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Top Iowa Fishing Spots for the Week of August 10.
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
Bluebill
Lake
Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Bass are biting on a
variety of baits fished near vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: Use a bobber and
small piece of crawler near the edge of the vegetation. Yellow
Perch - Fair: Try a bobber and small piece of crawler near
the edge of the vegetation.
Clear Lake
The water temperature is 71 degrees. Early morning and late evening bite is best. Yellow Bass - Good: Drift a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler in 8- to 13-feet of water until you find fish. Walleye - Fair: Use a slip bobber and leech or crawler near the rock
reefs. Try trolling bottom bouncers with bright colored
blades and a nightcrawler. Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait, stink bait or chicken liver on the windward side of the lake. Late evening bite is best. Muskellunge - Fair: Fish the weed edge and shady areas near docks.
Crystal
Lake
Bluegill
- Fair: Use a small piece of crawler under a slip bobber near the dredge cut.
For information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish
and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Center
Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Cast mini jigs along the shoreline for excellent
pole bending activity.
East
Okoboji Lake
Panfish are very active on East Okoboji. Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow
bass activity continues to be very good.
Five
Island Lake
Channel
Catfish - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of acceptable size fish.
Spirit Lake
The fishing activity has slowed on Spirit Lake
during the days; anglers are still having luck fishing after dark. Walleye - Fair: Walleye continue to be active after dark, but have showed signs of slowing activity during day hours. Yellow Perch - Fair: Yellow perch activity has started to pick up; try jigging with pilkies and wax worms.
West
Okoboji Lake
Fishing has been very good on West Okoboji. Yellow Perch - Good: Fish
outside weed beds. Bluegill - Good: There has been good activity in
shallow areas such as the canals.
Iowa Great Lakes fish have been very active for the
past couple of weeks. For
more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at
712-336-1840.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Fish are more active with stable water levels and
cooler temperatures. Fish are taking a variety of lures and baits. Walleye - Good: Find walleye in brush piles or deeper holes. Try fishing along current breaks. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a hook with a dead chub or crawler for a 2 pound catfish. Northern
Pike - Good: Find pike in brush piles and tributary
mouths. Black Crappie - Good: Use a hook tipped with a crawler in eddies
below dams and backwaters. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use crawdad crankbaits along rocky shorelines and
substrates.
Decorah District Streams
Be respectful of private property; it’s a privilege to fish these areas. Call 563-927-5736 for current catchable trout stocking locations. Wild parsnip is done for the year, but beware of
first year plants. Freshly stocked trout are hitting a variety of lures and
baits. Brook Trout - Excellent: A variety of mayflies are hatching. Use a dry fly
for insects hatching off the water surface. Use a nymph or scud dropper for
subsurface critters. Brown Trout - Excellent: Now is the time to use terrestrial flies. Grasshoppers,
crickets, and ants will turn a trout head in grassed areas and prairies. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Use any number of black ant or leaf hopper patterns.
Lake Hendricks
The lake is looking good. Use a canoe to paddle out
or troll for fish suspended around rock piles. Black
Crappie - Good: Use a minnow or spinnerbait around the
jetties. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try topwater lures on the edge of a vegetation for a hiding bass. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a hook tipped with a nightcrawler, chicken liver or
stink bait.
Lake Meyer
The lake has an on-going algae bloom, but water
clarity is about 3 feet. Water temperatures are in the low 70's. Bluegill - Good: Use a small hook tipped with a piece of worm under a
bobber near jetties in the evening. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie suspended near submersed structure. Use
a spinner or jig with bright colored twister tail. Largemouth Bass - Good: Early morning and evening bite is best. Use topwater
lures fished along vegetation beds or spinners along rocky edges. Northern Pike - Fair: Pike are biting off anglers’ lines. Use a steal leader with a spoon along
vegetation edges near springs. Pike are great eating; take time to learn how to
clean them.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
The Upper Iowa is in excellent condition. Clarity
and temperatures are improving fish activity. Northern
Pike - Good: Use a steel leader tipped with 1/4 oz. jig
tipped with natural colored plastic to a 3 inch jerk bait fished around
tributaries or brush piles. Walleye - Slow: Find a walleye drifting through a deeper hole or
along a current break. Use a jig tipped with a twister tail or worm. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Try jigs tipped with any number of plastic tails.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water temperatures are in the mid to low 70's with
excellent clarity. Northern
Pike - Good: Use a steel leader tipped with 1/4 oz. jig
tipped with natural colored plastic to a 3 inch jerk bait fished around
tributaries or brush piles. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find a smallie in the current breaks or near
rock ledges. Use jigs tipped with any number of plastic tails. Walleye - Fair: Drift a jig tipped with a twister tail or worm
through a deeper hole or along a current break. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch a catfish from shore using a hook tipped with a crawler. Evening
is best.
Volga Lake
Morning and evening
before the sun gets too high are best. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small hook tipped with a piece of worm
under a bobber. Black Crappie - Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow under a bobber
near submersed trees. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are hitting crankbaits. Try a topwater lure
in evening as fish come in shallow to feed.Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait, worms, and cheese baits.
Area streams and rivers are in good condition. Beautiful
weather this weekend with high's in the upper 70's.For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Casey
Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Bluegill - Fair: Try off of the jetties and in the cove areas in 2- to
4-feet of water.
Cedar
River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is in excellent condition. Walleye - Fair: Use a
jig and twister tipped with a crawler fished downstream of snags that create
current breaks and eddies. Try also drifting
and jigging downstream with the current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast
spinnerbaits or topwater lures in early morning or late evening. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Try dead cut baits or dip baits fished upstream of logjams
or above riffles.
Manchester
District Streams
Anglers are doing well catching trout on imitation hoppers on Spring
Branch Creek and other area streams; there is a banner crop of grasshopper this
summer. Brown Trout - Good: Use
imitation hoppers on the surface.
Maquoketa
River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River is falling and will be in excellent condition by this
weekend. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast spinnerbaits or topwater lures in early
morning or late evening.
Shell
Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River is being reported as being in good condition.
Angling opportunities may be good on this river for walleye or
smallmouth bass this weekend. Walleye - Fair: Use a jig and twister tipped with a crawler fished downstream of
snags that create current breaks and eddies. Try also drifting and jigging
downstream with the current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast spinnerbaits
or topwater lures in early morning or late evening.
Wapsipinicon
River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River is in the best condition it's
been in all summer. Northern pike fishing has been good on the upper stretches
of the river. Northern Pike - Fair: Use
large spinnerbaits or live chubs under a bobber. Walleye - Fair: Use a jig and twister tipped with a crawler fished downstream of
snags that create current breaks and eddies. Try also drifting and jigging
downstream with the current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast spinnerbaits
or topwater lures in early morning or late evening. Channel Catfish -
Fair: Use dead cut baits or dip baits fished upstream of logjams or above
riffles.
Most rivers are falling quickly and clearing up; the
extended forecast looks great for this weekend. Trout streams remain in
excellent condition. Contact the N.E.
District Office at 563-927-3276 for more information.
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing has bumped up to 8.6 feet and
is predicted to stabilize around 8 feet this week. Water temperature is near 75 degrees.
Bluegill - Excellent: Some larger bluegills are being picked up near
structure on the side channels. Use a small hook tipped with a small piece of worm fished under a slip bobber. Channel Catfish - Good:Try nightcrawlers or stink bait fished on the bottom
in areas of moderate current where side channels form an eddy. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Lots of drum are still being caught in the swifter
current breaks. Bounce a nightcrawler along the bottom or try crayfish for
bigger fish. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth fishing should pick up as water clarity
improves over the next week. Fish rock piles at the tips of the islands and
backside of islands with current. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth fishing is expected to pick up as river
levels recede and water clarity improves. Use jerk baits in protected
backwaters with clearer water. Walleye - Good: Walleye fishing is improving as the water
stabilizes. Try fast trolling crankbaits or bait-rig off the bottom. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch are sitting in 4- to 5-feet of water in the
backwaters. Use small minnows or worms fished on the bottom. Northern
Pike - Fair: Northern pike fishing is picking up in the
shallows or in the mouths of tributary streams. Flathead
Catfish - Fair: Try live shiners or small bluegill in woody
debris to attract flatheads in slack areas off the side channels.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Lynxville water level is 15 feet and is predicted to stabilize near 14 feet next week. Water temperature is 75 degrees at the
lock and dam. Bluegill - Excellent: Some larger bluegills are being picked up near
structure on the side channels. Use a small hook tipped with a small piece of worm fished under a slip bobber. Channel Catfish - Good: Try nightcrawlers or stink bait fished on the
bottom in areas of moderate current where side channels form an eddy. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Lots of drum are still being caught in the swifter
current breaks. Bounce a nightcrawler along the bottom or try crayfish for
bigger fish. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth fishing should pick up as water
clarity improves over the next week. Fish rock piles at the tips of the islands
and backside of islands with current. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth fishing is expected to pick up as
river levels recede and water clarity improves. Try jerk baits in protected
backwaters with clearer water. Walleye - Good: Walleye fishing is improving as the water
stabilizes. Try fast trolling crankbaits or bait-rig off the bottom. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch are sitting in 4- to 5-feet of water in the
backwaters; use small minnows or worms fished on the bottom. Northern
Pike - Fair: Northern pike fishing is picking up in the
shallows or in the mouths of tributary streams. Flathead
Catfish - Fair: Use live shiners or small bluegill in woody
debris to attract flatheads in slack areas off the side channels.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Mississippi River at Guttenberg is 6.9 feet and is predicted
to stabilize near 5 feet next week. Water temperature is 70 degrees at the Lock and Dam. Bluegill - Excellent: Some larger bluegills are being picked up near
structure on the side channels. Use a small hook tipped with a small piece of worms fished under a slip bobber. Channel Catfish - Good: Try nightcrawlers
or stink bait fished on the bottom in areas of moderate current where side channels
form an eddy. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Lots of drum are still being caught in the swifter
current breaks. Bounce a night crawler along the bottom or try crayfish for
bigger fish. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth fishing should pick up as water
clarity improves over the next week. Fish rock piles at the tips of the islands
and backside of islands with current. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth fishing is expected to pick up as
river levels recede and water clarity improves. Try jerk baits in protected
backwaters with clearer water. Walleye - Good: Walleye fishing is improving as the water
stabilizes. Try fast trolling crankbaits or bait-rig off the bottom. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch are sitting in 4- to 5-feet of water in the
backwaters: use small minnows or worms fished on the bottom. Northern
Pike - Fair: Northern pike fishing is picking up in the
shallows or in the mouths of tributary streams. Flathead
Catfish - Fair: Try live shiners or small bluegill in woody
debris to attract flatheads in slack areas off the side channels.
Upper Mississippi water levels are extremely low this week. Boaters
should use caution as many sandbars and wing-dams have little water over them. Water
clarity has improved this week with lots of vegetation present. Look for fish
to move to deep cooler water midday. Many backwater species have moved to main
channel borders and side sloughs. Early morning and early evening bite is best.
Water temperature is in the mid 70's.
Mississippi River Pool 12
River levels are low, but have risen slightly from
last week. Water levels are 6.6 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 9.0 feet
at the RR bridge. Water clarity has improved. Levels are predicted to slowly
recede. Water temperature is around 75 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent:Channel catfish are biting on worms and stink
bait; move often if you do not find biting fish. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A simple egg sinker
and worm rig works best. White Crappie - Fair: A few nice white crappie have been reported all
spring. Some crappie are being reported off snags in
backwater sloughs fishing with minnows. Walleye - Fair: The wing dam fishing has returned to the
Mississippi River. Some anglers are
using worm rigs while others are throwing crank baits on the dams. White
Bass - Fair: Some white bass were caught along main channel rock
lines before the large rain event. Bluegill - Good:Find bluegills at the mouths of large
backwater areas that have been dewatered in recent weeks. Flathead
Catfish - Excellent: Pull worm rigs near rocky
habitats. Lots of flatheads have been caught this year. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent:Throw spinners or small crankbaits around rocky
areas with strong current in the evenings. Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Largemouths have pulled out of the
shallow backwater areas and are on trees and sandy shoals often chasing
minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 13
River levels are low, but have risen from last week.
Levels are at 7.0 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water may recede again
later in the week. Water clarity has improved and temperature is around 76
degrees in the main channel. Northern Pike - No Report: Use flashy white lures lures in the mouths of cooler tributary streams. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use worm rigs and stink bait above log jams
and rock piles to lure the catfish out. Move often if you don’t find fish. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Use egg
sinker rigs with worms. Drum bite in all types of river conditions. Walleye - Fair: Wing dam walleye fishing has returned. Throw
crank baits over the rock piles. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Throw crank baits or spinners near rock piles with
strong current. Bluegill - Fair: Fish deep sloughs next to large backwater
complexes that have been dewatered due to low water levels. Flathead Catfish - Excellent: Smaller flathead catfish are hitting on worms; mostly
by people fishing for channel cats. Try large
live bait fished in the evening hours for bigger flatheads. Largemouth
Bass - Good: Largemouth bite has improved with the lower water
levels. Some fish are on weed edges while others are in logs in deeper sloughs.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are 6.2 feet at Fulton, 10.1 feet at
Camanche and 5.0 feet at LeClaire. Water
clarity has improved. Water levels are predicted to slowly recede again this
week. Water temperature is 76 degrees in the main channel. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass had moved out of the large shallow areas into
deeper adjacent habitats. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are biting on worm rigs. Catch drum in nearly all moderate current
areas. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use worm rigs and prepared stink baits fished
close to shore or along rock lines. Walleye - Good: Some walleyes are near the outside tips of wing
dams in low water levels. Flathead
Catfish - Excellent Some people are trot lining flathead
catfish using large bullheads as bait. Flathead are most active during the night and evening hours. Smallmouth
Bass - Good: Try along rock piles with current. Bluegill
- Fair: Fish deeper sloughs next to large backwater
complexes that have been dewatered due to lower water levels.
Mississippi River Pool 15
River levels are 7.2 feet at Rock Island. Water
clarity has improved and temperature is 77 degrees in the main channel. Water
levels may recede slightly this week. Channel
Catfish - Good: Try stink bait along the rock
piles near Campbells and Arsenal Island. Freshwater
Drum - Good: Freshwater drum bite well this time of
year. Put them on ice immediately if you
are going to clean them. Flathead
Catfish - No Report: Use large live bait fished near shore
during the night and evening hours. Smallmouth
Bass - Fair: Find smallmouths along rock lines with
strong current.
The main channel water temperature has dropped to 76
degrees. Fishing conditions have been good throughout the district this week. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries
Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad
Cities is 7.12 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 10.70 feet at Fairport and flood
stage is 14 feet. Channel
Catfish - Good: Use nightcrawlers or
stink bait above brush piles in the sloughs in the Andalusia Islands. Try also
around the mouth of Sunset Marina. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing
with plastics around brush piles and logs in the Andalusia Island complex. White
Crappie - Fair: Use minnows or plastics around brush piles in the
Andalusia Island complex. Try also in the Andalusia Harbor. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or
troll three-way rigs with nightcrawlers.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine is 7.95 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 7.95 feet at Muscatine and flood
stage is 16 feet. The ramp at Big Timber is open. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Use nightcrawlers or stink bait around brush
piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. White Crappie
- No Report: Try minnows or plastics around brush piles in Cleveland Slough and
Big Timber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Look for largemouth bass in the
backwaters. Try around brush piles and logs in Cleveland Slough and Big
Timber. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or
pull three-way rigs with crawlers.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 6.98 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Flood stage is 15
feet. River stage is 8.02 feet at Keithsburg and flood
stage is 14 feet. The Toolsboro landing is open. We have not received any fishing reports for this
pool this week. Channel
Catfish - No Report: Try nightcrawlers or stink baits above
brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. White
Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies in brush piles in the backwaters; use
minnows or plastics. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or pull
three-way rigs with crawlers.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 3.68 feet at Lock and Dam 18. Flood
stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 9.53 feet. Flood
stage at Burlington is 15 feet. River stage is 525.79 feet at Fort Madison and flood
stage is 528.0 feet. We have not received any fishing reports for this
pool this week. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try nightcrawlers or
stink baits in snags and brush piles along the main channel and side channels.
River levels are low, so use caution when boating.
Water clarity is good. Main channel water temperature is around 76 degrees. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Big
Hollow Lake
Water temperatures have dropped into the upper 70's. Black Crappie
- Fair: Crappies are starting to bite again; they are still out in the deeper
water areas. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass Use jigs and soft plastics in
the evenings. The cooler water temperatures should make them more active.
Chatfield
Lake
Water temperature is 76 degrees. This 10 acre pond was lowered for
repairs and is refilling; still about 3 feet low. The fish are in good condition.
The boat ramp is at a usable depth. Black Crappie - Fair: There are some
nice sized crappies in this lake; they were out along the edges of the weed
beds yesterday. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Mostly sub-legal sizes, but
would be fun for a little evening fishing.
Deep
Lakes
With the return of cooler weather, it’s a good time to spend an evening
out fishing at one of the many ponds. Largemouth Bass - Fair: With the ultra-clear
water, use the weather to help hide you from the fish. Clouds with a light wind
will help hide you.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
Lots of sandbars are showing up. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Look for deeper water holes.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperatures have returned to the 70's. The
planktonic algae is dying back, so the water is clearing up. Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Fish the late evening and early morning in
the densest cover you can find; be prepared to lose some lures. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing is starting to pick up after a couple of weeks
of slow fishing. Look to deeper water for the fish. Channel Catfish -
Fair: Catfishing has been decent around the rocks along the jetties and on the
mounds at the upper end of the lake.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is 75 degrees. Water is clearing
up with the planktonic algae dying back because of the cooler water temperatures. Largemouth Bass - Good: Work soft plastics slowly along the edges of
the deeper water in late evening. Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are starting to get more active; they
are still out in the deeper water around the habitat.
Lake Odessa
Water levels have been dropped to help dry out the vegetation. There is still
plenty of water to run the boats. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are
catching some nice crappies. Work the trees down in the water as well as beaver
lodges.
Lost Grove Lake
Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Catch decent numbers of bass in shallower
water during the early morning and late evening. They are deeper the rest of
the day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Work the face of the dam and along the
old creek channel below the causeway.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The water is getting shallow; motor boats probably won't have much luck
getting around.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Cedar
River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
Channel Catfish – Good. Northern Pike – Good.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal summer pool of 683.4'. Water temperatures this week were in the upper 70's. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait in the channel. The upper half of the lake is usually best.
Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. Black Crappie - Slow: Fish are around deeper brush piles.
Bluegill - Slow: Fish are around deeper brush piles. Channel Catfish – Good.
Green
Castle Lake
Channel
Catfish - Good: Use nightcrawlers.
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 temperatures this week were in the mid to upper 70's. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs or worms around rock bars or stumps;
size is generally small. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use stink bait or crawlers; towards evening is
better. Walleye - Slow: Troll crankbaits or worm harnesses in 7- to 11-feet of water. Wiper
(Hybrid Striped Bass) - Slow: Sunrise and sunset have been best. Watch for
surface activity.
Otter
Creek Lake
Channel
Catfish - Good: Evening has been best.
Shore fisherman are having success from the jetties and the boat ramp. Yellow
Bass – Good. Bluegill – Fair. 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. There is a dock to tie up to. The invasive plant
species, Brittle Naiad, is abundant here, making fishing in many areas
difficult. Check your boat/trailer and drain your
boat/livewells when leaving to prevent the spread of it. Channel
Catfish – Fair. Bluegill – Fair. Black
Crappie – Fair. White Bass – Fair.
Sand
Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Fish size is reported as 8- to 12-inches. Wiper (Hybrid
Striped Bass) - Fair: Some fish are being caught near shore on twisters
during the first hour of light.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try rubber worms and crankbaits along rip-rapped
shorelines and along deeper structure in 4- to 8-feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the fishing jetties and
along the dam. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Try nightcrawlers or stink
bait in 4- to 6-feet of water.
Lake Keomah
Bluegill - Slow: Try small jigs along the shorelines. Use live bait
if the fish are finicky. Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Cast the shorelines early in the mornings and later in the evenings; fish
deeper as the day heats up. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Try nightcrawlers or liver
near the shorelines in about 4- to 6-feet of water.
Lake Sugema
Black Crappie - Fair: Use live bait presentations around structure. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Walleye - Slow: Troll crankbaits along the dam and other rip-rapped
shorelines. Drift nightcrawler rigs in the same areas. Bluegill - Fair: Use
live bait and a small jig. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Try topwater lures fished in the mornings
and evenings. Use spinnerbaits or crawdad imitating baits along rip-rapped
shorelines and around the jetties.
Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try topwater lures in the mornings and evenings. Use
crankbaits around the cedar tree piles and along the shorelines. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or cut
bait fished in 6- to 8-feet of water.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.23 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0
msl. Lake Rathbun had zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean,
and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. White Crappie
- Fair: Crappies are suspended, so try crankbaits along
submerged points and underwater islands.Some fish can still be caught shallow, but sorting is needed for
larger fish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use nightcrawlers or cut bait. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll crankbaits along submerged points and
rock piles. Walleye - Slow: Troll crankbaits around submerged points and rock piles.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait along the edge
of the vegetation or areas that are open in the vegetation. Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Cast the shorelines in the mornings and evenings with topwater lures. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or chicken liver around the
fishing jetties.
Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about
fishing in south central Iowa.
Big
Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Troll live bait rigs and cast or troll shallow
diving crank baits on the upper end of the lake. White Bass - Fair: Troll shallow diving shad imitating baits out from
the beach and up to the marina. There are some good size white bass (up to 16
inches).
Des
Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel
Catfish - Good: Use stink baits and cut
baits.
Don
Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are averaging around 10 fish in an hour. Drift tube jigs and twister or paddle tail jigs 3- to 8-feet down in 10- to 20-feet of
water throughout the lake until you find schools of fish.
Hickory
Grove Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Drift small jigs tipped with crawlers in the middle portion of the lake when
tree shade covers portions of the lake. Drift within or on the edge of the
shade.
Red
Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Good: The hot weather white bass bite is on. Troll small shallow diving rattle baits or spoons around large points, out from the beach and dam, and along the windblown
shoreline. Troll in depths of 5- to 15- feet. Use colors
imitating young gizzard shad. Channel
Catfish - Good: Drift cut creek chubs or
shad above the mile long bridge in 6- to 12-feet of water.
Roberts
Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Slowly drift the lower
half of the lake with small twister tails or tube jigs. Fish are suspended 3- to 10-feet deep.
Saylorville
Reservoir
White Bass - Slow: White bass bite has been slow this summer. Channel
Catfish - Good: Drift cut creek chubs in the upper end of the reservoir
above and just below the mile long bridge. Wiper (Hybrid
Striped Bass) - Fair: Anglers trolling for white
bass are catching decent numbers of hybrid striped bass. Troll shad imitating
lipless or shallow diving crankbaits.
The fishing for white bass in Red Rock Reservoir and
channel catfish in Red Rock and Saylorville Reservoirs is good right now. For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Pond fishing was fair 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 - Fair: Catch bluegills around weed edges and deep structure. Black Crappie - Slow: Cast minnows under a slip bobber. Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait or prepared baits around structure and vegetation edges.
Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake has a good fish population. Catch catfish close to shore. Bluegills have moved away from shore. Black Crappie - Slow: A few crappies can be caught around structure. Late
afternoon is the best bite. Fish average 9 inches. Bluegill - Slow: Drift small jigs tipped with a crawler to catch 8 inch bluegill. Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait or shrimp in less than 8 feet of water. Anglers have a chance to catch large catfish at
Greenfield.
Lake Anita
Lake Anita will provide good fishing this year. Find a large crappie population averaging 9 inches and bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching crappies around underwater reefs and over the road beds. Fish will average 9 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9.5 inches over the road beds and rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Find bass around underwater reefs and vegetation edges. Fish are all sizes.
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 - Fair: Anglers report catching quality size bluegills around the underwater reefs placed in the lake during the renovation. Fish are 8.5- to 9-inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: There are many 12 inch bass in the lake that will provide fun catch and release fishing. Black Crappie - Slow: A few 8 inch black crappie are being picked up drifting or trolling along the dam. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use liver or nightcrawlers in the upper end of the lake for 14- to 16-inch catfish.
Viking Lake
Anglers report catching crappies in deep brush piles and drifting. Bass fishing has been good. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching largemouth bass in tree piles with plastics and around the shoreline with
spinnerbaits. Fish are all sizes. Channel Catfish - Fair: Viking has a good channel catfish population; fish will average 2 pounds with the opportunity to catch larger fish. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift the open water with small jigs tipped with power bait to catch crappie up to 9 inches. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Bluegill - Fair: Drifting has been good for 7 inch bluegill.
Anglers report good catfishing in rivers. Panfish have slowed, but should continue to improve
with cooler water temperatures. 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 with crankbaits or spinnerbaits fished near cedar tree brushpiles, stakebeds, or earth mounds. Black
Crappie - Good: Catch crappies up to 8 inches using small
jigs under a bobber or spinners fished along the fishing piers, weed edges or cedar tree brush piles.
Lake
Icaria
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have
been caught with cut bait or stink bait fished along windblown points or rock structure.
Little
River Watershed Lake
Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with finesse plastics or jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with jigs tipped with a
nightcrawler or waxworm fished near cedar tree brush piles.
Twelve
Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth
Bass - Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been
caught with finesse plastics or jigs fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches using small jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or waxworms fished near rockpiles, cedar tree
brushpiles, or roadbeds. Black Crappie - Good: Catch black crappie up to 10 inches with small tube jigs or jigs tipped with a minnow fished
near cedar tree brush piles or rock piles. Yellow Perch - Fair: Catch yellow
perch up to 11 inches using jigs tipped with live bait fished near main lake points or in the bays. Walleye
- Slow: Walleye of all sizes have been caught with jigs tipped with minnows, twistertails, or crankbaits fished near rock piles, roadbed,
or main lake points.
Water temperature in Mount Ayr district lakes is in the mid 70's. For
more information, contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Flathead Catfish - Good: Use rod and reel and trotlines with live bait
off the tips of wing dikes and rock structures. Evening or after dark is best. Blue Catfish - Good: Use fresh cut bait fished just off the bottom in or near the current. Channel Catfish - Good: Use worms, chicken livers, cut bait and dip baits along wing dams, brush piles and along the rock revetment.
Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Flathead Catfish - Good: Use rod and reel and trotlines with live bait off the tips of wing dikes and rock structures. Evening or after dark is best. Blue Catfish - Good: Use fresh cut bait fished just off the bottom in or near the current. Channel Catfish - Good: Use worms, chicken livers, cut bait and dip baits near wing dams, brush piles and along the rock revetment.
Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Flathead Catfish - Good: Use rod and reel and trotlines with live bait off the tips of wing dikes and rock structures. Evening or after dark is best. Blue Catfish - Good: Use fresh cut bait fished off the bottom in or near the main river channel. Channel Catfish - Good: Use worms, chicken livers, worms, cut bait and dip baits near wing dams, brush piles and along the rock revetment.
The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 21.74 ft. /32,900 cfs./74
degrees Fahrenheit (water temperature dropped 6 degrees from last week). The
Missouri River is down .22 feet from last week. Anglers are mainly catching
catfish (channels, flatheads, and blue cats). Fishing continues to be fair to
good for all catfish species. The Decatur Bridge West of Onawa, Iowa will be
closing August 14 for repairs and reopen sometime in September.
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