|
Top Iowa Fishing Spots for the Week of November 30.
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.
Bacon
Creek Lake
Rainbow Trout - Fair: About 1500 rainbow trout averaging 11 inches were stocked on Nov. 1.
Use small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons, and live
minnows or crawlers under a bobber.
Black Hawk Lake
Water
temperatures are in the 30's. Courtesy docks at Ice House boat ramp and 30-Acres
boat ramp have been removed for the season. Fishing activity has slowed with the colder
weather. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with live bait or a small piece of crawler fished below a bobber off the floating fishing pier and the west stone pier. Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures, twisters, or live bait
to catch largemouth bass just about anywhere along the shoreline. Black Crappie - Fair: Try a crawler or minnow on a jig fished below a bobber off the
floating fishing pier in Town Bay. Walleye - Fair: Use live bait along the shoreline of Ice House Point and near
the outlet structure on the east side of the lake.
Little
Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
Walleye - Fair: Use live bait, creek chubs, and plastics in the deeper pools; areas
below riffles, on the outside of a bend, or below the dams are good areas to
target walleyes. Northern Pike - Fair: A few are being picked up with
red/white spoons fished below dams and riffles.
Moorland
Pond
Rainbow Trout - Fair: About 1500 rainbow trout were stocked on Nov. 2. Use small tube and twister jigs, in-line
spinners, casting spoons, and live minnows or crawlers under a bobber.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Surface water temperatures are in the 30's. Fishing activity has slowed with the onset of colder weather. Walleye - Fair: Use twisters,
live bait and plastics that mimic a shad. Most action has been from shore. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits, twisters and live bait fished from shore.
Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 30's. Fishing activity on area lakes has slowed with
the onset of colder temperatures. Walleye fishing in rivers has been
fair. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue
Pit
Rainbow
Trout - Good: 1,500 Rainbow trout were stocked on Nov. 22nd. You need a 2017 fishing license
(age 16 and older) and trout stamp to fish for trout.
Clear Lake
The water temperature is in the low 30's.There has been no angling activity reported this week. All courtesy docks at the boat ramps have been
removed for the season. Warmer weather is forecasted for this weekend; get in that last
open water fishing trip.
For information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Center
Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Good numbers of 10 inch and larger fish are available for
the upcoming ice fishing season. Fish the basin at dusk for the best action. Bluegill
- Slow: Good numbers of angler acceptable size (6.0 - 7.9 inch) fish; persistence
and patience will be rewarded with larger fish.
East
Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass - Slow: Ice anglers will continue to harvest good numbers of yellow
bass during the upcoming ice season; good numbers of fish approaching 10 inches
with the occasional larger fish.
Five
Island Lake
Walleye - Slow: Ice anglers will harvest good numbers of angler acceptable
size and larger fish. Channel Catfish - Slow: Persistent anglers will
find schooled up channel catfish which will provide plenty of pole bending
action during the ice fishing season. Yellow Bass - Slow:
Ice anglers will continue to harvest large numbers of fish during the upcoming
ice season with anglers noting the increase of larger size fish size approaching 8 inches. Black
Crappie - Slow: Ice anglers will note the influx of crappie
approaching 9 inches; persistence and
patience will be rewarded with larger fish.
Lost
Island Lake
Walleye - Slow: Ice anglers will continue to enjoy the upswing in the
walleye fishery experienced during the 2017 open water season. Black Crappie
- Slow: Ice anglers fishing for panfish should see an upswing to the
fishery. Fish the deeper rock piles on the west side of the lake.
Mill
Creek (Lake)
Black Crappie - Slow: Good numbers of large black crappie are available for the
upcoming ice fishing season. Fish the north shore or the flat off the island
for the best action. Bluegill - Slow: Good numbers of 6 -
8.5 inch fish are available for the upcoming ice season.
Scharnberg
Pond
Rainbow Trout - Slow: Rainbow trout were released here on Nov. 18th.
Silver
Lake (Palo Alto)
Yellow Perch - Slow: Good numbers of fish approaching 10 inches are available
for the upcoming ice fishing season. Walleye - Slow: Recent surveys
show good numbers of angler acceptable size fish available for the upcoming ice
fishing season.
Spirit
Lake
Walleye - Slow: Ice anglers will continue to harvest good numbers of fish
below the slot. Yellow Perch - Slow: Persistent ice anglers will
harvest good numbers of large yellow perch during the upcoming ice season.
West
Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Ice anglers will continue to catch good numbers of fish
during the upcoming ice season; fish Little Emerson and Little Millers bay when
ice conditions are safe for the best early season action.
West
Swan Lake S.W.M.A.
Black Crappie - Slow: Recent surveys show good numbers of crappie available for the upcoming
ice season.
For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Stable water levels and clear water reported for the
Cedar River. Get out and play before the river freezes. Walleye - Fair: Fish activity has been spotty with smaller fish hitting. Use
a jig tipped with a long piece of worm or minnow in deeper pools, eddies, and current breaks. Try also spinnerbaits with a slow retrieve. Northern
Pike - Good: Use dead chubs fished under a bobber or
spoons. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: A few smallies are picked up while angling for walleye.
Decorah District Streams
First shotgun deer season opens this weekend. Many streams run through
wildlife management areas where hunting is allowed. Wear bright clothing and
make noise when not stalking a trout. Walk carefully around freshly cleared areas in streams. These are trout nests
or "redds". Brook Trout - Good: Vibrant
colors abound on spawning fish. A variety of small mayflies are hatching mid-afternoon. Use a dry fly for insects hatching off the water surface. Use a nymph or scud dropper for subsurface critters. Brown Trout - Excellent: With cold temperatures in the forecast and spawning fish, it’s time to change strategies. Use patterns imitating small fish, eggs, and
scuds. Small gnats, mayflies, caddisflies hatch on warmer
afternoons. Rainbow Trout - Good: Drift a feathered spinner or
a hook tipped with worm along an undercut bank. Always leave gates and fences
as you find them.
Lake Hendricks
Few anglers have been out.
Lake Meyer
Water temperatures are near freezing. Fishable ice is coming soon. Few
anglers are out.
Upper
Iowa River (above Decorah)
The Upper Iowa River is in excellent condition. Most angling is from
shore or below dams. Walleye - Fair: Find walleye in deeper holes. Use a
jig tipped with a minnow, twister tail, or baits imitating larger minnows or
suckers in eddies and current seams.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are stable and clarity is excellent. Walleye - Good: Find
walleye in deeper holes. Use a jig tipped with a minnow, twister tail or baits imitating larger
minnows or suckers in eddies and current seams.
Volga Lake
Duck season closes Sunday for the northern zone and hunters are on the
water. First season shotgun deer opens Saturday.
Mostly sunny with temperatures ranging from the low 50's to low 30's through the weekend. Skim ice is forming on small ponds and
river edges in the mornings. Area streams and rivers are in excellent condition
and fishing well. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Good reports of anglers catching
walleye, northern pike (particularly Bremer County) on the Cedar River. Target deeper pools
or holes for walleye as they migrate to overwintering areas. Walleye - Good: Use jigs tipped with plastics tipped with a minnow. Northern
Pike - Good: Cast white bucktail spinner baits. Smallmouth
Bass - Fair: Use jig and plastics tipped with a minnow.
Harold
Getty Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Try a live minnow about four feet below a slip bobber. Anglers are having success.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Few reports of anglers catching walleye this week on the Maquoketa River. Fishing has been hot for walleye on the Cedar River, so it should hold
true on the Maquoketa River. Target the deeper holes where walleye gather
to overwinter. Walleye - Fair: Try jigs tipped with plastics with or without live
bait.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Concentrate on the deeper holes where walleye gather
to overwinter. Walleye - Good: Use jigs tipped with plastics and a live minnow. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try jigs tipped with plastics with or without live
bait or spinnerbaits.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
There have been no reports this week for the Wapsipinicon River. Fishing
has been hot for walleye on the Cedar River, so it should hold true on the Wapsi
River. Target the deeper holes where walleye gather
to overwinter. Walleye - Good: Use jigs and plastics tipped with a minnow.
Interior river water levels remain excellent. River
reports have been best for walleye, smallmouth bass and northern pike. The weather forecast for next week looks great for making ice, get your
gear ready. Northeast Iowa trout streams remain in excellent condition and provide fantastic trout angling opportunities
throughout the entire winter. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing remains steady at 8.2 feet and is expected to remain stable this week.Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is near 37 degrees. Backwater areas are forming skim ice, but it is not safe to walk on. Walleye - Slow: Try slow trolling crankbaits or jigging; walleye are moving into tailwater areas. Yellow Perch - Fair: Use minnows in backwater areas and shallows with some vegetation such as marina areas. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth are actively feeding on abundant minnows along the main channel borders. Throw silver inline spinners or minnow imitation crankbaits. Sauger - Fair: Use jig and minnows fished off the bottom in the tailwater areas and deeper side channels.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level at Lynxville has fallen this week to 15.4 feet and is expected to remain stable. Water temperature at the Lock and Dam is 39 degrees. Backwater areas are forming skim ice, but it is not safe to walk on. Walleye - Slow: Try slow trolling crankbaits or jigging; walleye are moving into tailwater areas. Black Crappie - No Report: Crappies are in backwaters just off side channels with slight current. Jig a crappie minnow in the stumps and fallen tree tops. Yellow Perch - No Report: Try minnows in backwater areas and shallows with some vegetation such as marina areas. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth are actively feeding on abundant minnows along the main channel borders. Throw silver inline spinners or minnow imitation crankbaits. Sauger - Fair: Use jig and minnows fished off the bottom in the tailwater areas and deeper side channels.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level has fallen to 6.8 feet at Guttenberg tail-water and is predicted to drop slightly this weekend. Water temperature is 38 degrees at the Lock and Dam. Backwater areas are forming skim ice, but it is not safe to walk on. Walleye - Slow: Try slow trolling crankbaits or jigging; walleye are moving into tailwater areas. Yellow Perch - No Report: Try minnows in backwater areas and shallows with some vegetation such as marina areas. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth are actively feeding on abundant minnows along the main channel borders. Throw silver inline spinners or minnow imitation crankbaits. Sauger - Fair: Use jig and minnows fished off the bottom in the tailwater areas and deeper
side channels
Upper Mississippi River water levels are stable this week. Fish have moved to their overwintering areas. Water temperatures range from upper 30's in main channel to 40's in
shallow backwaters.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels continue to drop slowly and are 6.4 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 8.9 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is good.
Water temperature is near 40 degrees in the main channel. Black
Crappie - Fair: Crappies are lethargic in this cold water; fish very slowly. Fish out of current and even in areas of warm
sun. Walleye - Good: Most walleyes are now coming from the tailwater
areas. Catch bigger fish with crankbaits. Bluegill - Fair: Not many quality reports on bluegills this fall. Fish backwater areas out of current in logs out to about 4
feet. Fish like to be in the warm sun during the day. Sauger - Good: Lots of tailwater angling going on. Most anglers are using some version of a
weight and minnow rig to catch tailwater saugers. Some good and some poor days in the
tailwater. Some large sauger have been reported this fall.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels receded this week and are around 7.1 feet at
Bellevue Lock and Dam. The water is expected to continue to drop slowly.
Water clarity is good. Water temperature is 41 degrees in the main channel. Walleye - Good: Walleyes are being found in tailwater areas by
anglers using crankbaits. Angling in the tailwaters is good at times and poor
at others. Bluegill - Slow: Not a lot of good reports. All panfish are lethargic this time of year. Angle
backwater areas with zero current. Find the warmest water
possible and look for areas in the sun with wood structure. Fish can detect the
slightest changes in water temperature. Black Crappie - Fair: Backwater wood is the place for crappies. Crappies have been a bit hard to find for even the
avid crappie anglers. Look in wood structure, depths from 1 to 8 feet, in
areas of zero current and warmest water possible. Sauger - Good: Anglers are using some version weight/minnow rig for best sauger
catches in the tailwaters.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels receded all week and will continue to
drop. Gauge
readings are 6.7 feet at Fulton, 10.5 feet at Camanche and 5.4 feet at
LeClaire. Water clarity is good. Water
temperature is 42 degrees in the main channel. Walleye - Fair: Some
nice walleyes have been reported from Pool 14 all year. Most walleyes are coming out of the tailwaters
on crankbaits. Some anglers are using ring worms or other jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill
- Fair: Bluegills are in their backwater homes in places
like Beaver Island, Rock Creek and Cattail Slough. Find the warmest water possible in the backwater areas with zero
current. Black
Crappie - No Report: Crappie populations look good and some should be
biting in the backwater areas. Sauger - Fair: Sauger
fishing in the tailwater has been hit or miss. Use a three way rig
with a minnow.
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels receded all week and are 5.9 feet at
Rock Island. Water clarity is good. Water temperature is near 41 degrees in the main channel. Walleye - Fair: Tailwater angling for walleye and sauger is underway; only report we have received is that it is slow.
The water continues to recede; expect water to
drop a bit more this upcoming week. The water temperature has raised a bit and is in the low 40's in most locations. 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 6.97 feet and has been slowly falling this past week. Sauger - Slow: Try vertical jigging with minnows or pulling
three-way rigs with minnows or stickbaits in Sylvan Slough or below the dam. White Crappie - No Report: Use jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in the backwaters around brush piles in the Andalusia Island complex, Sunset Marina or Credit Island. White
Bass
- Slow: Cast jigs/twister tails or crankbaits along the Davenport Riverfront.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine is 5.46 feet and has been slowly falling. White Crappie - No Report: Use jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber around brush piles in the backwaters at Big Timber. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes were caught below the dam at Muscatine. Sauger - Fair: Some saugers were caught below the dam this
past week. Use jigs and minnows or pull three-way rigs with minnows or stick baits.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 6.14 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and has been slowly falling. White Crappie - No Report: Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows in the backwaters around brush piles. Sauger - Slow:Vertical jig with minnows or pull three-way rigs with minnows
or stick baits.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 3.38 feet at Lock and Dam 18. We have not received any fishing report information
for this pool this week. White Crappie - No Report: Use jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in backwaters around brush piles. Sauger - No Report: Vertical jig with minnows or pull three-way rigs with minnows or stick baits.
Tailwater stages have been slowly falling this past
week. Main channel water temperature is around 40-41degrees and water clarity has
been fair. There has been some tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Environmental Discovery Park North Pond
Pick a nice warm day and go trout fishing; still
plenty of trout left from the stocking late last month. Rainbow Trout - Good: Try power bait under a bobber or a small jig or spinner worked through
the shallow water.
Lake Darling
Water temperature
is in the low 40's. The water is very clear, you can see the bottom in 6 feet of
water. The docks have been removed for the winter.
Lake Geode
The lake is drained. Fun to go out and hike around looking at
the lake bottom. Be careful, some of the mud is still very soft and deep. Use extreme caution and don't try to walk across the lake bottom.
Lake of the Hills
2000 trout were stocked last month, still plenty of
them left in the lake. Rainbow Trout - Good: Work the shallow water from shore; trout won’t be
out very deep. Fish in 3 to 4 feet of water and some of the brush piles in 6 to
7 feet of water.
Wilson Lake
Still plenty of trout left from last month. Rainbow Trout - Good: Work the shallow brush piles and culvert piles.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Coralville Reservoir
The
lake level as is 686.4', which is fall pool. Black
Crappie - Fair: Use bright jigs tipped with minnows over brush or along rock bluffs.
White Crappie - Fair: Try bright
jigs tipped with minnows over brush or along rock bluffs.
Lake Macbride
All
sized motors may be operated at no-wake speed. Water temperatures this week were in the low 40's. The fish cleaning station is shut down and docks have been removed. Walleye - Fair: Try jigging in 15- to 25-feet of water during the day, and fish windblown rocky banks towards evening. There
are a lot of 13- to 15-inch fish with some larger ones mixed in. Black Crappie - Fair: Use jigs and minnows over deeper brush (15-20 feet) to catch 10- to 12-inch crappie.
Pleasant
Creek Lake
The lake is still 10 feet low from the restoration project. The main ramp is
still useable, but very shallow. Four wheel drive vehicles are strongly
recommended. Water temperatures are in the low 40's.
The fish cleaning station is closed. Walleye - Fair: Try jigging on the
dam and over the roadbeds. Most fish are 13- to 16-inches. Muskellunge - Fair: Some fish
are still being caught on rubber baits.
Prairie
Park Fishery
2000 trout were stocked here Nov. 17. You must
have a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Good: Small spinners/jigs and worms work best.
Sand
Lake
You must have a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Worms work best.
Terry
Trueblood Lake
2000 trout were stocked here Nov. 17. You must have a fishing license and trout stamp to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Small spinners/jigs and worms work best.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake
Miami
Water temperatures are dropping; few anglers have
been out. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around brush piles.Try also drifting small jigs in the lower end of the
lake. Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Use rubber worms and crankbaits around the fishing jetties and
brush piles. Target structure along the rip-rapped shorelines.
Lake Sugema
Few anglers have been out with the colder
temperatures. Black Crappie - Slow: Try jigs tipped with live bait in the flooded timber or shallow areas with structure. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Walleye - Slow: Use nightcrawlers or a minnow fished under a bobber along areas with rip-rapped shorelines. Bluegill - Slow: Use a small jig tipped with live bait around structure along the shorelines. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Largemouth
Bass - Slow: Try spinnerbaits along the shorelines and around the jetties. Use a rubber worm or jig n pig combo among the vegetated areas and around deep structure.
Lake Wapello
Few anglers have been out with the cooler
temperatures. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try spinnerbaits or jig n pig combos around the brush piles.Black Crappie - Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait around submerged structure. Sorting may be needed for larger fish. Black Bullhead - Slow: Try nightcrawlers fished on the lake bottom in about 6 feet of
water.
Ottumwa
Park Pond South
Trout were stocked on Oct. 27th. Use small tube jigs, small
twister tails, in-line spinners, casting spoons and live bait under a bobber.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 903.40 msl. The water temperature is 43 degrees. Normal operating elevation is 904.0
msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean,
and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. All docks and the fish cleaning stations have been
removed for the year. The ramps at the Rathbun marina are closed for the
season. White Crappie
- Slow:Use jigs or jigs tipped with live bait along the
rip-rapped shorelines. Channel Catfish - Slow: Use nightcrawlers or cut bait. Walleye - Slow: Troll crankbaits that mimic shad in areas with a variation in depths. Try also trolling nightcrawler rigs. Some fish will start to move shallow with the cooler temperatures.
Red Haw Lake
Water temperatures are dropping and fishing pressure
has dropped with few anglers out. Bluegill - Slow: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler around structure. Largemouth
Bass - Slow: Try rubber worms or spinnerbaits in areas with rip rap or other types of structure. Try shallow areas as the water continues to cool
down and slow down the presentation. Channel
Catfish - Slow: Use nightcrawlers or chicken liver around the
fishing jetties.
Surface water temperatures in the Rathbun district
lakes are in the low 40's. The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne,
Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties.Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about
fishing in south central Iowa.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout were stocked on Nov. 16th. Use flashy lures
such as small inline spinners with silver blades. Live bait such as waxworms and minnows also work well. Trout tend to move in schools around the perimeter of the lake.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye - Good: Cast twister or
paddle tail jigs below the dams in Des Moines in the evenings.
Lake Petocka
Rainbow Trout - Fair: Good numbers of trout remain to be caught after the
October stocking. Cast small in-line spinners, twister tail jigs or fish
waxworms under a bobber.
For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.
Farm Creek Lake
We have received no information about fishing on
this water body this week. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a crawler or power bait in and around the old creek channel for bluegills up to 9 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs or minnows under a bobber in and around the old creek channel for 10 inch black crappies.
Greenfield Lake
We have received no information about fishing on
this water body this week. Black Crappie - Slow: Fish any tree pile or along the creek channel to find fish up to 12 inches. Bluegill - Slow: Drift crawlers or jigs tipped with crawler to catch bluegills up to 8.5 inches.
Lake Anita
We have received no information about fishing on
this water body this week. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9.5 inches with small jigs tipped with power bait or nightcrawlers. Try the same areas that anglers target when ice fishing. Black Crappie - Fair: Slowly troll or drift small jigs tipped with power bait. Fish are 9 inches. Look for schools of crappie suspended over the old creek channel. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Find bass around underwater reefs and along the road beds. Fish are all sizes.
Lake
Manawa
We have received no information about fishing on this water body this
week. White Crappie - No Report: A population of larger 11 inch crappie
are present. Walleye - No Report: Annual stocking of fingerling walleyes
has produced a good population in the lake. Wiper
(Hybrid Striped Bass) - No Report: Annual stocking of fingerling walleyes has produced a
good population in the lake.
Meadow Lake
We have received no information about fishing on
this water body this week. Black Crappie - Fair: Find deeper tree piles and vertical jig to catch crappies up to 12 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Fish the deeper water out from the dam for bluegills up to 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish around any of the numerous brush piles in the lake or the face of the dam.
Prairie Rose Lake
We have received no information regarding fishing on
this water body this week. Bluegill - Slow: Slow troll crawlers or jigs tipped with crawler near the bottom to find bluegills up to 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: There are many 12 inch bass in the lake that will provide fun catch and release fishing. Black Crappie - Slow: Vertical jig tree piles or slow troll the deeper water off the face of the dam to catch black crappie averaging 9.5 inches.
Viking Lake
We have received no information about fishing on
this water body this week. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast the shoreline, rock reefs and brush piles to catch largemouth of all sizes. Black Crappie - Fair: Vertical jig deeper brush piles for black crappie up to 10 inches. Anglers, at times, are finding crappies suspended out from the dam. White Crappie - Slow: The white crappie in Viking are fewer in number, but larger fish (10- to 13-inches).
There has been very little angling activity this week. Fall is a good time to get out and fish. Use small jigs and lite tackle in the same spots you plan to ice fish. Many of the small impoundments in the Cold Springs
District have good crappie and bluegill populations that offer good fall
fishing. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587.
Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Blue Catfish - Slow: Fishing for blue catfish can be favorable during the
late fall and winter.
Use fresh chunks of cut bait fished just off the bottom in or near the current. Sauger - Slow: A few sauger have been caught on jigs tipped with minnows or live bait rigs.
Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Blue Catfish - Slow: Fishing for blue catfish can be favorable during the
late fall and winter.
Use fresh chunks of cut bait fished just off the bottom in or near the current. Sauger - Slow: A few sauger have been caught on jigs tipped with minnows or live bait rigs.
Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Blue Catfish - Slow: Fishing for blue catfish can be favorable during the
late fall and winter.
Use fresh chunks of cut bait fished just off the bottom in or near the current. Sauger - Slow: A few sauger have been caught on jigs tipped with minnows or live bait rigs.
The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 21.16 ft. /31,800 cfs./40
degrees Fahrenheit (water temperature dropped 1 degree from last week). The
Missouri River dropped .14 feet from last week. Fishing has been slow
overall. Fishing for catfish species has slowed down and fewer anglers are out
with the colder weather.
|
