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Top Iowa Fishing Spots for the Week of June 21.
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.
Backbone
State Park voted best family-friendly fishing spot in Iowa
Backbone
State Park earned the Mom-Approved Seal in a recent nationwide survey
facilitated by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation
(RBFF), a national nonprofit geared toward increasing participation in
recreational fishing and boating.
RBFF is taking votes
to narrow their list of 50 family-friendly hot spots down to the top 10.
Visit the RBFF website to
vote for Backbone State Park (scroll down to Iowa) and learn
more about the sweepstakes to win a family fishing/boating trip in
Florida. You can vote daily through next Friday, June 29.
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid 70's. Bluegill - Fair: Try Town Bay, Ice House
Point, and the North Shore. Use a small hair or tube jig with a small piece of
crawler fished under a bobber in 2-6 feet of water. Walleye - Slow:Try in Town Bay, the shoreline along Ice House Point, and near the inlet
bridge. Use
leeches fished under a bobber and twisters on the downwind shoreline where
walleye are feeding. Black
Crappie - Slow: A few have been picked up from Ice House Point, the floating dock, the
stone piers and the inlet bridge. Catch fish up to 11
inches with crawlers and leeches fished under a bobber. Look for post-spawn crappie out deeper. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. Many anglers have found good bass action at the Ice
House Point, the east shoreline,and the lake side of the inlet bridge. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black
Hawk Lake. Muskellunge
-
Fair: There is a 40 inch minimum length limit on Musky at Black Hawk Lake. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait, cut bait, or crawler fished on the bottom along
Ice House Point and in Town Bay.
Brushy
Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in
Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for Musky. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and leaches in 15 feet of water. Black
Crappie - Fair: Try minnows on a jig in 10-20 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish along the
vegetation to find perch. Largemouth
Bass - Good: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with
traditional bass lures. There is a 15
inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. Muskellunge - Fair: There is a 40 inch
minimum length limit for musky on Brushy Creek Lake.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and
all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer
than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Boat anglers
are doing well trolling crank baits or drifting crawler harnesses on the edges of the
dredge cuts around the lake in about 8 feet of water. White
Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits; most action has been from boat while fishing
dredge cuts.
Swan
Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped
with crawler along the dam and off the jetties. Most fish are 6-7
inches. Look for fish to move closer to shore and the males sitting on nests.
Yellow
Smoke Park Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegill
spawning in the arm north of the swim beach and in the coves along the south
shore. Yellow Smoke is known for its big bluegill consistently reaching 9 inches
or more.
Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are in the upper 70's. Many rivers levels are high due to heavy rainfall in
the area. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds
Lake
Black
Crappie - Good: Drift fish or troll with tube jig or a small minnow. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small piece of
crawler under a bobber in 2 to 4 feet of water.
Clear
Lake
Surface water temperature is 73 degrees. Walleye - Good: Try a slip bobber and leeches or crawlers fished near the edge of vegetation in 3 to 6 feet of water. Yellow Bass - Slow: Use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler at
the edge of vegetation. Channel
Catfish - Good: With recent rains, fish any spot where water is
entering the lake with cut bait, chicken liver or crawlers. The best bite is
late evening. Largemouth
Bass
- Fair: Try a spinner or topwater bait in the open spots in the vegetation.
Crystal
Lake
Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are biting. Use a small piece of crawler and a
bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Bass are biting spinners and plastic baits fished near
vegetation.
Lake
Smith
Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Largemouth bass are biting on a variety of baits. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are biting. Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber
in 2 to 3 feet of water.
Silver
Lake (Worth)
Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Largemouth bass are biting on plastic baits. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to
3 feet of water.
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 improving panfish bite of bluegill and
crappie. Try traditional baits fished in weed lines. Walleye - Good: Use crawlers or leeches. Yellow
Bass
- Good: Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs from docks during evening hours.
Five
Island Lake
Channel
Catfish - Good: Use traditional baits during evening hours. Walleye - Fair: Action is picking up
with lots of angler acceptable size and larger being caught.
Lake
Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent
surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake.
Lost
Island Lake
Walleye - Good: Use bottom bouncers tipped with crawlers or leeches. Yellow
Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught. Use small lures such as a
twister tail or hair jigs.
Silver
Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye - Good: Troll crank
baits when there is a good walleye chop on the lake.
Spirit
Lake
Marble Beach campground, including the boat ramp, is closed for
the season for renovation. Smallmouth
Bass - Good: Anglers report good action on the lake. Walleye - Good: Use live bait trolled on the bottom. Yellow
Perch
- Good: Try jigs tipped with wigglers along the weedlines.
West
Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Wooden docks in deeper water and new aquatic growth will produce good
numbers of angler acceptable sized fish.
For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are on the rise with poor visibility. Visit the USGS
Current Water Data website for current water level information. Watercraft activities are not recommended.
Walleye - Slow: Use a jig tipped with a crawler, minnow or
twister tail. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch catfish in the impoundments with dead
chubs fished on the bottom. Smallmouth
Bass - Slow: Use a variety of jigs or spinners near brush piles. Black
Crappie - Slow: Crappie are keying into shallow rocky shorelines. Use
small jigs tipped with twister tail or minnow.
Decorah District Streams
Yellow wild parsnip is blooming. Wear long sleeved
clothing when walking through it to prevent skin contact. Catchable trout are stocked weekly as weather and water conditions
permit. Listen
to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily plans. Brook Trout - Fair: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are
more numerous. Use care not to spook a feeding fish. Brown Trout - Fair: Hendrickson, caddis, and cranefly hatches occurring. Use hendrickson,
gnat or beadhead nymph patterns and watch the water boil. Pale yellow, black,
brown, and grey colors work best. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a
bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits also work.
Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is poor with recent rains. Black Crappie - Slow: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Largemouth
Bass
- Slow: Fish along edges of vegetation for a cruising bass. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use a worm under a bobber in the later evening. Bluegill - Slow: Try a
small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline.
Lake Meyer
Lake Meyer has about 1 feet visibility. Bluegill - Slow: Use a hook tipped with
a worm in shallow water. Black Crappie
- Slow: Try a hook tipped with a worm or small spinner bait along a rocky
shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Use buzz or spinner baits in shallow bays. Northern Pike - Slow: Use a night crawler fished along the shallow weedy bays.
Upper
Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is poor. Water temperatures are in the upper 60's. Water levels are rising. Paddling is not recommended. Walleye - Slow: Bring an assortment of
tackle to find what works best for your location and time of day. White Sucker - Slow: Use worms fished on the bottom.
Upper
Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are rising with poor visibility. Paddling is not recommended. Visit the USGS
Current Water Data website for more information. Walleye - Slow: Cast bright colored jigs and twister tails near undercut banks and log
jams. Best fishing is toward dusk. Smallmouth
Bass - Slow: Use spinners around tributaries. Light colored jigs and crankbaits work best. Fish 10-12 inches common. White Sucker - Slow: Worms fished
off the bottom work for a hungry sucker.
Volga Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 70's. Black Crappie - Slow: Shallow, rocky, warmer
areas are more productive. Largemouth
Bass - Slow: Use topwater lures in shallow water. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Find catfish shallow in early morning or late night. Use worm or smashed minnow
fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Slow: Use small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm along shallow rocky
areas. Common
Carp
- Fair: Fish the shallow bays in the evening.
Continued rain over saturated ground is causing area
water bodies to rise and turn muddy. Sunshine is possible Saturday.
Temperatures are upper 70s to low 80s for highs over the weekend. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Big
Woods Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair. Bluegill – Slow. Black Crappie – Slow.
Casey
Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Largemouth Bass – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
Cedar
River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is running at 11,800 CFS in Waterloo or about 3 times above
median flow. These flows are creating difficult conditions for smallmouth bass
and walleye, but channel catfish action has been good Smallmouth Bass –
Slow. Walleye – Slow. Channel Catfish – Good.
George
Wyth Lake
George Wyth Park is subject to closure during Cedar River flood events. Bluegill
- Fair: Small fish with good catch rates. Black Crappie - Fair: Small
fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Manchester
District Streams
Trout streams go up fast and fall more quickly than rivers following rain
events. Watch weather reports as you plan your trout fishing trips. Brown trout
fishing can be excellent in slightly high and turbid water conditions. Brown
Trout – Fair. Brook Trout – Good. Rainbow Trout – Good.
Maquoketa
River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River at Manchester is flowing at about 750 CFS or twice
median flow for this time of year. These high water conditions are creating
difficult conditions for fishing. Smallmouth Bass – Slow. Walleye
– Slow. Channel Catfish – Slow.
Plainfield
Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
South
Prairie Lake
Vegetation has become abundant; adjust strategies accordingly, including
topwater baits and "weedless" baits. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use
topwater baits. Bluegill – Slow. Black Crappie - Slow.
Stormy and wet weather is impacting fishing on area
rivers and lakes. Summer fishing opportunities including channel catfish and
topwater bass are heating up. Panfish have been more difficult to catch as
spawning activity diminishes. Trout streams are providing excellent fishing in
between storms. Most area rivers are 2 - 4 times above median flows for this
time of year; making conditions challenging for bass and walleye. Call the N.E. Iowa district
office at 563-927-3276 for more information.
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 10.5 feet at Lansing and is predicted to rise to 13.7 feet this week. Water temperature is near 75 degrees. New Albin ramp road is closed due to high water. The Lansing Village Creek ramp and parking lot
construction is expected to start July 30 and the ramp will be closed through
October. For more updates, call the
Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye - No Report: Some walleye are being caught trolling crankbaits along bottom structure
and wing dams. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater areas. Sauger - No Report: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main
channel edges and wing dams. Northern
Pike - No Report: Northern are feeding in the vegetation along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a
minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead
Catfish - No Report: Expect flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the
spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use a crawler
fished on the bottom in current eddies. Common
Carp - Good: Carp are on the move with the high water.
To hook a big one, try fishing the warm shallow backwaters where carp are
staging for the spawn. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Main channel areas have poor visibility due to
turbid water. Look for bass in the vegetation in protected backwaters. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Fishing has been difficult. Find smallmouth along
shorelines in the current off rocky points. White
Bass
- No Report: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel
current for big white bass. Bluegill
- Slow: Bluegill will move out of the heavy floodwaters
current. Look for them in the lilly pads in protected backwater lakes. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a
heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 19.3 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to reach 23.8 feet this week. Water temperature is 76 degrees at the Lock 9. Walleye- No Report: Some walleye are being caught trolling crankbaits along bottom structure
and wing dams. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater
areas. Sauger - No Report: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main
channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - No Report: Northern are feeding along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a
minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead
Catfish - No Report: Expect flatheads to be on the feed as they enter the
spawning period. Fish deeper holes with a large shiner or sunfish. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use a crawler
fished on the bottom in current eddies. 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 - Slow: Main channel areas have poor visibility due to
turbid water. Look for bass in the vegetation in protected backwaters. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Fishing has been difficult. Find smallmouth
along shorelines in the current off rocky points. White
Bass
- No Report: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel
current for big white bass. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill will move out of the heavy floodwaters
current. Look for them in the lilly pads in protected backwater lakes. Freshwater
Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are actively biting in
areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some
big fish action.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 10.5 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to reach 15.3 feet this week. Gates are raised. Water temperature is 67 degrees at
Lock and Dam 10. Walleye - No Report: Some walleye are being caught trolling crankbaits along bottom structure
and wing dams. Yellow Perch - No Report: Still a few perch biting along the rocky shorelines and tailwater
areas. Sauger - No Report: Try a lightweight jig tipped with minnow fished on the bottom along main
channel edges and wing dams. Northern Pike - No Report: Northern are feeding along main channel borders. Cast spinners or a
minnow along edges of debris piles. Flathead
Catfish - No Report: Expect 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. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Main channel areas have poor visibility due to
turbid water. Look for bass in the vegetation in protected backwaters. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Fishing has been difficult. Find smallmouth along
shorelines in the current off rocky points. White
Bass - No Report: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main
channel current for big white bass. Black
Crappie - Good: Fish small jigs or a plain hook tipped with a crappie
minnow along the trees in backwater lakes. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill will move out of the heavy floodwaters current. Look for them in
the lilly pads in protected backwater lakes. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater
drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig
into the current for some big fish action.
Heavy localized rains and up river have caused the Upper Mississippi
levels to jump once again with levels predicted to reach minor flood stage this
week. Expect water clarity to be poor with floating debris. Many ramps expected
to go under water again.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels will rise to minor flood stages by next
week. Presently levels are 9.6 feet at the Dubuque Lock and 11.8 feet at the RR
bridge, but expect at least a four foot rise. Water clarity is turbid. The channel water temperature is around 76 degrees. Channel
Catfish - Good: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang
around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms
near shore. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Some bass are still being caught. Find clear water,
if possible, far up in backwater areas. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater drum are being reported out of nearly
every section of Pool 12. Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in
moderate current areas. Flathead
Catfish - Good: Flathead bite should continue to stay good. They are in the midst of their spawning period and
often the bite temporarily slows for a bit. Anglers are mostly using green sunfish for bait.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Expect a four foot rise in water levels this week; Pool
13 will experience minor flooding. Water level presently is 10.8 feet. Many
smaller boat ramps will be out of operation by the weekend. The north ramp at
Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction. The water is turbid.
The channel water temperature is around 76 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Spring Lake has been good all year. Some bass are being caught out of
Middle Sabula Lake and Green Island. Channel
Catfish - Excellent: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang
around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms
near shore. Black
Crappie - Slow: The crappie population appears healthy. A few
crappies were caught this week, but flooding conditions make fishing difficult. Freshwater Drum - Good:
The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Northern
Pike - Fair: Anglers caught some northern pike this week with
white spinners or jigs. Flathead
Catfish - Good: Use live chubs, green sunfish or bullheads in deep holes or
above large brush piles. The flathead spawning period is underway.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels will rise significantly this week; expect
minor flooding. Presently levels are near 10.2 feet near Fulton, 13.2 feet at
Camanche and 7.7 feet at LeClaire. The water temperature is around 77 degrees. Water
clarity is poor. Channel Catfish - Good: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang
around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms
near shore. Freshwater
Drum
- Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. Find fish near the shoreline in flooded conditions. Flathead
Catfish - Good: Use bank poles with live bullheads or green sunfish.
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels will rise significantly this week.
Expect smaller boat ramps to be flooded. Presently the water is 11.6 feet at
Rock Island. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is near 78 degrees. Channel
Catfish - Good: Especially in flooding conditions, most fish hang
around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stink bait or worms
near shore. Freshwater
Drum - Good: Use an egg sinker and worm rig and fish near shore in flooded conditions.
Drum will use freshly washed in food in newly flooded habitats.
River conditions are rapidly changing. Expect a
major water level rise reaching minor flood levels by next week. Many boat
ramps will be out of operation. Water clarity is generally turbid. Lots of
debris is floating in the channel. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries
Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 11.50 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and is rising. River stage is forecasted to reach flood stage by the
middle of next week. River forecast may change with more rain in the forecast.
Fishing has been slow with the muddy water conditions. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters close to shore
around brush piles and logs. Use pieces of worm under a bobber. Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught on dip baits.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 10.47 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is rising. . River stage is currently forecasted to reach flood
stage by middle of next week. Forecast may change with more rain in the
forecast. Fishing has been tough with the muddy water conditions. Big Timber is
closed due to high water. Bluegill - No Report: Look
for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles and logs. Try fishing with pieces
of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dip baits around snag piles and logs.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 12.17 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is rising. River stage is forecasted to reach flood stage by
Monday. The Toolsboro ramp will be closed by the weekend due to high water. Bluegill - No Report: Look for
bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Try fishing with pieces of worm under a
bobber around brush piles and logs. Channel Catfish - No Report: Use dip baits around brush piles and snags.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 8.61 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is rising.River levels are forecasted to reach flood stage by
Monday. Flood stage is 10 feet. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy
water conditions. Bluegill - No Report: Look
for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Try fishing around brush piles and
logs. Channel Catfish - No Report: Use dip baits around brush piles and snags.
River stages are on the rise due to recent heavy
rains. River stages are currently forecasted to reach flood stage by next week.
Main channel water temperature is around 80 degrees. Fishing has been tough
with the muddy water conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Central Park Lake
The lake is currently drained as a renovation project is finishing up this spring.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal summer pool of 683.3 feet. Water temperatures are in the 80's.
Channel Catfish - Good: Best action is
drifting or trolling cut bait in the channel. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish steep rock banks for suspended fish.
Diamond Lake
No minnows are allowed here. The fish cleaning station is open. Black
Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs fished around the brush piles or drift the basin.
Most fish are 7-9 inches. Pink and black tube jigs have been the hot colors. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. Many fish are around 6-7 inches. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Catfishing has picked up over the past week.
Iowa
Lake (Iowa County)
The weeds are thick around the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use a frog over the weeds or fish the
outside weed line. Bluegill - Fair. Black Crappie - Fair: Fish the weed
line or offshore for suspended crappies. Most fish are around 8 inches. Some bigger fish are being caught out deeper. Channel Catfish - Fair.
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 back in the 80's. The fish cleaning station at the primitive campground and main ramp are
both open. Only motors under 10hp may be used at no-wake speed. Black
Crappie - Slow: Fish deeper brush or look for suspended fish off breaks. Walleye
- Fair: Cast toward shallow, windblown rocks or troll or jig live bait. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some fish are still shallow while other fish have pulled off to deeper
rock for the summer. Wiper (Hybrid
Striped Bass) – Fair: Look for schools roaming deep water feeding on juvenile shad. Early and late in the day are best.
Bluegill - Fair: Some are shallow in pockets while others have moved
to deeper rock. Size is marginal at best. Channel Catfish - Fair:
Evenings are best.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 7 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 – Slow: Some small fish are being caught on crawlers. White
Bass
– Good: Fish windblown shores or look for schools in open water. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Good: These are mixed in with the white bass. Mornings and evenings are best. Bluegill – Fair: Fish weed edges. Channel Catfish – Slow.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Des
Moines River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Channel
Catfish - Fair: Target log jams and rocked areas; channel catfish are spawning. Watch for water levels to change with the recent
rains.
Hawthorn
Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits along the rocky shorelines and rubber worms
around the deeper structure. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait along the
rocky shorelines and around the fishing jetties. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or night crawlers in areas with large rocks.
Lake
Keomah
Bluegill - Fair: Use small
jigs tipped with live bait near shoreline and around the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing deep structure with a jig and minnow. Some fish should still
be shallow. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Use night crawlers in areas along the fishing jetties. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits around the fishing jetties and
along the dam. Switch to rubber worms and deeper structure as the day heats up.
Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits along the
fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Target deeper structure with rubber worms or jig n pig
combos. Black
Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnows in deeper water structure. Bluegill
-
Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and aquatic vegetation. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or night crawlers along the dam or around
the fishing jetties.
Lake Wapello
Channel
Catfish - Good: Use night crawlers around areas with rip-rapped shorelines or rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try
spinnerbaits and crankbaits around the cedar tree piles. Fish deeper structure with rubber worms or crawdad imitations as temperatures warm. Bluegill - Fair: Use small
jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler in areas around aquatic vegetation or near the fishing jetties. White
Crappie - Fair: Try minnows or jig and minnows in deeper
structure and the outer edge of the weed line.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.40 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 upper 70's. Channel Catfish
- Good: Use cut bait or large chubs around areas with rip rap. The rocks around the bridge at the Bridgeview area are a good spot this
time of year. White
Crappie - Good: Use minnows around deeper structure.
Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast the shorelines in the early part of the day and then fish deeper
structure as the day warms up. Black
Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill
-
Good: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and aquatic vegetation. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Try night crawlers around the fishing jetties or along the
dam. Some fish can still be caught shallow around the
docks. Wiper (Hybrid
Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll crankbaits along
rocky shorelines and around rock piles. Try also using jig and minnow combos
along the shoreline. Walleye - Good: Try night crawler rigs or troll
crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points.
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.
Big
Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes throughout the lake in 10 to 15 feet of water. Use
jig and twister tails, jig and minnow, slow trolling minnow or leech rigs and
trolling crankbaits in the areas out from the beach, marina, East Boat Ramp,
Ensign Shelter and the west shoreline south of the 100th Street Boat Ramp. Wiper
(Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Troll and cast crankbaits in the main lake. The
area out from the beach south to the East Boat Ramp bay is a good place to start.
Red
Rock Reservoir
White
Bass
- Fair: As the crappie spawn bite is coming to an end, the hot weather is
causing the white bass bite to pick up. Troll shad imitating spoons and shallow diving crankbaits.
Rock
Creek Lake
White Crappie - Fair: Drift or slowly troll jigs or
minnows in the lower portion of the lake between the beach and dam. Bluegill
-
Good: Bluegills are being caught shallow and drifting with night crawlers. The
larger fish are 7.5 to 8 inches. Channel
Catfish - Good: Use night crawlers fished on the bottom or near the bottom (6
feet deep or less) under a bobber.
For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.
Cold
Springs District Farm Ponds
Heavy rains have affected many ponds this week. Always get permission to
fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill
- Fair: The bluegill spawn is winding down in ponds.
Concentrate on suspended fish and along weed lines during the summer months. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies suspended and around structure. Largemouth
Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are very active and can be caught with a variety of
lures and plugs. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try along weed edges and around structure.
Cold
Springs Lake
The fish population at Cold Springs looks good. There is an 18
inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass. Bluegill - Fair: Cast a small jig tipped with crawler under a
bobber to catch bluegill up to 9 inches. Black
Crappie - Slow: 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 fishing this year. Bluegill should be spawning and close to shore. Black Crappie - No Report: Black crappie in
Farm Creek are quality size fish. Concentrate fishing the channel during the summer
months. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are spawning and close to shore. Cast the shoreline with small jigs and move often to find
fish.
Lake
Anita
Catch bluegills on top of underwater reefs. Find crappies
around brush piles and suspended over the roadbeds. Black
Crappie - Fair: Vertical jig deeper tree piles to catch black crappie averaging 9
inches. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers report that bluegills are spawning on the reefs and roadbeds. Largemouth
Bass - Good: Cast to structure to catch bass of all
sizes.
Lake
Manawa
Lake
Manawa is a good destination for summer catfishing. Channel Catfish - Good: Use shrimp and bubble gum bait on the south and west shore. Fish in the 2 to 5 pound range were reported.
Meadow
Lake
Meadow has a good population of 10 inch black crappie. Black
Crappie - Fair: Look for black crappie around underwater reefs and tree piles. Fish will average 10 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill on the underwater reefs. Cast small jigs
for fish averaging 8 inches.
Orient
Lake
Channel
Catfish - Good: Catch 18-20 inch channel catfish with cut bait or shrimp
below the sediment structure where water is running into the lake.
Prairie
Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has
quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. Target the spawning beds, underwater reefs and jetties to find spawning fish. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawning and can be caught on top of underwater reefs and
on the spawning substrate placed in the lake. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are
quality size fish. Black
Crappie - Slow: Look for post spawn crappies along the dam and around 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
Find crappies and largemouth bass on deeper brush piles. Channel catfish have moved in around jetties and rocky shorelines. Black
Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to be caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is
needed for larger fish. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Cast cut bait or liver close to rocky shorelines for
catfish up to 10 pounds. Late afternoon bite is best. Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for
largemouth bass of all sizes.
Heavy rains this week will affect fishing in some
areas, especially rivers. Catfish are moving close to rocky shorelines. For more information, contact the Cold
Springs office at 712-769-2587.
Green
Valley Lake
Largemouth
Bass
- Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with jigs or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree
brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill
up to 8.5 inches with jigs or night crawlers fished along the fishing jetties. Black
Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 9 inches using jigs or minnows fished
along the cedar tree brush piles or near rocky areas. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catch catfish up to 25 inches with night crawlers fished along
the silt dikes or jetties.
Lake
Icaria
Walleye - Fair: Walleye of all sizes have been caught using jigs or minnows fished along
the roadbed or trolling along main lake points. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using
night crawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs or night crawlers fished along
the fish mounds.
Little
River Watershed Lake
Walleye - Fair: Catch walleyes up to 22 inches with jigs tipped
with a minnow or leech
fished along the weed lines, especially in the morning or evenings. Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using finesse plastics fished near
cedar tree brush piles or along weed lines. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with night crawlers or leaf worms fished in 10-15 feet of water along cedar tree brush piles. Channel
Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with night crawlers fished
along rocky shoreline areas.
Three
Mile Lake
Walleye
- Fair: Catch walleyes up to 17 inches with minnows fished along the roadbed. Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 12 inches using finesse plastics fished
along weed lines. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill
up to 7 inches with night crawlers fished along the fishing jetties. Black
Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 7 inches using minnows fished along
the fishing jetties.
Twelve
Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with finesse plastics fished along
cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch
bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs or night crawlers fished along the fishing jetties, rock reefs or
flooded timber. Walleye
- Fair: Catch walleyes up to 25 inches using using minnows or leeches fished in 10-15 feet of water. Yellow
Perch - Fair: Catch yellow perch up to 12 inches with jigs or night crawlers
fished along main lake points and roadbed. Black
Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 10 inches using minnows fished in
the flooded timber and roadbed.
Water temperature in most district lakes is in the upper 70's to mid 80's. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union,
Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr
Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
Missouri
River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use worms and stink bait below wing
dams and along the banks. Sauger - Slow: Try jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary
streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose
sturgeon - Fair: Use 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 report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and
trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam
tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead
Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod
and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing
dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water
nearby.
Missouri
River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use worms and stink bait below wing dams and along the banks. Sauger - Slow: Try jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose sturgeon - Fair: Use 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 report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby.
Missouri
River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use worms and stink bait below wing dams and along the banks. Sauger - Slow: Use jigs tipped with minnows or worms below wing dams or where tributary streams or rivers come into the Missouri River. Shovelnose sturgeon - Fair: Use 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 rod and reel and trotlineswith
fresh cut bait or live bait. 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. Flathead
Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod
and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing
dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water
nearby.
The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 25.87 ft. /51,800 cfs./72
degrees Fahrenheit. Missouri River water temperatures are the same as last week
and water levels are up 0.07 feet from last week. Fishing has been fair to
good. Water levels are up due to recent rains on the Missouri River along the
Iowa border. The Army Corps of Engineers is also releasing water from Gavin's
Point Dam due to snow melt from up North, which has contributed to higher water
conditions.
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