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Top Iowa Fishing Spots for the Week of November 22.
This weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.
Stay Where You Play
Make your next fishing trip an overnight stay. Take advantage of state park cabins and campgrounds near many of these bodies of water. Make your reservation now. For more information on availability and rates, visit iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
Bacon Creek Lake
Approximately 1700 rainbow trout were stocked on November 8th.
Use small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons or live
minnows under a bobber.
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is around 50 degrees. Water level is about 5 inches
over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill can be caught
anywhere, but the best luck may be in Town Bay, the floating dock, near the
inlet bridge and the outlet. Use a small hook tipped with a worm suspended from
a bobber fished about 2 feet deep near shore. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish
areas with rock and structure along shore, such as the north side of Ice House
Point. Use crankbaits, plastics and spinner baits. There is a 15-inch minimum
length limit for largemouth bass on Black Hawk Lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Fish
are 8-10 inches. Use live minnows below a bobber or a small tube jig. Try Town
Bay, Ice House Point and near the inlet bridge. Walleye - Fair: Look for walleye
along the east shoreline and around the outlet. Try also near the rock piles in
the east basin.
Brushy Creek Lake
Surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees. Water clarity is good.
Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up some bluegill in 10-15 feet of water.
Use small jigs tipped with bait. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try plastics and
spinners near structure in 4-10 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some perch
are being picked up near structure in 10-15 feet of water along the creek
channel.
Moorland Pond
Approximately 2000 rainbow trout were stocked on November 9th. Use small
tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons or live minnows under a
bobber. Most are having the best luck with small spinners and anything that
will grab the trout's attention.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
There is a daily limit of 3 walleye at Storm Lake and all 17 to 22-inch
walleye must be released; and no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches
may be taken per day.
Water temperatures in the Black Hawk District are in
the upper 40's to around 50 degrees. River fishing for walleye has recently
been productive. Some small water bodies and marshes have skim ice. As the open
water season comes to an end and ice fishing begins, more reports will become
available as we receive them. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
There will be an Urban Trout Stocking at Blue Pit in Mason City on
Wednesday, November 23rd. 1,500 Rainbow trout will be stocked at around 11:00 a.m.
Anglers need a 2016 fishing license (age 16 and older) and trout stamp to fish for or possess trout.
Clear Lake
Water temperature is 37 degrees. Fishing activity
has slowed with colder weather and high winds.
All area lakes are ice free. Some of the smaller
ponds and wetlands have formed skim ice. . For information in the north central area, contact
the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Cedar River water levels have stabilized with much improved clarity. Visit
http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt for more information on water levels. Walleye - Good: Use a jighead tipped
with nightcrawler, minnow or plastic twister tails. Smallmouth Bass - Good:
Anglers are using a variety of baits but jigs tipped with worms work well. Channel
Catfish - Slow: A few anglers are using stink bait but try a frog or cut bait. Northern
Pike - Slow: Crankbaits are working but try using a dead chub fished under a
bobber. Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappie in the off current areas or along
brushy edges using a jig tipped with a minnow.
Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are in good condition and continue fishing well. Thank you
to all our faithful anglers who took advantage of our catchable trout stocking
program this year. Be aware it is hunting season so be courteous to other
recreational users. Spinner baits have been successful on rainbows and browns. There
have been good late day hatches of small mayflies and caddis flies. Brook Trout - Good: Use flies or lures that
look like sculpins, dace or suckers. Brookies are spawning and really colored
up well. Brown Trout - Good: Avoid stepping in the small indentations in the
stream bottom called redds. Rainbow Trout - Good: Find rainbow trout hiding in
the upper and lower ends of pools. Dance a meaty looking fly or lure in these
areas and wait.
Lake Hendricks
A fishing jetty project is complete but anglers are asked to wait to fish
from it for a while yet. Fish when the sun is overhead and along the shoreline
for best luck. Bluegill - Fair: Use a
small jig tipped with a wax worm fished under a slip bobber about 2 feet off
the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Lake Meyer
The lake is in good condition and anglers are catching fish. Look for
fish in the shallow bays in the afternoons and evenings. Bluegill - Good: Tip a
small jig with a wax worm then cast out and slowly reel in. Anglers are
catching a variety of sizes. Fish are in 8 to 10 feet of water. Largemouth Bass
– Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Turkey River
(above Clermont)
Water levels on the Turkey River have stabilized with improved clarity.
Flows remain high so find fish in areas with little current. Smallmouth Bass -
Slow: Anglers using rubber skirted jigs may find fish. Black Crappie - Slow:
Try fishing along the brushy edges for best luck. Walleye - Slow: Use live
baits in off channel areas.
Turkey River
(below Clermont)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is good. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt for more information on water levels. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Find fish
along the rocky ledges out of the current. Use a jig tipped with a worm or
plastic twister tail. Walleye - Slow: Look for fish in the deeper areas with
little current. Run a shallow water crankbait around boulders.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is about 5 feet. Flows are still
up so fish in slack water areas. Visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt for more information on water levels. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: A jig
tipped with a nightcrawler may turn an eye. Look for fish in the off channel
eddies and deeper pools. Walleye - Slow: Live baits should turn on a hungry
walleye.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is good. Water temperatures are
in the low 40's. Walleye - Fair: Anglers bank fishing and floating were having
success using a jig tipped with a nightcrawler or light colored plastic twister
tail. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try a jig tipped with a nightcrawler. Sauger -
Good: Anglers using light colored jigs and plastics are doing well fishing from
shore.
Volga Lake
The docks have been taken out for the winter. Water clarity is good. Try
along the rocky shoreline in the afternoon and evenings. Bluegill - Good: Use red worms or wax worms
fished under a bobber from rocky shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black
Crappie - Fair: Try small ice fishing jigs tipped with a minnow under a bobber.
DDecorah area rivers and streams are in good
condition. Be prepared for rain/snow Thursday into Friday. Temperature highs
will be in the low 40's during the day to low 30's and into the 20's at night. After
an afternoon of food and fun with the family, take advantage of this time to
get the whole family outside and walk off that turkey along a beautiful
Northeast Iowa stream or visit a state park. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery
at 563-382-8324.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Reports on the Cedar River have been fair for walleye in Black Hawk
County. Bremer County reports are good for walleye and northern pike. Most
catches of smallmouth have been incidental while fishing for walleye. Walleye -
Good: Jig and twister tipped with a minnow is a deadly combination for walleye
this time of year. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Jig and twister tipped with a minnow
is a deadly combination for smallmouth bass this time of year. Northern Pike -
Good: Float a live chub under a bobber.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
There have been fair to good reports of walleye being caught on the
Maquoketa River in Delaware County. Walleye - Fair: Jig and twister tipped with
a minnow is a deadly combination for walleye this time of year.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports on the Shell Rock River have been fair for walleye and smallmouth
bass. Most catches of smallmouth have been incidental while fishing for
walleye. Walleye - Fair: Jig and twister tipped with a minnow is a deadly
combination for walleye this time of year.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River is in the best condition that it has been in
months as far as clarity and water levels. Walleye and smallmouth bass fishing
should be fair and reports for northern pike fishing have been good. Northern
Pike - Good: Float a live chub under a bobber.
Reports are fair on the interior rivers for walleye,
smallmouth bass and northern pike. With the recent onset of colder temperatures
angling activity has declined. Panfish reports are very limited as we approach
late fall and early winter water temperatures. Trout streams remain full of
trout for anglers to get out and harvest. There have been good reports of brown
and rainbow trout being caught on area streams. For further information, call the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level has fallen to 8.2 feet at Lansing and is predicted to stay
stable over the next week. Fishing conditions continue to improve as the river
stabilizes. Find fish near structure in the deeper water. New Albin ramp is
open. Black Crappie - Fair: Some anglers
are reporting a few crappies this week as the river has returned to its banks. Use
minnows under a bobber in the tree piles in backwater areas. Largemouth Bass -
Good: Largemouth are holding tight in vegetation beds near overwintering holes.
Smallmouth Bass - Good: Lots of current in the river makes for great smallmouth
fishing. Try crankbaits along exposed riprap on main channel borders. Bluegill
- Good: Bluegill fishing is picking up in backwaters and side sloughs. Use
crawlers under a bobber fished tight up against tree lines out of the current. Walleye
- Good: Walleye fishing is picking up below the tailwaters and on wing dams. Sauger
- Good: Sauger are moving toward the tailwaters of the lock and dam. Use jigs
tipped with minnows fished over deep-water structures. Yellow Perch - Good:
Perch are gathering in the vegetation in backwater lakes. Try a minnow under a
bobber in the lily-pads or tree piles.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level has fallen to 15.8 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to stay
stable over the next week. The gates at Lock and Dam 9 are lowered; expect tailwater
fishing to pick up with the stabilizing water levels. Water temperatures are in
the low to mid 40's. Black Crappie -
Fair: Some anglers are reporting a few crappies this week as the river has
returned to its banks. Use minnows under a bobber in the tree piles in
backwater areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth are holding tight in vegetation
beds near overwintering holes. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Lots of current in the
river makes for great smallmouth fishing. Try crankbaits along exposed riprap
on main channel borders. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing is picking up in backwaters
and side sloughs. Use crawlers under a bobber fished tight up against tree
lines out of the current. Walleye - Good: Walleye fishing is picking up below
the tailwaters and on wing dams. Sauger - Good: Sauger are moving toward the
tailwaters of the lock and dam. Use Jigs tipped with minnows fished over
deep-water structures. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch are gathering in the
vegetation in backwater lakes. Try a minnow under a bobber in the lily-pads or
tree piles.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level has fallen to 7.2 feet at Guttenberg and is predicted to stay
stable over the next week. The gates at Lock and Dam 10 are down; expect
tailwater fishing to pick up as the water stabilizes. Water temperatures are in the mid to lower
40's. Black Crappie - Fair: Some anglers are reporting a few crappies this week
as the river has returned to its banks. Use minnows under a bobber in backwater
areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth are holding tight in vegetation beds
near overwintering holes. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Lots of current in the river makes
for great smallmouth fishing. Try crankbaits along exposed riprap on main
channel borders. Walleye - Good: Walleye fishing is picking up below the
tailwaters and on wing dams. Sauger - Good: Sauger are moving u toward the
tailwaters of the lock and dam. Use jigs tipped with minnows fished over
deep-water structures. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch are gathering in the
vegetation in backwater lakes. Try a minnow under a bobber in the lily-pads or
tree piles. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing is picking up in backwaters and
side sloughs. Use crawlers under a bobber fished tight up against tree lines
out of the current.
Water temperatures have fallen into the low 40's this week. Look for fish
seeking deeper water refuge for the winter. Fall fishing has been good overall.
Fish are actively feeding to prepare for overwintering. Water levels are
predicted to remain stable this week.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is near 7.5 feet at Dubuque tailwater and near 9.7 feet at
the RR bridge. These levels are down from last week and are expected to recede
slowly. The main channel is around 50 degrees but expect it to drop to the mid
to upper 40's this week. Fishing has been excellent for numerous species. Largemouth
Bass - Excellent: Catch bass in huge numbers near the higher quality backwaters
where they will spend the winter. Use spinner baits and scatter shads. Bluegill
- Good: Lots of bluegills are coming out the better backwater areas. Some places are nonstop action but size tends
to be smaller. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth bass are doing very well
in the Mississippi River with numerous year classes present. The combination of rock and current are a must
to catch smallmouth bass, which often hold very tight to the rocks. Action is
fast when they are found. Black Crappie - Fair: Expect good fishing for
crappies to return this fall. Lots of nice crappies are in the Mississippi River.
Crappies are hanging in flowing water sloughs but should move to the woody
structure this week. Walleye - Good: Use a jig and minnow in the tailwater. Some
larger walleye are still coming off the wing dams. White Bass - Good: These
fish can school up and action can be fast. Use spinners or small crankbaits. Rock Bass -
Good: Lots of rock bass reported this year from both the backwaters and the shallow
areas in the tailwater. Yellow Perch - Good: Looks to be another excellent
perch year; another year class is present which bodes well for the future. Most
ring perch have been caught by anglers fishing for bluegills. Sauger - Good:
Lots of tailwater fishing going on with most anglers using some form of a three
way minnow and jig.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is near 8.1 feet at Bellevue, down from last week. The
water temperature is around 52 degrees but expect it to fall in the mid 40's
after the cold front moves through. Water levels are expected to recede slowly
all week. Fishing has been very good this fall. Walleye - Good: Use jigs and
minnows or three way minnow rigs in the tailwater. Largemouth Bass - Excellent:
Many good catches of bass were reported this week. Bass are eating shad as
their primary food item. Use larger silver colored crank baits and try your
best to keep vegetation off your line. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth
bass are doing very well in the Mississippi River with numerous year classes
present. The combination of rock and current are a must to find smallmouth
bass. Smallies often hold very tight to the rocks. Black Crappie - Good: Some
crappies are being taken mostly by anglers catching bluegills. Move often and fish in areas of slight
current. White Bass - Good: White bass schools are being reported in the
tailwater area in the shallow areas. Try a spinner or minnow imitation lure. Bluegill
- Excellent: Bluegills have moved into their winter backwater homes. Size has been an issue but some anglers
reporting large numbers being caught. Sauger - Excellent: Lots of sauger being
caught with walleyes in the tailwater area. Rock Bass - Good: Rock bass are
still being caught in the tailwaters at 5 feet and in backwater slough while
crappie fishing.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The level is near 8.2 feet at Fulton, 11.1 feet at Camanche and 5.8 feet
at Le Claire. The water temperature is near 53 degrees but expect it to fall
into the mid 40's after the cold front passes. Fishing has been excellent for
many species. Walleye - Good: Anglers are returning to the tailwaters for a
chance at walleyes and sauger. Use a jig and minnow. Smallmouth Bass - Good:
Smallmouth bass are doing very well in the Mississippi River with numerous year
classes present. The combination of rock and current are a must to find
smallmouth bass, which often hold very tight to the rocks. Largemouth Bass -
Excellent: Bass are biting again. Find
bass in the edges of the main channels and side sloughs; fish out of the high
current areas. Pockets and eddies give
you the best shot at quality bass. White Bass - Fair: White bass and an
occasional hybrid striped bass are being reported in the tailwater area. Use
minnow imitations such as spinners in the tailwater. Black Crappie - Fair:
Crappie bite is gearing up, the water receding should help anglers find crappies.
Some anglers report it is difficult to find crappies in high water. Sauger -
Good: Use jigs and minnow rigs in the tailwater. Yellow Perch - Good: Some
anglers report catching yellow perch in the backwaters while fishing for
bluegills. A few are being taken in the
tailwaters by sauger anglers, especially when they are in more shallow water
less than 10 feet deep.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 7.8 feet at Rock Island, which is down from last week.
Water will fall a bit more this week. Water temperature is around 53 degrees in
the main channel but will fall dramatically after this cold snap. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are
abundant in Pool 15. Try worm and egg sinkers in the eagles landing area or the
outside channel south of I 74. White Bass - Good: Some white bass are reported
in the tailwater and along the bank in Bettendorf and near the Duck Creek
mouth.
Water temperatures will creep into the upper 40 throughout the district
this week. The water levels are still a bit higher than most anglers are used
to at this time of year, but water levels are receding slowly. If you have an angling question, please
contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 7.35 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities. Main
channel water temperature is around 44 degrees. Walleye - Fair: Fishing in
Sylvan Slough has slowed some this past week. Troll stick baits on three-way
rigs. Try also jigging and trolling from the opening at Sunset Marina to the
mouth of the Rock River. Sauger - Fair: Fishing for saugers in Sylvan Slough
has slowed some this past week. Troll stick baits on three-way rigs. Try also
jigging and trolling from the opening at Sunset Marina to the mouth of the Rock
River. White Crappie - No Report: We have not received any reports for crappie
fishing; look for fish in the backwaters around brush piles. Try jigs and
minnows, minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.
Mississippi River Pool 17
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this
week. Sauger - Slow: There have been a few boats below the dam fishing for
saugers but fishing has been slow. Vertical jig or troll three-way rigs with stick
baits. Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing below the dam has been slow. White
Crappie - No Report: We have not received any crappie fishing reports; look for
crappies in the backwaters around brush piles. Use jigs and minnows, minnows
under a bobber or jigs and plastics in Big Timber and Cleveland Slough.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 7.85 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Fishing
below the dam has been slow. The Toolsboro access is now open. Main channel
water temperature is around 44 degrees. Sauger - Slow: Sauger fishing below the
dam has been slow. Vertical jig or troll three-way rigs with stick baits. White
Crappie - Fair: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles. Use
jigs and minnows, minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics at Huron Island.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 4.70 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Main
channel water temperature is 44 degrees. We have not received any fishing
reports for this pool this week. Sauger - No Report: Look for saugers up by the
dam. Vertical jig or troll three-way rigs with stick baits. White Crappie - No
Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles. Use minnows under
a bobber, jigs and minnows or jigs and plastics.
River stages are falling. Main channel water
temperature is 44 degrees. Tailwater fishing has been slow. Some crappies have
been caught in the backwaters. If you have questions on
fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
Walleye – Fair.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake level on 11/22 is at fall pool of 686.4' and is holding steady.
The only dock in now is at the Macbride ramp. Black Crappie - Fair: Use minnows
or bright jigs over brush or along steeper rock banks.
Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station and restroom is
closed for the season. The boat dock remains in all year. Black Crappie - Fair:
Drift/troll for suspended fish in deeper water. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try
around brush and rip rap.
Iowa Lake
(Iowa County)
Bluegill - Fair: Use wax worms around brush. Fish up to 9 inches are
being reported. Black Crappie - Fair: Try wax worms around brush. Many fish are
9-11 inches.
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Walleye - Good: Use live bait in wintering holes and where creeks dump
in.
Kent Park Lake
The boat dock has been taken out for the season. Bluegill – Slow. Black
Crappie – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Slow.
Lake Macbride
Any size motor may be operated at no wake (5 mph). The fish cleaning
station is shut down and the boat docks are out for the season. Black Crappie -
Fair: Try jigs or minnows over brush/stumps in 10-15 feet of water. Walleye -
Slow: Best reports have been from anglers vertical jigging over structure in
14-18 feet of water.
Otter Creek
Lake
The boat dock has been taken out and the fish cleaning station is closed
for the season. Bluegill – Slow.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is currently down 15' for the restoration project. Much of the
dirt work has been done and rock work has begun. The main boat ramp is being
replaced and the concession stand ramp will be replaced soon. There are no
fishing reports at this time.
Prairie Park Fishery
Rainbow Trout - Good: 2000 trout were stocked here on 11/18. You must have a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout.
Wapsi River
(Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Black
Crappie – Fair.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Des Moines
River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Wipers and channel catfish are being caught below the dam in Ottumwa. Use
jigs for wipers and cut bait for channel catfish.
Lake Sugema
Crappie fishing has started to pick up slightly. Try minnows tipped on
small jigs or a minnow and a bobber. Keep moving until you find active fish. For
bluegill, try small jigs tipped with a waxworm in the edge of the aquatic
vegetation or open pockets among the lily pads. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinner
baits or rubber worms in areas along the edge of the aquatic vegetation and
around rocky shorelines. Lake Sugema has a slot limit so all largemouth bass
12-18 inches must be immediately released. Walleye - Slow: Surveys show 15-20
inch walleye. Drift or troll nightcrawlers or minnows along the rip-rapped
shorelines and along submerged points. Try also casting crankbaits should.
Lake Wapello
If fishing for largemouth bass, try spinner baits or rubber worms in areas
with submerged structure and also along the edge of the aquatic vegetation.
Catch bullheads with nightcrawlers fished on the bottom.
Ottumwa Park
Pond East (Trout Pond)
Trout were stocked in late October. Use small spinners or prepared trout
baits. A fishing license and trout fee is required to fish for or to possess
trout.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.27 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0
msl. The current surface water temperature is in the lower 50's °F. Lake
Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry
equipment before transporting to another water body. White Crappie - Fair: Use
small jigs or minnows off the docks and around submerged structure. White Bass
- Fair: Cast jigs or crankbaits along the shorelines. Wipers are being caught
along with the white bass.
Red Haw Lake
Use small jigs tipped with live bait for bluegills. Target the shorelines
and keep moving until you find active fish. Bass anglers should target
shorelines, the dam and the fishing jetties with rubber worms or spinner baits.
Take your trash with 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.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout were stocked on Friday, November 18th. Use
small in-line spinners, spoons, small tube jigs and wax worms or minnows under
a bobber.
Banner Lake (south)
Rainbow Trout - Good: Rainbow trout were stocked on October 20th. Use
small in-line spinners, spoons, small tube jigs and wax worms or minnows under
a bobber.
Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie can still be caught on the nicer days up
until ice up. Slowly troll jigs in 12-20 feet of water. When a crappie is
caught, continue to fish that area as the fish are suspended in large schools. Use
1/8 ounce jigs tipped with minnows or small white or chartreuse twister tails. The
middle portion of the lake has the most consistent catches.
Lake Petocka
Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout were stocked in Lake Petocka on October 21st.
Use small in-line spinners, spoons, small tube jigs and wax worms or minnows
under a bobber.
Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie - Fair: Any remaining days that get into the 50s in
November are worth targeting crappies in Red Rock. Drift or slowly troll jigs
with twisters or tipped with minnows in the small bays and arms out of the wind
that come off the main lake. Try also vertical jigging near the docks and wave
breakers in the marina cove.
The open water season is starting to wind down in
central Iowa. More fishing reports will become available when the ice fishing
season gets under way. For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.
Lake Anita
Anglers are catching bluegills and crappies vertical jigging and casting
around cedar trees, road beds and rock piles. Bass fishing is good around cedar
trees. Black Crappie - Good: Try around one of the numerous brush piles in the
lake. Bluegill - Fair: Try around the cedar tree piles near the bottom.
Littlefield Lake
Littlefield lake has quality size crappies and bluegill. Water clarity
should improve along with the fishing with cooler water temperatures. Black
Crappie - No Report: Catch crappies up to 11 inches around the brush piles. Bluegill
- No Report: Littlefield has a good bluegill population.
Orient Lake
Anglers fishing around the brush piles are having good success catching
crappies. Black Crappie - Good: Catch 10 inch crappies around the brush piles
in the lake. Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes are being caught by anglers fishing
along the rock shoreline.
Prairie Rose Lake
Anglers are catching bluegills and sub legal bass around underwater reefs
and tree piles. Prairie Rose water clarity is good and the vegetation is down.
Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with wax worms in the deeper water of
the lake.
Viking Lake
Viking has a good crappie population. Try around tree piles for crappies
and largemouth. Black Crappie - Fair: Look for crappies around the brush piles
in the lake.
Water temperatures have steadily dropped into the 50s.
Water clarity has improved on area lakes and the fall largemouth bass, bluegill
and crappie bite has been good. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587
Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with
crankbaits fished near the fishing jetties and along the silt dam.
Little River Watershed Lake
Walleye - Slow: Catch walleye up to 20 inches with jigs or minnows fished
along the roadbed.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with
crankbaits fished near rock fields or jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Walleye
- Slow: Drift minnows along main lake points to catch walleye of all sizes. Bluegill
- Fair: Catch bluegill up to 10 inches with nightcrawlers fished near the
bottom along creek channels or flooded timber. Black Crappie - Slow: Drift
minnows along main lake points to catch crappie of all sizes.
Water temperature in Mount Ayr district lakes is in
the low 50's. For more information, please contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Slow: Try cut bait and crawlers below wing dams and
along the rock revetment. Flathead Catfish - Slow: Fishing has slowed for
flathead catfish. Use live bait fished with rod and reel or with trotlines in
currents breaks, near deeper water or around rock and wood structure. Blue
Catfish - Fair: Use fresh cut bait or live bait fished off the bottom in current
breaks and on wing dam tips. Sauger - Fair: Sauger and a few walleye are being
caught on jigs and live bait rigs.
Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Slow: Try cut bait and crawlers below wing dams and
along the rock revetment. Flathead Catfish - Slow: Flathead fishing has slowed.
Use live bait fished with rod and reel or with trotlines in currents breaks
and/or near deeper water. Blue Catfish - Fair: Try fresh cut bait and live
baits. Sauger - Slow: Sauger and a few walleye are being caught on jigs and
live bait rigs.
Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Slow: Use cut bait and crawlers below wing dams and
along the rock revetment. Flathead Catfish - Slow: Fishing is slowing for
flathead catfish; a few fish are still being reported. Use live bait below wing
dams and around rock and wood structure. Sauger - Slow: A few sauger and
walleye are being caught on jigs and live bait rigs below wing dams and in
deeper holes out of the current of the main river.
The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska gauge is at 20.31 ft./ 28,300
cfs./ 43 degrees Fahrenheit. The Missouri River has dropped .09 feet from last
week. Missouri River levels are expected to drop soon to winter levels. Water
temperature has dropped 8 degrees Fahrenheit from last week. Fishing continues
to be fair to slow overall on the Missouri River.
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