IOWA Fishing Reports – Midsummer
NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Surface water temperature is in the lower 80’s. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing is good in 1-4 feet of water. Use a small jig tipped with live bait, small piece of crawler or wax worms fished below a bobber. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up some walleye in deeper water near rock piles and dredge cuts. Boat anglers have recently had success fishing the rock piles off of Cottonwood Point. Other good areas to target walleye this time of year include: shore off Ice House Point, the dredge cut out from Denison Beach and the rock piles near Gunshot Hill and in the east basin of the lake. Those fishing from boats are having the best luck. Try throwing crankbaits and twisters along the weed lines. Largemouth Bass – Good: Top water, weedless baits and Texas rigs work well. Try also fishing plastic worms near cover and drop offs. Town Bay and the inlet bridge are popular spots for bass. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit for largemouth bass on Black Hawk Lake. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers have picked up catfish on stink bait, leeches and worms all fished off the bottom. Anglers are having success in Town Bay, especially on either side of the floating dock. Fish are 17-20 inches.
Black Hawk Pits
Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills are being picked up near shore areas using a jig fished under a bobber. If no luck near shore, move deeper; bluegills this time of year may be starting to move away from spawning areas to seek deeper habitats.
Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try areas (4-10 feet of water) near shore with a small jig tipped with crawler under a bobber. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish areas near shore in 3-8 feet of water with a jig fished under a bobber. Use a small piece of crawler or minnow. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes are being picked up in 10-20 feet of water.
Great Western Park Lake
A recent electrofishing survey showed good numbers of catchable sized largemouth bass. Bluegill up to 8 inches and channel catfish up to 30 inches in length are also present. Fish the weed lines to target bass and bluegill and fish off the bottom for catfish. This time of year spawning catfish can also be targeted near shore.
North Twin Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers have picked up crappie near shore with minnows and crawlers fished on a jig under a bobber.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
The dredge is in operation in the northeast portion of the lake. Walleye – Fair: Most walleye action has been on crankbaits fished in the dredge cuts. A few have been picked up from shore with leeches and crankbaits. White Bass – Slow: White bass bite has been slow. A few have been picked up with crawlers and crankbaits. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish from shore using stink bait or cut bait fished off the bottom.
Swan Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegill near shore along weed lines. Use a small jig under a bobber with a small piece of crawler, wax worm or minnow for bait. A recent electrofishing survey showed bluegill up to 9 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being picked up with minnows or crappie candy baits fished under a bobber in 2-5 feet of water.
Surface water temperatures in western Iowa are in the lower 80’s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District Office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills and a few yellows are being caught drift fishing/trolling small jigs
Blue Lake
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week. Largemouth Bass – No Report: With the water levels up, there is a lot of shoreline vegetation submerged. Concentrate on these areas with weedless lures. Bluegill – No Report: Fish a worm under a bobber near vegetation. Some sorting is required because there are a lot of smaller fish.
Bluebill Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are biting well on the jetty.
Clear Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are spawning near rocks along the shoreline and deeper rock reefs. The island, Billy’s reef, State Reef and the Ventura Jetties are good places to look. Use cut bait on the bottom with a slip sinker or on a float in the shallows. Jig fish with a piece of cut bait, minnows or leeches if trying near the rocks. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass are scattered after the spawn, move until you find them. Walleye – Fair: Some legal size fish are using the longleaf pondweed just outside of the rush beds in Farmer’s Beach and Baptist Camp. Try fishing small pockets with a bobber and minnows or leeches. Wader fishing may be a better option in this area. Fish have also been caught close to docks (early morning) in 2-3 feet of water. A few keepers have been caught around the reefs along with lots of sublegal sized fish. Muskellunge – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Target perch inside the rushes on the north shore or near Farmer’s Beach. Bluegill – No Report: Look for sunfish in the reeds on the west side of MacIntosh Point. Use bobbers and worms or small minnows.
Lake Catherine
Channel Catfish – Good: Try near the rocks along the jetties or shoreline with worms, minnows or cut bait.
Lower Pine Lake
Some anglers are catching decent sized crappies with minnows and artificial lures. Bluegills are slow and small on bother upper and lower lakes. There have been a few reports of big largemouth being caught in both upper and lower pine lakes.
Lake Smith
Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish have been on the rocks on the south end. Use bobbers and a piece of cut bait or worms. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth fishing has been good in the weeds and on deeper water structure. Use an artificial bait that works well in weeds; fish pockets in the weeds or edges. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have been caught off docks early in the morning.
For lake updates and fishing information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Big Spirit Lake
Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing has slowed. Try along the weed lines for good numbers of acceptable sized fish Largemouth Bass – Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught; best areas are Hales Slough, Anglers Bay and Buffalo Run. Yellow Perch – Good: Reports of good numbers of fish caught; sorting will result in nice numbers in the creel.
Center Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Fish the pier using a minnow under a bobber or casting a mini-jig. Best action is during the evening hours.
East Okoboji Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Cast small jig lures tipped with bait on the wooden docks. Yellow Perch – Good: Fish the south end for the best action.
Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Boat anglers are catching good numbers; fish vertically with a jig tipped with wigglers. Dock anglers casting jigs will catch numbers; fish evening hours for the best action.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: The walleye bite has slowed however boat anglers have been harvesting nice fish along with large yellow perch. Best action early morning and evening.
West Okoboji Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Good bluegill and crappie action reported fishing the deeper wooden docks; best action during the evening hours.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Spirit Lake Fisheries Station at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are stabilizing and clarity should improve by the weekend. Anglers using live bait are catching a variety of fish. Walleye – Good. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish in current breaks and eddies. Northern Pike – Fair: Minnows are turning pikes heads this week. Rock Bass – Fair: Catches of rock bass have been spotty.
Decorah District Streams
Take care when walking through wild parsnip while getting to your favorite stream. Don’t let it touch your skin; it reacts with the sun and causes horrible blisters. Trout streams are in excellent condition but flows are up. Brown Trout – Good: A nice variety of insects have been hatching in the evenings. Use a #18 blue wing olive or #14 or #16 caddis fly imitation. Strong midge hatches have also been occurring. Brook Trout – Good: For stained water, use a streamer or minnow imitation. Rainbow Trout – Good: A few of our streams are not stocked in July and August as these streams tend to get too warm for cold water fish.
Lake Hendricks
The lake has a green algae bloom, but anglers are still catching fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers fishing from a boat or canoe are having luck using topwater plastics over the vegetation and reeling to deeper water. Bluegill – Fair: Fishing from shore is difficult due to aquatic beds. Anglers are finding fish in deeper water using a hook tipped with small piece of worm. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait, worms and stink bait fished off the bottom.
Lake Meyer
Expect spotty catches of fish depending on day and time. Bluegill – Fair: Fish over the deeper brush piles and structure. Use a worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try a jig tipped with a variety of soft plastics. Start along the weed edges and fish deeper. Channel Catfish – Fair: Nice size catfish are taking a big worm fished off the bottom under a bobber. Evenings are best.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are stabilizing and clarity is improving. Water temperatures are in the low 70’s. Try fishing the deeper holes and around current breaks. The key is to get to the bottom. A variety of sucker species are showing up in the creel this week. Worms are the bait of choice this week. White Sucker – Fair.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Clarity is improving and water levels have stabilized. Paddlers are having the best luck finding fish this week in the turbid water. Anglers using worms are doing best. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Spinnerbaits are turning smallie heads. Walleye – Slow.
Volga Lake
Volga Lake has a green algae bloom. Anglers drifting over rock or brush piles will find fish. Largemouth Bass – Good. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
With the exception of a few thunderstorms on Thursday, this weekend’s weather looks to be fabulous for the holiday. River and stream conditions have greatly improved over the last several days. Clarity is improving as water levels stabilize. For more information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Big Woods Lake
Big Woods Lake is producing some catches of crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappie around structure.
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Anglers are doing excellent on channel catfish and good on bluegill and largemouth bass. Bluegills have moved off of the spawning beds; concentrate efforts near structure. Target channel catfish off of the middle jetty and the west end of the lake. Bluegill – Good: Slowly drift and retrieve small 1/32 or 1/16 oz. jigs near submerged structure 2-3 feet below the surface. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast topwater baits early morning or late evening. Try also weedless baits such as frogs and rubber worms. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use stink baits and cut baits fished on the bottom off of the middle jetty and west end of lake.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is setting up for some good angling opportunities as the beautiful weekend forecast approaches. Fishing in Bremer County has been more productive than has Black Hawk County. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are biting well on a jig tipped with a crawler combination or crankbaits. Target break lines, rocky shorelines, eddies or tailwater riffles for aggressive walleye. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use a jig & crawler combination, crankbaits or spinner baits near rocky shorelines. Channel Catfish – Fair: Stink baits or chicken livers has been fair; concentrate above logjams or try riffle areas. Northern Pike – Fair: Some northern pike have been caught using the same techniques as walleye or smallmouth bass.
George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching crappie in and around weed beds and structure. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift a crappie minnow under a slip bobber in and around the edges of weed beds.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River is in excellent angling condition for the upcoming weekend. Walleye – Fair: A jig tipped with a crawler is a deadly combination this time of year. Look for current breaks and woody structure. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try a jig & crawler, crankbaits or spinnerbaits fished near rocky habitat. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish chicken livers or stink bait near the upstream end of logjams.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River is setting up for some good angling opportunities as the beautiful weekend forecast approaches.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River is currently at 5.83 feet today and falling. While this river takes time to drop, conditions and clarity for the upcoming weekend should vastly improve. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are biting on a jig tipped with a crawler combination or crankbaits. Target break lines, rocky shorelines, eddies or tailwater riffles for aggressive walleye. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Use a jig & crawler combination, crankbaits or spinner baits near rocky shorelines. Channel Catfish – Fair: Stink baits or chicken livers has been fair; concentrate above logjams or try riffle areas. Northern Pike – Fair: Some northern pike have been caught using the same techniques as walleye or smallmouth bass.
Interior rivers continue to fall and angling opportunities should be vastly improved for this upcoming Fourth of July weekend. Walleye and smallmouth bass are back on the bite with some occasional channel catfish and northern pike being caught. Trout streams are in excellent condition, for further information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level at Lansing remains stable around 9.8 feet over the next week. Water temperature is in the mid-70’s. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are preparing to spawn and are biting on worms bounced on the bottom. Reports of larger drum being caught on minnows. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bite is expected to pick up as they come off the spawn. Fish the backwaters around edge of lily pads using topwater lures. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfish are in spawning mode. Float a minnow or worm on a bobber along rip rap with current. Flathead Catfish – Good: Flathead catfish coming off the spawn are still feeding. Fish deep holes along main channel or side channel closing dams using live bait. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills are on the spawning beds. Fish backwater area shorelines with small tackle tipped with a worm. Walleye – Good: Walleye bite is good on the wing dams and deep closing dams trolling a crankbait or a crawler rig above the wing dams.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level at Lynxville is has fallen to 17.5 feet and is expected to remain fairly stable over the next week. Water temperature is in the mid-70’s. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are preparing to spawn and are biting on worms bounced on the bottom. Reports of larger drum being caught on minnows. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bite is expected to pick up as they come off the spawn. Fish the backwaters around edge of lily pads using topwater lures. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfish are in spawning mode. Float a minnow or a worm on a bobber along rip rap with current. Flathead Catfish – Good: Flathead catfish coming off the spawn are still feeding. Fish deep holes along main channel or side channel closing dams with live bait. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills are on the spawning beds. Fish backwater area shorelines using small tackle tipped with a worm. Walleye – Good: Walleye bite is good on the wing dams and deep closing dams trolling a crankbait or a crawler rig above the wing dams.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level at Lock and Dam 10 at Guttenberg has to 8.6 feet and stable this week. Water temperature is in the mid-70’s. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are preparing to spawn and are biting on worms bounced on the bottom. Reports of larger drum being caught on minnows. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bite is expected to pick up as they come off the spawn. Fish the backwaters around edge of lily pads using topwater lures. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfish are in spawning mode. Float a minnow or a worm on a bobber along rip rap with current. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flathead catfish coming off the spawn are still feeding. Fish deep holes along main channel or side channel closing dams with live bait. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills are on the spawning beds. Fish backwater area shorelines with small tackle tipped with a worm. Walleye – Good: Walleye bite is good on the wing dams and deep closing dams trolling a crankbait or a crawler rig above the wing dams.
Water levels are stabilizing on the Upper Mississippi River. Water temperature is 75 degrees. Water clarity is fair and fishing activity is picking up. Fish are feeding on the Mayfly hatches. There is still a lot of vegetation floating down after the bump in water levels.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is 8.0 feet at Dubuque tailwater and 10.3 feet at the RR bridge. These levels are down from last week and water levels are expected to slowly recede all week. Water temperature in the main channel is 79 degrees which is up slightly from last week. Northern Pike – No Report: The River has a good population of northern pike biting in numerous locations. Spinners work best. Dirty water makes sight predators hard to catch as fish have difficulty feeding. Walleye – Good: Walleyes will move back on the wing dams when water gets lower; try a leech or worm rig or a crankbait. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass populations are very good in the river; expect them to pick up soon. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Lots of freshwater drum can be caught. Cut out all the red meat when cleaning them and they are a fine eating fish. Throw them immediately on ice after catching them, if you plan on eating drum. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Lots of catfish are being caught off of rock lines and piles. Those bluish looking catfish are NOT blue catfish, rather the male channel cat in spawning colors. Catfish do very well in muddy water; the bite has been very good. Common Carp – Excellent: Bowfishing in the shallow backwaters should be excellent this weekend. Many carp have already spawned; they are being found in newly flooded waters. Bluegill – Fair: A few bluegills were being caught out of the marina areas in Dubuque and by Massey Station.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 9.4 feet at Bellevue which is down from last week. Expect water to slowly fall and then stabilize this week. The river is clearing up and fishing conditions are vastly improved. All ramps are open; expect a good bite for a variety of species this week. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes were reported back on the wing dams. Use a small crawler rig. The high and dirty water curtailed walleye fishing, but water condition and levels are now more favorable for quality angling. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Go way back in large backwater complexes to find cleaner water. That is where the bass will be. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Loads of freshwater drum are being caught, many from bank anglers. Use large crayfish to catch really large drum. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Catfish angling picked up the last few weeks. Use stink bait in flowing sloughs, especially above log jams or along rock piles. Northern Pike – Fair: Try the clean waters of Green Island. Expect pike to move into the cooler water tributary stream areas soon. Common Carp – Excellent: The time is now to go bowfishing for carp; Green Island and Sabula Lakes should be excellent.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level was recorded at 8.8 feet at Fulton, 12.1 feet at Camanche and 6.7 feet at LeClaire. These readings are all down from last week. Water is expected to be fairly stable all week. The water clarity is still somewhat turbid, but improving. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: The drum bite is on. Simple sliding sinker and worms fished in current work best. Channel Catfish – Excellent: The catfish bite is good. Most anglers are using crawlers when drum fishing, but some anglers are using stink bait. The Rock Creek area is a good place to find channel cats. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes are reported back on the bite as water levels have receded. Current is still a bit strong on most wing dams; try fishing the near shore sections of dams to avoid strong currents.
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is 9.1 feet at Rock Island, which is down from last week. Expect water levels to remain stable this week. Water temperature is around 81 degrees in the main channel. Water clarity is improving. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are abundant in Pool 15 and can easily be caught from shore. Try fishing the eagles landing area with worm and egg sinkers. Channel Catfish – Good: Many cats are being caught by anglers fishing night crawlers on the bottom. Pool 15 has abundant catfish populations.
Water temperatures are around 80 degrees throughout the district. Water levels fell during the week, but are still somewhat high for this time of year. The River was turbid after recent rains, but is clearing up. Mayflies should be hatching; this can trigger a feeding frenzy for fish. Enjoy the holiday and get out on the Mississippi River.
Mississippi River Pool 16
River stage at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities is 9.2 feet and falling. Channel Catfish – Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught around the mouth of the Rock River. Use worms or dip baits. Look for channel catfish around snags alongside channels and the main channel. White Bass – Fair: Some white bass are being caught along the wall in Davenport. Cast jigs with twister tails/plastic minnows or small crankbaits. Black Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Islands. Try fishing around brush piles with jigs and plastics or minnows. With the falling water conditions, some of the backwaters in the Andalusia Islands could be difficult to get in to. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Some largemouth bass are being caught in the Andalusia Island Complex/Velie Chute. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try trolling three-way rigs with crawlers or casting crankbaits.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 at Muscatine is 8.08 feet and falling. Channel Catfish – No Report: Try fishing above snags alongside channels and the main channel with dip baits or crawlers. Walleye – Fair: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try trolling 3-way rigs with crawlers or casting crankbaits. Trolling crankbaits along GPC can work too. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Try fishing around brush piles with worms under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – No Report: Look for bass in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing around brush piles and logs in Cleveland Slough and Big Timber.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston is 10.3 feet and falling. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Try around snags along the main channel and side channels with dip baits, shad or crawlers. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try trolling 3-way rigs with crawlers or casting crankbaits. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing around brush piles with minnows or jigs and plastics.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 19 above Burlington is 6.8 feet and falling. Flood stage is 10 feet. We have not received any fishing information for this pool this week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels with dip baits, shad or crawlers. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles and logs. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: River levels have been falling over the past few days. Water clarity is still a little muddy. Main channel water temperature is around 79 degrees. Clean, drain, and dry your boat before going to another waterbody. If you have questions on fishing Pools16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is in the mid 80’s. The shoreline has a good coat of algae and duckweed, but most fish are out deeper for the summer. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills have moved to deeper water in the flooded timber. Look for them in 5-6 feet of water.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The river level is forecasted by the NWS to drop nearly four feet over the next 7 days; set your bank poles accordingly. Channel Catfish – Good: Work off the sandbars at night and the brush piles in the daylight hours. This is primetime for using leopard (grass) frogs as bait.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is holding at 84 degrees. There is a planktonic algae bloom, but it’s not too bad. Water clarity is four feet. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing is fairly good in the early morning but slows after about 10 a.m. Most bluegills being caught are out in deeper water and over the mounds at the upper end of the lake. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish have left the spawning areas. Break out the chicken liver and stink baits and start working the creek channels out in the lake. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass fishing is very good early in the morning and late in the evening. Evening anglers are catching them on top water baits.
Lake Darling
The water temperature is holding steady at 84 degrees. There is a plankton bloom that is making the water green, but you can still see down nearly four feet. Bluegill – Good: e Bluegills are out in deeper water staying cool. Work the rock piles and brush piles in 8 to 10 of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: The warm water has the bass out deep for the summer. Wait until the evening hours to go shallow and go topwater over the habitat.
Lake Geode
Water temperatures are 84- 86 degrees. Bluegill – Good: With the heat, most bluegills have moved to deeper water; work the ledges near deeper water. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing remains pretty good. Look for them along the face of the dam and around the brush piles.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
Water levels are dropping steadily at a slow rate. The river is still accessible by boat. With the hot weather, there have been fewer anglers out. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing remains good. Anglers are catching them on a variety of baits from stink baits to minnows. Not hearing too much as far as flatheads.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Lake Macbride
Currently, boats cannot use a motor larger than 10 horsepower, and it must be operated at no-wake speed (5 mph). Water temperatures this week are in the low 80’s. Please check your boat for vegetation, especially the invasive plant, Brittle Naiad. Bluegill – Fair: Some fish remain in shallow pockets or around shallow rock/wood. Try small jigs or worms under a bobber. Some larger fish can be found on deeper rock reefs and can be caught on worms on a jig or “Lindy rig”. Black Crappie – Slow: Most fish are on deeper brush. Try fishing them vertically with jigs or minnows. Some other fish may be caught by drifting or slow trolling jigs/small crankbaits in open water along drop-offs or suspended above structure. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try throwing soft plastics or shallow crankbaits to shallow rock or wood. Some deeper fish can be caught on crankbaits or plastics on rock reefs or deeper stumps. Channel Catfish – Good: Smelly baits such as chicken livers or stinkbait often work best, but crawlers and cut bait can also be effective. East of the causeway and the upper end of the north arm, especially towards evening, is usually most productive. Walleye – Fair: Try trolling crankbaits or spinner rigs in 8-15 feet of water. Generally over/along the rock reefs is best, but they can be caught in the mud flats at times as well, especially if shad are present. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow: Reports are scarce. Try for them on topwaters at sunrise/sunset, otherwise deeper crankbaits and jigs fished along breaks or open water may be necessary. Finding the baitfish is usually critical.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Bob White Lake
A complete fisheries renovation was completed in September of 2015. Fingerlings were stocked last fall.
Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass fishing has been good lately. Use crankbaits or spinner baits around brush piles and other underwater structure. Try rubber worms or crawdad imitations around the rock jetties and along the dam. Black Bullhead – Good: Use night crawlers fished on the bottom. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are biting on small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler. Sorting is needed for larger fish with most fish running about 7 inches.
Lake Keomah
Try crankbaits and spinner baits fished around the end of the rock jetties and along the shorelines for largemouth bass. Small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler can be productive for bluegill. Try areas around the aquatic vegetation.
Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use jig and pig combos around the rock jetties and along the dam. Try also crankbaits and spinner baits. All 12 -18 inch largemouth bass must be immediately released. Black Crappie – Fair: Use jigs or jig and minnow combinations. Try different colors and different depths until you find active fish. Walleye – Slow: Fishing has slowed some with the hotter weather. Try drifting night crawlers or minnows along the dam and other rip-rapped shorelines.
Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Good: Use rubber lizards or plastic crawdads around the cedar tree piles and along the shoreline. Try also crankbaits in the same areas. The tops of the trees are slightly out of the water making finding them easy. Bluegill – Slow: Use a chunk of nightcrawler under a bobber. Keep moving until you find active fish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching some channel catfish using cut bait or night crawlers fished along the shorelines with larger rocks.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.57. The current surface water temperature is in the lower 80’s °F. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Black Crappie – Fair: Target areas with structure. Most fish have spawned and have moved out from the shorelines. Try jig and minnows combinations or minnows fished under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are biting on night crawlers and cut bait. Channel catfish are in the shallows spawning; try areas with big rocks such as the dam or around the bridge at Bridgeview. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching walleyes by trolling crankbaits or crawler harnesses around underwater islands or submerged points. Some anglers are also catching walleyes by casting jigs in the shallows. White Bass – Good: Anglers are catching white bass with chrome colored crankbaits or lead heads and white jigs. Rathbun also contains hybrid striped bass (wipers); they are being caught using the same techniques used for white bass.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Use a chunk of nightcrawler fished under a bobber in areas along the shorelines. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are hitting on rubber worms or lizards. Try areas with rock on the shorelines and around the fishing jetties. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or night crawith you so your favorite fishing spot is clean and litter free. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions regarding angling in south central Iowa.
SOUTHWEST
Big Creek Lake
Walleye – Good: Walleyes are being caught trolling spinner rigs with minnows in 5-15 feet of water and jigging tipped with crawlers or minnows. Focus on the upper/shallow 1/3rd of the lake.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: The channel catfish bite is very good right now in the Des Moines river using stink baits and cut bait. The river flows are still good for small boats to navigate.
Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Good: The good crappie bite continues at Don Williams. Most fish are 8-9 inches. They are not being caught close to shore. Slowly troll or drift 1/8 ounce jigs tipped with minnows or small white or chartreuse twister tails out from shore in 15-20 feet of water in the upper half of the lake. Crappies are suspended from 5 to 10 feet down.
Hickory Grove Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: A fair to good crappie bite has been going at Hickory Grove. They are being caught drifting or slow trolling 1/8 oz. or lighter jigs with twister tails or minnows or 1.5 inch panfish tube jigs. A good area to work first is the mid-lake area out from the Oriole Ridge Lodge. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills can be caught fishing small jigs tipped with a crawler over pallet piles in water less than 15 feet deep. Some of these can be found between the island, the beach and near buoy off the shore from the Plover Bay Shelter. Hickory Grove can produce some nice 7 to 8.5 inch bluegills.
Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass – Good: Hot weather has kicked off a good white bass bite. Start by trolling points and windblown shorelines with spoons and lipless crankbaits. Popular color patterns are chrome, chrome/blue and firetiger. Anglers casting jigs with spinners below the Roberts Creek outlet are also doing well on white bass and also catching the occasional crappie.
Roberts Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are in a suspended summer pattern. Drift or troll small twister tail jigs or tube jigs in the main lake.
Rock Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing is good. Drift or troll in the lower half of the main lake. Use small tube jigs and 1/16 or 1/8 oz. jigs with twister tails or tipped with minnows. Keep your bait in the top 6 feet of water.
Saylorville Reservoir
White Bass – Good: The white bass bite is good trolling spoons and lipless crankbaits. Color patterns containing chrome or chartreuse work best. Good areas to begin are the stretch from Sandpiper Beach to the marina bay. Channel Catfish – Good: Good channel catfishing can be had drifting cut creek chubs above the mile long bridge.
Catfishing is good right now on Central Iowa rivers. White bass fishing on the reservoirs is good following the hot weather and high water temperatures. For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Water clarity has improved in most ponds after heavy rains in May. Always get permission before fishing private ponds. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers reported large catches of crappies using jigs and minnows under a bobber. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills can be caught with a night crawler under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are spawning. Cast cut bait around structure that is close to shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are hitting a variety of lures and soft plastics.
Cold Springs Lake
Catfishing is good at Cold Springs. Water clarity is good. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are being caught next to the pump house and along the bluff. Fish will average 8 inches. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cold Springs has a good bass population of all sizes. The lake has an 18 inch length limit on largemouth bass. Channel Catfish – Good: Cast shrimp or cut bait in less than 6 feet of water to catch channel catfish up to 6 pounds.
Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake has a good panfish population. Bluegills and crappies can be caught drifting. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies can be caught drifting. Fish will average 9 inches. Channel Catfish – Good: Greenfield is a good lake for catfishing. Cast shad sides or cut bait around jetties to catch fish averaging 2 pounds. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills can be caught drifting small jigs tipped with crawler. Fish are 8 inches.
Lake Anita
Anglers are catching crappies on the vegetation edges all around the lake. Bluegills can be caught drifting. Black Crappie – Good: Cast jigs along vegetation edges and around underwater reefs. There is a large year class of 8 to 9 inch fish. Bluegill – Good: Drift small jigs tipped with power bait to catch bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Anglers report good catches close to the road bed. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass can be caught along vegetation line all around the lake. Fish are all sizes.
Lake Manawa
Anglers are catching crappies in the late afternoon. Catfish are picking up on the south and west side of the lake. White Crappie – Fair: Cast jigs or minnows under a bobber on the lake side of the canals. Fish will range in size up to 12 inches. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes can be caught drifting crawlers or slow trolling crankbaits on the south side of the lake. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching catfish with cut bait and Sonny’s dip bait on the west side of the lake close to shore. Fish will average 2 pounds.
Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a good catfish population. Water clarity is three feet. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish along the dam. Use cut bait or shrimp. Black Crappie – Fair: A few crappies are being caught drifting and casting cedar tree piles. Fish will average 10 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Cast to cedar tree piles or drift to find bluegills. Fish will average 8.5 inches.
Meadow Lake
Meadow Lake has good bluegill and crappie populations. White Crappie – Slow: Meadow has a small population of large white crappie. Try around the jetties and underwater reefs to catch fish up to 14 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish surveys indicate a large year class of black crappie in meadow. They will average 8.5 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Try drifting or casting to brush piles to catch bluegills that will average 8 inches.
Mormon Trail Lake
There is a big year class of 9 inch black crappies in Mormon Trail Lake that is expected to provide good fishing this year. The lake also has good largemouth bass and catfish populations. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish deeper brush piles. Fish will average 9 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills will be mid lake and around brush piles. Cast or drift jigs to catch fish averaging 8 inches. Largemouth Bass – No Report: The lake has a good bass population.
Prairie Rose Lake
Anglers are catching bluegills around underwater reefs and vegetation edges. Prairie Rose water clarity is good. Bluegill – Fair: Quality size bluegills can be caught drifting or casting around underwater reefs. Tip small black jigs with power bait or a crawler. Largemouth Bass – Good: Prairie Rose has many 10 to 12 inch bass in the lake at this time. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are beginning to pick up 12 to 14 inch channel catfish on night crawlers under a bobber.
Viking Lake
Largemouth bass fishing is good at Viking. Crappies can be caught around the underwater reefs and in brush piles. Water clarity is three feet. Channel Catfish – Good: Cast shad sides or cut bait around jetties and rocky shorelines to catch spawning catfish. Fish will average 2 pounds. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift or cast to brush piles using jigs tipped with a crawler or power bait to catch 8 to 10 inch crappies. Largemouth Bass – Good: Viking has a good bass population. Cast swim baits or plastics along vegetation and around structure to catch fish of all sizes.
Willow Lake
Willow Lake has excellent water clarity. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are suspended around structure. Drift or vertical jig to catch fish averaging 8 inches. Redear Sunfish – Fair: Use a whole crawler under a bobber to catch redear up to 12 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are being caught late afternoon and after dark on cut bait.
Catfish are close to shore spawning. Bluegills have moved off their spawning beds and can be caught drifting. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at (712) 769-2587.
Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 19 inches have been caught using finesse plastics fished near shallow cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill up to 8.5 inches have been caught with night crawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using night crawlers or liver fished near rocky structure. Walleye – Slow: Walleye up to 20 inches have been caught with spinners fished along the dam.
Lake Icaria
Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught with night crawlers or liver fished near the fish mounds and other rocky structure.
Lake of Three Fires
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 19 inches have been caught with jigs fished along rocky structure. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill up to 8 inches have been caught using night crawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles.
Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass up to 18 inches have been caught with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles or near the flooded timber. Walleye – Slow: Walleye up to 20 inches have been caught trolling nightcrawler harnesses along main lake points.
Three Mile Lake
Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill up to 7 inches have been caught with night crawlers fished near the flooded timber. Channel Catfish – Slow: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using night crawlers or liver fished near the flooded timber.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills up to 10 inches have been caught with night crawlers fished in 10-15 feet of water along weed lines. Walleye – Fair: Walleye of all sizes have been caught using lindy rigs fished along wind swept points. Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch up to 14 inches have been caught with jigs tipped with wax worm or night crawlers fished in 10-15 feet of water along weed lines.
Water temperature in Mount Ayr district lakes is in the low to mid 80’s. For more information, please contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
MISSOURI RIVER
Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait, stink bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Try live chubs fished in current breaks near deeper water.
Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait, stink bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Try live chubs fished in current breaks near deeper water. Shovelnose sturgeon – Slow: Use crawlers fished on the bottom.
Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait, stink bait or worms fished on the bottom. Blue Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Try live chubs fished in current breaks near deeper water.
The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 21.58 ft. /31,900 cfs./ 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The Missouri has fallen 0.52 feet from last week. The Missouri River levels and water conditions are looking very good to get out and fish.