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Top Iowa fishing spots for week of September 6, 2018

CLEAR LAKE – This weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.

MISSOURI RIVER
A button with a link to the Iowa DNR Master Angler website.
Late summer is a great time to catch big fish. Quickly find the best spots to catch Master Angler qualifying size fish with the electronic map on the Master Angler website. Click on “Map” above the photos or search for local hot spots by species or location.

NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 70’s. Water levels are 6 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 3-6 feet of water. Anglers have had luck fishing in Town Bay from the stone piers along Ice House Point and near the inlet bridge.Walleye – Slow: Try leeches or crawler harnesses around Ice House Point, the dredge cut near Denison Beach, and around the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point and the East Basin. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. Many anglers have found good bass action at the Ice House Point, the east shoreline, and the lake side of the inlet bridge. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use stink bait, cut bait, or crawler fished on the bottom along Ice House Point and in Town Bay, and along shore near the outlet. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use crawlers fished 3-4 feet below a bobber on the lake side of the inlet bridge and from the stone piers in Town Bay.

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky. Walleye – Fair: Use minnows and leaches in 15-20 feet of water. Yellow Perch – Fair: Find perch along the vegetation and deeper structure. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake.Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegills in 15-20 feet of water.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye – Fair: Boat anglers are picking up fish trolling crankbaits or drifting crawler harnesses on the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake in about 8 feet of water. White Bass – Fair: Use crankbaits; most action has been from boat while fishing dredge cuts.

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are in the low 70’s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish or troll with a tube jig or small minnow. Yellow Bass – Fair: Drift fish or troll with a small jig.

Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 73 degrees. Walleye – Slow: Troll crankbaits in 6 to 10 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Good: With recent rains, fish the areas where water is entering the lake with cut bait or crawlers after sunset. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift a jig and minnow over deeper submerged vegetation. Yellow Bass – Fair: Drift or troll a small jig tipped with cut bait or a minnow over the reefs until you find fish. Muskellunge – Fair: Fish the edge of the vegetation and near docks.

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift or troll small tube jigs or a minnow on the edge of the dredge cut. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use crankbaits.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass are biting on a variety of baits.

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish being caught. Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Walleye – Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Bluegill – Good: The bite has fluctuated with the changing weather, but persistence will be rewarded with good numbers caught.

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake.

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught with black crappie and yellow perch up to 10 inches mixed in the catch. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. Bluegill – Good: Recent surveys show numbers of fish approaching 7 inches in the lake. Black Crappie – Good: Recent surveys show numbers of angler acceptable size fish up to 10 inches in the lake.

Ocheyedan Pit #1
Channel Catfish – Fair: Recent surveys show good numbers of 17 -23 inch channel catfish.

Spirit Lake
Walleye – Fair: The fall walleye bite has begun with action improving. Yellow Perch – Good: Good numbers of angler acceptable size yellow perch continue to be caught; start shallow on the outside line of the weed beds.

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Rock piles in deeper water with stands of aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish.

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are rising after this week’s rain. Clarity is poor. Boating is not recommended. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for current water level information. Channel Catfish – Slow: Fresh food inputs from recent rain should turn the catfish bite on; use chicken liver or dead chubs.

Decorah District Streams
Without more rain, streams should clear enough to fish by the weekend.Small game hunting seasons opened in Iowa this week. Catchable stocking resumed this week on all streams. Listen to the trout stocking hotline (563-927-5736) for daily information. Brook Trout – Fair: A variety of aquatic and terrestrial insects, like ants and beetles, are more numerous. Use care not to spook a feeding fish. Brown Trout – Good: Hendrickson caddis and cranefly hatches are occurring. Crickets are common along streams now. Use hendrickson gnat or beadhead nymph patterns. Pale yellow, black, brown, and grey colors work best. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Try a piece of worm or small cheese chunk on a hook under a bobber in the deeper holes or floated past an undercut bank. A variety of small spinnerbaits work well.

French Creek
The bridge on Mays Prairie Road (CR X6A) is being replaced. Work is scheduled through mid-November. Access the parking lot from the south. Brown Trout – Good: The best time to fish French Creek is after rain events so fish will be less spooky. This stream rarely turns off color.

Lake Hendricks
Planktonic green algae bloom continues on the lake. Water temperatures are in the low 70’s. Cooler weather should help clear the bloom. Black Crappie – Fair: Slowly reel a minnow on a hook over structure. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try near submersed rocky habitat or depth contours in the early morning. Channel Catfish – Good: Use a large night crawler fished off the bottom near woody structure. Bluegill – Fair: Activity should pick up with cooler temperatures. Try a small jig tipped with small piece of worm off rocky shoreline or near submersed logs.

Lake Meyer
Lake clarity is poor after recent rain. Few people have been fishing. Bluegill – Slow: Use a hook tipped with a small piece of worm or cricket under a bobber near weed edges. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stink bait or cut baits fished just off the bottom in the evening. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use topwater baits along weed edges on overcast days and late evenings. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a jig and minnow near submersed structure.

Osborne Pond
Osborne Pond is currently being renovated. The dam was breached in July and a water retention basin installed. Material will be removed over the winter and new habitat installed in the spring. After repairs to the dam are made, it will be allowed to fill. The pond will then be restocked with bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
The Turkey River continues to rise and is muddy. Flows remain high. Boating is not recommended. Visit the USGS Current Condition website for more information.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water level crested at Decorah with poor clarity. Visit the USGS Current Water Data website for more information. Paddling activities are not recommended.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water clarity is poor. Water levels crested. Current velocities are very swift. Paddling activities are not recommended. Visit the USGS Current Conditions website for more information.

Volga Lake
The algae bloom continues, but should clear with cooling temperatures. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a small piece of worm along rocky shorelines.Black Crappie – Slow: Slowly retrieve a lure over structure at dawn and dusk. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use topwater lures over structure or run a jig tipped with a twister tail along a rocky shoreline. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use stink bait worms or cut baits fished off the bottom in the evening near woody structure.

Beautiful weather for the weekend. Temperatures ranging from mid-70’s for highs to low 50’s. Area rivers and streams are out of their banks and muddy after recent rain events. Trout streams are currently off color, but should clear by the weekend. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Big Woods Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try finding structure; use a crappie minnow under a slip bobber at various depths.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Casey Lake is in good condition with clear water. Vegetation remains abundant around edges, but it is starting to die back. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing various depths with a piece of crawler under a bobber near the edge of weeds or structure.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River received a fair amount of rain this past week; there have been no angling reports.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River received a fair amount of rainfall this past week; there have been no angling reports.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River received a fair amount of rain this past week; there have been no angling reports. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use stink baits in the top or upstream end of log jams.

South Prairie Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try finding structure; use a crappie minnow under a slip bobber at various depths.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River received a fair amount of rainfall this past week; there have been no angling reports. Northern Pike – Good: Cast large bucktail spinners.

All of northeast Iowa rivers and streams are running high and muddy with the recent rainfalls. Interior rivers will remain high and muddy for quite some time. Trout streams will fall quickly and begin to clear as this wet pattern moves out of Iowa. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing has risen to 10.1 feet and is expected to reach 11.2 feet next week. Water temperature is near 74 degrees. The Lansing Village Creek ramp is closed through October. For more updates, call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156. Walleye – Fair: Water levels are rising; you will need to move around to find walleyes. Use a 3-way rig with a floating jig and a worm. Yellow Perch – No Report: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike – No Report: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass – Slow: The bass bite has slowed with the poor water clarity this week. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: The bite has slowed with the poor water clarity this week. White Bass – Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie – Slow: Expect the crappie bite to pick up after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs.

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville is up several feet at 18.9 feet. It is expected to reach 20.3 feet next week. Water temperature is 74 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Walleye- Fair: Water levels are rising; you need to move around to find walleyes. Use a 3-way rig with a floating jig and a worm. Yellow Perch – No Report: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike -No Report: This time of year pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Largemouth Bass – Slow: The bass bite has slowed with the poor water clarity this week. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: The bass bite has slowed with the poor water clarity this week. White Bass – Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in the main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill – Fair: Find the bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie – Slow: Expect the crappie bite to pick up after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has risen 4 feet to 11.6 feet and is expected to reach 13.3 feet next week. Water temperature is 67 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Walleye – Fair: Water levels are rising; you need to move around to find walleyes. Use a 3-way rig with a floating jig and a worm. Yellow Perch – No Report: Perch bite has been spotty, but some nicer ones are being caught with live minnow rigs. Northern Pike – No Report: This time of year, pike are attracted to cooler water coming in from springs and tributaries. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or stink bait in the main and side channel borders. Largemouth Bass – Slow: The bass bite has slowed with the poor water clarity this week. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: The bass bite has slowed with the poor water clarity this week. White Bass – Fair: Cast flashy spinners or crankbaits along the rocks in main channel current for big white bass. Bluegill – Slow: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are actively biting in areas of current. Drop a heavily weighted worm rig into the current for some big fish action. Black Crappie – Slow: Expect the crappie bite to pick up after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs.

Upper Mississippi River level is high and still rising with the addition of flooding tributaries. Water clarity is poor with a lot of floating vegetation and debris. Water temperatures are in the low to mid 70’s.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels will rise to around 12.1 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 14.3 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is around 74 degrees. Channel Catfish – Good:Try stink bait or worms near shore. Channel cats feed heavily near shore during flooded conditions. Freshwater Drum – Good: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out relatively near shore in moderate current areas. Bluegill – Fair: Try finding clear water in the upper reaches of backwater areas; use worms and bobber.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level will drop to around 13.4 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is poor; avoid all the tributary streams as they are muddy. The water temperature is around 74 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Move often if you are not finding catfish. Freshwater Drum – Good: The drum bite is on. Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas. Fish near the shorelines if possible.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are predicted to rise to 13.6 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 15.7 feet at Camanche and 9.7 feet at the LeClaire. It will rise into “action” flood stages in some areas. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is around 74 degrees. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stink bait or worms near shore or along brush piles. Channel cats feed heavily in flooded waters. Freshwater Drum – Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels are predicted to rise to around 16.5 feet at Rock Island. This will be in “moderate” flood stages. Water clarity is poor. The water temperature is around 74 degrees. Channel Catfish – No Report: Try stink bait or worms near shore. Fish near shore in flooded waters. Freshwater Drum – No Report: Use an egg sinker and worm rig fished near shore in moderate current areas.

Water has risen significantly this week. Logs and debris will be common, so be careful boating. Avoid tributary streams as they are running muddy.If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 14.83 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is forecast to reach flood stage sometime today. Flood stage is 15 feet. River level is forecast to reach 16.5 feet by Monday. River level at Fairport is 14.86 feet; flood stage is 14 feet. The boat ramps at Clark’s Ferry and Shady Creek are closed due to high water. The docks have been pulled out at the Fairport Recreational area due to high water. Fishing has been slow.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 13.96 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is forecast to reach flood stage by the weekend. River stage is currently forecast to reach 15.9 feet by early next week. Flood stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 15 feet. River stage at Muscatine is 15.61 feet and forecast to reach 17.8 feet by Monday. Flood stage at Muscatine is 16 feet. The Kilpeck Landing is closed. Big Timber is also closed due to high water. Fishing has been slow.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 15.49 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is rising. Flood stage is 15 feet. River level is forecast to reach 18.1 feet by Tuesday. River level at Keithsburg is 14.63 feet and forecast to reach 16.8 feet by Tuesday. Flood stage at Keithsburg is 14 feet. Toolsboro landing is closed due to high water. Ferry Landing is closed. Water will be over the Hawkeye dolbee parking lot. Fishing has been slow.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 10.74 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is forecast to reach 13.5 feet by Tuesday. Flood stage is 10 feet. River level at Burlington is 15.48 feet and forecast to reach 17.7 feet early next week. Floodstage at Burlington is 15 feet. River stage at Fort Madison is 527.87 feet and flood stage is 528 feet. Fishing has been slow with the high water.

River stages are at or above flood stage. River levels are currently forecast to continue to rise. Some boat ramps are closed due to high water. Main channel water temperature is around 76 degrees. Water clarity is poor due to high water conditions. Fishing has been slow.If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
Above flood stage.

Lake Belva Deer
Lots of water coming into the lake from the marsh. Not much angler activity due to rain. Black Crappie – Fair: Try slow trolling or drift fishing by the beach and towards the dam. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers continue to catch the catfish. Try along the rip-rap around the lower end of the lake and on top of the mounds at the upper end.

Lake Darling
Water temperature is 79 degrees. Water clarity remains at about 2 feet. The water has a green cast. Lake level is about 8 inches higher than normal. Very little fishing activity. Bluegill – Fair: Drift for crappies; don’t be surprised if you pick up a few nice bluegills, too. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift over the rock piles in 8 to 12 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers continue to catch catfish. It’s a good time to fish the weirs in the in-lake silt dams as the water from the recent and forecast rains come into the lake.

Lost Grove Lake
Lots of rain; not many anglers. Black Crappie – Fair: Deep trolling (20 to 25 feet) continues to produce some crappies. With the water starting to cool down, hopefully it won’t be too long before they start moving shallow again. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching some nice bass in the flooded timber.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
Flood stage.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Central Park Lake
The lake is close to full after the renovation project; fingerling fish have been stocked.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is rising very fast. It is predicted to crest on Sept. 16 at a level of 707.5 feet (normal pool is 683.4 feet). At these levels, all ramps will be underwater, except Mehaffey; Mehaffey ramp will be closed due to road construction.

Diamond Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs fished over deeper brush. Most fish are 8-9 inches. Channel Catfish – Good: Stink bait works best. Some limits are being reported.

Kent Park Lake
The lake is drained for a lake renovation project currently underway. It is scheduled to be completed next spring.

Lake Macbride
The motor restriction is off; any sized motor may be used at no-wake speed (5 mph). Black Crappie – Fair: Use jigs or minnows around brush in 10-15 feet of water. Walleye – Fair: Troll crawlers or crankbaits in 7-14 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Try topwater baits early and late then troll during the day. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or stink bait. Evenings are best.

Otter Creek Lake
There is quite a bit of vegetation in the boat ramp canal and some in sections of other shorelines. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stink bait, especially towards evening. Many 3-5 pound fish are reported. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use small jig spinners or live bait.

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 3 feet low. Use caution on the lake, as many of the new rock and wood structures are becoming submerged. There are 2 docks in at the main ramp and the fish cleaning station is open. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or stink bait in the evenings.

All rivers in the district are above flood stage this week.For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Des Moines River (Ottumwa to Farmington)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use chicken liver or night crawlers around log jams and slack water areas.

Lake Keomah
Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait near shoreline and around the fishing jetties. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a minnow around deep structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use stink bait or chicken liver in 4-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits around the fishing jetties and along the dam. Switch to rubber worms and deeper structure as the day heats up.

Lake Miami
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try topwater lures in the early mornings and evenings then switch to rubber worms or crankbaits during the hotter parts of the day. Target the cedar tree piles and the fishing jetties. Bluegill – Fair: Use jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler along the rip-rapped shorelines, the jetties and around the cedar tree piles.

Lake Sugema
The south boat ramp off of Highway 2 has been reopened. There is now a construction project on the north ramp. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use topwater lures in the early mornings and evenings. As the day progresses, target deeper structure using rubber worms or deep diving crankbaits. Black Crappie – Slow: Use jigs tipped with a minnow in deeper water structure. Try also a slip bobber over a minnow. Bluegill – Fair: Try live bait tipped on a small jig around the shorelines and fishing jetties.

Lake Wapello
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use chicken liver or stink bait around areas with rip-rapped shorelines or rock piles. Don’t fish too deep as the lake does stratify; target 6-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use rubber worms or crawdad imitating crankbaits around deep structure. Try also topwater lures around the cedar tree piles in the morning. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler around aquatic vegetation or near the fishing jetties. White Crappie – Slow: Use jigs tipped with a minnow around deeper structure and the outer edge of the weed line.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.35 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink bait or chicken liver in coves or areas with some water running into the lake. White Crappie – Fair: Try minnows around deeper structure. Trolling small crankbaits can also catch suspended crappies. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Troll crankbaits or night crawler rigs along rocky shorelines and around rock piles. Try also vertical jigging in the same areas. Walleye – Fair: Use night crawler rigs or troll crankbaits around rock piles and submerged points.

Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast the shorelines in the early part of the day and then fish deeper structure as the day warms up. Use rubber worms or crankbaits. Topwater lures can be productive along the lily pads. Black Crappie – Fair: Try tube jigs along the shorelines. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the shorelines and fishing jetties. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try night crawlers or chicken liver around the fishing jetties and the outer edge of the lily pads.

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

SOUTHWEST
Big Creek Lake
Walleye – Fair: Troll shallow diving shad imitating crankbaits or spinner rigs with night crawlers with little weight to fish 3 to 10 feet deep. The northern half of the lake is best during the summer; start from the beach up to the marina boat ramp. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Troll and cast crankbaits, spoons or in-line spinners in the main lake. Look for schools of fish busting shad on the surface.

Lake Ahquabi
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift or troll small white pink and chartreuse twister tails or tube jigs.

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass – Fair: White bass action has slowed with the cooler wet weather. Look for feeding activity on the surface and troll these areas with shallow diving shad imitating crankbaits or spoons. Fishing below the dam has also been fair to good for a mix of white bass and hybrid striped bass.

Rock Creek Lake
White Crappie – Good: Drift or slowly troll jigs or minnows in the lower half of the lake in the mornings to just after noon.

For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Water clarity may have been affected by heavy rains this week. Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill – Slow: Anglers report slow fishing in ponds after heavy rains this week. Try fishing 4 feet below the surface for suspended fish in the summer. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass are very active and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Fish shallow early and late and go deeper during the middle of the day. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or commercial stink baits along weed edges and around structure. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappies suspended and around structure.

Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek has a good fish population with quality sized panfish. Heavy rain this week may affect water clarity. Black Crappie – No Report: Fish the creek channel for black crappie up to 12 inches. Bluegill – No Report: Drift or slow troll along the creek channel for bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Largemouth Bass – No Report: There is a good population of 13 to 15 inch bass in the lake.

Lake Anita
Fishing has slowed a bit this week. Water temperatures are in the upper 70’s. Water clarity is good. Bluegill – Slow: Drift or slow troll small jigs tipped with crawler for bluegills up to 9 inches. Black Crappie – Slow: The early morning crappie bite is best. Slow troll small jigs tipped with power bait to catch 9 to 11 inch fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Throw spinners along the vegetation and plastics around deep structure during the day

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is a good destination for summer catfishing. Channel Catfish – Slow: Channel catfish have slowed a bit, but anglers report catching fish around Boy Scout Island. Fish will average 2 to 5 pounds. White Crappie – No Report: There is a good population of white crappies in Manawa.

Orient Lake
Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills at Orient have good body condition. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are actively feeding below the rock sediment dam. Cast liver crawlers or cut bait next to the current. Black Bullhead – Good: Quality sized bullheads can be caught with night crawlers below the rock sediment structure.

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose will offer good panfishing. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. The water clarity has improved to 2 feet this week. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills are in a summer pattern. Look for fish around underwater reefs and drift/troll open water areas. Bluegills in Prairie Rose are 8 to 9.5 inches. Largemouth Bass – Fair: There is a large population of 12 inch bass in the lake that offers fun catch and release fishing.

Viking Lake
A few catfish are still being caught at Viking. A few crappies are being caught in the deep brush piles. Channel Catfish – Slow: Cast cut bait or liver around brush piles for catfish up to 10 pounds. Early morning bite is best. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies are being caught in the deeper tree piles. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Jig plastics in deeper brush piles during the day and cast shallow structure early morning for largemouth bass of all sizes.

There has been little fishing activity this week with the rainy pattern this week. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches with crankbaits and larger plastic lures. Bluegill – Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with night crawlers and small plastic lures closer to shore throughout the lake. Black Crappie -Good: Find crappies up to 9 inches near vegetation and areas with sunken structures. Walleye – Fair: Catch walleyes up to 23 inches with jigs and minnows fished near deep structures.

Lake Icaria
Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish of all sizes have been caught using night crawlers or cut bait fished along rocky shoreline areas and cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished along the fish mounds or fishing jetties. Walleye – Fair: Catch walleyes up to 24 inches using jigs with minnows along the roadbed.

Little River Watershed Lake
Largemouth Bass – Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 18 inches using crankbaits or
finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles or rock reefs. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegills up to 9 inches with worms fished along cedar tree brush piles. Channel Catfish – Slow: Catch channel catfish up to 10 pounds with night crawlers or cut bait fished along rocky shoreline areas and the silt dike. Walleye – Slow: Catch walleyes up to 22 inches with crankbaits and jigs with minnows on the rock fields.

Three Mile Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Catch largemouth bass up to 15 inches with crankbaits and plastics in or near the cedar tree piles or rock structures. Black Crappie – Good: Catch crappies up to 9 inches using minnows and small jigs fished near the jetties and cedar tree piles. Bluegill – Good: Catch bluegills up to 8 inches with night crawlers fished near shore. Walleye – Fair: Catch walleyes up to 19 inches with crankbaits near the fish mounds.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass of all sizes have been caught with crankbaits or finesse plastics fished along cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Good: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches with worms fished near cedar tree brush piles or shallow bays. Walleye – Fair: Catch walleyes of all sizes using crankbaits and spinners fished in 10 feet of water. Black Crappie – Good: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs or minnows fished along weedl ines or the flooded timber.

Water temperature in most district lakes is in the lower 80’s to upper 70’s. Recent rains have raised several lake levels in the Mount Ayr District. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

MISSOURI RIVER
Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish – Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish – Good: Anglers report catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait with live bait rigs along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish – Good: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby.

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish – Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish – Good: Anglers report catching blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines. Use live bait or fresh cut bait along wing dam tips or in or close to the main channel of the Missouri River. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby.

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish – Good: During high water levels, try below flooded wing dams and close to the bank or slower flooded areas from shore. Smaller tributaries should also be good, where channel catfish will find refuge from faster currents. Use worms, cut bait, or dip baits. Freshwater Drum – Fair: Try using live bait rigs or jigs tipped with worms along the bank and around tributary stream or rivers where they join the Missouri River. Blue Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching a few blue catfish on rod and reel and trotlines with fresh cut bait or live bait. Try by the wing dam tips, close to or in the main channel of the Missouri River for your best chance at getting bigger blue catfish. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flathead catfish are being caught on trotlines and rod and reel using live baits (chubs, bullheads, green sunfish). Fish below wing dam tip, near rock structures, logs and along the bank with deeper water nearby.

The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 29.07 ft. /68,900 cfs./74 degrees Fahrenheit. Missouri River water temperatures are down 1 degree from last week and water levels are up 0.75 feet. Water levels are up due to recent rains in the Missouri River watershed and release of water from reservoirs. Anglers and boaters are advised to use caution going on the Missouri River. Fishing has been good to fair.

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