June 1 Iowa Fishing Report

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Fishing Report
A collage of photos of people fishing.

Top Iowa Fishing Spots for the Week of June 1.

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.


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NORTHWEST

Arrowhead Lake
Bluegills were spawning along the shore about a week ago. Find nest colonies along the west and east shorelines; the highest concentration are likely in the southern end of the lake. 

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperaturesas of Tuesday were 64 degrees. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill can be picked up just about anywhere along the shoreline. The fish are averaging 7.5 inches. Use a small hair or tube jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber off the floating fishing pier, the west stone pier, and the inlet bridge. Bluegills are sitting on nests; you can easily target the males. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers have had luck fishing from Ice House Point, the floating dock, the stone piers, and the inlet bridge. Catch fish up to 11 inches with crawlers and leeches fished under a bobber. The crappie spawn has slowed down. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are picking up walleye from shore and by boat. Town Bay, the shoreline along Ice House Point, and near the inlet bridge are producing fish.Use leeches fished under a bobber and twisters. Fish being kept are 15 to 21 inches. Late evening into dark and the early mornings are best. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth all over the lake using the traditional bass lures.  Fishing the lake side of the inlet bridge has provided good bass action for many anglers. Muskellunge - Fair: Anglers are still reporting the occasional muskie catch; most are on the smaller side.  Some fish in the high 30 inch size range have been reported. 

Black Hawk Pits
Bluegill and crappie are spawning near shore. Use a small tube jig tipped with crawler fished under a bobber near shore. 

Blue Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Use jigs and slip bobber rigs tipped with minnows near the shoreline. Some sorting is needed. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching largemouth bass on various artificial baits near the shoreline emergent vegetation. 

Browns Lake
Walleye - Fair: Some anglers have picked up their limit the past several weeks.  The fish are 15- to 22-inches.  Use leeches under a slip bobber. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies were hitting along the cattails on the inside bend of the lake a few weeks ago. Check the deadfalls in the deeper water along the outside bend of the lake. 

Brushy Creek Lake
Fishing has been productive along the weed lines. Panfish action is picking up near shore. Walleye - Fair: Use jigs and leeches. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill are starting to move closer to shore. Use a small jig tipped with bait in 5-15 feet of water. Muskellunge – Fair. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been doing well fishing the weed lines and near structure. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are around 65 degrees. Dredge is in operation in the northeast portion of the lake; boaters must maintain a 100 foot distance from the dredge, booster pump and dredge pipes at all times. Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day.  Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up crappie in the Marina and near the inlet. Walleye - Good: Much of the walleye action has shifted to the boat anglers. Boat anglers are doing well trolling shad raps or ripple shads or drifting crawler harnesses on the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake

Swan Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegills from along the dam and off the jetties. Use a small jig tipped with crawler. The larger gills are 8.5 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: A few crappie are being picked up while bluegill fishing. 

Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Look for bluegill spawning in the arm north of the swim beach and in the coves along the south shore.  Yellow Smoke is known for its big bluegill consistently reaching 9 inches or more. 

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are in the mid-60 degrees. Bluegill and crappie are close to shore in many lakes and ponds. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Briggs Woods Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Use artificial lures or minnows near rocks or downed trees. Black Crappie - Good: Try a small hook and slip bobber with live bait. 

Clear Lake
The water temperature is 64 degrees. McIntosh Woods State Park boat ramp is closed for repairs. There is a 14 inch minimum length limit for walleyes on Clear Lake  with a daily limit of three fish per person; only one walleye can be greater than 22 inches. Walleye - Fair Boat anglers are trolling with leeches and artificial lure. Shore anglers are using jigs or hooks tipped with small minnows at the docks or public jetties. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a small jig or live bait with a slip bobber in the cattails. Yellow Bass - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a nightcrawler or cut bait at the docks or jetties. Boat anglers should target Billys reef and Dodges point. White Bass - Fair: Use a small jig or a hook tipped with a minnow in shallow water around docks, reefs and the island. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig or a hook tipped with a minnow and slip bobber in the cattails. Shore anglers are catching fish at the jetties using live bait. 

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Use live bait  with a slip bobber. Bluegill - Good: Use small minnows in areas with vegetation. 

Silver Lake (Worth)
Yellow Perch - Good: Use small minnows or nightcrawlers in areas of vegetation. 

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

East Okoboji Lake
Fish on East Okoboji are active with many people leaving the lake with full buckets. Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass activity has started to slow on the north end of East Okoboji Lake. Use live baits under bobbers. Yellow Perch - Fair: Yellow perch are active on the north end of the lake. Use live bait off of the public docks. Walleye - Fair: The walleye bite has slowed the past week.

Five Island Lake
Yellow Bass - Fair: Yellow bass are active on Five Island Lake. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Use mini jigs and artificial baits near the weed lines. 

Lost Island Lake
The fishing on Lost Island Lake has picked up over the past week. Walleye - Good: Nice sized walleye are coming off the lake. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are active; cast traditional catfish baits. 

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The fish on Silver Lake are very active. Walleye - Good: Both wader anglers and boat fishermen have reported catching many. Use live baits such as minnows. 

Spirit Lake
The fish are extremely active right now with many people leaving the lake with limits. Black Bullhead - Fair: Fishing for bullheads is very popular on the north end of the lake by the grade and at buffalo run. Yellow Perch - Fair: A fair number of angler acceptable perch are being caught. Walleye - Excellent: Walleyes have become very active over the past week with many people limiting out quickly. 

West Okoboji Lake
The fishing continues to be very good. Black Crappie - Good: Many keeper crappies are being caught. Use light jig heads and artificial baits in the shallows. Bluegill - Good: Many keeper bluegills are being caught. Use light jig heads and artificial baits in the shallows. Northern Pike - Good: Nice northerns are being caught on West Okoboji. Walleye - Good: Anglers are having a high success rate fishing for walleye on West lake; use live bait such as minnows and leaches. 

The fishing on the Iowa Great Lakes has been very active over the past couple of weeks. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water clarity is improving with temperatures in the low 60's. Visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt for current water level information. Walleye - Slow: Try a jig tipped with a minnow or twister tail below dams in the pockets. With cooler temperatures, slow your retrieve. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or nightcrawler fished from shore under a bobber. Find fish in brush piles and backwater areas. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth are hitting everything that hits the water. Fish around brush piles for a whopper. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a minnow under a bobber in eddies or off channel areas. 

Decorah District Streams
Streams conditions are improving. Flows remain elevated. Use care when crossing. Call 563-927-5736 for catchable trout stocking locations. Use jigs tipped with twister tails, feathered spinnerbaits, or flashy spoons. Use a nightcrawler to catch a freshly stocked fish. Brook Trout - Good: Use mayfly or caddis fly imitations for the afternoon hatch. Brown Trout - Good: Off color water is a great time to fish for brown trout. Try caddis fly and mayfly imitations hatching off the water.Hatches are improving with warming temperatures. Use leach or streamer patterns for more aggressive fish. Rainbow Trout - Good: Fish rainbow trout in the head end of riffles. Slowly pull a black bead head fly with a light colored scud or midge dropper through the upper and lower ends of pools for trout in deeper water. 

Lake Hendricks
Near shore fish activity will improve with warmer temperatures. Slow your retrieve giving fish time to strike. Boat anglers are finding fish in deeper water. Bluegill - Good: Catch gills moving into shallower water with a small jig. Let it sink and slowly reel it in. Channel Catfish - Slow: Use cut baits on windblown rocky shorelines. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a hook tipped with a minnow under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use a jig tipped with a plastic twister for bass moving into shallower water. 

Lake Meyer
Water clarity is improving. Water temperatures are in the low 60's. Find the latest hot spots on the Iowa DNR's fishing atlas. Set your GPS coordinates to WGS84 to key in to your structure preference. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are building nests. Use a small jig in shallow water with a slow retrieve. Channel Catfish - Slow: Try a crawler fished on the bottom in a rocky shoreline. Dawn and dusk are best. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use a spinnerbait; a variety of colors are working. Bass are moving in as water warms. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a minnow or artificial scented baits fished under a bobber in the evening in shallow water along a rocky shoreline. Northern Pike - Fair: Try a spinnerbait for a pike hanging in shallow water. 

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels are slowly dropping with temperatures in the low 60's. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try a jig tipped with a minnow or feathered spinnerbait around a current break. Walleye - Fair: Use a jig tipped with a soft plastic twister tail. Use a slow retrieve in cooler water. White Sucker - Good: Try a hook tipped with a nightcrawler fished off the bottom. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are falling with temperatures in the low 60's. Visibility is good. Visit https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt for current water level information. Walleye - Fair: Try a jig tipped with natural colored twister tails or small crankbait near coldwater tributaries. White Sucker - Good: Use a worm with enough weight for it to sit on the bottom. Watch your rod tip. When it bends, set the hook. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Catch smallies in the off channel areas. A variety of lures are working now. 

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are falling with temperatures in the low 60's. Visibility is improving. Bank anglers should toss a lure upstream and let it float through the current along a ledge or current seam.  Walleye - Slow: Use spinnerbaits and jig tipped with a minnow fished at the head and tail ends of deeper pools. White Sucker - Good: Try a hook with a worm and enough weight to get the worm to the bottom. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or ring worms. Try also bright colored twister tails. Northern Pike - Slow: A few anglers are picking up pike using spinnerbaits. 

Volga Lake
Water temperatures are rising. Fish shallower water in the evening. Fish attractors were recently added in the lake. Find fish attracting structure locations on the Iowa DNR's fishing atlas. Bluegill - Slow: Use small jigs tipped with small piece of nightcrawler or red worm fished deep. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie along rocky shoreline especially near sunset. Try a hook tipped with a small minnow under a bobber. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead minnows or crawlers fished off the bottom to attract a cruising cat. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish bass moving into shallow water. Try a spinnerbait with a slow retrieve in cooler water. 

Water clarity is much improved and water temperatures are slowly rising. Please thank landowners for allowing public fishing on private property. Help us keep our streams beautiful. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Big Woods Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Try numerous depths floating a crappie minnow under a slip bobber as the crappie begin to stage for spawn. Bluegill - Good: Find bluegill spawning beds along the shorelines. Try a piece of worm or small jig under a slip bobber fished above the beds. 

Brinker Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Try numerous depths floating a crappie minnow under a slip bobber as the crappie begin to stage for spawn. Bluegill - Good: Find bluegill spawning beds along the shorelines. Try a piece of worm or small jig under a slip bobber fished above the beds. 

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River has risen with recent rainfall events, but is beginning to recede. There are no reports for this past week. 

George Wyth Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Try numerous depths floating a crappie minnow under a slip bobber as the crappie begin to stage for spawn. Bluegill - Good: Find bluegill spawning beds along the shorelines. Try a piece of worm or small jig under a slip bobber fished above the beds.

Manchester District Streams
Trout streams are clear and in excellent condition. Rainbow Trout – Good.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Angler reports have been really good for smallmouth bass on the Maquoketa River in Delaware County. Recent surveys have found good numbers of walleye also. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use artificial baits. Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing a nightcrawler or stink baits.  

Martens Lake
Anglers are doing well on largemouth bass on Martens Lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use weedless spinnerbaits or plastic worms fished along shoreline or near lily pads.

Plainfield Lake
Anglers are starting to catch some bluegill on Plainfield Lake as the spawn approaches. Bluegill - Good: Find the spawning beds along the shorelines. Try a piece of worm or small jig under a slip bobber fished above the beds.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The river is falling nicely and should provide some good angling opportunities by this coming weekend. 

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The river is falling nicely and should provide some good angling opportunities by this coming weekend. 

Interior river water levels are beginning to fall with the recent rainfall events. Lake fishing has picked up throughout the crappie and bluegill spawn. Trout fishing remains good. Contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is dropping and is currently at 12.9 feet at Lansing. It is expected to fall to 11 feet later next week.  Army road at New Albin is closed. Water temperature is in the low to mid 60's. Walleye - Slow: Tailwater fishing has dropped off, but walleyes will be settling in to the wing dams as water returns to normal. Yellow Perch - Slow: Use minnows under a bobber in structure off side channels with little or no current. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are becoming more active. Try a bobber tipped with crawler in the flooded trees. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively feeding. Use a crawler fished along the bottom or live crawdads in current. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead are actively feeding in preparation for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on spinnerbaits fished in the trees in the backwaters. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast along rock structure off the main channel and running sloughs. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are tough to find with the high water conditions, but some larger fish are being caught using a crappie minnow fished in the flooded trees. 

Mississippi River Pool 10
Lynxville river level is 23.2 feet and will gradually recede by late next week. Water temperature at Lock and Dam 9 is 60 degrees. Gates are up at the Lock and Dam. Sny Magill ramp is inaccessible due to high water over the road. Water is still on Bussey Lake ramp, but small boats are launching. Walleye - Slow: Tailwater fishing has dropped off, but walleyes will be settling in to the wing dams as water returns to normal. Yellow Perch - Slow: Use minnows under a bobber in structure off side channels with little or no current. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are becoming more active. Try a bobber tipped with crawler up in the flooded trees.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively feeding. Use a crawler fished along the bottom or live crawdads in current. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead are actively feeding in preparation for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on spinnerbaits fished in the trees in the backwaters. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast along rock structure off the main channel and running sloughs. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are tough to find with the high water conditions, but some larger fish are being caught using a crappie minnow fished in the flooded trees. 

Mississippi River Pool 11
River levels are gradually receding at Guttenberg. Current level is 14.6 feet and is predicted to fall to 12 feet late next week. Water temperature at the dam is 60 degrees. Gates remain out of the water at Lock and Dam 10. Many ramps are inaccessible due to water over the roads. There is still water over the South Guttenberg boat ramp. Walleye - Fair: Tailwater fishing has dropped off, but walleyes will be settling in to the wing dams as water returns to normal. Yellow Perch - Slow: Use minnows under a bobber in structure off side channels with little or no current. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are becoming more active. Try a bobber tipped with crawler in the flooded trees. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively feeding. Use a crawler fished along the bottom or live crawdads in current. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead are actively feeding in preparation for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth are biting on spinnerbaits fished in the trees in the backwaters. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast along rock structure off the main channel and running sloughs. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are tough to find with the high water conditions, but some larger fish are being caught using a crappie minnow fished up in the flooded trees.  

Mississippi River levels are receding quickly after cresting last week. There is still a lot of current and debris in channel areas. Water temperatures have risen into the 60's. Most boat ramps are still inaccessible and full of debris.  Anglers are doing some searching, but having success in areas out of the heavy current. 

Mississippi River Pool 12
River levels are 16.02 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 17.87 feet at the RR bridge. These are up two feet from last week. Many of the smaller boat may be flooded out. Channel Catfish - Good: Use worms near the flooded shoreline; catfish will be feeding on the newly flooded areas. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum bite well in higher water levels.  A simple egg sinker and worm rig works best. White Crappie - Good: Some nice white crappies have been reported in flooded timber. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are biting on crankbaits or pitching jigs into eddy areas. Fish near shore; walleyes will be feeding around the newly flooded areas. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
River level is 16.39 feet at Bellevue. This is up from last week and water will rise all week. Several boat ramps are under water including the DNR boat ramp at Bellevue and the south ramp at Sabula.  Yellow Perch - No Report: Yellow perch were being found near shore, but few reports in this high water. Northern Pike - Fair: Use flashy white lures. Some pike were reported being caught in the Green Island Wildlife Area. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are hitting on worms rigs. Flooding water puts catfish on the feed. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum are being caught on egg sinker rigs with worms. Largemouth Bass - Good: Find bass in large backwater areas such as Spring Lake. Many anglers are slow rolling spinnerbaits. Walleye - Fair: Find walleye in eddy currents. High water makes this a challenge, but the fish are on the bite so keep pitching jigs till you find them. Common Carp - Good: The warm days have seen the carp spawning in shallow water in big backwater complexes.  Bowfishing season is prime right now. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Some smallmouth are being caught on flooded rocky areas by people pitching jigs or on worms. 

Mississippi River Pool 14
River level is 16.57 feet at Fulton, 18.31  feet at Camanche and 11.6 feet at Le Claire. This is up from last week and levels will fall all week. Some boat ramps will have water and debris on them due to the high water levels. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Nice catches of largemouth bass were reported. Find bass in the backwater complexes such as cattail and rock creek. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are biting on simple egg sinker rigs with worms for bait. Channel Catfish - Good: Several catfish were reported this week mostly by anglers using a sinker and worm rig. Walleye - Slow: Some walleyes were being caught in eddy areas by people pitching jigs. Use bright colors in flooded water. This fishing will get more difficult as more timber gets flooded. 

Mississippi River Pool 15
River level is 16.99 feet at Rock Island. This is up from last week and levels will begin to fall this week. Flood levels have moved back into minor flooding levels. Little fishing was reported to us on Pool 15.  

The main channel water temperature is 66 degrees, which is up 6 degrees from last week. Water levels are high but starting to fall. Many of the smaller boat ramps in the district are under water or will have 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 16.97 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is forecast to reach 17.2 feet by Thursday (6/1). ). Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage at Fairport is 17.34 feet and flood stage is 14 feet. The Marquette St landing in Davenport is being reported as closed due to the high water. The boat ramp at Clark's Ferry is closed due to high water. The ramps at the Fairport Recreational area are underwater as well. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions.   

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 16.60 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and forecast to reach 17.0 feet by Thursday (6/1). Flood stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 15 feet. River stage at Muscatine is 18.00 feet and forecast to reach 18.5 feet by Thursday. Flood stage at Muscatine is 16 feet. As of Wednesday, the Muscatine City ramp was still open. Ramp conditions may change with the rising river level. Ramps at Kilpeck and Big Timber are closed.  

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 17.62 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and forecast to reach 18.2 feet by Thursday. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Toolsboro ramp is closed. The road going into Toolsboro is also closed due to high water. The Hawkeye Dolbee access has water over it as well. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week with the high water. 

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 13.05 feet at Lock and Dam 18 and forecast to reach 13.06 feet by Friday. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. River stage is 17.64 feet at Burlington and flood stage is 15 feet. River stage at Ft. Madison is 529.31 feet and flood stage is 528 feet. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. 

River stages are above flood stage. River levels are forecast to rise. River stages for Pools 16-19 are forecast to crest on Thursday or Friday. Forecasts may change. Use caution when boating due to the high water conditions. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water conditions. Most ramps are inaccessible due to the high water conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
The weekend saw between 10 and 15 boats out per day.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are nesting, but a good number are still out deeper; they should come in if we hit the forecast 90 degrees later this week. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies have moved back out to deeper water. 

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa River is back in it's banks at Wapello, but is at flood stage down by Oakville where the Mississippi is backing her up. It is forecast to rain the next couple of days. 

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is around 69-70 degrees. Water clarity is good. The curly leaf pond weed is up to the surface. Bluegill - Good: Look for bluegills around the weed beds and in the pockets. Largemouth Bass - Good: The spawn is ending; the bigger females will be out deep and the males in shallow. 

Lake Darling
Last Friday's 2-3 inch rain decreased the water clarity (still not bad) and promoted a planktonic algae bloom. The algae should be gone with the first good wind. Water temperature is 70 degrees. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies have moved out to 6- to 7-feet deep water. Anglers are picking up some fish over the brush piles. Bluegill - Good: They are spawning now. Find them in shallow and deep. Channel Catfish - Fair: A good number are working the rocks looking for nesting sites as well as the brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: The warm up has speed up the spawn; the males are on the nests and the females are back out in deeper water. Yellow Bullhead - Good: The big bullheads are in the riprap nesting. 

Lake Geode
The cooler weather has pushed most of the fish out to deeper water. If it warms up next week, the bluegills should move in shallow to spawn. Bluegill - Fair: Look for them to be just off the ledges in the deeper (10-12 feet) water. Slip bobbers and worms work good for this type of fishing or in a boat try vertical jigging. 

Lake Odessa
The Toolesboro road remains closed. The Sand Run ramp is completely under water and the dock has been removed. The ramp at Schafer's is still visible above the water if you want to put a boat in. Very few anglers have been out on Odessa.

Lost Grove Lake
Bluegill - Good: Look around the shallow waters on the north side of the lake up on the flats to find the nests. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Work the riprap along the banks close to the deep water, as the bass come in shallow to eat small fish. 

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The Skunk has come back down a couple more feet since last weekend. Not much activity out on the water yet. 

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

Cedar Lake
Bluegill - Excellent: Fish along shallow rock for spawning fish. Most fish are 5- to 7-inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: There are quite a few fish up shallow to spawn. Most fish are 10- to 15-inches.

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Channel Catfish – Fair.  

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal summer pool of 683.4'. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait or shad guts. A few fish are moving to the shallow rocks to spawn. Black Crappie - Fair: Some fish are right on the bank, while the rest have pulled off to deeper brush and rock bluffs. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Males are right on the bank making nests or guarding fry. 

Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a jig/waxworm around the jetties and shallow brush. Most fish are about 8 inches. Bluegill - Good: Try a jig/waxworm around the jetties and shallow brush. Channel Catfish – Fair.

Hannen Lake
A lot of vegetation is making shore fishing especially difficult. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish weedlines or pockets in the weeds. Bluegill – Fair: Fish brush piles or pockets in the weeds. Black Crappie – Slow. 

Iowa Lake (Iowa County)
The vegetation is getting thick and is making shore fishing especially difficult. There are boats available for rent now. Bluegill - Good: Fish pockets in the weeds for spawning fish. Redear Sunfish - Fair: Find redear sunfish in the same areas as the bluegills, but they will be much bigger. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish weed lines and pockets in the weeds with plastics, or fish over the weeds with weedless frogs. Channel Catfish – Fair. Black Crappie - Fair: Most fish have moved to deeper water. There are many small fish, but also some 10+ inches. 

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use live chubs on bank lines. Flathead Catfish - Good: Try live chubs on bank lines. 

Kent Park Lake
The lake is now drained. The fishing regulations for Kent Park Lake have been relaxed to take advantage of the fish due to the renovation project. For more information, contact the Kent Park office at 319-645-2315. 

Lake Iowa Pond
Bluegill – Good. Largemouth Bass – Fair. 

Lake Macbride
The motor restriction is now in effect. Motors greater than 10hp are not to be used and all boats must run at no-wake speed (5mph). Water temperature this week was in the upper 60's. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are done spawning. A few fish are still shallow, while most have pulled off to deeper structure. Walleye - Fair: Cast in less than 8 feet of water. Some fish are being picked up by trolling in 8-12 feet of walleye. Try also jigging in 15-20 feet of water.  Bluegill - Good: Its quantity over quality for bluegills on Macbride. Use small jigs or worms around most any shallow structure. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are up shallow for the spawn. Channel Catfish – Fair. 

Otter Creek Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Evening is best. Yellow Bass - Good: Use small spinners. Bluegill - Fair: Try a small jig or worm around shallow pockets and shorelines. Black Crappie – Slow. 

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still about 9 feet low from the restoration project. The main boat ramp is usable, but still shallow; use caution. The far east lane is best. There is also a boat dock in at the ramp. Walleye - Fair: Crawlers work best. 

Rodgers Park Lake
The aquatic vegetation is beginning to get thicker. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Bluegill - Good: Use worms in the backwater areas. Channel Catfish - Fair: Minnows work well. Walleye - Fair: Use jig and plastics. 

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

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try rubber worms or spinnerbaits along the shallows and around the jetties. Target areas that are rip-rapped. Bluegill - Slow: Use small jigs fished around the fishing jetties and along the dam. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Add live bait if the fish are not active. 

Lake Keomah
Bluegill - Slow: Try small jigs in the shallows. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Use spinnerbaits or plastic worms along the dam and around the fishing jetties. 

Lake Sugema
Black Crappie - Fair: Use live bait presentations and different depths until you find active fish. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Walleye - Slow: Try nightcrawlers on jig heads along the dam and other rip-rapped areas. Try different depths until you find active fish. Bluegill - Fair: Use live bait and a small jig. Sorting is needed for larger fish.

Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass - Good: Use jerk baits or spinnerbaits around the cedar tree piles and along the shorelines.Try also rubber worms in the same areas. Black Crappie - Good: Try jigs and minnows along the shorelines. Sorting is needed for larger fish. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.31  msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. White Crappie - Good: Try areas around docks and areas with rip-rap along the shoreline. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish continue to bite on nightcrawlers or cut bait. Look for areas with the wind blowing toward shore. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Try jig and minnows along shorelines that are rip-rapped. Walleye - Fair: Use jig and minnows or jigs and nightcrawlers around submerged points and rock piles. Try also crankbaits that mimic gizzard shad while trolling. 

Red Haw Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Try areas along the weedline with live bait on a small hook. Add a bobber as needed. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits or rubber worms around the fishing jetties and around structure along the shoreline. 

Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

SOUTHWEST

Beaver Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies have moved out of the shallows; try fishing minnows 3- to 6-feet deep in the submerged trees out from the jetties mid lake. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills have moved shallow throughout the lake; use small pieces of crawler under a bobber. Most bluegills are 7- to 8-inches. 

Big Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Use minnows fished near shallow wood habitat. The crappies are good size; most caught are over 10 inches. Walleye - Good: Troll, drift or jig live bait rigs on the old road beds, points and steep shorelines on the lower portion of the lake. 

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
White Bass - Good: The white bass bite has been good below the Red Rock dam fishing minnows under a bobber and casting twister tail jigs or small shad imitating crankbaits. 

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are being caught throughout the lake fishing minnows or small jigs near wood habitat. Drift tube jigs and twister or paddle tail jigs 5- to 10-feet down in 10- to 20-feet of water. 

Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Good: Use nightcrawlers close to shore where trees and shrubs are overhanging into the water. Try also off sunken pallet structures.

Lake Ahquabi
Black Crappie - Fair: Black crappies have moved out of the shallows. Try small jigs or minnows on the outside edge of the vegetation. Bluegill - Good: Good size bluegills are being caught shallow in open areas in the vegetation on panfish jigs tipped with small pieces of crawler. 

Roberts Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Good numbers of crappies are being caught. Most fish are being caught over submerged brush with minnows. 

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie - Fair: The crappie spawn is wrapping up in Rock Creek, but crappies are still being caught suspended in the lower portion of the lake, especially out from the dam.  Use minnows under a bobber 3 to 6 feet down or slowly drift or troll 2 inch or smaller twister and paddle tail jigs. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are up shallow throughout the lake.  Pitch small pieces of crawlers under a bobber to within 5 to 20 feet from shore. Keep moving until you find groups of spawning fish. 

The crappie and bluegill bite is good in Central Iowa lakes and ponds. For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Many good angler reports from ponds this week. Always get permission to fish privately owned farm ponds. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are active and easy to catch. Cast a variety of spinner type baits or plastics for fun catch and release fishing. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are close to shore and are spawning. Black Crappie - Fair: Cast minnows under a bobber. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait. 

Farm Creek Lake
Bluegills and crappie are close to shore spawning. The lake also supports a good largemouth bass population with many 13- to 15-inch fish. 

Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake has a good fish population. It is also a good destination for channel catfish. Spawning crappies can still be caught around rocky shorelines. Black Crappie - Good: Cast small jigs or minnows under a slip bobber around the jetties. Fish will average 9-inches. Bluegill - Fair: Cast the shoreline to find spawning bluegills. Fish will average 8 inches. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast spinnerbaits or plastics along the shoreline. Fish are all sizes. 

Lake Anita
Lake Anita will provide good fishing this spring. Find a large crappie population averaging 9 inches and bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are starting to catch crappies suspended away from shore;  males are still guarding nests around the jetties and under water reefs. Fish will average 9 inches. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are close to shore spawning. Cast the shoreline and move often to find spawning fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Find bass close to structure with plastics during the day. Fish are all sizes. 

Lake Manawa
Crappies are close to rocky shorelines to spawn. The canals and west shore on the main lake should be good. Manawa has a decent population of 10- to 12-inch white crappie. Manawa is also a good destination for channel catfish. Black Crappie - Fair: Manawa has a large year class of 5- to 7-inch black crappie. This big group of fish will provide good crappie fishing over the next couple of years. White Crappie - Fair: Anglers report catching large white crappies on the west side of the lake. Fish are 12- to 14-inches. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being picked up by crappie anglers using minnows. 

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield Lake has quality size black crappies and bluegill. Black Crappie - Fair: Black crappie typically spawn along the dam and the rocky point north of the boat ramp. Fish are 10- to 12-inches. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are close to shore. Cast the shoreline with small jigs to find spawning fish. Bluegill average 8.5 inches. Channel Catfish - No Report: Littlefield has a good population of catfish. 

Meadow Lake
Meadow lake bluegills have gained size and body condition after the mid-summer drawdown in 2016. There is a year class of 10- to 12-inch black crappie in the lake. Bluegill - Good: Cast to the underwater reefs to catch spawning bluegills. Fish will average 8 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies can still be caught alone the face of the dam. The large size is 10 to 12 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large year class of 12- to 14-inch bass.

Orient Lake
Orient lake has a good population of 10 inch crappie that will provide good fishing in 2017. Bluegills will average 7 inches. The lake also has a good catfish population. Anglers may see dead or dying fish at Orient due to spawning stress. Black Crappie - Fair: Cast jigs along the dam and rocky shore lines to find spawning crappies. Fish average 10 inches. Bluegill - Good: Cast nightcrawlers under a bobber or small jigs to catch 7 inch bluegill. Channel Catfish - No Report: Orient has a good catfish population. 

Prairie Rose Lake
Expect to catch quality size bluegills again this spring. The crappies stocked in 2014 will reach an acceptable size to harvest in 2017. The lake also supports a good population of channel catfish and the largemouth bass will provide good catch and release fishing. Bluegill - Good: Anglers report catching quality size bluegills on the spawning beds and underwater reefs placed in the lake during the renovation. Fish are 8.5- to 9-inches. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching crappies around the jetties. Fish will average 8-inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: There is a large year class of 10 to 12 inch bass in the lake that is providing fun catch and release fishing. Channel Catfish - No Report: Channel catfish are 14- to 16-inches. 

Viking Lake
Anglers report catching crappies in deep brush piles last week. Bass fishing has been good. Black Crappie - Fair: Cast jigs or minnows under a slip bobber to catch black crappies up to 9 inches. Sorting will be necessary. White Crappie - Fair: Cast jigs along the face of the dam or rocky shorelines to find spawning white crappies. Fish are 10- to 14-inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers report catching largemouth bass in tree piles jigging plastics. Fish are all sizes. Channel Catfish - Fair: Viking has a good channel catfish population; fish will average 2 pounds. Bluegill - Good: Catch 7 inch bluegill. 

Bluegill fishing is good in the district. Anglers are still finding male crappies guarding nests. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught using finesse plastics fished near rock piles and spawning structures. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappies up to 8 inches with small jigs under a bobber fished along rocky spawning areas and cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with nightcrawlers under a bobber fished along the fishing jetties and spawning structures.  Walleye - Fair: Catch walleye up to 18 inches with leeches fished in 6-8 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds using cut bait fished near rocky shoreline areas. 

Lake Icaria
Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 11-inches using minnows or jigs fished near deep cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using chicken liver or nightcrawlers fished along the fishing jetties and other rocky structures. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches using small jigs or nightcrawlers fished along the fish mounds. 

Lake of Three Fires
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches using finesse plastics fished along weed lines. 

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches using finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles or weed lines. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleye up to 22 inches with jigs fished in 10-20 feet of water. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 9 inches with small jigs or nightcrawlers fished along the fishing jetties or gravel spawning areas..

Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 11 inches using small jigs or minnows fished near rocky shoreline areas or cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds using chicken liver or nightcrawlers fished near cedar tree brush piles or in the flooded timber. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 11 inches using small jigs or minnows fished near cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with chicken liver or nightcrawlers fished in the flooded timber. 

Summit Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught using finesse plastics fished along weed lines or topwater baits fished early or late in the day. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 10 inches with small jigs or minnows under a bobber
fished along weed lines. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 9 inches using small jigs tipped with a waxworm or nightcrawlers fished along the weed line.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught using finesse plastics fished along weed lines. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 9 inches using jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or waxworms fished near shallow rock reefs. 

Water temperature in Mount Ayr district lakes is in the mid 60's to low 70's. For more information, contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

MISSOURI RIVER

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Fishing should pick up as the water temperatures rise. Use cut bait, dead shad, or nightcrawlers near wing dams, brush piles and along the rock revetment. Flathead Catfish - Slow: Not much of a report for flathead catfish. Fishing should improve when the water warms. Blue Catfish - Slow: Spring is a good time to catch blue catfish. Anglers are catching a few on trotlines and rod and reel. Use fresh cut bait near wing dam tips and deeper holes near the main channel. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon near wing dams and backwater scour holes. Nightcrawlers work best. Sauger - Fair: Use jigs and live bait rigs.

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Fishing should pick up as the water temperatures rise.Use cut bait, dead shad, or nightcrawlers near wing dams, brush piles and along the rock revetment. Flathead Catfish - Slow: Not much of a report for flathead catfish. Fishing should improve when the water warms. Blue Catfish - Slow: Spring is a good time to catch blue catfish. Anglers are catching a few catfish on trotlines and rod and reel. Use fresh cut bait near wing dam tips and deeper holes near the main channel. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon near wing dams and backwater scour holes. Nightcrawlers work best. Sauger - Slow: Use jigs and live bait rigs.

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Fishing should pick up as the water temperatures rise. Use cut bait, dead shad, or nightcrawlers near wing dams, brush piles and along the rock revetment. Flathead Catfish - Slow: Not much of a report for flathead catfish. Fishing should improve when the water warms. Blue Catfish - Slow: Spring is a good time to catch blue catfish. Anglers are catching a few catfish on trotlines and rod and reel. Use fresh cut bait near wing dam tips and deeper holes near the main channel. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon near wing dams and backwater scour holes. Nightcrawlers work best. Sauger - Slow: Use jigs and live bait rigs.

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 24.49 ft. /44,400 cfs./ 65 degrees Fahrenheit (water temperature is up 6 degrees from last week). The Missouri River is up 1.77 feet from last week. The Missouri River is up considerably with recent rains in the Missouri River watershed. Anglers and boaters should watch for hazards associated with high water conditions. Fishing has been fair overall. Few anglers have been out with higher water conditions.