Black Hawk Lake
Water levels are near crest. Water clarity is around 12 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: Pick up crappie in and around the fish house in Town Bay, along Ice House Point shoreline, and near the inlet bridge. Crappie are up to 10- to 12-inches. Morning bite is best. Bluegill - Slow: Use a small hair or tube jig tipped with a small piece of bait. Find them near shore areas and under docks as water cools. Bluegill numbers are not high, but large individuals are here. Walleye - Fair: The walleye bite is picking up. Walleye are moving in close to shore. Try fishing along Ice House Point, the east shore near the outlet, and Shotgun Hill in the morning and evening.
Brushy Creek Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 60s. Water clarity is about 2 feet. Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappie in 5-10 feet of water. Bluegill - Slow: Find bluegill near submerged structure in 3-10 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for largemouth bass along weedlines in deeper water. A lot of vegetation is starting to die back; look for green stands of vegetation. Walleye - Slow: Pick up walleye in on rock piles. Also look near shore and along the foot bridges in the evening. Yellow Perch – Fair. Anglers are catching decent numbers of yellow perch when they find schools; some sorting is needed as many of them are small.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Water levels are at crest. Bluegill - Fair: Recent fishery surveys show a good population and size structure of bluegill with many 8.5 to 9.5 inches. Try drifting/slow trolling or target some of the submerged structure in the lake.
North Twin Lake
Water levels are at least one foot below crest. Channel Catfish - Slow: Try fishing from shore in 2-6 feet of water along rocky structure and the wooded shores in Muddy Bay. A recent survey showed good numbers of 16-inches to 24-inches fish (~1 to 3 pounds). Walleye - Slow. Find walleyes around docks and boat lifts. Cast around those structures; move often to find actively feeding fish.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water level are near crest. Largemouth Bass - Slow. Storm Lake has a bass population, but the only place really targeting them is the marina. Walleye - Slow: Pick up walleyes while trolling; most are small (10-inches or less). The Chautauqua Jetty and Frank Starr Park attract a lot of walleyes in the evenings. If there is flow coming through the inlet, it is also worth fishing there.
Water temperatures are in the high 60s in most area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs along the north shore. Bluegill - Fair. Yellow Bass - Fair.
Clear Lake
Water level is 10 inches below crest. Water temperature is in the low 60s. Water clarity is about 17 inches. Black Crappie - Good. Use electronics to find fish. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait or crawlers from the wind-swept shore. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are catching walleye with live bait and jigs. Find fish in 3 to 8 feet of water. Try rock reefs areas and near the edge of vegetation. Anglers fishing docks after sunset are having some success. 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 - Good: Use a jig tipped with a piece of crawler near shore. Walleye - Slow: Try fishing near vegetation edge and along the old roadbed.
Rice Lake
Any water west of the north boat ramp is a waterfowl refuge and is closed to all activity from Sept. 1st through the final day of the duck season. Signs across the lake mark this area. Bluegill – Slow. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing woody habitat. Morning bite is best. Walleye - slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of vegetation. Yellow Perch - slow.
Winnebago River
River level is 4.55 feet. Smallmouth Bass - Fair.
For information on lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
Lake level is just below crest. Black Crappie - Good: Bluegill - Good: Many bluegill seen; 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 seen; sorting most likely needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye - Fair: Morning and afternoon bite is best.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Lake level is below crest. The lake is experiencing a large algae bloom. Walleye - Good: Bite hit-or-miss, but very good when bite is on.
Spirit Lake
Lake level is below crest. Black Crappie - Good: Anglers are finding quality-size crappie; biting on almost anything. Bluegill - Good. 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 is needed; anglers are finding many of acceptable size
West Okoboji Lake
Lake level is below crest. Black Crappie - Fair: Bluegill - Good. Largemouth Bass - Good. Pumpkinseed - Good.
Area water levels are at or below crest. Water temperatures are in the low 60s. Most area buoys have been pulled for the season. The bite for most species has been good . Most fish are moving in closer to shore as temperatures drop. Weedlines have been slowly fading back. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Mitchell dam will undergo a rehabilitation project on the powerhouse intake structure requiring the impoundment to be lowered. Desired levels will be maintained during the work. After completion, water levels will be allowed to return. Users should prepare for limited access due to lowered water levels. The river below the dam will not be dewatered. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Find smallies in deeper pools and off channel rocky areas. Use crankbaits or spinnerbaits. Walleye - Good: Find walleye in deeper water and back eddies. Try jigs tipped with a minnow or twister tails.
Decorah District Streams
All stream stockings continue through the end of October. Starting October 1, all trout stream stockings are not announced. Take time to enjoy the fall weather and fish a new stream. A variety of hunting seasons are open; many streams pass through public areas open to hunting. Brook Trout - Fair: The best streams are heavily vegetated, making fishing difficult. Try dabbling a fly through the narrow unvegetated runs or find deeper pools above beaver dams. Brown Trout - Good: Anglers need to be more stealthy when approaching streams due to clear water. A variety of terrestrial insect patterns work, especially crickets, ants, and grasshoppers. Rainbow Trout - Good: A small chunk of worm or cheese under a bobber fished through a deeper hole will turn a rainbow head. Cut the line on a deeply hooked fish if returning it to the water.
Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is improving. Water temperature is in the upper 50s. Black Crappie - Good: Try fishing near woody structure along shoreline with a small spinnerbait or crankbait. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are in shallow water in the evening; use a jig tipped with a small piece of worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Good: Toss a lure along the edge of vegetation to draw out a bass. Use a shallow running lure in the evening.
Lake Meyer
Water clarity is improving as temperatures fall. Water temperatures in the upper 50s. Black Crappie - Good: Use spinnerbaits or crankbaits near overhanging trees or near logs in water. Bluegill - Good: Find bluegills near rocky shoreline. Use a small jig tipped with small piece of worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try along the edge of vegetation. Try a shallow running crankbait in open water in the evenings.
North Bear Creek
Improvements between 128th Ave. and 380th Street begin this week. Stream stocking continues at lower sections. Rainbow Trout - Good: Thanks for staying out of this area until improvements are completed. There are many other great locations to find fish downstream of this area.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Excellent water clarity. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Find smallies in deeper holes or near rock ledges. Use a small jig or crankbait. Walleye - Excellent: Try a jig tipped with twister tail or spinnerbait through deeper holes or rock ledges.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Excellent water clarity. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Find fish near drop-offs eddies and rock ledges with a spinnerbait or crankbait. Walleye - Excellent: Find deeper holes with a crankbait or jig tipped with enough weight to get toward bottom.
Volga Lake
Water clarity is improving as water temperature drops. Black Crappie – Good: Find crappies around woody structures along shoreline; use a minnow under a bobber or a small spinnerbait. Bluegill – Good: Try a small jig with a small piece of worm under a bobber along rocky shoreline. Channel Catfish – Good: Trophy catfish abound in this lake. Use a squished minnow or worm fished close to the bottom near woody debris. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try crankbaits along rocky shoreline or along drop offs in the evening.
Water levels on area rivers and streams are normal this time of year. Weekend temperatures in the 60s to 40s at night. For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Big Woods Lake
Anglers are catching crappie and bluegill. Black Crappie - Fair: 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 - Fair: Try a piece of worm under a bobber near area structure or off the jetties.
Brinker Lake
Anglers are catching crappie. 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.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are catching channel catfish, smallmouth bass, and walleye. Black Crappie - Fair: Find brush piles or rip-rap along shorelines with a crappie minnow under a slip bobber or vertical jigging various colored tube jigs. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try chubs fished on the river bottom below snags or other structure. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use lead head jigs with twister tails. Walleye - Good: 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.
Manchester District Streams
Rainbow trout stockings are on schedule. Brown trout fishing is 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 - Fair: Use live or artificial tackle. Walleye - Fair: Cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with a nightcrawler.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
No fishing information this week.
South Prairie Lake
Fishing has been fair on crappie and bluegill. Black Crappie - Fair: 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 - Fair: Use a piece of worm under a bobber near structure or off the shoreline.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Anglers are catching walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, and smallmouth bass. Channel Catfish - Good: Try dead cut baits, stink baits, and chicken livers above woody snags. Northern Pike - Good: Cast and retrieve artificial crankbaits or spoons near woody structure. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try lead head jigs with twister tails. Walleye - Good: Use crankbaits off of the edge of sandbar drop-offs.
Interior rivers are at usual levels this time of year and are providing fair walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike, crappie and channel catfish angling. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls are producing catches of panfish. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For more, contact Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is near 7.8 feet at Lansing and is predicted to remain stable next week. Water temperature is 62 degrees. Boaters should use caution in low water to avoid backing off the end of the ramp at New Albin. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill moved off spawning beds into deeper water. Use light tackle on flooded shorelines and weed beds. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching channel cats on crawlers and stink bait. Flathead Catfish - Good: Use live bluegill or shiners in tailwaters of 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 backwaters. Northern Pike - Fair: Try fishing the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. 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 the edge of cuts in 6-8 feet of water.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 612.3 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to fall to 612 feet next week. Water temperature is 65 degrees. Boat ramps at Noble's Island, Marquette, McGregor, Bussey Lake, and Sny Magill are open. Avoid backing off the ramp during low water conditions. 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 - Excellent: 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 4.1 feet at Guttenberg in the tailwaters and is expected to remain there next week. Water temperature is 63 degrees at the Lock & Dam. Turkey River Landing has been temporarily inaccessible due to a road closure for RR crossing work. Guttenberg City, 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. 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 have fallen slightly and remain extremely low. Boaters should use caution to avoid backing off the end of ramps. Water temperatures are in the 60s. Water clarity is good.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is stable at 4.5 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 7.1 feet at the RR bridge. Water is clear. Water temperature is around 63 degrees. Black Crappie - Good: Crappie are starting to show up in the creel; use minnows in brush piles in the larger sloughs. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills can be difficult to find in low water; concentrate your efforts along deeper rocky banks or tree falls. Channel Catfish - Excellent: The bite remains good; most anglers are using stink bait. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Use big crayfish to catch big drum. Try a simple egg sinker worm rig in areas of moderate current. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass are stacked up along shoreline weed edges. Northern Pike - Fair: Lots of small young of the year pike have been reported lately. This bodes well for the future of pike fishing. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Try small crankbaits or spinners along rock lines. Walleye - Good: 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 stable near 4.0 feet at Bellevue. Water temperature is 65 degrees. The water is clear. Black Crappie - Good: Crappie are starting to show up in the creel; use minnows in brush piles in the larger sloughs. Bluegill - Excellent: Some sorting may be needed to find nicer bluegill; many are being caught with worm rigs along the main channel shoreline. Channel Catfish - Excellent: The bite remains good; most anglers are using stink bait. Flathead Catfish- Fair: Some nice flathead catfish are still being caught occasionally in the tailwaters. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are a consistent biter in moderate current areas; use an egg sinker and worm rig. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Find weedlines 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. You need to be in areas with strong current. Walleye - Good: Use crankbaits on the wing-dams. White Bass - Excellent: Try white jigs or small spinners in the Bellevue tailwaters.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is stable at 4.4 feet at Fulton, 9.2 feet at Camanche and 4.2 feet at LeClaire. The water is clear. Water temperature is around 65 degrees. Black Crappie - Good: Crappie are starting to show up in the creel; use minnows in brush piles in the larger sloughs. Bluegill - Excellent: Some sorting may be needed to find nicer bluegill; many are being caught with worm rigs along the main channel shoreline. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try stink baits in moderate current in 2-8 feet of water. Move often if you do not find fish. Floating nightcrawlers along rock lines can produce some nice channel cats. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Worm rig with egg sinker fished along shore in moderate current will catch this consistent biter. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Frog lures and spinnerbaits work best. Northern Pike - Fair: Many small pike are being reported which bodes well for the future of pike fishing. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Use spinners or jigs next to rock lines with strong current. White Bass - Excellent: Try flashy spinners or small white jigs along shorelines near the tailwater.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is stable at 4.0 feet at Rock Island. The water is clear. Water temperature is around 66 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. Pool 15 can be an overlooked spot for smallmouth; you need be along the abundant rock lines in moderate to fast current. Smallies live in rock areas with current.
Water levels are low. Boaters should use caution to avoid backing off end of ramps. Fall fishing can be great on the River right until ice in. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is steady at 3.96 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities. Channel Catfish - No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Try cut shad or dip baits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wing-dams. With lower water conditions, look for catfish toward the ends of the wing-dams where there is more flow. Sauger - No Report: We have not received any reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam and in Sylvan Slough. Fishing should improve as water temperatures fall. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams; cast or troll crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes towards the ends of the wing-dams where there is more current. White 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.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is steady at 3.62 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. Channel Catfish - No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Try cut shad or dip baits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wing-dams. With lower water conditions, look for catfish toward the ends of the wing-dams where there is more flow. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Try around logs in areas like Big Timber. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams; cast or troll crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes towards the ends of the wing-dams where there is more current. White 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.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is steady at 2.96 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Channel Catfish - No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Try cut shad or dip baits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wing-dams. With lower water conditions, look for catfish toward the ends of the wing-dams where there is more flow. Sauger - No Report: We have not received any reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam. Fishing should improve as water temperatures fall. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams; cast or troll crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes towards the ends of the wing-dams where there is more current. White 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.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 0.90 feet and falling at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Channel Catfish - No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Try cut shad or dip baits. Channel catfish can also be caught fishing the wing-dams. With lower water conditions, look for catfish toward the ends of the wing-dams where there is more flow. Sauger - No Report: We have not received any reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam. Fishing should improve as water temperatures fall. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams; cast or troll crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes towards the ends of the wing-dams where there is more current. White 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.
Tailwater stages have been steady to falling slightly this past week. River conditions are low. Main channel water temperature is around 68 degrees. Water clarity is fair. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is 70 degrees. Black Crappie - Fair: Most crappies are in deeper water. They are starting to be more active on the bite. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are a bit more aggressive. Continue fishing in 4-6 feet of water; most have not moved in much shallower. Just the little ones have moved in shallower.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is 70 degrees. Black Crappie - Fair: Most crappies are out in 10-12 feet of water, despite the cooler weather. Try drifting or slow trolling small jigs to find them. Bluegill - Fair: They are moving into shallower water, but mostly in 4-5 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Good: Look for them to be hunting around the rocks on the jetties and the face of the dam. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are starting to work into a little shallower water. Try off the ends of jetties at the bottom of rock and over the mounds at the upper end of the lake.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is in the mid-60s. Most fish remain out in deeper water. Black Crappie - Fair: Most crappies are around the cedars and trees in deeper water. Find a few small schools around the rock piles in 6-8 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: A decent number of bluegills on the rock piles in 5-6 feet of water are of decent size. Most in much shallower are small. Channel Catfish - Fair: Find the culvert piles and you should be able to find the catfish. Chicken liver or cut bait works well this time of year.
Lake Geode
Water temperature is 68 degrees. Water clarity is about 3 feet. Black Crappie - Good: Little schools of crappies are holding around the habitat in about 6 feet of water. Many more are still out in 8-10 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: Earlier this week very few of any size were in shallow; most are out in 4-6 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Fair: They have moved out to deeper water. Largemouth Bass - Fair. Bass are starting to work in shallower to hunt little bluegills and green sunfish in around the tree falls in the lake. Many more are still out in about 6 feet of water.
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-60s. Water clarity decent, but still with a green cast. Bluegill - Fair: With the falling water temperatures you would expect bluegills to movie in shallow, but they are content to stay out in10-12 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Find them in the flooded brush out in 4-6 feet of water; that's where the little bluegills are.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Central Park Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Fish are scattered and in deeper water. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try live bait on the bottom. Largemouth Bass - Good. Redear Sunfish - Slow: Best bite is evening and after dark.
Coralville Reservoir
Lake level is 685.3 feet and slowly rising. Water temperature are in the mid-60s. Black Crappie - Good: Try jigs or minnows along rock walls or over brush piles. Channel Catfish - Fair: Troll cut bait in the channel. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try crankbaits or spinnerbaits along rocky tapering shorelines. White Crappie - Good: Use jigs or minnows along rock walls or over brush piles.
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Water temperatures are in the mid-60s. Black Crappie - Fair: Look for fish suspended 5-10 feet over deeper water. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegill in mid depths; they are moving shallower. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try stink baits in the evening. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Find bass in mid depths; they are moving shallower.
Lake Macbride
Any sized motor may be used at 5 mph or less. Water temperatures are in the miid-60s. Black Crappie - Good: Try jigs or minnows around brush in 8-15 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: Use worms or small jigs on rock bars or around stumps. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait, livers or crawlers. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try fishing near shallow to mid-depth structure. Spotted bass - Good: Try fishing along shallow rock. Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits or live bait rigs over rock or windblown banks. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Slow: Try windblown banks or open water during the day. Look for surface activity in the morning and evenings.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The fish cleaning station and modern bathrooms are closed for the season. Pit toilets are available. Docks will stay in until ice up. Black Crappie - Fair: Use minnows around brush. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs or worms near shore. Walleye - Fair. Try crankbaits or jigs and minnows in the evening and after dark. White Bass - Fair: Use small crankbaits in the evening and after dark.
Union Grove Lake
There is an algae bloom going on with the dying vegetation. Black Crappie - Fair: Try jigs or minnows in 5-10 feet of open water over the basin. Bluegill - Good: Catch 6- to 9-inch bluegills along rocky shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try fishing shorelines and rocky jetties to catch 1-2 pound fish.
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
River levels are low. Use caution at the Pinicon Ridge boat ramp. Smallmouth Bass - Fair. Use crankbaits or soft plastics along rocky areas with current. Walleye - Good: Try crankbaits or jigs in holes behind sandbars.
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. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use plastics around the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines.
Lake Keomah
Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project. Please keep out of the lake bed. Conditions of dried silt give the appearance of solid ground, but the soils are very soft.
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. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use 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. These fish should move shallower around cedar tree piles as the water cools. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs around brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use plastics and crankbaits around the brush piles and rip-rapped shoreline.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 903.57 msl; 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. Target brush piles in 15-20 feet of water. Trolling for suspended crappies can also be effective. As the water cools, try around docks and shallow brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Try trolling crankbaits or crawler harnesses around rock piles and the old river channel. 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 submerged islands.
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 - Fair: Try plastics around the fishing jetties and along the face of the dam.
Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye - Fair: Cast jigs tipped with live minnows, twister tails or swim baits below Saylorville dam, the city dams, and any deeper pool with some slow current.
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 in 2-6 feet of water away from shore.
Hickory Grove Lake
Black Crappies - Good: Try slowly trolling small twister tail or swim baits in 3-6 feet of water in the upper two thirds of the 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.
Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good: Drift cut baits or dead shad near and just 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.
Greenfield Lake
Black Crappie - Good. Anglers are catching some 10-inch crappies around the jetties. Channel Catfish - No Report: Greenfield has a good population of channel catfish. Largemouth Bass - Fair.
Lake Anita
Water clarity is good. Black Crappie - Fair: Black crappie are being caught slow trolling. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Bluegill - Good: Slow troll small jigs to catch 8-inch bluegill. Tipping with a nightcrawler or Berkley helps. The north arm and around the beach is a good place to start. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Meadow Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Find 9-inch black crappies in the cedar tree piles. Bluegill - Good: Anglers are catching bluegills around the reefs. Fish average 8-inches.
Mormon Trail Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try topwater baits early in the morning then switch to plastics in deeper water.
Prairie Rose Lake
Water clarity is poor. Black Crappie - No report: 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 - Fair.
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 boat ramps. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 7.5-inches with jigs tipped with live bait in shallow coves.
Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Black Crappie - Fair. Try jigs tipped with live bait fished near rock fields or creek channels to catch all sizes of crappie. Bluegill - Slow. Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished in 8-10 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use finesse plastics near cedar tree brush piles to catch all sizes of largemouth bass.
Three Mile Lake
Lake level is 11 feet below normal pool. Boat ramp lanes are out of the water at the main boat ramp.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Bluegill - Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished in shallow coves.
West Lake (Osceola)
Lake level increased with recent rains, but still is about 1 feet below normal. Boaters can use the boat ramps at their own risk.
Water temperatures are in the mid-60s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. For more information, call Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
