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Top Iowa Fishing Spots for the Week of July 26.
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.
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 80 degrees. Water levels are 4 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill - Slow: 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 5-6 feet of water. Target deeper fish this time of year on the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point, and the East Basin. Walleye - Fair: Try leeches or crawler harnesses around Ice House Pt, the dredge cut
near Denison Beach, and around the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood
Point and the East Basin. 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. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait, cut bait, or crawler fished on the bottom along Ice House Point and in Town Bay. Look for fish along rocky shorelines this time of year.
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 15-20 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Try minnows on a jig in 10-20 feet of water near submerged structure. Yellow Perch - Fair: Find perch along the vegetation and deeper structure. 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.
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 picking up fish trolling crankbaits 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 in 3-6 feet of water. Most fish are 6-7 inches.
Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are around 80 degrees. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds
Lake
Black
Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a tube jig or small minnow. Yellow
Bass
- Fair: Drift fish or troll with a small jig.
Clear
Lake
Surface water temperature is 72 degrees. Walleye - Fair: Jig a minnow or leech above submerged vegetation in 6 to 10 feet of
water. Channel
Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or cut bait fished on the bottom after sunset. Black
Crappie - Good: Try fishing the edge of the vegetation with a jig and
minnow.
Crystal
Lake
Bluegill – Fair: 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 topwater baits. Black
Crappie - Good: Drift or troll small tube jigs in the dredge cut.
Upper
Pine Lake
Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Use topwater baits.
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
The dock at East Okoboji Beach boat ramp is out. Yellow
Bass - Good: Excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish being caught. Cast mini-jigs or
hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Walleye - Good: Numbers of
fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are
mixed in with the catch. Bluegill -
Good: Anglers report a good panfish bite of bluegill and crappie continues. Use small
jigs tipped with waxworms in the weed lines.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake.
Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleye action has improved; reports of the best action in areas with flow. Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. Channel
Catfish - Good: Numbers of fish were caught over the weekend, contact the local
bait shop for more information.
Spirit Lake
Walleye
-
Good: Troll live bait or crankbaits. Yellow Perch - Good: Report of yellow perch action "picking
up" on the lake with good numbers of angler acceptable size fish being caught. Northern
Pike
- Good: Look for areas with flow for the best action. Bluegill - Good: Reports of
bluegill, crappie and yellow perch being caught in the Illinois Pondweed in 8 -
10 feet of water. Use a slip bobber and jigs to fish fast and find active fish.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Rock piles in deeper water with stands of 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 stabilizing and low. Flows remain high. Visibility has improved. Visit the USGS
Current Water Data website for current water level information. Walleye - Good: Use a jig tipped with a crawler or minnow in slack water pockets. Use a jig tipped with twister tail in deep water drop offs. Channel Catfish - Slow: Target snags for catfish using stink baits, chicken liver or crawdads fished on
bottom. Smallmouth
Bass - Excellent: Use crawdad crankbaits along rocky shorelines.
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. Listen
to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily information. Brook Trout - Good: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are
more numerous. Use care not to spook a feeding fish. Brown Trout - Good: Hendrickson, caddis, and cranefly hatches are occurring. Crickets are common along streams now. Use hendrickson,
gnat or beadhead nymph patterns. Pale yellow, black,
brown, and grey colors work best. Try using terrestrial patterns for crickets and ants. Rainbow Trout - Good: 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 is stained green; limited
visibility. Best bite is toward evening and early morning. Black Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs in shallow areas. Anglers are finding large numbers of small fish. Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Use spinnerbaits and soft plastics along edges of vegetation. Bluegill - Fair: Try a
small jig tipped with small piece of worm along the shoreline.
Lake Meyer
Green algae bloom continues. Water clarity is good. Water temperatures are in the low 80's. Fish activity is improving with cooler temperatures. Bluegill - Good: Use a hook tipped with
a worm in shallow water along vegetated edges. Black Crappie
- Slow: Try a hook tipped with a worm or small spinnerbait along a rocky
shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater baits along weed edges.
Turkey
River (below Clermont)
Anglers are finding fish from Clermont to Elkader. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinner or
crawfish crankbait in drop offs or undercut banks. Walleye - Good: Try spinners or jig tipped with worm or twister tail
in slack water and eddies.
Upper
Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water clarity is much improved. Water levels are stabilizing, but flows
remain high. Be aware of river conditions ahead of you; strainers may
have moved or trees may be blocking the river corridor. Walleye - Good: Use jigs tipped with natural colored twister tails or a flashy spinner. Smallmouth
Bass
- Fair: Use feathered spinnerbaits or crankbaits near rocky ledges.
Upper
Iowa River (below Decorah)
River is in good condition. Use caution when floating on an unfamiliar
section of river; trees and other debris may be blocking the main channel. Visit the USGS
Current Water Data website for more information. Walleye - Good: Cast bright colored jigs tipped with twister tails or larger spinner
baits into deep water drop offs or eddies. Smallmouth
Bass - Excellent: Use spinnerbaits and crankbaits near rock ledges and undercut
banks. Channel
Catfish - Good: Catfish actively taking baits at night bank fishing.
Volga Lake
Algae bloom continues. Fish activity improving with cooler temperatures. Black Crappie - Good: Find fish near submersed structure or in open water. Use a light colored jig with twister tail. Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures around structure. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Find catfish shallow in early morning or late night. Use worm, chicken liver, or stink bait fished on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a small piece of worm along shallow rocky
areas. Anglers are catching lots of small gills with a few keepers.
Weather couldn't be better for the end of July. Temperatures are in the
70's. Rivers and streams are in good condition. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Big
Woods Lake
We have not received information about fishing on this water body
this week.
Casey
Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Casey Lake is in good condition with clear water. Vegetation remains
abundant around edges, but it is starting to die back a bit. Catfish anglers are fishing deep water with frogs, shrimp or stink baits. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Size has been good. Bluegill – Fair. Channel
Catfish - Excellent: Catfish are biting on a variety of baits. Best bite is early morning and late evening. Catfish size has been
excellent.
Cedar
River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is running at 5280 CFS as of July 26 in Waterloo or about 2 times above median
flow. The river is reported as clearing and providing decent fishing despite
flows that are still high for this time of year. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Use jig and night crawler combinations or crankbaits. Not too
many big fish, but catch has been good for smaller fish. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink baits or fresh baits.
George
Wyth Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Good catch rates, but fish are mostly small. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Lake
Delhi
Lake Delhi is providing good fishing for panfish and bass. This is
a popular boating lake, so fishing conditions are often best on weekdays and
mornings. Bluegill - Good: Lots of
smaller fish with some keepers, too. Black
Crappie - Fair: Fish near structure. Largemouth
Bass - Good: Lots of small fish. Smallmouth
Bass – Fair.
Manchester
District Streams
Trout streams in Delaware, Dubuque, and Jackson Counties are in
good condition. Trout stocking was completed as scheduled during the week of July 23-27. Stocked fish
are biting on a variety of presentations. Brown
Trout – Fair. Brook Trout – Good. Rainbow Trout – Good.
Maquoketa
River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River at Manchester is flowing at about 126 CFS as of July 26; this is near average for median flows on this date. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye
– Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.
Maquoketa
River (below Monticello)
The lower Maquoketa was high and "dirty" early in the week,
but conditions are improving. White
Sucker
– Fair. Walleye - Fair: Use
crankbaits or live bait. Smallmouth Bass
– Slow.
Martens
Lake
Expect to fish through and around vegetation. Adjust tactics as needed,
including heavy baits or topwater options. Largemouth
Bass – Good.
Plainfield
Clear water and plants around the lake perimeter are creating some
challenging conditions. Adjust tactics including lighter gear for panfish or
weedless options for bass. Bluegill – Slow. 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.
Wapsipinicon
River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River at Independence has a flow of about 500 CFS as of July 26; this water discharge rate is about 1.5 times above median
levels for this time of year. Fishing has been improving with better water conditions . Northern Pike – Good. Smallmouth
Bass – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.
River conditions are improving in eastern Iowa. The Shell Rock and Cedar
remain high, but are providing decent fishing. The Maquoketa and Wapsipinicon
have river flows near median levels for this time of year and are in excellent
condition for fishing. Lakes are providing fair bass fishing. Trout streams are
providing excellent fishing opportunity. Call the N.E. Iowa district
office at 563-927-3276 for more information.
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing has fallen about a foot to 10.9 feet and is
predicted to reach 9.5 feet midweek. Water temperature is near 78 degrees. New Albin ramp road is closed due to water over the road. 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 - Fair: Some walleyes are feeding in the shallow water out of the current. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with
live minnow rigs. Northern
Pike - Excellent: Northern are feeding in the trees in the backwaters on crawler rigs with a leader. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas
protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along
shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White
Bass
- Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel
current for big white bass. Bluegill
- Excellent: Bluegills are biting on small
piece of worm fished about mid depth in 8 feet of water in the flooded trees. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: 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 at Lynxville has dropped a foot to 19.6 feet and is expected to
reach 18 feet midweek. Water temperature is 79 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Sny Magill ramp has water over the road. Walleye- Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water current. Some walleyes are feeding in the shallow water out of the current. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with
live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - Excellent: Northern are feeding in the trees in the backwaters on crawler rigs with a leader. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. 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 - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas
protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth
along shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White
Bass
- Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel
current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are biting on small piece of worm fished about mid depth in 8
feet of water in the flooded trees. 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 at Guttenberg has fallen to 10.7 feet and is slowly receding
to 9 feet late next week. Water temperature is 71 degrees at
Lock and Dam 10. Guttenberg south ramp is open. Walleye - Fair: Fishing has been tough with high water current. Some walleyes are up feeding in the shallow water out of the current. Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught
with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike - Excellent: Northern are feeding in the trees in the backwaters on crawler rigs with a leader. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting along the vegetation in backwater lakes and areas
protected from the current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Fishing has been difficult with floating flood debris and weeds. Find smallmouth along
shorelines in slight current off rocky points. White
Bass - Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main
channel current for big white bass. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are biting on small piece of worm fished about mid depth in 8
feet of water in the flooded trees. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Freshwater
drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig
into the current for some big fish action.
Upper Mississippi River levels are on a steady fall this week with
good water clarity. Still lots of current in main channel areas, but fishing
has picked up in side channels and backwater lakes. Water temperatures are in
mid to upper 70's.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are near 10.8 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 12.9 feet at the RR bridge. Expect water to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. Channel
Catfish - Good: In high water conditions, most fish hang
around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stinkbait or worms
near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in
moderate current areas. Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Largemouth bass are being caught along the edge of flooding water. White
Bass - Good: Look for schools of white bass feeding on the surface in the
morning and evenings. Bluegill - Good: Some bluegill have finally returned to angler creels. Try angling along the vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level at the Bellevue Lock and Dam is 12.0 feet. Expect water to
drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve. The water
temperature is around 78 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this
year due to bridge construction. Channel
Catfish - Excellent: In high water conditions, most fish hang
around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stinkbait or worms
near shore. Freshwater Drum - Excellent:
The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible. Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Both largemouth and smallmouth are being caught. Most are feeding along the high water edge. Use a bright
colored spinner in the turbid water. White
Bass
- Good: Look for feeding schools of white bass in the morning and evenings. Small
spinners and white jigs work best. Bluegill -
Good: Bluegills are starting to return to the creel. Try fishing along
vegetation lines in 4 to 6 feet of water.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are 11.4 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 13.9 feet at Camanche
and 7.9 feet at LeClaire. Expect water to drop slowly this upcoming week. Water clarity continues
to improve. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: In high water conditions, most fish hang
around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stinkbait 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. Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Bright colored spinners fished along flooded shorelines are picking up
some bass.
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are 11.3 feet at Rock Island. Expect water to drop slowly
this upcoming week. Water clarity continues to improve. The water temperature
is around 78 degrees. Channel
Catfish - Good: In high water conditions, most fish hang
around near bank using food washing into the system. Try stinkbait or worms
near shore. Freshwater
Drum - Good: Use an egg sinker and worm rig fished near shore in high water conditions.
Water levels continue to drop throughout the district this week. Some
boat ramps may have water and debris on them yet. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries
Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 11.30 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. The docks are being reported as in at the Marquette St. ramp in Davenport. The Fairport Recreation Area has a dock in at the upper and lower ramps. Fishing is being reported as slow. Channel
Catfish - Slow: Some channel catfish are being caught in Sunset Marina on
stinkbait. Try also above brush piles and snags in the back channels. Walleye - No Report: Troll crankbaits between the mouth of the Rock River and Sunset
Marina. Try fishing on the wingdams along Credit Island with crankbaits or
three-way rigs with crawlers.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 10.31 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. River stage at Muscatine is 11.92 feet and is falling. Flood stage at
Muscatine is 16 feet. The ramp at Big Timber is open. We have not received any
fishing reports for this pool this week. Channel
Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above snag piles along the side channels
and main channel with stinkbait or shad. Walleye
- No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams; use crankbaits or three-way
rigs with crawlers. Trolling crankbaits by GPC can work, too. Bluegill - No Report: Look for
bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with pieces of
worms under a bobber.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 11.72 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is falling. The gates are still out of the water at the dam. The ramp at Toolsboro is open. Flood stage is 15 feet. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Channel
Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above brush piles and snags along side
channels and the main channel; use stinkbait or shad. Bluegill - No Report: Look for
bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try fishing with worms under a
bobber.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 7.88 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 10 feet. River level is 13.03 feet at Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. River level at Fort Madison is 526.89 feet and flood stage is 528 feet. Fishing has been slow with the high and muddy water
conditions. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this
week. Channel
Catfish - No Report: Try fishing above brush piles and snags along the
side channels and main channel; use stinkbait or shad. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around
brush piles. Try fishing with worms under a bobber.
River stages rose slightly this past weekend, but are starting to fall.
Main channel water temperature is around 78 degrees. Water clarity is fair.
Fishing is being reported as slow. 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 low to mid 80's. Expect an increase in
fishing pressure with the forecasted cooler weather. Bluegill - Fair: Work the bluegills in about 6 feet of water in the flooded timber. Largemouth
Bass
- Fair: Early evening is best as bass move out of deeper water to feed on
little bluegills and green sunfish.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The drop in the water level has slowed. Channel Catfish - Fair: Look for them to be around the brush piles
in deeper water and around the edges of the sandbars as the water recedes.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature in low 80's. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegills in the flooded timber between 10 and 12
feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are still finding crappies while slow trolling in the open
water area between the beach and the dam; early morning before 10 am is best.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is between 82 and 83 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are picking up bass around the deeper habitat. In the early and
late parts of the day, look for them to be in shallow but not far from the deep
water ledges. Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills out around the rock piles and brush in 6-8 feet
of water.
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is between 80 and 81 degrees. Planktonic algae bloom
is turning the water green. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappies later in the evening as these fish
come to shore to feed later in the day. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching bass in the flooded brush on the north side of the
lake in the early morning hours.
Skunk
River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The water level in this area have stopped dropping. It should drop
again as the South Skunk continues to drop where the North has stabilized. Channel Catfish - Fair: Still a lot of
water in the Skunk; try around the edges of the brush piles and trees where
there is a current break.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Central Park Lake
The lake is currently refilling as a renovation project has
finished up this spring. It has been restocked with juvenile bass, bluegill and
catfish.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at normal summer pool. Channel Catfish - Fair: 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. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or worms around shallow rock or brush. Many fish are around 6-7 inches. Channel
Catfish - Good: Catfishing has picked up over the past week.
Iowa
Lake (Iowa County)
Largemouth Bass - Fair. Bluegill - Fair. Black Crappie - Fair. Channel Catfish - Fair.
Kent Park Lake
The lake is drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring.
Lake Macbride
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: Troll crankbaits or live bait rigs. Most fish are in 8-13 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some fish are still shallow while other fish have pulled off to deeper
rock for the summer. Best bite is early in the day. Wiper (Hybrid
Striped Bass) – Slow: Look for schools roaming over 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 5 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. Check your boat and trailer for the invasive plant, Brittle Naiad; it
is abundant here. Night fishing has been reported as being the most productive lately. White
Bass
– Fair: Fish windblown shores or look for schools in open water. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: These are mixed in with the white bass. Mornings and evenings are best. Bluegill – Slow: Fish weed edges. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use chicken liver or shrimp. Walleye
- Slow.
Rodgers
Park Lake
Largemouth
Bass
– Fair.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Des
Moines River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Channel
Catfish - Fair: Target slack water areas around log jams and rocked shorelines.
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 the weed line. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or stinkbait in areas with 4-6 feet of water.
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. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or chicken liver 4-8 feet of water. 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
The south boat ramp off of Highway 2 is closed due to a parking lot
construction project. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target deeper structure with rubber worms or deep diving crankbaits.. Black
Crappie - Slow: Use tube jigs or jig and minnow combos in deeper water structure. Bluegill
-
Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or stinkbait along the dam or around
the fishing jetties.
Lake Wapello
Channel
Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or stink bait around areas with rip-rapped shorelines or rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish around deeper structure with rubber worms or crawdad imitations. Bluegill - Fair: Use small
jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler in areas around aquatic vegetation or near the fishing jetties. White
Crappie - Slow: Try minnows or jig and minnows in deeper
structure and the outer edge of the weed line.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.83 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. Channel Catfish
- Good: Use stink bait or chicken liver in areas with water running into the lake. White
Crappie - Slow: Use minnows around deeper structure. Trolling small crankbaits can also catch suspended crappies. Wiper
(Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Troll crankbaits or night crawler rigs along rocky shorelines and around rock
piles. Try also vertical jigging in the same areas. Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite has slowed from earlier in the year. Use night crawler rigs
or troll crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points. Leeches can also be productive this time of year.
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. Use rubber worms or crankbaits. Black
Crappie - Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill
- Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel
Catfish - Fair: Try night crawlers around the fishing jetties or along the
dam.
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 - Slow: The walleye bite has become tough since the shad spawn created abundant
small forage. Target the upper end of the lake in shallow water, preferably by
any vegetation. Cast or troll shallow diving shad imitating crankbaits or
troll spinner rigs with night crawlers with little weight to fish 3-10 feet
deep. Wiper
(Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Troll and cast crankbaits, spoons or in-line spinners in the main lake. Look for schools of fish busting shad on the surface.
Hooper
Area Pond
Black
Crappie - Fair: Anglers drifting and trolling jigs mid-lake are picking
up some nice 10-12 inch crappies. Keep your baits in the top 6 feet of water.
Lake
Ahquabi
Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Cast crankbaits in 4 to 8 feet
of water in the evenings.
Red
Rock Reservoir
White
Bass
- Fair: High water is making white bass fishing very slow on the lake, but
anglers fishing below the dam are catching a mix of white bass and hybrid
striped bass.
Rock
Creek Lake
White Crappie - Good: Drift or slowly troll jigs or
minnows in the lower half of the lake in the mornings to just after noon.
For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
Cold
Springs District Farm Ponds
Water clarity in most ponds have recovered from heavy rains in July. Always get permission to
fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill
- Fair: Bluegills are in their summer pattern 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. Fish shallow early and late and go deeper during the middle of the day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try along weed edges and around structure.
Farm
Creek Lake
Farm creek will offer good fishing this year. Black Crappie - No Report: Black crappie in
Farm Creek are quality size fish. Concentrate fishing the deeper water along the channel during the summer. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills in the open water portion of the lake and close to the
channel; use small jigs tipped with crawler.
Lake
Anita
Anglers report catching bluegills drifting. Find crappies
around brush piles and suspended over the roadbeds. Black
Crappie - Fair: Vertical jig deeper tree piles or troll twister tails to catch black crappie averaging 9
inches. Bluegill - Slow: Drift small jigs tipped with crawler. Fish will average 8.5 inches. 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.
Orient
Lake
Channel
Catfish - Fair: Catch 18-20 inch channel catfish with cut bait or shrimp
below the sediment structure where water is running into the lake and along the dam.
Prairie
Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has
quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are done spawning and have moved into a summer pattern. Look
for fish around underwater reefs and drift/troll open water areas. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are
quality size fish. Black
Crappie - Slow: Look for 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 being caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is
needed for larger fish. Channel
Catfish - Good: 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.
Fishing should improve with cooler more stable weather. Panfish have moved into their summer pattern. Target open water and deep
structure. Catfishing has been good around the district. 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 crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree
brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill
up to 8 inches using worms fished along the fishing jetties. Black Crappie - Good: Catch crappie up
to 9 inches with minnows or jigs fished along rocky areas.
Lake
Icaria
Channel
Catfish - Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using
night crawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas.
Little
River Watershed Lake
Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using crankbaits or
finesse plastics fished near
cedar tree brush piles or rock reefs. Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished along the fishing jetties. Channel
Catfish - Good: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with night crawlers fished
along rocky shoreline areas.
Three
Mile Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill
up to 7 inches with worms fished along the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Catch walleye
up to 18 inches using crankbaits or live bait fished along the fish mounds and main lake points.
Twelve
Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth
Bass
- Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along
cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Catch
bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles or shallow bays. Walleye
- Fair: Catch walleyes of all sizes using minnows or leeches fished in 8-10 feet of water. Black
Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with minnows or worms fished along
cedar tree brush piles or in the flooded timber.
Water temperature in most district lakes is in the low 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 - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas
from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will
find refuge from faster currents. 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 - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded areas
from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will
find refuge from faster currents. 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 - Fair: During high water levels, try close to the bank or slower flooded
areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel
catfish will find refuge from faster currents. 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 trotlines with
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 28.58 ft. /65,400
cfs./79 degrees Fahrenheit. Missouri River water temperatures are down one
degree from last week and water levels are down 0.48 feet from last week. Water
levels are up due to recent rains in the Missouri River watershed and release
of water from reservoirs. Anglers and boaters are advised to use caution going
on the Missouri River.
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