Iowa’s postcard spring weather continues to provide excellent fishing across the state and heading in to the Memorial Day weekend, one must have as part of any holiday plans is a fishing rod and bait.
“This spring has seen some of the best fishing over an extended period of time for different species at different lakes and streams and it just keeps going. It’s phenomenal,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Bureau.
Whether it’s crappies at Lake Rathbun, bluegills at Twelve Mile, walleyes at Spirit Lake, trout in northeast Iowa or bass in a farm pond, this spring has been one for the ages.
“The spawns have been like clockwork. When walleyes were done, the crappies came in, as the crappies are wrapping up here come the bluegills. Next up is bass and channel catfish. Anyone going camping or looking for something to do this weekend should bring their fishing pole and enjoy what we have going right now,” Larscheid said.
The unusually mild winter and early spring has moved the calendar up for fishing tactics. What normally works in June is working in May.
“We’ve seen catfish biting on cut bait and the scented baits a little earlier than normal. On our natural lakes, walleyes are taking leeches, which is usually more of a June technique. Water temperatures are more like June so anglers should fish like its June,” said Larscheid.
Adding a fish fry to the three day holiday weekend is a great way to head in to summer.
