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Top Iowa Fishing Spots for the Week of May 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.
Clark
Lake (Mike Zack W.A.)
Northern Pike and Largemouth are biting on crankbaits and soft plastic
baits.
Clear
Lake
Water temperature is 62 degrees. The docks are in at all the boat ramps. Black Crappie
- Good: Crappies are biting. Use a small jig or a minnow in the rush beds and
areas with vegetation. Walleye - Good: Try a slip bobber and leeches fished in the rocky
reefs. Yellow Bass - Good: Yellows bass are moving into the shallow rocky areas to spawn. Use
a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler or cut bait in the early morning. Channel
Catfish - Fair: With recent rains, any spot where water is entering the
lake is worth trying for catfish. Fish a dead chub or crawlers on the bottom.
The best bite is late evening.
Crystal
Lake
Water temperature is 62 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use
nightcrawlers fished from shore. Walleye – Slow. Black Bullhead -
Fair: Try nightcrawlers fished from shore. Bluegill – Slow.
For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East
Okoboji Lake
Channel
Catfish - Good: Use traditional baits in the evening. Black
Crappie - Fair: Anglers report a panfish bite of bluegill and
crappie from docks; sorting is needed. Walleye - Good: Report of anglers catching fish from the south end; best bite during
the evening hours.
Lost
Island Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleye are being caught close to shore. Try fishing from a dock
or wader fishing after dark. Black Crappie - Good: Reports of crappie
and yellow perch being caught. Fish shallow water areas such as the canal. Yellow
Bass - Fair: Report of yellow bass being caught. Use small lures such as a
twister tail or hair jigs.
Silver
Lake (Palo Alto)
Walleye - Fair: Report of large fish being caught during the late evening hours. Cast
a white twister for the best action. Black
Bullhead - Good: Good action reported of angler acceptable
sized fish. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some activity reported.
Spirit
Lake
Marble Beach campground, including the boat ramp, is closed for
the season for renovation. Smallmouth
Bass - Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow in shallow rock structures. Action
is best during sunny, calm days. Black
Crappie - Good: Good numbers of fish are being harvested from the Templar
Park lagoon; Buffalo Run has been "hit or miss." Walleye - Good: Best action is during the night off the docks. Fish leeches
under a bobber or cast a twister tail. Black Bullhead - Good: A good
bite is reported at the north grade; fish traditional baits on the bottom
West
Okoboji Lake
Black
Crappie - Fair: Some fish are being caught from the Triboji lagoon. Bluegill - Good: Numbers of fish are
being caught from Lazy Lagoon (Triboji). Sorting is needed; persistence will
result in good numbers creeled.
For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
As of May 9, water levels are receding. Baring more
rain, water levels should stabilize, but clarity remains poor. Water
temperatures range from mid 50's to low 60's. Visit the USGS
Current Water Data website for current water level information. Channel Catfish - Slow: Catch catfish in the impoundments with dead
chubs fished on bottom.
Decorah District Streams
It's turkey hunting season. Respect hunters and their sport. Avoid
wearing red, blue and white colors. Catchable trout are stocked weekly as weather and water conditions
permit. Listen
to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily plans. Area trout stream flows remain high with continued
rain. Streams with better watersheds will clear faster. Brook Trout - Fair: A variety of insects are hatching, especially on warm sunny afternoons.
Match the hatch, but try not to spook a feeding fish. Brown Trout - Fair: Blue wing olive, midge, and stonefly hatches are occurring; some
exceptional lately. Use blue wing olive, hendrickson, gnat, or beadhead nymph
patterns and watch the water boil. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk under a
bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank.
Lake Hendricks
Water levels are up and water is off-color. Water temperatures in
shallow areas are in the low 60's. Black Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Try a jerkbait or spinner retrieved slowly in shallow areas. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use a worm or smashed minnow along a windblown
shoreline. Bluegill - Fair: Try a
small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline.
Lake Meyer
Anglers are out as the bite and weather improves. The boat dock is in. Bluegill - Excellent: Use a hook tipped with
a worm in shallow water. Black Crappie
- Excellent: Try a hook tipped with a worm or small spinner bait along a rocky
shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Fair:
Jigs tipped with a variety of plastics or a jerk bait catch bass; fish shallow
bays for best luck. Northern Pike -
Fair: Use a nightcrawler fished along the shallow weedy bays.
Upper
Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity remains poor. Water temperatures are in the mid 50's. Water levels are stabilizing after rain. Paddling
activities are not recommended. Walleye - No Report: Bring an assortment of
tackle to find what works best for your location and time of day. White Sucker - Slow: Sucker bite should
improve with warmer temperatures. Use worms fished on bottom.
Upper
Iowa River (below Decorah)
As of May, water levels are receding and should continue
baring additional rain this weekend. Clarity remains poor. Paddling is not
recommended. Visit the USGS
Current Water Data website for for more information. White Sucker - Slow: Worms fished
off the bottom work for a hungry sucker.
Volga Lake
Anglers are enjoying the sun and dunking worms. Water temperatures are in the low 60's. Docks are in. Black Crappie - Fair: Shallow, warmer
areas are more productive. Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Use a jerkbait in shallow water with a slow retrieve. Channel
Catfish - Good: Find catfish shallow in evening. Use worm or smashed minnow
fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Find gills along shallow rocky areas. Use small jigs tipped with
a small piece of worm.
As of May 9, the Decorah Management area continues
to receive rain. Rivers and streams are high and muddy; most have crested. Be
prepared for rainy weather this weekend. Temperatures will reach the upper 60s
for highs and mid 40's for lows.For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Casey
Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Reports of anglers catching largemouth bass and bluegill. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try topwater
spinner baits or sinking plastic baits. Bluegill - Fair: Use a piece of worm under a slip bobber at various depths.
Cedar
River (Nashua to La Porte City)
No reports this week as the Cedar
River remains high and muddy.
George
Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching nice largemouth bass. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try topwater
spinner baits or sinking plastic baits.
Harold
Getty Lake
Reports of anglers catching crappie. Black Crappie - Fair: Try
fishing a crappie minnow under a slip bobber at various depths or cast and
retrieve colored tube jigs.
Maquoketa
River (above Monticello)
Reports of anglers catching walleye, smallmouth bass, channel
catfish and even an occasional trout on the Maquoketa River in Delaware County.
Walleye - Good: Cast and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a
minnow. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast
and retrieve a jig with plastics tipped with a minnow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait fished on the bottom.
North
Prairie Lake
Reports of anglers catching trout. Trout fishing should be good; the weather forecast
looks to be more of average seasonal temperatures next week. Brook Trout - Fair: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or
similar jigs and spinners. Rainbow Trout
- Fair: Cast and retrieve flashy spinner baits like a panther martin jig or
similar jigs and spinners. Largemouth
Bass
- Fair: Cast artificial crankbaits.
Shell
Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
No fishing reports for this week.
South
Prairie Lake
Anglers are starting to catch bluegill and crappie. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing a piece of
worm under a slip bobber near vegetation. Black
Crappie - Fair: Cast colored tube jigs or fish a minnow under a slip bobber
three to six feet down near vegetation.
Wapsipinicon
River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
No reports on the Wapsipinicon River as the river
continues to stay high and muddy.
Few fishing report this past week with the variable weather. Anglers are starting to catch largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie on area lakes. Trout stream stockings continue and streams remain in good condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district
office at 563-927-3276 for more information.
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing remains around 14 feet this week and will slowly recede to around 11 feet next week. The Lansing Village Creek ramp and parking lot will
be closed for construction starting July 5th. For more updates, call the
Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - Slow: Walleye bite has slowed; high water makes for
difficult fishing. Yellow Perch - Fair. Sauger - Slow. Northern
Pike - Fair. Flathead
Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the
spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler
fished on the bottom. Common
Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water.
To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are
staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on
topwaters and crankbaits in warm shallow bays and marina areas out of the
current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Warm water temperatures and slowly
receding flood waters will have smallmouth working the rocky shorelines. Toss
inline spinners along rock points.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 24.7 feet at Lynxville with a slow fall expected next week. Gates remain raised at the Lock and Dam. Boat ramps are
still flooded. Water temperature is 62 degrees. Walleye- Slow: Walleye bite has slowed; high water makes for
difficult fishing. Yellow Perch - Fair. Northern Pike - Fair. Flathead
Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the
spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler
fished on the bottom. Bluegill -
Good: Panfish bite is picking up this week. Try a small piece of garden worm on
small tackle under a bobber. Common
Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To
hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are
staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on
topwaters and crankbaits in warm shallow bays and marina areas out of the
current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Warm water temperatures and slowly
receding flood waters will have smallmouth working the rocky shorelines. Toss
inline spinners along rock points.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg will crest around 16 feet and slowly recede.The gates remain up at the Lock and Dam. Water temperature is 59 degrees. Walleye - No Report: Walleye bite has slowed; high water makes for
difficult fishing. Yellow Perch - Fair. Northern Pike - Fair. Flathead
Catfish - Fair: Expect the flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the
spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a crawler
fished on the bottom. Common Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water. To hook into a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are biting on topwaters and crankbaits in warm shallow bays and marina areas out of the current. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Warm water temperatures and slowly receding flood waters will have smallmouth working the rocky shorelines. Toss inline spinners along rock points.
The Upper Mississippi River will crest this week then slowly recede. Boat
ramps are under water and difficult to access. Many shore anglers are having
success along flooded shorelines this week. Water temperature has jumped to
60's.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are 17.4 feet at the Dubuque Lock
and 19.3 feet at the RR Bridge. This is at moderate flooding stages. Levels have peaked and are predicted to slowly fall. The channel water temperature is around 60 degrees. White
Bass
- No Report: Some white bass were being caught on spinners before the flooding conditions. Common Carp - No
Report: Conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded
areas look good. You can find carp and other rough fish thrashing about on hot
sunny days. Channel Catfish - No Report: Catfish like flooded water. Fish worms in shallow water
near shore along freshly flooded banks.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels at Bellevue are 17.4 feet; the water is cresting. Bellevue is presently in the flood action stage. The Bellevue City ramp
is available for use, but the DNR ramp is under water. The channel water temperature is around 61 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Good: Lots of anglers will pursue bass in the big flooded expanses of some of
Pool 13’s largest backwater complexes such as Spring Lake. Common
Carp
- No Report: Conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded areas look good. You
can find carp and other rough fish thrashing about on hot sunny days.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are cresting at 17.5 feet at Fulton, 19 feet at
Camanche and 12.3 feet at LeClaire. These levels are at moderate flooding action stages.The water temperature is around 63 degrees. Largemouth
Bass
- No Report: Fish
the newly flooded areas in the backwaters as the water rises this week. Common
Carp
- No Report: Conditions for bowfishing carp in shallow flooded
areas look good. You can find carp and other rough fish thrashing about on hot
sunny days. Channel Catfish - No Report: Fish worms near the shore as catfish feed along newly
flooded shorelines.
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are 17.4 feet at Rock Island. Water levels are up from last week and will still be rising this week. Pool 15 is experiencing moderate flood stages. The water temperature is
near 63 degrees.
River levels vary from minor to moderate flood
stages throughout the district. Water temperatures are approaching 63 degrees
in some places. Many boat ramps are unusable. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries
Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 17.22 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is rising. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 17.5 feet
by Thursday. The docks are not in at the Fairport Recreational Area due to
the high water and the ramps are underwater. The boat ramps at Clark's Ferry Landing and Shady Creek are closed due to
high water. We have not received much for fishing reports due to the high
water.
Mississippi
River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 16.58 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is rising. Tailwater stage is forcasted to reach 17.3 feet by Friday. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 16. The Kilpeck Landing and Big Timber Landing are closed due to high water. We have not received much for fishing reports due to the high water.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 17.60 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is rising. Flood stage is 15 feet. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 18.7 feet by Saturday. The gates are out of the water at the dam. The
Toolsboro landing is closed due to high water. The Hawkeye Dolbee access will have water over the parking lot. We have not received any fishing
reports for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 12.60 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is rising. River stage is forecasted to reach 14 feet by Saturday.
Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. We have not received any fishing
reports for this pool this week.
River stages are above flood stage. Tailwater stages
are forecasted to rise the next few days. Main channel water temperature is
around 66 degrees. Water clarity is poor. Some boat ramps are closed due to the
high water. We have not received much for fishing reports this week. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 60's. Water clarity is good. Largemouth
Bass - Good: Bass are still hanging out in deeper water; work the shallows
in the afternoons with the sun shining. Bluegill
- Slow: The warmer weather should bring the bluegills into shallow water. Black
Crappie - Fair: Crappies are moving in shallow.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is closing in on 70 degrees this
week. Largemouth Bass - Fair: The warmer weather should get the bass to more shallow water. Try
fishing the shorelines with the wind blowing into them. Black Crappie - Fair: Work the shallow water on the north side. The
warmer water temperatures should bring crappies in to feed.
Lake Darling
Water temperature was up to 70 degrees on Tuesday,
after several days of upper 70's degree weather. Water clarity remains good,
except turbid above the in-lake silt dams. Black Crappie - Good: Crappies were out in 6-8 feet of water last weekend,
but moved back in shallow by Tuesday. Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Bass fishing in the shallows had picked up; work them pretty slowly. Males are starting to stay in shallow to nest. Channel Catfish
- Good: Anglers are catching some nice stringers of catfish, mostly with nightcrawlers. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are
picking up bluegills at a fair pace in the shallows around the riprap.
Lost Grove Lake
More boats are out on the lake with high river
levels on the Mississippi River. Largemouth
Bass - Good: Bass fishing continues to improve; work the rocky shorelines where the
wind is blowing into. Black
Crappie - Good: Crappies are starting to move shallow to feed; concentrate
efforts on the North side bays and along the rip rap where the water is
warmest.
For more information on the above lakes, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Central Park Lake
The lake is currently drained as a renovation project is finishing up this spring.
Coralville Reservoir
As of May 9, the lake is at normal spring pool of 679.4 feet. Starting May 10, the lake will begin to rise and
will reach 684.6 feet by the end of the weekend. It is then predicted to settle
down to summer pool of 683.3 feet by mid next week. Water temperatures have been close
to 70 degrees. The water is very dirty. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait in the channel; above Mehaffey bridge is best. White
Crappie – Fair: Check shallow brush piles and rock banks for spawning fish.
Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black
Crappie - Excellent: Try small jigs fished around the rock jetties or brush piles.
Most fish are 8-9 inches. Pink and black tube jigs have been the hot colors. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush.
Kent Park Lake
The lake is currently drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring.
Lake Macbride
Water temperatures are in the mid 60's. All boat docks are in and the fish cleaning station
at the primitive campground ramp is open. All motor
sizes may be used at no-wake speed (5 mph). Black
Crappie - Good: Males are on the bank and some females are too,
while the others are staging just off the bank. Cast jigs or minnows to
protected banks where crappies can spawn. Most fish are 10-12 inches. Walleye
- Fair: Cast toward shallow, windblown rocks or troll live bait rigs. Early/late in the day or cloud cover has been best
for shallow walleyes. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast shallow running crankbaits or flip jigs to shallow cover.
Males are shallow and females are staging for the spawn. Wiper (Hybrid
Striped Bass) – Fair. Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig or worm
around shallow cover. Size is marginal at best. Channel Catfish - Fair:
Evenings are best.
Otter
Creek Lake
The water is reported as being fairly clear. Yellow Bass - Good:
Cast small jigs, spinners or live bait to shallow shores. Bluegill -
Good: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 7-8 feet low from the restoration project. The
main ramp is usable, but it is shallow; use caution. There is a boat dock in on
the east lane. Be cautious when boating as new structures have started to be
submerged. Walleye – Good: Evenings are best in the shallows. Muskellunge – Fair. Black Crappie - Fair: Some fish are being picked up along shallow rock.
Sand
Lake
Iowa
residents and nonresidents who are required to have a fishing license must pay
the Trout Fee to fish for or possess trout. Exception: Anglers under 16 years
old may possess or fish for trout without having paid the Trout Fee if they
fish with a properly licensed adult who has paid the Trout Fee and together
their combined limit is 5. Rainbow Trout
- Slow: Worms work best. Brook Trout - Fair. Black Crappie - Fair: Fish around shallow rocks, brush or the pallet
structures off the fishing piers. Most fish are around 9 inches. Yellow
Bass - Fair: Cast small jigs, spinners or live bait to
the shallows. Most fish are about 9 inches.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Hawthorn
Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits along the rocky shorelines and rubber worms
around the deeper structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs along the
rocky shorelines and around the fishing jetties.
Lake Sugema
Walleye - Slow: Use jig and minnow
combinations in areas with rip-rapped shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the
fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Black
Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnows in the shorelines.
Lake Wapello
Channel
Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait along the windblown shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try
spinnerbaits and rubber worms around the cedar tree piles.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 903.82 msl. 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. The water temperature is in the low 60's. Channel Catfish
- Fair: Use shad sides or cut bait on the windblown shorelines. White
Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching some crappies around the docks at
the marina and at the resort. Crappies should continue to move towards shore as
the water warms. Wiper (Hybrid
Striped Bass) - Fair: Anglers have been trolling
crankbaits along rocky shorelines. Wipers can also be caught using jig and minnow
combos along the shoreline.
Red Haw Lake
Channel
Catfish - Slow: Use cut bait along the windblown shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Use
spinnerbaits or rubber worms in the shorelines, they will warm first in the
spring. Black
Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines.
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.
Beaver
Lake
Black
Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are starting to be caught near shore on the
rock jetties and on the rocks on the face of the dam. Crappie fishing should
really pick up by the second week of May. Bluegill
- Fair: Bluegills are in the shallow bays on the upper half of the lake
between the fishing jetties. They should be easy to target in these areas
through May.
Big
Creek Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleyes are being caught off mid and lower lake points and the east and west boat ramp bays. Use jig and twister tails,
jig and minnow, or slow trolling minnow rigs. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught in the coves near wood with
minnows under a bobber or 1/16oz jigs with white or chartreuse twister tails
and tubes.
Don
Williams Lake
Black
Crappie - Fair: Slowly troll or drift small twister tails or minnows up lake from the main boat ramp. Some crappie are starting to move towards near-shore
wood on the upper half of the lake. Next week should be better shallow water
fishing. Expect to fish through some 5-7 inch fish for
the 9-10 inchers.
Fort
Des Moines Pond
Bluegill - Good: Nice size bluegill are being caught casting small panfish
plastics or bobber fishing crawlers.
Lake
Ahquabi
Black
Crappie - Good: Crappies are moving shallow. Cast twister tails or minnows under a bobber around the
rock jetties and rip rap shorelines with tree falls.
Red
Rock Reservoir
Black
Crappie - Good: Start targeting crappie in the shallows at Red Rock. Any
cove off the main lake or Whitebreast arm with rocky shorelines or wood habitat
is worth trying. Try also the rip-rap shorelines near the bridge on the Teter
Creek arm and Marina Cove.
Rock
Creek Lake
Black
Crappie - Good: Crappies are moving shallow; catch them on the rocks
along the face of the dam and around the jetties next to the SE boat ramp.
Crappie fishing in Central Iowa is picking up and should be excellent through most of May. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.
Cold
Springs District Farm Ponds
Farm ponds can offer good spring fishing. Always get permission to
fish privately owned ponds. Bluegill
- Fair: Bluegills are still in a winter pattern and can be caught around deep
structure. Black Crappie - Good:
Crappies are spawning and easy to catch. Find colonies of nesting fish by casting jigs close
to shore. Largemouth
Bass - Good: As the water temperature warms, bass become very active and
can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish feed heavily in the spring
on dead fish. Use cut bait or shad sides in the windy shorelines.
Cold
Springs Lake
The fish population at Cold Springs looks good. There is an 18
inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass. Bluegill - Good: Cast a small jig tipped with crawler under a
bobber to catch bluegill up to 9 inches. Black
Crappie - Fair: A few black crappie are being caught around
the underwater rock piles. Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Catch bass around the shoreline with a variety of
spinners and lures.
Farm
Creek Lake
Farm creek will offer good spring fishing. Crappie
should be spawning and close to shore. Black Crappie - No Report: Crappie should be close to shore spawning. Black crappie in
Farm Creek are quality size fish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills should
begin to spawn soon. Cast the shoreline with small jigs and move often to find
fish.
Lake
Anita
Crappie fishing is good right now. Bluegills are
also being picked up close to shore. Black
Crappie - Good: Cast around rocky shorelines and the jetties to find
spawning crappie. Fish will average 9 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Crappie anglers are catching a few
quality size bluegills. Largemouth
Bass - Good: Cast to structure to catch bass of all
sizes.
Lake
Manawa
Crappies are close to shore and can be caught with
small jigs. Lake
Manawa is also a good destination for early spring catfishing. White Crappie - Good: White crappies are close to shore. Move often if you
are not catching fish. Concentrate on rocky shorelines like the west shore and
canals. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish the windy shoreline with shad
sides or cut bait. Channel catfish in Manawa are all sizes.
Meadow
Lake
Meadow has a good population of 10 inch black crappie. Black
Crappie - No Report: Look for pre-spawn crappie along the dam and around
underwater reefs.
Mormon
Trail Lake
Anglers report good crappie fishing around the jetties. Black Crappie
- Good: Cast small jigs around the jetties and dam to find spawning crappie.
Fish will average 9 inches.
Orient
Lake
Anglers report good crappie fishing in the new brush
piles and along the dam. Black
Crappie - Fair: Reports of good crappie fishing around the brush piles and along rocky shorelines.
Sorting is needed for the larger fish.
Prairie
Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing this spring. The lake has
quality sized bluegills and crappies are
acceptable size. Target the brush piles. Bluegill -
Slow: A few bluegills are being caught around the underwater reefs. Black
Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught around the jetties and in
tree piles. Fish will average 9 inches. Largemouth
Bass - Good: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that
offers fun catch and release fishing.
Viking
Lake
Anglers are catching spawning crappies around
underwater reefs and rocky shorelines. A few bass are being caught in the
deeper brush piles. Black
Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught behind the pontoon boats fishing
a minnow under a bobber. White Crappie
- Good: Boat anglers are finding white crappies around
underwater reefs. Channel
Catfish - No Report: Catfish should be actively feeding in the upper ends of
the lake where water warms sooner. Use cutbait or shad sides. Largemouth
Bass
- Fair: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles.
Water temperatures are reaching 70 degrees in the
S.W. district. Crappies are close to shore spawning.For more information, contact the Cold
Springs office at 712-769-2587.
Green
Valley Lake
Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs fished along cedar tree
brush piles.
Lake
Icaria
Largemouth
Bass
- Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush
piles. Black
Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 10 inches with jigs or
minnows fished along rocky shoreline areas.
Lake
of Three Fires
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs fished along
rocky shoreline areas.
Little
River Watershed Lake
Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes up to 22 inches with jigs tipped
with a minnow or leech
fished along mainlake points or the roadbed. Largemouth
Bass - Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using jigs fished near
cedar tree brush piles. Black
Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 14 inches with minnows fished along rocky shoreline areas. Bluegill -
Good: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches using jigs or nightcrawlers fished along
cedar tree brush piles or the fishing jetties.
Summit
Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up to 11 inches with jigs or minnows fished along
rocky shoreline areas. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill up to 9 inches using
jigs or nightcrawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas or cedar tree brush
piles.
Three
Mile Lake
Lake is about 2 feet low. Walleye
- Slow: Catch walleyes up to 17 inches with jigs tipped with a minnow fished
along main lake points or along the roadbed.
Twelve
Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with jigs fished along
cedar tree brush piles. Black
Crappie
- Good: Catch crappies up to 10 inches using jigs or minnows fished along rocky shoreline
areas.
Water temperature in most district lakes is in the in the mid 60's. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr
Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
Missouri
River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Slow: A few anglers are catching catfish on worms and cut bait below wing
dams and along the banks. Sauger - Fair: Spring is a good time to catch
sauger and walleye on the Missouri. Use jigs tipped with minnows or worms below
wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose
sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon on live bait rigs
tipped with worms. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or
jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers
where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - No Report: Spring can
be a great time to catch some big blue catfish. Use fresh cutbait with live
bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the
Missouri River.
Missouri
River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Fair: A few anglers are catching catfish on worms and cut bait below wing dams and along the banks. Sauger - Fair: Spring is a good time to catch sauger and walleye on the Missouri. Use jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon on live bait rigs tipped with worms. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - No Report: Spring can be a great time to catch some big blue catfish. Use fresh cutbait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River.
Missouri
River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Fair: A few anglers are catching catfish on worms and cut bait below wing dams and along the banks. Sauger - Slow: Spring is a good time to catch sauger and walleye on the Missouri. Use jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose sturgeon - Good: Anglers are catching shovelnose sturgeon on live bait rigs tipped with worms. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on with
fresh cutbait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the
Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish.
The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 25.79 feet /50,700 cfs./61
degrees Fahrenheit . The Missouri River is up 5 degrees from last week and dropped
.46 feet from last week. Fishing has been slow with few anglers out with the
higher water conditions on the Missouri River along the Iowa border. The Army
Corps of Engineers is releasing water from Gavin's Point Dam due to snow melt
from up North, which has contributed to higher than normal water conditions.
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