NORTHWEST
Beeds Lake
Sucker - Good: There are lots of white suckers in Beed's. A worm and sinker on the bottom should entice them to bite. Channel Catfish - Fair: Cats should be close to spawning. Anglers might try near rocks. Largemouth Bass - Good: Crappie - Fair: Try for crappies around the jetty's with minnows.
Upper Pine Lake
Good numbers of bluegills and crappie from both lakes are coming in on grub-type baits. Largemouth bass from Upper Lake with spinner baits. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawning in 4 to 5 feet of water. A bobber and small jig with a piece of worm should work. Small grub-style baits are also working. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are biting on spinnerbaits. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught near structure.
Lake Smith
Channel Catfish - Good: Try cutbait, worms, or stinkbait. Fish are probably biting best the last hour of sunlight to an hour after sunset. Bluegill - Slow: Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits.
Lake Catherine
Channel Catfish - Good: Cats are biting on minnows or chicken liver. Try early morning or right at dark. They are decent size with some running 7-9 pounds. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are biting on spinners.
Clear Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are staging for spawning. Look around the rock reefs or the island. The jetties by Ventura or the mouth of the Harborage are also worth a shot. If you find fish, action is fast and aggressive. Try cutbait, worms or small live bait. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill numbers are low, but some fish may be caught below docks or on the edge of bulrushes. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Some largemouth have been caught near the reeds with live bait. Crappie - Good: Some crappies are still in or near the Venetian Village and the Harborage. Some of the larger crappies, though, have been hitting near the edge of the bulrushes at dusk. Yellow Perch - Slow: Anglers might catch a few perch when fishing near the reed edges. Size is mostly small along with a few up to 10 inches. Walleye - Fair: A few bigger fish have been caught but most anglers are catching a mix of sublegals and small legal walleyes. Most are caught on jig and a minnow. Some are catching walleyes drifting or trolling. Action on the Rock reefs and rock piles is picking up; anglers are using live bait and bobbers or jigging right on bottom. Muskellunge - No Report: Yellow Bass - Fair: Numbers of smaller fish can still be caught on some of the reefs (Billy's). Some anglers are picking up a few larger ones near the bulrush edges. The lake is full and water temperature is around 75 degrees.
Lake Cornelia
Channel Catfish - Good: Cats should be biting on cutbait or stinkbait. Fish during the last hour of sunlight to an hour after sunset, or try during the day on a windward side of the lake. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are keeper size. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are near the rocks by the harbor and other rocky shorelines. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are around 8 inches. Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass are 7-7.25 inches.
Little Wall Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats are spawning on the rocks. Try with a bobber and minnow, small live bait or chicken liver. If you're after flatheads use a live fish for bait and fish after dark. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Crappie - Slow: Little Wall is at crest and the water temperature is around 73 degrees.
Crystal Lake
Try fishing on the edge of weeds near the deeper dredged water for bass, walleyes, and pike. Channel Catfish - Slow: Bluegill - Fair: Great population of 7-8 inch bluegills. Bluegills are finished spawning but some are still close to shore. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers reported catching lots of largemouth. Fish on the outside edges with a bobber and live bait or try a weedless spoon. Walleye - Slow: Walleyes are around 16-18 inches. Water temperature is around 77 degrees. There is lots of curlyleaf growing in the lake.
Bluebill Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Look for cats near rocks. Bluegill - Good: Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are biting well along shorelines. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit on bass. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are biting on minnows under a bobber.
Fin and Feather Lake
There has been some activity for panfish. There was a partial fish kill this winter but there are still some bluegills and largemouths left to provide some action. Bluegill - Fair: Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are near shore. Remember the 15-inch minimum length limit.
Interstate Park Lake
There was a partial fish kill this winter on this lake but anglers report catching a variety of fish this past week. Bluegill - Fair: Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouths are cruising the shorelines. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are a nice size and should be biting off the boat ramp point or off the east rock side.
Iowa River (Iowa Falls to Marshalltown)
Iowa River is flooding from recent local rains. There is some activity below Steamboat Rock for walleye and northern pike.
Shell Rock River (above Greene)
Water levels are high. Northern Pike - Slow: A few northern pike are being caught with a chub and bobber, or slow artificial presentations. Between Northwood and Nora Springs below dams, backwater areas and anywhere a creek feeds into the river. Walleye - Slow: A few small walleye being caught on Shell Rock River on jig/twister.
Winnebago River
Water level is still high. Try fishing any slower water areas or backwater areas you can find. Northern Pike - Slow: Northern pike are being caught in Fertile by the dam and the park point east of the dam. Anglers are using a slow retrieval with Mepps number 4 and 5 spinner baits or a Rapala 3-inch Countdown Minnow. Some pike are also hitting chubs presented below bobbers. Channel Catfish - Slow: Anglers should try below the dams or in backwater areas using cutbait, stinkbait, or minnows.
East Fork Des Moines (Algona to Humboldt)
The East Fork is running high right now. Fishing is marginal. Walleye - No Report:
For lake updates and fishing information in the north central area contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Volga Lake angling has picked up with warmer water temperatures. Channel Catfish - Fair: Cats are starting to move. Try a hook a dead chub or stinkbait and let it set near the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Try for bluegills in the shallow flats. Use a small jig tipped with a worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are in the shallow water nibbling on bluegill bait. Crappie - Fair: Fish are suspended in the middle of the lake. Fish around submersed brush piles. Try a jig tipped with imitation minnows. Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers have been catching perch while fishing for bluegills. They have been caught in about 8 feet of water on the bottom.
Lake Hendricks
Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting on night crawlers or dead chubs fished under a bobber along the rockier shoreline. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are biting on hook tipped with a small chunk of worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Anglers have been catching largemouth bass using a jig and soft plastics. Top water lures are working well in the evening. Crappie - Good: Anglers have been catching a lot of 5 to 6-inch crappies on jigs tipped with a rubber skirt or minnow of the jetties. Water temperature is in the mid 70s.
Lake Meyer
Very few people have been fishing. Northern Pike - No Report: Channel Catfish - Slow: Try along the rocky shorelines as catfish are beginning to spawn. Use a worm on the bottom under a bobber. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers are picking up a lot of small bluegills along the weed beds using yellow or green jigs and soft plastics. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers are catching a few bass with yellow jigs and plastic twister tails or crankbaits fished slowly along the shoreline. Crappie - Slow: Anglers continue to pick up a few suspended in deeper water. Water temperature is in the mid 70s. Water clarity continues to improve.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Flows are still high and clarity is about 6 inches but water levels have stabilized. Fish activity should pick up. Sucker - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Flows are up but water levels have stabilized. The river is clearer where the tributaries come in so focus your efforts around these spots. Sucker - No Report: Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Yellow River
Fishing out of a canoe or kayak is allowed without landowner permission. Wading or fishing from the bank requires landowner permission.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity has improved. Fish should be actively looking for food. Smallmouth Bass - No Report:
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels have stabilized and clarity is better this week. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish have been taking chicken livers and dead chubs. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Anglers are using a jig tipped with a twistertail. Smallies 14 inches + are common. Crappie - No Report: Walleye - Slow: A few walleye are being caught while fishing for smallmouth.
Decorah District Streams
Be aware if you are out trying to find a stream to fish, many roads are in poor condition. Also many streambeds have changed so if you are wading streams use care where you step. Water clarity has improved and fish have been actively taking bait. Large hatches of mosquitoes, flies and gnats have been occurring. As has been the case recently, further rains may affect water clarity and conditions on all northeast Iowa streams.
As of July 2, the majority of our rivers have stabilized and are clearing. For more on water levels, please visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/rt. Trout stocking is occurring where access is available. For trout stocking information, call 563-927-5736. It looks like we might have a nice weekend in store with only a chance for isolated showers on the 4th. For more information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Silver Lake (Delaware)
Anglers have been doing well catching bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie and northern pike. The vegetation has really come on over the last week making angling a little more difficult. Northern Pike - Fair: Weedless spoons work really well near vegetation beds. Bluegill - Good: Fishing a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber is always productive, or smaller jigs retrieved over spawning beds works well. Largemouth Bass - Good: Lots of 7 to 10-inch bass are being caught. Cast spinner baits or weedless baits around vegetation beds. Crappie - Good: Casting small jigs next to weed beds has been productive for crappie.
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Channel catfish and bluegill fishing has been excellent. Anglers are also reporting catches of crappie and largemouth bass. Clarity still remains good but vegetation is beginning to encompass the shoreline. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Cutbaits, stinkbaits, shrimp and leopard frogs fished on the bottom have been smacking the channel catfish. Bluegill - Excellent: Small piece of worm under bobber fished off of jetties or around structure in 3-6 feet of water has been excellent. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing near structure using crankbaits or spinnerbaits. Crappie - Good: Try drifting a minnow under a bobber or fishing around structure.
South Prairie Lake
Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie. Bluegill - Good: Anglers are catching 7-8 inch bluegill using a piece of nightcrawler under a small bobber. Crappie - Good: Try casting small tube jigs or drifting a crappie minnow under a slip bobber.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River is beginning to recede, anglers have been targeting channel catfish on the river.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
There are no reports on the Wapsipinicon River due to high water levels.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
High water levels on the Maquoketa River has hindered angling but water levels and clarity should only improve by the upcoming weekend.
Manchester District Streams
Area Manchester District trout streams are currently in excellent condition. Backbone Park (Richmond Springs Trout Stream) is now open through the park.
Interior rivers in northeast Iowa remain at high levels but are receding. The weather forecast looks promising for the upcoming holiday weekend. Manchester District trout streams are all in excellent condition, for more information call the district office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing is 12.7 feet and is expected to drop slowly over the next week to below 12 feet. Army Road near New Albin is still closed due to high water. Best option to access Pool 9 is at Village Creek ramp in Lansing. Channel Catfish - Good: Muddy water is a good time to use stink bait to find active feeding post spawn channel cats. Bluegill - Fair: High muddy water has made bluegill fishing more difficult, but should pick up as water clarity returns. Look for fish in shallow water along shorelines at the upper ends of backwaters. Largemouth Bass - Fair: High muddy water has slowed bass fishing. Keep moving on backwater shorelines to find active fish. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Drum are actively biting on worms or small bits of crawler fishing along the main channel drop offs and sand flats.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville is 22.4 feet and is expected to drop slowly over the next week to below 21.4 feet. The Harpers Ferry high water ramp is the best bet for getting out on to Pool 10. Sny Magill boat ramp is still under water and will probably not be open by the weekend. Water is high on the Bussey Lake ramp but boaters can put in there. Channel Catfish - Good: Muddy water is a good time to use stink bait to find active feeding post spawn channel cats. Bluegill - Fair: High muddy water has made bluegill fishing more difficult, but should pick up as water clarity returns. Look for fish in shallow water along shorelines at the upper ends of backwaters. Largemouth Bass - Slow: High muddy water has slowed bass fishing. Keep moving on backwater shorelines to find active fish. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Drum are actively biting on worms or small bits of crawler fishing along the main channel drop-offs and sand flats.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River stage at Guttenberg is 13.9 feet currently and is expected to fall steadily over the next week to 12 feet. The Guttenberg city ramp is under water but may become accessible by the weekend. Boats can still put in at the DNR ramp but parking is limited. Mud Lake and Findley's Landing ramps are in good shape. Channel Catfish - Good: Muddy water is a good time to use stink bait to find active feeding post spawn channel cats. Bluegill - Fair: High muddy water has made bluegill fishing more difficult, but should pick up as water clarity returns. Look for fish in shallow water along shorelines at the upper ends of backwaters. Largemouth Bass - Slow: High muddy water has slowed bass fishing. Keep moving on backwater shorelines to find active fish. Freshwater Drum - Fair: Drum are actively biting on worms or small bits of crawler fishing along the main channel drop offs and sand flats.
River levels remain high on the Upper Mississippi, but are slowly beginning to drop. Water quality is slowly beginning to improve as well. As river levels drop boaters should use extra caution to avoid floating logs and debris. Many ramps are still flooded but a few more may become accessible as river level drops. High water continues to make fishing more difficult, but improving water clarity should help the bite. Water temperatures are in the lower 70s.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The river level is at the Lock and Dam at 15.2 feet and expected to fall to 14 feet by the July 4th weekend. Water level at the railroad bridge is at 17.1 feet and expected to fall to 16 feet and below by this weekend. The water is turbid and water temperature is around 75 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are in spawning mode right now so if you go fishing try along any still exposed rock piles and rock lines. Trot lines fishing can be good in high water so that also may be an option. Worms will make great bait. Bluegill - Fair: Nice sized bluegills are present throughout the River and just need to find a concentration of them in the high water. Rocky eddy areas can be good spots during the summer. Just need a split shot and small chunk of worm.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level at the Lock and Dam is at 15.7 feet and expected to fall to 15 feet and below this weekend. The water is turbid and some debris is floating around. Many ramps are flooded and inaccessible. For people trying to find cleaner water to fish you might try the Green Island wildlife area or Middle lake Sabula. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish on trotlines fished along flooded shores may produce some descent catches on crawlers or leeches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some bass may still be caught in the upper ends of large backwater complexes where water is clearer. Try Spring Lake, Savannah Bay or Upper Browns Lake.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The river level is at Fulton is at 16.2 feet and expected to fall to 15.0 feet this weekend. The water is turbid and some debris is still floating down river. Many ramps are flooded including those at Rock Creek. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish on trotlines fished along flooded shores may produce some descent catches on crawlers or leeches. Bluegill - No Report: Lots of nice bluegills were caught in Pool 14 just prior to the flooding river conditions. Look for nice catches as soon as the river gets back in good shape.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The river level is at 11.9 feet at Le Claire and expected to fall to 11.0 by this weekend. Water clarity is poor. Many ramps are flooded and inaccessible.
The Mississippi River is minor flood stages in many locations and the water is turbid. Very little fishing is going on but conditions are improving. Many boat ramps are flooding so please call ahead if visiting the river for the 4th.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport is 17.59 feet and falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Water clarity is poor and there is debris floating in the river. Fishing has been slow with the high water conditions. Many of the boat ramps in Pool 16 are not accessible due to the high water conditions.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine has risen to 18.24 feet and falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Many of the ramps are not accessible due to the high water. As of July 3rd, the ramps in Muscatine are not accessible. Big Timber (The Breaks) is closed. Water clarity is poor and there is debris floating in the river. Fishing has been slow on the river due to the high water conditions. We have received no fishing information for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pool 18
River stage at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston has reached 20.00 feet. Flood stage is 15 feet. Many of the ramps are not accessible due to the high water. Toolesboro is closed. Water clarity is poor and there is debris floating in the river. Fishing has been slow due to the high water conditions. We have received no fishing information for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pool 19
River stage at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington has risen to 15.51 feet. Flood stage is 10 feet. Many of the boat ramps are not accessible due to the high water. Water clarity is poor and there is debris floating in the river. Fishing has been slow due to the high water conditions.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: River stages are still above flood stage throughout the pools. Many of the boats ramps are not accessible. Water clarity is poor and there is debris floating in the river. Main channel water temperature is around 75 degrees. Fishing has been slow due to the high water conditions. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat before going to another water body. If you have questions about fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Odessa
All the boat ramps continue to be underwater. Look for them to stay that way until the Iowa and Mississippi River come down.
Lake Geode
Bluegill - Good: Bluegills have moved deeper for the summer. Look for them to be just off the ledges to the deep water.
Lake Belva Deer
Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have moved deeper; anglers are picking up some nice ones suspended off the mounds in the upper end of the lake. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: No real hot patterns to where they are or hot baits to use. Anglers are just catching them. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching some crappies in the same area as the bluegills. Also a few are getting caught off the face of the dam in the evenings.
Pollmiller Park Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Nightcrawlers and stinkbaits in the shallow water early or late is producing some good fish. Bluegill - Excellent: Limits of nice sized bluegills are still being caught. Look for them around the brush piles and the flooded stumps and trees. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: During the day they are out around the submerged structure. In the evenings look for them to be cruising the shoreline.
Wilson Lake
Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Somebody forgot to tell these trout that it's July. Daily limits are still being caught. They are a little deeper than their regular 3 to 4 feet, but not by much. Work the habitat in 6 to 7 feet of water.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The river is about half bank full and continues to drop. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been pretty good lately. I wouldn’t overlook fishing under any mulberry tree hanging over the water. Catfish have a sweet tooth for those things.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
Continues to be at minor to moderate flood stages.
Big Hollow Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have moved to deeper water. Look for them along the creek channel in the flooded timber or around some of the deeper brush piles.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.
Iowa Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Rocky areas are holding fish. Bluegill - Good: Look for bluegills in the shallows, especially around overhanging brush. Crappie - Fair: Most fish are 8-9 inches. Some fish are still shallow, while some have pulled off the bank. Redear Sunfish - Slow: A few large redears are being caught in the shallows. The invasive species brittle naiad is present here. Check over your boat, trailer, and equipment before leaving the lake.
Lake Macbride
Channel Catfish - Fair: Look for catfish around shallow rock. Live bait is usually best now. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are still mostly shallow. Size is marginal with fish over 7 inches very rare. Walleye - Fair: Most fish are being caught trolling flats with crankbaits or spinner rigs. Many fish are 13-14 inches, with some 16-20 inchers. Water temperature is around 80 degrees. The 10 h.p. motor restriction and 5 mph speed limit is in effect. The invasive species brittle naiad is present here. Check over your boat, trailer, and equipment before leaving the lake.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The minimum length to keep largemouth bass here is 18 inches and musky is 40 inches. Channel Catfish - Good: Fish around rock jetties and banks with crawlers or crawdads. White Bass - Good: Fish shallow, wind-blown shorelines with small crankbaits or jigs, or chase schools of fish in open water with top water baits. Bluegill - Fair: Fish around overhanging brush with a jig and waxie. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: These fish are only two years old but some are approaching 18 inches. Look for them mixed in with the white bass. Water clarity is excellent and water temperature is around 75 degrees. The invasive species brittle naiad is present here. Check over your boat, trailer, and equipment before leaving the lake.
Diamond Lake
The lake is still murky. Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Channel Catfish - Good: Crawlers, stinkbait, and chicken livers have been working well. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are still shallow for the most part. Small jigs and/or worms are working best.
Otter Creek Lake
The lake is dirty from recent rains. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are starting to be caught around rock. Evenings have been best. Bluegill - Good: The fish are very shallow now. Look for them under overhanging brush.
Union Grove Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being caught shallow and deep, although the larger fish seem to be in deeper water now. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish along shallow rock with plastics or crankbaits for best results. Crappie - Slow:
Coralville Reservoir
The lake level on July 2 is 693 feet (normal 683 feet). The lake is predicted to continue to fall slowly. Mehaffey ramp, Macbride ramp, and West Overlook ramps are open. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some fish are being caught on live bait on the rocks.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Outflow from the Coralville Dam is 10,000 CFS.
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught below the dams in Cedar Rapids as well as Ellis Park. Try crawlers, chicken livers, or stinkbait.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Wapello
Use top water lures for largemouth bass in the early mornings. Concentrate on areas with submerged structure or rocks. Channel catfish have been biting on nightcrawlers or liver.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler around submerged structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try areas along the dam and out in front of the rock jetties. Use rubber worms and crankbaits in these areas.
Lake Sugema
Bluegill - Fair: Try using jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler. Try different areas around the flooded timber and along the shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try top waters in the early mornings and late evenings. Also try crankbaits around the rocky shorelines.
Rathbun Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Fair: Try dead chubs or stinkbait. Areas around Bridgeview are productive this time of year. Walleye - Slow: Try drifting or trolling nightcrawlers around the underwater points and the islands. The current lake level is 915.36 feet with normal pool being 904 feet. The water temperature is 76 degrees. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry boats before transporting to another water body. Spray boats and trailers with high pressure hot water (above 104 degrees) or let them dry for at least 10 days (5 days in the sun).
If you have other questions regarding fishing in south central Iowa call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.
SOUTHWEST
Don Williams Lake
Crappie - Fair: Nice crappie can be caught near woody debris in the evenings with a slip bobber and minnows.
Beaver Lake
Bluegill - Good: Bluegill can be caught fishing small jigs tipped with crawlers 2 to 4 feet below the surface around much of the standing timber. Crappie - Fair: Drifting panfish jigs around the standing timber mid lake is producing crappie.
Rock Creek Lake
Bluegill - Good: Bluegill, crappie and largemouth bass are present throughout the lake. Suspend small pieces of nightcrawler or minnows under a bobber around rock and woody debris.
Big Creek Lake
Bluegill - Good: The bluegill spawn is over and fishing for them has changed to the summer pattern of drift fishing small jigs with crawler, especially over the old road beds. Big Creek bluegills are good size with many fish over 8 inches.
Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Better bluegill catches are now coming from drift fishing or fishing near pallet and brush piles in 6 to 10 feet of water. Fish with small jigs or pieces of crawler under a bobber.
Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Fair: The bluegill spawn has ended and fish are now being caught drifting or casting crawlers under a bobber along the vegetation edges. Crappie - Good: Crappie are suspended along the Northwest shoreline just outside the vegetation line. Cast or drift small panfish jigs or white twisters out from the vegetation. Crappies are also being caught around the fishing shelter.
Red Rock Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are moving into the rocks for their spawn, especially areas of flooded riprap. Try drift fishing or bobber fishing fresh cutbait close to the rock. White Bass - Fair: White bass are being caught in decent numbers trolling crankbaits or spoons around windswept points.
Saylorville Reservoir
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass fishing has been decent. Anglers should focus on points, flooded timber and rock.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Fair: River levels are still elevated, but more summer like temperatures is picking up the channel cat bite using stink baits and cutbaits.
Crappie and bluegill are now in summer patterns and can be caught best drift fishing or still fishing over habitat in 6-15 feet of water. For questions on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.
Greenfield Lake
Largemouth bass can be caught around the jetties and around structure. Greenfield also has a good channel catfish population with many 2 to 3 pound fish. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish have been caught around the jetties using shrimp. Bluegill - Fair: A few bluegills are being caught drifting small jigs. Largemouth Bass - Good: Spinner baits and crankbaits are catching bass around structure and close to shore.
Meadow Lake
Bluegills have moved off the underwater reefs. The lake is full. Bluegill - Slow: Drift small jigs to catch 8 to 9-inch bluegills. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass can be caught casting plastic baits to shore and around cedar tree piles.
Nodaway Lake
Crappies are being caught around submerged trees and drifting. Catfish are being caught in the upper end of the lake. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good using shad sides and liver. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill in the 7 to 8-inch size range are being caught in 4 to 6 feet of water. Crappie - Slow: Drift with small jigs to catch 10-inch crappie.
Orient Lake
Bluegill and catfish can be caught at Orient. Channel Catfish - Good: Many two pound catfish are being caught on cutbait. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills can be caught drifting along the dam. Tipping jigs with crawler seems to help. Crappie - Slow: Minnows under a bobber around sunken cedar trees will catch crappie up to 10 inches.
Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a good channel catfish population. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish can be caught in the corners of the dam and on the north shore using liver. Fish average two pounds. Bluegill - Slow: Drift with small jigs tipped with night crawler or power bait to catch 7 to 8-inch fish.
Lake Anita
Largemouth bass fishing has been good. Crappies and bluegills are being caught drifting open water. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are reported to be caught drifting along vegetation edges with small jigs tipped with worms or power bait. Fish are 8 to 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are reported to be caught close to shore and around structure casting spinnerbaits and plastic worms. Fish are all sizes. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught drifting with jigs close to the dam.
Willow Lake
Largemouth bass fishing is good. A few channel catfish were also caught. Channel Catfish - Fair: Cutbait and liver were reported to catch catfish close to shore around structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing has been good in the upper end of the lake using a variety of spinners and plugs.
Viking Lake
Largemouth bass fishing was good this week. Channel catfish is another species to target. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish can be caught around underwater reefs and rock fields using cutbait. Many fish are 2 to 4 pounds. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are being caught casting the shoreline with spinnerbaits and slow trolling crankbaits. Fish are all sizes.
DeSoto Bend
The middle boat ramp is the only place to launch a boat. Largemouth bass fishing continues to be good. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish liver on the outside bend of the lake close to shore. Fish will average two pounds. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass of all sizes are being caught casting plastic baits to shore.
Lake Manawa
Catfishing has been good this week. Channel Catfish - Good: The south and west side of the lake has been good for catfish this week using liver. Fish up to five pounds are being caught. Crappie - Slow: Fish minnows under a bobber around structure and in the canals.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Bluegills and crappie are in their supper pattern and can be caught along weed edges and suspended in the water column. Largemouth bass are aggressive and easily caught this time of year. Remember to always get permission before fishing private farm ponds. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish can be caught in 4 to 6 feet of water with dip bait or liver. Bluegill - Fair: Cast small jigs close to weed edges or drift open water to catch bluegill. Largemouth Bass - Good: Casting small spinners and jigs around structure and along vegetation has been good for bass. Crappie - Fair: Fish minnows and small jigs around structure to catch crappies.
Catfishing is good on many lakes. Bluegill and crappie are being caught drifting. For more information on lakes in southwest Iowa, call the district office at Cold Springs at 712-769-2587.
Lake Icaria
The water levels are normal and the clarity is good. Bullhead - Good: Several bullheads are being caught on crawlers on the bottom. Channel Catfish - Good: A lot of channel catfish are in the rip rap near shore. Bluegill - Fair: Crawler pieces hung about three feet below a bobber over the fish mounds will still catch some bluegills. Walleye - Slow: A few walleye have been caught by trolling or casting crawlers over the mounds.
Little River Watershed Lake
The lake is full and the fish have been restocked. Channel Catfish - Good: Some mid-sized channel catfish are being caught from the rock areas.
Badger Creek Lake
The water level is normal and the clarity is good. Channel Catfish - Fair: A few channel catfish can be caught from the rocky areas.
Sands Timber Lake (Blockton Reservoir)
The lake has been drained to allow completion of sediment trapping structures.
Green Valley Lake
The water level is normal and clarity is very good. Channel Catfish - Good: A lot of channel catfish are being caught from the rip rap shoreline and sides of the fish mounds. Bluegill - Good: Some bluegills remain near the spawning areas. Small jigs or crawler pieces about 3 to 4 feet down seems to work well.
Three Mile Lake
The water levels are normal. Channel Catfish - Good: Several channel catfish are being caught from the rip rap areas near shore.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The water levels are normal and the clarity is good. Bullhead - Good: Some real big bullheads can be caught using crawlers on the bottom. Channel Catfish - Good: The channel catfish are in the near-shore rocks or rock fields. Bluegill - Fair: Some real big bluegills can still be caught by suspending a crawler over the mounds or rock fields.
Water levels and clarity are near normal and all lakes are easily accessible. Water temps are in the low 70s.
Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching catfish on various baits with the best success reported on dip bait and worms. Try the side channel areas around logs, river and stream inlets, wing dykes and revetments. Flathead Catfish - Good: Anglers have been catching flatheads on chubs and bluegills. Walleye - Slow: a few walleye continue to be caught on jigs and minnows.
Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching catfish on dip bait/stinkbait and worms. Try the side channel areas around logs, river and stream inlets, wing dykes and revetments. Flathead Catfish - Good: Flathead fishing has been good on chubs and goldfish.
Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching catfish on dip baits and worms. Flathead Catfish - Good: Several flatheads have been caught on various live baits.
The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 20.79 feet / 29,400cfs. The Missouri River dropped .21 feet from last week. Water temperature is 77 degrees.