Iowa Fishing Reports

[Rick]

DES MOINES, IA - The weekly Iowa fishing reports from 8/24/12 are gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff.

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Crawford Creek Impoundment

Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have been doing well for catfish using stink bait and fishing from shore. Evenings have been the best. Bluegill - Fair: Decent size bluegill are being caught, but not large numbers of them. Drift across the lake with a small jig with a small piece of bait. Crappie - Fair: Fish for crappie the same way as bluegill.

Moorehead Park Pond

Bluegills are biting well at Moorehead. The fish aren't huge, but they make for fun fishing.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Fishing is pretty slow. Focus efforts around the return pipe from the dredge spoil site on the east side of the lake.

Blue Lake

Bass fishing with top water lures has been good in the late evenings.

Little Sioux River (Correctionville to Missouri River)

The water is low. Fishing is slow, but some smaller channel catfish are being picked up using nightcrawlers.

Water temperatures have cooled over the area, and water levels are low at most lakes.

Lower Pine Lake

Crappie fishing is fair. Fish a minnow on a jig near the rocks in deep water.

Upper Pine Lake

Anglers reported catching channel catfish with chicken liver in the mornings and evenings in both the lake and Pine Creek between the lakes. Crappie - Fair: Try fishing a minnow and jig around the rocks in deep water.

Lake Smith

Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are having the best luck throwing top water and buzz baits in the evening.

Lake Catherine

Bluegill - Fair: Drift small jigs or crawlers along the rocks and along the aquatic vegetation lines. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Spinner baits worked along the aquatic plant beds seems to be working the best.

Clear Lake

Due to low water levels, use caution when launching and boating near shore. Channel Catfish - Fair: Stink bait, cut bait, and crawlers are working in the evenings and mornings near reefs and off the Ventura jetties. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappies while drifting and vertical jigging minnows and crawlers in 6-10 feet of water in the little lake, around the reefs, and between the state dock area and the island. Yellow Bass - Good: Anglers are catching yellow bass on crawlers, cut bait, and minnows. Drifting and vertical jigging in 6-10 feet of water off the State Dock area, the rock reefs, and in the little lake has been good. The fish are schooled so move around until you find active fish.

Little Wall Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are drifting fish guts and cut bait.

Crystal Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Drift small jigs and crawlers in the dredged area and along aquatic plant beds for the best action. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Spinner baits and top water baits worked along the aquatic plant beds are catching bass.

Shell Rock River (above Greene)

Anglers have reported catching smallmouth bass on artificial baits fished in the remaining deeper pools.

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

Big Spirit Lake

Fishing pressure has been very light this week with harvest of all species being limited. Fishing activity should improve with the cooler water temperatures. Current water temperature is 70 degrees.

For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the Spirit Lake Hatchery at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Volga Lake

The lake has a green algae bloom going on. Anglers have been finding fish along fallen trees and other structure. Remember, fish are suspended in the water column so fish shallow or try trolling. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try using a piece of nightcrawler fished on the bottom in shallow water. Crappie - Slow:

Lake Hendricks

Fish activity has been slow. The lake continues to experience a green algae bloom. Channel Catfish - Slow: Cats are biting on a small piece of nightcrawler fished under a bobber from shore. Evening is the best time for catfish. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills have been hitting on hook tipped with small piece of nightcrawler. The majority of fish are small. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers are using soft plastic or big tube jigs and crankbaits trolling in the old creek channel.

Lake Meyer

Water temperature has cooled to the mid 70s and clarity is low due to a green algae bloom. Try fishing in the middle of the lake suspended in about 6 to 7 feet of water. Bluegill - Slow:

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

Fish activity has picked up some this week with cooler temperatures. A few sauger, walleye and smallmouth are being taken. Also a few trout have been picked up around the tributaries. Channel Catfish - Slow: Nightcrawlers and stinkbait are working for catfish this week. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are picking up smallmouth on walleye jigs and lures that look like shiner minnows. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are having best success using small Shad Raps or white or black jigs tipped with white plastic twistertail in the deeper holes.

Cedar River (above Nashua)

Anglers have been doing well on a variety of species in the Charles City area especially above and below the Main Street Dam. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are using nightcrawlers. Also try a crawdad. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching a good number of smallmouth using nightcrawlers but many are small. Walleye - Good: Jigs tipped with a variety of plastic tails or nightcrawlers.

Decorah District Streams

Though northeast streams are very low, fly fishing remains good in many areas. Afternoon #20 Blue Wing Olive hatches have been excellent and there are good #14 Caddis hatches near dusk. Terrestrials such as Crickets, Hoppers and Beetles should be effective until the first frost later in the fall. Good fish continue to be taken on wet fly patterns such as a #14 or #16 Partridge & Orange. Call 563-927-5736 for updated catchable trout stream stocking.

Flows on area rivers remain low concentrating fish in deeper holes. Water temperatures on rivers are cooling and fish activity has picked up. Catchable trout stocking on Turtle and Spring Creeks (Mitchell County) and Bohemian Creek (Winneshiek County) has temporarily been discontinued until conditions improve. For more information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324 or just to let us know what you've been catching.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)

Casey Lake has been providing some good bass fishing. Largemouth Bass - Good: Plastic baits and spinnerbaits have been working well for largemouth bass.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)

Anglers have been doing well on walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike with the cooler temperatures. Northern Pike - Fair: Mepps spinners and spoons have been good for northern pike. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Floating Rapalas and other shallow diving crankbaits has been productive for the smallies. Walleye - Good: A jig tipped with a crawler has been very good for walleye.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)

Anglers have been doing well on walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike with the cooler temperatures. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Floating Rapalas and other shallow diving crankbaits has been productive for the smallies. Walleye - Good: A jig tipped with a crawler has been very good for walleye.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)

Walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike fishing should improve with the recent cool temperatures. Bremer County has been producing the best catches of northern pike. Northern Pike - Good: Casting Mepps spinners and spoons are good for northern pike. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Floating Rapalas and other shallow diving crankbaits are productive for smallies. Walleye - Fair: A jig tipped with a crawler can be very productive.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)

There have been decent reports of walleye and northern pike being caught on the Maquoketa River in Delaware County. Northern Pike - Fair: Mepps spinners and spoons have been good for northern pike. Walleye - Fair: Both crankbaits and a jig tipped with a crawler has been good.

Interior river levels remain low making navigation very difficult. Interior river fishing has been good for walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike where anglers can gain access. Trout streams remain in good condition, for further information contact the district office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9

River level at Lansing tail water is 7.7 feet and expected to remain stable at his level over the next week. Water temperature is 74 degrees. Northern Pike - Fair: Pike fishing is picking up with the slightly cooler water temperatures. Try spoons and crankbaits along current breaks. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are on the midsummer feed. Stinkbaits are most effective as are cutbaits, liver and crawlers. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some nice flatheads have been caught on live chubs or small bluegills. Bluegill - Excellent: Look for the larger bluegills along fallen trees in running sloughs and near wing dams. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth are actively feeding on baitfish along the riprap in main channel borders and side channels with good current. Flashy in-line spinners are an excellent choice. Largemouth Bass - Good: Take advantage of the abundant lotus weed beds just off current areas where the big bass are taking refuge. Some bass are being picked up along the wing dams. Crappie - Good: Nice sized crappies are biting on minnows and jigs in the deeper habitat of backwater sloughs. Walleye - Good: With the lower and stable water conditions, walleye are concentrating in the deep water along wing dams and closing dams. Troll crawlers or leeches. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum (sheephead) are nice sized and actively biting on worms drifted along the sand flats and on top of wing dams.

Mississippi River Pool 10

River level at Lynxville is 12.6 feet and expected be stable but fall slightly over the next week. Water temperature is 74 degrees. Northern Pike - Good: Warm water temperatures have northern pike escaping to cold water springs and creek inlets. Fish spoons or crankbaits in the river mouths. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are on the midsummer feed. Stinkbaits are most effective as are cutbaits, liver and crawlers. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some nice flatheads have been caught on live chub or small bluegill baits. Bluegill - Good: Look for the larger bluegills along fallen trees in running sloughs and near wing dams. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth are actively feeding on baitfish along the riprap in main channel borders and side channels with good current. Flashy in-line spinners are an excellent choice. Largemouth Bass - Good: Take advantage of the abundant lotus weed beds just off current areas where the big bass are taking refuge. Some bass are being picked up along the wing dams. Crappie - Good: Nice size crappies are biting on minnows and jigs in the deeper habitat of backwater sloughs. Walleye - Good: With the lower and stable water conditions, walleye are concentrating in the deep water along wing dams and closing dams. Troll crawlers or leeches. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum (sheephead) are nice sized and actively biting on worms drifted along the sand flats and on top of wing dams.

Mississippi River Pool 11

River level at Guttenberg tail water is 4.5 feet and expected fall slightly to 4 feet over the next week. Water temperature is 74 degrees. Northern Pike - Good: Warm water temperatures have northern pike escaping to cold water springs and creek inlets. Fish spoons or crankbaits in the river mouths. Channel Catfish - Good: Some really nice sized catfish are being caught right now. Stink bait has become very effective. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some nice flatheads have been caught on live chub or small bluegill baits. Bluegill - Excellent: Look for larger bluegills along fallen trees in running sloughs and near wing dams. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth are actively feeding on baitfish along the riprap in main channel borders and side channels with good current. Flashy in-line spinners are an excellent choice. Largemouth Bass - Good: Take advantage of the abundant lotus weed beds just off current areas where the big bass are taking refuge. Some bass are being picked up along the wing dams. Crappie - Good: Nice size crappies are biting on minnows and jigs in the deeper habitat of backwater sloughs. Walleye - Good: With the lower and stable water conditions, walleye are concentrating in the deep water along wing dams and closing dams. Crankbaits would be a good choice. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum (sheephead) are nice sized and actively biting on worms drifted along the sand flats and on top of wing dams.

Water levels on the Upper Mississippi remain low. The stable water conditions and slightly cooler temperatures have created some ideal fishing conditions. Anglers can expect a variety in their creels this week. Fish are congregating in deeper holes and wing dams throughout the day. Cast along shorelines in the early morning and evening. Water temperature has fallen to the mid 70s.

Mississippi River Pool 12

The river stage at the Dubuque lock and dam is very low at 4.5 feet and holding steady. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel catfish are still on the summer bite. Try stink bait, cut bait, crawlers or even minnows fished on the bottom. Fish are being taken in numerous spots from the mud flats to the wind dams. With channel catfish, fish for 15 minutes and if no fish - move. You need to find active fish; the reward is there when you find them. Bluegill - Good: Some bluegills are biting in the few remaining sloughs with deep water. In addition, use a split shot and worm thrown on exposed rocks of the wing dams. Largemouth Bass - Good: Lots of bass are being caught on a wide array of lures and live bait. Fish structure in the back waters, side sloughs and the main channel border islands. Crappie - Good: For the first time in awhile, crappie fishing has been consistently reported. People are pulling fish out of all of the shallower back waters into the sloughs and deeper back water lakes. Try minnows or jigs straight lined or use a bobber. Walleye - Fair: A few more walleyes are being reported each week but the fishing is not yet consistent. Troll crawlers or leeches on the upstream side of the dams. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Crawlers around the wind dams and side sloughs will produce catches of drum. To keep drum fresh for eating always put drum immediately on a cooler with ice.

Mississippi River Pool 13

The river level at the Bellevue lock and dam is 4.1 feet. Water levels are steady, clarity is good and temperature is around 75 degrees. Be aware of exposed wing dams when boating on the river. Channel Catfish - Good: Some channel catfish being taken on stink bait and crawlers. Try around the wing dams and in the side sloughs. Move until you find active fish. Some of the best fishing has been early morning and good until mid morning. Bluegill - Good: Gills are once again being reported around the inside edge of the exposed wing dams. Try a simple split shot and nightcrawler. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing has been good, fish around rocks, wood or vegetation. They are being caught on all types of artificial lures as well as live bait. Most bass caught are under the 14-inch size limit. Crappie - Good: Fish are being taken mostly on live bait. Try straight lining or bobber fishing. Fish the structure to find fish. Find some brush piles in major sloughs and keep moving around to find fish. Also try fishing near the mouths of sloughs that are drying out. Walleye - Slow: A few nice fish are being taken. Not too many in the keeper bracket, but some in the protected slot of 20 - 27 inches are being reported. These fish must be immediately released. Most fish are being caught on live bait. Try around the upstream sides of wing dams. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Crawler on the bottom fished around the wing dams and side sloughs. Move to find fish.

Mississippi River Pool 14

The river stage at the Clinton lock and dam is 4.1 feet and steady. Water temperature is around 75 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Fish around the wing dams and the side sloughs using stink bait, crawlers, and even cut bait. Bluegill - Good: Gills are being taken at the mouth of the major backwater areas such as Cattail Slough and Beaver Island. Also try the upper sides of exposed rock wing dams. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are being caught all over. Fish around the rocks, wood and vegetation. Different lures and live bait are being used. Walleye - Slow: A few nice fish are being caught, but we do expect better fishing yet this fall. Remember, fish less than 15 inches and between 20 - 27 inches must be immediately released. Fish that fall in the 15-19.9-inch range may be kept with one fish over 27 inches. Try fishing the upstream sides of the wing dams. Live bait tends to work better in the summer. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Numerous drum are being reported out of side channel sloughs and the channel border areas. Use a sliding egg sinker and worm rig for best results.

Mississippi River Pool 15

The river stage at the LeClaire lock and dam is 4.1 feet and steady. Water temperature is around 75 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel catfish fishing has been excellent on stink bait fished near the wing dams and near the main channel. Been a good year in Pool 15 for catfish anglers. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are good table fare is prepared right and packed on ice immediately after they are caught. To catch drum use a sliding egg sinker in moderate current areas with a worm for bait.

Pools 12 through 15 are holding steady but water is low in many locations. Water temperature is around 75 degrees. With low water levels take caution when boating as wing dams are often close to the water surface and can easily be struck. In addition, be aware that it is easy to back your trailer off the ends of the boat ramps. Always, launch your boat with the minimum water needed.

Mississippi River Pool 16

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 3.85 feet and has been steady over the past couple days. Use caution when boating due to the low water conditions. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have been catching channel catfish on stinkbait, crawlers, and shrimp fished along the bottom. Try fishing along rocky shoreline, above wing dams, or above snag piles along the main channel and side channels. White Bass - Fair: White bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough. Look for minnows breaking the surface and cast jigs/twister tails, in-line spinners, or small crankbaits into the school. Some fish are also being picked up trolling three-way rigs with floating stick baits. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill fishing has been slow with the low water conditions in the backwaters. Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing has been slow with the low water conditions in the backwaters. Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing on the wing dams has been slow. Look for fish towards the ends of the wing dams where there is more current. Try trolling or casting crankbaits.

Mississippi River Pool 17

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 3.37 feet and has been steady over the past few days. Anglers should use caution when boating with the low water conditions. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on stinkbait, cutbait, and nightcrawlers fished on the bottom. Try fishing above the wing dams or above snag piles along the main channel or side channels. Crappie - Fair: There have been a few reports of crappies being caught in Big Timber. Try fishing with a minnow under a slip bobber or jigs and small plastics around brush piles along the shore and the submerged brush piles in the deeper dredge cuts.

Mississippi River Pool 18

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 2.63 feet and has been steady over the past few days. Anglers should use caution when boating with the low water conditions. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on stinkbait, cutbait, and nightcrawlers fished on the bottom. Try fishing above the wing dams or above snag piles along the main channel and side channels. White Bass - No Report: We have received no white bass fishing information for this pool this week. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill fishing has been slow due to the low water conditions in the backwaters. Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing has been slow due to the low water conditions in the backwaters. Walleye - No Report: We have received no walleye fishing information for this pool this week.

Mississippi River Pool 19

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 0.93 feet and has been fairly steady over the past few days. Anglers should use caution when boating due to the low water conditions. Most panfishing reports are coming from area farm ponds and lakes. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on stinkbait, shad, and nightcrawlers fished on the bottom. Try fishing above the wing dams or above snag piles along the main channel or side channels. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill fishing has been slow with the low water conditions. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in the backwaters fishing around brush piles. Also look for crappies along brush piles along some of the slower running sloughs. Try using minnows under a slip bobber or vertical jigging small jigs and plastics. Walleye - Fair: Some walleye are being caught around the pumping station casting jigs and twister tails.

Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Tail water stages have been fairly steady over the past few days. Main channel water temperature are around 77-78 degrees. Anglers should use caution when boating on the river due to the low water conditions. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat before going to another water body. For more fishing information on Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Lake Geode

Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good along the face of the dam and the creek channel at the upper end of the lake.

Lake Belva Deer

The 50- 60 degree nights are cooling the water. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfishing has been very good through the hot weather. Chicken liver is the bait to use. One very good spot to look for them is the rock mounds at the upper end of the lake. Crappie - Good: Anglers are starting to pick up some crappies in the timber off the creek channel and up in the campground arm of the lake.

Lake of the Hills

Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park that allows live minnow as bait. The cooler weather is helping the fishing by bringing the crappies and bluegills back to shallow water. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Lots of catfish are being caught on stinkbait and chicken liver. Chicken liver seems to be the current favorite. Early and late are the times to be there. Bluegill - Good: Fishing a worm and bobber set at 3-4 feet down seems to be working the best. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: The bass fishing remains hot. Target shallow rocky areas as well as the water around the logs and stumps and use white spinnerbaits in the morning and plastics the rest of the day. Find the active fish and you'll really get into them. Crappie - Good: The crappies are on the brush piles. The ones just off the fishing pier seems to be angler favorites. Also look for them to be in the rocks along the dam.

Railroad Lake

The old creek channel is probably the first place to look for fish. Second is the brush piles along the south side in shallow water. REMINDER - live minnows as bait are not allowed in Railroad Lake. Bluegill - Good: Some bluegills have moved back over the stump fields on the north side but a lot of them remain in the old creek channel on the south side. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: In this lake the bass are around rock. Working spinnerbaits in the morning and plastics along the deeper edge of the rocks is working best. Crappie - Good: Crappies are still over in the brush piles and tree along the old creek channel.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)

The river level has dropped a few more inches since last Friday. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing remains fairly good. Obviously most fishing from shore.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Lake Macbride

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

Pleasant Creek Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: Some catfish are being caught towards dark. White Bass - Fair: Watch for schools of feeding white bass on the surface close to sunrise/sunset and cast small jigs, spoons, or top water baits.

Otter Creek Lake

The lake is about 10 inches low. Channel Catfish - Good: Fishing has been best in the evenings. Yellow Bass - Good: Fishing has been best in the mornings.

Coralville Reservoir

The current lake level is 683.4 feet which is normal summer pool. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some catfish are being caught by drifting cut bait. Most fish are 3-8 pounds. Crappie - Fair: Try slip bobber fishing over brush piles. Most fish are 9-12 inches.

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)

Channel Catfish - Good: Shad either cut or whole has been working well.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)

Channel Catfish - Good: Shad either cut or whole has been working well.

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)

Channel Catfish - Fair: Cut bait has been working best.

Maquoketa (Hopkinton to Canton)

Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try spinners or crankbaits. Walleye - Fair: Try jigs or crankbaits.

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

Lake Wapello

Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have been using nightcrawlers off the fishing jetties to catch their limit of catfish. Bluegill - Fair: Try using small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler along shoreline structure. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits around submerged structure along the shoreline. Top water lures can be productive in the early morning and late evening.

Red Haw Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Try areas along the dam and off the rock jetties using nightcrawlers. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs in less than 6 feet of water near shoreline structure and off the rock jetties. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been successful using crankbaits fished along the dam and the rock jetties. Use crankbaits that mimic crawdads. Also try top water lures fished in the early mornings and at sunset.

Lake Sugema

Fishing has been slow. Try top water lures for largemouth bass in the mornings and evenings and crankbaits or spinnerbaits throughout the day. Try using nightcrawlers for channel catfish.

Rathbun Reservoir

Lake level is at 904.3 feet with 904.00 feet being normal pool. The water temperature is 76 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try areas over the rock humps and underwater points. Nightcrawlers have been the bait of choice. Walleye - Slow: Anglers have been having success trolling nightcrawlers over humps and underwater points. If nightcrawlers aren't working try crankbaits that mimic shad trolled over the same areas. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry boats before transporting them 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 the sun).

For other questions regarding fishing in south central Iowa call 641-647-2406

SOUTHWEST

Don Williams Lake

Crappie - Fair: Crappie up to 10 inches are being caught fishing minnows under a bobber near wood structure at depths of 3 to 6 feet. Evenings have been best.

Big Creek Lake

White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught trolling shallow diving crankbaits or spinner rigs with live bait. Target the windblown shoreline. Bluegill - Fair: Good size bluegill are being caught drifting or bobber fishing pieces of crawler over brush piles at the entrances to many of the coves and over the roadbed in the Williams Drive bay.

Red Rock Reservoir

White Bass - Good: Good size white bass from 12 to 14 inches are being caught trolling or casting spoons and lipless or shallow diving crankbaits. Areas to begin searching include the marina point, sand island, and the northeast corner of the dam. Look for schools of shad breaking the surface.

Saylorville Reservoir

Channel Catfish - Good: Good size and numbers of catfish can be caught drift fishing cut creek chubs above the mile long bridge. White Bass - Excellent: White bass fishing continues to be very active. The Sandpiper and Oak Grove areas are good places to start. Troll or cast spoons and shallow diving crankbaits. Look for schools of shad breaking the surface.

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake

Rainbow Trout - Fair: Trout from the previous two years of winter stockings have survived the summers and have created a unique fishing opportunity in central Iowa. As water temperature has recently cooled back into the 70s trout fishing picked up. Anglers using live bait fished near the bottom and slowly retrieving back to shore are doing well. A trout stamp is required to fish for and possess the trout.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)

Walleye - Fair: Very low water conditions have concentrated fish in the areas of deeper water. Anglers fishing below the Fraser and Boone Waterworks dam have been picking up a mixed bag of walleye, crappie, and channel catfish.

Fishing on the reservoirs in central Iowa continues to be very good. River conditions are very low, but fish are concentrated in the deeper pools for anglers willing to access them. For questions on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.

Greenfield Lake

Catfish are being caught around the jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Dip bait and shrimp are working to catch channel catfish around the jetties. Late afternoon and into the night has been the best time. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches can be caught drifting small jigs across the open lake. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught while drifting.

Lake Anita

Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught drifting small jigs 6-8 feet down. Tipping the jig with worms or Powerbait seems to help. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are having success fishing shallow coves with spinner baits early in the mornings and late afternoons. As the temperatures rise the fish go deeper. Many of the fish caught are in the 14 to 19-inch range. Crappie - Fair: Crappies up to 12 inches are being caught drifting the main lake in the evening.

Viking Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: Dip baits and liver have been the bait of choice for fish averaging 2 pounds. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught around rock piles and sunken trees using a variety of plastic baits and crankbaits. Fish up to 19 inches have been reported.

Lake Manawa

Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught on dead chubs and liver. Fish average 2 pounds.

East Nishnabotna

With river levels very low fish are confined in the deeper holes. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish deeper holes around structure using crayfish or nightcrawlers.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds

There are numerous farm ponds that can provide a quality fishing trip. Remember to always get permission to fish private farm ponds. Channel Catfish - Fair: Dip baits and liver are good baits in midsummer for channel catfish. Late afternoon when temperatures cool is a good time to target catfish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills can be caught around structure and along the edge of weed lines this time of year. Try small jigs or worms under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are very aggressive and readily caught casting a variety of lures and plugs along weed edges and around structure. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish in the heat of summer.

Water temperatures have cooled to the mid 70 degree range. For more information call the district office in Lewis at 712-769-2587.

Lake Icaria

The lake is down about 14 inches. The main ramp is easily accessible some of the lesser used ones are starting to get shallow for large boats. Channel Catfish - Good: Several channel catfish can be caught from most any of the shoreline areas. Crawlers and crayfish seem to be the most popular.

Little River Watershed Lake

The water level is down about 12 feet to allow completion of shoreline repairs. It is expected to remain down for at least three more months. The fish have been restocked but are small and growing.

Green Valley Lake

The water level is still down about 4 feet. The main ramp is easily usable and the bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish are all big and easy to catch. Channel Catfish - Fair: The channel catfish are biting on small crayfish.

Summitt Lake

The lake has not received any runoff to fill the lake. The spillway replacement is almost completely complete and the lake is ready to fill when rains return.

Three Mile Lake

The water level is about 2 feet down and very clear. Crappie - Fair: We still have a few crappies coming from the tops of the deep tree piles.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake

The water looks good. Several species are starting to bite. Bullhead - Good: A lot of big bullheads are coming from the upper end. Crawlers on the bottom work very well. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few yellow perch are biting on small bits of crawler suspended just off the bottom. Walleye - Fair: Several anglers are starting to see the walleye bite pick up. Crawlers trolled across the upper end seems to be working the best.

Most lakes are a little low but all ramps are easily usable. Water temperatures are falling into the mid 70s. The fish are starting to bite better than any time over the past few weeks.

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)

Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stinkbait along current seams and brush piles.

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)

Channel Catfish - Good: Use stinkbait or night crawlers at current seams and brush piles. Flathead Catfish - Slow: Use crawdads or live bait like goldfish and bullheads in scour holes of wing dykes or near brush piles.

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)

Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or live bait near wing dykes and current seams. Flathead Catfish - Good: Fish are being caught using goldfish near wing dykes and brush piles. A few blue catfish are also being caught while flathead fishing. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: A few fish have been caught while fishing for channel catfish with minnows or night crawlers. Walleye - Slow: A few fish have been caught while fishing for channel catfish with minnows or night crawlers.

Missouri River Fisheries Office - River discharge at Onawa is above normal.

[Rick]

DES MOINES, IA - The weekly Iowa fishing reports from 9/6/12 are gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff.

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Moorehead Park Pond

Bluegills are biting well. The fish aren't huge, but they make for fun fishing.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Water levels are very low at Storm Lake. Boaters must use extreme caution when boating at high speeds. Channel Catfish - Slow: A few channel cats are being picked up. White Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching some white bass from the east shore. The bites come in waves as the schools move through.

Southwood Conservation Area Pond (east)

Largemouth bass are biting on purple and white plastic worms. The east pond has been producing the best fishing. Water clarity is poor and water levels are low. Panfishing is slow.

Johnston Pit

Bluegills have been biting midmorning on nightcrawlers on the bottom. Softshell turtles have been biting while fishing for bluegills.

Peters Park

Largemouth bass were biting on purple and white plastic worm. Panfishing is slow.

Little Sioux River (Correctionville to Missouri River)

The Little Sioux River has low water. Fishing is slow, but some smaller channel catfish are being picked up using nightcrawlers.

Water temperatures have risen slightly compared to last week. Water levels continue to drop at most lakes.

Lake Smith

Fishing is slow for bluegills and crappies, but fair for largemouth bass. Anglers continue to have the best luck throwing top water and buzz baits in the evening.

Lake Catherine

Bluegill - Fair: Drift small jigs or crawlers along the rocks and along the aquatic vegetation lines. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Spinner baits worked along the aquatic plant beds seems to be working the best.

Clear Lake

The water level is 24 inches below crest. Use caution when launching and boating near shore. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappies while drifting and vertically jigging minnows and crawlers in 6-10 feet of water in the little lake, around the reefs, and between the state dock area and the island. Walleye - Slow: Walleye over the 14-inch minimum legal length limit are starting to be picked up by anglers. Vertical jigging crawlers and minnows in 6-10 feet of water over the reefs and in the little lake seems to be working the best. Yellow Bass - Good: Anglers continue to catch yellow bass on crawlers, cut bait, and minnows. Drifting and vertical jigging in 5-10 feet of water off the state dock area, the rock reefs, and in the little lake has been good. The fish are schooled so move around until you find active fish.

Little Wall Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: A few catfish are still being picked up while drifting fish guts and cut bait.

Crystal Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Drift small jigs and crawlers in the dredged area and along aquatic plant beds for the best action. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Spinner baits, top water baits, and soft plastics worked along the aquatic plant beds are catching bass.

Bluebill Lake

Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish small jigs and crawlers along the aquatic plant beds and near rocks for the best yellow perch action.

Shell Rock River (above Greene)

Anglers are catching smallmouth bass on artificial baits fished in the remaining deeper pools.

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

Big Spirit Lake

Fishing has been slow with the best action coming early in the morning and late in the evening. White Bass - Good: If action is what you are looking for then look no further when a school of white bass is located the fishing can be fast and furious. Try plastics like twister tails and shad on a lead head, top water may also be good at dawn and dusk. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Rock piles continue to shine for smallmouth but don't overlook nearby weed lines. Yellow Perch - Slow: Once an active school of perch is located the fishing can be good but locating numbers seems to be difficult. The two main areas are in or near the weeds or on the mudflats but they may be found in transition areas between depending on the day. Try wigglers on a jigging spoon and don't be surprised to pick up some bonus bluegill or walleye. Walleye - Slow: With the warm conditions this past week the fishing was slow but a few fish can still be caught. Try trolling crankbaits and spinners near bottom or fishing around the weed lines. Live bait rigs have not been as effective as they were earlier this year but a few fish may be picked up on Lindy rigs.

West Okoboji Lake

Northern Pike - Fair: Try fishing buck tails or spoons around weed lines or holes in the weed beds. Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills around weed edges and on rock piles. Use red worms and wigglers either on a jigging spoon or under a slip bobber. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try fishing on the drop offs and don't be afraid to move around to locate a school of bigger fish as there are many small ones. Fishing 8-15 feet of water using jigging spoons with wigglers has been bringing some results.

Lost Island Lake

Yellow bass and bluegill fishing has been decent with good sized yellow bass leading the way.

For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the Spirit Lake Hatchery at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Volga Lake

Water clarity is about one foot due to the on-going green algae bloom. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are having some success trolling for crappies over brush piles using a jig or crankbait.

Lake Hendricks

Lake Hendricks is about 2 feet low. Bluegill - Good: Nightcrawlers under a bobber are the bait for bluegills. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth are being caught using crankbaits and top water lures. Crappie - Excellent: Fish activity has picked up. Anglers are using minnows from shore with success. Crappies seem to be hanging around the jetties this week.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)

While water levels on the Upper Iowa are still low, it is floatable. A few more portages may be necessary. Recent rain had muddied the water but should clear soon. The algae bloom should clear with cooler weather ahead. Angling pressure has been slow. Anglers may have success using silver colored lures for smallmouth and walleye.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

The Upper Iowa below Decorah is beginning to clear after rain events earlier this week. The majority of species caught have been taking a white colored jig tipped with a nightcrawler or white, yellow or bright pink twistertails. Northern Pike - Fair: Action has picked up on northerns and a few small ones are coming into the creel. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Walleye - Good:

Volga River

The Volga River is low but very wadeable with excellent cobble streambed. Fish can be found in deeper holes. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent:

Decorah District Streams

Though northeast streams are very low, fly fishing remains good in many areas. Afternoon #20 Blue Wing Olive hatches have been excellent and there are good #14 Caddis hatches near dusk. Terrestrials such as crickets, hoppers and beetles should be effective until the first frost later in the fall. Good fish continue to be taken on wet fly patterns such as a #14 or #16 Partridge & Orange. Call 563-927-5736 for updated catchable trout stream stocking.

Flows on area rivers got a boost recently with spotty showers throughout the area but levels are still low. Water temperatures on rivers are running in the 70s. Now is a great time to wade some of our rivers to get to the more desirable holes. For more information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324 or just to let us know what you've been catching.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 12

The river stage at the Dubuque lock and dam is very low at 4.4 feet and holding steady. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel catfish are still biting well. Try stink bait, cut bait, crawlers or even minnows fished on the bottom. Fish are being taken in numerous spots from the mud flats to the wing dams. With channel catfish fish for 15 minutes and no fish move. You need to find active fish; the reward is there, when you find them. White Bass - Fair: Some schools of white bass have been spotted feeding on minnows. Use a white jig, small spinner or floating white crankbait for the best action. Bluegill - Good: Some bluegills are biting in the few remaining sloughs with deep water. In addition, try using a split shot and worm thrown on exposed rocks of the wing dams. Largemouth Bass - Good: Lots of bass are being caught on a wide array of lures and live bait. Fish structure in the back waters, side sloughs and the main channel border islands. Crappie - Good: Crappies are still being reported consistently. People are pulling fish out of all of the shallower back waters into the sloughs and deeper back water lakes. Try minnows or jigs straight lined or use a bobber. Walleye - Fair: Steadily more walleyes are being reported but fishing for them is still only fair. Try live bait such as crawlers or leeches trolled on the upstream side of the dams. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Crawlers around the wind dams and side sloughs will produce catches of drum. To keep drum fresh for eating always put drum immediately on a cooler with ice.

Mississippi River Pool 13

The river level at the Bellevue lock and dam is around 4.0 feet. Water levels are steady. Water temperature is around 78 degrees and water clarity is stained from recent rains. Please be aware of exposed wing dams when boating on the river. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Many channel catfish are being taken on stink bait and crawlers. Try around the wing dams and in the side sloughs. Move until you find active fish. Nice catfish up to eight pounds have been reported. Bluegill - Good: Fishing for bluegills has been very consistent. Try a simple split shot and nightcrawler around log piles in deeper sloughs. Here too bendable hooks are often a good idea to keep your tackle. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass fishing has been excellent but size is often in the sub-legal range. Bass on the Mississippi must be 14 inches to keep. Try fishing around low water exposed rocks, wood or vegetation. They are being caught on all types of artificial lures as well as live bait. Crappie - Good: Fish are being taken mostly on live bait. Around structure try straight lining or bobber fishing. In deeper sloughs try using a crappie type rig with the weight on the bottom. A bendable hook is a must in places full of snags. Walleye - Slow: Fishing for walleyes remains slow with only a few nice fish are being taken by elite anglers. The fish reported however are often in the protected slot of 20 - 27 inches and must be returned to the water. Many of these anglers are targeting the upstream sides of wing dams often pitching jigs on the dams or using three-way rigs with a minnow or leach for bait. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Crawler on the bottom fished around the wing dams and side sloughs. Move to find fish.

Mississippi River Pool 14

The river stage at the Clinton lock and dam is 4.4 and steady. Water temperature is around 78 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Fish around the wing dams and also the side sloughs using stink bait, crawlers, and even cut bait. White Bass - Fair: Some nice white bass are showing up in the creel right now. Try a spinner or a white crankbait for best luck on feeding schools. Bluegill - Good: Gills are being taken at the mouth of the major backwater areas such as Cattail Slough and Beaver Island. Also try the upper sides of exposed rock wing dams. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are being caught all over. Fish around the rocks, wood and vegetation. An array of lures are being used as well as live bait. Many sub-legal fish are being reported but action is fast. Walleye - Slow: A few nice fish are being caught, but we do expect better fishing yet this fall. A few more walleye are being reported this week. Remember, fish less than 15 inches and between 20 - 27 inches must be immediately released. Fish that fall in the 15-19.9 inch range may be kept with one fish over 27 inches. Try fishing the upstream sides of the wing dams. Live bait tends to work better in the summer. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Numerous drum are being reported out of side channel sloughs and the channel border areas. Use a sliding egg sinker and worm rig for best results.

Mississippi River Pool 15

The river stage at the LeClaire lock and dam is 4.3 feet and steady. Water temperature is around 78 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel catfish fishing has been excellent on stink bait fished near the wing dams and near the main channel. Been a good year in Pool 15 for catfishing. White Bass - Fair: Some feeding schools have been reported in the Pidgeon Creek and Kay Island areas of Pool 15. Try using shinny spinners and throw into feeding schools. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are good table fare is prepared right and packed on ice immediately after they are caught. To catch drum use a sliding egg sinker in moderate current areas with a worm for bait.

Water levels are low on the river in Pools 12 through 15. Take care not to back off the ends of boat ramps in low water. Also take care when on the river to avoid wing dams with are close to the surface. Water temperature is around 78 degrees and water levels are steady.

Mississippi River Pool 16

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 3.46 feet. Use caution when boating due to the low water conditions. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have been catching channel catfish on stinkbait and crawlers fished along the bottom. Try fishing above wing dams or above snag piles along the main channel and side channels. White Bass - Fair: White bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough. Look for minnows breaking the surface and cast jigs/twister tails, in-line spinners, or small crankbaits into the school. Some fish are also being picked up trolling three-way rigs with floating stickbaits.

Mississippi River Pool 17

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 3.27 feet and has been steady over the past few days. Anglers should use caution when boating with the low water conditions. We have received no fishing information for this pool this week.

Mississippi River Pool 18

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 1.88 feet. Anglers should use caution when boating with the low water conditions. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on stinkbait, cutbait, shad, and nightcrawlers fished on the bottom. Try fishing above the wing dams or above snag piles along the main channel and side channels.

Mississippi River Pool 19

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 0.59 feet and has been fairly steady over the past few days. Anglers should use caution when boating due to the low water conditions. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on stinkbait, shad, and nightcrawlers fished on the bottom. Try fishing above the wing dams or above snag piles along the main channel or side channels. White Bass - Slow: White bass fishing has been slow. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in the backwaters fishing around brush piles. Also look for crappies along brush piles along some of the slower running sloughs. Try using minnows under a slip bobber or vertical jigging small jigs and minnows. Walleye - Fair: There have been some walleye being caught on the wing dams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits or trolling three-way rigs with half a nightcrawler on the upstream side of the wing dam.

Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Main channel water temperature is around 80 degrees. Anglers should use caution when boating on the river due to the low water conditions. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat before going to another water body. For more fishing information on Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Lake Geode

Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good along the face of the dam and the creek channel at the upper end of the lake. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing is improving with the cooler weather. Fish along the edges of the water willow beds near the ledges.

Lake Belva Deer

Cooler weather is bringing crappies to shallower water to feed. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfishing has been very good through the hot weather on chicken liver. Fish the rock mounds at the upper end of the lake. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing is picking up. With the cooler forecast, they should be moving shallower in the mornings. Crappie - Good: Look for the crappies in the trees. Use small jigs to coax them out. Also along the face of the dam in about 8 feet of water.

Lake of the Hills

Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park that you can use live minnow for bait.

The cooler weather had been helping the fishing by bringing the crappies and bluegills back into the shallower water. The last few hot days may push them out a little deeper. Water clarity hasn't been hurt too much by the recent heavy rains. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Lots of catfish are being caught on stinkbait and chicken liver. Chicken liver seems to be the current favorite. Early and late are the times to be there. Bluegill - Good: Fishing a worm and bobber set at 3-4 feet down seems to be working best. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: The bass fishing remains hot in shallow along the rocky areas as well as the water around logs and stumps. Use white spinnerbaits in the morning and plastics the rest of the day. Find the active fish and you'll really get into them. Crappie - Good: Crappies are on the brush piles. The ones just off the fishing pier seems to be angler favorites. Also fish the rocks along the dam. The cooler weather has cooled off the rocks.

Railroad Lake

The old creek channel is probably the first place to look for fish, then the brush piles along the south side in the shallower water. REMINDER - live minnows as bait are not allowed in Railroad Lake. Bluegill - Good: Most of the bluegills have moved over to the north side and along 110th. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass are around the rock. Work spinnerbaits in the morning and plastics along the deeper edge of the rocks. Crappie - Good: Crappies are still over in the brush piles and tree along the old creek channel.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)

The Skunk River is down about 6 more inches. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing remains fairly good. Obviously most are fishing from shore. Wet wading the river is a good way to find the holes and the fish. Of course always wade with a buddy and be careful.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Lake Macbride

The 10 h.p. motor restriction is no longer in place. All motor sizes are allowed to run at NO WAKE speed (5 mph). There has been little activity on the lake recently and no reports are available.

Pleasant Creek Lake

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

Diamond Lake

Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Channel Catfish - Good: Chicken liver and stinkbait are working best. Most action has been occurring early and late in the day while fishing from the jetties. Bluegill - Fair: Fish deep brush with a small jig/worm or just a small worm. Crappie - Fair: Fish deep brush or drift open water with a small jig.

Otter Creek Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Evenings have been best with stinkbait or chicken liver. Yellow Bass - Good: Mornings have been best with small jigs or spinners.

Union Grove Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Stinkbait and chicken liver has been working best. Bluegill - Fair: Drifting small jigs in open water or fishing around deeper wood has been best. Crappie - Fair: Drifting small jigs or minnows in open water has been producing some fish.

Coralville Reservoir

The lake is at normal summer pool of 683.3 feet. It is projected to slightly decrease if significant rain is not received. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fresh cut shad being slowly drifted or trolled has been working best. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught off brush piles and rock walls with jigs or minnows.

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)

Channel Catfish - Good: Cut bait and stinkbait have been working best.

Maquoketa (Hopkinton to Canton)

Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try spinners and crankbaits. Walleye - Fair: Crankbaits have been working best.

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

Lake Wapello

Channel Catfish - Good: Nightcrawlers have been the best bait. Try areas off the fishing jetties or around the rip rapped shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try spinnerbaits around the submerged structure along the shorelines. Top water lures can also be productive in the early morning and late evening.

Red Haw Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: Use nightcrawlers around the rock jetties and near the dam. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs in less than 6 feet of water. Try areas near shoreline structure and off the rock jetties. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been successful using rubber worms fished along the dam and the rock jetties. Try crankbaits that mimic crawdads in the same areas. Also try top water lures fished in the early mornings and at sunset.

Lake Sugema

Fishing has been slow. Try top water lures for largemouth bass in the mornings and evenings and crankbaits or spinnerbaits throughout the day. Use nightcrawlers for channel catfish. Try areas along the dam or other rip rapped shorelines.

Rathbun Reservoir

Lake level is at 904.23 feet with 904.00 feet being normal pool. The surface water temperature is 77 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try areas around the rock humps and underwater points. Nightcrawlers have been the bait of choice. Anglers have been trolling or drifting these areas. Also try areas with the wind blowing into the shore. Walleye - Slow: Anglers have been having some success trolling nightcrawlers around submerged points. If nightcrawlers aren't working try crankbaits that mimic shad trolled over the same areas. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry boats before transporting them 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 the sun).

For other questions regarding fishing in south central Iowa call the Rathbun Hatchery at 641-647-2406

SOUTHWEST

Don Williams Lake

Crappie - Fair: Crappie up to 10 inches are being caught fishing minnows under a bobber near wood structure at depths of 3 to 6 feet. Evenings have been best.

Big Creek Lake

Bluegill - Good: Good size bluegills are being caught fishing over sunken brush piles using small pieces of live bait.

Hickory Grove Lake

Bluegill - Good: Good sized bluegill are being caught fishing small jigs tipped with a piece of crawler or wax worm in 15 feet of water or less. Concentrate out from the points at mid lake and over any sunken pallet piles.

Saylorville Reservoir

Channel Catfish - Good: Good size and numbers of catfish can be caught drift fishing cut creek chubs above the mile long bridge.

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake

Rainbow Trout - Fair: Cooling water temperatures again should bring the trout back to shallow water. Look for trout schooling close to shore. Live bait presentations have worked best along with small twister tail jigs and small inline spinners.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)

Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers casting stink bait rigs into any deeper pools with wood habitat are doing very well on channel catfish now. Anglers have to be willing to do some walking with the very low water conditions. Walleye - Fair: Very low water conditions have concentrated fish in the areas of deeper water. Anglers fishing below the Fraser and Boone Waterworks dam have been picking up a mixed bag of walleye, white crappie, white bass and channel catfish.

Bluegill and crappie fishing has started to pick up at many central Iowa lakes. River fishing is good right now for walleye and catfish for anglers willing to wade pool to pool. For questions on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.

Greenfield Lake

Catfish are being caught around the jetties. Channel Catfish - Good: Dip bait and shrimp are working to catch channel catfish around the jetties. Late afternoon and into the night has been the best time. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches can be caught drifting small jigs tipped with nightcrawler across the open lake. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught while drifting.

Lake Anita

Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught drifting small jigs 6-8 feet down. Tipping the jig with worms or Powerbait seems to help. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching bass early in the mornings and late afternoons. As the temperature rises, the fish go deeper. Many of the fish caught are in the 14 to 19-inch range. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are having success jigging around cedar tree piles in the evenings using minnows.

Viking Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Dip baits and liver have been the bait of choice for fish averaging 2 pounds. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught around rock piles and sunken trees using a variety of plastic baits and crankbaits. Fish up to 19 inches have been reported.

Lake Manawa

Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught using dip bait. Fish average 2 pounds.

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. Channel Catfish - Fair: Dip baits and liver are good baits in midsummer for channel catfish. Late afternoon when temperatures cool is a good time to target catfish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills can be caught around structure and along the edge of weed lines this time of year. Try small jigs or worms under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are very aggressive and readily caught casting a variety of lures and plugs along weed edges and around structure. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish in the heat of summer.

Water temperatures are holding in the mid 70s. Channel catfishing has been good in the southwest district. For more information call the district office in Lewis at 712-769-2587.

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)

Channel Catfish - Slow: A few reports of fish being caught using cutbait near current seams on wing dykes.

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)

Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait, night crawlers, or cut bait along current seams. Flathead Catfish - Fair: A few fish have been reported using bullheads near brush piles and current seams. Sauger - Slow: A few fish have been caught while fishing for catfish with night crawlers.

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)

Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish current seams and brush piles with night crawlers or cut bait. Flathead Catfish - Good: Fish current seams and brush piles with goldfish or other large live bait. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: A few fish have been reported by channel catfish anglers while using night crawlers near wing dykes. Walleye - Slow: A few fish have been reported by channel catfish anglers while using night crawlers near wing dykes.

Missouri River Fisheries Office - River discharge at Onawa is above normal.

[Rick]

DES MOINES, IA - The weekly Iowa fishing reports from 9/13/12 are gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff.

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Crawford Creek Impoundment

Fishing for catfish has been good using stinkbait and fishing from a boat at night. Bluegill and crappie fishing has been fair and few largemouth bass are being caught.

Moorehead Park Pond

Bluegills are biting well. While the fish aren't huge, they make for fun fishing.

Brushy Creek Lake

Fishing has been fairly slow with some bluegill and bass being caught on small minnows.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Water levels are very low at Storm Lake. Boaters must use extreme caution when boating at high speeds. Channel Catfish - Slow: A few channel cats are being picked up. White Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching some white bass from the east shore. The bites come in waves as the schools move through. Walleye - Slow: A few walleye have been caught. The ones that have been caught were mostly slot fish or just under the slot.

Browns Lake

Catfish and bullheads are being caught on shrimp and stinkbait.

Southwood Conservation Area Pond (east)

Largemouth bass are biting on purple and white plastic worms. The east pond has had the best fishing. Water clarity is poor and water levels are low. Panfishing is slow.

North Raccoon River (Auburn to Perry)

Anglers have been doing well wading the river and catching catfish out of the deeper holes.

Water temperatures have cooled over the week. Some rain has fallen but water levels are still low at most lakes.

Clear Lake

The water level is 24 inches below crest. Use caution when launching and boating near shore. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappies while drifting and vertical jigging minnows and crawlers in 6-10 feet of water in the little lake, around the reefs, and between the state dock area and the island. Walleye - Fair: Walleye over the 14-inch minimum legal length limit are starting to be picked up. Vertical jigging crawlers and minnows in 6-10 feet of water over the reefs and in the little lake seems to be working best. Yellow Bass - Good: Anglers continue to catch yellow bass on crawlers, cut bait, and minnows. Drifting and vertical jigging in 5-10 feet of water off the state dock area, the rock reefs, and in the little lake has been good. The fish are schooled so move around until you find active fish.

Crystal Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Drift small jigs and crawlers in the dredged area and along aquatic plant beds for the best bluegill action. Largemouth Bass - Good:

Bluebill Lake

Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish small jigs and crawlers along the aquatic plant beds and near rocks for the best yellow perch action.

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

Big Spirit Lake

Fishing has been slow with the best action coming early in the morning and late in the evening. White Bass - Good: When a school of white bass is located, the fishing can be fast and furious. Use plastics like twister tails and shad on a lead head. Top water baits may also be good at dawn and dusk. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Rock piles continue to shine for smallmouth but don't overlook nearby weed lines. Yellow Perch - Slow: Once an active school of perch is located the fishing can be good but locating numbers seems to be difficult. Look in or near the weeds or on the mudflats, and the transition areas in between. Try wigglers on a jigging spoon and don't be surprised to pick up a bluegill or walleye. Walleye - Slow: With the warm conditions this past week fishing was slow but a few fish can still be caught. Troll crankbaits and spinners near bottom or fish around the weed lines. Live bait rigs have not been as effective as they were earlier this year but a few fish may be picked up on Lindy rigs.

West Okoboji Lake

Northern Pike - Fair: Use buck tails or spoons around weed lines or holes in the weed beds. Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills around weeds and on rock piles and use red worms and wigglers either on a jigging spoon or under a slip bobber. Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish the drop offs and don't be afraid to move around to locate a school of bigger fish as there are many small ones. Fishing 8-15 feet of water using jigging spoons with wigglers has been bringing some results. Yellow Bass - Good: Use a jigging spoon tipped with wigglers in 15-25 feet of water just off the weed edge and down the drop a bit.

Lost Island Lake

Yellow bass and bluegill fishing has been decent with good sized yellow bass leading the way.

NORTHEAST

Volga Lake

Water clarity on the lake is about one foot due to a green algae bloom. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are having some success trolling for crappies over brush piles using a jig or crankbait.

Lake Hendricks

Lake Hendricks is about 2 feet low. Bluegill - Good: Use nightcrawlers under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth are being caught using crankbaits and top water lures. Crappie - Excellent: Activity has picked up. Anglers are using minnows from shore with success. Crappies can be found hanging around the jetties.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)

While water levels on the Upper Iowa are still low, it is still floatable. A few more portages may be necessary. The algae bloom should clear with cooler weather ahead. Angling pressure has been low. Anglers may have success using silver colored lures for smallmouth and walleye. Also try lures that imitate crawdads.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

The majority of species caught have been taking a jig tipped with a nightcrawler or white, yellow or bright pink twistertails. Also, small crankbaits and baits that imitate crawdads are exciting fish this week. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Walleye - Good:

Volga River

The Volga River is low but very wadeable with excellent cobble streambed. Fish can be found in deeper holes. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent:

Cedar River (above Nashua)

The Cedar River is low and angling activity has slowed. Channel Catfish - Good: Cats have been taken above Nashua on chicken liver, dead chubs and nightcrawlers. The crawdad bite slowed. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try angling in deeper holes and around woody debris.

Decorah District Streams

Though northeast streams are very low, fly fishing remains good in many areas. Afternoon #20 Blue Wing Olive hatches have been excellent and there are good #14 Caddis hatches near dusk. Terrestrials, such as crickets, hoppers and beetles, should be effective until the first frost. Good fish continue to be taken on wet fly patterns such as a #14 or #16 Partridge & Orange. Call 563-927-5736 for updated catchable trout stream stocking.

Rivers are beginning to cool this week with overnight temperatures in the low to mid 60s. Fish activity should pick up in area rivers and lakes. For more information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324 or just to let us know what you've been catching.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)

There have been reports of some really nice sized channel catfish being caught with some fish up to 15 pounds. The north shoreline area, near the old beach, has been really productive fishing in 5 to 6 feet of water on the bottom. Channel Catfish - Good: Tiny shrimp on a hook with a small split shot fished on the bottom under a bobber has been real effective. Set your bobber at seven feet allowing no resistance and watch for your bobber to indicate bite.

Big Woods Lake

Some crappie are being caught but are holding extremely tight to cover. Crappie - Fair: Try fishing the south shore near sunken habitat fishing in 10-12 feet of water. Fish have been holding extremely tight to sunken habitat.

Brinker Lake

Some anglers are catching crappie in 12-14 feet of water off of breaks and near woody habitat. Crappie - Fair: Try vertical jigging tube jigs tipped with a minnow or drifting a minnow under a slip bobber near 12-14 feet of water.

George Wyth Lake

Anglers have been catching some crappie. Crappie - Fair: Try jigging tube jigs or floating a minnow under a slip bobber. Fish off of the floating dock or in 10-12 feet of water.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)

The Cedar River in Bremer County has been good for walleye and smallmouth bass with an occasional northern pike being taken. Northern Pike - Fair: Try casting artificial spoons or bucktail spinnerbaits for northern pike. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Plastics and crankbaits are a sure bet this time of year. Reports of some really nice smallmouth being caught. Walleye - Good: Crawlers tipped on plastic has been the best but minnows have been working well.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)

The Shell Rock River in Butler County has been good for walleye and smallmouth bass with an occasional northern pike being taken. Northern Pike - Fair: Try casting artificial spoons or bucktail spinnerbaits for northern pike. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Plastics and crankbaits are a sure bet this time of year. Reports of some really nice smallmouth being caught. Walleye - Good: Crawlers tipped on plastic has been the best but minnows have been working well.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)

River levels on the Wapsi remain very low, fishing access is best by kayak or by wading. Look for holes with any kind of depth for walleye and smallmouth bass. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Plastics and crankbaits are a sure bet this time of year. Walleye - Fair: Crawlers tipped on plastic has been the best but minnows have been working well.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)

With decreasing water temperatures, walleye and smallmouth bass fishing should improve on the Maquoketa River. The river is extremely low right now. Access is best by fishing from a kayak or by wading.

Reports on the Cedar and Shell Rock rivers in Bremer and Butler County have been good for walleye and smallmouth bass. Some walleye are also being caught on the Wapsi and Maquoketa rivers. Black Hawk County lakes are starting to provide some crappie fishing. Trout streams remain in good condition, for further information contact the district office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9

River level at Lansing tail water is 7.9 feet and is expected to remain stable over the next week. Water temperature is 69 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are still on the feed. Find the deepest water and fish the bottom with stinkbait cutbaits, liver or crawlers. Bluegill - Excellent: Look for larger bluegills along fallen trees in running sloughs and near wing dams. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth are actively feeding on baitfish along the riprap in main channel borders and side channels with good current. Flashy in-line spinners are an excellent choice. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for areas where wood meets the rock just off current where bass are actively feeding. Crappie - Good: Reports of many crappies biting on minnows and jigged out of the snags along side channels. Walleye - Good: Walleye are concentrated on rock structure along main channel wing dams and large slough closing dams.

Mississippi River Pool 10

River level at Lynxville is 11.9 feet and expected be stable over the next week. Water temperature is 69 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are still on the feed. Find the deepest water and fish the bottom with stinkbait cutbaits, liver or crawlers. Bluegill - Excellent: Look for the larger bluegills along fallen trees in running sloughs and near wing dams. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth are actively feeding on baitfish along the riprap in main channel borders and side channels with good current. Flashy in-line spinners are an excellent choice. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for areas where wood meets the rock just off current areas where bass are actively feeding. Crappie - Good: Reports of many crappies biting on minnows and jigged out of the snags along side channels. Walleye - Good: Walleye are concentrated on rock structure along main channel wing dams and large slough closing dams.

Mississippi River Pool 11

River level at Guttenberg tail water has risen to 3.2 feet and expected to remain fairly stable over the next week. Water temperature is 69 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are still on the feed. Find the deepest water and fish the bottom with stinkbait cutbaits, liver or crawlers. Bluegill - Excellent: Look for the larger bluegills along fallen trees in running sloughs and near wing dams. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth are actively feeding on baitfish along the riprap in main channel borders and side channels with good current. Flashy in-line spinners are an excellent choice. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for areas where wood meets the rock just off current where bass are actively feeding. Crappie - Good: Reports of many crappies biting on minnows and jigged out of the snags along side channels. Walleye - Good: Walleye are concentrated on rock structure along main channel wing dams and large slough closing dams.

Water levels remain extremely low on the Mississippi River. Cooler weather has reduced water temperatures to 69 degrees. Boaters should continue to use caution launching in low water conditions to avoid backing off the ends of ramps. Anglers are picking up a variety of panfish and bass.

Mississippi River Pool 12

The river stage at the Dubuque lock and dam is very low at 4.1 feet and dropping slowly. Fishing seemed to cool off a bit this week but plenty of good fishing still to be had. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel catfish are still biting well. Try stink bait, cut bait, crawlers or even minnows fished on the bottom. Fish are being taken in numerous spots from the mud flats to the wing dams. With channel catfish fish, if no fish in 15 minutes move. You need to find active fish; the reward is there, when you find them. White Bass - Fair: Some schools of white bass have been spotted feeding on minnows. Use a white jig, small spinner or floating white crankbait for the best action. Bluegill - Good: Some bluegills are biting in the few remaining sloughs with deep water. In addition, use a split shot and worm thrown on exposed rocks of the wing dams. Largemouth Bass - Good: Lots of bass are being caught on an array of lures and live bait. Fish structure in the back waters, side sloughs and the main channel border islands. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are still being reported consistently but bite seemed to be down a bit this week. People are pulling fish out of all of the shallower back waters into the sloughs and deeper back water lakes. Try minnows or jigs straight lined or use a bobber. Walleye - Slow: Walleye bit has been slow. Troll live bait such as crawlers or leeches on the upstream side of the dams. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Crawlers around the wind dams and side sloughs will produce catches of drum. To keep drum fresh for eating always put drum immediately on a cooler with ice.

Mississippi River Pool 13

The river level at the Bellevue lock and dam is very low at 2.8 feet. Water levels are slightly dropping. Water temperature is around 76 degrees and clarity is good. Be aware of exposed wing dams when boating on the river. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Many channel catfish are being taken on stink bait and crawlers. Try around the wing dams and in the side sloughs. Move until you find active fish. Nice catfish up to 8 pounds have been reported. Bluegill - Good: Fishing for bluegills has been very consistent. Try a simple split shot and nightcrawler around log piles in deeper sloughs. Bendable hooks are often a good idea to keep your tackle. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass fishing has been excellent but size is often in the sub-legal range. Bass on the Mississippi must be 14 inches to keep. Try fishing around low water exposed rocks, wood or vegetation. They are being caught on all types of artificial lures as well as live bait. Crappie - Fair: Fish are being taken mostly on live bait. Around structure, try straight lining or bobber fishing. In deeper sloughs use a crappie type rig with the weight on the bottom. A bendable hook is a must in places full of snags. Walleye - Slow: Only a few nice fish are being taken by elite anglers. The fish reported however are often in the protected slot of 20-27 inches and must be returned to the water. Many of these anglers are targeting the upstream sides of wing dams often pitching jigs on the dams or using three-way rigs with a minnow or leach for bait. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Crawler on the bottom fished around the wing dams and side sloughs. Move to find fish.

Mississippi River Pool 14

The river stage at the Clinton lock and dam is 3.4 feet and steady. Water temperature is around 76 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Fish around the wing dams and the side sloughs using stink bait, crawlers, and cut bait. White Bass - Fair: Some nice white bass are showing up in the creel. Try a spinner or a white crankbait for best luck on feeding schools. Bluegill - Good: Gills are being taken at the mouth of the major backwater areas such as Cattail Slough and Beaver Island. Also try the upper sides of exposed rock wing dams. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are being caught all over. Fish around the rocks, wood and vegetation. An array of lures are being used as well as live bait. Many sub-legal fish are being reported but action is fast. Walleye - Slow: A few nice fish are being caught, but expect better fishing yet this fall. Remember, fish less than 15 inches and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. Fish that fall in the 15-19.9 inch range may be kept with one fish over 27 inches. Try fishing the upstream sides of the wing dams. Live bait tends to work better in the summer. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Numerous drum are being reported out of side channel sloughs and the channel border areas. Use a sliding egg sinker and worm rig for best results.

Mississippi River Pool 15

The river stage at the Le Claire lock and dam is 3.6 and steady. Water temperature is around 76 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel catfish fishing has been excellent on stink bait fished near the wing dams and near the main channel. Been a good year in Pool 15 for catfish anglers. White Bass - No Report: Some feeding schools were reported last week in the Pidgeon Creek and Kay Island areas of Pool 15. Use shinny spinners and throw into feeding schools. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are good table fare is prepared right and packed on ice immediately after they are caught. To catch drum use a sliding egg sinker in moderate current areas with a worm for bait.

Water levels are low on the river in Pools 12 through 15. Take care not to back off the ends of boat ramps in low water. Also take care when on the river to avoid wing dams which are close to the surface. Water temperature is around 76 degrees and water clarity is good.

SOUTHEAST

Lake Geode

Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good along the face of the dam and worth a try in the creek channel at the upper end of the lake. Bluegill - Fair: With the sudden drop in temperature, look for bluegills to move shallow to feed. Work the edge of the waterwillow beds this time of year with a small jig tipped with a piece of worm.

Lake Belva Deer

The cooler weather is bringing crappies to shallower water to feed. What the cold snap will do for this weekend's fishing is anybody's guess. Hopefully the fish will acclimate fairly quickly. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfishing has been very good through the hot weather. Chicken liver is the bait to use. Try the rock mounds at the upper end of the lake. Bluegill - Good: After acclimating to cooler weather, look for bluegills to move back into shallow water. Crappie - Good: Look for the crappies back in the trees. Use small jigs to coax them out. Also along the face of the dam in about 8 feet of water. If they're not there with the cooler weather, look in the same areas but in much closer to shore.

Pollmiller Park Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good with some fish up to 10 pounds being caught. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing has been picking up. Worm and bobber fished around the brush piles or along the flooded stumps in the upper bays are the best.

Lake of the Hills

Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park live minnow are allowed for bait. The cooler weather is going to bring crappies and bluegills back to shallow water. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Lots of catfish are being caught on stinkbait and chicken liver. Chicken liver seems to be the current favorite. Early and late are the times to fish. Bluegill - Good: Fishing a worm and bobber set at 3-4 feet down seems to be working best. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass fishing remains hot in shallow, along the rocky areas, and around the logs and stumps. Use white spinnerbaits in the morning and plastics the rest of the day. Find active fish and you'll really get into them. Crappie - Good: Crappies are on the brush piles. The ones just off the fishing pier seems to be angler favorites. Also look for them to be in the rocks along the dam. The cooler weather has cooled off the rocks.

Railroad Lake

The old creek channel is probably the first place to look for fish, and then move to the brush piles along the south side in the shallower water. REMINDER - live minnows as bait are not allowed in Railroad Lake. Bluegill - Good: Look for most of the bluegills to have moved back over to the north side and along 110th. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: In this lake the bass are around the rock. Working spinnerbaits in the morning and plastics along the deeper edge of the rocks is working best. Crappie - Good: Crappies are still in the brush piles and tree along the old creek channel. Look for them to move shallow with the cooler temps.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)

Like a broken record, the Skunk River continues to fall. The water is fairly clear right now. You can see the bottom in nearly knee deep water. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing remains fairly good. Obviously most fishing from shore. Wet wading the river is a good way to find the holes and of course the fish. For safety, always wade with a buddy and be careful. Finding the fish is easy look for holes to deep to see the bottom in.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Lake Macbride

The 10 h.p. motor restriction is no longer in place. All motor sizes are allowed to run at NO WAKE speed (5 mph). There has been little activity on the lake recently and no reports are available.

Pleasant Creek Lake

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

Diamond Lake

Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Channel Catfish - Good: Chicken liver and stinkbait are working best. Most action has been occurring early and late in the day while fishing from the jetties. Bluegill - Fair: Fish deep brush with a small jig/worm or just a small worm. Crappie - Fair: Fish deep brush or drift open water with a small jig.

Otter Creek Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Evenings have been best with stinkbait or chicken liver. Yellow Bass - Good: Mornings have been best with small jigs or spinners.

Union Grove Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Stinkbait and chicken liver has been working best. Bluegill - Fair: Drift small jigs in open water or fish around deeper wood. Crappie - Fair: Drift small jigs or minnows in open water has been producing some fish.

Coralville Reservoir

The lake is at normal summer pool of 683.3 feet. It is projected to slightly decrease if significant rain is not received. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fresh cut shad being slowly drifted or trolled has been working best. Crappie - Good: Some crappies are being caught off brush piles and rock walls with jigs or minnows.

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)

Channel Catfish - Good: Cut bait and stinkbait have been working best.

Maquoketa (Hopkinton to Canton)

Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try spinners and crankbaits. Walleye - Fair: Crankbaits have been working best.

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

Lake Wapello

Channel Catfish - Good: Try areas off the fishing jetties or around the rip rapped shorelines. The best bait has been nightcrawlers. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try using spinnerbaits around the submerged structure along the shorelines. Top water lures can also be productive in the early morning and late evening.

Red Haw Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: Use nightcrawlers around the rock jetties and near the dam. Bluegill - Fair: Try areas near shoreline structure and off the rock jetties. Use small jigs in less than 6 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been successful using rubber worms fished along the dam and the rock jetties. Some anglers are reporting catching bass over 20 inches. Also try top water lures fished in the early mornings and at sunset.

Lake Sugema

Fishing has been slow. Try top water lures for largemouth bass in the mornings and evenings and crankbaits or spinnerbaits throughout the day. Try using nightcrawlers for channel catfish. Try areas along the dam or other rip rapped shorelines.

Rathbun Reservoir

Lake level is at 904.01 feet with 904.00 feet being normal pool. The surface water temperature is 74 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Nightcrawlers have been the bait of choice. Anglers have been trolling or drifting submerged points and underwater rock piles. Also try areas with the wind blowing into the shore. Walleye - Slow: Anglers have been having some success trolling nightcrawlers around underwater rock piles. If nightcrawlers aren't working try crankbaits that mimic shad trolled over the same areas. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry boats before transporting them 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 the sun).

For other questions regarding fishing in south central Iowa call 641-647-2406

SOUTHWEST

Don Williams Lake

Crappie - Fair: Crappie up to 10 inches are being caught fishing minnows under a bobber near wood structure at depths of 3 to 6 feet. Evenings have been best.

Big Creek Lake

Bluegill - Good: Good size bluegills are being caught fishing over sunken brush piles using small pieces of live bait.

Hickory Grove Lake

Bluegill - Good: Good size bluegill are being caught fishing small jigs tipped with a piece of crawler or wax worm in 15 feet of water or less. Concentrate out from the points at mid lake and over any sunken pallet piles.

Saylorville Reservoir

Channel Catfish - Good: Good size and numbers of catfish can be caught drift fishing cut creek chubs above the mile long bridge.

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake

Rainbow Trout - Fair: Trout can be found cruising around the shoreline. Look for trout schooling close to shore and fish in front of the school. Live minnows have worked best along with small twister tail jigs and small inline spinners.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)

Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers casting stink bait rigs into any deeper pools with wood habitat are doing very well on channel catfish. Anglers have to be willing to do some walking with the very low water conditions. Walleye - Fair: Very low water conditions have concentrated fish in the areas of deeper water. Anglers fishing below the Fraser and Boone Waterworks dam have been picking up a mixed bag of walleye, white crappie, white bass and channel catfish.

Bluegill and crappie fishing has started to pick up at many central Iowa lakes. River fishing is good right now for walleye and catfish, focus on deep holes. Kayaks and canoes can provide anglers better access to the river. For questions on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.

Greenfield Lake

Catfish are being caught around the jetties. The bluegill bite has picked up. Channel Catfish - Good: Dip bait and shrimp are working to catch channel catfish around the jetties. Late afternoon and into the night has been the best time. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches can be caught drifting small jigs tipped with nightcrawler across the open lake. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught while drifting.

Cold Springs Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good with liver. Fish average 3 pounds.

Lake Anita

Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught drifting small jigs 6-8 feet down. Tipping the jig with worms or Powerbait seems to help. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching bass early in the mornings and late afternoons. As temperatures rise, fish go deeper. Many of the fish caught are 14 to 19 inches. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are having success jigging around cedar tree piles in the evenings using minnows.

Viking Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Dip baits and liver have been the bait of choice for fish averaging 2 pounds. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught around rock piles and sunken trees using a variety of plastic baits and crankbaits. Fish up to 19 inches have been reported.

Lake Manawa

Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught using Sonny's dip bait. Fish average 2 pounds. Walleye - Fair: Walleyes can be caught trolling crankbaits.

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. Channel Catfish - Fair: Dip baits and liver are good baits in midsummer for channel catfish. Late afternoon when temperatures cool is a good time to target catfish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills can be caught around structure and along the edge of weed lines this time of year. Try small jigs or worms under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are very aggressive and readily caught casting a variety of lures and plugs along weed edges and around structure. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to fish in the heat of summer.

Panfishing has improved with cooler water temperatures. Channel catfishing is good in the southwest district. For more information call the district office in Lewis at 712-769-2587.