Southeast Iowa Fishing Reports

[Joe]

Lake Geode

Angler numbers are down this week. Fishing has been slow. Bluegill - Fair: A few small bluegills are being caught.

Lake Belva Deer

Angler numbers are down because of the inclement weather. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are still catching some nice crappies. The fish seem to be a little timid right now with most of the being caught on minnows fished slowly.

Pollmiller Park Lake

The fishing last week was pretty good with a few people catching some big crappies in the 14-17 inch range. Bluegill - Good: Use light tackle. The worm and bobber seem to be the best combination. Largemouth Bass - Fair: the bass are being caught on a variety of lures. A bobber and night crawler has also been productive. Crappie - Good: Small tube jigs have been working the best.

Lake of the Hills

The tagged trout promotion has ended. But there is still plenty of trout being caught. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Trout are still being caught in fairly good numbers. Try out at a depth of about four feet. I would target the areas around where Lambach and Railroad lakes enter into the Lake. Bluegill - Fair: The fishing remains fairly steady. Largemouth Bass - Fair: The bass are starting to move in shallow.

Lambach Lake

Crappie - Good: This small lake in West Lake Park is still producing some nice catches of crappies.

Railroad Lake

Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try along the old creek channel for bass using jigs and spinner baits.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)

The Skunk is at Moderate Flood Stage.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)

The Iowa is forecasted to be at the Moderate Flood stage some time late Friday.

Hannen Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Size makes up for numbers here. Fish shallow brush with small jigs or worms. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Numbers make up for size here. Bass are hitting on a variety of artificial and live baits in the shallows.

Iowa Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Try around brush or overhanging limbs with a worm or small jig. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try spinner baits or plastics around shallow wood or on the flats. Crappie - Fair: Fish around shallow rock and brush with small jigs or minnows. Most fish are 9-10inches.

Kent Park Lake

Things have slowed after the cooler weather. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig or worm along the dam or brush. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish shallow with plastics or live bait.

Lake Macbride

The water is finally starting to get some color, although it is still quite clear. Crappie - Fair: Fish areas with warmer water with small jigs or minnows under a bobber. Most fish are coming off brush. The clearer the water, the deeper you should fish. Most fish are 10-13inches. Walleye - Fair: Trolling or casting crankbaits, as well as trolling live bait rigs have been producing fish. 10-15 feet has been the average depth. Try a little shallower in dirtier water and a little deeper in clearer water.

Central Park Lake

Bluegill - Good: Look in shallow pockets or flats for bluegills getting ready to spawn. Try small jigs or worms. Largemouth Bass - Good: Sublegal bass are being caught on night crawlers and plastic lizards. Crappie - Fair: 9-11 inches have been picked up. Try small jigs or minnows. The north end of the lake has been good.

Pleasant Creek Lake

Remember, there is an 18-inch size limit on bass and 40-inch size limit on Musky here. The water here is very clear right now. White Bass - Good: Fish are being caught on white jigs or jig/minnow. Look for fish chasing shad along the banks and dam. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Crawlers and soft plastics along the dam and jetties are producing some bass. Walleye - Fair: Leeches under slip bobbers are working. Fish areas with wind blowing in to them.

Diamond Lake

Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish have been hitting on cut-bait, shrimp, and crawlers, especially after rain events. Bluegill - Fair: Shallower brush and jetty areas are holding fish. Use small jigs or waxies. Crappie - Good: Most fish are smaller with an occasional larger one mixed in. Most jigs are working. The fish are moving shallow now.

Otter Creek Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills should be shallow spawning. Try a small jig or waxie. Crappie - Fair: Some smaller crappies are being caught around shallow brush or rock. Yellow Bass - Excellent: Look in shallow coves or flats for schools of yellows. Try small jigs, spinners, or live bait.

Union Grove Lake

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

Coralville Reservoir

As of May 13, the lake level is 681 feet and rising. Right now it is projected to reach 690 feet by next weekend.

Maquoketa (Hopkinton to Canton)

Smallmouth Bass - Good: Some nice sized smallmouth are being caught. The Monticello area has been reported as a good stretch.

Lake Wapello

The lake has refilled after last year's fish population renovation. Red ear and channel catfish were stocked last fall along with some largemouth bass and bluegill.

Red Haw Lake

Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler fished around the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits around structure or off the ends of the jetties. Use plastic worms in the same areas. Redear Sunfish - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler. Look for redears in areas around structure and along the shoreline.

Lake Keomah

Try using small jigs around shoreline structures and jetties. Anglers have been catching some largemouth bass.

Albia (lower)

The gate has been reopened and a new boat ramp has been constructed on the reservoir. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinner baits fished along the shoreline and around areas with submerged structures. Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline and around submerged structure. There are buoys marking areas where cedar trees have been placed for fish habitat.

Lake Miami

The lake is now full from last year's drawdown. Try small jigs fished along the shoreline and along the dam.

Lake Sugema

Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler. Look for areas with submerged structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits or crankbaits around rocky shorelines or submerged structure. Use plastic worms around areas with trees and other woody vegetation.

Rathbun Reservoir

The current lake level is 912.36 feet with normal pool being 904 feet. The water temperature is ranging in the upper 50s. Crappie - Fair: Fish around submerged structure in 8-10 feet of water with small jigs and minnows. Some fish are up shallow starting to spawn. Walleye - Fair: Use jig and minnow combinations along rocky areas around the shoreline. Please be wary of tagged walleyes and if these fish are harvested please call the hatchery with the tag number.

[Joe]

Hannen Lake

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

Iowa Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Try around brush or overhanging limbs with a worm or small jig. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try spinner baits or plastics around shallow wood or on the flats. Crappie - Slow: Fish around shallow rock and brush with small jigs or minnows. Most fish are 9-10 inches.

Kent Park Lake

In addition to the lake, the upper pond has produced some nice bass and the east ponds are producing bluegills. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig or worm along the dam or brush. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish shallow with plastics or live bait.

Lake Macbride

Crappie - Fair: Fish areas with warmer water with small jigs or minnows under a bobber. Most fish are coming off brush. The clearer the water, the deeper you should fish. Most fish are 10-13 inches. Walleye - Good: Trolling or casting crankbaits, as well as trolling or casting live bait rigs have been producing fish. 10-15 feet has been the average depth. Try a little shallower in dirtier water and a little deeper in clearer water.

Central Park Lake

Bluegill - Good: Look in shallow pockets or flats for bluegills getting ready to spawn. Try small jigs or worms. Largemouth Bass - Good: Sublegal bass are being caught on night crawlers and plastic lizards. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up 9 to 11-inch crappies on small jigs or minnows. The north end of the lake has been good.

Pleasant Creek Lake

Remember, there is an 18-inch size limit on bass and 40-inch size limit on muskies here. The water is very clear right now. White Bass - Good: Fish are being caught on white jigs or jig/minnow. Look for fish chasing shad along the banks and dam. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Crawlers and soft plastics along the dam and jetties are producing some bass. Walleye - Fair: Leeches under slip bobbers are working. Fish areas with wind blowing in to them.

Diamond Lake

Remember, no minnows are allowed here. There is an over abundance of smaller crappies here. Don’t be afraid to take your 25 fish limit...every day! Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish have been hitting on cut bait, shrimp, and crawlers, especially after rain events. Bluegill - Good: Shallow brush, overhanging trees, and jetty areas are holding fish. Use small jigs or waxies. Crappie - Excellent: Most fish are smaller with an occasional larger one mixed in. Most jigs are working. The fish are tight to the rock bank.

Otter Creek Lake

There is an over abundance of yellow bass in this lake. They are scrappy fighters and excellent to eat. There is no limit and don’t be afraid to keep every one you catch. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are shallow along rock or overhanging trees. Try a small jig or waxie. Crappie - Slow: Some smaller crappies are being caught around shallow brush. Yellow Bass - Excellent: Look in shallow flats and along rock banks for schools of yellows. Try small jigs, spinners, or live bait.

Union Grove Lake

Crappie - Good: Fish shallow areas with rock on the bank. Use a small jig and cover water.

Coralville Reservoir

As of May 20 the lake level is 691 feet and rising. Right now it is projected to reach 694 feet by the end of the weekend.

Lake Wapello

The lake has refilled after last year's fish population renovation. Red ear and channel catfish were stocked last fall along with some largemouth bass and bluegill.

Red Haw Lake

Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler fished around the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits around structure or off the ends of the jetties. Use plastic worms in the same areas. Redear Sunfish - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler. Look for redears in areas around structure and along the shoreline.

Lake Keomah

Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use rubber worms and spinner baits along shoreline structure and along the jetties.

Albia (lower)

The gate has been reopened and a new boat ramp has been constructed on the reservoir. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinner baits fished along the shoreline and around areas with submerged structures. Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline and around submerged structure. There are buoys marking areas where cedar trees have been placed for fish habitat.

Lake Miami

The lake is now full from last year's drawdown. Try small jigs fished along the shoreline and along the dam.

Lake Sugema

Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler. Look for areas with submerged structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits or crankbaits around rocky shorelines or submerged structure. Use plastic worms around areas with trees and other woody vegetation.

Rathbun Reservoir

The current lake level is 915.04 feet with normal pool being 904 feet. The water temperature is ranging in the upper 50s. Crappie - Fair: Casting small jigs along the shorelines has been successful for crappie. The larger crappies are still around submerged structure in 8-10 feet of water. Walleye - Fair: Try trolling or drifting night crawler rigs along underwater reefs and islands. Please be wary of tagged walleyes and if these fish are harvested please call the hatchery with the tag number.

[Joe]

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)

The river is at minor flood stage.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)

The Iowa remains above flood stage.

[Joe]

Ice is about 5 inches thick. Bluegill - Good: Fish around the numerous brush piles that are in the pond in 10 to 15 feet of water. I like yellow teardrop jigs tipped with a wax worm.

[Rick]

Wilson Lake is ice free and there have been a few anglers out enjoying the nice weather. THE SPRING TROUT STOCKING WAS SATURDAY, MARCH 26. ONE THOUSAND TROUT WERE STOCKED AT 1 p.m.

Spinners and flashy lures seem to work best.

[JIvers]

With the crazy warm March we're having, the pond bite is really good for bluegill and crappie right now. When I've had time, I've gotten out on small ponds around Coralville and caught a lot of fish in shallow water on the downwind side (usually the north shore line with all the south wind we've had) with waxworms left over from ice season fished below a small bobber.

I've had the pond bite mostly to myself, as everyone is out on the Coralville flood plain catching channel cat. That is a good time, but there isn't much elbow room when the wind is blowing on to the north shore, and I prefer a little space when bank-fishing. The water is still too low there to get a boat far above the 965 bridge, so I've stayed away.

I haven't heard much good about the walleye bite on the Iowa River, or the crappie bite on Macbride, so I'm waiting for things to improve before I try either. A little more flow should help the river walleye bite, and Macbride will turn on soon. In the meantime, I'll keep fishing ponds.

[JIvers]

Made a drive over to Otter Creek Park by Todelo and Marshalltown this morning to catch a bunch of yellow bass. I was not disappointed in the numbers at all, although the size could have been better.

I caught a few small crappie early on, but no bluegill.

Plenty of ice, probably 10".

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Hollow Lake
Some skim ice in the mornings. Lake is open otherwise. 

Lake Belva Deer
The lake is ice free. Not much angler activity. 

Lake Darling
The lake has been ice free for the last week. On the cold mornings, there is a little ice around the edges in the bays. The boat docks are not in; be careful on the boat ramps, there is some ice on them from the waves coming in. Just a few anglers out, mostly to get the boats off the trailers. 

Lake Geode
Drained for renovation work scheduled for later this year. With the warmer weather, the bottom of the lake will thaw out and get soft again; use caution when walking around on the bottom of the lake. 

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The river has been ice free since early last week. River level is running about 1/2 bank full. Have seen a couple of boats out on the river, but no reports on the fishing. 

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

Central Park Lake
The lake is drained for the renovation project that is going on now. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is ice free. The lake level is now being drawn down. It is predicted to reach spring pool of 679.4' on March 16. There is about 3,000 CFS flowing out of the lake this week. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some fish have been caught on cut shad in shallow windblown areas. Some fish are also being caught around the 380/965 bridges. 

Diamond Lake
The lake is ice free and a boat dock is in. No fishing activity has been reported yet.  

Green Castle Lake
Most of the ice was gone this week. 

Hannen Lake
Most of the ice was going out this week. 

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
The lake is ice free and the boat dock is in. There have been a few anglers out, but no fishing reports are available. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is drained for the renovation project that will take place next winter. 

Lake Macbride
The lake is ice free. No docks are in yet. There have been boat and shore anglers out, but no reports are available. 

Otter Creek Lake
The lake is ice free. There is no boat dock in at this time. No fishing activity has been reported yet. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 8 feet low from the restoration project, but the lake is ice free. 

Rodgers Park Lake
Most of the ice was going out this week. 

Sand Lake
Most of the ice was gone this week. 

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
The river and backwaters are open at Pinicon Ridge. The water is dropping, but it is still turbid. No fishing reports are available. 

Lakes in the Macbride District are unsafe for ice fishing. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Lake Miami
The lake is ice free. 

Lake Sugema
Lake Sugema and Tug Forks are completely free of ice. 

Lake Wapello
The lake is free of ice. Use cut bait on the windblown shorelines to catch channel catfish this time of year. 

Ottumwa Park Pond South
Trout are scheduled to be stocked on Saturday, March 24th at 11:00 a.m. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 903.46 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. The campgrounds are closed. The lake is ice free. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use shad sides or cut bait on the windblown shorelines. 

Red Haw Lake
The lake is ice free. 

The lakes across the district all have open water. The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Environmental Discovery Park North Pond
The spring trout release will be at 10 a.m. this Friday, March 23. 1000 trout will be released.  

Lake Belva Deer
Not much angler activity. It was pretty quiet last weekend with the rain and fog. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few bass are being caught in deeper water out among the flooded trees. 

Lake Darling
Haven't had enough nice days to get anglers out yet; five inches of wet heavy snow last Saturday didn't help. Water temperature is in the mid 30's. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few small bass are being caught. 

Lake Geode
Drained for the renovation project. With the warmer weather, the bottom of the lake will thaw out and get soft again; use caution when walking around on the bottom of the lake. 

Lake of the Hills
The spring trout release is this Friday, March 23 at 10:30 a.m. 2000 trout will be released. 

Wilson Lake
The spring trout release will be this Friday, March 23rd at noon. 1000 trout will be released.  

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

Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
Benton County has had the best reports so far. Walleye - Good: Jigs and crankbaits work well. Northern Pike - Fair: Some nice fish are being picked up. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal spring pool of 679.4 feet. At this level, boating above the Lake Macbride Park ramp is not advised. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some fish have been caught on cut shad or shad guts under the 965/380 bridges and in shallow windblown pockets. 

Diamond Lake
The boat dock is always in. No fishing activity has been reported yet. Black Crappie - Fair: Fish jigs over brush piles. Most fish are 8-9 inches. 

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
The water temperature is hovering around 40 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. 

Lake Macbride
The lake is ice free. Boat docks are in. Fish cleaning stations are not available yet. A few anglers have been out, but no reports are available. 

Otter Creek Lake
The boat dock and T-dock at the north end are in. No fishing reports are available. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 8 feet low from the restoration project. The main ramp is open and the boat dock is in. Use caution when launching and boating at this water level. A few anglers have been out, but no reports are available. 

Terry Trueblood Lake
2000 trout will be stocked here this Saturday, March 24th. You must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. Bowfin – Good. Rainbow Trout – Good.

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Walleye - Fair: A few fish are being caught on jigs below the dams. 

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

Lake Miami
The lake is ice free. 

Lake Sugema
Lake Sugema and Tug Forks are completely free of ice. 

Lake Wapello
The lake is free of ice. Use cut bait on the windblown shorelines to catch channel catfish this time of year. 

Ottumwa Park Pond South
Trout are scheduled to be stocked this Saturday, March 24th at 11 a.m. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 903.44 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. The campgrounds are closed. The lake is ice free. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use shad sides or cut bait on the windblown shorelines. 

Red Haw Lake
The lake is ice free. 

The lakes across the district all have open water. The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 8.05 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is rising. Tailwater fishing is being reported as slow. Sauger - Slow: A few saugers are being caught in Sylvan Slough. Try fishing with jigs and minnows or pulling three-way rigs with stick baits. Black Crappie - Slow: Fishing has been slow in Sunset Marina for crappies. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 6.87 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is rising. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers is being reported as slow. Sauger - Slow: Try fishing with jigs and minnows or pulling three-way rigs and stick baits. White Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught in Big Timber. Try fishing with minnows or plastics around brush piles. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 8.45 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. We have not received any fishing information for this pool this week.  

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 5.17 feet at Lock and Dam 19 above Burlington and is rising. We have not received any fishing information for this pool this week.  

River stages have been on the rise the past few days with the recent rains and snow melt. Main channel water temperature is around 42 degrees. Tailwater fishing has been reported as being slow. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST IOWA LAKES

Big Hollow Lake
Not a lot of angler activity on the lake.  Water temperature has gotten up to the low 40's during some of the warmer days. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few bass are starting to be picked up in the shallower water close to the deeper water. The bass are staying just at the edge of the deeper water most of the time. 

Environmental Discovery Park North Pond
The trout stocked last Friday were a little slow to bite, but started to bite after about 1/2 hour.  Still plenty of them left to be caught. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: This small pond with easy access makes it easy to move around and find the trout.  Concentrate your efforts on the corners of the pond. Brook Trout – Excellent.  

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is hovering around 40 degrees. The weather seems to be keeping all but the die-hard anglers off the water.  Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few bass are being caught in deeper water out among the flooded trees. 

Lake Darling
Very little angler activity. The docks at the boat ramps are in. Water temperature is up to 40 degrees in the afternoons, upper 30's most of the rest of the time. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few small bass are being caught. Black Crappie - Slow: Anglers are starting to catch a few crappies. 

Lake Geode
Drained for the renovation project. With the warmer weather, the bottom of the lake will thaw out and get soft again; use caution when walking around on the bottom of the lake. 

Lake of the Hills
When the weather gets nice, get out to Lake of the Hills and catch some really nice trout. Brook Trout - Excellent: The brook trout were the first to bite after they got off the stocking truck and should still be biting.  Work out to about 4 foot of water; key in on the stumps and logs out at that depth. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: The rainbows were a little slower than the brook trout to start hitting, but about 1/2 hour in they picked up.  Nice size fish averaging a little over 1/2 pound each. 

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 30's. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Work the flooded trees in shallow water during the sunny warmer days and out deeper around the trees during the rest of the time. Black Crappie - Slow: Crappies are still hanging out around the flooded timber in deeper water. 

Wilson Lake
A good number of anglers were out last Friday for the Spring Trout Release; there are still plenty of trout left to catch.  Both Brook and Rainbows were stocked. Brook Trout - Excellent: The trout are still going to be in pretty shallow.  Look for them around the brush piles, stumps, and culvert piles that you can see from shore. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Work the shallower habitat and you should be able to find the rainbows. 

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

Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
Benton County has had the best reports so far. Walleye - Good: Jigs and crankbaits work well. Northern Pike - Fair: Some nice fish are being picked up. 

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently drained and undergoing a lake renovation project. It will be completed this spring. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal spring pool of 679.4 feet. At this level, boating above the Lake Macbride Park ramp is not advised. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some fish have been caught on cut shad or shad guts under the 965/380 bridges and in the channel of the main lake. 

Diamond Lake
The boat dock is always in. Black Crappie - Fair: Fish jigs over brush piles. Most fish are 8-9 inches. 

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
The water temperature is hovering around 40 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is currently drained for a lake renovation project. It is scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2019. 

Lake Macbride
The lake temperature is around 40 degrees. The boat docks are in, but the fish cleaning stations are not available yet.  Walleye – Slow. Black Crappie – Slow.

Otter Creek Lake
The boat dock and T-dock at the north end are in. No fishing reports are available. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 8 feet low from the restoration project. The main ramp is open and the boat dock is in. Use caution when launching and boating at this water level. Water temperatures this week were in the low 40's. Walleye - Slow: Some fish are being caught in deep water. Fish taken from 20+ feet often do not survive as their air bladders expand out of their mouth. Muskellunge - Slow: A couple fish were reported this past week. 

Prairie Park Fishery
1500 trout will be stocked here this Saturday, March 31st at 10 a.m. Iowa residents and nonresidents who are required to have a fishing license must pay the Trout Fee to fish for or possess trout. Exception: Anglers under 16 years old may possess or fish for trout without having paid the Trout Fee if they fish with a properly licensed adult who has paid the Trout Fee and together their combined limit is 5. Brook Trout – Good. Rainbow Trout – Good.  

Terry Trueblood Lake
2000 trout will be stocked here on Friday, March 30th at 11 a.m. Last weekend's stocking was cancelled due to weather. Iowa residents and nonresidents who are required to have a fishing license must pay the Trout Fee to fish for or possess trout. Exception: Anglers under 16 years old may possess or fish for trout without having paid the Trout Fee if they fish with a properly licensed adult who has paid the Trout Fee and together their combined limit is 5. Brook Trout – Good. Rainbow Trout – Good.  

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Walleye - Fair: A few fish are being caught on jigs below the dams. 

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

Lake Sugema
Try using cut bait for channel catfish. 

Lake Wapello
Use cut bait on the windblown shorelines to catch channel catfish this time of year. 

Ottumwa Park Pond South
Trout are scheduled to be stocked this Friday, March 30th at Noon.  There will be a family trout fishing event this Saturday, March 31st from 8:00 a.m. until noon. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 903.66 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. The campgrounds are closed. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use shad sides or cut bait on the windblown shorelines. 

Red Haw Lake
Try cut bait for channel catfish.  Target shorelines with the wind blowing in. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is holding around 44 degrees. Just need some warm days to get it going up to normal. Very little angler activity because of the weather. 

Lake Belva Deer
Cold, windy weather with a little snow is keeping most anglers away. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few are getting picked up in the deeper water. Try on the upper end of the lake around the mounds. 

Lake Darling
Water temperature is holding in the low 40's. Water clarity is pretty good, except when the wind stirs the lake bottom up. Black Crappie - Slow: A few anglers have been catching some crappies out in deeper water over the habitat. 

Lost Grove Lake
A few anglers have been out. Cold, windy weather doesn't make for the best fishing weather. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Most angler trips are pretty short, but they are picking up some bass out around the deeper habitat. 

For more information on the above lakes, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently drained as a renovation project is finishing up this spring. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal spring pool of 679.4 feet. Boating above Lake Macbride Park is not recommended at this water level. Channel Catfish - Slow. White Crappie – Slow. 

Diamond Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Fishing had been slow, but it should pick up as the weather warms. Try small jigs fished around the rock jetties or brush piles. Most fish are 8-9 inches. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is currently drained for a lake renovation project. It is scheduled to be completed by the spring of 2019. 

Lake Macbride
Water temperatures are in the mid 40's. All boat docks are in. All motor sizes may be used at no-wake speed (5 mph). Black Crappie - Slow: Try fishing jigs or minnows over deeper brush. There are lots of 10-12 inch crappies. Walleye - Slow: A few fish are being caught. A shallow water bite should improve as things warm up. Cast jigs or stick baits to windblown banks. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 7-8 inches low from the restoration project. The main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be submerged. 

Prairie Park Fishery
500 additional trout will be stocked here this Saturday, April 21 at 10:30. There will be a family fishing event held in conjunction with the stocking. 1500 trout had previously been stocked here on March 31. Iowa residents and nonresidents who are required to have a fishing license must pay the Trout Fee to fish for or possess trout. Exception: Anglers under 16 years old may possess or fish for trout without having paid the Trout Fee if they fish with a properly licensed adult who has paid the Trout Fee and together their combined limit is 5. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Try small jigs, spinners, live bait or artificial scented baits. Brook Trout – Fair.  

Sand Lake
2000 trout will be stocked here this Saturday, April 21 at 11:00. There will be a family fishing event held in conjunction with the stocking. Iowa residents and nonresidents who are required to have a fishing license must pay the Trout Fee to fish for or possess trout. Exception: Anglers under 16 years old may possess or fish for trout without having paid the Trout Fee if they fish with a properly licensed adult who has paid the Trout Fee and together their combined limit is 5. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Try small jigs, spinners, live bait or artificial scented baits. Brook Trout - Excellent: Try small jigs, spinners, live bait or artificial scented baits. Black Crappie - Fair: Some fish are being caught on warmer days. 

Terry Trueblood Lake
You must have a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. Brook Trout – Fair. Rainbow Trout – Fair.  

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

Lake Sugema
Try using cut bait for channel catfish. The water temperature is in the low 40's. 

Lake Wapello
Use cut bait on the windblown shorelines to catch channel catfish this time of year. Catch largemouth bass around brush piles. 

Ottumwa Park Pond South
Trout were stocked on March 30th. Try small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners or casting spoons. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 903.66 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. The water temperature is in the low 40's. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use shad sides or cut bait on the windblown shorelines. 

Red Haw Lake
Try cut bait near shorelines with the wind blowing in for channel catfish. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is up to 50 degrees the last couple of days. Just need some warm days to get it going up to normal. Very little angler activity because of the weather. 

Environmental Discovery Park North Pond
Rainbow Trout - Fair: Still plenty of trout left from this Spring’s stocking. Pick a nice warm days and go catch a limit. 

Lake Belva Deer
Water warming up a little, but the fishing remains slow. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few are getting picked up in the deeper water. Try on the upper end of the lake around the mounds. 

Lake Darling
Water temperature is up to 54 degrees after several days of 70 degree weather. Water clarity is good 6+ feet. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to move to shallow water to feed. The spawn is still several weeks out. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are starting to catch bass in shallower water. Still have to work them pretty slow. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching some nice stringers of catfish, mostly using nightcrawlers. 

Lost Grove Lake
A few anglers have been out. Cold, windy weather doesn't make for the best fishing weather. Largemouth Bass - Slow: With the warmer weather, the bass are starting to move in shallower to feed. Work the rip rap and jetties on the North side of the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to move shallow to feed; concentrate efforts on the North side bays and along the rip rap where the water is warmest. 

For more information on the above lakes, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently drained as a renovation project is finishing up this spring. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal spring pool of 679.4 feet. Boating above Lake Macbride Park is not recommended at this water level. Channel Catfish - Slow: Try cut bait in the channel; above Mehaffey bridge is best. White Crappie – Slow. 

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs fished around the rock jetties or brush piles. Most fish are 8-9 inches. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is currently drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring. 

Lake Macbride
Water temperatures are in the low to mid 50's. All boat docks are in. All motor sizes may be used at no-wake speed (5 mph). Black Crappie - Fair: Some fish have moved to shallow structure while others remain over deeper trees. There are lots of 10-12 inch crappies in the system. Walleye - Slow: Smaller males are still in the shallows for the spawn, while most females are deeper, waiting to spawn or recovering from spawning. Fishing should improve once the spawn is done. 

Otter Creek Lake
Not much fishing activity here yet. The fish cleaning station should be open for the weekend. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 7-8 inches low from the restoration project. The main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be submerged. Water tempertures this week were in the low 50's. Walleye – Slow. Muskellunge – Slow.

Prairie Park Fishery
Iowa residents and nonresidents who are required to have a fishing license must pay the Trout Fee to fish for or possess trout. Exception: Anglers under 16 years old may possess or fish for trout without having paid the Trout Fee if they fish with a properly licensed adult who has paid the Trout Fee and together their combined limit is 5. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Try small jigs, spinners, live bait or artificial scented baits. Brook Trout – Fair.  

Sand Lake
Iowa residents and nonresidents who are required to have a fishing license must pay the Trout Fee to fish for or possess trout. Exception: Anglers under 16 years old may possess or fish for trout without having paid the Trout Fee if they fish with a properly licensed adult who has paid the Trout Fee and together their combined limit is 5. Rainbow Trout - Good: Worms work best. Brook Trout - Good. Black Crappie - Fair. 

Terry Trueblood Lake
You must have a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. Brook Trout – Fair. Rainbow Trout – Fair.  

Union Grove Lake
The lake was refilled in the spring of 2016 and restocked at that time. Most fish are smaller, but some adult fish were also added. All docks are in. A few people have been fishing here, but no catches reported. 

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

Lake Sugema
The water temperature is in the mid to upper 40's. Walleye - Slow: Use jig and minnow combinations in areas with rip-rapped shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait along the windblown shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try spinnerbaits around the cedar tree piles. 

Ottumwa Park Pond South
Trout were stocked on March 30th. Try small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners or casting spoons. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 903.66 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. The water temperature is in the upper 40's. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use shad sides or cut bait on the windblown shorelines. 

Red Haw Lake
Channel Catfish - Slow: Use cut bait along the windblown shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Use spinnerbaits or rubber worms in the shorelines, they will warm first in the spring. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is up to 60 degrees. Water clarity is good. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are still hanging out in deeper water; work the shallows in the afternoons with the sun shining. Bluegill - Slow: The warmer weather should bring the bluegills into shallow water. 

Deep Lakes
Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching bluegills around the trees that have fallen into the water and around the brush piles that the county has placed as fish habitat. Muskellunge - Fair: A few of the muskies we have stocked are starting to get caught; nothing over the legal 40 inches yet. 

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature was 59 degrees on Tuesday. The wind and rain this week has kept angler numbers down. Largemouth Bass - Fair: The warmer weather should get the bass to more shallow water. Try fishing the shorelines with the wind blowing into them. Black Crappie - Fair: Work the shallow water on the north side. The warmer water temperatures should bring crappies in to feed. 

Lake Darling
Water temperature is up to 64 degrees after several days of upper 70's degree weather. Water clarity is a good 9+ feet. Black Crappie - Good: Before the weather turned, crappies were in 1 to 4 feet of water actively feeding. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing in the shallows had picked up; work them pretty slowly.Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching some nice stringers of catfish, mostly using nightcrawlers. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegills at a fair pace in the shallows around the riprap. 

Lost Grove Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing continues to improve; work the rocky shorelines where the wind is blowing into. Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are starting to move shallow to feed; concentrate efforts on the North side bays and along the rip rap where the water is warmest. 

For more information on the above lakes, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently drained as a renovation project is finishing up this spring. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal spring pool of 679.4 feet. Water temperatures are around 60 degrees on sunny days. Boating above Lake Macbride Park is not recommended at this water level. Channel Catfish - Slow: Try cut bait in the channel; above Mehaffey bridge is best. White Crappie – Slow: Check shallow brush piles as the water continues to warm.  

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs fished around the rock jetties or brush piles. Most fish are 8-9 inches. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is currently drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring. 

Lake Macbride
Water temperatures are in the low to mid to upper  50's. All boat docks are in. All motor sizes may be used at no-wake speed (5 mph). Black Crappie - Fair: Some fish have moved to shallow structure while others remain over deeper trees. There are lots of 10-12 inch crappies in the system. Walleye - Fair: Cast toward shallow, windblown rocks or troll rock reefs. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 7-8 inches low from the restoration project. The main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be submerged. Walleye – Slow. Muskellunge – Slow.

Prairie Park Fishery
Iowa residents and nonresidents who are required to have a fishing license must pay the Trout Fee to fish for or possess trout. Exception: Anglers under 16 years old may possess or fish for trout without having paid the Trout Fee if they fish with a properly licensed adult who has paid the Trout Fee and together their combined limit is 5. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Try small jigs, spinners, live bait or artificial scented baits. Brook Trout – Fair.  

Sand Lake
Iowa residents and nonresidents who are required to have a fishing license must pay the Trout Fee to fish for or possess trout. Exception: Anglers under 16 years old may possess or fish for trout without having paid the Trout Fee if they fish with a properly licensed adult who has paid the Trout Fee and together their combined limit is 5. Rainbow Trout - Good: Worms work best. Brook Trout - Fair. Black Crappie - Fair. 

Terry Trueblood Lake
You must have a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. Brook Trout – Fair. Rainbow Trout – Fair.  

Union Grove Lake
The lake was refilled in the spring of 2016 and restocked at that time. Most fish are smaller, but some adult fish were also added. All docks are in. A few people have been fishing here, but no catches reported. 

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

Lake Sugema
The water temperature is in the mid 50's. Walleye - Slow: Use jig and minnow combinations in areas with rip-rapped shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Black Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnows in the shorelines. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait along the windblown shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try spinnerbaits around the cedar tree piles. 

Ottumwa Park Pond South
Trout were stocked on March 30th. Try small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners or casting spoons. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 903.66 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. The water temperature is in the mid 50's. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use shad sides or cut bait on the windblown shorelines. White Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching some crappies around the docks at the marina and at the resort. Crappies should continue to move towards shore as the water warms. 

Red Haw Lake
Channel Catfish - Slow: Use cut bait along the windblown shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Use spinnerbaits or rubber worms in the shorelines, they will warm first in the spring. Black Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are 14.2 feet at Rock Island. Water levels are up from last week and will be on a steady rise this upcoming week. The area will experience moderate flooding stages this week.  

Expect another significant water rise this week in Pools 12 to 15. Minor to moderate flooding will occur. Water temperatures are approaching 60 degrees in some places. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 14.15 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is rising. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 16.3 feet by the middle of next week. There has been some walleye and sauger fishing in Sylvan Slough. The docks are not in at the Fairport Recreational Area due to the high water. Walleye - Slow: Before the recent rains, some walleyes are being caught in Sylvan Slough with jigs and plastics or trolling along the Davenport River front. Try fishing around the outflows by the power dam and Arsenal Dam. White Crappie - Fair: Use waxworms or minnows under a bobber in Sunset Marina. Bluegill - Fair: Use waxworms under a bobber in Sunset Marina. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 13.03 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is rising. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage is forcasted to reach 15.6 feet by the middle of next week. The Kilpeck Landing and Big Timber Landing are closed due to high water. Walleye - No Report: Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 14.09  feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 16.6 feet by the middle of next week. The gates are out of the water at the dam. The Toolsboro landing is closed due to high water. The Hawkeye Dolbee access will most likely have water over the parking lot. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. 

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 9.55 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is rising. River stage is forecasted to reach 11.7 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 10 feet. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. 

With the recent heavy rains, the river has been on the rise. River stages are forecasted to reach flood stage by the weekend. Water clarity is poor. Main channel water temperature has risen to 61-62 degrees. Some boat ramps are closed due to the high water. We have not received much for fishing reports this week. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 60's. Water clarity is good. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are still hanging out in deeper water; work the shallows in the afternoons with the sun shining. Bluegill - Slow: The warmer weather should bring the bluegills into shallow water. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are moving in shallow. 

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is closing in on 70 degrees this week. Largemouth Bass - Fair: The warmer weather should get the bass to more shallow water. Try fishing the shorelines with the wind blowing into them. Black Crappie - Fair: Work the shallow water on the north side. The warmer water temperatures should bring crappies in to feed. 

Lake Darling
Water temperature was up to 70 degrees on Tuesday, after several days of upper 70's degree weather. Water clarity remains good, except turbid above the in-lake silt dams. Black Crappie - Good: Crappies were out in 6-8 feet of water last weekend, but moved back in shallow by Tuesday. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing in the shallows had picked up; work them pretty slowly. Males are starting to stay in shallow to nest. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching some nice stringers of catfish, mostly with nightcrawlers. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegills at a fair pace in the shallows around the riprap. 

Lost Grove Lake
More boats are out on the lake with high river levels on the Mississippi River. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing continues to improve; work the rocky shorelines where the wind is blowing into. Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are starting to move shallow to feed; concentrate efforts on the North side bays and along the rip rap where the water is warmest. 

For more information on the above lakes, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently drained as a renovation project is finishing up this spring. 

Coralville Reservoir
As of May 9, the lake is at normal spring pool of 679.4 feet. Starting May 10, the lake will begin to rise and will reach 684.6 feet by the end of the weekend. It is then predicted to settle down to summer pool of 683.3 feet by mid next week. Water temperatures have been close to 70 degrees. The water is very dirty. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait in the channel; above Mehaffey bridge is best. White Crappie – Fair: Check shallow brush piles and rock banks for spawning fish.  

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black Crappie - Excellent: Try small jigs fished around the rock jetties or brush piles. Most fish are 8-9 inches. Pink and black tube jigs have been the hot colors. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is currently drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring. 

Lake Macbride
Water temperatures are in the mid 60's. All boat docks are in and the fish cleaning station at the primitive campground ramp is open. All motor sizes may be used at no-wake speed (5 mph). Black Crappie - Good: Males are on the bank and some females are too, while the others are staging just off the bank. Cast jigs or minnows to protected banks where crappies can spawn. Most fish are 10-12 inches. Walleye - Fair: Cast toward shallow, windblown rocks or troll live bait rigs. Early/late in the day or cloud cover has been best for shallow walleyes. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast shallow running crankbaits or flip jigs to shallow cover. Males are shallow and females are staging for the spawn. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair. Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig or worm around shallow cover. Size is marginal at best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Evenings are best. 

Otter Creek Lake
The water is reported as being fairly clear. Yellow Bass - Good: Cast small jigs, spinners or live bait to shallow shores. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 7-8 feet low from the restoration project. The main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be submerged. Walleye – Good: Evenings are best in the shallows. Muskellunge – Fair. Black Crappie - Fair: Some fish are being picked up along shallow rock. 

Sand Lake
Iowa residents and nonresidents who are required to have a fishing license must pay the Trout Fee to fish for or possess trout. Exception: Anglers under 16 years old may possess or fish for trout without having paid the Trout Fee if they fish with a properly licensed adult who has paid the Trout Fee and together their combined limit is 5. Rainbow Trout - Slow: Worms work best. Brook Trout - Fair. Black Crappie - Fair: Fish around shallow rocks, brush or the pallet structures off the fishing piers. Most fish are around 9 inches. Yellow Bass - Fair: Cast small jigs, spinners or live bait to the shallows. Most fish are about 9 inches. 

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

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits along the rocky shorelines and rubber worms around the deeper structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs along the rocky shorelines and around the fishing jetties. 

Lake Sugema
Walleye - Slow: Use jig and minnow combinations in areas with rip-rapped shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Black Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnows in the shorelines. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait along the windblown shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try spinnerbaits and rubber worms around the cedar tree piles. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 903.82 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. The water temperature is in the low 60's. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use shad sides or cut bait on the windblown shorelines. White Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching some crappies around the docks at the marina and at the resort. Crappies should continue to move towards shore as the water warms. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Anglers have been trolling crankbaits along rocky shorelines. Wipers can also be caught using jig and minnow combos along the shoreline. 

Red Haw Lake
Channel Catfish - Slow: Use cut bait along the windblown shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Use spinnerbaits or rubber worms in the shorelines, they will warm first in the spring. Black Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are 17.4 feet at Rock Island. Water levels are up from last week and will still be rising this week. Pool 15 is experiencing moderate flood stages. The water temperature is near 63 degrees. 

River levels vary from minor to moderate flood stages throughout the district. Water temperatures are approaching 63 degrees in some places. Many boat ramps are unusable. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 17.22 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is rising. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 17.5 feet by Thursday. The docks are not in at the Fairport Recreational Area due to the high water and the ramps are underwater. The boat ramps at Clark's Ferry Landing and Shady Creek are closed due to high water. We have not received much for fishing reports due to the high water. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 16.58 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is rising. Tailwater stage is forcasted to reach 17.3 feet by Friday. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 16.  The Kilpeck Landing and Big Timber Landing are closed due to high water. We have not received much for fishing reports due to the high water. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 17.60 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 18.7 feet by Saturday. The gates are out of the water at the dam. The Toolsboro landing is closed due to high water. The Hawkeye Dolbee access will have water over the parking lot. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. 

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 12.60 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is rising. River stage is forecasted to reach 14 feet by Saturday. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. 

River stages are above flood stage. Tailwater stages are forecasted to rise the next few days. Main channel water temperature is around 66 degrees. Water clarity is poor. Some boat ramps are closed due to the high water. We have not received much for fishing reports this week. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature are up to the mid 70's. Water clarity is good. Largemouth Bass - Good: Males are on the nests. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are coming in to spawn. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies finished up a quick spawn and are headed back out deep.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa River is dropping at a pretty good rate. Still not many anglers out.  

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is in the low 70's. Water is very clear; you can see down to 12 feet. Curlyleaf pondweed is getting pretty thick. Largemouth Bass - Good: Still some spawning males guarding the nests. Also look for them to be over the mounds in deeper water at the upper end of the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Work the trees back in the bays in 8-10 feet of water. Bluegill - Good: The spawn continues, look for the males to be in shallow; work the holes in the curlyleaf beds. 

Lake Darling
Water temperature remains at 70 degrees. We lost some of our water clarity as the runoff rainwater finally worked its way through all the ponds; still pretty good. Black Crappie - Slow: Crappies have moved out to 6 to 10 feet deep water. Look for them over the rock piles at those depths. Largemouth Bass - Good: Males are on the nest with some even being done with that stage of the spawn. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching some nice stringers of catfish, mostly with nightcrawlers. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawning. Find a good bedding area and you can catch 8 inch bluegills. Anglers continue to catch some nice ones in 5 to 6 feet of water. 

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is around 70 degrees; water is very clear (14 feet).  Largemouth Bass - Good: Males are still on the nests. Females are out deep recovering from the spawn. Black Crappie - Fair: Look for them in 6 to 8 feet of water. They seem to be moving from spot to spot. Keep moving if you want to catch crappies. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are in shallow spawning; find a nice quiet bay and you should do well. 

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The Skunk River is dropping pretty fast. A few boats are getting out and catching catfish. Channel Catfish - Fair: Concentrate efforts around the mouths of the feeder creeks. The log jams are good especially later in the morning. 

For more information on the above lakes, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

 

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Channel Catfish – Good. Flathead Catfish – Good. Shovelnose Sturgeon – Good. 

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently drained as a renovation project is finishing up this spring. 

Coralville Reservoir
As of May 24, the lake is at normal summer pool of 683.3 feet. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait in the channel. Some fish are starting to move to the shallow rocks. White Crappie – Fair: Check brush piles and rock banks for post spawn fish.  

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black Crappie - Good: Try small jigs fished around the rock jetties or brush piles. Most fish are 7-9 inches. Pink and black tube jigs have been the hot colors. Bluegill - Excellent: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. Many fish are around 7 inches. 

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
The weeds are thick around the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use a frog over the weeds or fish the outside weed line. Bluegill - Fair: Fish right along the shoreline or in pockets of the weeds for spawning fish. Black Crappie - Fair: Fish the weed line or offshore for suspended crappies. Most fish are around 8 inches. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is currently drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring. 

Lake Macbride
Water temperatures are around 70 degrees. All boat docks are in and the fish cleaning station at the primitive campground ramp is open.Starting May 25th, only motors under 10hp may be used at no-wake speed. Black Crappie - Fair: Most fish have moved off the bank. Some are on brush and others are suspended out from spawning areas. Walleye - Fair: Cast toward shallow, windblown rocks or troll or jig live bait rigs. Early/late in the day or cloud cover has been best for shallow walleyes. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast shallow running crankbaits or flip jigs to shallow cover. Males are shallow and females are staging for the spawn. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair. Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig or worm around shallow cover. Size is marginal at best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Evenings are best. 

Otter Creek Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Cast small jigs, spinners or live bait to shallow shores. Most fish are around 8 inches. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. Most fish are 5-7 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: Bright colored jigs work best. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 7 feet low from the restoration project. The main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be submerged. Walleye – Fair: Evenings are best in the shallows. Black Crappie - Slow: Some fish are being picked up along shallow rock.

Union Grove Lake
The lake was restocked two years ago following a lake renovation project. Most fish are smaller, but some adult fish were also stocked. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs or worms in the shallows. 

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Smallmouth Bass – Good.

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

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits along the rocky shorelines and rubber worms around the deeper structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs along the rocky shorelines and around the fishing jetties. 

Lake Keomah
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs near shoreline. Try a chunk of nightcrawler if fish get picky. Black Crappie - Fair: Use jigs or minnows around the fishing jetties and the fishing pier. 

Lake Sugema
Walleye - Slow: Use jig and minnow combinations in areas with rip-rapped shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Use rubber worms in the same areas as the day warms up. Black Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnows in deeper water structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and around the aquatic vegetation. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use liver or nightcrawlers around areas with rip rap. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits and rubber worms around the cedar tree piles. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.27 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. The water temperature is in the upper 60's. Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait or large chubs around areas with rip rap. The rocks around the bridge at the Bridgeview area are a good spot this time of year. White Crappie - Good: Anglers are catching some crappies around the docks at the marina and at the resort. Anglers have had luck in shallow water as well as in 4-10 feet of water. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Anglers are trolling crankbaits along rocky shorelines. Try also using jig and minnow combos along the shoreline. Walleye - Good: Use nightcrawler rigs or crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points. 

Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinnerbaits or rubber worms in shoreline areas along rip-rapped shorelines. Black Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and around the aquatic vegetation. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are moving out of flood action stage at 13 feet at Rock Island. Water levels are dropping fast. The water temperature is near 67 degrees. Some boat ramps will still have debris on them from the recent flood.  

River levels are dropping fast and most places are out of flood stages. Water temperatures are in the mid 60's. Many boat ramps are unusable or will have flood debris on them. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 12.40 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. The docks are not in at the Fairport Recreational Area due to the high water. The boat ramps at Clark's Ferry Landing and Shady Creek are closed due to high water. We have not received much for fishing reports due to the high water. Bluegill - Fair: Use worms under a bobber along the shore in Sunset Marina. White Crappie - Fair: Try minnows under a bobber in Sunset Marina.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 12.02 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. Tailwater stage is forcasted to fall to 15 feet by the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 16.  The Kilpeck Landing and Big Timber Landing are closed due to high water. We have not received much for fishing reports due to the high water. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 13.82 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are out of the water at the dam. The Toolsboro landing is closed due to high water. The Hawkeye Dolbee access will have water over the parking lot. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. 

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 10.06 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. 

River stages have fallen below flood stage or are at flood stage. Tailwater stages have been falling the past few days. River levels are still high. Main channel water temperature is around 69 degrees. Some boat ramps are closed due to the high water. We have not received much for fishing reports this week. Most fishing reports are coming from inland waters due to the recent high water conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature are in the 80's. Largemouth Bass - Fair: The spawn has wrapped up; adults have moved out to deeper water to cool off. Work the flooded trees with soft plastics. Bluegill - Fair: Warm temperatures lead to a quick spawn.  Most have moved back out into deeper water.  Work the 6 to 8 foot deep water. 

Deep Lakes
All that sand also warms up fast during the day. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some males were still in fairly shallow late last week.  The bigger females were out deep. Bluegill - Fair: Found some 10 inch bluegills last Thursday.  Most of them are out in deeper water, but you can sight fish them. 

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa River continues to drop at a good rate.  A few more anglers are getting out on the river. Channel Catfish - Fair: Work the logjams and the high cut banks as the catfish are getting ready to spawn 

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is in the low 80's. Curlyleaf is still pretty thick, but it should die back soon with these warm water temperatures. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Most of the bigger bass have moved to their deeper water haunts to recover from the heat and the spawn. Black Crappie - Slow: Go deep and move around the flooded timber to find crappies. Bluegill - Good: Most of the bluegills are done spawning, but you should still be able to find a few pockets of spawning fish. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are enjoying the hot weather and have moved into the rocks to spawn. The face of the dam is a good place to start. 

Lake Darling
Hot weather over the holiday weekend raised the water temperature into the low 80's. Black Crappie - Slow: Crappies have moved out to 8 to 12 feet deep water. Look for them over the rock piles and cedar trees at those depths. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Adults have moved off into deeper water to cool off and recover from the spawn. Clouds of 1 1/2 little bass in the shallows. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are in the rocks down at the dam and along the deeper shorelines spawning. Bluegill - Good: Most bluegills are done with this round of spawning.  Still pockets of spawning fish in some of the more shaded areas of the shallows. 

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is around 70 degrees; water is very clear (14 feet).  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Most of the spawn is over; look for bass to be deeper out taking it easy. Bluegill - Fair: Most bluegills are done spawning.  Look for them around the brush and trees in 6 to 8 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Fair: Start along the face of the dam in the riprap for males guarding the nests. 

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The Skunk River water level are holding steady. Plenty of water for most boats. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has picked up with the stable water levels. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Starting to see some diddy poles out.  

For more information on the above lakes, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

 

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Channel Catfish – Good. Flathead Catfish – Good. Shovelnose Sturgeon – Good. 

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently drained as a renovation project is finishing up this spring. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal summer pool of 683.3 feet. Channel Catfish - Fair: Find fish along the shallow rocks looking to spawn. White Crappie – Fair: Check brush piles and rock banks for post spawn fish.  

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black Crappie - Good: Try small jigs fished around the rock jetties or brush piles. Most fish are 7-9 inches. Pink and black tube jigs have been the hot colors. Bluegill - Excellent: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. Many fish are around 7 inches. 

Green Castle Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Spinnerbaits work well. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some have been caught on jig/twister, but crawlers work too. 

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
The weeds are thick around the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use a frog over the weeds or fish the outside weed line. Bluegill - Fair: Fish right along the shoreline or in pockets of the weeds for spawning fish. Black Crappie - Fair: Fish the weed line or offshore for suspended crappies. Most fish are around 8 inches. Channel Catfish - Fair. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is currently drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring. 

Lake Macbride
Water temperatures are around 80 degrees. All boat docks are in and the fish cleaning station at the primitive campground ramp is open. Only motors under 10hp may be used at no-wake speed. Black Crappie - Slow: Most fish have moved off the bank. Some are on brush and others are suspended out from spawning areas. Walleye - Fair: Cast toward shallow, windblown rocks or troll or jig live bait rigs. Early/late in the day or cloud cover has been best for shallow walleyes. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some males are still shallow guarding fry and some fish have pulled off to deeper rock for the summer. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair. Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig or worm around shallow cover. Size is marginal at best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Evenings are best. 

Otter Creek Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Cast small jigs, spinners or live bait to shallow shores. Most fish are around 8 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. Most fish are 5-7 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Bright colored jigs work best. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 7 feet low from the restoration project. The main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be submerged. Walleye – Fair: Some small fish are being caught on crawlers. White Bass – Fair. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Slow. Channel Catfish – Fair. 

Union Grove Lake
The lake was restocked two years ago after a lake renovation project. Most fish are smaller, but some adult fish were also stocked. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs or worms in the shallows. 

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Smallmouth Bass – Good.

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

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits along the rocky shorelines and rubber worms around the deeper structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs along the rocky shorelines and around the fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or nightcrawlers in areas with large rocks. 

Lake Keomah
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs near shoreline. Try a chunk of nightcrawler if fish get picky. Black Crappie - Fair: Use jigs or minnows around the fishing jetties and the fishing pier. As the water warms, crappies will move to a little deeper water. 

Lake Sugema
Walleye - Slow: Use jig and minnow combinations in areas with rip-rapped shorelines. Nightcrawlers can also be productive. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Use rubber worms in the same areas as the day warms up. Black Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnows in deeper water structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and around the aquatic vegetation. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use liver or nightcrawlers around areas with rip rap. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits and rubber worms around the cedar tree piles. Fish deeper structure as the temperatures warm. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.27 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. The water temperature is in the upper 70's. Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait or large chubs around areas with rip rap. The rocks around the bridge at the Bridgeview area are a good spot this time of year. White Crappie - Good: Anglers are some crappies around the docks at the marina and at the resort. Anglers have had luck in shallow water as well as in 4-10 feet of water. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Anglers are trolling crankbaits along rocky shorelines. Try also using jig and minnow combos along the shoreline. Walleye - Good: Use nightcrawler rigs or crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points. 

Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinnerbaits or rubber worms in shoreline areas along rip-rapped shorelines. Black Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and around the aquatic vegetation. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels at Bellevue are 9.91 feet and are dropping fast. Bellevue is presently out of flood action stage. The Bellevue City ramp and DNR ramp are available for use. The channel water temperature is around 75 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Anglers are after large bass in the big flooded expanses of some of Pool 13’s largest backwater complexes such as Spring Lake and Browns Lake. Some bass are being caught out of Middle Sabula Lake and Green Island. Common Carp - Fair: Conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded areas are perfect. Find carp and other rough fish thrashing about on hot sunny days in Green Island and Middle Sabula Lakes. Please take fish with you; don’t leave them on the bank. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers will start to target channel cats along rock lines soon as they begin to spawn. Bluegill - Slow: some Bluegills are being reported; try around debris in the back waters. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are cresting 9.77 feet at Fulton, 12.73 feet at Camanche and 7.08 feet at LeClaire. Levels are dropping fast. The water temperature is around 76 degrees. Some ramps may still have debris on them. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Flooding made access to bass fishing difficult last week, but fishing for bass should really pick up the next few weeks. Common Carp - No Report: Conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded areas look good. Find carp and other rough fish thrashing about on hot sunny days. Channel Catfish - No Report: Fish worms near the shore as catfish feed along newly flooded shorelines. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are moving out of flood action stage at 10.23 feet at Rock Island. Water levels are dropping fast. The water temperature is near 76 degrees. Some boat ramps will still have debris on them from the recent flood. Channel Catfish - Slow: Reports of a few channel cats caught on worms drifting near shore lines. 

River levels are dropping fast and most places are out of flood stages. Water temperatures are in the mid 70's. Many boat ramps are unusable. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

 

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Hollow Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Try down along the face of the dam. Bluegill - Fair: Work the 6 to 7 feet of water in the flooded timber. 

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
River levels dropped a few inches earlier in the week, but are headed back up. Less than a foot below flood stage at Wapello. 

Lake Belva Deer
All the rains last week clouded the water; water clarity is about 3 feet. For most lakes that's not bad, but for Belva Deer that's muddy. Largemouth Bass - Good: Work the shallow flooded timber in the early morning and late evenings. During the day, hit the deeper mounds at the upper end of the lake. Bluegill - Fair: Work the flooded trees in deeper water, especially over in the area near the beach. Channel Catfish - Fair: The face of the dam is a good place to start. Try also around the mounds at the upper end of the lake. 

Lake Darling
The water temperature is in the mid 80's this week. Water clarity is not bad (about 30 inches); last week's multiple downpours made it a bit muddy. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Early morning. Work the brush piles in shallow water in early morning before the bass move out in to deeper water for the day. Bluegill - Fair: You can still find pockets of bluegills in shallow water, especially around the flooded trees. Channel Catfish - Good: Work the rip rap around the island and down at the dam to find some nice catfish. 

Lost Grove Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Anglers are picking up crappies later in the day around the fishing piers, especially those on the north side of the lake. Bluegill - Good: Try the deeper water around the north side of the lake. 

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
Water levels is just under bank full. Boating is not advised. 

For more information on the above lakes, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently drained as a renovation project is finishing up this spring. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal summer pool of 683.3 feet. Water temperatures are in the upper 70's. The water is very dirty. Channel Catfish - Fair: Best action is drifting or trolling cut bait in the channel. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish steep rock banks for suspended fish. 

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs fished around the brush piles or drift the basin. Most fish are 7-9 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. Many fish are around 6-7 inches. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has picked up over the past week. 

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
The weeds are thick around the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use a frog over the weeds or fish the outside weed line. Bluegill - Good. Black Crappie - Good: Fish the weed line or offshore for suspended crappies. Most fish are around 8 inches. Some bigger fish are being caught out deeper. Channel Catfish - Good. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is currently drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring. 

Lake Macbride
Water temperatures are in the 70's. The fish cleaning station at the primitive campground and main ramp are both open. Only motors under 10hp may be used at no-wake speed. Black Crappie - Slow: Fish deeper brush or look for suspended fish off breaks. Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits or jig live bait. Most fish are in 7-14 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some fish are still shallow while other fish have pulled off to deeper rock for the summer. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Look for schools roaming deep water feeding on juvenile shad. Early and late in the day are best. Bluegill - Fair: Some are shallow in pockets while others have moved to deeper rock. Size is marginal at best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Evenings are best. 

Otter Creek Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Mornings are best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Evenings are best. Yellow Bass - Good: Cast jigs, spinners or live bait. Most fish are about 8-9 inches. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 5 feet low from the restoration project. The main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be submerged. White Bass – Good: Fish windblown shores or look for schools in open water.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: These are mixed in with the white bass. Mornings and evenings are best. Bluegill – Fair: Fish weed edges. Channel Catfish – Slow. 

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

 

Des Moines River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Target log jams and rocked areas; channel catfish are spawning. Watch for water levels to change with the recent rains.

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits along the rocky shorelines and rubber worms around the deeper structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait along the rocky shorelines and around the fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or night crawlers in areas with large rocks. 

Lake Keomah
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait near shoreline and around the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing deep structure with a jig and minnow. Some fish should still be shallow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use night crawlers in areas along the fishing jetties.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits around the fishing jetties and along the dam. Switch to rubber worms and deeper structure as the day heats up. 

Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Target deeper structure with rubber worms or jig n pig combos. Black Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnows in deeper water structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and aquatic vegetation. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or night crawlers along the dam or around the fishing jetties. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Good: Use night crawlers around areas with rip-rapped shorelines or rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits and crankbaits around the cedar tree piles. Fish deeper structure with rubber worms or crawdad imitations as temperatures warm. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler in areas around aquatic vegetation or near the fishing jetties. White Crappie - Fair: Try minnows or jig and minnows in deeper structure and the outer edge of the weed line. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.45 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait or large chubs around areas with rip rap. The rocks around the bridge at the Bridgeview area are a good spot this time of year. White Crappie - Good: Use minnows around deeper structure. Some fish can still be caught shallow around the docks. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll crankbaits along rocky shorelines and around rock piles. Try also using jig and minnow combos along the shoreline. Walleye - Good: Use night crawler rigs or troll crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points.

Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast the shorelines in the early part of the day and then fish deeper structure as the day warms up. Black Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and aquatic vegetation. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try night crawlers around the fishing jetties or along the dam. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

MISSIPPI RIVER:

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 15.20 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and is forecast to reach 16.9 feet by Monday. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 15. River level at Fairport is 15.04 feet and flood stage is 14 feet. Water level is at the top of the Marquette Stree boat ramp and is starting to get into the parking lot. The boat ramps at Clark's Ferry and Shady Creek are closed. The lower ramp and portion of the parking lot is underwater at the Fairport Recreational Area. Fishing has been slow. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 14.68 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is forecast to reach 16.7 feet by Monday. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 16. River stage at Muscatine is 16.2 feet and flood stage is 16 feet. Kilpeck Landing is closed due to high water. Big Timber is closed due to high water. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 16.01 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is forecast to reach 18.3 feet by Monday. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 17. River stage at Keithsburg is 14.99 feet and flood stage is 14 feet. The Toolsboro Landing is closed due to high water. The Ferry Landing is closed. The Hawkeye Dolbee access will have water over the parking lot. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions.  

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 11.59 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is forecast to reach 13.4 feet by Monday. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 16.36 feet and flood stage is 15 feet. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. 

River stages are on the rise due to recent heavy rains. River stages are at or above flood stage. Current forecasts have river levels rising through the weekend. Some boat ramps are underwater due to the high water conditions. Main channel water temperature is around 75 degrees. We have not received much for fishing reports due to the high water conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The River is down in this section; still getting a lot of water from the Cedar and is just below being bank full. 

Lake Belva Deer
Hot weather has cut down the number of anglers out on the lake down. Largemouth Bass - Good: Work the shallow flooded timber in the early morning and late evenings. During the day, hit the deeper mounds at the upper end of the lake. Bluegill - Fair: Work the flooded trees in deeper water, especially over in the area near the beach. Channel Catfish - Fair: The face of the dam is a good place to start. Try also around the mounds at the upper end of the lake. 

Lake Darling
The weather hasn't cooled the water down. Water clarity is still fairly decent (about 3 feet). Largemouth Bass - Fair: Work the brush piles in shallow water in early morning before the bass move out in to deeper water for the day. Bluegill - Fair: Most bluegill have moved out to 5 to 8 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Good: Work the rip rap around the island and down at the dam to find some nice catfish. 

Lost Grove Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing has slowed with the hot weather; move to deeper water where the crappies are trying to escape the heat. Bluegill - Fair: Early morning and late evening are best. 

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The water level dropped just a bit; it’s holding at about two foot from bank full level. 

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

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently drained as a renovation project is finishing up this spring. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal summer pool of 683.3 feet. The water is very dirty. Channel Catfish - Fair: Best action is drifting or trolling cut bait in the channel. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish steep rock banks for suspended fish. 

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs fished around the brush piles or drift the basin. Most fish are 7-9 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. Many fish are around 6-7 inches. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has picked up over the past week. 

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
Largemouth Bass - Fair. Bluegill - Good. Black Crappie - Good. Channel Catfish - Good. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is currently drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring. 

Lake Macbride
Water temperatures are around 80 degrees. The fish cleaning station at the primitive campground and main ramp are both open. Only motors under 10hp may be used at no-wake speed. Black Crappie - Slow: Fish deeper brush or look for suspended fish off breaks. Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits or jig live bait. Most fish are in 7-14 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some fish are still shallow while other fish have pulled off to deeper rock for the summer. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Look for schools roaming over deep water feeding on juvenile shad. Early and late in the day are best. Bluegill - Fair: Some are shallow in pockets while others have moved to deeper rock. Size is marginal at best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Evenings are best. 

Otter Creek Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Mornings are best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Evenings are best. Yellow Bass - Good: Cast jigs, spinners or live bait. Most fish are about 8-9 inches. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 5 feet low from the restoration project. The main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be submerged. White Bass – Good: Fish windblown shores or look for schools in open water.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: These are mixed in with the white bass. Mornings and evenings are best. Bluegill – Fair: Fish weed edges. Channel Catfish – Slow. 

Rodgers Park Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair. 

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

 

Des Moines River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Target log jams and rocked shorelines. Watch for water levels to change with the recent rains.

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits along the rocky shorelines and rubber worms around the deeper structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait along the rocky shorelines and around the fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or night crawlers in areas with large rocks. 

Lake Keomah
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait near shoreline and around the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing deep structure with a jig and minnow. Some fish should still be shallow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use night crawlers in areas along the fishing jetties.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits around the fishing jetties and along the dam. Switch to rubber worms and deeper structure as the day heats up. 

Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Target deeper structure with rubber worms or jig-n-pig combos. Black Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnows in deeper water structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or night crawlers along the dam or around the fishing jetties. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Good: Use night crawlers around areas with rip-rapped shorelines or rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits and crankbaits around the cedar tree piles. Fish deeper structure with rubber worms or crawdad imitations as the day heats up. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler in areas around aquatic vegetation or near the fishing jetties. White Crappie - Slow: Try minnows or jig and minnows in deeper structure and the outer edge of the weed line. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.25 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait or large chubs around areas with rip rap. The rocks around the bridge at the Bridgeview area are a good spot this time of year. White Crappie - Fair: Use minnows around deeper structure. Trolling small crankbaits can also catch suspended crappies. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll crankbaits along rocky shorelines and around rock piles. Try also vertical jigging in the same areas . Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite has slowed down from earlier in the year. Use night crawler rigs or troll crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points.

Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast the shorelines in the early part of the day and then fish deeper structure as the day warms up. Black Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try night crawlers around the fishing jetties or along the dam. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are receding, but some minor flooding is still occurring. Expect most smaller boat ramps to be flooded or have debris on them. Presently the water is 15.4 feet at Rock Island.  Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is near 82 degrees. Channel Catfish - No Report: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - No Report: Use an egg sinker and worm rig and fish near shore in flooded conditions. Drum will use freshly washed in food in newly flooded habitats. 

Water has crested and now is receding. Still flood stages in some places. Many boat ramps will be out of operation. Water clarity is getting better, but may be turbid. Lots of debris floating in channel. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 15.40 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and has fallen close to a foot since Monday. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 15. River stage at Fairport is 16.51 feet and is falling. Flood stage at Fairport is 14 feet. The boat ramps at Clark's Ferry and Shady Creek are closed due to high water. The ramps and portions of the parking lot are underwater at the Fairport Recreational Area. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 15.36 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage at Muscatine is 16.91 feet and is falling. Flood stage is 16 feet. Kilpeck Landing is closed due to high water. Big Timber is closed due to high water. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 16.76 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage at Keithsburg is 15.73 feet and is falling. Flood stage is 14 feet. The Toolsboro Landing is closed due to high water. The Ferry Landing is closed. The Hawkeye Dolbee access will have water over the parking lot. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions.  

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 12.83 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is starting to fall. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 17.53  feet and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. River level at Fort Madison is 529.32 feet and flood stage is 528 feet. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. 

River stages are still above flood stage, but they are starting to fall. Main channel water temperature is 82 degrees. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions and limited access. Many of the boat ramps are still underwater. Most fishing reports are coming from inland lakes and farm ponds. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Hollow Lake
Not a lot of angler activity because of the weather. Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappies in 6-7 feet in the flooded trees. Bluegill - Slow: Look for shadier bays on the south side with flooded trees and 6-8 feet of water. 

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa River is finally starting to drop; boating still not recommended. 

Lake Belva Deer
Hot weather has cut down the number of anglers out on the lake down. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass fishing has slowed some, but you can still find them working the surface early in the morning. Bluegill - Fair: Work the flooded trees in deeper water, especially over in the area near the beach. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fishing or slow trolling the area in front of the beach and towards the North boat ramp out in 10 to 15 feet of water is producing some nice crappies. 

Lake Darling
Water temperature are in the low to mid 80's. Water clarity isn't bad at two feet with some green color to the water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Work the brush piles in shallow water in early morning before the bass move out in to deeper water for the day. Bluegill - Fair: Most bluegill have moved out to 5 to 8 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are wrapping up the spawning activities, but you should still be able to find them in the rocks. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fishing for crappies out in the middle of the lake is producing some fish.

Lost Grove Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing has slowed with the hot weather; move to deeper water where the crappies are trying to escape the heat. Bluegill - Fair: Early morning and late evening are best. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching some decent bass on topwater baits early in the morning. 

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The water level on the Skunk is still just a little below bank full. 

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

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently drained as a renovation project is finishing up. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at 683.5 feet; normal summer pool is 683.3 feet. Channel Catfish - Fair: Best action is drifting or trolling cut bait in the channel. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish steep rock banks for suspended fish. 

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs fished around the brush piles or drift the basin. Most fish are 7-9 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. Many fish are around 6-7 inches. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has picked up over the past week. 

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
Largemouth Bass - Fair. Bluegill - Good. Black Crappie - Good. Channel Catfish - Good. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is currently drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring. 

Kent Park Lake watershed ponds
The ponds behind the education center have been best. Largemouth Bass - Good: 12-15 inch fish are hitting about anything. These fish must be 15 inches to keep. 

Lake Macbride
Only motors under 10hp may be used at no-wake speed. Black Crappie - Slow: Fish deeper brush or look for suspended fish off breaks. Walleye - Slow: Troll crankbaits or jig live bait. Most fish are in 7-13 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Some fish are still shallow while other fish have pulled off to deeper rock for the summer. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Look for schools roaming over deep water feeding on juvenile shad. Early and late in the day are best. Bluegill - Fair: Some are shallow in pockets while others have moved to deeper rock. Size is marginal at best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Evenings are best. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 5 feet low from the restoration project. The main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be submerged. White Bass – Fair: Fish windblown shores or look for schools in open water.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: These are mixed in with the white bass. Mornings and evenings are best. Bluegill – Slow: Fish weed edges. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use chicken liver or shrimp. Walleye - Slow.  

Rodgers Park Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair. 

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
River levels are finally receding. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or worms in the backwaters. Black Crappie - Fair: Try jigs or minnows around brush in the backwaters. 

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

 

Des Moines River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Target log jams and rocked shorelines. Watch for water levels to change with the recent rains.

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits along the rocky shorelines and rubber worms around the deeper structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait along the rocky shorelines and around the fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or night crawlers in areas with large rocks. 

Lake Keomah
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait near shoreline and around the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing deep structure with a jig and minnow. Some fish should still be shallow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use night crawlers in areas along the fishing jetties. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits around the fishing jetties and along the dam. Switch to rubber worms and deeper structure as the day heats up. 

Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target deeper structure with rubber worms or jig-n-pig combos. Black Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnows in deeper water structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or night crawlers along the dam or around the fishing jetties. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use night crawlers around areas with rip-rapped shorelines or rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish deeper structure with rubber worms or crawdad imitations as the day heats up. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler in areas around aquatic vegetation or near the fishing jetties. White Crappie - Slow: Try minnows or jig and minnows in deeper structure and the outer edge of the weed line. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.11 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait or large chubs around areas with rip rap. The rocks around the bridge at the Bridgeview area are a good spot this time of year. White Crappie - Fair: Use minnows around deeper structure. Trolling small crankbaits can also catch suspended crappies. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll crankbaits along rocky shorelines and around rock piles. Try also vertical jigging in the same areas . Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite has slowed down from earlier in the year. Use night crawler rigs or troll crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points.

Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast the shorelines in the early part of the day and then fish deeper structure as the day warms up. Black Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try night crawlers around the fishing jetties or along the dam. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 12.58 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Flood stage at Fairport is 14 feet. The docks are being reported as in at the Marquette St. ramp in Davenport. As of July 5th, the ramps at Clark's Ferry and Shady Creek were still closed. The Fairport Recreation Area has a dock in at the upper ramp. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught in Sunset Marina on stink bait. Try above brush piles and snags in the back channels. Walleye - Fair: Reports of some walleyes being caught trolling between the mouth of the Rock River and Sunset Marina. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 12.12 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage at Muscatine is 13.73 feet and is falling. Flood stage is 16 feet. As of July 5th, the Kilpeck Landing was still closed due to high water. Big Timber is closed due to high water. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 13.73 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage at Keithsburg is 13.27 feet and is falling. Flood stage is 14 feet. The Toolsboro Landing is still closed due to high water, but may reopen by the weekend if the river continues to fall. The Ferry Landing is closed. The Hawkeye Dolbee access will have water over the parking lot. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions.  

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 10.13 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 10 feet. River level is 15.17 feet at Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. River level at Fort Madison is 527.93 feet and flood stage is 528 feet. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. 

River stages are still high and some boat ramps are still closed due to the high water. River stages have been falling. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. Main channel water temperature is around 82 degrees. Most fishing reports are coming from inland lakes and farm ponds. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently drained as a renovation project is finishing up. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal summer pool. Channel Catfish - Fair: Best action is drifting or trolling cut bait in the channel. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish steep rock banks for suspended fish. 

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs fished around the brush piles or drift the basin. Most fish are 7-9 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. Many fish are around 6-7 inches. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has picked up over the past week. 

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
Largemouth Bass - Fair. Bluegill - Good. Black Crappie - Good. Channel Catfish - Good. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring. 

Lake Macbride
Only motors under 10hp may be used at no-wake speed. Water temperatures are in the 80's. Black Crappie - Slow: Fish deeper brush or look for suspended fish off breaks. Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits or jig live bait. Most fish are in 8-13 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some fish are still shallow while other fish have pulled off to deeper rock for the summer. Best bite is early in the day. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Look for schools roaming over deep water feeding on juvenile shad. Early and late in the day are best. Bluegill - Fair: Some are shallow in pockets while others have moved to deeper rock. Size is marginal at best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Evenings are best. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 5 feet low from the restoration project. The main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be submerged. Check your boat and trailer for the invasive plant, Brittle Naiad; it is abundant here. White Bass – Fair: Fish windblown shores or look for schools in open water.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: These are mixed in with the white bass. Mornings and evenings are best. Bluegill – Slow: Fish weed edges. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use chicken liver or shrimp. Walleye - Slow.  

Rodgers Park Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair. 

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
River levels are finally receding. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or worms in the backwaters. Black Crappie - Fair: Try jigs or minnows around brush in the backwaters. 

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

 

Des Moines River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Target log jams and rocked shorelines. Watch for water levels to change with the recent rains.

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits along the rocky shorelines and rubber worms around the deeper structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait along the rocky shorelines and the weed line. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or stinkbait in areas with 4-6 feet of water. 

Lake Keomah
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait near shoreline and around the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing deep structure with a jig and minnow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stinkbait or chicken liver. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits around the fishing jetties and along the dam. Switch to rubber worms and deeper structure as the day heats up. 

Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target deeper structure with rubber worms or jig-n-pig combos. Black Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnows in deeper water structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or stinkbait along the dam or around the fishing jetties. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or stinkbait around areas with rip-rapped shorelines or rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish deeper structure with rubber worms or crawdad imitations. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler in areas around aquatic vegetation or near the fishing jetties. White Crappie - Slow: Try minnows or jig and minnows in deeper structure and the outer edge of the weed line. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.02 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stinkbait or chicken liver in areas with water running into the lake. White Crappie - Fair: Use minnows around deeper structure. Trolling small crankbaits can also catch suspended crappies. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll crankbaits along rocky shorelines and around rock piles. Try also vertical jigging in the same areas . Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite has slowed from earlier in the year. Use night crawler rigs or troll crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points.Leeches can also be productive this time of year. 

Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast the shorelines in the early part of the day and then fish deeper structure as the day warms up. Black Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try night crawlers around the fishing jetties or along the dam. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 11.38 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. The docks are being reported as in at the Marquette St. ramp in Davenport. The Fairport Recreation Area has a dock in at the upper ramp. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught in Sunset Marina on stinkbait. Try also above brush piles and snags in the back channels. Walleye - Fair: Reports of some walleyes being caught trolling between the mouth of the Rock River and Sunset Marina. Try fishing on the wingdams along Credit Island with crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 10.48 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. Big Timber is closed due to high water. Fishing has been slow with the high water. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above snag piles along the side channels and main channel with stinkbait or shad. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams; use crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. Trolling crankbaits by GPC can work, too. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with pieces of worms under a bobber. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 11.87 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is falling. The gates are still out of the water at the dam. Flood stage is 15 feet. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above brush piles and snags along side channels and the main channel for catfish; use stinkbait or shad. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with worms under a bobber. 

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 8.22 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 10 feet. River level is 13.34 feet at Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. River level at Fort Madison is 527.02 feet and flood stage is 528 feet. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above brush piles and snags along the side channels and main channel; use stinkbait or shad. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with worms under a bobber. 

River stages are still high, but have been falling. Fishing is being reported as slow. Main channel water temperature is around 82 degrees. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is in the low to mid 80's. Expect an increase in fishing pressure with the forecasted cooler weather. Bluegill - Fair: Work the bluegills in about 6 feet of water in the flooded timber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Early evening is best as bass move out of deeper water to feed on little bluegills and green sunfish. 

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The drop in the water level has slowed. Channel Catfish - Fair: Look for them to be around the brush piles in deeper water and around the edges of the sandbars as the water recedes. 

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature in low 80's. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegills in the flooded timber between 10 and 12 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are still finding crappies while slow trolling in the open water area between the beach and the dam; early morning before 10 am is best. 

Lake Darling
Water temperature is between 82 and 83 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are picking up bass around the deeper habitat. In the early and late parts of the day, look for them to be in shallow but not far from the deep water ledges. Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills out around the rock piles and brush in 6-8 feet of water.

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is between 80 and 81 degrees. Planktonic algae bloom is turning the water green. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappies later in the evening as these fish come to shore to feed later in the day. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching bass in the flooded brush on the north side of the lake in the early morning hours. 

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The water level in this area have stopped dropping. It should drop again as the South Skunk continues to drop where the North has stabilized. Channel Catfish - Fair: Still a lot of water in the Skunk; try around the edges of the brush piles and trees where there is a current break. 

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

 

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently refilling as a renovation project has finished up this spring. It has been restocked with juvenile bass, bluegill and catfish. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal summer pool. Channel Catfish - Fair: Best action is drifting or trolling cut bait in the channel. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish steep rock banks for suspended fish. 

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs fished around the brush piles or drift the basin. Most fish are 7-9 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. Many fish are around 6-7 inches. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has picked up over the past week. 

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
Largemouth Bass - Fair. Bluegill - Fair. Black Crappie - Fair. Channel Catfish - Fair. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring. 

Lake Macbride
Only motors under 10hp may be used at no-wake speed. Black Crappie - Slow: Fish deeper brush or look for suspended fish off breaks. Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits or  live bait rigs. Most fish are in 8-13 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some fish are still shallow while other fish have pulled off to deeper rock for the summer. Best bite is early in the day. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Look for schools roaming over deep water feeding on juvenile shad. Early and late in the day are best. Bluegill - Fair: Some are shallow in pockets while others have moved to deeper rock. Size is marginal at best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Evenings are best. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 5 feet low from the restoration project. The main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be submerged. Check your boat and trailer for the invasive plant, Brittle Naiad; it is abundant here. Night fishing has been reported as being the most productive lately. White Bass – Fair: Fish windblown shores or look for schools in open water.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: These are mixed in with the white bass. Mornings and evenings are best. Bluegill – Slow: Fish weed edges. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use chicken liver or shrimp. Walleye - Slow.  

Rodgers Park Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair. 

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

 

Des Moines River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Target slack water areas around log jams and rocked shorelines. 

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits along the rocky shorelines and rubber worms around the deeper structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait along the rocky shorelines and the weed line. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or stinkbait in areas with 4-6 feet of water. 

Lake Keomah
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait near shoreline and around the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing deep structure with a jig and minnow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or chicken liver 4-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits around the fishing jetties and along the dam. Switch to rubber worms and deeper structure as the day heats up. 

Lake Sugema
The south boat ramp off of Highway 2 is closed due to a parking lot construction project. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target deeper structure with rubber worms or deep diving crankbaits.. Black Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnow combos in deeper water structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or stinkbait along the dam or around the fishing jetties. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or stink bait around areas with rip-rapped shorelines or rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish around deeper structure with rubber worms or crawdad imitations. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler in areas around aquatic vegetation or near the fishing jetties. White Crappie - Slow: Try minnows or jig and minnows in deeper structure and the outer edge of the weed line. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.83 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or chicken liver in areas with water running into the lake. White Crappie - Slow: Use minnows around deeper structure. Trolling small crankbaits can also catch suspended crappies. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll crankbaits or night crawler rigs along rocky shorelines and around rock piles. Try also vertical jigging in the same areas. Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite has slowed from earlier in the year. Use night crawler rigs or troll crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points. Leeches can also be productive this time of year. 

Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast the shorelines in the early part of the day and then fish deeper structure as the day warms up. Use rubber worms or crankbaits. Black Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try night crawlers around the fishing jetties or along the dam. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are 11.3 feet at Rock Island. Expect water to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: In high water conditions, most fish hang around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stinkbait or worms near shore. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use an egg sinker and worm rig fished near shore in high water conditions. 

Water levels continue to drop throughout the district this week. Some boat ramps may have water and debris on them yet. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 11.30 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. The docks are being reported as in at the Marquette St. ramp in Davenport. The Fairport Recreation Area has a dock in at the upper and lower ramps. Fishing is being reported as slow. Channel Catfish - Slow: Some channel catfish are being caught in Sunset Marina on stinkbait. Try also above brush piles and snags in the back channels. Walleye - No Report: Troll crankbaits between the mouth of the Rock River and Sunset Marina. Try fishing on the wingdams along Credit Island with crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 10.31 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. River stage at Muscatine is 11.92 feet and is falling. Flood stage at Muscatine is 16 feet. The ramp at Big Timber is open. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above snag piles along the side channels and main channel with stinkbait or shad. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams; use crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. Trolling crankbaits by GPC can work, too. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with pieces of worms under a bobber. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 11.72 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is falling. The gates are still out of the water at the dam. The ramp at Toolsboro is open. Flood stage is 15 feet. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above brush piles and snags along side channels and the main channel; use stinkbait or shad. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with worms under a bobber. 

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 7.88 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 10 feet. River level is 13.03 feet at Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. River level at Fort Madison is 526.89 feet and flood stage is 528 feet. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above brush piles and snags along the side channels and main channel; use stinkbait or shad. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with worms under a bobber. 

River stages rose slightly this past weekend, but are starting to fall. Main channel water temperature is around 78 degrees. Water clarity is fair. Fishing is being reported as slow. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa River is getting low enough that the bigger sandbars are starting to show. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfishing has picked up a little. Work the outer edges of the brush piles early in the morning and late evening. Stink baits are made for this time of year. 

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature in low 80's to upper 70's;  90 + degree temperatures next week should make that go back up. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegills in the flooded timber between 10 and 12 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are still finding crappies while slow trolling in the open water area between the beach and the dam; early morning before 10 am is best. 

Lake Darling
Water temperatures dropped a little since last week, but that trend doesn't look to continue with the weather forecast. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are picking up bass around the deeper habitat. In the early and late parts of the day, look for them to be in shallow but not far from the deep water ledges. Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills out around the rock piles and brush in 6-8 feet of water.

Lost Grove Lake
Lots of boats and kayaks out on the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappies later in the evening as these fish come to shore to feed later in the day. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching bass in the flooded brush on the north side of the lake in the early morning hours. 

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The river level dropped more since last week, but most jon boats should still be ok. Channel Catfish - Fair: Starting to get low enough that you should be able to concentrate more on the deeper holes. 

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

 

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently refilling as a renovation project has finished up this spring. It has been restocked with juvenile bass, bluegill and catfish. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal summer pool. Channel Catfish - Fair: Best action is drifting or trolling cut bait in the channel. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish steep rock banks for suspended fish. 

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs fished around the brush piles or drift the basin. Most fish are 7-9 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. Many fish are around 6-7 inches. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has picked up over the past week. 

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
Largemouth Bass - Fair. Bluegill - Fair. Black Crappie - Fair. Channel Catfish - Fair. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring. 

Lake Macbride
Only motors under 10hp may be used at no-wake speed. Lake temperature is about 80 degrees. Black Crappie - Slow: Fish deeper brush or look for suspended fish off breaks. Some have been caught around the causeway area. Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits or live bait rigs. Most fish are 8-12 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some fish are still shallow while other fish have pulled off to deeper rock for the summer. Best bite is early in the day. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Look for schools roaming over deep water feeding on juvenile shad. Early and late in the day are best. Bluegill - Fair: Some are shallow in pockets while others have moved to deeper rock. Size is marginal at best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Evenings are best. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 5 feet low from the restoration project. The main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be submerged. Check your boat and trailer for the invasive plant, Brittle Naiad; it is abundant here. Night fishing has been reported as being the most productive lately. White Bass – Fair: Fish windblown shores or look for schools in open water.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: These are mixed in with the white bass. Mornings and evenings are best. Bluegill – Slow: Fish weed edges. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use chicken liver or shrimp. Walleye - Slow.  

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

 

Des Moines River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Target slack water areas around log jams and rocked shorelines. 

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits along the rocky shorelines and rubber worms around the deeper structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait along the rocky shorelines and the weed line. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or stink bait in areas with 4-6 feet of water. 

Lake Keomah
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait near shoreline and around the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a jig and minnow around deep structure. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or chicken liver 4-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits around the fishing jetties and along the dam. Switch to rubber worms and deeper structure as the day heats up. 

Lake Sugema
The south boat ramp off of Highway 2 is closed due to a parking lot construction project. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target deeper structure with rubber worms or deep diving crankbaits.. Black Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnow combos in deeper water structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or stink bait along the dam or around the fishing jetties. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or stink bait around areas with rip-rapped shorelines or rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use rubber worms or crawdad imitating crankbaits around deep structure.  Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler in areas around aquatic vegetation or near the fishing jetties. White Crappie - Slow: Try minnows or jig and minnows in deeper structure and the outer edge of the weed line. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.74 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or chicken liver in areas with water running into the lake. White Crappie - Fair: Use minnows around deeper structure. Trolling small crankbaits can also catch suspended crappies. Best bite is early in the day. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll crankbaits or night crawler rigs along rocky shorelines and around rock piles. Try also vertical jigging in the same areas. Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite has slowed from earlier in the year. Use night crawler rigs or troll crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points. Leeches can also be productive this time of year. 

Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast the shorelines in the early part of the day and then fish deeper structure as the day warms up. Use rubber worms or crankbaits. Black Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try night crawlers around the fishing jetties or along the dam. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

SE IOWA & ILLINOIS MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS

 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 9.01 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and is falling. The docks are being reported as in at the Marquette St. ramp in Davenport. The Fairport Recreation Area has a dock in at the upper and lower ramps. Fishing is being reported as slow. Channel Catfish - Slow: Some channel catfish are being caught in Sunset Marina on stink bait. Try also above brush piles and snags in the back channels. Walleye - No Report: Troll crankbaits between the mouth of the Rock River and Sunset Marina. Try fishing on the wing dams along Credit Island with crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 7.66 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. The ramp at Big Timber is open. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above snag piles along the side channels and main channel with stink bait or shad. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams; use crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. Trolling crankbaits by GPC can work, too. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with pieces of worms under a bobber. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 9.43 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is falling. The gates are still out of the water at the dam. The ramp at Toolsboro is open.Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above brush piles and snags along side channels and the main channel; use stink bait or shad. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with worms under a bobber. White Bass - Slow: Look for white bass at the outlet tube of Lake Odessa. Cast jig and twister tails or inline spinners. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with crawlers. 

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 5.95 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is falling. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above brush piles and snags along the side channels and main channel; use stink bait or shad. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with worms under a bobber. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with crawlers. 

River stages have been falling this past week. Main channel water temperature is around 78 degrees. Water clarity is fair. Fishing is being reported as slow.If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Hollow Lake
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers are catching nice bass around the edges of the flooded timber in the early morning and late evenings. 

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
Both the Iowa and Cedar Rivers are headed back up by the end of the week. Expect a water level increase of near two feet. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfishing has picked up a little. Work the outer edges of the brush piles early in the morning and late evening. Stink baits are made for this time of year. 

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature held steady at 80 degrees over the last week. Water clarity is fair at 26 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Look for crappie in front of the beach and down to the North Ramp in 15 feet of water slow trolling or drifting with the wind. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Work the flooded timber early in the morning with some weedless soft plastics. 

Lake Darling
Water temperatures dropped to 79 degrees.The water has a green cast to it with a water clarity of 19 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are picking up bass around the deeper habitat. In the early and late parts of the day, look for them to be in shallow but not far from the deep water ledges. Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills out around the rock piles and brush in 6-8 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappies while drifting over the habitat in 8 to 10 feet of water. 

Lost Grove Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing has moved deep with anglers catching them while slow trolling in 20 to 25 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching bass in the flooded brush on the north side of the lake in the early morning hours. 

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The South Skunk by Oskaloosa went up by near two feet on Wednesday. Look for that water to be down our way in a couple of days. The North Skunk is holding steady. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers continue to catch some nice catfish in the brush piles, the increase in water level may change that for a little while. 

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

 

Central Park Lake
The lake is currently refilling as a renovation project has finished up this spring. It has been restocked with juvenile bass, bluegill and catfish. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal summer pool. The water is dirty and warm, making fishing tough.
Channel Catfish - Slow: Best action is drifting or trolling cut bait in the channel. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish steep rock banks for suspended fish. 

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black Crappie - Slow: Try small jigs fished around the brush piles or drift the basin. Most fish are 7-9 inches. Bluegill - Slow: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. Many fish are around 6-7 inches. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfishing has picked up over the past week. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring. 

Lake Macbride
Only motors under 10hp may be used at no-wake speed. Lake temperature is about 80 degrees. Black Crappie - Slow: Fish deeper brush or look for suspended fish off breaks. Some have been caught around the causeway area. Walleye - Slow: Troll crankbaits or live bait rigs. Most fish are 8-12 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Some fish are still shallow while other fish have pulled off to deeper rock for the summer. Best bite is early in the day. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Look for schools roaming over deep water feeding on juvenile shad. Early and late in the day are best. Bluegill - Fair: Some are shallow in pockets while others have moved to deeper rock. Size is marginal at best. Channel Catfish - Fair: Evenings are best. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 5 feet low from the restoration project. The main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be submerged. Check your boat and trailer for the invasive plant, Brittle Naiad; it is abundant here. Night fishing has been reported as being the most productive lately. White Bass – Fair: Fish windblown shores or look for schools in open water.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: These are mixed in with the white bass. Mornings and evenings are best. Bluegill – Slow: Fish weed edges. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use chicken liver or shrimp. 

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

 

Des Moines River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or night crawlers in slack water areas around log jams and rocked shorelines. 

Lake Keomah
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait near shoreline and around the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a jig and minnow around deep structure. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or chicken liver 4-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits around the fishing jetties and along the dam. Switch to rubber worms and deeper structure as the day heats up. 

Lake Miami
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try topwater lures in the early mornings and evenings then switch to rubber worms or crankbaits during the hotter parts of the day. Target the cedar tree piles and the fishing jetties. Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs tipped with live bait along the rip-rapped shorelines, the jetties and around the cedar tree piles. 

Lake Sugema
The south boat ramp off of Highway 2 is closed due to a parking lot construction project. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures in the early mornings and evenings. As the day progresses, target deeper structure using rubber worms or deep diving crankbaits. Black Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnow combos in deeper water structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try live bait tipped on a small jig around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or chicken liver along the dam or around the fishing jetties. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or stink bait around areas with rip-rapped shorelines or rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use rubber worms or crawdad imitating crankbaits around deep structure.  Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler in areas around aquatic vegetation or near the fishing jetties. White Crappie - Slow: Try minnows or jig and minnows in deeper structure and the outer edge of the weed line. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.58 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or chicken liver. White Crappie - Fair: Use minnows around deeper structure. Trolling small crankbaits can also catch suspended crappies. Best bite is early in the day. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll crankbaits or night crawler rigs along rocky shorelines and around rock piles. Try also vertical jigging in the same areas. Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite has slowed from earlier in the year. Use night crawler rigs or troll crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points. Leeches can also be productive this time of year. 

Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast the shorelines in the early part of the day and then fish deeper structure as the day warms up. Use rubber worms or crankbaits. Black Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try night crawlers or chicken liver around the fishing jetties or along the dam. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport has risen to 8.68 feet, but is starting to fall. The docks are being reported as in at the Marquette St. ramp in Davenport. The Fairport Recreation Area has a dock in at the upper and lower ramps. Fishing is being reported as slow. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait in Sunset Marina. Try also above brush piles and snags in the back channels and main channel in the Andalusia Island complex. Walleye - No Report: Troll crankbaits between the mouth of the Rock River and Sunset Marina. Try fishing on the wing dams along Credit Island with crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. White Bass - Good: Try jigs and twister tails or topwater baits in Sunset Marina. Bluegill - Fair: Use pieces of worm under a bobber in Sunset Marina. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 7.27 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is rising, but it is forecast to start falling by the weekend. The ramp at Big Timber is open. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above snag piles along the side channels and main channel with stink bait or shad. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams; use crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. Trolling crankbaits by GPC can work, too. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with pieces of worms under a bobber. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 8.67 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is and rising, but is forecast to start falling by the weekend. The ramp at Toolsboro is open.Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing above brush piles and snags along side channels and the main channel; use stink bait or shad. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with worms under a bobber. White Bass - Slow: Look for white bass at the outlet tube of Lake Odessa. Cast jig and twister tails or inline spinners. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with crawlers. 

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 5.02 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is rising. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above brush piles and snags along the side channels and main channel; use stink bait or shad. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with worms under a bobber. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with crawlers. 

Tailwater stages have risen close to a foot with the recent heavy rains, but is forecast to start falling by the weekend. Main channel water temperature is around 79 degrees. Water clarity is fair. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
River gauges upstream had a little bump go through on Wednesday; expect that to move through in the next couple of days, it won't last long. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has picked up a little more. Still plenty of water that you don’t have to concentrate all your efforts on the deeper holes. Work some of the runs with frogs as bait. 

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is around 80 degrees. Water clarity is still affected by a phytoplankton bloom. Black Crappie - Slow: Most boats out t last weekend were drifting through that stretch on the north side between the beach and the dam. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Work the tops of the mounds at the upper end of the lake. 

Lake Darling
Water temperatures is in the upper 70's. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are picking up bass around the deeper habitat. In the early and late parts of the day, look for them to be in shallow but not far from the deep water ledges. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills out around the rock piles and brush in 6-8 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappies while drifting over the habitat in 8 to 10 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have caught some nice catfish in the last few days. Stink baits, cut baits and chicken liver work best in hot weather.

Lost Grove Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing has moved deep with anglers catching them while slow trolling in 20 to 25 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching bass in the flooded brush on the north side of the lake in the early morning hours. 

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The South Skunk by Oskaloosa went up by near two feet on Wednesday. Look for that water to be down our way in a couple of days. The North Skunk is holding steady. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try at the bottoms of the bigger riffles before the water level drops much more and the fish are pushed back into the deeper holes. Use night crawlers or a frog pitched into the eddie just below the faster water. 

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

 

Des Moines River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or night crawlers around log jams and slack water areas. 

Lake Keomah
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait near shoreline and around the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a jig and minnow around deep structure. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or chicken liver 4-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits around the fishing jetties and along the dam. Switch to rubber worms and deeper structure as the day heats up. 

Lake Miami
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try topwater lures in the early mornings and evenings then switch to rubber worms or crankbaits during the hotter parts of the day. Target the cedar tree piles and the fishing jetties. Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs tipped with live bait along the rip-rapped shorelines, the jetties and around the cedar tree piles. 

Lake Sugema
The south boat ramp off of Highway 2 is closed due to a parking lot construction project. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures in the early mornings and evenings. As the day progresses, target deeper structure using rubber worms or deep diving crankbaits. Black Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jigs tipped with a minnow in deeper water structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try live bait tipped on a small jig around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or chicken liver along the dam or around the fishing jetties. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or stink bait around areas with rip-rapped shorelines or rock piles. Don’t fish too deep as the lake will stratify; target 6-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use rubber worms or crawdad imitating crankbaits around deep structure. Try also topwater lures around the cedar tree piles in the morning. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler around aquatic vegetation or near the fishing jetties. White Crappie - Slow: Use jigs tipped with a minnow around deeper structure and the outer edge of the weed line. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.45 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or chicken liver. White Crappie - Fair: Try minnows around deeper structure. Trolling small crankbaits can also catch suspended crappies. Best bite is early in the day. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Troll crankbaits or night crawler rigs along rocky shorelines and around rock piles. Try also vertical jigging in the same areas. Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite has slowed from earlier in the year. Use night crawler rigs or troll crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points. Leeches can also be productive this time of year. 

Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast the shorelines in the early part of the day and then fish deeper structure as the day warms up. Use rubber worms or crankbaits. Black Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try night crawlers or chicken liver around the fishing jetties and the outer edge of the lily pads. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS IOWA, WISCONSIN, ILLINOIS

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport has fallen to 6.32 feet. River stage is forecast to continue to fall. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait in Sunset Marina. Try also above brush piles and snags in the back channels and main channel in the Andalusia Island complex. Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits between the mouth of the Rock River and Sunset Marina. Try fishing on the wing dams along Credit Island with crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. White Bass - Good: Try jigs and twister tails or topwater baits in Sunset Marina. Bluegill - Fair: Use pieces of worm under a bobber in Sunset Marina. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 5.1 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. The ramp at Big Timber is open. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above snag piles along the side channels and main channel with stink bait or shad. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams; use crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. Trolling crankbaits by GPC can work, too. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with pieces of worms under a bobber. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 6.01 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is falling. The ramp at Toolsboro is open.Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or shad above brush piles and snags along side channels and the main channel. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles; use worms under a bobber. White Bass - Fair: Look for white bass at the outlet tube of Lake Odessa. Cast jig and twister tails or inline spinners. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with crawlers. 

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 3.12 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is falling. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Channel Catfish - No Report: Use stink bait or shad above brush piles and snags along the side channels and main channel. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles; use worms under a bobber. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with crawlers. 

River stages have been falling this past week. Water clarity is fair. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

[Rick]

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Big Hollow Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Anglers are picking up a few bluegills at around six feet. The fish seem to be pretty scattered, so move around or drift troll to find them. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching some decent bass early in the morning in the flooded timber on soft plastics. 

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa at Wapello has been slowly rising for the last couple of days and according to NOAA's forecast is going to continue to rise for a few more days to a couple more feet. Channel Catfish - No Report: With the rising water, it’s a good time to try the mouths of some of the feeder creeks. Use caution when navigating a rising river. 

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is in the upper 70's. Black Crappie - Fair: Try slow trolling or drift fishing by the beach and towards the dam. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Work the tops of the mounds at the upper end of the lake. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers continue to catch the catfish. Try along the rip-rap around the lower end of the lake and on top of the mounds at the upper end. 

Lake Darling
Water temperature was 76 degrees on Aug. 30. Water level is up because of the heavy rains, but still has a green cast to it. Bluegill - Fair: Drift for crappies; don’t be surprised if you pick up a few nice bluegills, too. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift over the rock piles in 8 to 12 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers continue to catch catfish. It’s a good time to fish the weirs in the in-lake silt dams as the water from the recent and forecasted rains come into the lake.

Lost Grove Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Deep trolling (20 to 25 feet) continues to produce some crappies. With the water starting to cool down, hopefully it won’t be too long before they start moving shallow again. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching some pretty nice bass in the flooded timber.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The water level in the Skunk jumped up a couple of feet with the rain earlier this week, but is headed back down until we get more rain forecast for the end of this week. Channel Catfish - Slow: Haven’t seen much angler activity on the Skunk River this week, but up and down river levels make it hard to figure out what the fish are doing day to day. 

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

Central Park Lake
The lake is refilling and fingerling fish have been stocked. 

Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is at 684 feet and is predicted to hold at this level for the near future. 
Channel Catfish - Fair: Drift cut bait in the channel.  Black Crappie – Slow: Try bright jigs and/or minnows along steep rock banks. 

Diamond Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Try small jigs fished over deeper brush. Most fish are 8-9 inches. Channel Catfish - Good: Stink bait works best. Some limits are being reported.  

Kent Park Lake
The lake is drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring. 

Lake Macbride
Only motors under 10hp may be used at no-wake speed until Sept. 4. Black Crappie - Fair: Use jigs or minnows around brush in 10-15 feet of water.  Walleye - Fair: Troll crawlers or crankbaits in 7-14 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Try topwater baits early and late then troll during the day. Bluegill - Fair. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait or stink bait. Evenings are best. 

Otter Creek Lake
There is quite a bit of vegetation in the boat ramp canal and some in sections of other shorelines. Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait, especially towards evening. Many 3-5 pound fish are reported. Yellow Bass - Fair: Use small jigs spinners or live bait. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 4' low. Use caution on the lake, as many of the new rock and wood structures are becoming submerged. There are two docks in at the main ramp and the fish cleaning station is open.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or stink bait in the evenings.  

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Channel Catfish - Good: Stink bait works best. 

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

 

Des Moines River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or night crawlers around log jams and slack water areas. 

Lake Keomah
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait near shoreline and around the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a jig tipped with a minnow around deep structure. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or chicken liver in 4-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits around the fishing jetties and along the dam. Switch to rubber worms and deeper structure as the day heats up. 

Lake Miami
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try topwater lures in the early mornings and evenings then switch to rubber worms or crankbaits during the hotter parts of the day. Target the cedar tree piles and the fishing jetties. Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler along the rip-rapped shorelines, the jetties and around the cedar tree piles. 

Lake Sugema
The south boat ramp off of Highway 2 is closed due to a parking lot construction project. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures in the early mornings and evenings. As the day progresses, target deeper structure using rubber worms or deep diving crankbaits. Black Crappie - Slow: Use jigs tipped with a minnow in deeper water structure. Try also a slip bobber over a minnow. Bluegill - Fair: Try live bait tipped on a small jig around the shorelines and fishing jetties. 

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or stink bait around areas with rip-rapped shorelines or rock piles. Don’t fish too deep as the lake will stratify; target 6-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use rubber worms or crawdad imitating crankbaits around deep structure. Try also topwater lures around the cedar tree piles in the morning. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler around aquatic vegetation or near the fishing jetties. White Crappie - Slow: Use jigs tipped with a minnow around deeper structure and the outer edge of the weed line. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.48 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or chicken liver. White Crappie - Fair: Try minnows around deeper structure. Trolling small crankbaits can also catch suspended crappies. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll crankbaits or night crawler rigs along rocky shorelines and around rock piles. Try also vertical jigging in the same areas. Walleye - Fair: Use night crawler rigs or troll crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points. 

Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast the shorelines in the early part of the day and then fish deeper structure as the day warms up. Use rubber worms or crankbaits. Topwater lures can be productive along the lily pads. Black Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try night crawlers or chicken liver around the fishing jetties and the outer edge of the lily pads. 

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

 

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 7.49 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is rising. River stage is forecast to reach 9.5 feet by Monday. Channel Catfish - Fair: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags in the side channels and main channels. Try fishing above the brush piles with stink bait or shad. Fishing main channel wing dams also works. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with crawlers. White Bass - No Report: Cast jigs with twister tails in Sylvan Slough or Sunset Marina.  

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 6.46 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is rising. Current predictions have the river reaching 9.3 feet next week. Channel Catfish - Fair: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Fishing around main channel wing dams works, too. Use dip baits or cut shad. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wingdams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with crawlers. White Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Vertical jig with minnows or float minnows under a bobber around brush piles. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 8.02 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is rising. Current predictions have the river reaching 11.2 feet next week. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or shad around brush piles and snags along side channels and the main channel. Try also around the wing dams. White Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try fishing around brush piles with minnows. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with crawlers. 

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 4.83 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is rising. Current predictions have the river reaching 7.1 feet next week. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Channel Catfish - No Report: Use dip baits or shad around brush piles and snags along the side channels and main channel. 

River stages have been on the rise with the recent heavy rains. Main channel water temperature is around 76 degrees. Water clarity is fair to poor. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.