Iowa Fishing Reports - Avoid Bel Air Boat Ramp on Storm Lake

[Rick]

STORM LAKE IA - Boaters and anglers heading to Storm Lake should not use the boat ramp at Bel Air Beach on the southeast side due to low water levels.

Storm Lake is currently about 1-1/2 feet low, creating a shallow area that extends out into the lake making it nearly impossible to get a boat into deep water.

Boaters should instead use the state marina at Casino Point or the east boat ramp until the water levels return to normal.

DES MOINES IA - The weekly Iowa fishing reports from 4/5/12 are gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff.

Fisheries staff is currently collecting walleye for the hatcheries at Lake Rathbun and Spirit Lake, which is limiting the information for the fishing report. The netting will conclude once the egg quota is met, but by early next week at the latest. The fishing information that we do have is listed below.

NORTHWEST

Beeds Lake

Crappies have been biting on minnows fished off the causeway.

Briggs Woods Lake

Largemouth bass are biting well on top-water baits and spinner baits. Crappie fishing has picked up this week using small tube jigs.

Lower Pine Lake

Largemouth bass are biting on spinner baits.

Lake Smith

Anglers are catching a few crappies from the handicapped dock and off the dam.

Clear Lake

Walleyes are biting well on crankbaits and jigs tipped with minnows fished near the rock reefs. Yellow bass and white bass are biting on jigs tipped with bait in 2 to 6 feet of water.

Little Wall Lake

Fishing has been slow. Anglers have been catching a few crappies and bluegills in the early morning hours.

Crystal Lake

Largemouth bass have been biting on jigs fished near the shore.

Bluebill Lake

The dock is installed and the gate is open. No report on the fishing.

Iowa River (above Iowa Falls)

A few walleyes are being caught using jigs tipped with minnows.

Winnebago River

Throughout Cerro Gordo County, northern pike and smallmouth bass have been biting well on artificial baits.

For more fishing information in the north central area contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

For fishing information in the Black Hawk District call 712-657-2638

For fishing information in the Spirit Lake District, call 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)

Anglers are catching largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie. Bass fishing has been excellent. Crappie should be moving into shallows as water temperature increases. Bluegill - Good: Try fishing a small piece of crawler or wax worm under a slip bobber from shore. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Crankbaits and spinner baits have been working well for bass. There is an 18-inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Casey Lake. Crappie - Fair: Try casting tube jigs from the shore near the dam or off of the jetties.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)

Fishing for walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish has been good on the Cedar River in Black Hawk and Bremer counties. Northern Pike - Fair: Try casting spinner baits or fishing a chub under a bobber near woody debris and backwater areas. Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing dead cut baits and stink baits on the bottom as water temperature rises. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Most anglers have been catching smallmouth while fishing for walleye. Use a jig and twister tail tipped with a minnow or drifting a nightcrawler under a slip bobber. Walleye - Fair: Jig tipped with a minnow is a good combination for walleye. Walleye are beginning to move out of overwintering holes in preparation for the spawn.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)

Walleye fishing on the Shell Rock River is fair. Smallmouth bass are more active with the increased water temperature. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use a jig and twister tail tipped with a minnow or drifting a nightcrawler under a slip bobber. Crankbaits should be productive as water temperature increases. Walleye - Fair: Jig tipped with a minnow or crawler is a good combination for walleye. Fish along the current breaks for actively feeding fish.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)

Anglers have been reporting some catches of walleye, northern pike and channel catfish on the Upper and Lower Wapsipinicon River. Northern Pike - Fair: Try casting spinner baits or fishing a chub under a bobber near woody debris and backwater areas. Fishing below low head dams has been good. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut baits on the bottom as water temperature rises. Walleye - Fair: Jig and minnow is good for walleye. Walleye are moving out of overwintering holes in preparation for the spawn.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)

The Maquoketa River should provide good angling opportunities this weekend. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing dead cut baits on the bottom as water temperature rises. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try drifting a nightcrawler on a small hook with a split shot on the bottom or under a bobber. Walleye - Fair: Jig and minnow or crawler is a good combination for walleye.

Manchester District Streams

Trout streams remain in excellent condition. There have been some good hatches occurring with the recent warm weather.

The Cedar, Shell Rock, Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa rivers have been reporting catches of walleye, channel catfish and smallmouth bass. Area lakes are beginning to produce bluegill and crappie as water temperatures increase. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For more information contact the district office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9

Water temperature is in the upper 50s and water levels are expected to be fairly stable over the next week which should make for some good fishing. Water level at Lansing is 8.0 feet and remaining fairly stable. Northern Pike - Fair: A few nice northern being caught by anglers on light colored spinners and spoons. Fish are scattered but feeding well. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill biting well in Village Creek and the upper Big Lake areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Nice catches of largemouth in the upper shallow ends of backwaters. Crappie - Good: Crappies are biting on a jig and minnows fished in the flooded trees. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch are close to done spawning and are moving and feeding well. Decent fish reported in the Lansing area at Village Creek and Big Lake. Walleye - Fair: A few walleye being caught trolling in Minnesota Slough. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum starting to bite well on main channel borders.

Mississippi River Pool 10

Cool nights have moderated water temperature into the mid to upper 50s and water levels are expected to be fairly stable over the next week which should make for some good fishing. Lock and Dam 9 tail water level at Lynxville is 14.5 feet. Northern Pike - Good: Northern pike have completed spawning activates and have been actively biting on minnows in the shallows. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill biting well near the dam at Lynxville and the emergency spillway. Largemouth Bass - Good: Nice catches of largemouth in the upper shallow ends of backwaters. Yellow Perch - Good: Some nice yellow perch being caught below the emergency dam above Harpers Ferry. Sauger - Good: Anglers at Lynxville still reporting good catches of sauger over the past week although the bite has dropped off a bit as fish will be spawning soon. Walleye - Fair: Reports of nice walleye in the tail water have begun to drop off as fish will begin moving toward spawning areas. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum beginning to bite well on main channel borders

Mississippi River Pool 11

Cool nights have moderated water temperature into the mid to upper 50s and water levels are expected to be fairly stable over the next week which should make for some good fishing. Lock and Dam 10 tail water level at Guttenberg is 6.0 feet and remaining fairly stable. Northern Pike - Good: Northern pike have completed the spawn and many are now actively feeding in the shallows. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill biting well near the dam at Guttenberg and the emergency spillway. Largemouth Bass - Good: Nice catches of largemouth in the upper shallow ends of backwaters. Yellow Perch - Good: Nice perch being caught below the DNR boat ramp in Guttenberg and in the pocket below the dam on the Wisconsin side. Sauger - Good: Anglers still reporting good catches of sauger over the past week and picking up gradually as fish become more active after the spawn. Walleye - Fair: Reports of walleye in tail waters has slowed and many post-spawn walleyes are moving to the wing dams. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum fishing is picking up on side channel sandbar areas drifting a nightcrawler.

Fish are moving and feeding and now is a great time to fish the Mississippi. Water temp is in the lower to mid 50s. Water levels have fallen slowly and stabilizing.

Mississippi River Pool 12

Tail water stage is 5.6 feet and expected to be stable in Dubuque. Water is slightly stained to clear. Northern Pike - Good: A few nice sized pike were caught in the tail water and lakes close to the tail water such as O’Leary’s. Pike are done spawning now and will go on a feeding frenzy. Try white colored spinners and spoons. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills being reported off rock piles and current eddy areas in the tail water and in many backwater areas. Simple fishing float and worm seems to be bait of choice. Yellow Perch - Good: Nearing the end of the perch spawn which usually takes place in backwater lakes. Walleye - Slow: Both walleye and sauger are in the spawning process right now and do not bite well during the spawn. Expect them to move onto the wing dams in a week or two. Usually these species do not bite well during the spawn and a week or so after they are done.

Mississippi River Pool 13

Tail water stage at Bellevue expected to hover near 5.8 feet. Water clarity is clear to slightly stained. Channel Catfish - Good: The channel catfish are starting to be caught in good numbers. Fish cut-bait along windy swept shorelines for best results. Wind brings food and warmer water. White Bass - Fair: White bass are finally showing up in the creel mostly being caught on small spinners. A decent year class was noted a few years back and is finally contributing to the fishery. Bluegill - Excellent: Many bluegills are being reported out of backwaters and in the tail water. Size generally in the 6 to 7-inch range. Bobber and worm seems to be the bait of choice. Largemouth Bass - Good: Many bass are being taken on jigs, spinners and small crankbaits along rocky shoal areas. Try bright colors in the stained waters. Crappie - No Report: Small crappies are being reported last week on jig and minnow in backwaters around log piles but no recent reports have been taken by staff. Yellow Perch - Fair: Yellow perch are abundant and being caught in many locations. Most being caught on worms. Many nice sized yellow perch are being reported but the bite apparently has stalled probably as perch moved to spawning locations. Sauger - Slow: Walleyes and sauger are spawning now and generally do not bite well during this period.

Mississippi River Pool 14

Tail water stage at Camanche is around 9.9 feet and expected to stay stable. Water levels were recently in the 12 feet range. Water clarity is clear to slightly stained. Channel Catfish - Good: Try using cut bait off a sucker or carp, and cast into windswept shorelines for best results. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills being reported in Rock Creek area as well as the tail water. Simple rigs using worms as bait seem to the best choice. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Rocky areas such as exposed wing dams near shore are hot for bass right now. Minnow imitating lures will catch you some nice bass in the river. Sauger - No Report: Both walleye and sauger are beginning to spawn right now and the bite during the spawn can be very slow.

Mississippi River Pool 15

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Water has warmed greatly and is now in the 60s in most areas. Fishing for many species has been very good in many areas.

Mississippi River Pool 16

Fishing is improving for most species. Water levels are 6.31 feet and falling water temperature is 56 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are biting on dip bait and some on shad parts at the mouth of Andulusia Harbor. White Bass - Excellent: White bass are biting on twister tails and small crankbaits in Sunset Marina and up Sylvan Slough. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are hitting in the same areas as crappie. Use a waxie or small minnow below a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouths are starting to bite in the Andulusia lakes. Crappie - Good: Crappies are biting in Sunset Marina, Andulusia Island lakes and near the power dam in Sylvan Slough. Try bobbers and small minnows or crappie tube.

Mississippi River Pool 17

Water level is 5.05 feet and falling. Water temperature is 61 degrees. We received no fishing report for this pool.

Mississippi River Pool 18

Pool 18 river level is 6.18 feet and falling. Water temperature is 59 degrees. Crappie - Good: Crappie are biting in the backwaters on minnows.

Mississippi River Pool 19

Pool 19 water level is 3.26 feet and falling. Water temperature is 59 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channels are hitting on dip baits. Crappie - Good: Crappie are biting on minnows.

The Mississippi River pools 16-19 are low, near summer levels. Water temperatures are around 59 degrees.

SOUTHEAST

Kent Park Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: A few catfish are being caught on crawlers. Bluegill - Fair: Fish around brush with small jigs or worms. Largemouth Bass - Good: Some bass are being caught in the ponds around the park.

Lake Macbride

Some walleyes are spawning. Water temperature is about 60 degrees. The courtesy docks are all in. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some fish are in the warmer shallow water and some are hanging out on the break lines. Crappie - Fair: Look for areas of warmer water with brush. The area east of the causeway has been productive. Walleye - Fair: Some fish are being caught jigging in 20-plus feet of water while others are in less than 10 feet and by casting crankbaits or jigs.

Pleasant Creek Lake

Remember, largemouth bass have to be 18 inches and muskellunge have to be 40 inches to keep. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Walleye - Fair: Try fishing along the dam. Many fish are small but larger ones are available.

Diamond Lake

The courtesy dock is in for boaters. Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Crappie - Good: Use a small tube jig around brush and the jetties for best results. Limits of fish have been reported. Most fish are about eight inches but some 10-12-inch fish are being caught as well.

Union Grove Lake

Crappie - Good: Use a jig/minnow around brush. Most fish are on the small side.

Coralville Reservoir

The water level is 679.3 feet. At this water level, boating is almost impossible above Sandy Beach. Channel Catfish - Good: The upper end around the Hwy. 965/I-380 bridges has been the best, but the main lake has been good for catfish as well. Shad or cut bait have been working best.

Sand Lake

This lake is on South Gilbert Street in Iowa City. There were 2,000 trout stocked on March 31. Remember, you must have a trout stamp to fish for and possess trout, in addition to a fishing license. Rainbow Trout - Good: Small spinners and jigs work best. Brook Trout - Good: Small spinners and jigs work best. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Crappie - Fair:

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)

Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or crawlers.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)

Outflow from the tube is 1,330 cubic feet per second as of April 3, and flows will be stair stepping down as the week continues. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some catfish are being caught below the dams. Walleye - Slow: Use a jig/minnow for best results. Most fish have been 11-14 inches, but an occasional bigger fish is being caught.

Prairie Park Fishery

2,000 trout were stocked on March 24. Remember, you must have a trout stamp to fish for or possess trout, in addition to a fishing license. Rainbow Trout - Good: Use a small spinner or jig around the shorelines. Brook Trout - Good: Use a small spinner or jig around the shorelines. Crappie - Fair:

For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Red Haw Lake

Anglers have been having some luck for bluegill and crappies using small jigs tipped with a minnow or wax worm. Bass anglers might want to try spinner baits or using plastic worms.

Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)

The lake renovation work is complete and the lake is full. New fish habitat areas and new jetties have been built. Fingerlings were stocked in May of 2011.

Albia (lower)

Small jigs have been producing some action for bluegills and even a few yellow bass. Fish along the shoreline and move out into deeper water as needed.

Lake Sugema

Lake Sugema contains the invasive plant brittle naiad so make sure not to transport any plant fragments in your equipment. Try small jigs fished around structure for active fish. Bass anglers might want to try a spinner bait or crankbait fished along the rocky shorelines of the lake.

Ottumwa Lagoon

Over 2,000 trout were stocked on March 24. Don't forget a trout stamp is required to possess or fish for trout. Plan on using flashy types of spinners or jigs rigged with small white twister tails.

Rathbun Reservoir

The lake level is 904.81 feet with 904.0 feet normal pool. The water temperature is 56 degrees. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry boats and equipment before transporting to another water body. Spray boats and trailers with high pressure hot water (above 104 degrees) or let them dry for at least 10 days (5 days in sun). Channel Catfish - Slow: Use shad guts or cut bait along shorelines with the wind blowing into them. Crappie - Slow: Try using jig and minnow combinations. Start shallow and fish out into deeper water to find active fish.

For further fishing reports in south central Iowa call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406.

SOUTHWEST

Don Williams Lake

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Big Creek Lake

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Red Rock Reservoir

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Saylorville Reservoir

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Banner Lake (south)

A family trout fishing event will be held on April 7. Trout will be stocked at approximately noon.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Boone District Farm Ponds

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

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

Greenfield Lake

Crappies have been biting along the dam and around jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: A few channel catfish are being caught using shrimp. Fish average two pounds. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are close to rock and can be caught using red tube jigs or white twister tails. Sorting is necessary. Greenfield Lake has one concrete boat ramp.

Nodaway Lake

Anglers are starting to pick up crappies and catfish. Channel Catfish - Fair: A few catfish in the 1 to 2-pound range are being caught on shrimp. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught on warm sunny days close to rock. Nodaway crappies average 10 inches. Nodaway Lake has one boat ramp. Water temperature is in the mid 60s.

Lake Anita

Anglers are beginning to catch crappies in the upper arms of the lake. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are having success fishing shallow coves with spinner baits and a slow retrieve. Many of the fish caught are in the 14 to 19-inch range. Crappie - Slow: A few 10-inch crappies have been caught in the upper arms of the lake on warm sunny days. The bite should improve with warming water temperature. Lake Anita has two concrete boat ramps.

Viking Lake

Crappies are beginning to bite in the upper arms of the lake and in the campground arm. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught around rock piles and sunken trees using a variety of plastic baits and jigs. Fish up to 19 inches have been reported. Crappie - Fair: Crappies up to 12 inches are being caught on twister tails. Average size is 8-9 inches. Viking has three concrete boat ramps. Water temperature is in the mid 60s.

Big Lake (Including Gilbert's Pond)

Big Lake was stocked with 1,000 rainbow trout on March 9. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Anglers have been catching trout on wax worms. Red and white twister tails have also been a good choice.

Lake Manawa

Lake Manawa water temperature is in the mid 60s. Crappies have moved to the main lake. Catfish are picking up on cut bait. Channel Catfish - Fair: The catfish bite is picking up using dead minnows on the windy shoreline. Crappie - Good: The crappie bite has picked up again this week. Wax worms and minnows have been the bait of choice on the west side of the lake.

Anderson Area Pond 1

Anglers are catching crappies from Anderson with the warmer spring temperatures. Crappie - Good: Anglers are catching crappie around the dam casting twister tails. Fish are 8-10 inches.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds

There are numerous farm ponds in southern Iowa that can provide a quality fishing trip. Remember to always get permission to fish private farm ponds. Crappie - Fair: Crappie are beginning to bite in ponds large enough to support crappie populations. The corners or the dam is a good place to find crappies.

Water temperature is in the low 60s in most southwest Iowa lakes and reports of anglers catching crappies and catfish are coming in.