Southwest Iowa Fishing Reports

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

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

Central Iowa ice conditions have deteriorated more this week; ice fishing is not advised. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Many ponds in the district have lost a significant amount of ice. Ice fishing is not recommended.  

Warm weather conditions have continued through the Christmas holiday. Ice fishing is not advised in the southwest district.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
As of Jan. 2nd, Big Creek had large areas of open water. Some bays and the northwest arm had 6 inches of ice, but they could deteriorate fast with warm weather in the forecast. Little to no angling is occurring.

Boone District Farm Ponds
Bluegill - Good: Ponds north of Highway 30 are holding 4 to 6 inches of ice, but anglers should be very cautious and check ice often.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Good: As of Jan. 2nd, the lake had 4.5 inches of ice and some angling was occurring. Crappies were being caught with waxies in the late afternoon and evenings. Warm weather for the weekend may change ice conditions; use caution and check thickness often.

Central Iowa ice conditions remain in poor condition, especially south of Highway 30. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Lake Anita
Ice conditions on Lake Anita vary from open water to 5 inches. All of the fishing is taking place in the campground arm east of the road bed. Use extreme caution. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie - Fair: Reports of good crappie fishing straight south of fish cleaning station in 8 to 10 feet of water.

Littlefield Lake
As of Jan. 2nd, Littlefield only had 3 inches of ice. Ice fishing is not recommended.

Prairie Rose Lake
Anglers are finding 5 inches of ice east of the beach on the north side of the lake. Use extreme caution. Ice conditions vary from open water to 5 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Find quality sized bluegills east of the beach in 8 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: The late afternoon bite has been best for 10 inch black crappie.

Ice fishing is not advised on most lakes and ponds in the southwest district. A few reports coming from lakes in the northern part of the district. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Conditions are improving; anglers will start to venture back out. Use caution as there will be thinner spots under the snow where there was open water a little over a week ago. Foot traffic only; ATVs are not recommended yet.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Crappie fishing has been good especially late afternoon and evenings. Fish mid-lake near creek channel edges stumps and sunken habitat in 10 to 20 feet of water.

Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Good: Conditions are ready for anglers. Good catches of bluegills with crappies mixed in are coming off the lake.

Lake Petocka
Due to poor road conditions and severe cold, the hatchery has not been able to haul trout. We will try to stock trout here sometime next week.

Central Iowa is gaining ice; use caution south of Highway 30 as snow has slowed ice formation. There is generally 4 to 6 inches and conditions continue to improve. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Lake Anita
All angling activity is taking place in the north arm of the lake. Ice is 6 inches; use caution if you venture west towards the beach. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers report catching bluegill in 6 feet of water in the upper end of the pontoon arm. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught close to the creek channel. Early morning and late afternoon is the best bite.

Littlefield Lake
Anglers are starting to venture out on Littlefield from the south side of the lake. Ice is not safe everywhere on the lake; use extreme caution. Bluegill - Good: Fishing is good for bluegill if you can get to a cedar tree pile. Black Crappie - Slow: A few large black crappie are being caught in the afternoon around cedar tree piles.

Prairie Rose Lake
Anglers report 5 to 6 inches of ice on a small portion of the lake. Use extreme caution when moving around. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 10 inches are being reported east of the beach on the north side of the lake. Find a brush pile to fish around. Black Crappie - Slow: A few 10 inch crappie are being caught around the tree piles.

Ice conditions have improved; use extreme caution as ice is not safe everywhere on lakes and ponds. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Badger Creek Lake
Only about 3 inches of ice. Limited ice fishing activity observed.

Most Mount Ayr district lakes have variable ice conditions from 1-4 inches of ice. Snow covering the ice is slowing ice formation. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Good: Use jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. Trout tend to swim close to the shoreline, so setup over water shallower than 15 feet. You must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. 

Big Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Use live minnows or waxies on glow jigs in the afternoons and evenings. Fish brush piles deeper than 15 feet and the edges of the roadbeds and creek channel mid-lake. Walleye - Fair: Try live minnows still fished and minnows or minnow heads on jigging spoons in creek channel edges, humps and roadbeds throughout the lake from the Marina to just south of the west boat ramp.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Crappie fishing is good in the late afternoon and evenings. Fish mid-lake near creek channel edges, stumps and sunken habitat in 10 to 20 feet of water.

Hickory Grove Lake
The lake is drawn down around 9 feet, but good fishing is still possible. Bluegill - Good:
Catch bluegills and crappies off brush piles with waxworms and minnows.

Lake Petocka
Rainbow Trout - Good: Use small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms or still fish live minnows. You must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. 

Good ice conditions continue in Central Iowa. There is 18 to 20 inches of ice. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

 

Big Lake (Including Gilbert's Pond)
Big Lake was stocked with 1000 rainbow trout on Feb. 9th. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Use small jigs, minnows or waxworms. You must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Large amounts of drifted snow has made access to ponds very difficult. Bluegill – Good. Black Crappie – Fair.

Lake Anita
Anglers report 18 inches of ice. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers report catching bluegill around brush piles. Fish average 8.5 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught in tree piles close to the creek channel. Early morning and late afternoon bite is best.

Littlefield Lake
Ice thickness is 22 inches. Find fish around cedar tree piles placed in the lake. Bluegill - Good: Fishing is good for bluegill if you can get to a cedar tree pile. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Black Crappie - Slow: A few large black crappie are being caught in the afternoon around cedar tree piles.

Nodaway Lake
No reports this week from Nodaway Lake. Anglers were finding fish in the brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills in the tree piles. Fish will average 8 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: Late afternoon bite is best. Fish will average 10 inches.

Orient Lake
Orient has a good crappie population. Target the tree piles out from the dam. Black Crappie - Fair: Find 10- to 12-inch crappies in the tree piles out from the dam. Bluegill - Good: Use waxworms in the tree piles. Fish will average 7.5 inches.

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose has good ice conditions. Bluegill - Slow: You may need to move around to find fish. Bluegill in Prairie Rose are quality size. Black Crappie - Slow: A few 10 inch crappie are being caught around the tree piles.

Viking Lake
Ice conditions are good at Viking Lake; anglers report 18 inches. Black Crappie – Slow: Target brush piles. Early morning and late afternoon bite is best.

Ice conditions remain good in the southwest district. Access is still difficult in some areas due to drifted snow, especially farm ponds. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Green Valley Lake
About 12-14 inches of ice. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 8.5 inches with minnows or jigs tipped with waxworms fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches using jigs tipped with waxworms fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Little River Watershed Lake
About 7-14 inches of ice. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappie up to 12 inches with minnows or jigs tipped with a waxworm fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Summit Lake
About 12 inches of ice. Be cautious around the HWY 25 bridge as there may be areas of thin ice. Bluegill - Fair: Catch Bluegill up to 8 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished near cedar tree brush piles or near the creek channel.

Three Mile Lake
About 12-14 inches of ice. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleye up to 16 inches with minnows fished near the roadbed early and late in the day. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappie up to 9 inches using minnows or jigs tipped with waxworms fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
About 12-17 inches of ice. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 9.5 inches using jigs tipped with a minnow or waxworm fished near cedar tree brush piles or flooded timber near creek channels. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished near cedar tree brush piles or flooded timber near creek channels.

Most Mount Ayr district lakes have variable ice conditions from 6-17 inches. Use caution  and drill test holes. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Due to heavy rains, snow melt and flooding, ice conditions are unknown in the southwest district. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Three Mile Lake is 2 feet above full pool. Areas of the shoreline are open.

Ice conditions have deteriorated fast with the rain and windy conditions. Areas of the shoreline are open and the water level has increased up to 2 feet above full pool at some lakes. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Fair: Cast in-line spinners, small twister tail and paddle tail jigs or live minnows. Start by fishing the east shoreline of the north and south parts of the lake. 

Banner Lake (south)
Trout were stocked last Saturday. The lake water clarity is less than normal after flooding. Fish bright colored spinners and jigs or live bait. You must have a fishing license and a pay the trout fee to fish for and/or possess trout. 

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing will pick up after mid-April. Use jigs or troll spinner rigs in the evenings out from the marina to past the beach and around the East and West Ramp bay. If shore fishing, cast jigs or live bait under a slip bobber in these same areas.

Boone District Farm Ponds
Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish soft plastics or spinner baits slowly for a good early season bass bite.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch channel catfish in the backed up water in the tributaries out of the main river current. The best bait is cut gizzard shad.

Terra Lake
Trout were stocked last Saturday. Use small inline spinners and jigs with twister or paddle tails. Try also waxworms and live minnows. You must have a fishing license and a pay the trout fee to fish for and/or possess trout.

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

 

Green Valley Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Catch Bluegill up to 8 inches with nightcrawlers fished along the silt dams.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Catch Crappie up to 9.5 inches using minnows fished near cedar tree brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try using jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles for largemouth bass of all sizes.

 Water temperature in most Mount Ayr district lakes is in the upper 40's to low 50's

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS 

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Fair: Cast in-line spinners, small twister tail and paddle tail jigs or live minnows. Start by fishing the east shore of the north and south parts of the lake. You must have a fishing license and a pay the trout fee to fish for and/or possess trout.

Banner Lake (south)
Trout were stocked on April 6. The lake water clarity is less than normal after flooding. You must have a fishing license and a pay the trout fee to fish for and/or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Good: Fish bright colored spinners and jigs or live bait. 

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Good: Use jigs or troll spinner rigs out from the marina to past the beach and around the East and West Ramp bays. If shore fishing, cast jigs or live bait under a slip bobber in these same areas. Black Crappie - Slow: A good crappie bite is a couple weeks away as the lake warms. Fish minnows under a bobber near any wood and riprap next to shore.

Boone District Farm Ponds
Black Crappie - Good: Pre-spawn fishing is good in city ponds that have crappies. Fish live minnows under a bobber or cast small twister tail jigs off the shorelines that get the most sunlight.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch channel catfish in the backed up water in the tributaries out of the main river current. Cut gizzard shad is the best bait.

Lake Ahquabi
Black Crappie - Fair: Use minnows near the rock jetties and shores with tree falls.

Red Rock Reservoir
White Crappie - Slow: The best time for crappie fishing is likely after the first week of May, as water levels get closer to normal and water temperatures rise into the 60s.

Terra Lake
Trout were stocked on April 6. You must have a fishing license and a pay the trout fee to fish for and/or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Good: Use small inline spinners and jigs with twister or paddle tails. Try also waxworms and live minnows. 

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

 

Anderson Area Pond 1 
Expect to catch bluegills and crappies this spring. Black Crappie - No Report: As the water warms, find black crappies along the dam and in the upper end of the lake.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Farm pond fishing has been good this week. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are still out from shore, but can be caught casting small jigs under a bobber. Black Crappie - Good: Crappie fishing has been good in ponds that support a crappie population. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast a variety of lures to catch active largemouth bass. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try cut bait or shad sides.

Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake has a good population of black crappies and fair numbers of walleyes to provide fishing this spring. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies around the jetties.

Lake Anita 
Crappies and bluegill fishing has been good this week in the pontoon arm of the lake. Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are being caught behind the pontoons. Cast and retrieve a small jig or a minnow 18 inches under a bobber. Bluegill - Fair: A few bluegills are picked up by crappie anglers.

Lake Manawa 
Fish the canals for good crappie fishing. Black Crappie - Good: Anglers report good crappie fishing in the canals. Cast minnows under a bobber to catch 10-inch crappies. Walleye - No Report: Walleyes should be close to shore. Cast twister tails with a slow retrieve.

Orient Lake
Orient Lake has a good population of black crappies that should provide good fishing this spring. Black Crappie - No Report: Cast jigs or minnows along the dam and east shore to find 10 plus inch black crappies.

Viking Lake 
Early spring fishing at Viking Lake starts when the crappies move into in the campground area and behind the pontoon boats. Black Crappie - Good: Look for crappies in the far upper end of the lake and behind the pontoons. Cast and slowly retrieve a small 1/64th or 1/32nd ounce jig. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Viking Lake has a good population of bass up to 20-inches. Fish rocky shores and flats close to channel.

Water temperatures are around 60 degrees. Anglers are starting to find fish close to shore. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.
 

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass of all sizes with crankbaits or spinnerbaits fished near the silt dams or other rocky shore areas.

Summit Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 11-inches with small jigs or spinners fished along the HWY bridge cedar tree brush piles or the fishing jetty. Bluegill - Fair: Catch Bluegill up to 8-inches using small jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles or the fishing jetty. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch Largemouth Bass of all sizes with crankbaits or spinnerbaits fished along rocky shore areas.

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Fair: Catch walleye up to 22-inches with jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the dam late in the evening.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try crankbaits or spinnerbaits fished along rocky points for largemouth bass of all sizes. Walleye - Fair: Use jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the dam for walleyes of all sizes. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try jigs tipped with a minnow or worm fished along the dam or along the fishing jetties for yellow perch up to 10-inches.

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

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Good: Use jigs or troll spinner rigs out from the marina to past the beach and around the east and west ramp bays. If shore fishing, cast jigs or live bait under a slip bobber in these same areas. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift small tube and twister tail jigs on the east side of the lake between the beach and East Boat Ramp bay.

Dakins Lake
Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegills out from the north shoreline and jetties with small jigs tipped with crawlers. Good size bluegill from 7 to 9 inches are being caught.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Use live minnows near tree falls next to shore or slowly troll jigs 3 to 6 feet deep. A good area to troll is mid-lake between the boat ramp and the beach.

Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Good: Catch spawning bluegills shallow with small pieces of nightcrawlers. Fish open spaces in the aquatic vegetation near shore and around tree falls.

Roberts Creek Lake
White Crappie - Good: Use live minnows near shallow wood or drift jigs in coves off the main lake.

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

 

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Farm pond fishing has been steady. Some ponds are turbid due to significant rains last weekend. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are starting to move close to shore. Cast the shoreline to find spawning fish. Black Crappie - Good: Crappie fishing has been good in ponds that support a crappie population; they are spawning. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast a variety of lures to catch active largemouth bass. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait or shad sides.

Cold Springs Lake
Cold Springs has a good population of 8 inch bluegill that are moving to shore to spawn. Bluegill - No Report: Cast small jigs north of the beach to find spawning bluegills. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast the shoreline to catch 12 to 15 inch largemouth bass. Cold Springs has an 18 inch minimum size limit.

Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake has a good population of black crappies and fair numbers of walleyes to provide fishing this spring. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies around the jetties. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Greenfield has a good population of 12 to 15 inch bass. Bluegill - No Report: Bluegills will average 8 inches. They should move into shore soon, probably by the weekend.

Lake Anita
Look for spawning crappies around the underwater reefs and jetties.Bluegills should be close with warming water temperatures. Black Crappie - Fair: Cast around rocky shores and reefs to find spawning crappies. Bluegill - Fair: With warm temperatures, bluegills should move close to shore and on top of the reefs soon. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast along vegetation edges and around structure to find largemouth bass of all sizes.

Lake Manawa
Anglers are still finding good crappie fishing in the canals. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers report the crappie fishing in the canals has slowed a bit. Cast minnows under a bobber to catch 10 inch crappies. Walleye - Fair: Cast twister tails with a slow retrieve on the west shoreline and along Tin Can dyke.

Littlefield Lake
Anglers were catching spawning bluegills this week. If water clarity remains good, Littlefield will be a good destination this weekend. Bluegill - Good: Cast the shoreline to find spawning bluegill. Fish should average 8 inches. Black Crappie - No Report: Littlefield has a small population of large black crappies.

Orient Lake
Orient Lake has a good population of black crappies that should provide good fishing. Black Crappie - Fair: Cast jigs or minnows along the dam and east shore to find 10 plus inch black crappies. Sorting is needed with a large number of 7 inch fish. Bluegill - Fair: The bluegills look good at Orient and should average 8 inches. Look for spawning fish close to shore.

Viking Lake
A few crappies can still be caught around the jetties and along the underwater reefs. The crappie spawn is winding down at Viking. Black Crappie - Fair: Look for crappies around rocky shores and underwater reefs. They are close to shore spawning. Cast and slowly retrieve a small 1/64th or 1/32nd ounce jig. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Viking Lake has a good population of bass up to 20 inches. Fish rocky shores and flats close to the channel.

Water temperatures are in the upper 60's. Anglers that dodged storms were able to catch spawning crappies last week. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass of all sizes with jigs and finesse plastics near the fishing jetties and silt dams. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches using small jigs or worms under a bobber fished near cedar tree brush piles or the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with small jigs or minnows fished near shallow brush, the fishing pier or fishing jetties.

Lake Icaria
Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 10 inches with small jigs or minnows fished near the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles, especially early and late in the day. Walleye - Slow: Try jigs tipped with a minnow fished along main lake points for walleye of all sizes. Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs tipped with a nightcrawler fished under a bobber along the fishing jetties or rocky shoreline areas. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish of all sizes using cut bait fished near the silt dam or rocky shoreline areas.

Little River Watershed Lake
Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 9 inches with small jigs fished near the fishing jetties, cedar tree brush piles or shallow bays. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles or rocky shoreline areas for largemouth bass of all sizes. Black Crappie - Slow: Use small jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles or rocky shoreline areas for crappies up to 12 inches. Walleye - Slow: Try jigs tipped with a leech or minnow fished along main lake points for walleye up to 22 inches.

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Good: Catch walleye up to 22 inches with jigs tipped with a leech or minnow fished near main lake points. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass of all sizes using finesse plastics or spinnerbaits fished along rocky shoreline areas. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with nightcrawlers fished along shallow cedar tree brush piles and the fishing jetties.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try jigs or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles or shallow brush in the bays for largemouth bass of all sizes. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs or minnows fished near the fishing jetties, along the rock reefs or shallow cedar tree brush piles, especially early and late in the day. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs tipped with a worm fished near the fishing jetties or  shallow brush.

Water temperature in most Mount Ayr district lakes is in the mid to upper 60's. Water levels are 2-3 feet above normal pool at the larger lakes after significant rainfall this week. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
As of Dec. 18, there was 4.5 inches of ice off the boat ramp. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Catch trout through the ice fishing 5 to 20 yards off shore using panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.  

Big Creek Lake
As of Dec. 18, anglers were just starting to test the ice and try fishing. Ice conditions are variable, with thin ice yet further out from shore. There was 6 inches of ice at the 100th Street Ramp, 3 inches at West Ramp, 5 inches at the East Ramp and 3 inches at the Marina Ramp.

Don Williams Lake
As of Dec. 18, there was 5 inches of ice off the boat ramp. A couple anglers were out. Use caution, the ice is still variable. Black Crappie - Good: Expect fair to good crappie fishing this winter with many 8.5- to 10-inch fish. Fish suspended fish over the stump covered ridge that extends out from the shoreline across from the boat ramp.

Lake Petocka
As of Dec. 18, there was 4 to 6 inches of ice. Rainbow Trout - Good: Catch trout through the ice using panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. Start by fishing close to shore in 3 to 5 feet of water.  If no activity, keep moving slightly deeper until fish are found. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Ponds and lakes in Central Iowa have formed ice ranging from 2 to 6 inches. Anglers are just starting to check ice and start fishing. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Big Lake (Including Gilbert's Pond)
Unsafe ice. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.  

Lake Anita
There was some activity on the ice last week. Ice thickness is variable from open water to 4 inches. Use extreme caution. Black Crappie - No Report: 10 inch black crappie were collected in the DNR fall survey. Bluegill - No Report: Anita consistently produces 8 inch plus bluegills.

Littlefield Lake
Ice thickness is variable up to 4 inches. Some activity on the ice last week. Use caution. Bluegill - Good: Fish around the brush piles and sort for 8 inch plus fish.

Ice conditions have improved on the lakes in the northern part of the district. For more information call the SW District Office at 712-769-2587.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended until ice conditions improve. Rainbow Trout - Fair: When ice conditions improve, catch trout 5 to 20 yards off shore using panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.  

Big Creek Lake

Ice fishing is not recommended until ice conditions improve.

Don Williams Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended until ice conditions improve. Black Crappie - Good: Expect fair to good crappie fishing this winter with many 8.5- to 10-inch fish. Fish suspended fish over the stump covered ridge that extends out from the shoreline across from the boat ramp.

Lake Petocka
Ice fishing is not recommended until ice conditions improve. Rainbow Trout - Good: When ice conditions improve, catch trout with panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. Start by fishing close to shore in 3 to 5 feet of water. If no activity, keep moving slightly deeper until you find fish. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Ice fishing in Central Iowa is not recommended until conditions improve. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Big Lake (Including Gilbert's Pond)
Unsafe ice. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.  

Lake Anita
Warm temperatures have deteriorated ice conditions at Lake Anita.

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield had 4.5 inches of ice. Ice fishing is not recommended with forecast warm temperatures and rain this weekend.

Ice fishing in the southwest Iowa is not recommended. More reports will become available as conditions improve. For more information call the SW District Office at 712-769-2587.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended until ice conditions improve. Rainbow Trout - Fair: When ice conditions improve, catch trout 5 to 20 yards off shore using panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.  

Big Creek Lake

Ice fishing is not recommended until ice conditions improve.

Don Williams Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended until ice conditions improve. Black Crappie - Good: Expect fair to good crappie fishing this winter with many 8.5- to 10-inch fish. Fish suspended fish over the stump covered ridge that extends out from the shoreline across from the boat ramp.

Lake Petocka
Ice fishing is not recommended until ice conditions improve. Rainbow Trout - Good: When ice conditions improve, catch trout with panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. Start by fishing close to shore in 3 to 5 feet of water. If no activity, keep moving slightly deeper until you find fish. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Ice fishing in Central Iowa is not recommended until conditions improve. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Lake Anita
Warm temperatures have deteriorated ice conditions at Lake Anita.

Littlefield Lake
Warm temperatures have deteriorated ice conditions at Littlefield Lake.

Prairie Rose Lake
Unsafe ice conditions.

Ice fishing is not recommended in southwest Iowa.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended until ice conditions improve. Rainbow Trout - Fair: When ice conditions improve, catch trout 5 to 20 yards off shore using panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.  

Big Creek Lake
Large portions of the lake were open water as of Jan. 9.

Don Williams Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended until ice conditions improve. Black Crappie - Good: Expect fair to good crappie fishing this winter with many 8.5- to 10-inch fish. Fish suspended fish over the stump covered ridge that extends out from the shoreline across from the boat ramp.

Lake Petocka
Ice fishing is not recommended until ice conditions improve. Rainbow Trout - Good: When ice conditions improve, catch trout with panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. Start by fishing close to shore in 3 to 5 feet of water. If no activity, keep moving slightly deeper until you find fish. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Ice fishing in Central Iowa is not recommended until conditions improve. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Lake Anita
Warm temperatures have deteriorated ice conditions at Lake Anita.

Littlefield Lake
Warm temperatures have deteriorated ice conditions at Littlefield Lake.

Prairie Rose Lake
Unsafe ice conditions.

Ice fishing is not recommended in southwest Iowa. More reports will become available if conditions improve. For more information call the SW District Office at 712-769-2587.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Fair: Catch trout 5 to 20 yards off shore using panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.  

Big Creek Lake
There was a small area of open water mid-lake as of Jan. 16. The large area that was open last week is averaging 3 inches. Ice in the coves and the north end averaged 8 inches. 

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Catch 8.5 to 10 inch crappies using glow jigs with waxworms or minnows.  The better bite has been after sunset.  Fish suspended fish over the stump covered ridge that extends out from the shoreline across from the boat ramp.

Hickory Grove Lake
Hickory Grove was pumped dry in the fall to renovate the fishery.  No fishing is available until after the lake is restocked.

Lake Petocka
The next stocking is scheduled for Jan. 25; dependent on safe ice conditions. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Use panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. Start by fishing close to shore in 3 to 5 feet of water. If no activity, keep moving slightly deeper until you find fish.

Ice fishing conditions in Central Iowa continue to improve. Use caution; some larger bodies of water had thin ice and open water as of Jan. 12. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Lake Anita
Lake Anita is holding a large number of geese, keeping the north arm of the lake unsafe or open. There was 4 inches of ice in the upper end of the pontoon arm on Jan. 15th.  Bluegill - Fair: A couple anglers caught fish directly south of the fish cleaning station.

Littlefield Lake
Unsafe ice conditions on Jan. 15th. Anglers should be able to fish Littlefield by next week.

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose is holding a large number of geese keeping ice condition unsafe around the beach area. Conditions should improve; use caution if venturing out.

Ice conditions are improving in the southwest district. Use extreme caution; most district lakes had thin ice or open water in the middle of last week.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Avoid the south half of the north pit due to thin ice. There is an average of 6 inches of ice along the north shore by the parking lot. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Catch trout 5 to 20 yards off shore using panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.  

Big Creek Lake
The large area that was open water a couple weeks ago is averaging 6 inches of ice. Ice is 10 to 12 inches in the coves and the north end.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Catch 8.5 to 10 inch crappies using glow jigs with waxworms or minnows. The better bite has been after sunset.  Fish suspended fish over the stump covered ridge that extends out from the shoreline across from the boat ramp.

Hickory Grove Lake
Hickory Grove was pumped dry in the fall to renovate the fishery.  No fishing is available until after the lake is restocked.

Lake Petocka
The trout stocking and family fishing event this Saturday, Jan. 25 has been canceled due to unsafe ice conditions for a concentrated crowd. The trout will be stocked sometime next week. There is 5 to 8 inches of adequate ice for anglers. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Good: Use panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. The best bite for previously stocked trout has been fishing suspended fish out deeper.  

Ice fishing conditions in Central Iowa are fair to good. Use caution on larger lakes that have some areas of thin ice. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Big Lake (Including Gilbert's Pond)
On Jan. 24th, 1000 rainbow trout will be stocked into Big Lake. A kids event is not planned. The lake has 6 inches of ice. Rainbow Trout - Good: Any type of small spinner or minnow under a bobber will catch rainbow trout.

Lake Anita
The open water created by the geese has shrunk to a small area. Use caution north of the beach. Anglers report 5 to 7 inches of ice on most of the lake. Bluegill - Fair: A few bluegills are being caught south of the campground. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers report early and late in the day is best for 9 inch black crappies.

Lake Manawa
Ice is variable. Some activity is taking place around the dredge cuts. Black Crappie - Slow: A few reports of fair crappie fishing in the dredge cuts late in the afternoon.

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a consistent 8 inches of ice. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are finding bluegills in the cedar tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish.

Orient Lake
Fall fisheries surveys showed good numbers of crappies and bluegills in Orient. No reports are available at this time. Black Crappie - No Report: Black crappies will average 9 inches. Bluegill - No Report: Bluegills will average 8 inches.

Prairie Rose Lake
Ice conditions have improved. Most of the fishing activity is taking place east of the beach on the north side of the lake. Bluegill - Slow: The fishing should improve with a more stable weather pattern. A few large bluegills are being picked up east of the beach around the rock piles.

Ice conditions are fair in southwest Iowa with reports ranging from 4 to 9 inches. For more information call the SW District Office at 712-769-2587.

Lake Icaria
Variable ice conditions up to 6 inches. Areas of open water near the dam. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 10 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm or minnow fished along cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Slow: Try jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the roadbed for walleye of all sizes.

Little River Watershed Lake
Large areas of open water along the campground and main ramp areas.

Summit Lake
Ice thickness is variable from 3 to 5 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill of all sizes up to 8.5 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Three Mile Lake
Variable ice thickness up to 6 inches. Limited ice fishing activity observed this week.

Ice conditions for the Mount Ayr district lakes is variable, ranging from 3 to 6 inches. Check ice thickness often when venturing out. Geese are keeping some areas of open water at some district lakes. For more information, contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
The trout stocking and family fishing event scheduled for Feb. 1 has been postponed to February 8, pending safe ice conditions. The 8 inches of ice was not enough for a large, concentrated event. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Catch previously stocked trout 5 to 20 yards off shore with panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms.

Big Creek Lake
As of Jan. 28, the large area that was open water a couple weeks ago is averaging 6 to 8 inches. Ice is 10 to 12 inches in the coves and the north end.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Use minnows or glow jigs tipped with waxworms fished in the late afternoon and just after dark. The bite has become more difficult over the past week.

Hickory Grove Lake
Hickory Grove was pumped dry in the fall to renovate the fishery.  No fishing is available until after the lake is restocked.

Lake Petocka
Trout were stocked on Jan. 28. There is 8 inches of good ice for anglers. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Use panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. The best bite for previously stocked trout has been fishing suspended fish out deeper. Find the newly stocked trout may in shallower water.

Ice fishing conditions in Central Iowa are fair to good. Use caution on lakes south of I80 where areas of thin ice have been persistent. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Big Lake (Including Gilbert's Pond)
Ice thickness is 6 inches. On Jan. 24th, 1000 rainbow trout were stocked into Big Lake. Rainbow Trout - Good: Any type of small spinner or minnow under a bobber will catch rainbow trout.

Lake Anita
The open water created by the geese has shrunk to a small area. Use caution north of the beach. Anglers report 5 to 7 inches of ice on most of the lake. Bluegill - Slow: A few bluegills are being caught south of the campground. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers report early and late in the day is best for 9 inch black crappies.

Lake Manawa
Ice is variable. Some activity is taking place around the dredge cuts. Black Crappie - Slow: A few reports of fair crappie fishing in the dredge cuts late in the afternoon.

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a consistent 9 inches of ice. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are finding bluegills in the cedar tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish.

Orient Lake
Fall fisheries surveys showed good numbers of crappies and bluegills. No reports are available at this time. Black Crappie - No Report: Black crappies will average 9 inches. Bluegill - No Report: Bluegills will average 8 inches.

Prairie Rose Lake
Ice thickness is 7 to 9 inches. Most of the fishing activity is taking place east of the beach on the north side of the lake. Bluegill - Slow: The fishing should improve with a more stable weather pattern. A few large bluegills are being picked up east of the beach around the rock piles.

Ice conditions are variable in the Southwest District. Lakes in the northern part of the district have 9 inches of ice, but lakes in the southern part range from unsafe to 6 inches. For more information call the SW District Office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Variable ice thickness up to 8 inches. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm or minnow fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 7.5 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Lake Icaria
Variable ice conditions up to 7 inches. Areas of open water near the dam. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 10 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm or minnow fished along cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Try jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the roadbed for walleye of all sizes.

Little River Watershed Lake
Ice thickness is variable up to 7 inches. Areas of open water along the campground and main ramp areas.

Summit Lake
Ice thickness is variable from 4 to 8 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill of all sizes up to 8.5 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Three Mile Lake
Variable ice thickness up to 7 inches. Area of open water near the main campground point. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished along the roadbed.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Variable ice thickness up to 8 inches. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished along the roadbed or cedar tree brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 10 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm or minnow fished along the roadbed or cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Slow: Try jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the roadbed for walleye of all sizes.

Ice conditions for the Mount Ayr district lakes is variable, ranging from 4 to 6 inches. Check ice thickness often when venturing out. Geese are keeping some areas of open water at some district lakes.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
The trout stocking and family fishing event will be held this Saturday, Feb. 8 at noon. JAX Outdoors, the City of Ames and local businesses have donated prizes for tagged fish. Tags can be turned in to JAX until 6 p.m. on Feb. 22. Rainbow Trout - Good: Catch trout 5 to 20 yards off shore with panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms.

Big Creek Lake
Ice conditions are good; ice thickness is 8 to 12 inches.  Walleye - Fair: Use minnows fished still or on jigging spoons. Fish mid-lake on drop-offs to the creek channel in 20 to 30 feet of water.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Use minnows or glow jigs tipped with waxworms fished at sunrise or in the late afternoon and just after dark. 

Hickory Grove Lake
Hickory Grove was pumped dry in the fall to renovate the fishery.  No fishing is available until after the lake is restocked.

Lake Ahquabi
Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches. Test the ice thickness when you venture out.  Bluegill - Good. Crappie – Fair: Good size.

Lake Petocka
Trout were stocked on Jan. 28. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Good: Use panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. The good bite is fishing suspended fish out deeper.

Ice fishing conditions in Central Iowa are good. Use caution on lakes south of I80 where areas of thin ice have been persistent. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Big Lake (Including Gilbert's Pond)
Ice thickness is 6 inches. On Jan. 24th, 1000 rainbow trout were stocked into Big Lake.You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Good: Any type of small spinner or minnow under a bobber will catch rainbow trout.

Lake Anita
Anglers report 5 to 7 inches of ice on most of the lake. Bluegill - Slow: A few bluegills are being caught south of the campground. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers report early and late in the day is best for 9 inch black crappies.

Lake Manawa
Ice is variable. Some activity is taking place around the dredge cuts. Black Crappie - Slow: A few reports of fair crappie fishing in the dredge cuts late in the afternoon.

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a consistent 9 inches of ice. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are finding bluegills in the cedar tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish.

Orient Lake
Anglers report 7 inches of ice. Fall fisheries surveys showed good numbers of crappies and bluegills. Black Crappie - Fair: The best bite is early and late for 9 to 12 inch black crappie. Bluegill - Fair: Use waxworms fished around the cedar tree piles. Fish  average 8 inches. Yellow Perch - Fair:  Catch yellow perch early in the morning. Pink color jigs or spoon work best with waxworms. Fish are 8 to 12 inches. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have had a bonus fish this week. Most catfish are 18 to 24 inches.

Prairie Rose Lake
Ice thickness is 7 to 9 inches. Most of the fishing activity is taking place east of the beach on the north side of the lake. Bluegill - Slow: The fishing should improve with a more stable weather pattern. A few large bluegills are being picked up east of the beach around the rock piles.

Ice conditions are still variable in the southern part of the district. Lakes in the northern part of the district have 9 inches of ice. For more information call the SW District Office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Variable ice thickness up to 8 inches. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm or minnow fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 7.5 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Lake Icaria
Variable ice conditions up to 7 inches. Areas of open water near the dam. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappies up to 10 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm or minnow fished along cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Slow: Try jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the roadbed for walleye of all sizes.

Little River Watershed Lake
Ice thickness is variable up to 7 inches. Areas of open water along the campground and main ramp areas.

Three Mile Lake
Variable ice thickness up to 7 inches. Area of open water near the main campground point. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished along the roadbed.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Variable ice thickness up to 8 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished along the roadbed or cedar tree brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 10 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm or minnow fished along the roadbed or cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Try jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the roadbed for walleye of all sizes.

Ice conditions for the Mount Ayr district lakes is variable, ranging from 4 to 8 inches. Check ice thickness often when venturing out. Geese are keeping some areas of open water at some district lakes.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Tagged trout for prizes donated from JAX Outdoors, the City of Ames and local businesses can be turned in to JAX until 6 p.m. on Feb. 22. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Good: Catch trout 5 to 20 yards off the north and east shores of the north pit with panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms.

Beaver Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills mid-lake in the trees. The bite has been slow during the day and best during the late afternoon and evening just before dark.

Big Creek Lake
Ice conditions are good; ice thickness is 8 to 12 inches.  Walleye - Fair: Use minnows fished still or jigging spoons. Fish mid-lake on drop-offs to the creek channel in 20 to 30 feet of water.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Use minnows or glow jigs tipped with waxworms fished at sunrise or in the late afternoon and just after dark. 

Hickory Grove Lake
Hickory Grove was pumped dry in the fall to renovate the fishery.  No fishing is available until after the lake is restocked.

Lake Petocka
You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Good: Use panfish jigs and small jigging spoons tipped with waxworms. The good bite is fishing suspended fish out deeper.

Roberts Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Catch suspended crappies with jigging spoons tipped with minnow heads or live minnows, or glow jigs tipped with waxworms.

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

Big Lake (Including Gilbert's Pond)
Ice thickness is 6 inches. 1000 rainbow trout were stocked into Big Lake in January. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Good: Any type of small spinner or minnow under a bobber will catch rainbow trout.

Lake Anita
Anglers report 7 to 10 inches of ice on most of the lake. Bluegill - Slow: A few bluegills are being caught south of the campground. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers report early and late in the day is best for 9 inch black crappies.

Lake Manawa
Ice is variable. Some activity is taking place around the dredge cuts. Black Crappie - Slow: A few reports of fair crappie fishing in the dredge cuts late in the afternoon.

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a consistent 10 inches of ice. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are finding bluegills in the cedar tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish.

Orient Lake
Anglers report 8 inches of ice. Fall fisheries surveys showed good numbers of crappies and bluegills. Black Crappie - Fair: The best bite is early and late for 9 to 12 inch black crappie. Bluegill - Fair: Use waxworms fished around the cedar tree piles. Fish average 8 inches. Yellow Perch - Fair:  Catch yellow perch early in the morning. Pink color jigs or spoon work best with waxworms. Fish are 8 to 12 inches. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Ice thickness is 10 inches. Most of the fishing activity is east of the beach on the north side of the lake. Bluegill - Slow: A few large bluegills are being picked up east of the beach around the rock piles.

Ice thickness is 4 to 10 inches in the Southwest District. Use caution in the southern part of the district. For more information call the SW District Office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Variable ice thickness up to 8 inches. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm or minnow fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 7.5 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Lake Icaria
Variable ice conditions up to 7 inches. Areas of open water near the dam. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappies up to 10 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm or minnow fished along cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Slow: Try jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the roadbed for walleye of all sizes.

Little River Watershed Lake
Ice thickness is variable up to 7 inches. Areas of open water along the campground and main ramp areas.

Three Mile Lake
Variable ice thickness up to 7 inches. Area of open water near the main campground point. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished along the roadbed. Walleye - Fair: Try minnows fished along the roadbed in the early morning for walleye of all sizes. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Variable ice thickness up to 8 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm fished along the roadbed or cedar tree brush piles. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappie up to 10 inches with jigs tipped with a waxworm or minnow fished along the roadbed or cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Slow: Try jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the roadbed for walleye of all sizes.

Ice conditions are variable for the Mount Ayr district lakes, ranging from 4 to 8 inches. Check ice thickness often when venturing out. Geese are keeping some areas of open water at some district lakes.

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes when water temperatures warm into the mid to upper 40s in late March to early April. Use jigs tipped with plastics or live minnows in the evenings along rocky shores. Target the face of the dam, the first few hundred yards of the canal leading to the spillway and the East Boat ramp shore.

Boone District Farm Ponds
Black Crappie - Fair: Many of the community fishing ponds spread throughout the Des Moines Metro will offer a good early season crappie, bluegill and bass bite; they warm faster than the larger lakes. Use live bait under floats or slowly retrieve twister tail and swimbaits. If a pond has any rock shore, try there first. Fish Local signs mark which ponds are open to public fishing.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye - Fair: March through April is a good time to target walleye and northern pike below the dams and mouths of creeks. Use jigs tipped with twister tails, shad, and shiner imitating swimbaits or live minnows. 

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

Greenfield Lake
Greenfield is a good lake to catch ice-out catfish. It also gives anglers a chance to catch a trophy-size channel catfish. Channel Catfish - No Report: Fish shad sides on the wind-blown shore, especially in the upper end of the lake where water warms sooner.

Lake Anita
Lake Anita can provide good fishing this time of year. Fish will move into the upper end of the lake as water temperatures warm. Black Crappie - Slow: Early crappie fishing can be very good on warm sunny days behind the pontoon boats. Cast a minnow two feet under a bobber with a slow retrieve.

Lake Manawa
It’s time to target channel catfish at Lake Manawa. Channel Catfish - Good: Fish the windblown shores with shad sides or cut bait to catch channel catfish of all sizes.

For more information call the SW District Office at 712-769-2587.

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near main lake points for walleyes up to 22 inches.

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

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Good: 1200 surplus rainbow trout were stocked in Ada Hayden on May 21 and another 650 on June 1. Cast small inline spinners and spoons or live minnows and nightcrawlers under floats. Some anglers are having better success by fishing deeper (15 feet), likely due to increased water temperatures. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. 

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Troll live bait rigs or vertical jig with minnows, nightcrawlers, or leeches near points, humps and roadbeds. Target the East Boat ramp bay, the West Boat Ramp bay and the marina to beach area. Bluegill - Good: Cast small jigs or hooks tipped with nightcrawlers under a bobber.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish and flathead catfish are being caught. Try live bait, stink bait and crawlers.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll panfish jigs out a little deeper on the edges of the treefalls and over sunken pallets. Most crappies are 8.5 to 10 inches. Bluegill - Good: Catch spawning bluegills shallow fishing small jigs tipped with nightcrawlers under a bobber.

Bluegill should be spawning in local ponds and lakes. Check out the Fish Local webpage to find local community fishing lakes. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Lake Anita
Crappies were caught around brush piles and the road beds this week. Bluegills are starting to build nests and spawn. Bluegill - Fair: Cast on top of the underwater reefs to find spawning bluegills. Some anglers report catching the larger size bluegills drifting.  Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies have moved to tree piles and along the two road beds in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anita has a good bass population. Find fish along vegetation edges and around tree piles. 

Lake Manawa
Walleyes are being picked up around the dredge cuts. Channel catfish are being caught on the west shoreline. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are moving to rocky shorelines to spawn. Walleye - Fair: A few anglers are having good success trolling crankbaits using planner boards. 

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has good water clarity and a ring of aquatic vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: A few spawning bluegills can still be caught. Fish are also being caught out of the cedar tree piles in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large number of 12 to 14 inch fish in the lake.

Prairie Rose Lake
Bluegill spawn is about over. Water temperature is 80 degrees.  Bluegill - Fair: Find the underwater reefs or spawning beds placed in the lake to find spawning bluegills. Largemouth Bass - Good: A large population of 12 to 14 inch bass offer fun catch and release fishing.

Viking Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Black crappies are being caught in brush piles. Cast a minnow under a bobber to catch 9 to 12 inch crappie. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching bass in tree piles using plastics.

For more information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles for largemouth bass up to 20 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 7.5 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles for bluegill up to 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. 

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along the creek channels for walleyes up to 22 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappies up to 10 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the flooded timber. Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles for bluegill of all sizes.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along cedar tree brush piles or creek channels for crappie up to 11 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Yellow Perch - Fair: Use jigs tipped with nightcrawlers fished on the main lake flats for yellow perch up to 11 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along the weed line or cedar tree brush piles for bluegill of all sizes.

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

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Troll live bait rigs or vertical jig with minnows, nightcrawlers, or leeches near points, humps and roadbeds. Target the East Boat ramp bay, the West Boat Ramp bay and the marina to beach area. Bluegill - Good: Cast small jigs or hooks tipped with nightcrawlers under a bobber. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll jigs with twister or paddle tails down 3 to 6 feet in the upper half of the lake. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Cast or troll shad imitating spoons, crankbaits or plastics. There are many 18-21 inch wipers in Big Creek.

Boone District Community Fishing Ponds
Largemouth Bass - Good: Vegetation starts to become abundant in some community fishing ponds this time of year. Try weedless frogs; they rarely get stuck in vegetation. Also try green pumpkin colored weightless worms. Bluegill - Excellent:  Bluegills are being caught on a variety of lures. Try a 1/16 oz black jig tipped with a piece of artificial worm or nightcrawler, 12-16 inches under a bobber. Start near structure like logs or trees as well as the edges of the weeds; move often until you find them. Channel Catfish - Slow: Use chicken livers or stinkbait in ponds and rivers.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish and flathead catfish are being caught. Try live bait, stinkbait and crawlers.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll panfish jigs out a little deeper on the edges of the treefalls and over sunken pallets. Most crappies are 8.5 to 10 inches. Bluegill - Good: Catch spawning bluegills shallow fishing small jigs tipped with nightcrawlers under a bobber.

Bluegill should be spawning in local ponds and lakes. Check out the Fish Local webpage to find local community fishing lakes. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Lake Anita
Crappies were caught around brush piles and the road beds this week. Bluegill - Fair: Cast on top of the underwater reefs to find spawning bluegills. Some anglers report catching the larger size bluegills drifting.  Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies have moved to tree piles and along the two road beds in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anita has a good bass population. Find fish along vegetation edges and around tree piles. 

Lake Manawa
Walleyes are being picked up around the dredge cuts. Channel catfish are being caught on the west shoreline. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are moving to rocky shorelines to spawn. Walleye - Fair: A few anglers are having good success trolling crankbaits using planner boards. Don't overlook running a crawler through the dredge cuts. 

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has good water clarity and a ring of aquatic vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: A few spawning bluegills can still be caught. Fish are also being caught out of the cedar tree piles in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large number of 12 to 14 inch fish in the lake.

Prairie Rose Lake
Bluegill can still be found spawning. Anglers report catching channel catfish around the reefs. Water temperature is 80 degrees. Bluegill - Fair: Find the underwater reefs or spawning beds placed in the lake to find spawning bluegills. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught around the jetties and underwater reefs. Fish average 2 to 4 pounds. Largemouth Bass - Good: A large population of 12 to 14 inch bass offer fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Viking Lake is six feet low. Black Crappie - Fair: Black crappies are being caught in brush piles. Cast a minnow under a bobber to catch 9 to 12 inch crappie. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching bass in tree piles using plastics.

For more information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles for largemouth bass up to 20 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 7.5 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles for bluegill up to 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles or along weed lines. 

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Good: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along the creek channels for walleyes up to 22 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappies up to 10 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the flooded timber. Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles for bluegill of all sizes.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along cedar tree brush piles or creek channels for crappie up to 11 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Yellow Perch - Fair: Use jigs tipped with nightcrawlers fished on the main lake flats for yellow perch up to 11 inches. Bluegill - Good: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along the weed line or cedar tree brush piles for bluegill of all sizes.

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

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Troll live bait rigs or vertical jig with minnows, nightcrawlers, or leeches near points, humps and roadbeds. Target the East Boat ramp bay, the West Boat Ramp bay and the marina to beach area. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll jigs with twister or paddle tails down 3 to 6 feet in the upper half of the lake. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Cast or troll shad imitating spoons, crankbaits or plastics. There are many 18-21 inch wipers in Big Creek.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish and flathead catfish are being caught. Try live bait, stinkbait and crawlers.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Try stinkbaits or cut bait fished in or just upstream of tree falls.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll panfish jigs out a little deeper on the edges of the treefalls and over sunken pallets. Most crappies are 8.5 to 10 inches. Bluegill - Good: Catch spawning bluegills shallow fishing small jigs tipped with nightcrawlers under a bobber.

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

Lake Anita
Crappies were caught around brush piles and the road beds this week. Bluegills have moved into a summer pattern. Bluegill - Fair: Drift or troll small jigs tipped with berkly or nightcrawlers in 6 to 8 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie around tree piles and along the two road beds in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anita has a good bass population. Find fish along vegetation edges and around tree piles. 

Lake Manawa
Walleyes are being picked up around the dredge cuts and the west shore. Channel catfish are being caught on the west shore. Be aware of signs marking the dredge pipe in the lake. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are spawning around rocky shorelines. White Crappie - Fair: A few large white crappies are being caught on the west shore. Walleye - Fair: A few anglers are having good success trolling crankbaits using planner boards. Don't overlook running a crawler through the dredge cuts. 

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a good ring of aquatic vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have moved around the cedar tree piles in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large number of 12 to 14 inch fish in the lake. Channel Catfish - Good: Cast cut or stinkbait along the dam to catch spawning channel catfish.

Prairie Rose Lake
Anglers report catching channel catfish around the reefs. Water temperature is 80 degrees. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills have moved off the spawning beds and can be caught around tree piles or drifting open water areas of the lake. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught around the jetties and underwater reefs. Fish average 2 to 4 pounds. Largemouth Bass - Good: A large population of 12 to 14 inch bass offer fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Viking Lake is six feet low. Black Crappie - Fair: Black crappies are being caught in brush piles. Cast a minnow under a bobber to catch 9 to 12 inch crappie. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching bass in tree piles using plastics.

For more information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 7.5 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. 

Lake Icaria
Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill of all sizes with nightcrawlers fished under a bobber along the fish mounds. Channel Catfish - Good: Use nightcrawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas to catch channel catfish of all sizes.

Little River Watershed Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles or along weed lines. 

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Fair: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along the creek channels to catch walleyes up to 22 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappies up to 10 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the flooded timber. Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch bluegill of all sizes.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along cedar tree brush piles or creek channels to catch crappie up to 11 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Yellow Perch - Fair: Use jigs tipped with nightcrawlers fished on the main lake flats to catch yellow perch up to 11 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill of all sizes with jigs tipped with live bait fished along the weed line or cedar tree brush piles.

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

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Slow: Troll live bait rigs or crankbaits at depths of 15 feet or less in the upper half of the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll jigs with twister or paddle tails down 3 to 6 feet in the upper half of the lake. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Cast or troll shad imitating spoons, crankbaits or plastics. Look for schools of young shad breaking the surface of the water to find feeding wipers.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish and flathead catfish are being caught. Try live bait, stinkbait and crawlers.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Try stinkbaits or cut bait fished in or just upstream of tree falls.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll panfish jigs out a little deeper on the edges of the treefalls and over sunken pallets. Most crappies are 8.5 to 10 inches. Bluegill - Good: Catch spawning bluegills shallow fishing small jigs tipped with nightcrawlers under a bobber.

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

Lake Anita
Crappies were caught around brush piles and the road beds this week. Bluegills have moved into a summer pattern. Bluegill - Fair: Drift or troll small jigs tipped with berkly or nightcrawlers in 6 to 8 feet of water. Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappie around tree piles and along the two road beds in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anita has a good bass population. Find fish along vegetation edges and around tree piles. 

Lake Manawa
Walleyes are being picked up around the dredge cuts and the west shore. Channel catfish are being caught on the west shore. Be aware of signs marking the dredge pipe in the lake. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are close to shore. Fish are all sizes in the lake. White Crappie - Fair: A few large white crappies are being caught on the west shore. Walleye - Fair: A few anglers are having good success trolling crankbaits using planner boards. Don't overlook running a crawler through the dredge cuts. 

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a good ring of aquatic vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have moved around the cedar tree piles in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large number of 12 to 14 inch fish in the lake. Channel Catfish - Good: Cast cut or stinkbait along the dam to catch 2-4 pound channel catfish.

Prairie Rose Lake
Anglers report catching channel catfish around the reefs. Water temperature is 80 degrees. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills have moved off the spawning beds and can be caught around tree piles or drifting open water areas of the lake. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught around the jetties and underwater reefs. Fish average 2 to 4 pounds. Largemouth Bass - Good: A large population of 12 to 14 inch bass offer fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Viking Lake is six feet low. Black Crappie - Fair: Black crappies are being caught in brush piles. Cast a minnow under a bobber to catch 9 to 12 inch crappie. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching bass in tree piles using plastics.

For more information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Use jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 7.5 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. 

Lake Icaria
Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill of all sizes with nightcrawlers fished under a bobber along the fish mounds. Channel Catfish - Good: Use nightcrawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas to catch channel catfish of all sizes.

Little River Watershed Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles or along weed lines. 

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along the creek channels to catch walleyes up to 22 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappies up to 10 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow fished along the flooded timber. Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch bluegill of all sizes.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along cedar tree brush piles or creek channels to catch crappie up to 11 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill of all sizes with jigs tipped with live bait fished along the weed line or cedar tree brush piles.

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

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Slow: Troll live bait rigs or crankbaits at depths of 15 feet or less in the upper half of the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll jigs with twister or paddle tails in the upper half of the lake. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Cast or troll shad imitating spoons, crankbaits or plastics. Look for schools of young shad breaking the surface of the water to find feeding wipers.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish and flathead catfish are being caught. Try live bait, stinkbait and crawlers.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Try stinkbaits or cut bait fished in or just upstream of tree falls.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll panfish jigs out a little deeper on the edges of the treefalls and over sunken pallets. Most crappies are 8.5 to 10 inches. Bluegill - Good: Catch spawning bluegills shallow fishing small jigs tipped with nightcrawlers under a bobber.

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: Troll or cast shad imitating spoons and shallow diving crankbaits. Look for schools of small shad busting on the surface to find feeding fish.

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

Lake Anita
Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills have moved into a summer pattern. or troll small jigs tipped with berkly or nightcrawlers in 6 to 8 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Best bite is early morning around tree piles and along the two road beds in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anita has a good bass population. Find fish along vegetation edges and around tree piles. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being caught on top of the two roadbeds in the lake.

Lake Manawa
Zebra mussels were found in Lake Manawa; clean, drain and dry your boat when leaving the lake. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are close to shore. Fish are all sizes in the lake. White Crappie - Fair: A few large white crappies are being caught on the west shore. Walleye - Fair: A few anglers are having good success trolling crankbaits using planner boards. Don't overlook running a crawler through the dredge cuts. 

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a good ring of aquatic vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have moved around the cedar tree piles in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large number of 12 to 14-inch fish in the lake. Channel Catfish - Good: Cast cut or stinkbait along the dam to catch 2-4 pound channel catfish.

Prairie Rose Lake
Anglers report catching channel catfish around the reefs. Water temperature is 80 degrees. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers report good bluegill fishing in the mornings trolling or drifting small jigs. Black Crappie - Slow: There is a small population of large black crappies in the lake. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around the jetties and underwater reefs. Fish average 2 to 4 pounds. Largemouth Bass - Good: A large population of 12 to 14-inch bass offer fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Viking Lake is six feet low. Black Crappie - Good: Slowly troll jigs over humps and drop-offs in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching bass in tree piles using plastics.

For more information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Use jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 7.5 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. 

Lake Icaria
Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill of all sizes with nightcrawlers fished under a bobber along the fish mounds. Channel Catfish - Good: Use nightcrawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas to catch channel catfish of all sizes.

Little River Watershed Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles or along weed lines. 

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along the creek channels to catch walleyes up to 22 inches. Bluegill - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch bluegill of all sizes.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along cedar tree brush piles or creek channels to catch crappie up to 11 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill of all sizes with jigs tipped with live bait fished along the weed line or cedar tree brush piles.

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

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Slow: Troll live bait rigs or crankbaits at depths of 15 feet or less in the upper half of the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll jigs with twister or paddle tails in the upper half of the lake. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Cast or troll shad imitating spoons, crankbaits or plastics. Look for schools of young shad breaking the surface of the water to find feeding wipers.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish and flathead catfish are being caught. Try live bait, stinkbait and crawlers.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Try stinkbaits or cut bait fished in or just upstream of tree falls.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll panfish jigs in the middle half of the lake. Start just out from the docks in the boat ramp area. Most crappies are 8.5 to 10 inches. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: Troll or cast shad imitating spoons and shallow diving crankbaits. Look for schools of small shad busting on the surface to find feeding fish.

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

Lake Anita
Bluegill - Slow: Drifg or troll small jigs tipped with berkly or nightcrawlers in 6 to 8 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Best bite is early morning around tree piles and along the two road beds in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anita has a good bass population. Find fish along vegetation edges and around tree piles. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being caught on top of the two roadbeds in the lake.

Lake Manawa
Zebra mussels were found in Lake Manawa; clean, drain and dry your boat when leaving the lake. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are close to shore. Fish are all sizes in the lake. White Crappie - Fair: A few large white crappies are being caught on the west shore. Walleye - Fair: A few anglers are having good success trolling crankbaits using planner boards. Don't overlook running a crawler through the dredge cuts. 

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a good ring of aquatic vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have moved around the cedar tree piles in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large number of 12 to 14-inch fish in the lake. Channel Catfish - Good: Cast cut or stinkbait along the dam to catch 2-4 pound channel catfish.

Meadow Lake
Water clarity is fair. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers report catching bluegills slow trolling and drifting. Fish average 8 inches. Largemouth Bass - No Report: There is a good population of largemouth bass up to 18 inches in the lake.

Prairie Rose Lake
Water temperature is 80 degrees. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers report good bluegill fishing in the mornings trolling or drifting small jigs. Black Crappie - Slow: There is a small population of large black crappies in the lake. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around the jetties and underwater reefs. Fish average 2 to 4 pounds. Largemouth Bass - Good: A large population of 12 to 14-inch bass offer fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Viking Lake is six feet low. Black Crappie - Good: Slowly troll jigs over humps and drop-offs in the lake. Fish average 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching bass in tree piles using plastics. Channel Catfish - Fair: Cast stinkbait around tree piles to catch fish up to 6 pounds. 

For more information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Use jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 7.5 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. 

Lake Icaria
Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill of all sizes with nightcrawlers fished under a bobber along the fish mounds. Channel Catfish - Good: Use nightcrawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas to catch channel catfish of all sizes.

Little River Watershed Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles or along weed lines. 

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along the creek channels to catch walleyes up to 22 inches. Bluegill - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near creek channels and the dirt mounds to catch bluegill of all sizes.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along cedar tree brush piles or creek channels to catch crappie up to 11 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill of all sizes with jigs tipped with live bait fished along the weed line or cedar tree brush piles.

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

[Rick]

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Slow: Troll live bait rigs or crankbaits at depths of 15 feet or less in the upper half of the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll jigs with twister or paddle tails in the upper half of the lake. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Cast or troll shad imitating spoons, crankbaits or plastics. Look for schools of young shad breaking the surface of the water to find feeding wipers.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish and flathead catfish are being caught. Try live bait, stinkbait and crawlers.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll panfish jigs in the middle half of the lake. Start just out from the docks in the boat ramp area. Most crappies are 8.5 to 10 inches. 

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Fair: Troll or cast shad imitating spoons and shallow diving crankbaits. Look for schools of small shad busting on the surface to find feeding fish.

Roberts Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll jigs with twister or paddle tails in the lower half of the lake.

Rock Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: The crappie bite has been slow to fair. Drift or troll jigs tipped with minnows. Crappies larger than 9 inches are uncommon. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch catfish from shore with stinkbaits and cut bait.

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

Lake Anita
Bluegill - Slow: Drift or troll small jigs tipped with berkly or nightcrawlers in 6 to 8 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Best bite is early morning around tree piles and along the two road beds in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anita has a good bass population. Find fish along vegetation edges and around tree piles. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being caught on top of the two roadbeds in the lake.

Lake Manawa
Zebra mussels were found in Lake Manawa; clean, drain and dry your boat when leaving the lake. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are close to shore. Fish are all sizes in the lake. White Crappie - Fair: A few large white crappies are being caught on the west shore. Walleye - Fair: A few anglers are having good success trolling crankbaits using planner boards. Don't overlook running a crawler through the dredge cuts. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Catch wipers where water is entering the lake.

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a good ring of aquatic vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have moved around the cedar tree piles in the lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large number of 12 to 14-inch fish in the lake. Channel Catfish - Good: Cast cut or stinkbait along the dam to catch 2-4 pound channel catfish.

Meadow Lake
Water clarity is fair. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers report catching bluegills slow trolling and drifting. Fish average 8 inches. Largemouth Bass - No Report: There is a good population of largemouth bass up to 18 inches in the lake.

Prairie Rose Lake
Water temperature is 80 degrees. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers report good bluegill fishing in the mornings trolling or drifting small jigs. Black Crappie - Slow: There is a small population of large black crappies in the lake. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around the jetties and underwater reefs. Fish average 2 to 4 pounds. Largemouth Bass - Good: A large population of 12 to 14-inch bass offer fun catch and release fishing. 

Viking Lake
Viking Lake is six feet low. Black Crappie - Good: Slowly troll jigs over humps and drop-offs in the lake. Fish average 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching bass in tree piles using plastics. Channel Catfish - Fair: Cast stinkbait around tree piles to catch fish up to 6 pounds. 

For more information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Use jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 7.5 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. 

Lake Icaria
Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill of all sizes with nightcrawlers fished under a bobber along the fish mounds. Channel Catfish - Good: Use nightcrawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas to catch channel catfish of all sizes.

Little River Watershed Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles or along weed lines. 

Three Mile Lake
Walleye - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along the creek channels to catch walleyes up to 22 inches. Bluegill - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near creek channels and the dirt mounds to catch bluegill of all sizes.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along cedar tree brush piles or creek channels to catch crappie up to 11 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill of all sizes with jigs tipped with live bait fished along the weed line or cedar tree brush piles.

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