FishingReport

Iowa Fishing Report

www.iowadnr.gov

June 4, 2023

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 10

Water level at Lynxville is near 619.8 feet and expected to fall to 616 feet this week. Noble's Island, Harpers Ferry and Bussey Lake are all open. The Sny Magill road is still inaccessible. The bite is picking up with warmer water temps. Water temperature is 75 degrees at the Lynxville dam.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Fish the flooded trees using a light jig or a minnow rig.
Bluegill	Good	Fish a garden worm under a bobber along shore with less current such as marina areas or backwaters. A lot of sorting with some nicer sizes being caught.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Try a crawler or cut-bait in the current seams as water temperature rises this week.
Flathead Catfish	Fair	Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners.
Freshwater Drum	Good	The drum or actively feeding. Fish a weighted crawler in moderate current from the shoreline
Northern Pike	Fair	Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits for Northern Pike near the mouths of streams during hot summer days.
Sauger	No Report
Shorthead redhorse	Good	Redhorse are running and are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks.
Walleye	Slow	Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12.
Yellow Perch	Excellent	Fish for perch using a light jig or crawler in weeded areas away from heavy current.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Water level at Guttenberg is 11 feet and predicted to fall to near 8 feet over the next week. Guttenberg city ramp and the DNR ramp are open. Turkey River Landing is still closed. Finley's and Mud Lake are open. The bite is picking up with the warmer water. Water temperature is the mid 70's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Fish the flooded trees using a light jig or a minnow rig.
Bluegill	Good	Fish a garden worm under a bobber along shore with less current such as marina areas or backwaters. A lot of sorting with some nicer sizes being caught.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Try a crawler or cut-bait in the current seams as water temperature rises this week.
Flathead Catfish	Fair	Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners.
Freshwater Drum	Good	The drum or actively feeding. Fish a weighted crawler from the shoreline.
Northern Pike	Fair	Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits for Northern Pike near the mouths of streams during hot summer days.
Sauger	No Report
Shorthead redhorse	Fair	Redhorse are running and are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks.
Walleye	Slow	Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12.
Yellow Perch	Excellent	Fish for perch using a light jig or crawler in weeded areas away from heavy current.

Mississippi River Pool 9

Water level at Lansing fell to 10.2 feet and is expected to drop to near 8 feet over the next week. Heytman's Landing is now open. Army road at New Albin will reopen by the weekend. Water temperature is near 72 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Fish the flooded trees using a light jig or a minnow rig.
Bluegill	Good	Fish a garden worm under a bobber along shore with less current such as marina areas or backwaters. A lot of sorting with some nicer sizes being caught.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Try a crawlers or cut-bait in the current seams as water temperature rises this week.
Flathead Catfish	Fair	Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners.
Freshwater Drum	Good	The drum or actively feeding. Fish a weighted crawler in moderate current from the shoreline
Northern Pike	Fair	Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits for Northern Pike near the mouths of streams during hot summer days.
Sauger	No Report
Shorthead redhorse	Good	Redhorse are running and are fun to catch. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks.
Walleye	Slow	Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12.
Yellow Perch	Excellent	Fish for perch using a light jig or crawler in weeded areas away from heavy current.

Upper Mississippi River water levels are expected to fall several feet next week. Most boat ramps have reopened. Call ahead for local conditions. Water temperatures are reaching into the mid 70's. Fishing activity is picking up with improved water clarity.

Mississippi River Pool 12

The river is dropping with the level at Lock and Dam 11 being near 11 feet and predicted to reach 8 feet at Dubuque and level at the RR bridge is 13 feet and falling to 10 feet this week. Water temperature is around 73 degrees, and the water clarity is improving. Places like Massey Ramp are launchable but will take some time to clean up the park.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Bluegills are spawning. Hopefully the water will stabilize soon to provide stable nesting areas.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Channel catfish fishing is picking up with warm temperatures in the next few weeks. Try cut-bait or stink bait in the current seams.
Freshwater Drum	Good	Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum.
Largemouth Bass	Excellent	Lots of bass biting in the marina areas.
Shovelnose sturgeon	Good	The catch of shovelnose sturgeon has been good using heavy weight and a gob of worms for bait. Most angling is in the tailwater in moderately strong currents.
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Casting inline spinners just off rock points has been good for smallmouth feeding in the rocks.
Walleye	Good	Some nice catches of walleye have been recorded feeding on minnows near shore.
White Bass	Good	Fish can be found in flooded conditions as a majority of fish will be located along the shorelines. Try minnows or small spinners for white bass feeding in these locations.
Yellow Perch	Good	Lots of smaller yellow perch seem to be in the system and that bodes well for yellow perch fishing this upcoming year. It will still be possible to catch species like yellow perch along hard shoreline banks even during the flooding conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 13

The water level at Lock and Dam 13 feet is dropping at Bellevue and is near 12 feet and will fall to near 9 feet. Water clarity is decent, and the water temperature is around 73 degrees. Water levels have dropped out of all flood stages and quickly receding. It will take some time to clean up boat ramps and parks after the flood.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Bluegills are spawning. Hopefully the water will stabilize soon to provide stable nesting areas.
Channel Catfish	Good	Try to catch Channel Catfish in places like Middle Sabula Lake which should not be affected by flood conditions. Also fishing in flood waters should be able to yield abundant channel cats.
Flathead Catfish	Fair	Some folks are starting to use live bullheads or bluegills to catch flathead catfish in the tailwater areas.
Freshwater Drum	Good	Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum.
Largemouth Bass	Excellent	Lots of bass biting in the marina areas and backwater lakes.
Paddlefish	No Report	Paddlefish season is now closed. Flooding conditions are optimal for successful Paddlefish spawns and we hope this flood creates another strong year class.
Rainbow Trout	No Report	The area around the pond is mostly fishable right now but vegetation is really starting to move in. Trout probably left the pond but other species may have moved in after the flood.
Shorthead redhorse	No Report
Smallmouth Bass	Good	Casting inline spinners just off rock points has been good for smallmouth feeding in the rocks.
Yellow Perch	No Report	Smaller yellow perch seem to be in the system and that bodes well for yellow perch fishing this upcoming year.

Mississippi River Pool 14

The water level at Fulton is receding and is near 11.6 feet, 14 feet at Camanche and near 8 feet at LeClaire. Levels are predicted to drop several feet this week. Temperature is 75 degrees. Clean up of parks and ramps after the flood is progressing.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Bluegills are beginning to spawn on the Mississippi River and hopefully waters stabilize for these nest building fish.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Channel catfish fishing is picking up with warm temperatures in the next few weeks. Try cut-bait or stink bait in the current seams.
Freshwater Drum	Good	Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Starting to catch bass along the shorelines after in retreating flood waters.
Paddlefish	No Report	Paddlefish season is now closed. Flooding conditions are optimal for successful Paddlefish spawns and we hope this year's flood creates another strong year class.
Shorthead redhorse	No Report
Smallmouth Bass	Good	Casting inline spinners just off rock points has been good for smallmouth feeding in the rocks.

Mississippi River Pool 15

The water level at Rock Island is dropping and is near 11.6 feet. Water clarity is improving and water temperature is 75 degrees.

The river is receding throughout the district and levels are expected to fall several feet next week. Water temperatures are in the mid 70's. The recent snow melt flood was ranked the 3rd highest in this stretch of River. Debris clean-up is mostly complete on parking lots and boat ramps. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16

Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport is 11.79 feet and falling steadily. Floodstage at Lock and Dam 15 is 15 feet. River stage at Fairport is 12.08 feet and floodstage is 14 feet. The Marquette St. ramp in Davenport is open. The ramps at the Fairport Recreational area are open and the docks are in. The boat ramps at Clark's Ferry and Shady Creek are also open.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Try fishing around brush piles with pieces of worm under a bobber.
Channel Catfish	No Report	Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel. Try fishing with dipbaits, shad guts, or nightcrawlers.
Walleye	Fair	There have been a few reports of walleyes being caught around current breaks along the main channel. Try fishing with crankbaits.
White Bass	No Report	Look for white bass in Sylvan Slough or in Sunset Marina. Try fishing with jigs and twister tails or in-line spinners.

Mississippi River Pool 17

Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine is 10.63 and falling. Floodstage is 15 feet. River stage at Muscatine is 12.43 feet and floodstage is 16 feet. The ramps at Muscatine are open. The boat ramp is open at Big Timber but the landing is partially covered with water. The Kilpeck Landing and Port Louisa Landings are still closed. We have not received much for fishing reports for this pool yet. The gates are still out at the Lock and Dam.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	No Report	Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Try fishing with a piece of worm under a bobber around brush. Places to try are Big Timber, Cleveland Slough, and Eagle Fill.
Channel Catfish	No Report	Look for channel catfish around brush piles in the side channels and main channel. Try fishing with dipbaits, cut shad, or nightcrawlers.
Walleye	No Report	Look for walleyes are current breaks. Try casting jigs with plastics or crankbaits.
White Bass	No Report	Look for white bass around current breaks or down by GPC. Try casting jigs and plastics or crankbaits.

Mississippi River Pool 18

Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 in New Boston is 11.75 feet and falling. Floodstage is 15 feet. The gates are out of the water at the Lock and Dam. Toolsboro is closed due to high water. We have not received much for fishing reports for this pool this week.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	No Report	Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Fish with pieces of worm under a bobber. around brush piles. Places to try are Belle Pocket and Huron Island.
Channel Catfish	No Report	Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags in side channels and along the main channel. Try fishing with dipbaits, cut shad, or night crawlers.

Mississippi River Pool 19

Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington is 8.23 feet and falling. Floodstage is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 13.33 feet and floodstage is 15 feet. River stage at Fort Madison is 527.01 feet and floodstage is 528.0 feet. We have not received any fishing reports or boat ramp condition reports for this pool this week.

Mississippi River Pools 16-19. River stages are below floodstage and forecasted to keep falling. Main channel water temperature is around 72 degrees and water clarity has been fair. Some boat ramps are starting to open back up. If you have questions on fishing Pool 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

NORTHEAST

Brinker Lake

Anglers have been catching crappie and bluegill during the spring spawn.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Cast lighter jigs tipped with plastics for some great action or fishing a minnow under a slip bobber.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)

Anglers have been catching bluegill and largemouth bass.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Cast lighter jigs over spawning beds or small piece of crawler under a slip bobber.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Fish topwater artificial lures or spinnerbaits for largemouth bass.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)

The Cedar River has fallen and is providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Excellent	Anglers have had success on channel catfish using dead chubs or cutbaits fished on the bottom.
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Fish plastics with a jig or casting and retrieving spinnerbaits for smallmouth bass.
Walleye	Good	Fish plastics with a jig for some good walleye action.

Lake Delhi

Anglers have been catching crappie and bluegill on Lake Delhi, some sorting may be necessary. Avoid weekends and evenings due to heavy boat traffic.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Cast lighter jigs tipped with plastics for some great action, fish near structure or docks for best success.
Bluegill	Good	Cast lighter jigs over spawning beds or small piece of crawler under a slip bobber

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)

Anglers have been catching walleye and smallmouth bass on the Maquoketa River.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Fish plastics with a jig or casting and retrieving spinnerbaits for smallmouth bass.
Walleye	Good	Fish plastics with a jig for some good walleye action.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)

The Shell Rock River has fallen and is providing catches of walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Fair	Use dead chubs or cutbaits fished on the bottom for some channel catfish.
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Fish plastics with a jig or casting and retrieving spinnerbaits for smallmouth bass.
Walleye	Fair	Fish plastics with a jig for some good walleye action.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)

The Wapsipinicon River is falling and is producing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Use dead chubs or cutbaits fished on the bottom for some channel catfish.
Smallmouth Bass	Good	Fish plastics with a jig or casting and retrieving spinnerbaits for smallmouth bass.
Walleye	Good	Fish plastics with a jig for some good walleye action.

Interior water levels have fallen and are providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Check the USGS website (https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt) for most recent river levels. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo have been productive for crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Trout streams are in excellent condition, for further information contact your local bait shop for most recent reports.

Cedar River (above Nashua)

Flows remain elevated but water levels stable. Water temperatures 70's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	A dead chub or stink baits fished in slack water areas may peak a catfish's interest.
Smallmouth Bass	Good	Fish the eddies and current breaks.
Walleye	Good	Use jig tipped with minnow or worm below dams. Try using a 3-way rig with enough weight to keep on bottom.

Decorah District Streams

Area streams in good condition. All stocked streams are announced at least once a month. Stocking continues at traditional rates, weekly or bimonthly. The only activity on private property open to fishing is angling.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Brook Trout	Fair	Good hatches of a variety of gnats, mayflies, caddis flies, and midges occurring.
Brown Trout	Good	Fish near or around logs or undercut banks. Spinner baits work well. Also try using streamers on larger waterbodies for some exciting action.
Rainbow Trout	Excellent	Use spinner baits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm, bread, or cheese floating through deeper holes. Freshly stocked fish are waiting to take your bait.

Lake Hendricks

Water clarity great. Water temperatures in the upper 60's. Bluegills and bass spawning.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Crappie action picking up as water warms.
Bluegill	Good	Anglers fishing near shore finding gills. Use a small chunk of worm fished under a bobber.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Bass spawning in shallow water. Bass will guard nests.

Lake Meyer

Water clarity about 3 ft. with temperatures in the upper 60's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Crappie beginning to bite. Fish near shore edges using a small jig.
Bluegill	Fair	Use a small piece of worm under a bobber.
Largemouth Bass	Excellent	Try using a spinner bait fished in 3-4 ft. water. Bass are on spawning beds and are aggressive.

Turkey River (below Clermont)

Water clarity good to excellent. Levels stabilizing. Water temperatures in the 70's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Smallmouth Bass	Good	Fish the eddies and off channel areas. Use a jig with a twistertail.
Walleye	Good	Early morning or late evening are best. Fish the deeper holes using a crank or spinner bait.
White Sucker	Good	Fish the deeper holes with a worm fished near bottom.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)

Water temperatures in the 70's and good to excellent clarity. Water levels stabilizing. Use caution during early season paddling. Log jams and other strainers may have moved. Hypothermia is still a threat with cooler water temperatures.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Smallmouth Bass	Good	Fish near undercut banks and current breaks. A flashy jig works well. Fly anglers using streamers picking up some action.
Walleye	Good	Angling for walleye picking up below dams. Use a jig tipped with a plastic tail or crankbait.

Volga Lake

Water temperatures upper 60's. Fish activity improving especially in near shore rocky areas.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Fish along the rocky edges in deeper water.
Bluegill	Fair
Channel Catfish	Good	Trophy catfish plentiful in this lake. Use a large crawler fished under a bobber in the evening for some fun action.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Find bass in the shallow bays. Use a crank or spinner bait for luck.

Area interior rivers and streams are stable. Clarity good to excellent on most. Temperatures in the low 90's during the day to mid 60's overnight. Possibility of thunderstorms through weekend. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563.382.8324.

NORTHWEST

Beeds Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Fish a small jig or minnow near trees in the water.
Bluegill	Slow

Clear Lake

Water temperature is in the low 70's. Lake level is 1/2 inch above crest. Water clarity is 6 feet. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. No more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Anglers are catching crappies around the rush beds. Best bite has been in the morning.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Fish a piece of cut bait on the bottom from the wind-swept shore.
Largemouth Bass	Fair
Walleye	Good	Anglers are having success fishing a jig and minnow near vegetation.
Yellow Bass	Good	Fish a small jig near vegetation and around the island. Best bite is early morning.

Crystal Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Fish a minnow or jig near woody habitat.
Bluegill	Fair

Rice Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Fish a small piece of crawler under a bobber in 3 to 4 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass	Fair
Walleye	Slow	Best bite is after sunset.
Yellow Perch	Slow

Silver Lake (Worth)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Fish a small piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. With the clear water you may have to cast further to avoid spooking the fish.
Largemouth Bass	Good
Yellow Perch	Slow

Winnebago River

Water level on 6/1 is 5.7Ft.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Northern Pike	No Report
Walleye	No Report	.

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

Black Hawk Lake

Water temps are in the mid 70's.
Anglers have been picking up fish in Town Bay, along shore near Ice House Point, the inlet bridge, and near the outlet.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Much of the Crappie action has moved off shore. Anglers have had luck fishing the rock piles. Some sorting is needed. Fish along Ice House point shoreline and from boat in 2-6 feet of water.
Bluegill	Fair	Fish are up to 7-8 inches and can be picked up along shore with crawlers or small jigs under a bobber.
Channel Catfish	Fair
Muskellunge	Fair
Walleye	Fair	Most fish being caught are in the 12-18" range. Fish are being picked up along shore and from boat.
Yellow Perch	Fair

Brushy Creek Lake

Surface water temps are around 70 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Fish along weed edges in 5-10 feet of water using a small jig or minnow.
Bluegill	Fair	Fish the edges of the vegetation along shore in 2-6 feet of water.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Fish along the weed lines in 2-6 feet of water.
Muskellunge	Fair
Walleye	Fair

North Twin Lake

Temps are in the low 70's. Water levels remain low, take care when loading boats at the ramps.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Fish along shore and docks with a small jig or a minnow and jig under a bobber.
Walleye	Fair	Boat anglers have had luck using planer boards and crankbaits.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)

Water temps are in the low 70's. Water clarity is roughly 2 feet. All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; and no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Fair	There is a good population of 3-6 lbs catfish. Fish the bottoms from shore with cut bait or dip baits.
Walleye	Fair	Try leeches from shore in the evenings. Also try the edges of the dredge cuts with crawler harnesses or crankbaits.
Yellow Bass	Fair	Most fish are in the 5-7 inch range.
Yellow Perch	Slow

Swan Lake

Water temps are in the mid 70's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Most of the crappie have moved off shore but a few are still being picked up.
Bluegill	Good	Anglers have had luck with bluegill from shore. Most fish are in the 7 inch range.

Water temps in most area lakes are in the low to mid 70's. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

East Okoboji Lake

The water temperature is in the low 70s.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair
Bluegill	Fair	Try using a small hook and piece of worm.
Walleye	Good
Yellow Perch	Fair	Sorting will most likely be needed.

Ingham Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Fair	Anglers have been successful morning and evening.

Lost Island Lake

Water temps are in the lower 70s. Check out the the Iowa Walleye Challenge being held 5/1 - 6/30 for prizes given to anglers catching the most Walleye.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good
Walleye	Good

Minnewashta Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair
Bluegill	Fair
Pumpkinseed	Good

Silver Lake (Dickinson)

Courtesy docks are in place. Check out the Iowa Walleye Challenge running from 5/1 - 6/30 for prizes given to anglers reporting their walleye catch!


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Fair

Spirit Lake

Water temps are in the upper 60s.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Bullhead	Good	Anglers have been very successful fishing the north grade.
Black Crappie	Fair	Many nice sized fish have been seen lately.
Bluegill	Good	Try using a small hook and a small piece of worm.
Walleye	Good	Leaches and minnows have been working well.
Yellow Perch	Fair

West Okoboji Lake

Water temperatures are in the mid 60s. Check out the Iowa Walleye Challenge running from 5/1 - 6/30 for prizes given to anglers reporting their walleye catch!


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Try small jigs tipped with a minnow.
Bluegill	Fair
Walleye	Good	Leaches and minnows have been working well.
Yellow Perch	Fair	Sorting may be needed.

Courtesy docks are in for the season. Water temperatures are in the upper 60s to low 70s. Most area water levels are a few inches over crest. In general the fish bite has been very good across most areas. Fishing from docks is getting easier as fish move to shallower water to spawn.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake

The water temperature is up around 80 degrees. Water clarity is about 7 feet.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Crappie fishing is still based out in the 6-8 foot of water zone. Early morning or late evening are the best times to fish for them.
Bluegill	Good	Time to start looking for them out in that 6-7 foot of water zone where they seem to like spending the summer.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	The hot weather has speeded up the development of the young bass and most have moved off the nest. Most of the males have moved off to deeper water with the females.

Lake Belva Deer

Water temperatures is at about 78 degrees. Water clarity at about 8 feet. The curly leaf beds are starting to thin out with the increase in water temperatures.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Fish in the early morning expect to be off the water by 10 am. Start trolling for them out in 9-12 foot of water just outside the flooded trees out from the beach and on down towards the dam.
Bluegill	Good	Work the edges of the curlyleaf beds with worm and bobber or a small jig tipped with a waxworm.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Most of the nests are done, time to start fishing the top of the mounds at the upper end of the lake as the bass always seem to like to move there to spend the summer feeding on crawdads and green sunfish.

Lake Darling

The hot weather has gotten the water temperature up into the upper 70's. Water clarity remains good.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Anglers are still picking up some nice crappies out in 9-10 foot of water around the big cedars in the middle and the big brush piles off the high bank down by the dam.
Bluegill	Good	With the warmer water temps the bluegills are moving off the nests fairly quickly. Move around and you should still be able to find some on the beds.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Most of the males have left the beds as the little ones have moved away. Look for most of the bass to be moving out to deeper water for the summer.

Lake Geode

Water temperature is pushing 80 degrees. Water clarity is at 8 feet. The water has a green cast to it from the plankton bloom. Nice to see the water willows survived the renovation's dry lakebed.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	The crappies are back out to deeper water along the drop-offs. A big batch of last fall's spawn are 6-8 inch range but there are bigger ones out a little deeper.
Bluegill	Good	Worm and bobber fished in 3-5 foot of water. They've moved out little deeper with the hot weather. Might be a good time to head up to the new mounds up across from the beach to find the bluegills. Most are under 8 inches.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Most are still under the legal size limit but they are fun to catch. Look for most to have moved off to the deepwater drop-offs.

Lost Grove Lake

Water temperature has moved up to the mid to upper 70's. Water clarity remains at about 11 feet now. The curlyleaf is starting to thin out a little bit.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	The crappies are setting up in their summer pattern in deeper water. Up by the West boat ramp in the flooded timber seems to be a good place to start looking for them.
Bluegill	Fair	They have moved out a little deeper, hit the edges of the weedbeds near the deeper water drop-offs. Worm and Bobber is hard to beat but a small jig tipped with a waxworm works nearly as well.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Most of them have moved off the beds as the spawn is coming to an end. Work the edges of the weed beds where the bass like to hunt during the early morning and late evening hours.

For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at (31) 694-2430.

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Shovelnose sturgeon	Good	Fish with crawlers along sandbars.

Central Park Lake

Water temperature is in the low 70's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow
Bluegill	Good
Channel Catfish	Slow
Largemouth Bass	Good
Redear Sunfish	Good

Coralville Reservoir

The lake level is 683.5' and water temps are in the mid 70's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	Fish shallow rock or sand benches.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Try cutbait in the channel or look for fish preparing to spawn along shallow chunk rock.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Fish shallow rock and wood in coves.
White Crappie	Fair	Look for remaining spawners around shallow rock flats and points.

Diamond Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Some fish are along jetty areas and shorelines with brush, while others are suspended over deep water. Most fish are 8-9".
Bluegill	Good	Fish around shallow rock or sandy pockets.
Channel Catfish	Fair

Hannen Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Most fish have been 8-9" but some 13-14" fish are available.
Bluegill	Good	Fish up to 10" are being reported.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Most fish reported are about 2 pounds but fish up to 14 pounds have been caught.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Most fish are 1-2 pounds.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)

The curlyleaf pondweed is pretty thick around the shorelines. Water temps are around 70 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Most fish are suspended in open water or on outside weedlines.
Bluegill	Good	Fish will be in pockets of the weeds.
Channel Catfish	Fair
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Fish over, along, and in pockets of the weeds.

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Fair

Lake Macbride

The 10 horsepower maximum is in effect along with the 5 mph speed limit.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Fish around shallow wood or rock.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Fish shallower structure and spawning flats.
Spotted bass	Good	Fish shallower structure and spawning flats.
Walleye	Fair	Fish windblown banks or rock reefs.
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass)	Fair	Most fish are deeper, but some have been feeding shallow or on the surface at sunrise/sunset.

Otter Creek Lake

The lake is currently drained for the ongoing renovation project.

Pleasant Creek Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Fish around shallow brush. Many fish are around 10".
Bluegill	Good	Fish around shallow rock and sand with worms or wax worms. Most fish are around 7".
Largemouth Bass	Good	Fish around shallow rock and wood.
Walleye	Fair	Fish with jigs tipped with crawlers or minnows.

Union Grove Lake

There is quite a bit of vegetation but some of it has been treated and is dying back.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Fish around shallow brush or rock in pockets or look for fish suspended in open water.
Bluegill	Good	Fish shallow pockets and around rocky areas.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Fish shallow water where fish are spawning.
Walleye	Slow	An occasional walleye is being caught by panfisherman.

For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Hawthorn Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Crappies will move shallow to spawn. Try small jigs and minnows.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Target rip-rapped shorelines fishing slow with jigs and plastics.

Lake Miami


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Try small jigs fished near shore. Keep moving until finding active fish.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Use jigs fished along structure and near shore.

Lake Sugema


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Look for crappie to start gathering around structure and along the shorelines as the water temperature increases. Try small jigs in these areas.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Target rip-rapped shorelines and around the rock jetties using spinnerbaits or jigs.

Lake Wapello


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Try small jigs along the shorelines and around structure.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Target areas with structure with jigs or plastics.

Rathbun Reservoir

The current lake level is 904.74 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Some crappies are still up shallow but most have spawned and moved to deeper water. Try jig and minnows around structure.
Walleye	Good	There is a 15-inch minimum length limit on walleye at Lake Rathbun effective January 1st. All walleyes measuring less than 15 inches must be immediately released unharmed. Anglers are catching walleyes trolling bottom bouncers and crawler harnesses.
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass)	Fair	Anglers are catching hybrid striped bass trolling or vertically jigging.

Red Haw Lake

Visitors are asked to avoid the campground area due to the continued storm damage cleanup.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Try small jigs changing your retrieval speed until finding one the fish like.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Try plastics fished along the rock jetties and the dam.

For information on lakes in south central Iowa call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.

SOUTHWEST

Arrowhead Pond

Water clarity is good at Arrowhead. Water temperature is 75 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report
Bluegill	Good	Bluegills are spawning close to shore and will average 8 inches.

Lake Anita

The water temperature is in the mid 70's at Anita.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Black crappies have moved to deeper water and can be caught around tree piles.
Bluegill	Good	Look for bluegills around traditional spawning areas.
Largemouth Bass	Good

Lake Manawa

Lake Manawa is 2 feet low at the time of this report.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report
Channel Catfish	Fair	Fish Sonny's dip bait or cut bait on windy shorelines for best success. Manawa has catfish of all sizes.
Walleye	Fair	Walleye anglers are having success casting crankbaits.
White Crappie	No Report

Orient Lake

Anglers report good bluegill fishing at Orient.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report
Bluegill	Good	Bluegills are close to shore spawning at Orient. Fish will average 8 inches.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Channel catfish up to 5 pounds can be caught on cutbait near the cleaning station.

Prairie Rose Lake

Water clarity is very good at Prairie Rose.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Black crappies have moved off spawning areas and can be caught around deep structure.
Bluegill	Good	Bluegills are close to spawning areas. Cast small jigs and move often to find quality bluegill.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Largemouth bass can be caught all around the lake.

Viking Lake

The Viking Lake water level is now back down 18 inches. All boat ramps are usable.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report	Look for post spawn crappies around deep tree piles. Fish will average 9 inches. There is a large year class of 6 inch black crappie in the lake.
Bluegill	Good	Cast small jigs and move often to find spawning bluegill.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Fish for bass casting the shoreline just outside the flooded terrestrial vegetation.

For information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at (712) 769-2587.

Big Creek Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	Catch bluegills shallow on beds in 2 to 4 feet of water throughout the lake.
Walleye	Good	Catch walleyes jigging with leeches and nightcrawlers or trolling live bait rigs with minnows or crawlers. Concentrate on the upper half of the lake in 10 to 25 feet of water around road beds, points and humps during the day and shallow in the evenings.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Catch channel catfish with cutbait and stink baits fished inside and upstream of log piles and treefalls.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Catch Channel Catfish fishing in and just above treefalls and log piles with dip baits and cutbait.

Don Williams Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Catch crappie fishing live minnows in treefalls or slowly trolling 2 inch or smaller twister tail jigs just out from shore.

Red Rock Reservoir


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	The crappie spawn is mostly finished in Red Rock. Catch crappies drifting or trolling plastics or small crankbaits in coves off the main lake and Whitebreast arm.

Rock Creek Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Catch crappies drifting and trolling small jigs with twister tails, tubes or paddle tails.

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

Green Valley Lake

Docks are in at the beach and dam boat ramps.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow	Try using jigs fished near rocky shoreline areas for crappies of all sizes.
Bluegill	Good	Try using jigs or small worms under a bobber fished along rocky shoreline areas for Bluegill up to 8.5 inches.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Try using finesse plastics fished along shallow cedar tree brushpiles for Largemouth Bass up to 20 inches.

Little River Watershed Lake

Dock is in at the main boat ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow	Try using jigs fished along the flooded timber for Crappies of all sizes.
Bluegill	Fair	Try using jigs or small worms under a bobber fished along rocky shoreline areas for Bluegill up to 9 inches.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Try using finesse plastics fished along weedlines for Largemouth Bass up to 19 inches.

Three Mile Lake

Docks are in at main ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Fair	Try using jigs or crankbaits fished in 8-12 feet of water for Walleye of all sizes.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake

Dock is in at main boat ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	Try using jigs or worms under a bobber fished along the fish mounds for Bluegill of all sizes.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Try using finesse plastics fished along rocky shoreline areas for Largemouth Bass up to 19 inches.

Water temperature in most lakes is in the low to mid 70's. For more information, please contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.