For immediate release: June 28, 2012
www.iowadnr.gov | facebook.com/iowadnr | twitter.com/iowadnr
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The 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.
NORTHWEST
Nelson Park Lake
The invasive plant species brittle naiad is present at Nelson Park. Please make sure to inspect and clean boat trailers, boats, and lower units to avoid transferring the plant species to other bodies of water.
Yellow Smoke Park Lake
The invasive plant species brittle naiad is present at Yellow Smoke Lake. Please make sure to inspect and clean boat trailers, boats, and lower units to avoid transferring the plant species to other bodies of water.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
The invasive plant species brittle naiad is present at Crawford Creek. Please make sure to inspect and clean boat trailers, boats, and lower units to avoid transferring the plant species to other bodies of water.
Moorhead Park Pond
Moorhead Pond was renovated in 2009 and restocked. The panfish are now at a size worth keeping. Fishing for bluegill, crappie, and bass has been good. Most of the bass are a sub-legal size, though. The invasive plant species brittle naiad is present at Moorhead Park Pond. Please make sure to inspect and clean boat trailers, boats, and lower units to avoid transferring the plant species to other bodies of water. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are still catching fair numbers of bluegill with some crappie mixed in.
Brushy Creek Lake
Fishing continues to be good for many species. The invasive plant species brittle naiad is present at Brushy Creek. Please make sure to inspect and clean boat trailers, boats, and lower units to avoid transferring the plant species to other bodies of water. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are still catching bluegill, but many of them are small. Crappie - Good: Fishing continues to be good for crappie. Anglers are reporting limits, but most of the fish are between 7 and 9 inches. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are still catching walleye. Focus on the rock piles and use leeches under a slip bobber.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Fishing has slowed down dramatically over the last week. Boaters should use caution on Storm Lake. The hydraulic dredge is in operation in the east basin of the lake. There is a pipeline running from the dredge to the shoreline and may rise to the surface at times.
North Twin Lake
Yellow bass continue to bite and a few crappies are being picked up.
Swan Lake
Water levels are low on Swan Lake.
Black Hawk Lake
The lake is about eight inches below crest. Bullhead - Good: Bullheads can be caught on nightcrawlers or leeches. The bullheads are mostly between 10 and 11 inches and they are abundant. Channel Catfish - Good: Fish the windy shorelines close to shore and use crawdads for bait.
Great Western Park Lake
The invasive plant species brittle naiad is present at Great Western Park. Please make sure to inspect and clean boat trailers, boats, and lower units to avoid transferring the plant species to other bodies of water.
Southwood Conservation Area Pond (east)
Bluegill, bass, and catfish are biting. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are being caught the same way as bluegill. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are biting on a jig baited with a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are being picked up with crankbaits.
For more information, contact Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.
Briggs Woods Lake
Anglers are catching largemouth bass using crawlers and twisters.
Lower Pine Lake
Largemouth bass are biting on buzz baits and surface baits. Bluegills and crappies are biting on wax worms.
Upper Pine Lake
Largemouth bass are biting on buzz baits and surface baits. Anglers are picking up bluegills and crappies using wax worms.
Clear Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught with live bait fished over the rock reefs. Crappie - Fair: Panfish are entering summer patterns. Some crappies are being picked up on minnows. Walleye - Fair: Walleye are being caught while drifting with live bait over rock reefs and in the west end of the main basin in 8 to 10 feet of water. Yellow Bass - Fair: Anglers are picking up some yellow bass while drifting live bait and cut bait in 8 to 10 feet of water around rock reefs and in the west end of the main basin. Note: The boat ramps at McIntosh Woods State Park and Ventura Access (Lynn Lorenzen Park) on Clear Lake have reopened after workers installed concrete pad extensions to eliminate scour holes that developed at the end of the ramps.
Lake Cornelia
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught on stink bait and live bait. Crappie - Fair: Anglers reported catching 6 to 10-inch crappies using twisters. Walleye - Fair: Walleye are biting on live bait and twisters.
Little Wall Lake
Anglers are having success catching channel catfish with chicken livers fished during early mornings and evenings.
Crystal Lake
Bluegill fishing is good. Bluegills are being picked up along the edges of weed beds in 5 to 8 feet of water. Fish these areas with a small tube jig or jigs tipped with bait. Anglers are also catching largemouth bass with spinner baits fished along weed beds. A few walleyes are being caught on jigs tipped with live bait.
Bluebill Lake
Anglers are having success catching bluegills up to 9 inches and crappies 9 to 11 inches. Largemouth bass less than 11 inches are being picked up with spinners and crawlers. A few channel catfish are being caught while drifting with live bait.
For more fishing information in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Mill Creek (Lake)
Many 10-inch bullheads and bluegills up to 7 inches were captured during a recent fish survey. Largemouth bass numbers were also good with many 10 to 14-inchers and a few larger ones mixed in.
Big Spirit Lake
With recent rains and warm temperatures the water clarity has declined, but the spillway is now running. Bullhead - Good: There have been lots of bullheads caught off the north grade and a few at Templar Park. Most were coming on worms but minnows and leaches also caught a few. Northern Pike - Fair: With warmer water temperatures northern pike should become more difficult to catch but they will still be hanging out along weed edges. Casting or trolling along or near these weed edges should produce the best action. White Bass - Fair: Look for schools of white bass breaking the surface in the morning and afternoon, once located a popper or minnow bait should get some action. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Some of the bigger smallmouth are being caught on weed edges but the rock piles are still producing a few. Largemouth Bass - Fair: The largemouth are still being found near weeds but some are also starting to disperse to other areas in the lake. Yellow Perch - Slow: Action has picked up a bit look for most perch in deeper water on mudflats. Walleye - Fair: Leeches and night crawlers seemed to be the choice bait by most fishermen with minnows bringing some success as well. Trolling crank baits in the 10 to 20 foot range has been another good tactic.
East Okoboji Lake
With the spillway now running many fishermen are targeting the north end of the lake. Bullhead - Fair: Try using worms on bottom. Walleye - Fair: Try fishing near bottom with crawlers and leeches or trolling crankbaits. Twister tails can also be productive. Yellow Bass - Good: Many yellow bass are being caught try looking for rocks and wood and use small baits.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Channel Catfish - No Report: Try using cut bait or stink bait around cover for cats and don't be surprised to catch a few big bullheads as well. White Bass - Fair: A few white bass are being caught out of the lake look for fish hitting the surface or cast the shoreline with minnow baits.
West Okoboji Lake
Try fishing early in the morning to avoid boat traffic. Northern Pike - Fair: Find weed beds and you have found the pike try using spoons or most anything resembling a minnow and don't forget the steel leader. Bluegill - Good: Action is picking up in the main lake around docks but there are still a good number of fish in the canals. Try using small jigs coupled with light line and a small bobber. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: A few smallies have been caught off rock piles but fish spook easily in the clear water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish are still in the canals but there are a few being caught in the bays around the weed beds. Walleye - Fair: A few fish were caught trolling crankbaits as well as live bait rigs with crawlers and leeches.
Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Fair: The water temperature is holding in the mid 60s and the bite hasn't slowed. Good results have come in 10-15 feet of water with many small fish being caught. Try trolling crawler harnesses or drifting with either live bait or jigging with specialty plastics designed for walleye. Yellow Bass - Good: There are some good sized yellow bass in the lake and they can be caught using crappie sized baits. Try using twister tails, crappie tubes, and live bait to catch a batch of these tasty fish.
A reminder to bow fishermen please dispose of your fish properly and it is unlawful to sell fish. With the summer season upon us remember to be courteous to fellow lake users. For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the Spirit Lake Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Lots of fishing for catfish at sundown and into the night. Channel Catfish - Good: Try using stink bait, worms or chicken liver on a hook and let it sit on the bottom. Catfish are spawning so be aware that the fish may have abrasions causing discoloration on their fins and bellies. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are using little jigs or worms fished under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - No Report:
Lake Hendricks
Water temperatures are in the low 80s and green algae blooms have started. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are taking nightcrawlers fished in the evening. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers are having best success using small plastic lures slowly trawled in the old creek channel. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - Fair: Anglers have been catching some crappies on the south side of the lake.
Lake Meyer
Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have been using chicken liver and stink bait. Try areas with stumps or other woody structure. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill are being caught on small poppers. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw scum frogs in the vegetation at dusk.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are low and fish are concentrated in deeper holes. Walleye, smallmouth bass, sauger and northerns can be caught on half of a nightcrawler or ringworms floated under splitshot. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish are hitting nightcrawlers. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Walleye - Fair:
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Fish have been slow to the bite this week. Channel Catfish - Slow: Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Walleye - Slow:
Decorah District Streams
Most Northeast Iowa streams are currently low and very clear - a cautious approach and presentation is beneficial. Trout have already been taken on grasshopper patterns. There have been good hatches of #18 Blue Wing Olives. Caddisflies have been hatching toward dusk. Trout have also been taken on #16 and #14 Soft-Hackle wet fly patterns. A #16 Adams can be a good daytime searching pattern when no flies appear to be hatching.
Water levels continue to drop on area rivers and streams but are fishable. Trout fishing is excellent with large numbers of insect hatches occurring. Remember to drink plenty of water with this extreme hot weather. Contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324 for more information or just to let us know what you're catching.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Pool 9 river stage at Lansing is 11.4 feet and is predicted to rise slowly over the next week to 11.7 feet. Due to high water, the boat ramp at New Albin is closed. Northern Pike - Fair: As water temperature warms, look for pike to move towards cold water springs and creek inlets. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel cat fishing should be getting better. Now is the time when stink bait becomes very effective. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flatheads are beginning to spawn and some reports of nicer fish are being caught using a live chub or bluegill in the evening. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are actively feeding but high water has them scattered. Try vertical jigging small pieces of worm in snags with low flow. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth are active in the high water around rock outcroppings with moderate current. Inline spinner baits will entice some bites. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are active in the newly emerging weed beds in the backwaters but are also feeding in side channels. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum (sheephead) are nice size and actively biting on worms drifted along the sand flats and off-shore.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level and Lynxville is 19.2 feet and expected to rise to 20.3 feet by next week. The boat ramp at Sny Magill is open. Northern Pike - Fair: As water temperature warms, look for pike to move towards cold water springs and creek inlets. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel cat fishing should be getting better. Now is when stink bait becomes very effective. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flatheads are moving in to spawn and biting on live chubs or small bluegills. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are feeding but finding active fish may take some moving around. Bluegill fishing has been good near the boat ramp in Bussey Lake and in Johnson Slough in Sny Magill. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth are active in the high water around rock outcroppings with moderate current. Inline spinner baits will entice some bites. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are active in the newly emerging weed beds in the backwaters but are also feeding in side channels. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum (sheephead) are nice size and actively biting on worms drifted along the sand flats and off-shore.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg is 12 feet and expected to rise to 12.4 feet by next week. The gates at the lock and dam in Guttenberg have been raised but stable water has produced decent shoreline fishing in the upper pool. Northern Pike - Good: As water temperature warms, look for pike to move towards cold water springs and creek inlets. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel cat fishing should be getting better. Now is when stink bait becomes very effective. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flatheads are beginning to spawn and some reports of nicer fish are being caught using a live chub or bluegill as bait in the evening. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are feeding but high water may make it hard to find active fish. Bluegill fishing has been good near the Wisconsin side of the tail waters in Guttenberg. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth are active in the high water around rock outcroppings with moderate current. Inline spinner baits will entice some bites. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are active in the newly emerging weed beds in the backwaters but are also feeding in side channels. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum (sheephead) are nice size and actively biting on worms drifted along the sand flats and off-shore.
Water levels on the Upper Mississippi are high and expected to rise slightly over the next week. A slow rise can bring good shoreline fishing in the upper ends of the pools, but once the water gets up onto the islands finding active fish may be more difficult. Water temp is near 80 degrees.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water clarity is fair and water level in Dubuque by Lock and Dam is at 9 feet and is expected to rise to 10 feet by the end of next week. Water temperature is around 81 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being taken off the rocks using crawlers and leeches floated under a bobber. The Yo-Yo in water levels seems to be hindering the bite on channels as it should be good fishing for them right now. Flathead Catfish - Good: Some nice flathead catfish are being incidentally caught in many locations, maybe preparing to spawn soon. Trot liners also catching some nice catfish on large live bait. Bluegill - Fair: At times nice bluegills are being reported out of places like Fish Lake but a return to high water levels may make it difficult to find the fish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers were reporting catching decent numbers of largemouth bass off the rock piles. Lately most bass have been small but some nice fish are being reported. Walleye - Fair: In higher water fish closer to shore on the wing dams or choose the ones with less flow over them (last in a series, for example). A few are being caught on the wing dams most by pitching jigs. Freshwater Drum - Good: Egg sinker and worm rigs along sand bars has been good for drum. When eaten fresh they can make fine table fare. The size of the drum seems to be exceptional this year. The nice thing about drum is that they bite during all water conditions.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water clarity has been poor. Water level in Bellevue is 10 feet and expected to rise to least 11 feet by the end of next week. Water temperature is around 81 degrees. Some bowfin (dogfish) are being caught in the Green Island Wildlife area. These fish produce a very hard fight and are fun to catch. Please if you do not wish to keep them, throw them back into the water and NOT on the bank. Bullhead - Good: Black bullheads are being caught in all cells of the Green Island Wildlife area. Most are small but some nicer fish are being reported. Northern Pike - Good: Some anglers are targeting pike in the mouths of tributary streams and in the tail water. Pike angling should remain strong over the next few months as the pike population in Pool 13 is very strong. Channel Catfish - Fair: Cat fishing has been fair on cut bait and worms. Changing water levels have made spawning catfish a little harder to find. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flatheads are biting on presentations of large live bait. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Muddy water has hindered bass fishing but some still are being caught. Fish along exposed rock piles and behind fallen trees. Some bass are being caught in Spring lake along the edges of the now early growing weed lines. Use frog patterns on these fish. Crappie - Slow: A couple of crappies were reported in the creel this week. This is the first mention of this species by anglers in quite some time. Walleye - Fair: Some nice sized walleyes were being caught on the wing dams but murky water continues to hamper the bite. Learn to use a three-way swivel rig with one line to a sinker and another line to a worm rig. Pull this along the upstream side of the wing dams for best results. In high water fish close to shorelines. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum (also called sheepshead or perch) have been biting well along sandy current areas. An egg sinker and worm rig is the best bet for this fish.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water clarity is poor. Water level in Fulton is 9 feet and on the rise again. Water levels are expected to be at 10 feet or higher by the end of next week. Water temperature is around 81 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some nice catfish are still being reported. Most catfish are being caught on cut bait but some are also being taken on leeches and night crawlers fished on the rocks. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead catfish are being taken on trot lines using large live bait such as bullheads. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill are at times being found in Sunfish and Cattail Slough mostly on worm rigs. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some bass are being caught along rock piles in the tail water areas on spinners. Muddy water is hindering catch a bit but some still can be caught. Freshwater Drum - Good: Some nice sized drum are being reported. Try an egg sinker and worm rig for best results.
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels at LeClaire is at 6.6 feet and is now slowly rising. Water is stained. Water temperature is 81 degrees. Channel Catfish - No Report: Catfish are in their spawning areas in shallow water rocks. Anglers try floating lines using stink bait, shad guts or leaches for the best results. Variable water levels have been hindering fishing these areas however.
Water levels are now rising again in all areas of pools 12 to 15. At most dam sites the water level is expected to rise at least one foot during the week. Water temperature is around 81 degrees. Water clarity is fair to stained in most areas.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 9.06 feet. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing stink bait, cut bait, or nightcrawlers above snags along the main channel or flowing sloughs. White Bass - Fair: A few white bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough casting jigs and twister, small crankbaits, or small spinner baits. Bluegill - Fair: A few bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina with the rising river conditions. Try fishing with pieces of worm or wax worms under a bobber. We have received no bluegill fishing information from the Andalusia Island complex this week. Crappie - Fair: A few crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina with the rising river conditions. Try fishing with small jigs and a minnow or waxwork. We have received no crappie fishing information from the Andalusia Island complex this week. Walleye - No Report:
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 7.44 feet. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing stink bait and nightcrawlers above brush piles and snags along the main channel or flowing side channels. White Bass - No Report: Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing backwater areas like Big Timber with a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber around brush piles. Look for fish in deeper dredge cuts around submerged brush piles as well. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - Fair: Try fishing backwater areas like Big Timber around brush piles and logs along the shore or submerged brush piles in deeper water. Try using small jigs and minnows or minnows under a slip bobber. Look for crappies around brush piles and logs in the slower running sloughs as well. Walleye - No Report:
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 8.76 feet. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing with stink bait, shad, or nightcrawlers above brush piles and log jams along the main channel or flowing side channels. White Bass - Fair: There have been some reports of white bass being caught in Bell Pocket casting in-line spinners or small spinner baits. Bell Pocket is located in Sturgeon Bay/New Boston Bay. Bluegill - Fair: Try catching bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles and logs along the shoreline with a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber. Crappie - Fair: Try catching crappies in the backwaters around brush piles and logs along the shoreline. Submerged brush and logs can be good as well. Try using small jigs and minnows/plastics or minnows under a bobber. Look for crappies around brush piles and logs in the slower running sloughs too. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being caught on the wing dams. Try casting crankbaits or jigs and twisters on the upstream side of the win dams. Also try trolling crankbaits or three-way rigs on the upstream side of the wing dam as well.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 5.35 feet. Fishing has been slow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught on stink baits, shad, and nightcrawlers. Try fishing above snags along the main channel and flowing sloughs. White Bass - No Report: Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing in the backwaters has been slow. Look for crappies around brush piles and logs in the backwaters and slow running sloughs. A few crappies are being caught around the pumping stations. Walleye - No Report:
Pools 16-19: Tail water stages have been rising steadily over the past few days. Main channel water temperature has been around 80 degrees. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat before going to another water body. For more fishing information on Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Geode
Water temperature is in the low 80s. Look for fish to be in the thermocline in 6 to 8 feet of water for most of the day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are biting on stink baits and chicken liver. Fish along the edges of the weed beds early and late. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are in shallow early and then move out to the ledges during the day.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is running into the low 80s. Don't fish deeper than the thermocline 10 feet because there is no oxygen below that and neither is the fish. Bluegill - Fair: Fish early morning in the shallow rocky areas. They are in there feeding on the insects. By 10 a.m., the bite is over. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing remains very good. Again be there early or late the heat of the day is the end of the bite. Redear Sunfish - Fair: Anglers are picking up some big redears while they are catching bluegills. Use a small dark jig and work it real slow bouncing it off the rocks.
Pollmiller Park Lake
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Lots of nice catfish are being caught on stink bait and nightcrawlers. Bluegill - Good: Light tackle baited with wax worms or pieces of nightcrawler. Work the shallow water near the rip rap and brush piles.
Lake of the Hills
Remember Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park where live minnows are allowed. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Stink bait is hot for catfish along with nightcrawlers and liver fished off the points. Bluegill - Fair: The bluegills are down 3 to 4 feet. Use bobber and worm around the brush piles and the rip rap. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers looking for the bass should be using crankbaits along the rocks especially around the fishing jetty. Crappie - Fair: Anglers continue to catch a few crappies in the deeper water along the dam.
Railroad Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Work the old creek channel with stink baits and chicken liver. Bluegill - Good: Along 110th and the north side the bluegills are still biting on worms. Also look for some nice fish in the flooded timber on the other side. Crappie - Good: Crappies are a little farther out in the lake around the brush piles.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
There is still enough water to run the smaller boats and, as long as you avoid the sand bars, some larger ones. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching some nice catfish on stink baits and night crawlers. Of course, early morning and night time are the best times to fish this time of year.
Wilson Lake
Rainbow Trout - Fair: Even with the heat anglers are still picking up a few trout. Fish for them during the coolest parts of cloudy days.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The river is starting to get low enough to make boats have to work to get around. Channel Catfish - Good: Cat fishing has been good on stink baits and cut bait. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead fishing has been good around the deeper snags and cut banks.
Big Hollow Lake
Look for fish to be suspended in the flooded timber 5 to 7 feet down because there is little oxygen below that level. Surface water temperature is about 80 degrees. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up crappies out in the flooded timber using jigs.
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Hannen Lake
Crappie - Fair: Try drifting open water or fishing over deep brush with jigs. Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Be sure to check your boat and trailers for vegetation. The invasive plant Brittle Naiad is found here.
Iowa Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are still fairly shallow. Try a small jig or worm. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching crappie by drifting jigs in the main lake.
Lake Macbride
Water temperature is pushing 80 degrees and water clarity has lessened over the last couple weeks. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use crawlers or stink bait for best results. Some fish are still along shallow rock and weeds. Anglers are reminded to check their boats and trailers for vegetation, as the lake contains the invasive plant called brittle naiad.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Remember, there is an 18-inch minimum length limit to keep largemouth bass and a 40-inch minimum length limit to keep muskellunge. Water temperature is about 80 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Stink bait, livers, and cut bait have been catching nice catfish. White Bass - Fair: White jigs or minnows have been catching white bass. Early morning or late evening can be most productive with top water lures. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching nice bluegills in fairly shallow water with crawlers. Largemouth Bass - Good: Many artificial lures and crawlers are working for largemouth. Walleye - Good: Most fish are around 12 inches, but larger fish are available. Live bait rigs have been working best. Anglers are reminded to check their boats and trailers for vegetation, as the lake contains the invasive plant called Brittle Naiad.
Diamond Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Stink bait and chicken livers have been working well. Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig or worm around the jetties.
Otter Creek Lake
The fish cleaning station is now up and running. Channel Catfish - Good:
Union Grove Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Worms and stink bait have been producing catfish. Bluegill - Good: Try drifting jigs in the main lake basin. Largemouth Bass - Good: Top water baits have been working well. Crappie - Good: Try drifting jigs in the main lake basin. Please do not release any yellow bass that are caught here.
Coralville Reservoir
Currently the lake level is 683.3 feet which is normal summer pool. Channel Catfish - Fair: Crawlers and cut bait have been working best.
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Look for catfish in snaggy holes and try crawlers, stink bait, or cut bait.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Wapello
Channel catfish angling remains good. Anglers have experienced their best luck in the early evening hours. Stink bait has been the bait of choice.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill and redear sunfish continue to be caught along the weed line. Angling success has fallen off a bit as water temperature continues to climb and the big spring bluegill spawning season slows down. However, fishing is still good. Small tackle including small jigs with wax or garden worms seems to be working best. Catfish angling has improved. Anglers are finding catfish up to 5 pounds around the jetties with regularity. Largemouth bass angling has been fast-paced and fish up to 24 inches.
Lake Sugema
Largemouth bass fishing has been good as of late. Plastic baits along weed edges and timber has seen the most success. Catfish angling is improving and anglers are reporting fish up to 6 pounds. Bluegill fishing continues but has fallen off in the last week.
Rathbun Reservoir
Channel catfish angling is good entering the spawning season. Look for large numbers of channel cat along rocky habitat. Sometimes bait suspended just over the rocks seems to provide the best success. The Bridgeview area is one of the best producers from a boat. Walleye fishing continues but is somewhat slow. Live bait drifted over points and humps, especially in the island view and along the north shore seems to be paying off the most.
Water temperatures are increasing and fishing opportunities are changing. For more information call Mark Flammang at 641-647-2406.
SOUTHWEST
Don Williams Lake
Crappie - Fair: Crappie are in their summer pattern and are being caught drifting small tube jigs or minnows. Crappies can also be caught still fishing minnows over the shallower new habitat added last winter.
Big Creek Lake
White Bass - Good: Anglers wanting to target white bass should fish the upper end and the beach area casting crankbaits or top water poppers. Trolling small jigs has also been effective. Work the windblown shoreline on breezy days. Bluegill - Good: Decent bluegill fishing success is coming from fishing crawlers over the brush piles or drifting over the roadbeds. Bluegill can also be caught fishing the edges of the deeper weed beds at many locations along the west shoreline as you work south of the west boat ramp.
Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are being caught on crawlers on the pallet piles in eight feet of water or less. There are many good shallow pallets to fish north and west of the island.
Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Good: Good size bluegill can be caught drifting deeper water or fishing a small worm under a bobber near trees in deeper water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw spinner baits and crankbaits around the jetties or other rock shorelines. Crappie - Good: There is a good population of nice sized crappie that can still be caught by drifting small jigs and minnows near deep water and over the deep brush piles.
Red Rock Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish can be caught right now near any rock structure using cut baits, stink baits, or crawlers. White Bass - Good: White bass fishing has picked up with the heat. Troll lipless or shallow diving crankbaits to find the schools. Crappie - Fair: Some good size crappie are being caught casting or trolling small crankbaits near rocky points and wind sheltered coves.
Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Good sized channel cats are being caught drifting cut baits. The old river channel north of the mile long bridge is a good starting point. White Bass - Good: The white bass are active are can be caught around the Cherry Glen and Sandpiper areas using spoons, lipless and squarebill crankbaits.
Water temperature is in the low 80s and panfish are in summer patterns. It is a good time to drift mid lake for crappies and bluegills. Don't fish deeper than 10 to 12 feet. For more information on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.
Greenfield Lake
Bluegills and crappies can be caught drifting and around cedar tree piles. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around the jetties using shrimp. Bluegill - Fair: Drift open water with small jigs to catch 7 to 8-inch fish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Spinner baits and plastics are catching largemouth bass along the dam and jetties. Most fish are 12 to 15 inches. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being picked up in the brush piles using minnows.
Meadow Lake
Bluegill - Slow: The spawn is over but fish can still be caught around the underwater reefs with small jigs tipped with worms.
Nodaway Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish can be caught along the dam using liver or shrimp. Fish average two pounds. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught casting plastic baits along weed edges and into cedar tree piles. Crappie - Fair: Crappies can be caught in the brush piles using minnows.
Lake Anita
Aquatic vegetation is abundant because of the good water clarity. Water temperature is 78 degrees. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill spawn is over. Anglers need to fish open water brush piles and drift for 8 to 9-inch bluegills. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are having success fishing shallow coves with spinner baits and a slow retrieve. Fish are between 14 and 19 inches. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught vertical jigging the brush piles using minnows.
Viking Lake
Water temperature is 80 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish up to three pounds have been caught on dip bait. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are being caught around rock piles and sunken trees using a variety of plastic baits and crankbaits. Fish up to 19 inches have been reported.
Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa water temperature is 81 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught on dead chubs and liver. Fish average 2 pounds. Crappie - Fair: Minnows and small jigs have been the bait of choice on the west side of the lake and around docks. Fish 8-10 inches are common.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
There are numerous farm ponds in southern Iowa that can provide a quality fishing trip. Remember to always get permission to fish private farm ponds. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish can be caught around structure using dip baits. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills can be caught around structure and along the edge of weed lines this time of year. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are very aggressive now and readily caught casting a variety of lures and plugs along weed edges and around structure.
Water temperatures are in the upper 70s to low 80s. Catfish are spawning and close to shore in the rocks. Anglers should target open water structure for pan fish. For more information call the southwest Iowa district office in Lewis at 712-769-2587.
Lake Icaria
Water temperature is in the upper 70s. Bullhead - Good: Liver chunks or crawlers on the bottom work well to catch bullheads from the shallows. Channel Catfish - Good: The heavy rip rap areas are holding a lot of channel catfish. Crawlers and small bluegill drifted over these areas works very well. Bluegill - Fair: The fish mounds still produce a hold some bluegills. Very small jigs bounced up and down the sides work the best. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught from the flooded trees and deeper rock piles.
Little River Watershed Lake
The lake is down to allow completion of a shoreline rip rap project.
Fogle Lake S.W.A.
Water temperature is in the upper 70s.
Lake of Three Fires
Water temperature is in the upper 70s. Bluegill - Fair: A few bluegills are still near shore. Most have moved to the mounds and tree piles.
Green Valley Lake
The lake is still about three feet low. The ramps are easily accessible. The fish are ready to be caught. Channel Catfish - Fair: Several nice sized channel catfish are biting on crawlers suspended just off the bottom anywhere near rip rap or big rocks. Bluegill - Fair: Some nice bluegills are biting from the sides of the fish mounds and the sides of the jetties.
Summitt Lake
The lake has been drained to allow replacement of the spillway. Completion is expected by mid July.
Three Mile Lake
Water clarity is above normal. Water temperature is in the upper 70s. Bluegill - Fair: A few bluegills are being caught from the timber coves or the tops of the fish mounds. Walleye - Slow: The sides of the fish mounds and the old roadway between the ramps are holding some walleye.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Temperature is near 80 degrees. Bullhead - Good: Some really big bullheads can be caught from the shallows of the upper end on crawlers or liver. Bluegill - Fair: A few bluegills can be caught from the mounds, and rock reefs.
Water temperatures are near 80 degrees. The riprap areas are holding a lot of channel catfish.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKTVO