This weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys and county and state parks staff. You can check the activity of your favorite lake or stretch of river within each district, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), as well as a hot bait or lure pattern.
For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.
NORTHWEST
Arrowhead Lake
Water clarity is good. Bluegill – Fair: Cast a small jig fished under a bobber near submerged structure along shore in 5-10 feet of water. Try small popping plugs on a fly rod on calm evenings. Cast plugs around downed trees along the shoreline. Try drifting down the middle of the lake with a 1/16 ounce leadhead in search of suspended fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast traditional bass lures near submerged woody structure throughout the lake and along weed lines in the southern part of the lake.
Black Hawk Lake
Surface water temperatures are around 80 degrees.Water level is near crest. Water clarity is 12 to 16 inches. Yellow Perch – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast traditional bass lures and plastics along shore. You can catch fish anywhere around the lake, but some of the best areas are Ice House point shoreline, inlet bay and bridge area near the outlet, and along Gunshot Hill. Walleye – Slow. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use natural baits like nightcrawlers crawdads or shrimp fished around deeper rock piles. Try drifting at night to cover a lot of water. Bluegill – Fair.
Browns Lake
Browns Lake is 4 to 6 inches low. Channel Catfish – Fair: Look for channel catfish along the outside bend of the lake in deeper water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Look for largemouth bass along the edges of the lotus patches and the deadfalls along the outside bend of the lake.
Brushy Creek Lake
Surface water temperatures are in the upper 70’s. There is around 10 feet of water clarity. . Brushy Creek is currently being drawn-down four feet for a construction project. Launch boats at the north ramp or the west ramp; docks have been adjusted at the west ramp to make them easier to use. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small piece of crawler or minnow on a jig either drifting or fished under a bobber near submerged woody structure. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Throw traditional bass lures, plastics or weedless lures near submerged structure and along weed lines. Yellow Perch – Slow. Walleye – Slow. Bluegill – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair: Brushy Creek Lake has a low-density population of larger channel catfish. Target these larger fish near shore with rocky structure using a variety of cut baits and crankbaits.
North Twin Lake
Water temperature is in the low 80’s. Water clarity is around 2 feet. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler or waxworm fished under a small bobber in 3-6 feet of water near shore. If fishing from boat, you may need to move around to stay on top of fish. Yellow bass are 6-10 inches long. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are numerous in North Twin Lake. Use cut baits and crankbaits near shore with rocky structure. Bluegill – Slow: Try small jigs tipped with a crawler fished under a bobber along shore near vegetation edges. Walleye – Slow: Try trolling walleye in the middle of the basin using crankbaits or crawler harnesses.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water clarity is 2 to 6 feet, depending on location in the 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: Drift with leeches or crawlers along the dredge cuts and troll crankbaits in the main lake. White Bass – Fair: Pick up white bass from shore and in the main like while trolling. Use twisters, crawlers or crankbaits in the marina, near the inlet and north and east shores in the main lake. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a variety of dip baits, cut baits and crankbaits fished near shore and anywhere with rocky structure. Bluegill – Slow: Find panfish around patches of vegetation. Yellow Perch – Slow: Look for panfish around patches of vegetation. Black Crappie – Slow: Find for panfish around patches of vegetation.
Water temperatures are in the lower 80’s in the Black Hawk District. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber near the shore. Black Crappie – Good: Drift fish a minnow or small tube jig. Yellow Bass – Fair.
Clear Lake
The water temperature is in the mid-70’s. Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching walleyes drift fishing a jig and crawler near vegetation. Try slip bobber fishing or jigging a leech on the rock reefs. Yellow Bass – Slow: The best bite is at first light. Channel Catfish – Good: Float a crawler under a bobber along a rocky shoreline. Boat anglers should try bouncing a jig and crawler on the rock reefs.
Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish a minnow or small jig near the dredge cut. Largemouth Bass – Good. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber near the shore.
For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is open. The water temperature is 77 degrees. Bluegill – Good: Find schools in deeper water. Black Crappie – Fair. Yellow Perch – Good. Yellow Bass – Good.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Good: Use small jigs tipped with waxworms. Black Crappie – Good: Try small jigs tipped with waxworms. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use rubber worms or other slow-moving jigs.
Lost Island Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair. Walleye – Fair.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good.
Spirit Lake
The walleye season is open. A great walleye bite has been reported the last few weeks, but has slowed down due to warm water conditions. A great yellow perch bite has been seen lately with many yellows over 10 inches caught. The water temperature is 77 degrees. Bluegill – Good: Schools are starting to move deeper off shore post-spawn. Walleye – Good: A fairly good bite lately can also be seen from shore. Try bottom bouncers or crankbaits to cover more water. Black Bullhead – Fair: Anglers have been successful at the north grade. Yellow Perch – Good: The bite has really picked up; fish are a little deeper than what can be easily fished from shore. Try small humps in the main basin or weed edges.
West Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is open. The water temperature is 77 degrees. The panfish bite has been great. Bluegill – Good: Schools are starting to move deeper off shore. Try fishing in about 16 feet of water in the weeds or weed lines. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallmouth bass on rock piles or on the points.. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find largemouth bass on the weed lines. Yellow Perch – Fair: Schools have started to move deeper off shore.
Iowa Great Lake water temperatures have warmed up up substantially and are currently 77 degrees or warmer. This week’s extended forecast calls for temperatures ranging from the lower 80’s to lower 90’s. The area walleye bite has slowed considerably due to very warm water conditions. The panfish bite is excellent. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Repairs to the Nashua dam continue as water levels and flows drop. Water levels are falling. Clarity is improving. Use caution; underwater hazards may have moved. Go to the USGS Current Conditions website for more information on water levels. Channel Catfish – Good: Use chicken liver and stinkbaits or dead chub fished on the bottom out of current. Walleye – Good: Use a jig tipped with a bright plastic tail for quick action. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use a jig tipped with natural colored twister tails and crank or spinnerbaits.
Decorah District Streams
Wild parsnip is coming on strong. Avoid touching this plant; it causes painful blisters. All trout stream stockings are unannounced due to COVID-19 precautions. A small number of trout streams are not stocked in July and August due to marginal water temperatures; this is an annual occurrence. To check which ones, please visit our trout fishing website. Rainbow Trout – Excellent:Try a worm or cheese floated through a pool under a bobber. Use an ultra-light pole and reel for fun action. Try small crappie or bluegill jigs. Brown Trout – Good: Hoppers, beetles and bugs are plentiful. Use flies imitating terrestrial insects fished along grassed edges. Use hair jigs or spinners for aggressive fish. Brook Trout – Good: Please respect private property open to angling; pick up trash and be considerate. Bead-headed midges and pheasant tail nymphs work well.
Lake Hendricks
Aquatic vegetation is coming on strong. Early morning and evening bite are best. Black Crappie – Good: Find crappie suspended in deeper water around structure. Use a minnow or small lure drifting over structure. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of worm on a hook under a small bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use topwater lures or weedless hooks fished along the weed edges.Channel Catfish – Good: With warmer water temperatures, try cheese or stinkbaits. A fat juicy worm will also work.
Lake Meyer
Water clarity is excellent. Bluegreen algae bloom is occurring. Bluegreen algae blooms can make people and pets sick when in contact with water; wash hands after contact. Filamentous algae mats are covering shallow water. Fish early morning and evening when shadows aren’t cast on the water. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small spinnerbait tossed along a steep depth change. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of worm fished under a bobber along a rocky shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use a jig tipped with a twister tail or worm fished along vegetated edges. Channel Catfish – Good: Use chicken liver or nightcrawlers fished on the bottom near stumps or other structure.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels are falling with improved clarity. Go to the USGS Current Conditions website for more information on water levels. Smallmouth Bass – Good. Walleye – Good: Find walleye in deeper holes around brush piles. Toss a jig tipped with a twister tail near a brush pile.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are falling with improved clarity. Current remains strong. Water hazards may have moved. Walleye – Fair: Flip a jig with twister tail along a brush pile or rock ledge. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Toss a small crankbait along a current break or rock ledge.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are falling with improved clarity. Strong current; water hazards and stream conditions change fast. Walleye – Good: Find walleye along current breaks or around log jams. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use a jig imitating crawdads.
Volga Lake
Best bite is early morning or just before dark. Water clarity is 6-8 inches due to an algae bloom. Bluegill – Good: Use a small hook tipped with waxworm or small piece of nightcrawler fished around brush piles and rocky shores. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use a jig tipped with a ringworm or twister tail. Channel Catfish – Good: Try a nightcrawler, cheese bait or chicken livers fished on the bottom. Best catfishing lake around. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a minnow under a bobber along a rocky shoreline or around brush piles.
Area rivers and streams water levels are stabilizing after scattered showers popped up. Flows remain high. Water clarity is slowly improving. Expect a hot, humid weekend with temperatures in the 90’s for highs and 70’s for lows. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Anglers are catching largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish. Some sorting may be needed on bluegill; crappie and catfish angling is best early morning or late evening. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater and plastics. Black Crappie – Good: Cast and retrieve colored tube jigs. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of worm under a bobber with a small split shot sinker and small hook. Channel Catfish – Good: Cast dead cut baits, chicken livers or stinkbait on the bottom of the lake; early morning or later evening bite is best.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Best success is channel catfish on the Cedar River. Channel Catfish – Fair: Cast dead cut baits, chicken livers or stinkbait on the bottom of the lake; early morning or later evening bite is best.
George Wyth Lake
Good reports of largemouth bass being caught. Newly placed habitat in and around the floating pier may provide success. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater and plastics.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Anglers are catching walleye and smallmouth bass on the Maquoketa River. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits. Walleye – Fair: Cast crankbaits or fish a half of a crawler on a jig and plastic rig.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
We received no information about fishing on this waterbody this week.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
We received no information about fishing on this waterbody this week. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Cast spinnerbaits or crankbaits. Walleye – Fair: Cast crankbaits or fish a half of a crawler on a jig and plastic rig.
Interior rivers continue to drop and are providing some catches of smallmouth bass and walleye. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo area are providing some catches of largemouth bass. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. All three trout hatcheries remain closed. Call the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276 for more information.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is stabilizing near 9 feet. Water temperature is 77 degrees. New Albin Army road is reopened. Hwy 82, Lansing Bridge has reopened. Use caution at ramps during low water. Lansing Village Creek is shallow near the creek mouth. Heytman’s Landing is accessible with shallow drive boats only. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are biting on crankbaits on wing dams and channel border structure. Northern Pike – Good: Try in areas of colder streams and springs entering the Mississippi River. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a small piece of crawler fished just off the bottom near shorelines with slight current. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are in about 10 feet of water. Use a minnow under a bobber in areas with less current in backwaters or side channels. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast plastics or blade baits along edges of vegetation beds in backwater lakes. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Try spinnerbaits fished in rock piles at the tip of the islands on main channel borders. Shovelnose sturgeon – Fair: Some shovelnose are being picked up with a crawler fished off the bottom in main channel areas. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flathead bite has slowed, but some are being caught on shiners or a small bluegill for bait. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Try nightcrawlers or cut bait fished off the bottom in deeper side channel areas. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning. Use light tackle tipped with small piece of worm along the shorelines. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Use a crawler fished on the bottom along current breaks.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville is stable around 617 feet. Water temperature is 79 degrees. Sny Magill access is open. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are biting on crankbaits on wing dams and channel border structure. Northern Pike – Excellent: Try in areas of colder streams and springs entering the Mississippi River. Yellow Perch – Excellent: Use a small piece of crawler fished just off the bottom near shorelines with slight current. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are in 8-10 feet of water. Use a minnow under a bobber in areas near current breaks in backwaters and side channels. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast plastics or blade baits along edges of vegetation beds in backwater lakes. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try spinnerbaits fished in rock piles at the tip of the islands on main channel borders. Shovelnose sturgeon – Good: Some shovelnose are being picked up using a crawler fished off the bottom in main channel areas. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flathead bite has slowed, but some are still being caught on shiners or a small bluegill for bait. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Try nightcrawlers or cut bait fished off the bottom in deeper side channel areas. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegills are spawning. Use light tackle tipped with small piece of worm along the shorelines. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Try a crawler fished on the bottom along current breaks.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 9.3 feet at Guttenberg and is predicted to bump up slightly this week. Water temperature is in the upper 70’s. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are biting on crankbaits on wing dams and channel border structure. Northern Pike – Excellent: Try in areas of colder streams and springs entering the Mississippi River. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a small piece of crawler fished just off the bottom near shorelines with slight current. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are in about 10 feet of water. Use a minnow under a bobber in areas with less current in backwaters and side channels. Largemouth Bass – Cast plastics or blade baits along edges of vegetation beds in backwater lakes. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Try spinnerbaits fished in rock piles at the tip of the islands on main channel borders. Shovelnose sturgeon – Fair: Some shovelnose are being picked up with a crawler fished off the bottom in main channel areas. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flathead bite has slowed, but some are still being caught on shiners or a small bluegill for bait. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Try nightcrawlers or cut bait fished off the bottom in deeper side channel areas. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning. Use light tackle tipped with small piece of worm along the shorelines. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Try a crawler fished on the bottom along current breaks.
Upper Mississippi River levels are bumping up slightly then stabilizing this week. Water clarity is good. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches long must be released immediately. Only one walleye greater than 27 inches can be kept. Combined walleye/sauger daily harvest limit of 6 and possession of 12.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels should hold steady this week. The water level is near 9.7 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 11.1 feet at the RR bridge.The water temperature is around 82 degrees. The water clarity is fair. Northern Pike – Excellent: Flashy spinners in eddy areas or along weed lines will take this toothy predator. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are still being reported in shallow backwater areas near brush piles. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Lots of anglers are switching to prepared stinkbaits. Try floating worms along rock lines. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on an egg sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. Largemouth Bass – Good: Lots of bass are being taken off lily pad areas on spinnerbaits or frog imitation lures. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Some smallies have moved in along the rock piles; use flashy spoons or crankbaits.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 10.6 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam and is expected to hold steady this week. The water temperature is 82 degrees. The water clarity is poor, especially around the tributary streams after recent rains. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Some cats have moved along rock lines. Anglers are switching to prepared stinkbaits. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on a sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. Northern Pike – Excellent: Try flashy spinners fished along old weed edges and rock shorelines. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Lots of bass are being taken off lily pad areas on spinnerbaits or frog imitation lures. Bluegill – Good: Try fishing around brush piles in larger sloughs with moderate current. Flathead Catfish – Good: Use live fish for bait. Lots of trot lines are being set.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is 10.1 feet at the Fulton Lock and Dam, 12.6 feet at Camanche and 7.5 feet at LeClaire. Water temperature is 83 degrees. Water clarity is fair. The Wapsipinicon River is very turbid; avoid Steamboat Slough. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Anglers are switching to prepared stinkbaits. Look for channel cats to move along the rock lines. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on a worm sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. Largemouth Bass – Good: Lots of bass are being taken off lily pad areas on spinnerbaits or frog imitation lures. Northern Pike – Good: Use flashy spinners along backwater shorelines or in the tailwaters for this aggressive fish. Flathead Catfish – Excellent: Try large live bait to catch big flathead catfish. Large bullheads are the preferred bait. Bluegill – Good: Find bluegills near the mouths of large backwater areas, usually around brush piles.
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is around 10 feet at Rock Island and is stable. Expect water levels to recede slightly later in the week. The water temperature is 83 degrees; water clarity is poor. Freshwater Drum – Good: Freshwater drum are easy to catch on a worm sinker and worm rig. Fish in moderate current. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel cats are readily biting on cut bait and prepared baits. Flathead Catfish – Good: Try live bait around brush piles or in the tailwater area. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Fish the rocky habitats along the channel edge. Dirty water makes for slower smallmouth angling.
Water level is expected to slowly recede later in the week.Water temperature has warmed into the upper 80’s throughout the district. If you have any fishing questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-880-8781.
Mississippi River Pool 16
River stage is 9.57 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and has fallen some the past few days. Channel Catfish – Good: Use chicken livers or dip baits around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. White Crappie – Good: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and plastics or minnows fished in Sunset Marina or Sunfish Slough(Andalusia Island Complex). Bluegill – Good: Try pieces of worm under a bobber in Sunset Marina or Sunfish Slough. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wingdams or Sylvan Slough. Try trolling crankbaits or three-way rigs with pieces of crawler.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 8.53 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has been falling the past few days. The ramp at Big Timber is open. The Kilpeck Landing is also open. Channel Catfish – No Report: Use chicken livers or dip baits around brush piles and snags in the main channel and side channels. White Bass -Good: Look for white bass by the dam or by GPC. Cast jigs and twister tails or crankbaits. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber fished around brush piles in Big Timber or Cleveland Slough. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try trolling crankbaits or pulling three-way rigs with crawlers.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 10.49 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. The gates are out at the dam. Water clarity is poor. Channel Catfish – No Report: Use or chicken livers or dip baits around brush piles and snags in the main channel and side channels. White Bass – Fair: Cast crankbaits in Belle Pocket. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Some largemouth bass are being caught in Boston Bay.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 7.08 feet at Lock and Dam 18. River stage is 12.35 feet at Burlington. River stage is 526.80 feet at Ft. Madison. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week.
River stages have been falling some the past couple of days. Main channel water temperature is around 79 degrees. Water clarity is poor. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is in the mid to upper 80’s. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Going to go deep; work some of the edges of the brush piles in 5 to 7 feet of water earlier in the morning. Bluegill – Fair: Most bluegills have moved off the beds and are out in 6 to 8 feet of water.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River
The Iowa River continues to drop fairly quickly despite Wednesday’s (7/15) rains. Forecast to drop about 1.5 feet over the next week; keep this in mind when setting bank lines. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are starting to get out and catch catfish despite the falling river level. A good amount of water is still making its way down the river; keep an eye out for debris going down river.
Lake Belva Deer
Conditions remain the same as last week. Water temperature is in the mid to upper 80’s. Early morning bite is best; most anglers are gone by 9 am. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Summer patterns have set up. Try early in the shallows; most of the day they are out in deeper water. Bluegill – Fair: Move out to the deeper water (16 to 18 feet) out around the trees. Black Crappie – Good: Try slow trolling at the lower end of the lake early in the morning.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is in the mid 80’s; air temperatures forecast for this weekend will increase this. Largemouth Bass – Slow: The hot weather pushed them out into deeper water. Best bite is early morning before it heats up. Bluegill – Good: The “cooler” weather this week increased angler numbers; find bluegills out around the rock piles in 6 to 8 feet of water. Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers are picking up a few crappies slowly drift trolling in 10 to 12 feet of water; bite will improve as the water clears.
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature got up to 85 this last weekend.Water clarity is still good with a little green color; weed beds are dying back. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass fishing picked up a little bit over the weekend. Still mostly an early morning bite. Bluegill – Good: Work the flooded timber with small jigs tipped with waxworms or worms. Start looking in 10 to 15 fee of water t in the trees; don’t be surprised if you end up out in 15 to 20 feet.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The water level stabilized at just under half bank full. Channel Catfish – Good: The hot weather has kept a lot of anglers off the river this week. The grass frogs are really starting to come out with the heavy dew in the mornings; good time to try a few for fish bait.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is 689 feet (normal summer pool is 683.5 feet). The lake level continues to fall slowly and is predicted to reach summer pool on July 24. Channel Catfish – Fair: Drift/troll cut bait in the channel.
Diamond Lake
The city treated the lake last week; fishing usually slows down following that. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs over deeper brush or suspended over the basin. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs or worms around brush piles. Channel Catfish – Good: Try stinkbait or crawlers.
Lake Macbride
The 10 hp outboard maximum limit is in effect. White Bass – Fair: Look for surface activity towards evening; throw topwater baits or small plastics. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Look for surface activity towards sunset; try plastics or topwater baits. Walleye – Slow: Troll crankbaits or worm harnesses in 7-13 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target shallow cover or deeper rock piles.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Fishing is reported as slow with the hot weather, but catfishing is expected to pick up. Bluegill – Fair: Some fish remain around shallow brush and vegetation.
Sand Lake
This is the quarry on the east side of Marshalltown. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait and live bait. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Look for surface activity early in the mornings. Catch fish up to 20 inches.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Miami
Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs around the fishing jetties. Drift fishing from a boat can also produce some bluegills this time of year. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use topwater lures early and late in the day. Try crankbaits around the cedar trees and along the rip-rapped shorelines.
Lake Sugema
Black Crappie – Slow: Drift minnows in 6-10 feet of water for suspended crappies. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use topwater lures along the shorelines; fish deeper with crankbaits or rubber worms.
Lake Wapello
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try topwater lures early and late in the day. Target cedar tree piles. Bluegill – Slow: Drift nightcrawlers on small jigs for suspended bluegills. Target areas in 6-8 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Slow: Use nightcrawlers or stinkbait. Don’t fish too deep; lakes will stratify this time of year.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.47 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 waterbody. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Try vertically jigging around rock piles and submerged points. Walleye – Fair: Troll gizzard shad imitating crankbaits around rock piles submerged points and areas with depth changes.
Red Haw Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try topwater lures early and late in the day. Use spinnerbaits and crankbaits during the hotter parts of the day. Bluegill – Slow: Try drifting in the main part of the lake with nightcrawlers.
The district includes Appanoose, Davis, Lucas, Mahaska, Monroe, Wapello, Wayne 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 – Slow: Troll live bait rigs or crankbaits at depths of 15 feet or less in the upper half of the lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift or troll jigs with twister or paddle tails down 3 to 6 feet in the upper half of the lake. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Cast or troll shad imitating spoons, crankbaits or plastics. Look for schools of young shad breaking the surface of the water to find feeding wipers.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish and flathead catfish are being caught. Try live bait, stinkbait and crawlers.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: Try stinkbaits or cut bait fished in or just upstream of tree falls.
Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift or troll panfish jigs out a little deeper on the edges of the treefalls and over sunken pallets. Most crappies are 8.5 to 10 inches. Bluegill – Good: Catch spawning bluegills shallow fishing small jigs tipped with nightcrawlers under a bobber.
Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass – Fair: Troll or cast shad imitating spoons and shallow diving crankbaits. Look for schools of small shad busting on the surface to find feeding fish.
For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
Lake Anita
Crappies were caught around brush piles and the road beds this week. Bluegills have moved into a summer pattern. Bluegill – Slow: Drift or troll small jigs tipped with berkly or nightcrawlers in 6 to 8 feet of water. Black Crappie – Fair: Best bite is early morning around tree piles and along the two road beds in the lake. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anita has a good bass population. Find fish along vegetation edges and around tree piles.
Lake Manawa
Walleyes are being picked up around the dredge cuts and the west shore. Channel catfish are being caught on the west shore. Be aware of signs marking the dredge pipe in the lake. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are close to shore. Fish are all sizes in the lake. White Crappie – Fair: A few large white crappies are being caught on the west shore. Walleye – Fair: A few anglers are having good success trolling crankbaits using planner boards. Don’t overlook running a crawler through the dredge cuts.
Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a good ring of aquatic vegetation. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have moved around the cedar tree piles in the lake. Largemouth Bass – Good: There is a large number of 12 to 14-inch fish in the lake. Channel Catfish – Good: Cast cut or stinkbait along the dam to catch 2-4 pound channel catfish.
Prairie Rose Lake
Anglers report catching channel catfish around the reefs. Water temperature is 80 degrees. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers report good bluegill fishing in the mornings trolling or drifting small jigs. Black Crappie – Slow: There is a small population of large black crappies in the lake. Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around the jetties and underwater reefs. Fish average 2 to 4 pounds. Largemouth Bass – Good: A large population of 12 to 14 inch bass offer fun catch and release fishing.
Viking Lake
Viking Lake is six feet low. Black Crappie – Fair: Black crappies are being caught in brush piles. Cast a minnow under a bobber to catch 9 to 12-inch crappie. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers are catching bass in tree piles using plastics.
For more information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.
Green Valley Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches. Black Crappie – Slow: Catch crappie up to 9 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill up to 7.5 inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished near the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush piles.
Lake Icaria
Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill of all sizes with nightcrawlers fished under a bobber along the fish mounds. Channel Catfish – Good: Use nightcrawlers fished along rocky shoreline areas to catch channel catfish of all sizes.
Little River Watershed Lake
Bluegill – Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles or along weed lines.
Three Mile Lake
Walleye – Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along the creek channels to catch walleyes up to 22 inches. Bluegill – Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles to catch bluegill of all sizes.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Use jigs tipped with live bait fished along cedar tree brush piles or creek channels to catch crappie up to 11 inches. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20 inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill of all sizes with jigs tipped with live bait fished along the weed line or cedar tree brush piles.
Water temperature in most Mount Ayr district lakes is in the low to mid-80’s. For more information, contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
