walleye on the Missouri. Use jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon on live bait rigs tipped with worms. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - No Report: Spring can be a great time to catch some big blue catfish. Use fresh cutbait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Fair: A few anglers are catching catfish on worms and cut bait below wing dams and along the banks. Sauger - Fair: Spring is a good time to catch sauger and walleye on the Missouri. Use jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon on live bait rigs tipped with worms. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - No Report: Spring can be a great time to catch some big blue catfish. Use fresh cutbait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Fair: A few anglers are catching catfish on worms and cut bait below wing dams and along the banks. Sauger - Slow: Spring is a good time to catch sauger and walleye on the Missouri. Use jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon on live bait rigs tipped with worms. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on with fresh cutbait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 25.67 ft. /50,300 cfs./64 degrees. Missouri River water temperatures are up 3 degrees and water levels are down 1.12 feet from last week. Fishing continues to be slow with few anglers out with the higher water conditions we are currently having on the Missouri River along the Iowa border. The Army Corps of Engineers is releasing water from Gavin's Point Dam due to snow melt from up North, which has contributed to higher water conditions.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Beaver Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift jigs or still fish minnows near the trees mid-lake. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are in the shallow bays on the upper half of the lake between the fishing jetties. They should be easy to target in these areas through May. 

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleyes are being caught throughout the lake in 10 to 15 feet of water. Areas out from the beach, marina, East boat ramp, Ensign Shelter and the west shoreline south of the 100th Street Boat Ramp have been popular. Use jig and twistertails, jig and minnow, slow trolling minnow or leech rigs and trolling crankbaits. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies have moved away from shore and are being caught over brushpiles in 10 to 15 feet of water with minnows under a slip bobber or drifting jigs with white or chartreuse twistertails or minnows.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Flows are still high, but it is making it easy for boat anglers to navigate.  Use cut bait and dip baits off the main current and in backed up small tributaries. 

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught slowly troll or drift small twister tails or minnows throughout the lake. Expect to fish through some 5-7 inch fish for the 9-10 inchers. 

Fort Des Moines Pond
Bluegill - Good: Nice size bluegill are being caught casting small panfish plastics or bobber fishing crawlers. 

Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill have moved close to shore. Cast small jigs or little pieces of crawler in areas near shore that have slightly murky water compared to the otherwise very clear water right now. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: As the crappie spawn bite is coming to an end, the hot weather is causing the white bass bite to pick up.  Troll shad imitating spoons and shallow diving crank baits. 

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Fair: Crappies have moved off spawning areas. Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower portion of the lake between the beach and dam. 

The crappie spawn is mostly finished in Central Iowa. Bluegill fishing and catfishing is excellent right now. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Anglers report excellent fishing in ponds right now. Always get permission to fish privately owned ponds. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawning and are close to shore in most ponds. Black Crappie - Fair: Find post spawn crappies suspended and around structure.  Largemouth Bass - Good: As the water temperature warms, bass become very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try along weed edges and around structure. 

Cold Springs Lake
The fish population at Cold Springs looks good. There is an 18 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass. Bluegill - Fair: Cast a small jig tipped with crawler under a bobber to catch bluegill up to 9 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: A few black crappie are being caught around the underwater rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass around the shoreline with a variety of spinners and lures. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm creek will offer good fishing this year. Bluegill should be spawning and close to shore. Black Crappie - No Report: Black crappie in Farm Creek are quality size fish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are spawning and close to shore. Cast the shoreline with small jigs and move often to find fish. 

Lake Anita
A few bluegills can still be picked up close to shore. Find crappies around brush piles and suspended over the roadbeds. Black Crappie - Fair: Vertical jig deeper tree piles to catch black crappie averaging 9 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers report that most bluegills have moved off their spawning beds and can be caught around structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast to structure to catch bass of all sizes. 

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good destination for summer catfishing. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dip bait on the south shore. Fish in the 2 to 5 pound range were reported.

Meadow Lake
Meadow has a good population of 10 inch black crappie. Black Crappie - Fair: Look for post spawn crappie around underwater reefs and tree piles. Fish will average 10 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill can still be caught on the underwater reefs. Cast small jigs for fish averaging 8 inches. 

Mormon Trail Lake
Bluegills were being caught on spawning beds earlier in the week. Bluegill - Fair: Look for spawning bluegills close to shore. Move often to find fish. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. Target the spawning beds, underwater reefs and jetties to find spawning fish. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawning and can be caught on top of underwater reefs and on the spawning substrate placed in the lake. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are quality size fish. Black Crappie - Slow: Look for post spawn crappies along the dam and around tree piles. Fish will average 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish. White Crappie - Fair: Boat anglers are finding white crappies along the dam and deeper tree piles. Fish will average 12 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Anglers report catching spawning bluegills last weekend. Look for post spawn crappies in deeper brush piles. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles or stake beds. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs or nightcrawlers fished along the fishing jetties or fishing piers. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches using jigs or minnows fished along the fishing jetties or fishing piers. 

Lake Icaria
Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 10 inches with jigs or minnows fished along deep cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Walleye of all sizes have been caught using jigs or minnows fished along the roadbed or trolling along mainlake points. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using nightcrawlers fished along main lake points. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs or nightcrawlers fished along the fish mounds. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye - Good: Catch walleyes up to 22 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow or leech
fished along the weed lines. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches using jigs tipped with a waxworm or leaf worms fished along cedar tree brush piles or the fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with nightcrawlers fished along weed lines. 

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Good: Catch walleyes up to 17 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the dam. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 15 inches using finesse plastics fished along weed lines. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs or nightcrawlers fished along the fishing jetties, rock reefs or flooded timber. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes up to 20 inches using jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the roadbed. Yellow Perch - Good: Catch yellow perch up to 12 inches with jigs or nightcrawlers fished along the roadbed or along the bottom in the main basin. 

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the upper 70's to low 80's.. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Slow: A few anglers are catching catfish on worms and cut bait below wing dams and along the banks. Sauger - Fair: Spring is a good time to catch sauger and walleye on the Missouri. Use jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon on live bait rigs tipped with worms. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - No Report: Spring can be a great time to catch some big blue catfish. Use fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Fair: A few anglers are catching catfish on worms and cut bait below wing dams and along the banks. Sauger - Fair: Spring is a good time to catch sauger and walleye on the Missouri. Use jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon on live bait rigs tipped with worms. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - No Report: Spring can be a great time to catch some big blue catfish. Use fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Fair: A few anglers are catching catfish on worms and cut bait below wing dams and along the banks. Sauger - Slow: Spring is a good time to catch sauger and walleye on the Missouri. Use jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon on live bait rigs tipped with worms. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish with fresh cut bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 25.69 ft. /51,100 cfs./73 degrees Fahrenheit. Missouri River water temperatures are up 9 degrees and water levels are up .02 feet from last week. Fishing continues to be slow with few anglers out with the higher water conditions on the Missouri River along the Iowa border. The Army Corps of Engineers is releasing water from Gavin's Point Dam due to snow melt from up North, which has contributed to higher  water conditions.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes throughout the lake in 10 to 15 feet of water. Troll spinner rigs with crawlers in the areas out from the beach, marina, West Boat Ramp, Ensign Shelter and the west shoreline south of the 100th Street Boat Ramp. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Troll and cast crankbaits in the main lake. Look for schools of fish busting shad on the surface. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: As the crappie spawn bite is coming to an end, the hot weather is causing the white bass bite to pick up. Troll shad imitating spoons and shallow diving crankbaits. 

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Fair: Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower portion of the lake between the beach and dam. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being caught shallow and drifting with night crawlers. The larger fish are 7.5 to 8 inches. Channel Catfish - Good: Use night crawlers fished on the bottom or near the bottom (6 feet deep or less) under a bobber. 

Saylorville Reservoir
White Bass - Good: White bass and hybrid striped bass are being caught below the Big Creek spillway. This should continue as long as higher flows keep coming out of Big Creek. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Most ponds are recovering from the heavy rain fall from a week ago. Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are in their summer pattern in ponds. Concentrate on suspended fish and along weed lines during the summer months.  Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies suspended and around structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Fish shallow early and late and go deeper during the middle of the day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try along weed edges and around structure. 

Cold Springs Lake
The fish population at Cold Springs looks good. There is an 18 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass. Bluegill - Fair: Cast a small jig tipped with crawler under a bobber to catch bluegill up to 9 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: A few black crappie are being caught around the underwater rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass around the shoreline with a variety of spinners and lures. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm creek will offer good fishing this year. Bluegill should still be spawning and close to shore. Black Crappie - No Report: Black crappie in Farm Creek are quality size fish. Concentrate fishing the channel during the summer months. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills in the open water portion of the lake and close to the channel. 

Lake Anita
Anglers report catching bluegills drifting. Find crappies around brush piles and suspended over the roadbeds. Black Crappie - Fair: Vertical jig deeper tree piles or troll twister tails to catch black crappie averaging 9 inches. Bluegill - Good: Drift small jigs tipped with crawler. Fish will average 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast to structure to catch bass of all sizes. 

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good destination for summer catfishing. Channel Catfish - Good: Use shrimp and bubble gum bait on the south and west shore. Fish in the 2 to 5 pound range were reported.

Meadow Lake
Meadow has a good population of 10 inch black crappie. Black Crappie - Fair: Look for black crappie around underwater reefs and tree piles. Fish will average 10 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill around tree piles in the lake. Cast small jigs for fish averaging 8 inches. 

Orient Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Catch 18-20 inch channel catfish with cut bait or shrimp below the sediment structure where water is running into the lake. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. Target the spawning beds, underwater reefs and jetties to find spawning fish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are done spawning and have moved into a summer pattern. Look for fish around underwater reefs and drift/troll open water areas.  Bluegills in Prairie Rose are quality size fish. Black Crappie - Slow: Look for crappies along the dam and around tree piles. Fish will average 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Find crappies and largemouth bass on deeper brush piles. Channel catfish have moved in around jetties and rocky shorelines. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Channel Catfish - Fair: Cast cut bait or liver close to rocky shorelines for catfish up to 10 pounds. Late afternoon bite is best. Largemouth Bass - Good: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Panfish have moved into their summer pattern. Target open water and deep structure. Catfish are close to rocky shorelines. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 7.5 inches with jigs or night crawlers fished along the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. 

Lake Icaria
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using night crawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with worms fished along the fish mounds. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye - Slow: Catch walleyes up to 22 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow or leech
fished along the weed lines, especially in the morning or evenings. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles or rock reefs. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished in 10-15 feet of water along cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with night crawlers fished along main lake points or the silt dam. 

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes up to 17 inches with minnows fished along the roadbed or along the dam in the early morning or late in the evening. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 12 inches using finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 7 inches with night crawlers fished along the fishing jetties. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes of all sizes using using minnows fished along the roadbed. Yellow Perch - Fair: Catch yellow perch up to 11 inches with worms fished near mainlake points

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the upper 70's to low 80's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlineswith fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 31.67 ft. /90,400 cfs./71 degrees Fahrenheit. Missouri River water temperatues are down one degree from last week and water levels are up 5.80 feet from last week. Anglers haven't been out with the high water levels. Water levels are up due to recent rains on the Missouri River along the Iowa border. Many parking lots and boat ramps are flooded. Anglers and boaters are advised to use caution going on the Missouri River.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes throughout the lake in 10 to 15 feet of water. Troll spinner rigs with crawlers in the areas out from the beach, marina, West Boat Ramp, Ensign Shelter and the west shoreline south of the 100th Street Boat Ramp. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Troll and cast crankbaits in the main lake. Look for schools of fish busting shad on the surface. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: As the crappie spawn bite is coming to an end, the hot weather is causing the white bass bite to pick up. Troll shad imitating spoons and shallow diving crankbaits. 

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Fair: Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower portion of the lake between the beach and dam. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being caught shallow and drifting with night crawlers. The larger fish are 7.5 to 8 inches. Channel Catfish - Good: Use night crawlers fished on the bottom or near the bottom (6 feet deep or less) under a bobber. 

Saylorville Reservoir
White Bass - Good: White bass and hybrid striped bass are being caught at the pump station in the marina cove casting twister tails or shad imitating crank baits. All boat ramps are closed, so it is only accessible from shore. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Most ponds are recovering from the heavy rain fall from a week ago. Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are in their summer pattern in ponds. Concentrate on suspended fish and along weed lines during the summer months.  Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies suspended and around structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Fish shallow early and late and go deeper during the middle of the day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try along weed edges and around structure. 

Cold Springs Lake
The fish population at Cold Springs looks good. There is an 18 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass. Bluegill - Fair: Cast a small jig tipped with crawler under a bobber to catch bluegill up to 9 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: A few black crappie are being caught around the underwater rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass around the shoreline with a variety of spinners and lures. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm creek will offer good fishing this year. Bluegill should still be spawning and close to shore. Black Crappie - No Report: Black crappie in Farm Creek are quality size fish. Concentrate fishing the channel during the summer months. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills in the open water portion of the lake and close to the channel. 

Lake Anita
Anglers report catching bluegills drifting. Find crappies around brush piles and suspended over the roadbeds. Black Crappie - Fair: Vertical jig deeper tree piles or troll twister tails to catch black crappie averaging 9 inches. Bluegill - Good: Drift small jigs tipped with crawler. Fish will average 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast to structure to catch bass of all sizes. 

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good destination for summer catfishing. Channel Catfish - Good: Use shrimp and bubble gum bait on the south and west shore. Fish in the 2 to 5 pound range were reported.

Meadow Lake
Meadow has a good population of 10 inch black crappie. Black Crappie - Fair: Look for black crappie around underwater reefs and tree piles. Fish will average 10 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill around tree piles in the lake. Cast small jigs for fish averaging 8 inches. 

Orient Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Catch 18-20 inch channel catfish with cut bait or shrimp below the sediment structure where water is running into the lake. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. Target the spawning beds, underwater reefs and jetties to find spawning fish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are done spawning and have moved into a summer pattern. Look for fish around underwater reefs and drift/troll open water areas.  Bluegills in Prairie Rose are quality size fish. Black Crappie - Slow: Look for crappies along the dam and around tree piles. Fish will average 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Find crappies and largemouth bass on deeper brush piles. Channel catfish have moved in around jetties and rocky shorelines. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Channel Catfish - Fair: Cast cut bait or liver close to rocky shorelines for catfish up to 10 pounds. Late afternoon bite is best. Largemouth Bass - Good: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Panfish have moved into their summer pattern. Target open water and deep structure. Catfish are close to rocky shorelines. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. 

Lake Icaria
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using night crawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles or rock reefs. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished in 10-15 feet of water along cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with night crawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas. 

Three Mile Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 12 inches using finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 7 inches with night crawlers fished along the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes of all sizes using using minnows fished in 10-15 feet of water. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with tube jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. 

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the low 80's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlineswith fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 27.95 ft. /60,500 cfs./78 degrees Fahrenheit. Missouri River water temperatures are up seven degrees from last week and water levels are down 3.72 feet. Anglers haven't been out much on the Missouri River with the high water levels. Water levels are up due to recent rains on the Missouri River along the Iowa border. Anglers and boaters are advised to use caution going on the Missouri River.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Slow: The walleye bite has become tough since the shad spawn created abundant small forage. Target the upper end of the lake in shallow water, preferably by any vegetation. Cast or troll shallow diving shad imitating crank baits or troll whirligig rigs with night crawlers with little weight to fish 3-10 feet deep. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Troll and cast crankbaits, spoons or in-line spinners in the main lake. Look for schools of fish busting shad on the surface. 

Hooper Area Pond
Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers drifting and trolling jigs mid-lake are picking up some nice 10-12 inch crappies. Keep your baits in the top 6 feet of water. 

Lake Ahquabi
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits in  4 to 8 feet of water in the evenings. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: Rising waters are spreading fish out, but the hot weather will have white bass and hybrid striped bass active. Look for shad schools breaking the surface of the water and troll shad imitating spoons and shallow diving crank baits. 

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Fair: Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower portion of the lake between the beach and dam. Channel Catfish - Good: Use night crawlers fished on the bottom or near the bottom (6 feet deep or less) under a bobber. 

Saylorville Reservoir
White Bass - Good: White bass and hybrid striped bass are being caught at the pump station in the marina cove casting twister tails or shad imitating crank baits. All boat ramps are closed, so it is only accessible from shore. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Most ponds are recovering from the heavy rain fall from a week ago. Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are in their summer pattern in ponds. Concentrate on suspended fish and along weed lines during the summer months.  Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies suspended and around structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Fish shallow early and late and go deeper during the middle of the day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try along weed edges and around structure. 

Cold Springs Lake
The fish population at Cold Springs looks good. There is an 18 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass. Bluegill - Fair: Cast a small jig tipped with crawler under a bobber to catch bluegill up to 9 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: A few black crappie are being caught around the underwater rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass around the shoreline with a variety of spinners and lures. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm creek will offer good fishing this year. Bluegill should still be spawning and close to shore. Black Crappie - No Report: Black crappie in Farm Creek are quality size fish. Concentrate fishing the channel during the summer. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills in the open water portion of the lake and close to the channel. 

Lake Anita
Anglers report catching bluegills drifting. Find crappies around brush piles and suspended over the roadbeds. Black Crappie - Fair: Vertical jig deeper tree piles or troll twister tails to catch black crappie averaging 9 inches. Bluegill - Good: Drift small jigs tipped with crawler. Fish will average 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast to structure to catch bass of all sizes. 

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good destination for summer catfishing. Channel Catfish - Good: Use shrimp and bubble gum bait on the south and west shore. Fish in the 2 to 5 pound range were reported.

Orient Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Catch 18-20 inch channel catfish with cut bait or shrimp below the sediment structure where water is running into the lake and along the dam. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. Target the spawning beds, underwater reefs and jetties to find spawning fish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are done spawning and have moved into a summer pattern. Look for fish around underwater reefs and drift/troll open water areas.  Bluegills in Prairie Rose are quality size fish. Black Crappie - Slow: Look for crappies along the dam and around tree piles. Fish will average 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Find crappies and largemouth bass on deeper brush piles. Channel catfish have moved in around jetties and rocky shorelines. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Channel Catfish - Fair: Cast cut bait or liver close to rocky shorelines for catfish up to 10 pounds. Late afternoon bite is best. Largemouth Bass - Good: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Panfish have moved into their summer pattern. Target open water and deep structure. Catfishing has been good around the district.  For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. 

Lake Icaria
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using night crawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles or rock reefs. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished along the fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with night crawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas. 

Three Mile Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 12 inches using finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 7 inches with worms fished along the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Good: Catch walleye up to 18 inches using crankbaits fished along the roadbed or main lake points. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes of all sizes using minnows fished in 10-15 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with tube jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. 

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the low 80's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines with fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 28.89 ft. /68,800 cfs./81 degrees Fahrenheit. Missouri River water temperatures are up three degrees from last week and water levels are up 0.94 feet from last week. Anglers haven't been out much on the Missouri River with the high water levels. Water levels are up due to recent rains in the Missouri River watershed and release of water from reservoirs. Anglers and boaters are advised to use caution going on the Missouri River.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Slow: The walleye bite has become tough since the shad spawn created abundant small forage. Target the upper end of the lake in shallow water, preferably by any vegetation. Cast or troll shallow diving shad imitating crankbaits or troll spinner rigs with night crawlers with little weight to fish 3-10 feet deep. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Troll and cast crankbaits, spoons or in-line spinners in the main lake. Look for schools of fish busting shad on the surface. 

Hooper Area Pond
Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers drifting and trolling jigs mid-lake are picking up some nice 10-12 inch crappies. Keep your baits in the top 6 feet of water. 

Lake Ahquabi
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits in 4 to 8 feet of water in the evenings. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: High water levels are spreading fish out, but it is still the best time of year to target aggressive white bass and hybrid striped bass. Look for shad schools breaking the surface of the water and troll shad imitating spoons and shallow diving crankbaits. 

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Good: Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower half of the lake in the mornings to just after noon. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Water clarity in most ponds have recovered from heavy rains in July. Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are in their summer pattern in ponds. Concentrate on suspended fish and along weed lines during the summer months.  Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies suspended and around structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Fish shallow early and late and go deeper during the middle of the day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try along weed edges and around structure. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm creek will offer good fishing this year. Black Crappie - No Report: Black crappie in Farm Creek are quality size fish. Concentrate fishing the channel during the summer. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills in the open water portion of the lake and close to the channel. 

Lake Anita
Anglers report catching bluegills drifting. Find crappies around brush piles and suspended over the roadbeds. Black Crappie - Fair: Vertical jig deeper tree piles or troll twister tails to catch black crappie averaging 9 inches. Bluegill - Slow: Drift small jigs tipped with crawler. Fish will average 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast to structure to catch bass of all sizes. 

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good destination for summer catfishing. Channel Catfish - Good: Use shrimp and bubble gum bait on the south and west shore. Fish in the 2 to 5 pound range were reported.

Orient Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch 18-20 inch channel catfish with cut bait or shrimp below the sediment structure where water is running into the lake and along the dam. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are done spawning and have moved into a summer pattern. Look for fish around underwater reefs and drift/troll open water areas. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are quality size fish. Black Crappie - Slow: Look for crappies along the dam and around tree piles. Fish will average 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Find crappies and largemouth bass on deeper brush piles. Channel catfish have moved in around jetties and rocky shorelines. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Channel Catfish - Good: Cast cut bait or liver close to rocky shorelines for catfish up to 10 pounds. Late afternoon bite is best. Largemouth Bass - Good: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Panfish have moved into their summer pattern. Target open water and deep structure. Catfishing has been good around the district.  For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches using worms fished along the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with minnows or jigs fished along rocky areas. 

Lake Icaria
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using night crawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles or rock reefs. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished along the fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with night crawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas. 

Three Mile Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 7 inches with worms fished along the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Good: Catch walleye up to 18 inches using crankbaits or live bait fished along the roadbed or main lake points. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs or minnows fished along the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles or shallow bays. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes of all sizes using minnows or leeches fished in 8-10 feet of water. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with minnows or worms fished along cedar tree brush piles or in the flooded timber. 

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the low to mid 80's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines with fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 29.06 ft. /68,500 cfs./80 degrees Fahrenheit. Missouri River water temperaturess are down one degree from last week and water levels are up 0.17 feet. Water levels are up due to recent rains in the Missouri River watershed and release of water from reservoirs. Anglers and boaters are advised to use caution going on the Missouri River.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Slow: The walleye bite has become tough since the shad spawn created abundant small forage. Target the upper end of the lake in shallow water, preferably by any vegetation. Cast or troll shallow diving shad imitating crankbaits or troll spinner rigs with night crawlers with little weight to fish 3-10 feet deep. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Troll and cast crankbaits, spoons or in-line spinners in the main lake. Look for schools of fish busting shad on the surface. 

Hooper Area Pond
Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers drifting and trolling jigs mid-lake are picking up some nice 10-12 inch crappies. Keep your baits in the top 6 feet of water. 

Lake Ahquabi
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits in 4 to 8 feet of water in the evenings. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: High water is making white bass fishing very slow on the lake, but anglers fishing below the dam are catching a mix of white bass and hybrid striped bass. 

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Good: Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower half of the lake in the mornings to just after noon. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Water clarity in most ponds have recovered from heavy rains in July. Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are in their summer pattern in ponds. Concentrate on suspended fish and along weed lines during the summer months.  Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies suspended and around structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Fish shallow early and late and go deeper during the middle of the day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try along weed edges and around structure. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm creek will offer good fishing this year. Black Crappie - No Report: Black crappie in Farm Creek are quality size fish. Concentrate fishing the deeper water along the channel during the summer. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills in the open water portion of the lake and close to the channel; use small jigs tipped with crawler. 

Lake Anita
Anglers report catching bluegills drifting. Find crappies around brush piles and suspended over the roadbeds. Black Crappie - Fair: Vertical jig deeper tree piles or troll twister tails to catch black crappie averaging 9 inches. Bluegill - Slow: Drift small jigs tipped with crawler. Fish will average 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast to structure to catch bass of all sizes. 

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good destination for summer catfishing. Channel Catfish - Good: Use shrimp and bubble gum bait on the south and west shore. Fish in the 2 to 5 pound range were reported.

Orient Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch 18-20 inch channel catfish with cut bait or shrimp below the sediment structure where water is running into the lake and along the dam. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are done spawning and have moved into a summer pattern. Look for fish around underwater reefs and drift/troll open water areas. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are quality size fish. Black Crappie - Slow: Look for crappies along the dam and around tree piles. Fish will average 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Find crappies and largemouth bass on deeper brush piles. Channel catfish have moved in around jetties and rocky shorelines. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Channel Catfish - Good: Cast cut bait or liver close to rocky shorelines for catfish up to 10 pounds. Late afternoon bite is best. Largemouth Bass - Good: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Fishing should improve with cooler more stable weather. Panfish have moved into their summer pattern. Target open water and deep structure. Catfishing has been good around the district.  For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches using worms fished along the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with minnows or jigs fished along rocky areas. 

Lake Icaria
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using night crawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using crankbaits or
finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles or rock reefs. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished along the fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with night crawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas. 

Three Mile Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 7 inches with worms fished along the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleye up to 18 inches using crankbaits or live bait fished along the fish mounds and main lake points. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles or shallow bays. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes of all sizes using minnows or leeches fished in 8-10 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with minnows or worms fished along cedar tree brush piles or in the flooded timber. 

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the low to mid 80's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines with fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 28.58 ft. /65,400 cfs./79 degrees Fahrenheit. Missouri River water temperatures are down one degree from last week and water levels are down 0.48 feet from last week. Water levels are up due to recent rains in the Missouri River watershed and release of water from reservoirs. Anglers and boaters are advised to use caution going on the Missouri River.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Troll shallow diving shad imitating crank baits or spinner rigs with night crawlers with little weight to fish 3 to 10 feet deep. The northern half of the lake is best during the summer months; start from the beach up to the marina boat ramp. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Troll and cast crankbaits, spoons or in-line spinners in the main lake. Look for schools of fish busting shad on the surface. 

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: The channel catfishing is very good in the Des Moines River around Boone using stink baits. The accesses north of Highway 30 are usable. Accesses south of Highway 30 are waiting for water to fully recede and mud and debris to be cleaned off. 

Hooper Area Pond
Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers drifting and trolling jigs mid-lake are picking up some nice 10-12 inch crappies. Keep your baits in the top 6 feet of water. 

Lake Ahquabi
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits in 4 to 8 feet of water in the evenings. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: High water is making white bass fishing very slow on the lake, but anglers fishing below the dam are catching a mix of white bass and hybrid striped bass. 

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Good: Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower half of the lake in the mornings to just after noon. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches using worms fished along the fishing jetties or shallow bays. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with minnows or jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleye up to 19 inches using crankbaits fished in 10 feet of water. 

Lake Icaria
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using night crawlers or stink bait fished along rocky shoreline areas. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using crankbaits or
finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles or rock reefs. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished along the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with night crawlers or stink bait fished along rocky shoreline areas. Walleye - Slow: Catch walleye up to 22 inches using crankbaits fished in 10 feet of water. 

Three Mile Lake
Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 7 inches with worms fished along the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleye up to 18 inches using crankbaits or live bait fished along the fish mounds and main lake points. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 15 inches with finesse plastics fished along weed lines or cedar tree brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 9 inches using minnows fished along rocky areas. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along shallow points. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles or shallow bays. Walleye - Good: Catch walleyes of all sizes using crankbaits fished in 10 feet of water. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with minnows fished along cedar tree brush piles. 

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the low 80's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER FISHING REPORTS

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers report catching a blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. . Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines with fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 28.23 ft. /65,000 cfs./76 degrees Fahrenheit. Missouri River water temperatures are down 3 degrees from last week and water levels are down 0.35 feet from last week. Water levels are up due to recent rains in the Missouri River watershed and release of water from reservoirs. Anglers and boaters are advised to use caution going on the Missouri River. Fishing has been good to fair. 

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Troll shallow diving shad imitating crankbaits or spinner rigs with night crawlers with little weight to fish 3 to 10 feet deep. The northern half of the lake is best during the summer months; start from the beach up to the marina boat ramp. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll and cast crankbaits, spoons or in-line spinners in the main lake. Look for schools of fish busting shad on the surface. 

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: The channel catfishing is very good in the Des Moines River around Boone using stink baits. The accesses north of Highway 30 are usable. Accesses south of Highway 30 are waiting for water to fully recede and mud and debris to be cleaned off. 

Hooper Area Pond
Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers drifting and trolling jigs mid-lake are picking up some nice 10-12 inch crappies. Keep your baits in the top 6 feet of water. 

Lake Ahquabi
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits in 4 to 8 feet of water in the evenings. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: White bass fishing has been slow, but anglers fishing below the dam are catching a mix of white bass and hybrid striped bass.  

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Good: Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower half of the lake in the mornings to just after noon. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Water clarity in most ponds have recovered from heavy rains in July. Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill - Good: Try fishing 4 feet below the surface for suspended fish in the summer. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies suspended and around structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Fish shallow early and late and go deeper during the middle of the day. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or commercial stink baits along weed edges and around structure. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies suspended and around structure. 

Lake Anita
Anita fishing has picked up with cooler temperatures. Black Crappie - Fair: ertical jig deeper tree piles or troll twister tails to catch black crappie averaging 9 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Drift small jigs tipped with crawler for bluegills up to 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw spinners along the vegetation and plastics around deep structure during the day 

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good destination for summer catfishing. Channel Catfish - Good: Use shrimp and bubble gum bait on the west shore. Fish in the 2 to 5 pound range were reported.

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have moved into a summer pattern. Look for fish around underwater reefs and drift/troll open water areas. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are quality size fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Catfishing has been good. A few crappies are being caught in the deep brush piles.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Cast cut bait or liver close to rocky shorelines for catfish up to 10 pounds. Late afternoon bite is best. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Fishing should improve with cooler more stable weather. Panfish are in their summer pattern; target open water and deep structure. Catfishing has been good around the district.  For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches using worms fished along the fishing jetties or shallow bays. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with minnows or jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Slow: Catch walleye up to 19 inches using crankbaits fished in 10 feet of water. 

Lake Icaria
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using night crawlers or cut bait fished along rocky shoreline areas. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished along the fish mounds or the fishing jetties. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using crankbaits or
finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles or rock reefs. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished along cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with night crawlers or cut bait fished along rocky shoreline areas. Walleye - Slow: Catch walleye up to 22 inches using crankbaits fished in 10 feet of water. 

Three Mile Lake
Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 7 inches with worms fished along the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleye up to 18 inches using crankbaits or live bait fished along the fish mounds and main lake points. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 15 inches with finesse plastics fished along weed lines or cedar tree brush piles. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches using minnows fished along along cedar tree brush piles or the fishing jetties. . 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles or shallow bays. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes of all sizes using crankbaits fished in 10 feet of water. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs or minnows fished along weedl ines or the flooded timber. 

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the upper 70's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER FISHING REPORTS

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching a blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines with fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 28.43 ft. /65,000 cfs./79 degrees. Missouri River water temperatures are up 3 degrees from last week and water levels are up 0.20 feet from last week. Water levels are up due to recent rains in the Missouri River watershed and release of water from reservoirs. Anglers and boaters are advised to use caution going on the Missouri River. Fishing has been good to fair. 

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Troll shallow diving shad imitating crankbaits or spinner rigs with night crawlers with little weight to fish 3 to 10 feet deep. The northern half of the lake is best during the summer; start from the beach up to the marina boat ramp. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll and cast crankbaits, spoons or in-line spinners in the main lake. Look for schools of fish busting shad on the surface. 

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: The channel catfishing is very good in the Des Moines River using stink baits. Water levels are still fair for small boats, but are dropping quickly. The Highway 30 ramp may be close to dry by the end of the weekend. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: Anglers are reporting better white bass fishing than what has been happening so far this summer. Look for feeding activity on the surface and troll these areas with shallow diving shad imitating crankbaits or spoons. Fishing below the dam has also been fair to good for a mix of white bass and hybrid striped bass. 

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Good: Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower half of the lake in the mornings to just after noon. 

Saylorville Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: A summer white bass bite has finally picked up. Look for schools of small gizzard shad breaking the surface and cast or troll shad imitating crankbaits or spoons in these areas. With the lake still being a little higher than normal, try the edges of flooded willows and vegetation. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Water clarity is good in most ponds. Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing 4 feet below the surface for suspended fish in the summer. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies suspended and around structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Fish shallow early and late and go deeper during the middle of the day. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or commercial stink baits along weed edges and around structure. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek has a good fish population with quality sized panfish. Water quality is good. Black Crappie - Fair: Fish the creek channel for black crappie up to 12 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Drift or slow troll along the creek channel for bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - No Report: There is a good population of 13 to 15 inch bass in the lake. 

Lake Anita
Anglers report good panfishing this week. Water temperatures are back down to 80 degrees. Bass fishing has been good. Bluegill - Fair: Drift small jigs tipped with crawler for bluegills up to 9 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: The early morning crappie bite is good. Slow troll small jigs tipped with power bait to catch 9 to 11 inch fish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw spinners along the vegetation and plastics around deep structure during the day 

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good destination for summer catfishing. Channel Catfish - Good: Use shrimp and bubble gum bait on the west shore. Fish in the 2 to 5 pound range were reported.

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. The lake has a significant algae bloom. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills have moved into a summer pattern. Look for fish around underwater reefs and drift/troll open water areas. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are quality size fish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Catfishing has been good. A few crappies are being caught in the deep brush piles.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Cast cut bait or liver close to rocky shorelines for catfish up to 10 pounds. Late afternoon bite is best. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Panfish are in their summer pattern; target open water and deep structure. Catfishing has been good around the district.  For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches using worms fished along the fishing jetties or shallow bays. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with minnows or jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Slow: Catch walleye up to 19 inches using minnows fished in 10 feet of water. 

Lake Icaria
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using night crawlers or cut bait fished along rocky shoreline areas. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished along the fish mounds or fishing jetties. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using crankbaits or
finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles or rock reefs. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished along cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with night crawlers or cut bait fished along rocky shoreline areas. Walleye - Slow: Catch walleye up to 22 inches using crankbaits fished in 10 feet of water. 

Three Mile Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 7 inches with worms fished along the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleye up to 18 inches using crankbaits or live bait fished along the fish mounds and main lake points. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 15 inches with finesse plastics fished along weed lines or cedar tree brush piles. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles or shallow bays. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes of all sizes using crankbaits fished in 10 feet of water. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs or minnows fished along weedl ines or the flooded timber. 

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the upper 70's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines with fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 28.37 ft. /63,400 cfs./80 degrees. Missouri River water temperatures are up 1 degree from last week and water levels are down 0.06 feet. Water levels are up due to recent rains in the Missouri River watershed and release of water from reservoirs. Anglers and boaters

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Troll shallow diving shad imitating crankbaits or spinner rigs with night crawlers with little weight to fish 3 to 10 feet deep. The northern half of the lake is best during the summer; start from the beach up to the marina boat ramp. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll and cast crankbaits, spoons or in-line spinners in the main lake. Look for schools of fish busting shad on the surface. 

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: The channel catfishing is very good in the Des Moines River using stink baits. Water levels are good again for boats. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: Anglers are reporting better white bass fishing than what has been happening so far this summer. Look for feeding activity on the surface and troll these areas with shallow diving shad imitating crankbaits or spoons. Fishing below the dam has also been fair to good for a mix of white bass and hybrid striped bass. 

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Good: Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower half of the lake in the mornings to just after noon. 

Saylorville Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: A summer white bass bite has finally picked up. Look for schools of small gizzard shad breaking the surface and cast or troll shad imitating crankbaits or spoons in these areas. Channel Catfish - Fair: Decent catches of channel catfish are coming from the pool below the Big Creek spillway using cut bait or dead shad. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Water clarity may have been affected by heavy rains earlier this week.  Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers report slow fishing in ponds after heavy rains this week. Try fishing 4 feet below the surface for suspended fish in the summer. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Fish shallow early and late and go deeper during the middle of the day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait or commercial stink baits along weed edges and around structure. Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappies suspended and around structure. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek has a good fish population with quality sized panfish. Water quality is good. Black Crappie - Fair: Fish the creek channel for black crappie up to 12 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Drift or slow troll along the creek channel for bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - No Report: There is a good population of 13 to 15 inch bass in the lake. 

Lake Anita
Fishing has slowed a bit this week. Water temperatures are in the upper 70's. Water clarity is good. Bluegill - Slow: Drift or slow troll small jigs tipped with crawler for bluegills up to 9 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: The early morning crappie bite is best. Slow troll small jigs tipped with power bait to catch 9 to 11 inch fish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw spinners along the vegetation and plastics around deep structure during the day 

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good destination for summer catfishing. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish have slowed a bit, but anglers report catching fish around Boy Scout Island. Fish will average 2 to 5 pounds. White Crappie - No Report: There is a good population of white crappies in Manawa. 

Orient Lake
Water clarity at Orient has improved. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs and worms. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are actively feeding below the rock sediment dam. Cast liver crawlers or cut bait next to the current. Black Bullhead - Good: Quality sized bullheads can be caught with night crawlers below the rock sediment structure. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. The water clarity has improved to 2 feet this week. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills are in a summer pattern. Look for fish around underwater reefs and drift/troll open water areas. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are 8 to 9.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
A few catfish are still being caught at Viking. A few crappies are being caught in the deep brush piles.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Cast cut bait or liver around brush piles for catfish up to 10 pounds. Early morning bite is best.  Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Water temperatures have cooled this week into the upper 70's. Anglers are still finding panfish in open water and around deep structure. Catfishing has been good around the district. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with crankbaits and larger plastic lures. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with night crawlers and small plastic lures closer to shore throughout the lake. Black Crappie -Good: Find crappies up to 9 inches near vegetation and areas with sunken structures.

Lake Icaria
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using night crawlers or cut bait fished along rocky shoreline areas and cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished along the fish mounds or fishing jetties. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using crankbaits or
finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles or rock reefs. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished along cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Slow: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with night crawlers or cut bait fished along rocky shoreline areas. 

Three Mile Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 15 inches with crankbaits and plastics in or near the cedar tree piles or rock structures. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 9 inches using minnows and small jigs fished near the jetties. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegills up to 8 inches with night crawlers fished near shore. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes up to 19 inches with crankbaits near the fish mounds. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles or shallow bays. Walleye - Good: Catch walleyes of all sizes using crankbaits and spinners fished in 10 feet of water. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs or minnows fished along weedl ines or the flooded timber. 

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the lower 80's to upper 70's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER FISHING REPORTS

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines with fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 28.32 ft. /63,700 cfs./75 degrees Fahrenheit. Missouri River water temperatures are up one degree from last week and water levels are down 0.43 feet. Water levels are up due to recent rains in the Missouri River watershed and release of water from reservoirs. Anglers and boaters are advised to use caution going on the Missouri River. Fishing has been good to fair.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Troll shallow diving shad imitating crankbaits or spinner rigs with night crawlers with little weight to fish 3 to 10 feet deep. The northern half of the lake is best during the summer; start from the beach up to the marina boat ramp. 

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Good numbers of crappies are being caught trolling twister tail or tube jigs in the upper half of the lake mostly from the boat ramp to 100 yards up from the beach. Many are young fish just under 8 inches, with some bigger ones mixed in. 

Lake Ahquabi
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small white, pink and chartreuse twister tails or tube jigs. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: Fishing below the dam has been the best action for a mix of white bass and hybrid striped bass. Cast white twister tails fluke or paddle tail swim baits. 

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Good: Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower half of the lake in the mornings to just after noon. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Water clarity should improve in ponds this week. Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers report slow fishing in ponds after heavy rains this week. Try fishing 4 feet below the surface for suspended fish in the summer. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Fish shallow early and late and go deeper during the middle of the day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait or commercial stink baits along weed edges and around structure. Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappies suspended and around structure. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek has a good fish population with quality sized panfish. Heavy rain this week may affect water clarity. Black Crappie - No Report: Fish the creek channel for black crappie up to 12 inches. Bluegill - No Report: Drift or slow troll along the creek channel for bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - No Report: There is a good population of 13 to 15 inch bass in the lake. 

Lake Anita
Fishing has picked up now that the weather has stabilized. Water temperature is 70 degrees. Water clarity is good. Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills close to the creek channel. Slow troll small jigs tipped with crawler for bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: The early morning crappie bite is best. Slow troll small crank baits
or small jigs tipped with power bait to catch 9 to 11 inch fish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw spinners along the vegetation and plastics around deep structure during the day 

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good destination for summer catfishing. Channel Catfish - Slow: Channel catfish have slowed a bit, but anglers report catching fish around Boy Scout Island. Fish will average 2 to 5 pounds. White Crappie - No Report: There is a good population of white crappies in Manawa. 

Orient Lake 
Bluegill - No Report: Bluegills at Orient have good body condition. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are actively feeding below the rock sediment dam. Cast liver crawlers or cut bait next to the current. Black Bullhead - Fair: Quality sized bullheads can be caught with night crawlers below the rock sediment structure. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. The water clarity has improved to 2 feet this week. Bluegill - No Report: Bluegills are in a summer pattern. Look for fish around underwater reefs and drift/troll open water areas. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are 8 to 9.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Channel Catfish - Slow: Cast cut bait or liver around brush piles for catfish up to 10 pounds. Early morning bite is best.  Black Crappie - Slow: Crappies are being caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Water temperatures are around 70 degrees in the S.W. district. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with crankbaits fished near rocky areas. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with worms fished in shallow bays and along fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 9 inches using spinners fished near the spillway and cedar tree brush piles.

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught using topwater baits fished in early morning or late evening. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with prepared baits fished near main lake points in the evenings. 

Three Mile Lake
Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegills up to 8 inches with worms fished in shallow bays. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes up to 18 inches with crankbaits or minnows fished along the fish mounds or the dam. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles or rocky areas. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with worms fished in shallow bays. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes of all sizes using minnows or crankbaits fished in 10 feet of water.  Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with minnows fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Water temperature in most district lakes is in thelmid 70's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines with fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 28.30 ft. /63,900 cfs./71 degrees Fahrenheit. Missouri River water temperatures are down 3 degrees from last week and water levels are down 0.77 feet. Water levels continue to be up due to recent rains in the Missouri River watershed and release of water from reservoirs. Anglers and boaters are advised to use caution going on the Missouri River. Fishing has been good to fair. 

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Beaver Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Troll twister tails or tube jigs in the top 3 to 8 feet of water throughout the lake for 9.5 to 10.5 inch crappies

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Troll shallow diving shad imitating crankbaits or spinner rigs with night crawlers with little weight to fish 3 to 10 feet deep. The northern half of the lake is best during the summer; start from the beach up to the marina boat ramp. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Troll live bait rigs and shad imitating crankbaits or soft plastics mid-lake where the two upper arms of the lake meet. The hybrids are still young, so the upper end on size is around 18 inches

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Good numbers of crappies are being caught trolling twister tail or tube jigs in the upper half of the lake mostly from the boat ramp to 100 yards up from the beach. Many are young fish just under 8 inches, with some bigger ones mixed in. 

Lake Ahquabi
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small white, pink and chartreuse twister tails or tube jigs. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: Fishing below the dam has been the best action for a mix of white bass and hybrid striped bass. Cast white twister tails fluke or paddle tail swim baits. Black Crappie - Fair: Some anglers are catching some of Red Rocks large crappies. Fall is good time to drift or troll panfish jigs in the arms and coves off the main lake. 

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Good: Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower half of the lake in the mornings to just after noon. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Water clarity should improve in ponds this week. Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers report slow fishing in ponds after heavy rains this week. Try fishing 4 feet below the surface for suspended fish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Fish shallow early and late and go deeper during the middle of the day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait or commercial stink baits along weed edges and around structure. Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappies suspended and around structure. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek has a good fish population with quality sized panfish. Black Crappie - No Report: Fish the creek channel for black crappie up to 12 inches. Bluegill - No Report: Drift or slow troll along the creek channel for bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - No Report: There is a good population of 13 to 15 inch bass in the lake. 

Lake Anita
Fishing has picked up now that the weather has stabilized. Water temperature has heated back up to 80 degrees. Water clarity is good. Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills close to the creek channel. Slow troll small jigs tipped with crawler for bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: The early morning crappie bite is best. Slow troll small crank baits or small jigs tipped with power bait to catch 9 to 11 inch fish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw spinners along the vegetation and plastics around deep structure during the day 

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good destination for summer catfishing. Channel Catfish - Slow: Channel catfish have slowed a bit, but anglers report catching fish around Boy Scout Island. Fish will average 2 to 5 pounds. White Crappie - No Report: There is a good population of white crappies in Manawa. 

Orient Lake 
Bluegill - No Report: Bluegills at Orient have good body condition. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are actively feeding below the rock sediment dam. Cast liver, crawlers or cut bait next to the current. Black Bullhead - Fair: Catch quality sized bullheads with night crawlers below the rock sediment structure. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. The water clarity has improved to 2 feet this week. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills are in a summer pattern. Look for fish around underwater reefs and drift/troll open water areas. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are 8 to 9.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. Black Crappie - Slow: Try vertical jigging or minnows under a slip bobber in the brush piles to catch 10 plus inch black crappies. Be prepared to lose tackle. 

Viking Lake
The pontoon area will be closed starting Sept. 28th for repairs to the seawall. Channel Catfish - Good: Cast liver in the pontoon area of the lake. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Black Crappie - Fair: Use tube jigs early in the morning and late afternoon. The fish are averaging 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Water temperatures have jumped back up near 80 degrees in the S.W. district. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with worms fished in shallow bays and along fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 9 inches using minnows fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught using topwater baits fished in early morning or late evening or finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with prepared baits or chicken liver fished near main lake points in the evenings. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleye up to 22 inches using minnows fished along the roadbed or main lake points.

Three Mile Lake
Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegills up to 8 inches with worms fished in shallow bays. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes up to 18 inches with crankbaits or minnows fished along the fish mounds or the dam. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles or rocky areas. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with worms fished in shallow bays. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes of all sizes using minnows or crankbaits fished in 10 feet of water.  Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with minnows fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the mid to upper 70's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER FISHING REPORTS

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines with fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 28.26 ft. /63,600 cfs./74 degrees Fahrenheit. Missouri River water temperatures are up 3 degrees from last week and water levels are down 0.04 feet. Water levels continue to be up due to recent rains in the Missouri River watershed and release of water from reservoirs. Anglers and boaters are advised to use caution going on the Missouri River. Fishing has been good to fair. 

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Beaver Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Troll twister tails or tube jigs in the top 3 to 8 feet of water throughout the lake for 9.5 to 10.5 inch crappies

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Troll shallow diving shad imitating crankbaits or spinner rigs with night crawlers with little weight to fish 3 to 10 feet deep. The northern half of the lake is best; start from the beach up to the marina boat ramp. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Troll live bait rigs and shad imitating crankbaits or soft plastics mid-lake where the two upper arms of the lake meet. The hybrids are still young, so the upper end on size is around 18 inches. Black Crappie - Good: A decent fall crappie bite has started. Drift or troll jigs on the upper end or cast jigs around the rock jetties. 

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Good numbers of crappies are being caught trolling twister tail or tube jigs in the upper half of the lake mostly from the boat ramp to 100 yards up from the beach. Many are young fish just under 8 inches, with some bigger ones mixed in. 

Lake Ahquabi
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small white, pink and chartreuse twister tails or tube jigs. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: Fishing below the dam has been the best action for a mix of white bass and hybrid striped bass. Cast white twister tails fluke or paddle tail swim baits. Black Crappie - Fair: Some anglers are catching some of Red Rocks large crappies. Fall is good time to drift or troll panfish jigs in the arms and coves off the main lake. 

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Water clarity has improved in ponds this week. Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers report better bluegill fishing this week. Try fishing 4 feet below the surface for suspended fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are active on the fall and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait or commercial stink baits along weed edges and around structure. Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappies suspended and around structure. 

Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek has a good fish population with quality sized panfish. Black Crappie - No Report: Fish the creek channel for black crappie up to 12 inches. Bluegill - No Report: Drift or slow troll along the creek channel for bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - No Report: There is a good population of 13 to 15 inch bass in the lake. 

Lake Anita
Fishing has picked up now that the weather has stabilized. Water temperatures are around 70 degrees. Water clarity is good. Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills close to the creek channel. Slow troll small jigs tipped with crawler for bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: The early morning crappie bite is best. Slow troll small crank baits or small jigs tipped with power bait to catch 9 to 11 inch fish. Anglers using minnows report catching limits. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw spinners along the vegetation and plastics around deep structure during the day 

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good fall crappie fishing destination. Channel Catfish - Slow: Channel catfish have slowed a bit, but anglers report catching fish around Boy Scout Island. Fish will average 2 to 5 pounds. White Crappie - No Report: There is a good population of white crappies in Manawa. 

Orient Lake 
Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching acceptable sized bluegills. Bluegills at Orient have good body condition. Try small jigs tipped with power bait or crawler around tree piles.
Channel Catfish - Slow: Channel catfish bite has slowed, but a good population remains in the lake. Black Bullhead - Fair: Catch quality sized bullheads with night crawlers below the rock sediment structure. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. The water clarity has improved to 2 feet this week. Bluegill - Slow: Look for fish around underwater reefs and drift/troll open water areas. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are 8 to 9.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. Black Crappie - Slow: Try vertical jigging or minnows under a slip bobber in the brush piles to catch 10 plus inch black crappies. Be prepared to lose tackle. 

Viking Lake
The pontoon area will be closed starting Sept. 28th for repairs to the seawall. Channel Catfish - Good: Cast liver in the pontoon area of the lake. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Black Crappie - Fair: Use tube jigs around trees in 12 to 14 feet of water early in the morning and late afternoon. The fish are averaging 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Water temperatures are around 70 degrees in the S.W. district. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs and finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with worms fished along the silt dams and fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappies up to 9 inches using jigs under a bobber fished near cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch channel catfish up to 10 with liver fished along the dam. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught using finesse plastics or jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with chicken liver fished near main lake points in the evenings. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleye up to 22 inches using minnows fished along the roadbed or main lake points.

Three Mile Lake
Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegills up to 8 inches with worms fished in shallow bays. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes up to 18 inches with crankbaits or minnows fished along the fish mounds or the dam. Black Crappie - Fair: Use jigs or minnows fished along the fishing jetties. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 15 inches using finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with worms fished in shallow bays. Walleye - Slow: Catch walleyes of all sizes using minnows or crankbaits fished along the roadbed or main lake points.  Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with minnows fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the low to mid 70's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER FISHING REPORTS - IOWA

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below the wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below the wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines with fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 31.29 feet (flood stage is 35 feet)/83,600 cfs./62 degrees. Missouri River water temperatures are down 12 degrees from last week and water levels are up 3.03 feet. Several tributaries are flooded. The Big Sioux River is above flood stage at 21.61 feet. The Missouri River is also above flood stage at Nebraska City and Hamburg. Water levels continue to be up due to recent rains in the Missouri River watershed.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST Iowa Fishing Reports

Banner Lake (south)
Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout will be stocked on Thursday, Oct. 25th around 11:00 a.m. Use small in-line spinners, casting spoons, twister tail or tube jigs and live minnows.

Beaver Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Troll twister tails or tube jigs in the top 3 to 8 feet of water throughout the lake for 9.5 to 10.5 inch crappies

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Troll spinner rigs with night crawlers or lindy rigging with crawlers on the bottom in 8 to 15 feet of water. Start out from the marina and the humps out from the west shoreline between the 100th Street Boat ramp and the West Ramp bay. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Troll silver colored live bait rigs and shad imitating crankbaits throughout the mid-lake portion. The hybrids are still young, so the upper end on size is around 19 inches. Black Crappie - Good: A decent fall crappie bite has started. Drift or troll jigs on the upper end and bays in the lower half of the lake or cast jigs around the rock jetties. 

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Good numbers of crappies are being caught trolling twister tail or tube jigs in the upper half of the lake mostly from the boat ramp to 100 yards up from the beach. Many are young fish just under 8 inches, with some bigger ones mixed in. 

Lake Petocka
Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout will be stocked on Wednesday, Oct. 24th around 11 a.m. Use small in-line spinners, casting spoons, twister tail or tube jigs and live minnows.

Terra Lake
Rainbow Trout - Good: Terra Lake in Johnston has been added to the community trout stocking program. The first stocking will be Wednesday, Oct. 24th around 1 p.m. Use small in-line spinners, casting spoons, twister tail or tube jigs and live minnows.

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Big Lake (Including Gilbert's Pond)
Around 1000 rainbow trout will be stocked on Oct. 25th at 2 p.m. This is a good time to get a kid out fishing. Trout are fun to catch and readily bite on lures and baits used for bluegill and crappie.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Pond fishing should pick up with a stable weather pattern. Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill - Slow: Try fishing 4 feet below the surface for suspended fish. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Largemouth bass are active in the fall and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try cut bait or commercial stink baits around deep structure. Black Crappie - No Report: Find crappies suspended and around structure. Minnows are a good bait in the fall. 

Greenfield Lake
Fishery surveys this fall show a large year class of 7 to 8 inch black crappie and bluegills averaging 8 inches. 

Lake Anita
Anglers are still waiting for the fall panfish bite. Water clarity is good. Temperatures are in the low 50's. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers are having a tough time finding bluegills. Look for bluegills close to the creek channel during the day. Slow troll small jigs tipped with crawler for fish up to 9.5 inches.  Black Crappie - Fair: The early morning crappie bite is best. Slow troll small crank baits or small jigs tipped with power bait to catch 9 to 11 inch fish. Anglers using minnows report catching limits. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw spinners along the vegetation and plastics around deep structure during the day 

Lake Manawa
Fishery surveys this week showed good numbers of black and white crappies in the canals.  Channel Catfish - Slow: Channel catfish have slowed a bit, but anglers report catching fish around Boy Scout Island. Fish will average 2 to 5 pounds. White Crappie - No Report: Try minnows under a bobber in the canals. Black Crappie - No Report: There is a good population of black crappies in Manawa. Walleye - No Report: Look for fall walleye on the edge of dredge cuts. Manawa has a good walleye population. 

Littlefield Lake
Water clarity is starting to improve. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers report catching bluegill in 2 to 5 feet of water close to cedar tree piles. The large size of fish in Littlefield are 9 plus inches. Black Crappie – Slow.

Nodaway Lake
There is a good population of 9 to 11 inch black crappie in the lake. Water clarity is fair. Black Crappie - Slow: Fish the tree piles with minnows for black crappie up to 11 inches. Bluegill - Slow: Nodaway bluegills are 8 inches. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Anglers are having trouble finding panfish in Prairie Rose. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. Bluegill - Slow: Look for fish around underwater reefs and in brush piles. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are 8 to 9.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing. Black Crappie - Slow: Try vertical jigging or minnows under a slip bobber in the brush piles to catch 10 plus inch black crappies. Be prepared to lose tackle. 

Viking Lake
The pontoon area will is closed starting for repairs to the seawall. The project is expected to be completed by the end of October. Channel Catfish - Fair: Cast liver in the pontoon area of the lake. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Black Crappie - Fair: Use tube jigs around trees in 12 to 14 feet of water early in the morning and late afternoon. The fish are averaging 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes. 

Fishing has been slow in the southwest district. Trout will be stocked on Oct. 25th in Big Lake. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with worms fished along the fishing jetties and shallow bays. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 9 inches using worms or small spinners near cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Slow: Catch channel catfish up to 16 inches with worms or prepared baits fished near the spillway. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught using finesse plastics or jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles and shallow bays. Walleye - Slow: Catch walleye up to 22 inches using minnows or crankbaits fished along the roadbed or main lake points.

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Slow: Catch walleyes up to 18 inches with crankbaits or minnows fished along the fish mounds or the dam in the evenings. Black Crappie - Slow: Use jigs or minnows fished along the fishing jetties. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with worms fished in shallow bays and cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Slow: Catch walleyes of all sizes using minnows or crankbaits fished along the roadbed or main lake points.  Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with minnows or small spinners fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the mid to upper 50's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

 

MISSOURI RIVER Iowa Fishing Reports

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below the wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. Walleye - Fair: With water temperatures cooling off fishing should be pick up for sauger and walleye. Expect to see some quality fish that moved downstream during the high water from Lewis and Clark Lake/Gavins Point Dam. 

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below the wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. Walleye - Fair: With water temperatures cooling off fishing should be pick up for sauger and walleye. Expect to see some quality fish that moved downstream during the high water from Lewis and Clark Lake/Gavins Point Dam. 

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Fair: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines with fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby. Walleye - Fair: With water temperatures cooling off fishing should be pick up for sauger and walleye. Expect to see some quality fish that moved downstream during the high water from Lewis and Clark Lake/Gavins Point Dam. 

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 29.78 feet (flood stage is 35 feet)/73,800 cfs./59 degrees. Missouri River water temperatures are down 6 degrees from last week and water levels are up .01 feet from last week. Water levels continue to be up due to recent rains in the Missouri River watershed. 

 

 

            

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Boone District Farm Ponds
Bluegill - Good: Some ponds north of Highway 30 may be holding on to suitable ice; be very cautious and check ice often. The bluegill and crappie fishing is especially good during early season.

Central Iowa ice anglers will have to head north for a little while. Ice conditions have deteriorated this week; ice fishing is not advised. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Ice fishing is not advised in the southwest district. Ice conditions have deteriorated to the point of being unsafe. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.