FishingReport

Iowa Fishing Report

www.iowadnr.gov

November 23, 2024

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 in the tailwaters at Lynxville has risen to 615 feet and is expected to stabilize at this level over the next week. Water temperature is in the mid 40's F.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Crappie are on the fall feed. Fish fallen trees and stumps near backwaters using a small jig tipped with a minnow.
Bluegill	Good	Use light tackle with hooked tipped with a small piece of worm or waxworms.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Cast crankbaits around woody debris near lower portions of backwaters
Sauger	Fair	Tailwater fishing may improve with colder water temps.
Smallmouth Bass	Excellent	Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along main channel rock shorelines or at the spillway.
Walleye	Fair	Walleye fishing in the tailwaters may improve with colder water temps.
Yellow Perch	Fair	Look for perch at the lower ends of backwaters near the openings.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Water level at Guttenberg has risen to 6 ft. and is expected to rise to 7.3 ft. before stabilizing. Water temperature is in the mid 40's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Crappie are on the fall feed. Fish fallen trees and stumps near backwaters using a small jig tipped with a minnow.
Bluegill	Good	Use light tackle with hooked tipped with a small piece of worm or waxworms
Largemouth Bass	Good	Cast crankbaits along woody debris near lower portions of backwaters
Sauger	Fair	Tailwater fishing may improve with colder water temps.
Smallmouth Bass	Excellent	Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along main channel rock shorelines.
Walleye	Fair	Walleye fishing in the tailwaters may improve with colder water temps.
Yellow Perch	Fair	Look for perch at the lower ends of backwaters near the openings

Mississippi River Pool 9

Water level at Lansing is 8.3 feet and predicted to remain stable next week. Water temperature is in the mid 40's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Crappie are on the fall feed. Fish fallen trees and stumps near backwaters using a small jig tipped with a minnow.
Bluegill	Good	Use light tackle with hooked tipped with a small piece of worm or waxworms.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Cast crankbaits along woody debris near lower portions of backwaters
Sauger	Fair	Tailwater fishing may improve with colder water temps.
Smallmouth Bass	Excellent	Smallmouth are biting in areas with moderate current. Cast spinners and crankbaits along main channel rock shorelines.
Walleye	Fair	Walleye fishing in the tailwaters may improve with colder water temps.
Yellow Perch	Fair	Look for perch at the lower ends of backwaters near the openings.

Upper Mississippi River levels on Pools 9-11 have risen but are expected to stabilize over the next week. Water temps have fallen into the 40's. With the cold weather forecast fish should start moving into overwintering holes.

Mississippi River Pool 12

Water level at Dubuque Lock and Dam is rising at 6.2 feet and the RR Bridge is at 8.7 feet. Water is clear with the temperature is around 48 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Excellent	Hit the brush piles with small jigs and minnows.
Bluegill	Good	Starting to move to the brush piles and dead falls in deeper backwater habitats.
Largemouth Bass	Excellent	Bass are stacked up along shorelines with old weed lines and in large woody habitats.
Northern Pike	Good	Pike fishing has picked up in the cooler temps. They will bite right up to ice in conditions.
Smallmouth Bass	Excellent	Try fishing along rock lines with small crankbaits or spinners
Walleye	Fair	Walleyes and sauger are being reported by crappie anglers in the brush piles as well! Some walleye and sauger are being taken in the tailwaters mostly on a jig and minnow.
White Bass	Excellent	White bass have been a consistent in the creel. Try some flashy spinners in the tailwater areas.
Yellow Perch	Fair	Starting to hear of some yellow perch being caught. They seemed to disappear for awhile but strong populations are present on the Mississippi River.

Mississippi River Pool 13

Water level at Bellevue is rising and presently is near 6.2 feet. Water is clear with the temperature near 48 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Crappie are starting to show up in the creel with anglers using minnows in brush piles in the larger sloughs.
Bluegill	Good	Fish woody habitats in deeper backwater areas.
Channel Catfish	Good	Cats can still be found on mud flats with stink or cheese baits. Catfish often bite much later in the year than most people expect.
Largemouth Bass	Excellent	Anglers are also using jig baits along slough brush piles in side channel areas. Fish are really concentrating on woody habitats.
Northern Pike	Good	Some nice pike are being picked up in along the channel edges. Pike will aggressively bite right until ice in conditions.
Smallmouth Bass	Excellent	Try rock lines with spinners or jigs for abundant smallies. You need to be in areas with strong current.
Walleye	Fair	Most angling is taking place in the tailwaters with folks using jigs and minnows.
White Bass	Excellent	White bass are being caught in the Bellevue tailwaters on white jigs or small spinners.
Yellow Perch	Good	Starting to hear of some yellow perch being caught. They seemed to have disappeared for awhile but strong populations are present on the Mississippi River.

Mississippi River Pool 14

Water level at Fulton is rising and presently near 5.6 feet, 9.6 feet at Camanche and 4.8 feet at LeClaire. Water is clear with the temperature around 50 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Crappie can be caught by anglers using minnows in brush piles in the larger sloughs.
Bluegill	Excellent	Fish are starting to move to backwater habitats with woody debris.
Largemouth Bass	Excellent	Fish are really concentrating on woody habitats in the backwaters. Spinner baits and chatter baits seem to be the lures of choice.
Northern Pike	Good	White spinner bait work the best. The pike bite well deep into the fall.
Smallmouth Bass	Excellent	Fish spinners or jigs next to rock lines with strong current.
Walleye	Fair	Tailwater angling is starting to fire up with most anglers using a jig and minnow.
White Bass	Good	Fish along shorelines near the tailwater with flashy spinners or small white jigs.

Mississippi River Pool 15

Water level is rising at Rock Island near 6.0 feet. Water is clear and temperature is around 50 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Freshwater Drum	No Report	Worm rig with egg sinker fished along shore in moderate current will catch this consistent biter.
Smallmouth Bass	Good	Fish along the many rock lines with moderate current for abundant smallmouth bass. Pool 15 can be an overlooked spot for smallmouth but you need be along the abundant rock lines in moderate to fast current. Smallies live in rock areas with current.

Water levels are low. Boaters should use caution to avoid backing off end of ramps. Fall fishing can be great on the River right until ice in. 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 the Quad Cities is 5.98 feet and has been rising this past week. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 7.40 feet by the middle of next week.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Sauger	No Report	We have not received any reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam and in Sylvan Slough. Fishing should improve as water temperatures fall. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Walleye	No Report	Look for walleyes on the wingdams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes towards the ends of the wingdams where there is more current. Look for walleyes in Sylvan Slough and below the Lock and Dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs and minnows.
White Crappie	No Report	Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.

Mississippi River Pool 17

Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 at Muscatine is 4.28 feet and has been fairly steady this past week but forecasted start rising over the weekend. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 6.00 feet by the middle of next week. There has been some tailwater fishing for walleye and saugers below Lock and Dam 16 on days that haven't had strong winds.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Largemouth Bass	No Report	Try fishing for largemouth bass in areas like Big Timber around logs.
Sauger	Fair	We have not received any reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam. Fishing should improve as water temperatures fall. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Walleye	Fair	Look for walleyes on the wingdams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes towards the ends of the wingdams where there is more current. Look for walleye below the Lock and Dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
White Crappie	Fair	Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.

Mississippi River Pool 18

Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston is 4.22 feet and has been fairly steady this past week but is forecasted to start rising over the weekend. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 6.70 feet by the middle of next week.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Sauger	Slow	Reports from last week were fishing was slow below the Lock and Dam 17. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Walleye	No Report	Look for walleyes on the wingdams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes towards the ends of the wingdams where there is more current. Look for walleyes below the Lock and Dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
White Crappie	No Report	Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.

Mississippi River Pool 19

Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington is 2.27 feet. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 3.30 feet by the middle of next week.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Sauger	No Report	We have not received any reports of catching saugers below the Lock and Dam. Fishing should improve as water temperatures fall. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Walleye	No Report	Look for walleyes on the wingdams. Try casting or trolling crankbaits. Walleyes can also be caught on jigs and nightcrawlers. With the low water conditions, look for walleyes towards the ends of the wingdams where there is more current. Look for walleyes below the Lock and Dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
White Crappie	No Report	Look for crappies around brush piles and snags in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber or jigs and plastics.

Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Tailwater stages have been fairly steady this past week but are forecasted to start rising over the weekend. Main channel water temperature is around 49 degrees and water clarity is fair. There has been some tailwater fishing for walleye and saugers on days anglers can get out when there isn't strong winds. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)

Water levels remain low to steady.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Find fish in backwater areas with woody debris. Use minnow under a bobber.
Smallmouth Bass	Slow	Use a hook tipped with a ringworm, twistertail, or nightcrawler.
Walleye	Good	Anglers using live baits finding success.

Decorah District Streams

As of November 1, trout stream stocking is finished for the year. Staff would like to thank all our trout anglers and supporters for making this season fun and rewarding. Fall community pond stocking in full swing. Visit our website to find out more. Many trout streams flow through public areas where hunting occurs.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Brook Trout	Slow	Brook trout more interested in spawning than feeding making catching more difficult. Dabbling a fly through narrow vegetated runs or find a deeper pool above a beaver dam may grab a brooks attention.
Brown Trout	Good	Avoid walking in cleared gravel areas in faster moving water. These are trout nests or redds. Try using flies or crankbaits imitating minnows or other small trout.
Rainbow Trout	Good	With the end of catchable trout stocking, plenty of fish remain in the stream to confound anglers. A small chunk of worm or cheese under a bobber fished through a deeper hole may turn a rainbow head. Cut line on deeply hooked fish if returning to water.

Lake Hendricks

Water clarity good. Slow presentation retrieval with cooler water. Few anglers out.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Shoreline anglers finding fish. Live baits working well.
Bluegill	Fair	Use a small piece of worm or waxworm under a bobber.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Using a spinner or crank bait with a slow retrieve in cooler water works.

Lake Meyer

Water clarity good. Few anglers fishing this lake this week.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow	Use a small jig with plastic tail or spinner bait fished in deeper water.
Bluegill	Good	Angling from shore using a small piece of worm under a bobber or small spinner bait with a slow retrieve working well.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Fish evening using artificial lures with a slow retrieve.

Turkey River (above Clermont)

Water levels remain low to steady.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Find smallies in deeper holes or near rock ledges. Use small jig or crankbait.
Walleye	Fair	Use jig with twistertail or spinner bait through deeper holes or near rock ledges.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)

Water levels remain low to steady.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Find fish near drop-offs or rock ledges. Use a spinner or crank bait.
Walleye	Fair	Fish deeper holes with jigs or crankbaits with enough weight to get lure near bottom.

Volga Lake

Water clarity good. Few anglers fishing with dropping temperatures and rainy weather.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Use live baits with a slow retrieve for best luck.
Bluegill	Fair	Find gills off jetties or along rocky shoreline in morning moving deeper in evening. Try tube jigs tipped with artificial attractants or small piece of worm under a bobber.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Fish drop-offs and around brush piles with a crankbait toward evening.

This weeks rain did little to raise or muddy area rivers and streams but dampened angling efforts. Windy through weekend with temperatures 40's to 20's at night. For more information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Dalton Pond

The stop logs will be pulled on Dalton Pond this coming Monday, November 25th.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Fair	Try using both live bait or artificial lures or jigs for rainbow trout.

Heritage Pond

Heritage Pond was stocked with catchable rainbow trout on Friday, November 8th.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	Try using both live bait or artificial lures or jigs for rainbow trout.

North Prairie Lake

North Prairie Lake was stocked with catchable rainbow trout on Friday, November 8th.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	Try using both live bait or artificial lures or jigs for rainbow trout.

Interior rivers remain at low levels and fishing has been slow. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and provide great angling opportunities for both rainbow and brown trout. For further information contact your local bait shops for additional information.

NORTHWEST

Clear Lake

Water level is 8.4 inches below crest. Water temperature is in the low 40's. All the courtesy docks have been taken out for the season.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Fair	Walleye are biting on jigs and live bait. Best bite is after sun set.
Yellow Bass	Slow	Anglers are catching a few yellow bass while targeting walleye.

Crystal Lake

The courtesy docks have been removed for the season.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Drift fish or troll small jigs in the dredge cut.
Bluegill	Slow	Fish a jig tipped with a piece of crawler near vegetation.
Walleye	Slow	Fish near the vegetation edge and along the old roadbed.

Rice Lake

Any water west of the north boat ramp is a waterfowl refuge and is closed to all activity from Sept. 1st through the final day of the duck season. Signs across the lake mark this area.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Slow
Walleye	Slow
Yellow Perch	Fair	Fish a jig and piece of crawler near vegetation.

Silver Lake (Worth)

The courtesy dock has been taken out for the season.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Slow
Yellow Perch	Slow	Fish a jig head tipped with a piece of crawler.

Winnebago River

River level is 5.31 feet.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Smallmouth Bass	No Report	Fish in the deeper pools.
Walleye	Fair

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 lake is currently just below crest. The ramp/dock at upper gar can be used for the remainder of the open water season.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good
Bluegill	Good	Many fish have been observed and easily catchable around functional docks.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Fish are currently a little ways off shore, but some can still be found around docks and other structure.
Yellow Perch	Good	Many fish have been observed, but sorting will most likely be needed.

Ingham Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Fair	Anglers have had some success in the morning and afternoon.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)

The lake level is currently below crest. The algae bloom has need dying back as waters cool.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Good	The bite has been hit or miss, but has been very good when the bite is on.

Spirit Lake

The Walleye bite has been good from shore. The Crappie and Perch bite has also been good. The lake is a few inches below crest. The ramp/dock at Templar can be used for the remainder of the season.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Good	Anglers have been finding fish of quality size up to 14".
Bluegill	Good
Walleye	Good	The night shore bite has been good. Evening has been best with leach and bobber from shore or crank baits and slip bobbers by boat.
Yellow Perch	Good	Sorting is needed, but anglers have been finding many of acceptable size.

West Okoboji Lake

The lake is a few inches below crest. Triboji dock is in.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair
Bluegill	Good
Largemouth Bass	Good
Pumpkinseed	Good

Area buoys have been pulled for the season. The bite for most species has been very good lately. Most fish have moved in closer to shore as temperatures drop, but catch has fallen off a bit for most species. Most ramp docks have been pulled for the season.

SOUTHEAST

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Fish rock with crankbaits.
Walleye	Fair	Fish deeper pools and current seams with jigs or crankbaits.
White Bass	Fair	Fish current seams with moving baits.

Coralville Reservoir

As of 11/20, the lake level is 686.9. Water temps are in the upper 40's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Fish rock bluffs or sunken brush with minnows or bright jigs.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Fish rock banks or laydowns with artificials.
White Crappie	Fair	Fish rock bluffs or sunken brush with minnows or bright jigs.

Lake Macbride

At this time, any sized motor may be used at no-wake speed (5 mph). Water temps are around 50 degrees. Most docks have been removed but permanent slips are located at Opie Ave ramp and Main ramp. Year round docks can also be found at Main ramp and Anglers Point ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Target brush in 5-15' of water with jigs or minnows.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Target shallow to mid depth rock or laydowns.
Muskellunge	Fair	Casting large rubber baits near cover has been producing some fish.
Walleye	Fair	Fish windblown rock. Evenings are best.
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass)	Fair	Troll crankbaits for suspended fish during the day and target windblown banks towards evening.

Liberty Centre Pond

2000 Rainbow Trout were stocked on 10/25. Remember, you must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	Small spinners and scented baits have been best.

Pleasant Creek Lake

The fish cleaning station and modern restroom have been closed for the season.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Fair	Fish rocky areas, preferably with wind, towards evening and after dark.

Prairie Park Fishery

2000 Rainbow Trout were stocked on 10/25. Remember, you must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	Small spinners and scented baits have been best.

Sand Lake

2000 Rainbow Trout were stocked on 10/18. Remember, you must have a trout stamp to fish for and/or possess trout.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Fair	Small spinners and scented baits have been best.

Union Grove Lake

The west boat ramp dock has been removed for the year.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Fish have moved offshore and are near the bottom.

Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Fish rocky areas with crankbaits or soft plastics.
Walleye	Fair	Fish deeper pools with jigs or crankbaits.

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

Discovery Park Pond

The fall trout release was on October 26th.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	A lot of trout have already been taken home but there is still more than a few to be caught.

Emma Young Pond

The fall trout stocking event was last Saturday (Oct 26th).


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	Lots of trout have been caught and taken out but there are more than a few left. worms or powerbait under a bobber fished near the habitat would be a good place to start.

Lake Belva Deer

Water temp down into the mid to upper 40's. Weather has been keeping angling pressure low lately.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow	They are out deep for the rest of the year. Look for them out along the old creek channel running down through the flooded timber.
Bluegill	Slow	They have left the mid depth habitat for the deeper habitat along the old creek channel.

Lake Darling

Water temperature is down to 46 degrees this morning (11/21). The whitecaps are stirring up the lake right now, a little on the muddy side right now.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	Fish either the big brush piles off the south side down by the dam or some of the other habitat in 10-14 foot of water.
Bluegill	Fair	A good place to start would be to head out to the middle of the lake where the ice anglers fish for them over the old cedar trees.

Lake Geode

Water temperature is holding between 48 and 50 degrees.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Fair	The crappies seem to like those rock piles and other fish habitat in 8-10 foot of water.
Bluegill	Slow	Look for them out in the fish habitat in 8 to 10 foot of water.

Lost Grove Lake

The water temperature was still 54 on Monday (11/18) has been dropping since then. Water clarity good. Gates at the boat ramp down at the dam and for backcast bay are closed for the season.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	They're out deep to stay now vertical jigging around some of the deeper trees in 18-26 foot of water. Which is going to be tough until the winds dies down.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	The bass have headed out to deeper water for the winter. Very little fishing pressure due to the wind this week.

For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at (319) 694-2430.

Hawthorn Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow	Target brush piles with jig and minnow combinations.
Bluegill	Slow	Target brushpiles with small jigs.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Target the fishing jetties and rip-rapped shorelines. Use plastics or spinnerbaits in these areas.

Lake Keomah

Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project. Please keep out of the lakebed. Conditions of dried silt give the appearance of solid ground when in fact the soils are very soft.

Lake Miami


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow	Try a jig and minnow combo around the cedar tree piles.
Bluegill	Slow	Try small jigs around the brushpiles and along the shoreline.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Use plastics or spinnerbaits around the brush piles and along the rip-rapped shoreline areas.

Lake Sugema


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow	Try jig and minnows in the standing timber and along rocky shorelines.
Bluegill	Slow	Target shorelines and submerged brush piles with small jigs.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Try plastics or spinnerbaits along rip-rapped shorelines and around the submerged structures.

Lake Wapello


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow	Target the cedar tree piles with small jigs.
Bluegill	Slow	Try small jigs around the brush piles.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Try plastics and crankbaits around the brush piles and the rip-rapped shoreline.

Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond)

Trout were stocked on October 24th. Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler or in-line spinners. A trout stamp is required to fish for or possess trout.

Rathbun Reservoir

The current lake level is 903.45 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels so properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	Slow	Try jigs around submerged cedar tree piles. Target brush piles in 15-20 feet of water.
Walleye	Slow	Try trolling crankbaits around rock piles and the old river channel. All walleye less than 15-inches must be immediately released unharmed.
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass)	Slow	Try jigging spoons or crankbaits over rock piles and submerged islands.

Red Haw Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Slow	Try small jigs around the shorelines and the submerged structure near the campground shoreline.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Try plastics around the fishing jetties and along the face of the dam. Slow down your presentation.

Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

SOUTHWEST

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	Trout were stocked on Thurs, Oct 31st. Use spinners, spoons, minnows, wax worms, or flies.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Fair	Catch walleye casting jigs tipped with live minnows, twister tails or swim baits below Saylorville dam, the city dams and any deeper pool with some slow current.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Fair	Catch walleye casting jigs tipped with live minnows, twister tails or swim baits. Fish deeper pools on outside bends and above and below any rock bars deposited where small streams dump in.

Lake Petocka


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	Trout were stocked at on Thurs, Oct 31st. Catch trout casting spinners, spoons, blade baits, live minnows, wax worms or floating flies.

Terra Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	Trout were stocked on Monday October 28. Catch trout casting spinners, spoons, blade baits, live minnows, wax worms or floating flies.

Triumph Park West


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Rainbow Trout	Good	Trout were stocked on Monday October 28 in Triumph West and East. Catch trout casting spinners, spoons, blade baits, live minnows, wax worms or floating flies.

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


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	No Report

Little River Watershed Lake

Dock is in at the main boat ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report

Three Mile Lake

Lake level is currently 11 feet below normal pool. Boat ramp lanes are out of the water at the main boat ramp

Twelve Mile Creek Lake

Docks is in at main boat ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Yellow Perch	Fair	Try using a jig tipped with livebait fished along creek channels for Yellow Perch up to 11 inches.

West Lake (Osceola)

Lake level has increased with recent rains, but still remains approximately 1 feet below normal pool. Boaters can now use the boat ramps again at their own risk.

Water temperatures in most Mount Ayr district lakes are in the upper 40's to low 50's. For more information, please contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

Lake Anita

Water clarity is good at Anita.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report	Black crappies are being caught slow trolling. Sorting will be necessary for larger fish.
Bluegill	No Report	Slow troll small jigs to catch 8 inch bluegill. Tipping with nightcrawler or Berkley helps. The north arm and around the beach is a good place to start.
Largemouth Bass	No Report

Meadow Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report	Look for 9 inch black crappies in the cedar tree piles.
Bluegill	No Report	Anglers are catching bluegills around the reefs. Fish will average 8 inches.
Largemouth Bass	No Report

Prairie Rose Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report	Find submerged tree piles and vertical jig for 10 to 12 inch black crappie.
Bluegill	No Report	Anglers are catching a few fish slow trolling deep water areas.
Largemouth Bass	No Report

Viking Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Black Crappie	No Report	Boat anglers can find black crappies in tree piles. Sorting will be necessary for the larger fish.
Bluegill	No Report	Bluegills will average 7.5 inches.
Largemouth Bass	No Report

There are very few fishing reports due to weather. For information on lakes in the Cold Springs District call (712) 769-2587.