Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 70s. Water levels are several inches above the spillway. Water clarity is about 12 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: Pick up crappie in and around the fish house in Town Bay and along Ice House Point shoreline. Crappie are up to 10- to 12-inches. Morning and evening bite are best. Bluegill - Slow: Try a nightcrawler under a bobber fished from the fish house or around the rock piles. Largemouth Bass - Slow. Walleye - Slow: Try the submerged rock piles in the east basin and the shoreline along Ice House Point.
Brushy Creek Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid-70s. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie in 10-15 feet of water. Bluegill - Slow: Find bluegill near submerged rock/brush piles in 5-15 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try soft plastics in deeper weedlines and rock/brush piles in 8-15 feet of water. Walleye - Slow: Pick up walleye in 10-15 feet of water on rock/brush piles. Yellow Perch – Fair
North Twin Lake
Water levels are about 11 inches below the crest of the spillway. Surface water temperatures are in the low 70s. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing from shore in 2-6 feet of water near rocky structure. A recent survey showed good numbers of 16-inches to 24-inches fish.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are in the low to mid-70s. Black Crappie – Slow. Channel Catfish - Fair. Largemouth Bass - Slow. Walleye - Fair: Pick up walleye off shore near the dredge cuts; use a crawler harness or crankbaits. White Bass - Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair.
Water temperatures are in the low 70s in most area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Drift fish or troll small jigs along the north shore. Bluegill - Fair. Yellow Bass - Slow.
Briggs Woods Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing near the woody habitat.
Clear Lake
Water level is about .4 inches below crest. Water temperature is in the mid-70s. Water clarity is 20 inches. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing the rock reef areas and wind-swept shorelines. Best bite is after sunset. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are catching walleye with live bait and crankbaits. Fish are in 3 to 8 feet of water. Try rock reefs areas and near the edge of vegetation. Yellow Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching a few yellow bass while targeting walleye. Live bait below slip bobbers or drifting works best.
Crystal Lake
Black Crappie- Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs in the dredge cut. Bluegill - Fair. Walleye - Fair: Try fishing near the vegetation edge and along the old roadbed.
Rice Lake
Bluegill – Slow. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try fishing in the woody habitat. Morning bite is best.
Upper Pine Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good.
Winnebago River
River level is 5.2 feet. Smallmouth Bass - Fair.
For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
Lake level is around 5 inches over crest. Black Crappie - Good: Bluegill - Good: Many bluegill have been seen and are easily catchable around functional docks. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are a little ways off shore; you can still find some around docks and other structure. Yellow Perch - Good: Many perch have been seen; sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye - Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and afternoon.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Lake level is 2 inches over crest. The lake is experiencing an algae bloom. Walleye - Good: Bite has been hit-or-miss, but has been very good when the bite is on.
Spirit Lake
Lake level is around 2 inches over crest. Black Crappie - Good: Anglers are finding quality-size crappie; they are biting on almost anything. Bluegill - Fair. Walleye - Good: Anglers are catching quality-sized walleye. Evening bite is best with leech and bobber from shore or crankbaits and slip bobbers by boat. Yellow Perch - Good: Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji Lake
Lake level is about 5 inches above crest. Black Crappie - Fair: Bluegill - Good. Pumpkinseed - Good. Walleye - Fair. Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.
Area ramps and accesses are fully functional and are open for normal use. Area water temperatures are in the 70s. Cooler night temperatures have lowered area lake temperatures a bit, but should come back up again with warmer weather in the forecast.
For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water clarity is improving as levels return to normal. Use caution when on water; watch for submerged hazards. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information. Channel Catfish - Good: Try worms or chubs fished on the bottom in calm water or the edge of current. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use crankbaits in off channel areas or eddies. Walleye - Good: Find walleye in deeper water; try jigs tipped with minnow or spinnerbaits.
Decorah District Streams
All announced and unannounced streams were stocked this week. Streams in northern Winneshiek and Allamakee counties are clearing after recent rains. Wild parsnip is dying back. Don't touch this plant; it can cause painful blisters. Terrestrial insects are more abundant as the heat of summer progresses. Gnats, mosquitoes, and no-see-ums are out in force. Brook Trout - Slow: Sneak up on brook trout for a better chance to catch one of these beauties. Good hatches of mayflies, dragonflies, grasshoppers, crickets, and ants. Brown Trout - Good: Try fishing near or around logs or undercut banks. Spinnerbaits work well. Also try streamers on larger waterbodies. Brown trout like cloudy water. Rainbow Trout - Good: Use spinnerbaits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm, bread, or cheese floated through deeper holes.
Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is is improving. Water temperature is in the 80s. Black Crappie - Good: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow in about 6 feet of water. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are in shallow; use a small piece of worm or waxworm. Channel Catfish - Good: Try a nightcrawler or squashed minnow on a hook near the bottom. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater lures along the edge of vegetation.
Lake Meyer
Lake clarity continues to improve. Water temperature is in the low 80s. Most fish are suspended at depths not greater than 6 feet. Black Crappie - Good: Use spinnerbaits or a jig tipped with a minnow in 6 feet of water or less. Trolling is a great option. Bluegill - Good: Try small hooks tipped with a waxworm or a small piece of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish - Good: Use a nightcrawler on a hook fished at the bottom. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try a spinnerbait along the edge of vegetation. Reports of anglers catching quite a few small bass.
North Bear Creek
Stream habitat improvements have been completed on upper North Bear just downstream of 380th St. bridge with seeding and mulching. Improvements between 128th Ave. and 380th Street will start soon. Rainbow Trout - Slow: Thanks for staying out of this area until vegetation gets established. There are many other great locations to find fish on North Bear. Stocking continues below this area weekly.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water clarity is improving as levels stabilize. Use caution when on the water. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use shallow running crankbaits or spinners along current breaks or rocky shores. Walleye - Good: Try fishing near evening along rocky shorelines or current breaks.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water clarity is improving as levels return to normal. Use caution when on the water. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find smallies in deeper holes or near rock ledges. Walleye - Good: Use crankbaits or jigs tipped with plastics in off channel areas.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water level is stabilizing with improved clarity. Use caution when on the water. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find bass along rock ledges and deeper pools around woody habitat. Walleye - Good: Find walleye in deeper runs or pools and in back eddies; use spinnerbaits or a jig tipped with a plastic worm.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water level is stabilizing with improved clarity. Use caution Use caution as snags and debris move through the system. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find smallies in off channel areas and back eddies; use spinners or streamers. Walleye - Fair: Find walleyes in deeper water and back eddies. Evening bite is best; try spinners or crankbaits.
Volga Lake
Water clarity is improving. Water temperature is in the 80s. Black Crappie – Good: Find crappies in 6 feet of water or less or near drop-offs; use a jig tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of worm on a hook under a bobber near brush or rocky areas. Channel Catfish – Good: Use a squished minnow or worm fished on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try spinners or crankbaits along jetties or drop-offs.
Volga River
Water levels are high, but are stabilizing. Water clarity is improving. Visit the National Water Prediction Service webpage for more information.
Yellow River
Water levels are stabilizing with improved water clarity. Use caution as snags and debris move through the system. Brown Trout - Good: Find trout below or just off riffles. A spinner or shallow running crankbait should interest a hungry mouth. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try jigs tipped with plastics in deeper holes or near rocky ledges.
Water levels on area rivers and streams are falling or stabilizing baring localized rainfall. Water clarity is good on most waterbodies. Weekend temperatures in the low 80s for highs to 50s. Chance of storms possible through Saturday. For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Big Woods Lake
Anglers are catching crappie. Black Crappie - Fair: Find structure using electronics in 8 to 10 feet of water using a live minnow under a bobber.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are catching channel catfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Try chubs fished on the river bottom below snags or other structure. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use chubs on the river bottom below snags or other structure. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try lead head jigs with twister tails. Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with a nightcrawler.
George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching crappie and bluegill. Black Crappie - Good: Use electronics to find and drift a live minnow under a bobber or artificial jigs over structure in 6 to 8 feet of water. Bluegill - Good: Use a piece of worm under a bobber in areas with structure or off the jetties.
Lake Delhi
Anglers are catching crappie. Avoid weekends; concentrate efforts early morning and evenings during the weekdays. Black Crappie - Good: Try a minnow under a slip bobber around shoreline structure in 6 to 8 feet of water.
Manchester District Streams
Rainbow trout stocking has been on schedule. Brown trout fishing has been fair, especially in the evenings. Brown Trout - Fair: Use crankbaits, jigs, spinners, dry flies, or nymphs. Rainbow Trout - Good: Try jigs, spinners, crankbaits, or live bait.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Anglers are catching smallmouth bass and walleye in Delaware County. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use live or artificial tackle. Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with a nightcrawler.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
We have not received information about fishing on this water body this week.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Anglers are catching smallmouth bass. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use lead head jigs with twister tails.
Interior river levels are at usual levels for this time of year and should provide great angling opportunities. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls are producing catches of panfish. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For more information, contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 8.7 feet at Lansing and is predicted to remain stable next week. Water is slightly stained. Water temperature is 76 degrees. Army Road at New Albin, Heytman's Landing, and Lansing Village Creek are open. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill have moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on flooded shorelines and weed beds. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching a channel cats on crawlers and stink bait. Flathead Catfish - Good: Use live bluegill or shiners in the tailwaters of the Lock & Dams and large tree snags in deeper sloughs. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along main channel and side channel current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast frog baits along weed edges in upper portions of the backwaters. Northern Pike - Good: Try fishing the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Try fishing near the mouth of coldwater streams and spring inlets during the heat of summer. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines. Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits on three-way rigs along deep side channel borders and wing dams. White Bass - Good: Throw inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for schools of minnows jumping as white bass are feeding. Yellow Perch - Fair: Jig for perch in the vegetation off edge of cuts in 6-8 feet of water.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 617.4 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to settle around 617 feet next week. Boat ramps at Nobles Island, Marquette, McGregor, Bussey Lake, and Sny Magill are open. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill have moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on flooded shorelines and weed beds. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers. Flathead Catfish - Good: Use live bluegill or shiners in the tailwaters of the Lock & Dams and large tree snags in deeper sloughs. Freshwater Drum - Good: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along the main channel and side channel current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast frog baits along weed edges in upper portions of the backwaters. Northern Pike - Fair: Try fishing the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Try near the mouth of coldwater streams and spring inlets during the heat of summer. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines or at the spillway. Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits on three-way rigs along deep side channel borders and wing dams. White Bass - Good: Throw inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for schools of minnows jumping as white bass are feeding. Yellow Perch - Fair: Jig for perch in the vegetation off edge of cuts in 6-8 feet of water.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 8.9 feet at Guttenberg in the tailwaters and is expected to settle near 8.0 feet next week. Guttenberg City, Turkey River Landing, Finley's Landing and Mud Lake ramps are open. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill have moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on flooded shorelines and weed beds. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching a few channel cats on crawlers or cut bait. Flathead Catfish - Good: Use live bluegill or shiners in the tailwaters of the Lock & Dams and large tree snags in deeper sloughs. Freshwater Drum - Good: Try a piece of crawler off the bottom along the main channel and side channel current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast frog baits along weed edges in upper portions of the backwaters. Northern Pike - Good: Try fishing the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. Try near the mouth of coldwater streams and spring inlets during the heat of summer. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along the main channel rock shorelines. Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits on three-way rigs along deep side channel borders and wing dams. White Bass - Good: Throw inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for schools of minnows jumping as white bass are feeding. Yellow Perch - Fair: Jig for perch in the vegetation off edge of cuts in 6-8 feet of water.
Upper Mississippi River levels at Pools 9 -11 are falling slightly and expected to stabilize. All boat ramps have reopened. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s. A lot of weeds are floating, but water clarity is improving. Panfish are biting in areas of slight current.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is stable at 8.6 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 10.8 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is in the upper 70s Boat ramps on Pool 12 are back to working operation after recent flooding; some campgrounds may still need debris cleanup. Bluegill - Good: Try fishing along the weedline edges that are starting to show back up after the flood receded. Channel Catfish - Excellent: The post-flood bite has been phenomenal; most anglers are using stink bait. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Anglers are using trot lines where they can find non-flooded banks. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Use big crayfish to catch big drum. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass are stacked up along shoreline weed edges. Northern Pike - Good: Pike, like other predators, are seen feeding on the abundant forage along the shorelines. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try small crankbaits or spinners along rock lines. Walleye - Fair: Many anglers are targeting smaller flowing sloughs with crankbaits. White Bass - Good: White bass have been a consistent in the creel. Try flashy spinners in tailwater areas.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is steady near 9.6 feet at Bellevue. Water temperature is 77 degrees. The water is clear. Please call ahead if you want to use the campgrounds on Pool 13; they may still be affected by flood cleanup. Bluegill - Good: Some sorting may be needed to find nicer bluegill; many are being caught with worm rigs along the main channel shoreline. Brown Bullhead - No Report: Anglers using egg sinker and worm rigs in the lower pool above Clinton are catching good numbers of this unique bullhead. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel catfishing has been phenomenal post-flood; most anglers are using stink bait. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are a consistent biter in moderate current areas; use an egg sinker worm rig. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Find weed lines away from the main channel. Anglers are using gaudy spinnerbaits or frog imitation lures. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Try spinners or jigs around rock lines to catch abundant smallies. Walleye - Good: Some vegetation is starting to float after the flood making keeping a crankbait in the water a little difficult. White Bass - Excellent: Try white jigs or small spinners in the Bellevue tailwaters.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is steady at 8.8 feet at Fulton, 11.9 feet at Camanche and 6.9 feet at LeClair. The water is clear. Water temperature is 77 degrees. Bluegill - Good: Some sorting may be needed to find nicer bluegill; many are being caught with worm rigs along the main channel shoreline. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel catfish like flood waters and will move along the banks to feed; use stink baits. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Worm rig with egg sinker fished along shore in moderate current will catch this consistent biter. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Find weedlines that remain after the flood recedes; throw frog lures or spinner baits. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinners or jigs next to rock lines. White Bass - Good: Try flashy spinners or small white jigs along shorelines near the tailwater.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is stable at 9.2 feet at Rock Island. The water is stained. Water temperature is around 79 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stink bait rigs near shore to catch abundant catfish. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Worm rig with egg sinker fished along shore in moderate current will catch this consistent biter. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try fishing along the many rock lines with moderate current to catch abundant smallmouth bass.
Water is back down from recent flood and has been somewhat stable the past three weeks. Quality fishing has returned to the river. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 9.43 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities. River stage has been rising. Flood stage is 15 feet. Black Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels. Try minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Use pieces of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish - No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Try cut shad, stink bait, or crawlers upstream of the snags. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Some smallmouth bass are being caught on rocky points with current. Try casting crankbaits or jigs and plastics. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being caught on wing-dams and around rocky points. Try casting or trolling crankbaits or trolling three-way rig with night crawlers on the wing-dams.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 7.8 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. River level has been rising slightly the past week. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Kilpeck landing is closed. Black Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Use minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Try pieces of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish - No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use cut shad, stink baits, or nightcrawlers upstream of the snag. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wingdams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits on the upstream side of the wingdam. Trolling three-way rigs with crawlers can catch walleyes as well.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 9.0 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Toolsboro ramp is open. We have not received much for fishing reports for this pool this week. Black Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies around brush in the backwaters and side channels. Try minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills around brush piles in the backwaters. Use pieces of worms under a bobber. Channel Catfish - No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Try cut shad, stink bait or nightcrawlers upstream of the snags. White Bass - Good: Look for white bass at the outlet of Lake Odessa. Cast crankbaits, jigs, and twister tails or inline spinners.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 5.6 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Flood stage is 10 feet at Lock and Dam 18. We have not received much for fishing reports for this pool this week. Bluegill - No Report: Look for bluegills around brush piles in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish - No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use cut shad, stink bait or nightcrawlers upstream of the snag.
River stage is below flood stage for Pools 16-19. River level is forecast to rise some over the weekend with recent heavy rain. Water clarity is fair. Main channel water temperature is around 76 degrees. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa River has dropped about a foot more in level and is holding steady. Channel Catfish - Good: Try minnows and nightcrawlers along the back drop-offs on the sandbars and just behind the back edges of the brush piles, not too far out from the bank.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is down to 77 degrees. Water clarity remains a foot and a half with green water. Black Crappie - Slow: Try slow drifting out from the beach along the tree line down to about the north boat ramp. Bluegill - Fair: Expect bluegills to start to move into shallower water, but not in a rush to do so. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Expect bass to start to move into shallow chasing the bluegills; they currently are happy in the deeper water.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is down to 76 degrees. Water remains cloudy but less green. Bluegill - Fair: Smaller bluegills are becoming more active, but the bigger ones are still keeping to the deeper water in 10-12 feet. Channel Catfish - Fair: The cooler water temperature are getting the water in upper layer mixing good oxygen down to 12 feet.
Lake Geode
Water temperature has dropped to 76-78 degrees. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are moving into shallower water with the cooler temperature. Bigger bluegills will take more convincing before they leave the deeper habitat. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try to work the flat up along the north shore down lake of the beach. Catfish like the area when water is cooling down..
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is down into the mid-70s. Water still has a green tint. Channel Catfish - Fair: Still finding some around the culvert piles and along the face of the dam. Most anglers are using the stink baits. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Expect some bass to start to move in shallower; try jigging off the deeper (10-12 feet) habitat: trees and rock piles.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
Water remains at about half bank full level. Fair amount of current is still moving downstream; use caution if you are canoeing close to the brush piles. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut baits and stink bait with good hook holding ability.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Central Park Lake
Bluegill - Good: Use small plastics or worms to catch suspended fish in open water. Channel Catfish – Good: Try crawlers, chicken livers, or stink bait around rocks. Lots of eater-sized fish are being caught. Largemouth Bass – Good: A variety of artificials are working all day. Redear Sunfish - Good: Slow: Fish are suspended with the bluegills. Best bite is evenings or after dark on small jigs or worms.
Coralville Reservoir
Lake level is holding at 683.7 feet. The water is dirtier than it has been, especially in the upper section. Channel Catfish - Fair: Troll or drift cut bait in the channel. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast artificials along rocky shorelines. Walleye - Fair: Try fishing early or late with a jig/crawler on rock banks. White Crappie - Fair: Use bright jigs or minnows along rock bluffs or over deeper brush.
Diamond Lake
Black Crappie – Slow. Bluegill – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Slow.
Hannen Lake
Bluegill - Good: Most fish are smaller-sized. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some 2-3 pound catfish are being caught. Largemouth Bass - Fair: More 15-inch bass are showing up.
Lake Macbride
The 10 hp maximum is in effect. Water temps are in the upper 70s. Black Crappie - Fair: Try jigs or minnows around brush in 5-10 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: Use worms or small jigs around rock shorelines or rock humps. Channel Catfish - Fair: Chicken livers or crawlers work best. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing around rock, wood, or vegetation. Spotted bass - Good: Try fishing along shallow rock. Most fish are less than 14-inches. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) -Fair: Troll crankbaits in open water or watch for surface activity early/late in the day.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Mornings and evenings have been best for all species. Black Crappie - Slow. Bluegill - Fair. Channel Catfish - Fair. Largemouth Bass - Fair. Walleye - Slow. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair.
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
River levels are low. Walleye - Good: Try crankbaits or jig/crawler in deeper holes.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Hawthorn Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Try jig and minnow combinations in brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs along the shoreline and open areas in the vegetation. Tip the jigs with a chunk of nightcrawler. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try nightcrawlers or chubs in 6-10 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Good: Target the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Use plastics in these areas and in open areas of the vegetation.
Lake Keomah
Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project.
Lake Miami
Black Crappie - Fair: Use jigs and minnows along cedar tree brush piles or drift over the brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs in the brush piles and along the shore. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use nightcrawlers along the face of the dam and around the jetties. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastics around brush piles and along rip-rapped shorelines.
Lake Sugema
Black Crappie - Fair: Try jigs and minnows in the standing timber. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs around submerged brush piles and the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastics or spinnerbaits along rip-rapped shorelines and around submerged structures.
Lake Wapello
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift jig and minnows in deeper water; try different depths until you find active fish. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs around brush piles. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs around rip-rapped shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastics and crankbaits around the brush piles and rip-rapped shoreline.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.58 msl; the 2024 summer recreation target pool is 905.60 msl; typical recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels; properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody. Black Crappie - Fair: Try jigs around submerged cedar tree piles and docks. Crappie have moved to deeper water; target brush piles in 15-20 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use minnows or nightcrawlers along areas with large rocks. Walleye - Fair: Try trolling crankbaits or crawler harnesses. All walleye less than 15-inches must be immediately released unharmed. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Use jigging spoons or crankbaits over rock piles and near the old river channel.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs around the shorelines and submerged structure near the campground shoreline. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use nightcrawlers along the fishing jetties or the face of the dam. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastics along rip-rapped shorelines and the fishing jetties.
Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.
Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Use crawlers or leeches jigging or troll live bait rigs in 5 to 15 feet of water. Also try trolling live bait jigs or shallow diving crankbaits along the edge of any aquatic vegetation.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Try using stink baits or cut bait near tree falls, rock, and cut banks.
Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Drift or troll light jigs with minnows or twister tails from the main boat ramp area to about three quarters up the lake. Crappie are suspended 2 to 6 feet deep away from shore.
Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Drift live bait over habitat in 15 feet of water or less.
Red Rock Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good: Drift cut bait rigs near and above the mile long bridge.
For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
Lake Anita
Black Crappie - Slow: Black crappie are being caught around the roadbeds. Early morning and late afternoon bite is best. Bluegill - Fair: Slow troll small jigs to catch 8.5-inch bluegill. Tipping with a nightcrawler or Berkley helps. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Mormon Trail Lake
Water clarity is good. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are having success at night using blood bait. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are having success fishing topwater baits early in the morning then switching to plastics in deeper water.
Prairie Rose Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Find submerged tree piles and vertical jig to catch 10- to 12-inch black crappie. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers are catching a few fish slow trolling deep water areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Early morning has been good throwing topwater baits.
Viking Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill average 7.5-inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair.
For information on lakes in the Southwest District, call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.
Green Valley Lake
Docks are in at the boat ramps. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 7.5-inches with jigs tipped with live bait near cedar tree brush piles early in the morning and late in the evening. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use nightcrawlers or shrimp along rocky shoreline areas to catch all sizes of channel catfish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try finesse plastics around cedar tree brush piles to catch all sizes of largemouth bass.
Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches with small jigs tipped with live bait along creek channels. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try finesse plastics near weedlines to catch all sizes of largemouth bass.
Three Mile Lake
Lake level is 8 feet below normal pool. Walleye - Slow: Use twister tails or crankbaits along the dam to catch all sizes of walleye.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 19-inches with jigs or finesse plastics near rock piles.
West Lake (Osceola)
Lake level has increased with recent rains, but still remains about 1 feet below normal pool. Boaters can use the boat ramps at their own risk.
Water temperatures are in upper 70s to low 80s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. For more information, call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
Area bird groups, the Iowa Audubon Society and the Iowa DNR will be hosting an opportunity to learn about and watch these magnificent birds on Sunday August 18th as they stopover at Coralville Reservoir.
Stop by anytime from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hawkeye Wildlife Area across from the DNR headquarters office at 2564 Amana Rd. NW, in Swisher.
Volunteers will be there with binoculars and spotting scopes to help visitors view and learn about American White Pelicans on Coralville Lake. Conservation groups will have displays, and Funny Face Designs by Lori will be doing face painting for kids from Noon - 4 p.m.
