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.
NORTHWEST
Bacon Creek Lake
DNR staff will stock rainbow trout around 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 7. Use small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons, and live minnows or crawlers fished under a bobber.
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 50 degrees. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 3-6 feet of water in Town Bay from the stone piers along the north shoreline of Town Bay along Ice House Point and near the inlet bridge. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake. Yellow Perch – Fair: Catch perch up to 12 inches with small powerbaits like crappie nibbles, perch eyes and crawlers fished 2-4 feet below a bobber.
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 or leaches fished in 5-15 feet of water in the evenings. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch bass along shore and near vegetation just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. Bluegill – Fair: Try tube jigs tipped with crawlers in 5-10 feet of water.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Black Crappie – Fair: A recent survey showed crappie up to 10 inches along shore. Use minnows or crawlers fished below a bobber in the mornings and evenings. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use traditional bass lures along the shoreline.
Moorland Pond
DNR staff stocked rainbow trout around noon today, Nov. 1. Use small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons, and live minnows or crawlers fished under a bobber.
North Twin Lake
Water temperatures are around 50 degrees. White Crappie – Slow: A recent survey showed most crappie are 6-10 inches with a few up to 14 inches. Walleye – Slow: Walleye up to 27 inches have been seen in recent netting surveys.
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: Try twisters and leaches fished under a bobber from shore and near the inlet. White Bass – Fair: Use crankbaits and crawlers fished from shore and near the inlet. Black Crappie – Fair: A recent survey showed crappie up to 10 inches can be found near shore; use a crawler or minnow fished on a small jig below a bobber.
Water temperatures around 50 degrees in Black Hawk District lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 50 degrees. Muskellunge – Fair: Fish the edge of the vegetation. Walleye – Slow: Fish off the jetties after dark. Yellow Bass – Fair: Drift or troll a piece of crawler or cut bait until you find fish.
Crystal Lake
All the docks are out for the season. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift or troll small tube jigs or a minnow in the dredge cut or on the edge of vegetation. Walleye – Fair: Try a jig and minnow in the area near the old road bed.
Rice Lake
Yellow Perch – Slow: Use a small jig and minnow or a plastic bait in the deeper water.
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. Don’t overlook the evening bite from docks as these fish will move shallow at dusk. Walleye – Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Northern Pike – Good: Anglers report northern pike action on the lake; best area is where there is flow into the lake. Yellow Perch – Good: Use tube jigs tipped with wigglers from the docks in the evening.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Good: Good numbers of large angler acceptable size fish being caught.
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 like a twister tail or hair jigs. Bluegill – Good: Recent surveys show numbers of fish approaching 7 inches in the lake. Black Crappie – Good: Reports of fish being caught from the lake. Look for the bite to continue. Anglers are catching yellow perch and crappie from the shore. Walleye – Good: The fall walleye bite has started. Use traditional baits during “prime time”. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some fish are being caught in the evening from shore with walleyes mixed into the catch.
Ocheyedan Pit #1
Channel Catfish – Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of 17 -23 inch channel catfish.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: The fall walleye bite is on. Troll crankbaits during the day; wader fishing is your best chance to catch trophy size fish.
Spirit Lake
Walleye – Good: The fall walleye bite has started with action improving. Wader angler action has picked up with the best bite during the evening. Dock anglers report a good bite; cast twister or hair jigs tipped with minnows. Yellow Perch – Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught with sorting needed; anglers continue to harvest numbers of angler acceptable size fish. Use mini jigs tipped with wigglers or a minnow. Northern Pike – Good: Angler reports of northern pike action on the lake; best area is where there is flow into the lake.
Trumbull Lake
Yellow Perch – Good: Boat anglers report good numbers of fish are being harvested from the lake.
For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels continue to fall with improved clarity. Flows remain high. Please visit the USGS Water Data website for more information. Walleye – Good: Find fish in pockets and off channel eddies. Fish are taking a variety of bright colored lures or jigs tipped with worms or minnows. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallies are aggressively taking baits while walleye fishing.
Decorah District Streams
Check our fall community trout stocking schedule to find out when trout are coming to a lake near you. Many trout streams run through wildlife management areas where hunting is allowed. Wear bright colors to be seen. Brown Trout – Good: As brown trout start spawning, watch the stream bottom for cleared areas in gravel (trout nests). Avoid stepping in the nests. Use larger flies mimicking fish. Rainbow Trout – Good: Catch a freshly stocked trout with a small piece of worm or cheese on a hook under a bobber in a deeper hole.
Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is much improved. Fish deeper water for best luck. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish lighter gear in deeper water for suspended fish. Try a small jig with a minnow and a slow retrieve. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try a jig and a variety of plastics or a crankbait on a slow retrieve; fish move slower with cooler water.
Lake Meyer
Excellent water clarity with visibilities to 8 feet. Fish this lake on cloudy or overcast days when clarity is this good. Angling activity is spotty. Bluegill – Slow. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappie moved to deeper water.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
The Turkey River water levels are falling with improved clarity. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use lures mimicking minnows in off channel areas or deeper water. Walleye – Fair: Try jigs tipped with a minnow, worms and a variety of lures in current breaks and deeper water.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are falling with excellent clarity. Visit the USGS Water Data website for current information. Walleye – Fair: Use crankbaits or a hook tipped with a minnow in eddies and deeper water. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Anglers report nice catches of smallmouth. Look for fish in deeper pockets eddies and near undercut banks. A variety of lures and baits are working.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are falling with much improved clarity. Visit the USGS Water Data website for current information. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use bright colored lures fished in deeper water and rock ledges. Walleye – Fair: Try a jig tipped with minnow or bright twister tail fished deep.
Volga Lake
Water clarity is improving. Fish are moving to deeper water. Bluegill – Slow: Use small jigs with a waxworm fished under a bobber on cloudy or overcast afternoons.
Scattered showers are possible through the weekend. Greater chance of rain on Sunday. Temperatures in the low 50’s to low 40’s at night. Area rivers and streams are producing fish. Water levels are falling with improved clarity, but flows are high. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City
Reports of anglers catching walleye, smallmouth bass and some northern pike on the Cedar River in Black Hawk County. Walleye – Good: Anglers are doing well with jigs and plastics. Water temperatures have fallen quickly; look for deeper holes as walleye move into over wintering areas. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try jig and plastics or crankbaits. Northern Pike – Fair: Cast and retrieve spoons or crankbaits.
Lake Delhi
A few reports of anglers catching fish on Lake Delhi. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a jig and plastic or minnow under a slip bobber near structure fished at various depths to find crappie. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use live baits or cast crankbaits.
Manchester District Streams
Spring Branch Creek has been busy with angling activity as many trout escaped with the recent flooding event.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River is in good condition as water levels continue to fall, but flows remain swift. Walleye – No Report: Water temperatures have fallen quickly; look for deeper holes as walleye move into over wintering areas. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Try jig and plastics or crankbaits. Rainbow Trout – No Report: With recent flooding at the fish hatchery, many trout moved to the Maquoketa River.
Silver Lake (Delaware)
Silver Lake is in excellent condition for angling, but there have been no reports. Bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass and northern pike are the main species in this lake.
There have been reports of anglers fishing the interior rivers as they are now in good condition. Trout streams are in excellent condition for the upcoming weekend. 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 fallen several feet to 10.1 feet and is expected to continue to recede next week. Water temperature is near 48 degrees. Walleye – Fair: Use jigs and walleye minnows. Fish are moving to the dams and side channel sloughs with closing dams. Yellow Perch – Fair: Expect the perch bite to pick up into late fall. Use live minnow floated near the bottom in edges of weed beds in deeper cuts . Largemouth Bass – Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouth bite is picking up. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in current. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Black Crappie – Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. Sauger – Slow: Still a lot of current until water drops more. Sauger are moving into tailwater areas and main channel borders near the dams. Jigging with minnows is effective.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville has fallen to 21.7 feet with a slow fall continuing next week. Water temperature is 50 degrees at the Lock and Dam 9. Walleye- Fair: Use jigs and walleye minnows. Fish are moving to the dams and side channel sloughs with closing dams. Yellow Perch – Fair: Expect the perch bite to pick up into late fall. Use a live minnow floated near the bottom in edges of weed beds in deeper cuts. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from main channel and sloughs. Largemouth Bass – Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouth bite is picking up. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in current. Black Crappie – Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. Sauger – Slow: Still a lot of current until water drops more. Sauger are moving into tailwater areas and main channel borders near the dams. Jigging with minnows is effective.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has fallen to 11.2 feet and is predicted to fall to 9.5 feet next week. Water temperature is 46 degrees at Lock and Dam 10. Walleye -Fair: Use jigs and walleye minnows. Fish are moving to the dams and side channel sloughs with closing dams. Yellow Perch – Fair: Expect the perch bite to pick up into late fall. Use live minnow floated near the bottom in edges of weed beds in deeper cuts. Largemouth Bass – Good: Look for largemouth in the slack water areas off the main channel or running sloughs. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Smallmouth bite is picking up. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along rock or tree habitat in current. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills in clearer water with slow current in backwater areas away from the main channel and sloughs. Black Crappie – Fair: Expect the crappie bite to pick up this fall after the water clarity improves. Try tube jigs or minnow under a bobber in submersed trees in the backwater sloughs. Sauger – Slow: Still a lot of current until water drops more. Sauger are moving into tailwater areas and main channel borders near the dams. Jigging with minnows is effective.
Upper Mississippi River levels are finally coming down. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 40’s. Fish are starting to move toward the overwintering holes. Try fishing with a slower presentation as temperatures fall.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels will drop this week and are 11 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 13.7 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 49 degrees. Freshwater Drum – Good: Most anglers use a simple egg sinker and worm rig. Drum will be hanging out near shore in moderate current areas. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some anglers are finding yellow perch in the vegetated backwaters near shore. Worms work best. This year’s spawns of yellow perch is very impressive. Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing picked up this week. Some anglers are using three way rigs with a minnow and some are pulling crankbaits.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels will drop this week and are 12.2 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 49 degrees. The north ramp at Sabula is not in use this year due to bridge construction. Freshwater Drum – Good: Fish worms with an egg sinker in moderate current areas near shorelines. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some anglers are finding yellow perch in the vegetated backwaters near shore. Worms work best. Some perch could also be picked up in the tailwater regions near shore. Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing picked up this week. Some anglers are using three way rigs with a crawler and some are pulling crankbaits.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels will drop this week and are 12.4 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 14.6 feet at Camanche and 8.5 feet at LeClaire. Water is below flood stages. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 49 degrees. Freshwater Drum – Good: Use a simple egg sinker/worm rig in moderate current areas. Walleye – No Report: Expect walleye and sauger fishing to pick up soon as water levels recede.
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is predicted to drop this week and is 12.9 feet. This level is just below action flood stage. Water clarity is fair. The water temperature is around 49 degrees.
For the first time in weeks, there is no flooding in the district. The water remains high and some debris may be on the boat ramps. Fishing is picking up. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport is 12.90 feet and has been falling this past week. Flood stage for Lock and Dam 15 is 15 feet. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions. The Clark’s Ferry boat ramp is closed. The Marquette St ramp in Davenport is being reported as open.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 12.66 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. Flood stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 15 feet.The ramps at Big Timber and Kilpeck are closed due to high water. The upper ramps in Muscatine are open. The gates are still out of the water at the dam. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 14.51 feet at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Toolsboro landing is closed due to high water. The Hawkeye Dolbee ramps will be underwater. The Ferry Landing is closed. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 10.76 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 10 feet. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions.
River stages have been falling this past week. River stages are still high and some ramps are still closed. Main channel water temperature is around 49 degrees. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Environmental Discovery Park North Pond
The fall trout release was last Saturday. Anglers were catching trout before the stocking truck got to the dam. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Trout were biting nearly as fast as they hit the water; 23 of the 100 tagged trout were caught before 4 pm.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature continues to hold onto the low 50’s. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing picked up after the winds died down last weekend. They are in fairly shallow; start in 5 to 6 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing has remained pretty good since the big rains a couple of weeks ago. These fish are trying to fatten up for their winter nap.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is 50 degrees. Little brown tint to the water, but not bad. Light fishing pressure this week. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are still out in about 4 to 5 feet of water, but if the sun shines they could move in shallower. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are out in 10 to 12 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are still working in shallow feeding on little bluegills and green sunfish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Work the rock along the steeper shoreline; they’re in hunting crawdads and green sunfish. Switch to minnows and night crawlers with the lower water temperatures.
Lake of the Hills
We stocked 2000 trout a couple of weeks ago, so there are still plenty left in the lake. Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout are getting settled in. Find them in little schools concentrated in the corners and around some of the shallow water structures like stumps.
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature are around 50 degrees. Bluegill – Fair: Get back into the standing flooded timber out of the wind; look for fish to be in 6 to 8 feet of water. Maybe a little shallower on the north side when it’s sunny. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are out in 10 to 12 feet of water. Slip bobbers and minnows or small jigs vertical jigged work best.
Wilson Lake
The Fall trout release was last Saturday. Plenty of trout are left for this weekend. Rainbow Trout – Good: It took about an hour after they were released for the trout to start hitting, but after that they caught a lot of trout for the rest of Saturday and Sunday; 47 tagged trout were caught in two days.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
Walleye – Fair: Try crankbaits or jig/crawler. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Crankbaits or jigs work best.
Central Park Lake
The lake is full after the renovation project; fingerling fish have been stocked.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is at 705 feet on Nov. 1 and is falling. It is dropping about .5 feet per day. All ramps are currently flooded or closed.
Diamond Lake
Minnows are not allowed here. Bluegill – Fair: Use small worms or jigs tipped with worms. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching fish off the jetties. Jigs tipped with worms work best. Most fish are 8-9 inches.
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Black Crappie – Fair: Use small jigs and/or minnows in 15-20 feet of water.
Kent Park Lake
The lake is currently drained for a lake restoration project.
Lake Macbride
The motor restriction is off; any sized motor may be used at no-wake speed (5 mph). Water temperatures are in the low 50s. The fish cleaning station at the primitive campground has been shut down. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish over structure in 15-20 feet of water. There are a lot of 12 inch fish right now. Walleye – Fair: Troll crankbaits or jig in 9-15 feet of water. The shallow water bite should pick up along windblown rock especially towards evening. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Trolling crankbaits or jigging has been working. Fish are anywhere from 10-20 feet of water and on rock or open water.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still about 1 feet low. The fish cleaning station is closed. Walleye – Fair: Try trolling or jigging over the roadbeds or new rock structures.
Prairie Park Fishery
Trout will be stocked here tomorrow, Nov. 2nd at 10 am. You must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Excellent.
Sand Lake
Trout were stocked here on Oct. 19th. You must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout.
Terry Trueblood Lake
Trout will be stocked here tomorrow, Nov. 2nd at 11 am. You must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Excellent.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Miami
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target the cedar tree piles using rubber worms and spinnerbaits. Bluegill – Good: Use small jigs tipped with live bait in the brush piles and standing timber. Black Crappie – Fair: Try minnows or jigs tipped with a minnow around the cedar tree piles. Drifting minnows in the lower half of the lake can also produce some crappies that are suspended.
Lake Sugema
The north ramp is closed due to a parking lot construction project. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the fishing jetties and the standing timber. Black Crappie – Fair: Try minnows and jigs in the standing timber. Walleye – Slow: Use minnows and jigs around the dam and other rip-rapped shorelines.
Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try rubber worms and crankbaits in the cedar tree piles. Bluegill – Slow: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the fishing jetties. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift minnows in 6-10 feet of water. Try jig and minnows in the cedar tree piles.
Ottumwa Park Pond South
2000 trout were stocked on Oct. 26th. Use small in-line spinners, casting spoons, twister tails or tube jigs.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 909.68 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. The water temperature is in the low 50’s. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use night crawlers or cut bait in areas with some water running into the lake. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Troll crankbaits along rocky shorelines and around submerged humps and points. Follow the gulls as they will be where the schools of hybrid striped bass are feeding. Walleye – Slow: Troll crankbaits around submerged points and humps. Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows and jigs in the brush piles.
Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Try rubber worms or crawdad imitating baits in the brush piles and other underwater structures. Black Crappie – Fair:Drift minnows for suspended fish. Target brush piles with minnows and jigs. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the fishing jetties and along the dam. Channel Catfish – Slow: Try night crawlers or cut bait in 4-6 feet of water.
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
Banner Lake (south)
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Oct. 25th. Use small in-line spinners, casting spoons, twister tail or tube jigs and live minnows.
Beaver Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Troll or vertical jig twister tails or tube jigs on the trees throughout the lake for 9.5 to 10.5 inch crappies
Big Creek Lake
Walleye – Fair: Troll spinner rigs with night crawlers or lindy rigging with crawlers on the bottom in 8 to 15 feet of water. Start out from the marina and the humps out from the west shoreline between the 100th Street Boat ramp and the West Ramp bay. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Good: Troll silver colored live bait rigs and shad imitating crankbaits throughout the mid-lake portion. The hybrids are still young, so the upper end on size is around 19 inches. Black Crappie – Good: A decent fall crappie bite has started. Drift or troll jigs on the upper end and bays in the lower half of the lake or cast jigs around the rock jetties.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye – Good: Despite the high flow, walleyes are being caught below the Saylorville and Red Rock spillways. Jig live minnows or cast shad imitating plastics. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Good: Cast white twister tails flukes or paddle tails to imitate shad below the Red Rock spillway.
Lake Petocka
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Oct. 24th. Use small in-line spinners, casting spoons, twister tail or tube jigs and live minnows.
Saylorville Reservoir
Walleye – Fair: Cast soft plastics that imitate small shad below the Big Creek spillway. Any increase in flow coming out of Big Creek will improve the bite.
Terra Lake
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Oct. 24th. Use small in-line spinners, casting spoons, twister tail or tube jigs and live minnows.
For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
Big Lake (Including Gilbert’s Pond)
Around 1000 rainbow trout were stocked on Oct. 25th. Trout are fun to catch and readily bite on lures and baits used for bluegill and crappie. Rainbow Trout – Good.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Pond fishing should pick up with a stable weather pattern. Always get permission to fish privately-owned ponds. Bluegill – Slow: Try fishing 4 feet below the surface for suspended fish. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Largemouth bass are active in the fall and can be caught with a variety of lures and plugs. Channel Catfish – No Report: Try cut bait or commercial stink baits around deep structure. Black Crappie – No Report: Find crappies suspended and around structure. Minnows are a good bait in the fall.
Greenfield Lake
Fishery surveys this fall show a large year class of 7 to 8 inch black crappie and bluegills averaging 8 inches.
Lake Anita
A few reports of good crappie fishing this week. Water clarity is good. Temperatures are in the low 50’s. Bluegill – Slow: Look for bluegills on deep water points and close to the creek channel in 25 feet of water. Slow troll small jigs tipped with crawler for fish up to 9.5 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: The early morning crappie bite is best. Slow troll small crank baits or small jigs tipped with power bait to catch 9 to 11 inch fish.
Lake Manawa
Fishery surveys this week showed good numbers of black and white crappies in the canals. White Crappie – No Report: Try minnows under a bobber in the canals. Black Crappie – No Report: There is a good population of black crappies in Manawa. Walleye – No Report: Look for fall walleye on the edge of dredge cuts. Manawa has a good walleye population.
Littlefield Lake
Water clarity is starting to improve. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers report catching bluegill in 2 to 5 feet of water close to cedar tree piles. The large size of fish in Littlefield are 9 plus inches. Black Crappie – Slow.
Nodaway Lake
There is a good population of 9 to 11 inch black crappie in the lake. Water clarity is fair. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish the tree piles with minnows for black crappie up to 11 inches. Bluegill – Slow: Nodaway bluegills are 8 inches.
Prairie Rose Lake
Anglers are having trouble finding panfish in Prairie Rose. The lake has quality sized bluegills and acceptable size crappies. Bluegill – Slow: Look for fish around underwater reefs and in brush piles. 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. Black Crappie – Slow: Try vertical jigging or minnows under a slip bobber in the brush piles to catch 10 plus inch black crappies. Be prepared to lose tackle.
Viking Lake
The pontoon area is closed starting for repairs to the seawall. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cast liver in the pontoon area of the lake. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Black Crappie – Fair: Use tube jigs around trees in 12 to 14 feet of water early in the morning and late afternoon. The fish are averaging 9 inches. 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 very little fishing activity in the southwest district. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.
