NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Nelson Park Lake
Catfish are biting.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers when leaving Nelson Park Lake because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present.  Channel Catfish - Good: Many channel catfish have been caught from the face of the dam.  Anglers have been having the best luck using stink bait and fishing fairly close to shore in 5 to 10 feet of water.  Bluegill - Slow: 7 to 8-inch bluegill have been caught on small jigs and a wax worm.  If you have a small boat, try drifting with a jig set at about 6 to 10 feet down.

Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Water clarity is excellent.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers when leaving Yellow Smoke because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present.  Bluegill - Slow: Yellow Smoke has very large bluegill in the 8.5 to 9.5 inch size range.  Because the water is so clear, try using really light line and small lures.  Fish deep around submerged trees.  Also, try drifting the open water 5 to 10 feet down.  Try small black jigs tipped with a wax worm, a piece of night crawler or a piece of crawdad tail.  Anglers that typically fish Yellow Smoke report that they can catch big bluegill, but don't expect to catch more than 7 or 8 per trip.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: A fair number of largemouth bass are being caught, but most are sub-legal fish.  There are a lot of bass around 14 inches in length that make for great catch and release fishing.

Crawford Creek Impoundment
A lot of 10-inch crappies are being caught.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers when leaving Crawford Creek because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are still doing well for channel catfish.  Catfish are biting on just about anything, but night crawlers are working the best.  Night time fishing has been popular the last couple of weeks.  Bluegill - Fair: Try using small jigs and a piece of night crawler.  A good technique has been drifting the open water and fishing about 6 to 10 feet down.  The bluegills are nice sized (7 to 8.5 inches).  Largemouth Bass - Good: Many largemouth bass are being caught, but very few are over the 15-inch legal limit.  Crappie - Good: Crappie were being caught on small minnows.  Try drifting the open water and fishing about 6 to 10 feet down.

Badger Lake
Catfishing has been good, but fishing for other species is still slow.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching catfish on shrimp, cut bait and dip bait.  A wide variety of sizes are being caught.

Brushy Creek Lake
Fishing has been picking up; however water clarity has not been the best.  Although there has not been much fishing for channel catfish, there are a lot of large (8 pounds plus) channel catfish present.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing in the north end of the lake.  Bluegill - Good: Some nice bluegill are just off the bottom of the lake in 10 to 15 feet of water.  Use very light fishing gear and live bait.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass can be found on the drop-offs where there is structure nearby.  Anglers are also catching bass near vegetation and from underneath mats of vegetation.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Boaters use caution:   There is an ongoing dredging project at Storm Lake and boats should stay at least 100 feet away from the dredge pipe.  The dredge pipe is marked with buoys.  Small gizzard shad (2.5 to 3.5 inches) are abundant in the lake right now.  Daily bag limit at Storm Lake is three walleye:  all 17 to 22-inch walleye must be immediately released, only one walleye over 22 inches may be kept.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfishing has slowed since the week prior.  Try using shrimp or stink bait.  White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught on white twisters or picked up while walleye fishing.  Try fishing white bass with top waters on hot, calm evenings.  Look for bait fish breaking the surface and cast for white bass there.  Walleye - Fair: Anglers are starting to catch more walleye.  Most anglers are fishing the shore near Lakeside and have been doing the best from 7 to 8 a.m.

North Twin Lake
Yellow bass are going strong and channel catfish have picked up.  Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are hitting late in the evening in the shallows.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Freshwater drum are plentiful; try using live crawdads or night crawlers and fish near the bottom.  Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass fishing has been good.  The yellow bass are about 7 to 8 inches long, but there are lots of them.  Some yellow bass in the 9 to 10-inch range have been caught.  Try casting near shore using small, bright colored lures tipped with a piece of crawdad or a little piece of yellow bass meat.  Anglers have been picking up two or three bass at each dock on the east side and then move on to the next.

Swan Lake
Water clarity at Swan Lake has improved since the last couple of weeks.  Bluegill - Good: Fish about 10 feet off shore and two feet down with a bobber and a worm.  Anglers are catching them almost as fast as they can reel them in.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: A few bass are still being picked up.  Crappie - Excellent: Fish about 10 feet off shore and two feet down with a bobber and a worm.  Anglers are catching them almost as fast as they can reel them in.

Black Hawk Lake
Walleye must be 15 inches or longer to keep and anglers are allowed three walleye per day.  The Ice House Point picnic area and handicapped accessible pier will be closed until further notice.  The road is still open to the boat ramp, but the remainder of the area will be closed due to the construction of a paved bike trail.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish the windward shore with cut bait or stink bait.  Whole crawdads make excellent catfish bait.  Hook the crawdad through the tail and crack the shell so the juices can put out scent in the water.  Anglers from boats have been catching fair numbers of catfish averaging two pounds.

Browns Lake
Fishing has been slow.  Small bass and catfish are being caught.

Snyder Bend Lake
Fishing has been slow.  Small bass and catfish are being caught.

Southwood Conservation Area Pond (east)
Fishing at both ponds is slow.  Small bass and bluegill are being caught.

Fishing is starting to pick up around the area.  Water temperatures are in the low to mid 70s.  For more information about these lakes and rivers call Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View, at 712-657-2638.

Briggs Woods Lake
Anglers are catching bluegill and largemouth bass.  Try using crawlers for the panfish and top-water baits or spinners for the bass.

Eldred Sherwood Lake
Largemouth bass are hitting top-water baits.  A few panfish are being caught on crawlers.

Clear Lake
Yellow bass fishing has slowed this week.  Most fish are being caught in the little lake or the rock reefs in the main lake using live bait or cut bait and jigs.  A few walleyes are being caught while fishing for yellow bass.  Sunfish and a few bullheads are being caught from shore using crawlers.

Lake Cornelia
Catfish are biting on chicken liver fished from shore.

Little Wall Lake
Catfish are biting on stink bait and chicken liver fished from shore.

Bluebill Lake
Anglers are catching bluegill and largemouth bass fishing the weed edge with crawlers.

For more information contact the Clear Lake office at 641-357-3517.

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Volga Lake
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Lake Hendricks
Anglers have reported fishing as picking up this week on the lake for largemouth bass using live bait.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A few catfish are being caught using chicken liver.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass have picked up this week using large live bait.

Lake Meyer
Fishing has picked up for smaller bluegills this week.  This is a good time to take a child or first time angler.  Catfish have picked up using dead bait.  Northern Pike - Slow: Anglers are catching a few small northerns along the weed lines using a variety of cast and retrieve baits.  Channel Catfish - Good: The catfish bite has picked up this week on the lake using dead bait.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being caught in 10 to 12 feet of water on small jigs or slip bobbers.  Most fish are in the 5 to 6-inch range.  Largemouth Bass - Slow: Bass have slowed down this week.  Crappie - Slow: The crappie bite has slowed.

Charles City Impoundment
The river is looking very good this week and fishing has picked up.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Reports are that catfish are biting on crawlers and chicken liver.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching smallmouth on jigs and crawlers.  Walleye - Fair: Anglers are reporting catching small walleyes on jigs and crawlers.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels have risen and turned muddy after recent rains, but if conditions continue this weekend should get back to being good.  Smallmouth and walleye are being caught all along the river above Decorah and should start again as soon as water levels and clarity improve.  Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Anglers are catching smallmouth bass.  Most fish have been in the 10 to 14-inch range.  Try using twister tails with a slow retrieve.  Walleye - Slow: Anglers are reporting a few walleyes being caught while fishing for smallmouth.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels have risen this week after the 4 inches of rain on Tuesday.  Smallmouth have been being caught from the Ellingson Bridge to the Hwy. 76 Bridge before the rains and if present conditions continue this weekend they should be back on and biting.  Anglers were also having luck around the lower dam.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have been having some success using stink bait and chicken livers around the Lundy Bridge area.  Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Smallmouth bass have are being caught with a twister and jig.  Most of anglers have been using white twister tails.

Yellow River
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Cedar River (above Nashua)
The river is back to normal and is looking really good.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have been using cut bait, chubs, minnows or stink bait. Anglers having the most luck have been fishing the Nashua Lake.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth bass are being caught, but with no regularity using a jig with a crawler.  Most of the fish have been caught below the dam.  Try using a white or pink twister.  Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching a few crappies in the lake at Nashua.  Try using a bobber and minnow.  Walleye - Fair: Some good sized walleyes have are being caught using a jig and minnow.

River levels have risen and the water is muddy, but is starting to fall and should be fishable by the weekend if conditions continue.  Trout streams are running muddy after the Decorah are got 4 inches or rain the last couple days, but should clear quickly if conditions continue.  The district lakes are still catching fish and have not been effected as much.  For more information about a specific stream, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Catfish, largemouth bass, and bluegills are being caught at Casey Lake but not in great quantities.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait in shallow water around dusk or early in the morning.  Bluegill - Slow:   Largemouth Bass - Fair:

Big Woods Lake
Largemouth bass fishing has been good with some smaller crappie and northern pike being caught as well. Try fishing from the jetties on the north side of the lake where recent fish structure was placed within casting range.  Northern Pike - Fair: Try casting large spoons or crankbaits from the shore or trolling crankbaits from a boat.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Crankbaits and buzzbaits have been working well around submersed structure.  Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with minnows

Brinker Lake
Reports of some smaller walleye and crappie are coming in.   Crappie - Good: Troll or drift below schools of shad with minnows in 10 to 12 feet of water.  Walleye - Fair: Try trolling crankbaits in 15 to 20 feet of water.

George Wyth Lake
The water is higher than normal.  You will have to wade to get on to the fishing piers. Fishing has been good for crappie and largemouth bass during the early morning hours.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast top-water baits early morning or late evening. During midday, try casting spinner baits or plastic worms.  Crappie - Good: Minnows under a slip bobber or on a small jig during morning hours.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are reporting a mixed bag when fish are biting. Fishing has been good overall with the best action coming from channel catfish and smallmouth bass. As fall temperatures approach, angling should really improve on most all species.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait, cut bait, or small panfish fished on the bottom. With recent cool temperatures, try fishing shallow near riffle areas or fallen logs along the shoreline.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use crayfish patterned crankbaits or plastics resembling crayfish around rocks or logs.  Walleye - Fair: Concentrate in areas where the current is broken by fallen trees along shore in 4 to 6 feet of water.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and northern pike action has been good.  Northern Pike - Good: Cast spoons near wood structure, rock shorelines or below low head dams for these aggressive predators.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait, cut bait, or small panfish fished on the bottom. With recent cool temperatures, try fishing shallow near riffle areas or fallen logs along the shoreline.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use crayfish patterned crankbaits or plastics resembling crayfish around rocks or logs.  Walleye - Good: Try casting jigs tipped with a night crawler along current breaks or rocky shorelines.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Angling has really improved, especially for channel catfish. Recent surveys show good numbers of both smallmouth bass and channel catfish in the Wapsipinicon River.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Cut-baits have been working really well fished on the bottom in 2 to 3 feet of water in areas where there is current.  Walleye - Fair: Look for break lines in the current or drop-offs near sandbars using artificial or live baits.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River is falling quickly after recent rainfall events but more rain is expected in the watershed.  Reports have been good for both walleye and channel catfish on the Maquoketa. Use caution when boating due to recent flooding.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try night crawlers or cut baits near fallen logs dropping your bait into the upstream end of the structure.  Walleye - Good: Jigs tipped with a night crawler has been working well.

Interior river levels remain steady or falling with this week’s rainfall in northern Iowa, they are forecasting potential heavy rains for today as well. Fishing had been good for walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish on the interior rivers. With the recent cool weather, area lakes should begin to pick up again as we enter into the month of September. Trout streams still remain in excellent condition. For more information call the district office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER - IOWA FISHING REPORT
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level at Lansing is 9.3 feet, and is predicted to remain stable but fall slowly over the next week.  Water temperature is near 76 degrees. Water clarity is fair to good.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or chicken liver are the baits of choice. There has also been reports of good catches above the dam.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing has been good around the islands in the Lansing area.  There have also been good reports from Minnesota Slough.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing areas with rock and good current, especially near a good back-eddy.   Some nice fish earlier were being reported at the entrance of Big Slough and near Village Creek.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers report good catches of bass in the Lansing area along main channel weed lines using crawdad crankbaits.  Yellow Perch - Fair: good numbers of yellow perch have been caught fishing off the bottom in 5 to 6 feet of water near New Albin.  Sauger - No Report: With the past week's floating vegetation, few anglers went out drifting/jigging for sauger.  The amount of vegetation has decreased. Walleye fishing should start to pick up.  Walleye - Slow: As water levels fall and begin to stabilize walleye fishing should start to pick up. Look for walleyes on wing dams or try trolling crankbaits in sloughs or drifting with jig and minnow.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: The drum fishing has slowed a bit, but they can still be caught off the bottom with a crawler. Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.   Remember to take ice with you if you plan on keeping drum and other fish fresh especially with the warm temperatures.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level at Lynxville is 16.2 feet, and is expected to remain stable but fall slowly over the next week.  Water temperature is near 76 degrees.   Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits have been working well here.  White Bass - Good: Some schools of active feeding white bass have begun to show up near the wing dams in Harpers Ferry.  Look for jumping minnows and cast a small white minnow imitation or spinner.  Bluegill - Good: Anglers have reported catching good catches of bluegills in the Harpers Ferry area fishing off the bottom in 6 to 9 feet of water.   Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth are hitting well along rocky areas with current.  They can be seen chasing minnows along with the white bass.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Bigger largemouths are being caught right now. Fish near bank areas along the weed line using top-water or spinner baits for the best success.  Crappie - Slow: Some nice crappies have been caught near woody structure using minnows and small jigs.  The problem is that they have been hard to find, but if you do the size has been good.  Walleye - Slow: A few small walleye being caught drifting three ways with crawlers in the Harpers Ferry area.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Some drum are being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom, especially out of Noble's Landing.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.   Remember to take ice with you if you plan on keeping drum and other fish especially with the warm temperatures.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level at Guttenberg is 7.9 feet.   It is expected to remain stable but fall slowly over the next week.  Water temperature is near 77 degrees.   Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or crawlers are the baits of choice.  Bluegill - Excellent: Larger bluegills and other sunfish are being caught right now along the bank with bobber and worms. The DNR fishing walkway in Guttenberg has been a popular location.   Edge of weed lines throughout the pool especially in areas of brush piles has also been popular.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Some smallmouth are being caught fishing near rock in good current.   Try drifting night crawlers or using artificial lures such as in-line spinner.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth can be caught along shorelines with woody debris. Small spinners or jigs will work best.   Some places to try bass fishing in Pool 11 are Mud Lake by Dubuque, Bertrum Lake by Cassville and Swift Slough by Guttenberg.  Many anglers are using plastic frogs and worms to eliminate problems with floating weeds.  Crappie - Fair: Some Crappie are being caught on minnows in Mud Lake and Sunfish Lake in Lower Pool 11.  Yellow Perch - Fair: There have been some reports of good catches of yellow perch in the sloughs around Guttenberg.   Some very large yellow perch can be found in the Mississippi River.    Sauger - Slow: There have been some reports of sauger being caught in the tail waters and out on the wing dams.  Walleye - Slow: The walleye fishing should start to pick up.   Wing dams are a little too deep with the high water.   Hopefully anglers can start to concentrate on fall wing dam walleye fishing.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Some drum are still being reported in the upper part of Pool 11.  During high water fish will often be found near shore in eddy area but away from the strong current. One-eyed jigs or night crawlers have been working well.

Water temperature at Guttenberg is right around 77 degrees. River levels are expected to remain stable but fall slightly over the next week.  Water levels are: Lansing 9.3, Lynxville 16.2 and Guttenberg 7.9. Floating vegetation may be a problem in some areas.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The river stage at Bellevue is 8.6 feet and steady due to recent rains.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being taken using stink bait and crawlers.  Don't be afraid to move around, if fishing slows in one area move and find active fish.  Areas to try are side sloughs, main channel border and the upstream side of wing dams.  Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report: With water still high for summer levels fish are still scattered making it difficult for anglers to find good catches.  Fishing should improve as water levels drop.  Walleye - Fair: A few fish are being caught on the wing dams using crawlers.  Sand flats have also been producing a few fish, trolling crankbaits in 10 to 12 feet of water.   Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum are being caught in a variety of places including the tail waters, inside edge of wing dams and side sloughs.  When fishing drum if you haven't caught a fish in 10 to 15 minutes move to find active fish.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The river stage at Clinton is 8 feet and stable.  Channel Catfish - Good: Stink bait and crawlers are producing decent catches of fish.  Try fishing side sloughs, wing dams and main channel borders.  Move to find fish, if you haven't had a bite in 10 minutes move.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing has been slow but, with dropping water a few fish are being caught of the wing dams and an occasional fish caught in the backwaters.  Freshwater Drum - Good: Numbers of drum are being taken in a variety of places.  Try fishing the wing dams. Move until you find the right spot, current plays a big part as to where the fish are on the dam.

The Mississippi River this year has been if nothing but challenging for the angler, the water levels are starting to go down, but are still high for summer levels.  The river temperature is around 76 degrees with slightly rising to stable water levels due to recent rains.

Mississippi River Pool 16
River stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 8.38 feet.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on dip baits and crawlers fished around brush piles and logjams along the main channel and side sloughs.   White Bass - Slow:   Bluegill - Slow:   Crappie - Slow:   Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing on the wing dams has been slow due to high and muddy water.

Mississippi River Pool 17
River stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 7.06 feet.   Channel Catfish - Good: Some channel catfish are being caught on dip baits, green worms, crawlers, and shad fished around brush piles and logjams along the main channel and sloughs. Channel catfish are also being caught at GPC.   White Bass - Slow:   Bluegill - Slow:   Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught on minnows in Big Timber fishing shallow along brush piles.   Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water.

Mississippi River Pool 18
River stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 8.98 feet.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on dip baits, crawlers, and shad fished around brush piles and logjams along the main channel and side sloughs.   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pool 19
River stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 5.86 feet.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on stink baits, crawlers, and shad fished around brush piles and logjams along the main channel and side sloughs.   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pools 16-20: River stages are still above normal throughout Pools 16-20. Water clarity is still fairly poor. Fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water conditions. Main channel water temperature is around 77 degrees. For more fishing information on pools 16-20 of the Mississippi River contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Lake Odessa
Wildlife was hoping to get the Toolesboro Road open this week but rising river levels and rains won't be helping.

Lake Geode
Fishing is starting to pick up a bit.  The cooler weather is bringing out a few more anglers.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try along the face of the dam and up at the upper end of the lake for the catfish.  Stink baits or chicken liver is working the best.  Bluegill - Fair: Look to the edge of the weed beds in 6 to 8 feet of water to find some nice bluegills.  Small jigs tipped with worm will be your best bet.  Largemouth Bass - Good: The bass are starting to run the edge of the water willows in the evenings.  Crankbaits run along the edge of the weed beds should get their attention.

Lake Belva Deer
The road paving project continues in the park.  Boaters need to use the north ramp as the south ramp continues to be closed.  Channel Catfish - Good: Look for the catfish to be in the bays and around the rock jetties.  Bluegill - Excellent: The bluegills are suspended at a depth of 10 to 13 feet.  The problem is that t he smaller bluegills are just above this depth and you have to get your bait through them first.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Work the shallow water timber with plastic worms for these fish.  Crappie - Excellent: Crappies are at about 6 feet of water in among the trees. Tube jigs seem to be working the best.

Lake of the Hills
Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good early and late using chicken liver and stink baits. Anglers fishing along the old creek channel have been having some luck.  Bluegill - Fair: The bigger bluegills are suspended out in the deeper water.  The smaller ones are in shallow if you want some nonstop action for the kids.  Crappie - Good: Crappies are being caught off the deeper brush piles in the lake.  Vertical jigging with a jig and minnow is working. Some crappies are also starting to move in shallow.

Railroad Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Look for these fish to be around the stumps and the old creek channels in the early morning and late evening.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for the bass to be in the flooded timber along south side of the lake. Spinner baits and top-water early and late.  Crappie - Good: Work the brush piles and around the flooded timber.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The river is currently about three feet below bank full but is forecast to go back up with this week's rains.

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

Kent Park Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Most fish are on the small size.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill size has been good.

Lake Macbride
Motors over 9.9 horsepower may be used beginning Tuesday, September 7.  Channel Catfish - Good: Fishing at sunset and at dark has been producing well.  Crappie - Fair: Some anglers are catching nice sized crappies now.

Diamond Lake
Remember, no minnows are allowed here.  Channel Catfish - Good:   Bluegill - Slow:   Crappie - Slow:

Otter Creek Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Night has been the best time.  Bluegill - Fair:   Crappie - Fair:   Yellow Bass - Good: Small spinners have been producing well.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is at 683 feet which is normal summer pool and is supposed to remain steady.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait for best results. Dip bait has also been working.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Channel Catfish - Good: Dip baits and cut bait has been working. Dip bait is producing numbers while cut bait has been better for size.

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

Lake Wapello
The lake has refilled after last year's fish population renovation.  Red ear and channel catfish were stocked last fall and largemouth bass and bluegill this spring.

Red Haw Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish have been biting on stink bait and cut bait.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler.  Try areas along the aquatic vegetation and in pockets within the vegetation.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastic worms fished around submerged structure or around the rock jetties.  Another good lure selection would be brightly colored spinner bait.  Try white or chartreuse.

Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
The lake renovation project has begun and the lake is being drained.  The boat ramps are not usable as the lake is approximately 20 feet low.  Shore fishing is still allowed however the lake bottom is still quite muddy.

Lake Keomah
Channel Catfish - Fair: Try using stink bait or cut bait in 8 to 12 feet of water.  Bluegill - Fair: Use a chunk of night crawler fished along the shoreline and around submerged structure.  Along the fishing piers can also be a good spot.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits or rubber worms along the shoreline and around the jetties.  Another good spot to try is along the outside of the aquatic vegetation.

Albia (lower)
A boat ramp has been constructed on the lower reservoir.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler.  Try areas along the dam between the upper and lower reservoirs.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinner baits fished along the shoreline and around areas with submerged structures.  Try top-water lures in the mornings and evenings.

Lake Sugema
Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler.  Try areas with edges such as the shoreline or the weed lines.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use plastic worms and spinner baits around areas with submerged structure.  Top-water action can be good in the mornings and evenings.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 918.22 feet with normal pool being 904 feet.  The water temperature is ranging in the lower 80s.  Boat ramps are open at Honey Creek State Park, Bridgeview and the high water ramp at Buck Creek.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are biting on cut bait and dead chubs.  Crappie - Slow: Try trolling crankbaits.  Try different depths until you find active fish.  With the higher pool levels the fish may be in different depths when compared to prior years.  Walleye - Fair: Jigging spoons have been productive.  Find areas with drop-offs and ledges.  Crankbaits are also a good choice this time of year.  Try using baits that mimic gizzard shad.  Please be wary of tagged walleyes and if these fish are harvested please call the hatchery with the tag number.  The phone number for the hatchery is 641-647-2406.

For additional fishing information in south central Iowa please call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Roberts Creek Lake
Crappie - Good: Crappies are still being caught by trolling or drifting minnows.  Most of the fish are around 8 inches, but there are some larger white crappies around 10 inches.  Shore anglers are also doing well on crappies in front of the outlet.

Big Creek Lake
There is currently a walleye harvest study taking place.  Anglers who catch a walleye should look near the tail of the fish for a small yellow tag.  The tags can be removed from harvested or released fish of LEGAL size and returned with a survey for a cash reward.  The surveys can be picked up at the marina, park office, Polk City Bait and Tackle, or Johnston Bait and Tackle.  There are also signs posted at the boat ramps with instructions.  White Bass - Good: Big Creek currently has a large population of white bass.  They are biting aggressively, especially just before and just after sunset.  Casting or drifting small jigs or spinners is working well.  Trolling lip-less crankbaits is also a good option.  Concentrate on the points and jetties on the windblown side of the lake.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills remain suspended.   Drift fishing small pieces of crawler in 6 to 14 feet has produced good catches in the upper half of the lake in both the east and west arms.  The roadbeds in the west ramp bay and out from the 100th Street boat ramp continue to produce bluegills, white bass, and few crappies.  Bluegills and crappies are suspended from 8 to 12 feet on either side of the roadbeds.  The lake is stratified so avoid fishing depths greater than 12 to 15 feet.  The bluegills have been good.  Walleye - Fair: The walleye bite had slowed, but the increased flow coming in again should help the walleye bite at the East and West arms at their very upper ends using night crawlers, minnows or shallow diving crankbaits.

Hickory Grove Lake
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Good: Anglers are having good success on white bass.  They are being picked by covering water and trolling crankbaits.  The quickly dropping water level is changing where the best fishing is daily, but around the bridges, marina point, and Whitebreast arm have been good starting points.  Sunny days seem to be far more productive.  There was excellent shad reproduction this year.  On calm days, look for gulls and/or shad breaking the surface.  Crappie - Fair: Crappie continue to be caught at the Roberts Creek spillway using minnows or small tube jigs.  There are some reports of larger crappie being caught by shore anglers below the Red Rock spillway.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Anglers fishing white bass that are busting shad are also hooking into some good sized wipers.  There have also been some nice wipers caught by shore anglers below the spillway.

Saylorville Reservoir
White Bass - Excellent: White bass are hitting good right now by trolling silver or chrome colored spoons or lip-less crankbaits.  The best areas have been the north shore of the marina cove around to Sandpiper beach, the pump station in the marina, and the Big Creek spillway due to the high flow.  If the water is calm, look for schools of shad breaking the surface.

Lake Petoka
Bluegill - Good: Good numbers of nice sized bluegill are being caught.  There is very little structure to fish near, so anglers are casting out and fishing 5 to 6 feet deep just using small pieces of crawler under a bobber.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: The Des Moines river is remaining at a good fishing level.  There are good numbers of channel catfish being caught using crawfish, fresh cut baits and stink baits.  After sunset and early mornings has been best.

Middle Raccoon River (above Van Meter)
Walleye - Good: Flows have increased slightly with the rains, but levels and water clarity should be good by the weekend.  Anglers floating and wading the Middle Raccoon are having success catching walleyes.  Use 1/8 to 1/16 ounce jigs with half a crawler or shallow diving crankbaits are the choice baits.

Fishing conditions remain good.  Recent rains have bumped Central Iowa rivers up slightly, but should be in good condition by the labor day weekend.   The large reservoirs are continuing to drop rapidly, which is changing the good fishing locations daily.   For questions about central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.

Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake has one concrete boat ramp and is trolling motor only.  Bullhead - Good: Bullheads up to 14 inches are being caught on night crawlers.    Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using shrimp. Fish are 1 to 3 pounds.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches are being caught drifting small jigs in 6 to 8 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught early morning and late afternoon along weed edges casting crankbaits and small spinners. Large percentage of bass are 15 to 17 inches.

Mormon Trail Lake
Mormon Trail Lake has excellent water clarity and is a quality fishery. There is one concrete boat ramp available.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass up to 19 inches are being caught using plastics along weed edges.

Nodaway Lake
Nodaway has one concrete boat ramp. No reports of fishing this week.

Orient Lake
Orient is full with one concrete boat ramp.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish in the 14 to 16-inch range are being caught on shrimp.  Bluegill - Fair: A few 7-inch bluegills are being caught by shore anglers using night crawlers.

Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a large watershed and water quality is susceptible to rain events. There is one concrete boat ramp available.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills in the 8-inch range are being caught drifting small jigs.  Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught while drifting. Crappies are 10 inches.

Lake Anita
Lake Anita has two concrete boat ramps to choose from.   Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being caught drifting small jigs across the main lake and around underwater reefs. It helps to tip jig with crawler or Berkley baits. Fish average 8 inches.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught casting the shoreline with spinner baits early morning and late afternoon. Crankbaits and plastics are good bait around underwater reefs and roadbeds later in the day.  Crappie - Slow: A few crappies can be picked up drifting jigs or casting around underwater reefs. Fish average 9 inches.  Later in afternoon and evening is best.

Viking Lake
Viking Lake has three concrete boat ramps and three feet of water clarity.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Viking has a good population of channel catfish in the 1 to 3 pound range. Sonny's dip bait or night crawlers have been working well.   Largemouth Bass - Slow: Largemouth up to 18 inches are being caught casting spinner baits or plastics along weed edges and around structure.

Lake Manawa
Water temperatures are cooling and fishing has improved for walleye.   Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught on the south and west side using dip bait. Liver and crawlers have also been good. Fish are 2 to 6 pounds.  Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are being caught slow trolling minnows or crankbaits. Most fish have been 18 to 22 inches.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Many farm ponds hold good populations of bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. Remember to always ask permission before fishing private ponds.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are active with warmer water temperatures. Try night crawlers, liver, or stink baits around structure.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing has picked up in ponds using small jigs and worms.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are aggressive this time of year. Top water baits work well during low light conditions and plastics during the day.

Water conditions on southwest Iowa lakes and rivers are improving and the fishing is picking up. For more information, contact Bryan Hayes or Mark Boucher at the Cold Springs District Office, at 712-769-2587.

Lake Icaria
Channel catfish are biting off the rock mounds on jigs.  Bluegills are in the gravels areas and on the tops of the fish mounds during the evenings.  Largemouth bass fishing is fair.  Crappie fishing is fair in the rocks.

Old Mount Ayr Reservoir
Good for crappie off the dam using jigs in the evenings.

The rivers have a lot of channel catfish caught during the evenings.

In the Mt. Ayr district, we are starting to hear of very good fishing trips.  Temps are still high but the fish are starting to bite.  Lake levels are normal and clarity is normal.

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.

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Nelson Park Lake
Catfish are biting.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers when leaving Nelson Park Lake because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present.  Channel Catfish - Good: Many channel catfish have been caught from the face of the dam.  Anglers have been having the best luck using stink bait and fishing fairly close to shore in 5 to 10 feet of water.  Bluegill - Slow: 7 to 8-inch bluegill have been caught on small jigs and a wax worm.  If you have a small boat, try drifting with a jig set at about 6 to 10 feet down.

Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Water clarity is excellent.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers when leaving Yellow Smoke because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present.  Bluegill - Slow: Yellow Smoke has 8.5 to 9.5-inch bluegill.  Because the water is so clear, try using really light line and small lures.  Fish deep around submerged trees.  Also, try drifting the open water 5 to 10 feet down.  Try small black jigs tipped with a wax worm, a piece of night crawler or a piece of crawdad tail.  Anglers report that they can catch big bluegills, but don't expect to catch more than seven or eight per trip.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: A fair number of largemouth bass are being caught, but most are sub-legal fish.  There are a lot of bass around 14 inches in length that make for great catch and release fishing.

Crawford Creek Impoundment
Fishing is good for catfish, bluegill and crappie.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers when leaving Crawford Creek because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are still doing well for channel catfish on just about anything, but night crawlers are working the best.  Night time fishing has been popular the last couple of weeks.  Bluegill - Good: Try using small jigs and a piece of night crawler.  A good technique has been drifting the open water and fishing about 6 to 10 feet down.  Fish the channel south of the shelter building.  Crappie - Good: Crappie were being caught on small minnows.  Try drifting the open water and fishing about 6 to 10 feet down.  Crappies are averaging 9.5 inches.

Badger Lake
Catfishing has been good, but fishing for other species is still slow.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching catfish on shrimp, cut bait and dip bait.  A wide variety of sizes are being caught.

Brushy Creek Lake
Fishing has been slow.  Water clarity has been poor relative to the norm.  Although there hasn't been much fishing for channel catfish, there are a lot of large (8 pounds plus) channel catfish present.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill have moved into deeper water.  Try drifting with a small jig and a piece of night crawler or jig deep around submerged trees.  Some nice bluegills were caught this week in 10 to 15 feet of water just off the bottom.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass have moved into deeper water and can be found near the weed beds and under mats of vegetation.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Boaters use caution:   There is an ongoing dredging project at Storm Lake and boats should stay at least 100 feet away from the dredge pipe.  The dredge pipe is marked with buoys.  Daily bag limit at Storm Lake is three walleye:  all 17 to 22-inch walleye must be immediately released, only one walleye over 22 inches may be kept.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have been using mostly shrimp for bait, but stink bait has also been working.  White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught on white twisters or picked up while walleye fishing.  Try fishing white bass with top waters on hot, calm evenings.  Anglers that find white bass chasing baitfish at the surface have been able to catch them every cast.  Walleye - Slow: Try fishing the deep holes in the dredged areas and the rock piles in deeper water.

North Twin Lake
Yellow bass and freshwater drum are abundant and anglers have been catching decent numbers of them.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish with stink bait, cut bait, chubs, night crawlers or crawdads off the bottom.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Freshwater drum are plentiful; try using live crawdads or night crawlers and fish near the bottom.  Yellow Bass - Good:  The yellow bass are about 7 to 8 inches long, but there are lots of them.  Some yellow bass in the 9 to 10-inch range have been caught.  Try casting near shore using small, brightly colored lures tipped with a piece of crawdad or a little piece of yellow bass meat.  Anglers have been picking up two or three bass at each dock on the east side and then move on to the next.

Swan Lake
Water clarity is around 16 inches.  Bluegill - Fair: Some hand sized bluegills are being caught with a jig and a small piece of worm in fairly shallow water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some bass are being caught on rattling crankbaits.  Also try live bait to catch bass when the water clarity is poor.  Crappie - Fair: Crappie in the 7 to 8-inch size range are plentiful, but they are difficult to target right now.

Black Hawk Lake
Walleye must be 15 inches or longer to keep and anglers are allowed three walleye per day.  The Ice House Point picnic area and handicapped accessible pier will be closed for the next 30 days or until further notice.  The road is still open to the boat ramp, but the remainder of the area will be closed due to the construction of a paved bike trail.  Channel Catfish - Good: Fish the windward shore with cut bait or stink bait.  Whole crawdads make excellent catfish bait.  Hook the crawdad through the tail and crack the shell so the juices can put out scent in the water.  Anglers from boats have been catching fair numbers of catfish averaging 2 pounds.  Walleye - Slow: Try fishing rock piles in deeper water to target walleye this time of year.

The weather has been fairly stable this past week and has cooled down some from last week.  Catfish are still biting at most of the lakes.  For more information about these lakes and rivers call Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View, at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Largemouth bass are biting on minnows fished from the causeway. Channel catfish are biting on chicken liver and night crawler below the dam.

Lower Pine Lake
Channel catfish are biting on crawlers.

Upper Pine Lake
Largemouth bass are biting on top-water baits. Channel catfish are biting on crawlers.

Lake Smith
Channel catfish and bluegills are biting on worms.

Lake Catherine
Largemouth bass and bluegill are being caught fishing near the trees. Channel catfish are biting on crawlers fished on the bottom.

Clear Lake
Yellow bass fishing is fair, try fishing live bait or cut bait near the reefs and in the little lake. The best bite is early morning and in the evenings. A few walleyes are being caught using the same technique. Channel catfish are biting on crawlers and chicken liver fishing the windswept side of the lake. Sunfish are biting on worms from shore.

Lake Cornelia
Yellow perch fishing is good using a jig and crawler.

Little Wall Lake
Largemouth bass fishing is fair using crankbaits or minnows. Channel catfish are biting on chicken liver and cut bait.

Morse Lake
Bullheads and channel catfish are biting on crawler fished near the bottom.

For more information on fishing in the area lakes and rivers, call the Clear Lake fisheries office at 641-357-3517.

Mill Creek (Lake)
Mill Creek Lake would be a great place to take a child fishing for bluegills.  Use a small bobber and hook baited with a piece of worm along the boat docks and shoreline.  There is plenty of parking and easy access along the south shore.  Bluegill - Excellent: Use a small bobber and hook baited with a piece of worm along the docks.

Big Spirit Lake
Water temperature is 76 degrees.   White Bass - Fair: Fish at sunrise or sunset with top-water lures or a jig and minnow near moving water at the Little Spirit Lake outlet, Buffalo Run, the spillway, and the footbridge. Some fish have also been caught on Cottonwood and Big Stoney points.   Yellow Perch - Slow: Perch fishing has been hit or miss. Anglers are using small jigs tipped with live bait in 20 to 22 feet of water or around weed beds in 8 to 12 feet along weed beds at sunrise and sunset.  Walleye - Slow: Troll crankbaits in the basin at depths of 18 to 22 feet or fish on weed beds with jigs.  A few fish have been caught from shore at the spillway on the south shore and up at the Grade in front of the fish barrier.

East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Use crawdads or chubs fished on the bottom near moving water at the bridges or on the north shore near the spillway.  White Bass - Fair: Fish at sunrise or sunset at the bridges with top-water lures or jigs.  Yellow Bass - Good: Fish around boat docks or weed lines with small jigs tipped with live bait.

Minnewashta Lake
White Bass - Fair: Fish at sunrise or sunset at the bridges with jigs or top-water lures.  Bluegill - Fair: Fish around boat docks and weed lines with a small jig tipped with live bait.  Yellow Bass - Good: Fish at the walk bridge at sunrise or sunset with small jigs tipped with live bait or from a boat along weed edges.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use chubs or other bait along boat docks, brush piles, or near the Trapper's Bay Bridge.  White Bass - Good: Use jigs or top-water lures at sunrise or sunset near the Trapper's Bay Bridge or troll crankbaits.  Walleye - Fair: A few fish are being caught drifting spinner rigs tipped with a crawler or trolling crankbaits at sunrise or sunset.

West Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is 74 degrees.  Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig or slip bobber with live bait along deep (20 to 25 feet) weed beds and rock bars.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use jigs while casting along weed beds.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Use a small jig or slip bobber with live bait along deep weed beds.   Yellow Bass - Fair: Use a small jig or slip bobber with live bait along deep weed beds.

Five Island Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or cut bait at the train bridge.

Lost Island Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Drift live bait along the edge of the rock reef or use stink bait or worms at the bridge.  Walleye - Slow: A few walleye are being caught while trolling crankbaits or drifting spinner rigs tipped with a crawler.

Big Sioux River
The river is still high but dropping.

Rock River
The river is still high but dropping.

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
The river is still high but dropping.

West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)
Channel Catfish - Good: Fish near brush piles and eddies with crawdads or chubs.

Fishing has been slow with the recent hot weather but the best fishing has been at sunrise or sunset.  For more fishing information on the Spirit Lake area call 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Volga Lake
Fishing has slowed but, catfish are still being caught.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are still being caught using night crawlers and chicken liver.  Bluegill - Slow: Check the fishing jetty which drops off fast to deeper water.  Largemouth Bass - Slow: Fish are relating to overhanging structure close to shore.  Any trees with low over hanging branches are a safe bet.  Crappie - Slow: Crappies are in their summer patterns.  Try drifting across the lake to find suspended fish.

Lake Hendricks
Anglers have reported fishing has slow this week.  Channel Catfish - Slow: A few catfish are being caught using chicken liver.  Largemouth Bass - Slow: Bass are fair with in-line spinners.

Lake Meyer
Fishing has picked up this week for smaller bluegills.  This is a good time to take a child or first time angler.  Northern Pike – Slow. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish have picked up this week using chicken liver at the lake.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being caught along the shorelines.  Most fish are 5 to 6 inches.  Largemouth Bass - Slow: Bass have slowed down this week.  Crappie - Slow: The crappie bite has slowed.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels have dropped to close to normal flow for this time of year.  Smallmouth and walleye are being caught from the mouth of Canoe Creek to the Ellingson Bridge.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching a few smallmouth bass, but it has been slow.  Most fish have been in the 10 to 14-inch range.  Walleye - Fair: Anglers are reporting a few walleyes being caught.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are good this week.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have been having some success using stink bait and chicken livers around the Lundy Bridge area.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: A few smallmouth bass have are being caught with a twister and jig.

Yellow River
Anglers are reporting good catches of rainbow and brown trout floating downstream.  Rainbow Trout - Good:   Brown Trout - Good:

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water is close to normal flows and looks good.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have been using cut bait, chubs, minnows or stink bait.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth bass are being caught, but with no regularity.  Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching a few crappies in the lake at Nashua.

River water levels are close to normal.  Fishing should pick up on the rivers this week.  Trout streams are in good condition.   Now is a good time to target brown trout.  For more information about a specific stream, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Silver Lake (Delaware)
Largemouth bass have been providing some good angling opportunities.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try top-water in early morning or late evening or spinner baits and plastics during mid-day.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Catfish, largemouth bass, and bluegills are being caught but not in great quantities.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait in shallow water around dusk or early in the morning.  Bluegill - Slow:   Largemouth Bass - Fair:

Big Woods Lake
Some smaller crappies are being caught along with an occasional northern pike.  Northern Pike - Good: Try casting large spinner baits or crankbaits from the shore or trolling crankbaits from a boat.  Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with minnows

Brinker Lake
Reports of some smaller walleye and crappie are coming in.   Crappie - Fair: Troll or drift below schools of shad with minnows in 12 to 15 feet of water.  Walleye - Fair: Try trolling crankbaits in 15 to 25 feet of water.

George Wyth Lake
The water is higher than normal.  You will have to wade to get on to the fishing pier.  Fishing has been spotty overall but a few anglers have been catching some crappie and largemouth bass.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast top-water baits early morning or late evening. At midday, try casting spinner baits or plastic worms.  Crappie - Fair: Minnows under a slip bobber or on a small jig

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Anglers are reporting a mixed bag when fish are biting.  Fishing has been fair overall with the best action coming from catfish and smallmouth bass. As we approach September and river levels remain steady, angling should really improve on most all species.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try stink bait, cut bait, or small panfish fished on the bottom.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Try live panfish or bullheads fished below floats or on the bottom.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use crayfish patterned crankbaits or plastics resembling crayfish around rocks or logs.  Walleye - Slow:

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Smallmouth, walleye and northern pike action should be picking up as the weather and water temperatures cool.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair:

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Angling has really improved on the Wapsi for many species. Reports have improved for walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass and channel catfish.  Northern Pike - Good: Try areas where tributary streams enter the main river as the water temperatures are cooler. Try casting large spinner baits or crankbaits.  Channel Catfish - Good: Stink baits, cut baits and chicken liver have been working well on channel catfish.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Both live bait and artificial baits work well this time of year.  Walleye - Fair: Look for break lines in the current or drop-offs near sandbars using artificial or live baits.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River looks in excellent condition. Use caution when boating due to recent flooding.  Many access points and parks remain closed; as a result access to the river may be difficult in some areas.   Smallmouth Bass - Fair:

Interior river levels are in excellent condition for angling opportunities. With the recent cool weather, area lakes should begin to pick up again as we approach September. Contact local bait shops for the most up-to-date reports on area lakes and rivers. Trout streams still maintain good flows and are producing great angling opportunities. For more information contact the district office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER - IOWA FISHING REPORT
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level at Lansing is 11.65 feet, and is predicted to remain high but begin to fall by early next week.  Water temperature is near 80 degrees and clarity is fair with the absence of rainwater runoff. With changing water levels anglers will have to deal with a lot of floating vegetation.  Northern Pike - Fair: A few anglers reporting good catches of pike near colder-water inputs like the Upper Iowa River. As the water drops these northerns should be easier to find.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: In this warm weather the "cats" have been feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or chicken liver are the baits of choice. There have also been reports of good catches above the dam.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills have been reported in Desoto Bay being caught on a worm and bobber in four feet of water under the lilies.  Late in the day bluegills have been moving into Sunfish Lake near Lansing.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing areas with rock and good current, especially near a good back-eddy.   Some nice fish earlier were being reported at the entrance of Big Slough and near Village Creek.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers report good catches of bass in the Lansing area along main channel weed lines suing crawdad crankbaits.  Yellow Perch - Fair: good numbers of yellow perch have been caught fishing off the bottom near New Albin.  Sauger - Fair: Saugers and walleyes are being caught drifting in front of Desoto Bay and in the sloughs downstream of the Upper Iowa River.  Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes have been caught trolling crankbait or jigs in running sloughs such as Minnesota Slough. Saugers and walleyes are being caught drifting in front of Desoto Bay and in the sloughs downstream of the Upper Iowa River.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.   Remember to take ice with you if you plan on keeping drum and other fish fresh especially with the warm temperatures.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level at Lynxville is 19.6 feet, and is expected to remain high but begin to fall by early next week.  Water temperature is near 79 degrees. With changing water levels anglers will have to deal with a lot of floating vegetation.  Northern Pike - Fair: A few nice sized northerns have been caught in the Harpers Ferry area.  Try fishing near cold water tributaries or springs.  Channel Catfish - Good: In this warm weather the "cats" have been feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits have been working well here.  White Bass - Fair: Some schools of active feeding white bass have begun to show up near the wing dams in Harpers Ferry.  Look for jumping minnows and cast a small white minnow imitation or spinner.  Bluegill - Good: Anglers have reported catching large bluegills along rocky areas like near the edge of the spillway, near wing dams, and along the edge of the weed lines and lily pads.  The majority are being caught floating a night crawler.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth are hitting well along rocky areas with current.  They can be seen chasing minnows along with the white bass.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Bigger largemouths are being caught right now. Fish near bank areas along the weed line using top-water or spinner baits for the best success.  Crappie - Slow: Some nice crappies have been caught near woody structure using minnows and small jigs.  The problem is that they have been hard to find, but if you do the size has been good.  Walleye - Fair: The bite is starting to pick up.  A few walleyes are being caught drifting crawlers below the dam and in running sloughs.    Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot Drum are being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom, especially out of Noble's Landing.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.   Remember to take ice with you if you plan on keeping drum and other fish especially with the warm temperatures.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level at Guttenberg is 10.6 feet.   It is expected to remain high but begin to fall by early next week.  Water temperature is near 82 degrees.   With changing water levels anglers will have to deal with a lot of floating vegetation.  Northern Pike - Fair: A few nice pike being caught.   Look again at cold water inputs such as spring areas or tributary streams.  Channel Catfish - Good: In this warm weather the cats should be feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or crawlers are the baits of choice.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some nice flathead catfish have been caught below the dam jigging heavy spoons or one-eyed jigs.  Bluegill - Good: Larger bluegills and other sunfish are being caught right now along the bank with bobber and worms. The DNR fishing walkway has been a popular location.   Edge of weed lines throughout the pool especially in areas of brush piles has also been popular.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Some smallmouth are being caught fishing near rock in good current.   Try drifting night crawlers or using artificial lures such as in-line spinner.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth can be caught along shorelines with woody debris. Small spinners or jigs will work best.   Some places to try bass fishing in Pool 11 are Mud Lake by Dubuque, Bertrum Lake by Cassville and Swift Slough by Guttenberg.  Many anglers are using plastic frogs and worms to eliminate problems with floating weeds.  Crappie - Fair: Some crappie are being caught on minnows in Mud Lake and Sunfish Lake in Lower Pool 11.   Yellow Perch - Fair: There have been some reports of good catches of yellow perch in the sloughs around Guttenberg.   Some very large yellow perch can be found in the Mississippi River.    Sauger - Slow: There have been some reports of sauger being caught in the tail waters and out on the wing dams.  Walleye - Slow: The walleye fishing should start to pick up.   Wing dams are a little too deep with the high water.   Hopefully after this minor bump up, water levels will again recede and anglers can concentrate on fall wing dam walleye fishing.       Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Good catches of drum are still being reported in the upper part of pool 11.   During high water fish will often be found near shore in eddy area but away from the strong current. One-eyed jigs or night crawlers have been working well.

Water temperature at Guttenberg is right around 78 degrees. River levels are expected to remain high over the next week.  Water levels are: Lansing 11.6, Lynxville 19.6 and Guttenberg 10.6. With changing water levels anglers will have to deal with a lot of floating vegetation.

Mississippi River Pool 12
River stage at Dubuque is 12.21 feet and is forecast to remain stable this weekend before beginning to slowly fall next week.  Water clarity is poor and temperature is in the high 70s to low 80s. Anglers should be on the lookout for radio tagged white crappie in Pool 12. Tags are attached externally to the dorsal fin and we ask that these fish be released or the tags returned from harvested fish.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats have been biting on stink bait and crawlers around snags in the side channels and sloughs.  Cats are also being caught around Steamboat.  Bluegill - Fair: A few reports of bluegills being caught on crawlers around vegetation, snags, and docks in backwaters and marinas.  Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing has slowed with the increased river stage and turbidity, but a few are being caught on crawlers around Steamboat.  Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum are biting on crawlers fished on the bottom in areas of moderate current.

Mississippi River Pool 13
River stage at Bellevue is 11.12 feet and is forecast to stabilize around 11.4 feet this weekend before beginning to slowly fall next week. Water clarity is poor and temperature is in the high 70s to low 80s.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats have been biting on stink bait and crawlers in the side channels and sloughs around snags.  Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum have been biting on crawlers fished on the bottom in areas of moderate current.

Mississippi River Pool 14
River stage at Camanche is 12.77 feet and is forecast to rise to 13.7 feet this weekend before beginning to slowly fall next week. Water clarity is poor and there is a lot of debris in the water.  Temperature is in the high 70s to low 80s.  The high muddy water has made fishing difficult over much of the pool.  A mixed bag of fish (walleye, white bass, northern pike, and crappie) are being caught in the sand pits where water clarity is better.  Fish are biting on crankbaits, spoons, jigs, and live bait.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are biting on stink bait fished around structure or snags in the side channels and sloughs.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Drum are biting on crawlers fished on the bottom in areas of moderate current.

For fishing information in Pool 12-15 of the Mississippi River contact the Bellevue Fish Management and Research Station at 563-872-4976

Mississippi River Pool 16
River stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 10.38 feet.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on dip baits and crawlers fished around brush piles and logjams along the main channel and side sloughs.   White Bass - Slow:   Bluegill - Slow:   Crappie - Slow:   Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing on the wing dams has been slow due to high and muddy water. There is debris in the water that makes trolling tough.

Mississippi River Pool 17
River stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 9.78 feet.   Channel Catfish - Good: Some channel catfish are being caught on dip baits, green worms, crawlers, and shad fished around brush piles and logjams along the main channel and sloughs. Channel catfish are also being caught at GPC.   White Bass - Slow:   Bluegill - Slow:   Crappie - Slow:   Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water. There is some debris in the water that makes trolling difficult.

Mississippi River Pool 18
River stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 12.09 feet. The Toolesboro landing is still closed due to water over the road.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on dip baits, crawlers, and shad fished around brush piles and logjams along the main channel and side sloughs.   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pool 19
River stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 9.12 feet. Flood stage is 10 feet. Fishing has been slow due to the high water conditions.   Channel Catfish - No Report:   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pools 16-20: River stages are still above normal throughout Pools 16-20. Water clarity is poor. Fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water conditions. Main channel water temperature is around 77 degrees. For more fishing information on Pools 16-20 of the Mississippi River contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Lake Geode
Fishing remains slow.  The cooler weather is bringing out a few more anglers to enjoy the lake.

Lake Belva Deer
The road paving project continues in the park.  The weather isn't helping their progress.
Boaters need to use the north ramp as the south ramp remains closed.  Channel Catfish - Slow: With all the rain, I would be fishing where the water enters the lake from the marsh and the ditches after a big rain.  Bluegill - Slow: The cooler weather has brought out a few more anglers. You should be able to pick up a few bluegills suspended around the creek channel very early in the morning.

Lake of the Hills
The summer pattern of fishing continues.  Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good early and late using chicken liver and stink baits. Anglers fishing along the old creek channel have been having some luck.  Bluegill - Fair: The bigger bluegills are suspended out in the deeper water.  Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught off the deeper brush piles in the lake.  Vertical jigging with a jig and minnow is working.

Railroad Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Look for these fish to be around the stumps in the early morning and late evening.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Look for the bass to be in the flooded timber along south side of the lake.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The river is still above flood stage but it is starting to drop and while the North Skunk is below flood stage, the South Skunk is still above flood stage at Oskaloosa.  Look for that water to be coming down here in a day or two.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The river is forecast to drop below bank full Thursday and continue to drop slowly about 2 1/2 feet over the next week.

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

Hannen Lake
Check your boat/trailer for the invasive plant, brittle naiad.  Channel Catfish - Good:   Bluegill - Fair:

Iowa Lake
Check your boat/trailer for the invasive plant, brittle naiad.  Channel Catfish - Good:

Kent Park Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Fish from 1 to 6 pounds are being taken early and late in the day, as well as after a weather front. Dip bait has been working best.

Lake Macbride
Please check your boat/trailer when pulling out for the invasive plant brittle naiad.  Channel Catfish - Good:   Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish shallow wood or deeper rock.

Central Park Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Most fish are smaller with a nicer one mixed in. Night crawlers have been working best. Fish areas with wood or on the break from shallow to deeper water.

Pleasant Creek Lake
The oxygen levels are quite low below depths of 15 feet. It is likely that fish won’t be found below these depths. Also, check your boat/trailer for vegetation when pulling out. There is an invasive plant brittle naiad that is very abundant around most of the lake.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use crawlers or chicken livers around the dam and jetties.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish on or near the bottom with worms. Most fish are about 8 inches, but some are up to 12 inches.

Diamond Lake
Channel Catfish - Good:

Otter Creek Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish with chicken liver or stink bait. Evening has been best.

Union Grove Lake
An oxygen profile was done on the lake recently. The upper end of the lake looks fine, but the lower end of the lake (dam end) has little to no oxygen below 5 feet. It is likely that fish will not be found below this depth.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Best action has been at night.

Coralville Reservoir
The current lake level as of August 19 is 691.8 feet and falling. It is projected to be down to normal summer pool (683 feet) by the end of the month.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Some anglers are catching catfish on live or cut bait.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
There is road construction going on at the dam. The road across the dam is closed, as is the east overlook ramp to the river. The west overlook ramp to the lake is still open. Construction is scheduled to continue for another 2 to 3 weeks. The outflow of the dam is still 10,000 cubic feet per second but is scheduled to start dropping on August 22.  Flathead Catfish - Good:

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

Lake Wapello
The lake has refilled after last year's fish population renovation.  Red ear and channel catfish were stocked last fall and largemouth bass and bluegill this spring.

Red Haw Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish have been biting on stink bait.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler.  Try areas along the aquatic vegetation and in pockets within the vegetation.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastic worms fished around submerged structure or around the rock jetties.  Another good lure selection would be a brightly colored spinner bait.  Try white or chartreuse.

Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
The lake renovation project has begun and the lake is being drained.  The boat ramps are not usable as the lake is approximately 20 feet low.

Lake Keomah
Channel Catfish - Slow: Try using stink bait or cut bait.  Fish in areas where the water is between 8 to 12 feet deep.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits or rubber worms along the shoreline and around the jetties.  Another good spot to try is along the outside of the aquatic vegetation.

Albia (lower)
A new boat ramp has been constructed on the lower reservoir.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinner baits fished along the shoreline and around areas with submerged structures.

Lake Sugema
Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use plastic worms around areas with submerged structure.  Spinner baits should also be tried around these same areas.  Try top-water lures in the mornings and evenings.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 922.71 feet with normal pool being 904 feet.  The water temperature is ranging in the lower 80s.  Boat ramps are open at Honey Creek State Park and the high water ramp at Buck Creek.  Use caution when boating.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are biting on cut bait and dead chubs.  Crappie - Slow: Try trolling crankbaits.  Try different depths until you find active fish.  With the higher pool levels the fish may be in different depths when compared to prior years.  Walleye - Fair: Try trolling or drifting night crawler rigs along underwater reefs and islands.  Jigging spoons have also been productive.  Jig and minnow combinations can also be a good choice this time of year.  Please be wary of tagged walleyes and if these fish are harvested please call the hatchery with the tag number.  The phone number for the hatchery is 641-647-2406.

For additional fishing information in south central Iowa please call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Big Creek Lake
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Hickory Grove Lake
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Good: Good reports are still coming from anglers that are trolling near the bridges, fishing above the mile long bridge and up the Teter Creek arm.  White bass are being picked by covering water and trolling crankbaits.  Sunny days seem to be far more productive.  There was excellent shad reproduction this year.  On calm days look for gulls and/or shad breaking the surface.    Crappie - Fair: Crappie are being caught early in the morning at the Roberts Creek dam using minnows or small tube jigs.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Anglers fishing white bass that are busting shad are also hooking into good numbers of wipers.

Saylorville Reservoir
White Bass - Excellent: White bass are hitting good right now by trolling silver or chrome colored spoons or lip-less crankbaits.  The best areas have been the north shore of the marina cove around to Sandpiper beach, the pump station in the marina, and the Big Creek spillway due to the high flow.  If the water is calm look for schools of shad breaking the surface.

Fishing conditions have improved since last week's heavy rains.  Central Iowa rivers are still running high, but are becoming fishable.  Most lakes other than the large reservoirs have returned to normal levels and are clearing up.   For questions about central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.

Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake has one concrete boat ramp and is trolling motor only.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver or cut bait. Fish are in the 1 to 3 pound range.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches are being caught drifting small jigs in 6 to 8 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught early morning and late afternoon along weed edges casting crankbaits and small spinners. Large percentage of bass are in the 15 to 17-inch range.

Mormon Trail Lake
Mormon Trail Lake has excellent water clarity. There is one concrete boat ramp available.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass up to 19 inches are being caught using plastics along weed edges.

Nodaway Lake
Nodaway has one concrete boat ramp.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish in the 1 to 2 pound range are being caught on night crawlers and liver.

Orient Lake
Orient is full with one concrete boat ramp.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are still using leeches to catch channel in the 14 to 16-inch range.

Lake Anita
Lake Anita has two concrete boat ramps to choose from.   Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being caught drifting small jigs across the main lake and around underwater reefs. It helps to tip jig with crawler or Berkley Baits. Fish average 8 inches.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught casting the shoreline with spinner baits early morning and late afternoon. Crankbaits and plastics are a good bait around underwater reefs and roadbeds later in the day.   Crappie - Fair: A few crappies can be picked up drifting jigs or casting around underwater reefs. Fish average 9 inches.

Viking Lake
Viking Lake has three concrete boat ramps and three feet of water clarity.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Viking has a good population of channel catfish in the 1-3 pound range. Sonny's dip bait or night crawlers have been working well.   Largemouth Bass - Slow: Largemouth up to 18 inches are being caught casting spinner baits or plastics along weed edges and around structure.

Lake Manawa
Water temperature is in the mid 80s.    Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are still being caught on the south and west side. Shrimp has still been the number one bait. Liver and crawlers have also been good. Fish are in the 2 to 6 pound range.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Many farm ponds hold good populations of bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. Remember to always ask permission before fishing private ponds.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are active with warmer water temperatures. Try night crawlers, liver, or stink baits around structure.  Bluegill - Fair: To catch bluegill in midsummer cast jigs around deep cover. Night crawlers under a bobber work well for post spawn bluegill.   Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are aggressive this time of year. Top water baits work well during low light conditions and plastics during the day.

Water conditions on southwest Iowa lakes are improving and interior rivers are becoming fishable. For information contact Bryan Hayes or Mark Boucher at the Cold Springs District Office 712-769-2587.

Lake Icaria
Water temperature is near 80 degrees.  The lake level is normal.
Clarity is about 3 to 4 feet at mid lake and a little more near the dam.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Several catfish are being caught from shore on bluegill sides, liver, or stink bait.

Little River Watershed Lake
Water levels are normal.  Clarity is around 1 foot.

Mt. Ayr Old Reservoir
Water quality is good.  Crappie - Fair: A few mid-sized crappies can be caught during the evening hours from the dam in about 5 to 6 feet of water using small black jigs.

Lake of Three Fires
Water clarity is about 3 feet.

Green Valley Lake
The lake level has been lowered to allow for sediment removal from the upper end.  The fish have been restocked and some catfish are being caught.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Water temperature is near 80 degrees and clarity is average.  Some days algae can be a problem.  Bullhead - Good: A lot of big bullheads are being caught from shore using crawlers on the bottom.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Several catfish are being caught from shore using liver, bluegill sides, or stink bait.

Grand River
Flows fluctuate but are usually near normal.  Channel Catfish - Good: A few mid-sized channel catfish are coming from the holes near bridges.  The stinkier the bait, the better.

Water levels at southwest Iowa lakes and rivers are near normal and water clarity is good considering recent rains.

Iowa Fishing Report for AUGUST 12, 2010

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.

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT

Nelson Park Lake

Catfish are biting.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers when leaving Nelson Park Lake because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present there.  Channel Catfish - Good: Many channel catfish have been caught from the face of the dam.  Anglers have been having the best luck using stink bait and fishing fairly close to shore in 5 to 10 feet of water.  Bluegill - Fair: 7 to 8-inch bluegill have been caught on small jigs and a wax worm.  If you have a small boat, try drifting with a jig set at about 6 to 10 feet down.

Yellow Smoke Park Lake

Water clarity is excellent.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers when leaving Yellow Smoke because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present there.  Bluegill - Slow: Yellow Smoke has very large bluegill in the 8.5 to 9.5-inch size range.  Because the water is so clear, try using really light line and small lures.  Fish deep around submerged trees.  Also, try drifting the open water 5 to 10 feet down.  Try small black jigs tipped with a wax worm, a piece of night crawler or a piece of crawdad tail.  Anglers that typically fish Yellow Smoke report that they can catch big bluegill, but don't expect to catch more than seven or eight per trip.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: A fair number of largemouth bass are being caught, but most are sub-legal fish.  There are a lot of bass around 14 inches in length that make for great catch and release fishing.

Crawford Creek Impoundment

Fishing is good for catfish, bluegill and crappie.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers when leaving Crawford Creek because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present there.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are still doing well for channel catfish.  Catfish are biting on just about anything, but night crawlers are working the best.  Night time fishing has been popular the last couple of weeks.  Bluegill - Good: Try using small jigs and a piece of night crawler.  A good technique has been drifting the open water and fishing about 6 to 10 feet down.  Use a depth finder to locate the channel south of the shelter building and fish there.  Crappie - Good: Crappie were being caught on small minnows.  Try drifting the open water and fishing about 6 to 10 feet down.  Crappies are averaging 9.5 inches.

Badger Lake

Catfishing has been good, but fishing for other species is still slow.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching catfish on shrimp, cut bait and dip bait.  A wide variety of sizes are being caught.

Brushy Creek Lake

Fishing has been slow.  Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill have moved into deeper water.  Try drifting with a small jig and a piece of night crawler or jig deep around submerged trees.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass have moved into deeper water and can be found near the weed beds and under mats of vegetation.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Boaters use caution:   There is an ongoing dredging project at Storm Lake and boats should stay at least 100 feet away from the dredge pipe.  The dredge pipe is marked with buoys.

Daily bag limit at Storm Lake is three walleye:  all 17 to 22-inch walleye must be immediately released, only one walleye over 22 inches may be kept.  Channel Catfish - Good: Boat anglers have been catching catfish averaging two pounds; try using cut bait, minnows or crawdads for bait.  White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught on white twisters or picked up while walleye fishing.  Try fishing white bass with top waters on hot, calm evenings.  Anglers that find white bass chasing baitfish at the surface have been able to catch them every cast.  Walleye - Slow: Try fishing the deep holes in the dredged areas and the rock piles in deeper water.

North Twin Lake

Yellow bass and freshwater drum are abundant and anglers have been catching decent numbers of them.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish with stink bait, cut bait, chubs, night crawlers or crawdads off the bottom.  Freshwater Drum - Fair: Freshwater drum are plentiful; try using live crawdads or night crawlers and fish near the bottom.  Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass fishing has been good.  The yellow bass are about 7 to 8 inches long, but there are lots of them.  Some yellow bass in the 9 to 10-inch range have been caught.  Try casting near shore using small, bright colored lures tipped with a piece of crawdad or a little piece of yellow bass meat.

Swan Lake

Water clarity is around 16 inches.  Bluegill - Fair: Some hand sized bluegills are being caught with a jig and a small piece of worm in fairly shallow water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some bass are being caught on rattling crankbaits.  Also try live bait to catch bass when the water clarity is poor.  Crappie - Fair: Crappie in the 7 to 8-inch size range are plentiful, but they are difficult to target right now.

Black Hawk Lake

Walleye must be 15 inches or longer to keep and anglers are allowed three walleye per day.  The Ice House Point picnic area and handicapped accessible pier will be closed for the next 30 days or until further notice.  The road is still open to the boat ramp, but the remainder of the area will be closed due to the construction of a paved bike trail.  Channel Catfish - Good: Fish the windward shore with cut bait or stink bait.  Whole crawdads make excellent catfish bait.  Hook the crawdad through the tail and crack the shell so the juices can put out scent in the water.  Anglers from boats have been catching fair numbers of catfish averaging 2 pounds.  Walleye - Slow: Try fishing rock piles in deeper water to target walleye this time of year.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Small yellow bass are abundant.  Try casting bright colored jigs along shorelines where the wind is blowing in.

The Black Hawk District received heavy rains this week and the rivers are high with extremely high flows.  Avoid fishing or canoeing until rivers drop down to lower, safer levels.  For more information about these lakes and rivers call Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake

Crappies are biting on minnows fished from the causeway. Channel catfish are biting on chicken liver and night crawler below the dam.

Lower Pine Lake

Channel catfish are biting on crawlers.

Upper Pine Lake

Largemouth bass are biting on top-water baits. Channel catfish are biting on crawlers.

Lake Smith

Channel catfish and bluegills are biting on worms.

Lake Catherine

Largemouth bass and bluegill are being caught fishing near the trees. Channel catfish are biting on crawlers fished on the bottom.

Clear Lake

Yellow bass fishing is slow, try fishing live bait or cut bait near the reefs and in the little lake. The best bite is early morning and in the evenings. A few walleyes are being caught; try fishing the reefs using jigs tipped with a minnow.  Channel catfish are biting on crawlers and chicken liver fishing the windswept side of the lake. Sunfish are biting on worms from shore.

Silver Lake (Worth)

Bullheads are biting on crawlers fished off the bottom.

Morse Lake

Bullheads and channel catfish are biting on crawler fished near the bottom.

Bluebill Lake

Bluegills are biting on worms fished near the weed edge. Largemouth bass are biting on a variety of baits fish near the weed edge.

Mill Creek (Lake)

Mill Creek Lake would be a great place to take a child fishing for bluegills.  Use a small bobber and hook baited with a piece of worm along the boat docks and shoreline.  There is plenty of parking and easy access along the south shore.  Bluegill - Excellent: Use a small bobber and hook baited with a piece of worm along the docks.

Big Spirit Lake

Water temperature is 84 degrees.   White Bass - Fair: Fish at sunrise or sunset with top water lures.   Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs or a split shot and hook tipped with live bait along the edges of weed beds.   Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Fish at sunrise or sunset over rock bars with top-water lures.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch fishing has been hit or miss. Anglers are using small jigs tipped with live bait in 20 to 22 feet of water or around weed beds in 8 to 12 feet along weed beds at sunrise.  Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits in the basin at depths of 18 to 22 feet.

East Okoboji Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Use crawdads or chubs fished on the bottom near moving water at the bridges or on the north shore near the spillway.  White Bass - Fair: Fish at sunrise or sunset at the bridges with top-water lures or jigs.  Yellow Bass - Good: Fish around boat docks or weed lines with small jigs tipped with live bait.

Minnewashta Lake

White Bass - Fair: Fish at sunrise or sunset at the bridges with jigs or top-water lures.  Bluegill - Fair: Fish around boat docks and weed lines with a small jig tipped with live bait.  Yellow Bass - Good: Fish at the walk bridge at sunrise or sunset with small jigs tipped with live bait or from a boat along weed edges.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)

Channel Catfish - Good: Use chubs or other bait along boat docks, brush piles or near the Trapper's Bay Bridge.  White Bass - Good: Use jigs or top-water lures at sunrise or sunset near the Trapper's Bay Bridge.

West Okoboji Lake

Water temperature is 75 degrees.  Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig or slip bobber with live bait along deep (20 to 25 feet) weed beds and rock bars.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Use a small jig or slip bobber with live bait along deep weed beds.   Walleye - Fair: A few walleye are being caught while fishing rock bars at sunrise or sunset.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Use a small jig or slip bobber with live bait along deep weed beds.

Five Island Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or cut bait at the train bridge.

Lost Island Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Drift live bait along the edge of the rock reef or use stink bait or worms at the bridge.  Walleye - Slow: A few walleye are being caught while trolling crank baits.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Fish out from the Blue Wing Marsh outlet with a small jig tipped with live bait.

Big Sioux River

The river is high and no fishing activity was reported.

Rock River

The river is high and no fish activity was reported.

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)

The river is high and no fishing activity was reported.

West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)

Channel Catfish - Good: Fish near brush piles and eddies with crawdads or chubs.

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT

Volga Lake

Fishing has slowed but catfish are still being caught.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are still being caught using night crawlers and chicken liver.  Bluegill - Slow: Check the fishing jetty which drops off fast to deeper water.  Largemouth Bass - Slow: Fish are relating to overhanging structure close to shore.  Any trees with low over hanging branches are a safe bet.  Crappie - Slow: Crappies are in their summer patterns.  Try drifting across the lake to find suspended fish.

Lake Hendricks

Anglers have reported fishing as slow this week on the lake.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A few catfish are being caught using chicken liver still.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are fair with in-line spinners.

Lake Meyer

Fishing has picked up this week for smaller bluegills.  This is a good time to take a child or first time angler.  Northern Pike - Fair: Northern fishing has slowed down this week with the hot weather.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish have slowed this week.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being caught along the shorelines.  Most fish are small and in the 5 to 6-inch range.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are still being caught but have slowed.  Try running a scum frog threw the weed beds at first light and sunset.  Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught outside the weed line in 10 to 15 feet of water using a small jig and worm.  Although fish are still being caught it has slowed down.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)

Water levels have dropped to close to normal flow for this time of year, but the river is still cloudy.  Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Anglers are catching a few smallmouth bass, but it has been slow.  Walleye - Slow: Anglers are reporting very few walleyes being caught with muddy water.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

Water are close to normal, but the river is still a touch muddy.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have been having some success using stink bait and chicken livers.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: A few smallmouth bass have are being caught from the lower dam downstream on white and yellow twister tails and jig heads.

Yellow River

Anglers are reporting good catches of rainbow and brown trout floating downstream.  Rainbow Trout - Good:   Brown Trout - Good:

Cedar River (above Nashua)

Water flow is close to normal, but is still muddy.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have been using cut bait, chubs, minnows or stink bait.  Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching a few crappies in the lake at Nashua.

River water levels are close to normal, but still muddy.  Better fishing will be found in the lakes and smaller streams with better watersheds.  Trout streams are in good condition.  With the water off color, now is a good time to target brown trout.  For more information about a specific stream, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.  Most of our rivers are high, but are falling.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)

Catfish, largemouth bass, and bluegills are being caught but not in great quantities.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try stink bait in shallow water around dusk or early in the morning.  Bluegill - Slow:   Largemouth Bass - Fair:

Big Woods Lake

Some smaller crappies are being caught.  Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with minnows.

Brinker Lake

Reports of some smaller walleye and crappie are coming in.  Crappie - Fair: Troll or drift below schools of shad with minnows in 12 to 15 feet of water.  Walleye - Fair: Try trolling crankbaits in 15 to 25 feet of water.

George Wyth Lake

The water is quite high.  You will have to wade to get on to the fishing pier.  Fishing has been spotty overall but a few anglers have been catching some crappie.  Crappie - Fair: Minnows under a slip bobber or on a small jig.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)

Anglers are reporting a mixed bag when fish are biting.  Fishing has been slow to fair overall with the best action coming from catfish and smallmouth bass.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try stink bait, cut bait, or small panfish fished on the bottom.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Try live panfish or bullheads fished below floats or on the bottom.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use crayfish patterned crankbaits or plastics resembling crayfish around rocks or logs.  Walleye - Slow:

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)

Smallmouth action should be picking up.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair:

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)

Upper Maquoketa River is high but fishable. Use caution when boating due to recent flooding.  Many access points and parks remain closed; as a result access to the river may be difficult.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair:

Interior river levels are moderately high across Northeast Iowa with the recent rains. However, water levels will likely start to slowly fall by the weekend and should provide some fishing opportunity. Area lakes are providing some catches of channel catfish and crappie in and around Black Hawk County. Trout streams still maintain good flows and are producing good angling opportunities on the smaller streams. For more information contact the district office in Manchester at 563-927-3276

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORT - IOWA

Mississippi River Pool 9

Water level at Lansing is 9.0 feet, and is predicted to rise more than one foot in the next week.  Water temperature is near 81 degrees. Water clarity is fair with the absence of rainwater runoff.  Northern Pike - Fair: A few anglers reporting good catches of pike near colder-water inputs like the Upper Iowa River. As the water drops these northerns should be easier to find.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: In this warm weather the "cats" have been feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or chicken liver are the baits of choice. There has also been reports of good catches above the dam.  White Bass - Fair: Some nice pockets of active feeding white bass have been seen along the main channel.  Look for minnows jumping and use small white minnow imitations or spinners.  Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills have been reported in Desoto Bay being caught on a worm and bobber in 4 feet of water under the lilies.  Late in the day bluegills have been moving into Sunfish Lake near Lansing.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing areas with rock and good current, especially near a good back-eddy.   Some nice fish earlier were being reported at the entrance of Big Slough and near Village Creek.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers report good catches of bass in the Lansing area along main channel weed lines suing crawdad crankbaits.  Yellow Perch - Good: good numbers of yellow perch have been caught fishing off the bottom near New Albin.  Sauger - Fair: Saugers and walleyes are being caught drifting in front of Desoto Bay and in the sloughs downstream of the Upper Iowa River.  Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes have been caught trolling crankbait or jigs in running sloughs such as Minnesota Slough. Saugers and walleyes are being caught drifting in front of Desoto Bay and in the sloughs downstream of the Upper Iowa River.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.   Remember to take ice with you if you plan on keeping drum and other fish fresh especially with the warm temperatures.

Mississippi River Pool 10

Water level at Lynxville is 15.5 feet, and is predicted to rise almost two feet in the next week.  Water temperature is near 79 degrees. Water is usually clear except around tributary streams after rainfall.  Northern Pike - Fair: A few nice sized northerns have been caught in the Harpers Ferry area.  Try fishing near cold water tributaries or springs.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: In this warm weather the "cats" have been feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits have been working well here.  White Bass - Fair: Some schools of active feeding white bass have begun to show up near the wing dams in Harpers Ferry.  Look for jumping minnows and cast a small white minnow imitation or spinner.  Bluegill - Excellent: Anglers have reported catching large bluegills along rocky areas like near the edge of the spillway, near wing dams, and along the edge of the weed lines and lily pads.  The majority are being caught floating a night crawler.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth are hitting well along rocky areas with current.  They can be seen chasing minnows along with the white bass.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Bigger largemouths are being caught right now. Fish near bank areas along the weed line using top-water or spinner baits for the best success.  Crappie - Slow: Some nice crappies have been caught near woody structure using minnows and small jigs.  The problem is that they have been hard to find, but if you do the size has been good.  Walleye - Fair: The bite is starting to pick up.  A few walleyes are being caught drifting crawlers below the dam and in running sloughs.    Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot drum are being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom, especially out of Noble's Landing.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.   Remember to take ice with you if you plan on keeping drum and other fish especially with the warm temperatures.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Water level at Guttenberg is 7.6 feet and rising.   It is predicted to rise almost two feet in the next week.  Water temperature is near 82 degrees.  Water clarity is usually clear except around tributary streams after rainfall.    Northern Pike - Fair: A few nice pike being caught.   Look again at cold water inputs such as spring areas or tributary streams.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: In this warm weather the "cats" should be feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or crawlers are the baits of choice.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some nice flathead catfish have been caught below the dam jigging heavy spoons or one-eyed jigs.  Bluegill - Excellent: Larger bluegills and other sunfish are being caught right now along the bank with bobber and worms. The DNR fishing walkway has been a popular location.   Edge of weed lines throughout the pool especially in areas of brush piles has also been popular.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Some smallmouth are being caught fishing near rock in good current.   Try drifting night crawlers or using artificial lures such as in-line spinner.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth can be caught along shorelines with woody debris. Small spinners or jigs will work best.   Some places to try bass fishing in Pool 11 are Mud Lake by Dubuque, Bertrum Lake by Cassville and Swift Slough by Guttenberg.  Many anglers are using plastic frogs and worms to eliminate problems with floating weeds.  Crappie - Fair: Some crappie are being caught on minnows in Mud Lake and Sunfish Lake in Lower Pool 11.   Yellow Perch - Fair: There have been some reports of good catches of yellow perch in the sloughs around Guttenberg.   Some very large yellow perch can be found in the Mississippi River.   Sauger - Slow: There have been some reports of sauger being caught in the tail waters and out on the wing dams.  Walleye - Slow: The walleye fishing should start to pick up.   Wing dams are a little too deep with the high water.   Hopefully after this minor bump up, water levels will again recede and anglers can concentrate on fall wing dam walleye fishing.   Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Good catches of drum are still being reported in the upper part of pool 11.   During high water fish will often be found near shore in eddy area but away from the strong current. One-eyed jigs or night crawlers have been working well.

Water temperature at Guttenberg is right around 82 degrees. River levels are expected to rise over the next week.  Water levels are: Lansing 9.0, Lynxville 15.5 and Guttenberg 7.8.

Mississippi River Pool 16

River stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 9.38 feet.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on dip baits and crawlers fished around brush piles and logjams along the main channel and side sloughs.   White Bass - Slow:   Bluegill - Slow:   Crappie - Slow:   Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing on the wing dams has been slow due to high and muddy water. There is debris in the water that makes trolling tough. A few walleyes are being picked up in Sylvan Slough and Sunset Marina.

Mississippi River Pool 17

River stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 9.21 feet.   Channel Catfish - Good: Some channel catfish are being caught on dip baits, crawlers, and shad fished around brush piles and logjams along the main channel and sloughs. Channel catfish are also being caught at GPC.   White Bass - Slow:   Bluegill - Slow:   Crappie - Slow:   Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water. There is debris floating in the water that makes trolling wing dams difficult.

Mississippi River Pool 18

River stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 12.00 feet.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on dip baits, crawlers, and shad fished around brush piles and logjams along the main channel and side sloughs.   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pool 19

River stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 8.61 feet. Flood stage is 10 feet.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on dip baits, crawlers and shad. Try fishing along brush piles and snags along the main channel and sloughs. Fishing along flooded islands can be good as well.   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pools 16 to 20: River stages are still above normal throughout Pools 16 to 20. Water clarity is poor. Fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water conditions. For more fishing information on Pools 16 to 20 of the Mississippi River contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT

Lake Odessa

The Toolesboro road remains closed with about 18 inches of water on it.  The wildlife crew has pulled the docks out at Schaffer's and Sand Run.  The ramps are still useable at those two locations.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)

The river is at minor flood stage.

Lake Geode

Hot weather is keeping the anglers away.  Fishing has been slow as the fish try to stay cool.  Try very early in the morning to have a chance to catch some fish.

Lake Belva Deer

The road paving project continues in the park.  The weather isn't helping their progress.

Boaters need to use the north ramp. The south ramp continues to be closed.  Channel Catfish - Slow: With all the rains I would be fishing where the water enters the lake from the marsh and the ditches after a big rain.  Bluegill - Slow: There haven't been very many boats out but you should be able to pick up a few bluegills suspended around the creek channel very early in the morning.

Pollmiller Park Lake

Fishing morning and evening hours are the best times to fish Pollmiller in the summer.  The middle of the day fishing is extremely slow.  Channel Catfish - Good: The catfish continue to bite. Fish caught range from 3 to 5 pounds. Fish early and late.  Bluegill - Fair: Light tackle, bobbers, and worms.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Work the woody habitat in the early morning try top-water around dusk.

Lake of the Hills

The summer pattern of fishing continues.  Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good early and late using chicken liver and stink baits. Fish near where Lambach and Railroad Lakes flow into the lake after a rain.  Bluegill - Fair: The bigger bluegills are suspended out in the deeper water.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)

With the water headed down river from Ames and other point up river, look for the river to remain in the "Major Flood Stage" for a while.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)

The river is forecast to go above flood stage on Aug. 12.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.

Kent Park Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Fish in the 1 to 6 pounds range are being taken early and late in the day, as well as after a weather front. Dip bait has been working best.

Lake Macbride

Please check your boat/trailer when pulling out for the invasive plant called Brittle Naiad.  Channel Catfish - Good:   Flathead Catfish - Slow:

Central Park Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Most fish are smaller with a nicer one mixed in. Night crawlers have been working best. Fish areas with wood or on the break from shallow to deeper water.

Pleasant Creek Lake

The oxygen levels are quite low below depths of 15 feet. It is likely that fish won’t be found below these depths. Also, please check your boat/trailer for vegetation when pulling out. There is an invasive plant called Brittle Naiad that is very abundant around most of the lake.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish on or near the bottom with worms. Most fish are about 8 inches, but some are up to 12 inches.

Diamond Lake

The water is muddy due to recent rains.  Channel Catfish - Good:

Otter Creek Lake

An oxygen profile was done on the lake this week. The upper end of the lake looks fine, but the lower end of the lake (dam end) has little to no oxygen below five feet. It is likely that fish will not be found below this depth.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Best action has been at night.

Coralville Reservoir

The current lake level as of August 12 is 693 feet and falling.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Some anglers are catching catfish on live or cut bait.

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

Lake Wapello

The lake has refilled after last year's fish population renovation.  Red ear and channel catfish were stocked last fall and largemouth bass and bluegill this spring.

Red Haw Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish have been biting on stink bait.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler.  Try areas along the aquatic vegetation and in pockets within the vegetation.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastic worms fished around submerged structure or around the rock jetties.  Another good lure selection would be a brightly colored spinner bait.  Try white or chartreuse.

Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)

The lake renovation project has begun and the lake is being drained.  The boat ramps are not usable as the lake is approximately 20 feet low.  The shorelines are still very muddy and shore fishing would be difficult.

Lake Keomah

Channel Catfish - Slow: Try using stink bait or cut bait.  Fish in areas where the water is between 8 to 12 feet deep.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits or rubber worms along the shoreline and around the jetties.  Another good spot to try is along the outside of the aquatic vegetation.

Albia (lower)

A new boat ramp has been constructed on the lower reservoir.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinner baits fished along the shoreline and around areas with submerged structures.  Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline and around submerged structure.  There are buoys marking areas where cedar trees have been placed for fish habitat.

Lake Sugema

Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use plastic worms around areas with submerged structure.  Try top-water lures in the mornings and evenings.

Rathbun Reservoir

The current lake level is 922.56 feet with normal pool being 904 feet.  The water temperature is ranging in the lower 80s.  Boat ramps are open at Honey Creek State Park and the high water ramp at Buck Creek.  Use caution when boating.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are biting on cut bait and dead chubs.  Crappie - Slow: Try trolling crankbaits.  Try different depths until you find active fish.  With the higher pool levels the fish may be in different depths when compared to prior years.  Walleye - Fair: Try trolling or drifting night crawler rigs along underwater reefs and islands.  Underwater points have also been producing some walleyes.  Crankbaits are also a good bait to use this time of year.  Jigging spoons have also been productive.  Please be wary of tagged walleyes and if these fish are harvested please call the hatchery with the tag number.  The phone number for the hatchery is 641-647-2406.

For additional fishing information in south central Iowa, call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT

Big Creek Lake

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Hickory Grove Lake

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Red Rock Reservoir

White Bass - Good: Good reports are coming still from anglers that are fishing above the mile long bridge and up the Teter Creek arm.  White bass are being picked by covering water and trolling crankbaits.  There was excellent shad reproduction this year.  On calm days look for gulls and/or shad breaking the surface.    Crappie - Fair: Crappie are being caught early in the morning at the Roberts Creek dam using minnows or small tube jigs.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Anglers fishing white bass that are busting shad are also hooking into good numbers of wipers.

Saylorville Reservoir

White Bass - Good: Earlier in the week good catches of white bass were being caught out from the Sandpiper beach by trolling silver or chrome colored spoons or lip-less crankbaits.  The rising water levels may change the locations fish are active.  There are good numbers of young shad this year, so look for schools of shad busting the surface.  White bass are also active near the Big Creek spillway due to the high flow.

Due to flooding many central Iowa waters are not in good condition for fishing.  If no more heavy rain occurs most lakes should improve by mid next week.  For questions about central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.

Greenfield Lake

Greenfield Lake has one concrete boat ramp and is trolling motor only.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver or cut bait. Fish are in the 1 to 3 pound range.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches are being caught drifting small jigs in 6 to 8 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught early morning and late afternoon along weed edges casting crankbaits and small spinners. Large percentage of bass are in the 15 to 17-inch range.

Mormon Trail Lake

Mormon Trail Lake has excellent water clarity. There is one concrete boat ramp available.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver.

Nodaway Lake

Nodaway has one concrete boat ramp.    Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish in the 1 to 2 pound range are being caught on night crawlers.

Orient Lake

Orient is full with one concrete boat ramp.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are still using leeches to catch 14 to 16-inch channel cats.

Lake Anita

Lake Anita has two concrete boat ramps to choose from.   Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills are being caught drifting small jigs across the main lake. Also, try worms under a bobber around jetties and underwater reefs. Fish average 8 inches.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are being caught casting the shoreline with spinner baits early morning and late afternoon. Crankbaits and plastics are a good bait around underwater reefs and roadbeds later in the day.   Crappie - Slow: A few crappies can be picked up drifting jigs or casting around underwater reefs. Fish average 9 inches.

Viking Lake

Viking Lake has three concrete boat ramps and three feet of water clarity.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Viking has a good population of channel catfish in the 1 to 3 pounds range. Sonny's dip bait or night crawlers have been working well.   Largemouth Bass - Slow: Largemouth up to 18 inches are being caught casting spinner baits or plastics along weed edges and around structure.

Lake Manawa

Water temperature is in the mid 80s.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are still being caught on the south and west side. Shrimp has still been the number one bait. Liver and crawlers have also been good. Fish are in the 2 to 6 pounds range.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds

Many farm ponds hold good populations of bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. Remember to always ask permission before fishing private ponds.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are active with warmer water temperatures. Try night crawlers, liver, or stink baits around structure.  Bluegill - Fair: To catch bluegill in midsummer cast jigs around deep cover. Night crawlers under a bobber work well for post spawn bluegill.   Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are aggressive this time of year. Top-water baits work well during low light conditions and plastics during the day.

Water temperature is in the mid 80s on most southwest Iowa lakes. For information contact Bryan Hayes or Mark Boucher at the Cold Springs district office 712-769-2587.

Lake Icaria

Water temperature is near 80 degrees.  The lake level is normal.  Clarity is about 3 to 4 feet at mid lake and a little more near the dam.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Several catfish are being caught from shore on bluegill sides or liver.

Little River Watershed Lake

Water clarity is near two feet.  Water temperature is near 80 degrees.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A few catfish are coming from the bays on liver or bluegill sides.

Mt. Ayr Old Reservoir

Water quality is good.  Crappie - Good: A lot of mid-sized crappies can be caught from the dam in about 5 to 6 feet of water using small black jigs.

Lake of Three Fires

Water clarity is about three feet.

Green Valley Lake

The lake level has been lowered to allow for sediment removal from the upper end.  The fish have been restocked and some catfish are being caught.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake

Water temperature is near 80 degrees and clarity is average.  On some days, algae can be a problem.  Bullhead - Good: A lot of big bullheads are being caught from shore using crawlers on the bottom.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Several catfish are being caught from shore using liver and bluegill sides.

Grand River

Flows fluctuate but are usually near normal.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A few mid-sized channel catfish are coming from the holes near bridges.

Water levels at southwest Iowa lakes and rivers are near normal and water clarity is good considering recent rains.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly Iowa fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information for anglers 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.

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT

Nelson Park Lake

Catfish are biting.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers and out of your boats when leaving Nelson Park Lake because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present.

Yellow Smoke Park Lake

Water clarity is excellent.  Anglers are catching a few crappie and big bluegills, but you really have to work at it. Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers when leaving Yellow Smoke because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present.

Crawford Creek Impoundment

Fishing is good for catfish, bluegill and crappie.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers and out of boats when leaving Crawford Creek because the invasive aquatic plant brittle naiad is present.

Badger Lake (Webster County)

Catfishing has been good, but fishing for other species is still slow.

Brushy Creek Lake

Fishing has been slow.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Boaters use caution:  there is an ongoing dredging project at Storm Lake and boats should stay at least 100 feet away from the dredge pipe.  The dredge pipe is marked with buoys.  Daily bag limit at Storm Lake is three walleye, all 17-inch to 22-inch walleye must be immediately released, and only one walleye over 22 inches may be kept.

North Twin Lake

Yellow bass and sheepshead are abundant and anglers have been catching decent numbers of them.

Swan Lake

Water clarity at Swan Lake is around 16 to 18 inches.

Black Hawk Lake

Walleye must be 15 inches or longer to keep and anglers are allowed three walleye per day.  The Ice House Point picnic area and handicapped accessible pier will be closed for the next 30 days or until further notice.  The road is still open to the boat ramp, but the remainder of the area will be closed due to the construction of a paved bike trail.

North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 Bridge near Auburn)

The Raccoon River is back within its banks, but flows are still very high.  Avoid canoeing, kayaking or tubing the river until the water level goes down.

Although we did receive rain this week in Black Hawk District, the rivers are within their banks, but are still high and flowing fast.  Use caution around rivers as flows will still be high.  For more information about these lakes and rivers call Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View, at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake

Small yellow bass and crappies are biting on a jig tipped with a crawler. Channel catfish are biting on chicken liver and night crawler below the dam.

Lake Catherine

Largemouth bass and bluegill are being caught fishing near the trees. Channel catfish are biting on crawlers fished on the bottom.

Clear Lake

Yellow bass are biting. Try drifting live bait or cut bait near the reefs and in the little lake. The best bite is early morning and in the evenings. A few walleyes are being caught; try fishing the reefs using jigs tipped with a minnow.  Channel catfish are biting on crawlers and chicken liver fishing the windswept side of the lake. Sunfish are biting on worms off the jetties.

Little Wall Lake

Channel catfish are biting on chicken liver and worms, Largemouth bass are biting on a variety of baits fished near the weed edge. Bluegills are being caught on worms fished near the shoreline.

Rice Lake

Yellow perch fishing is still fair, best fishing is off the docks using minnows.

Silver Lake (Worth)

Bullheads are biting on crawlers fished off the bottom.

Morse Lake

Bullheads and channel catfish are biting on crawlers fished near the bottom.

Bluebill Lake

Bluegills are biting on worms fished near the weed edge. Largemouth bass are biting on a variety of baits fish near the weed edge.

For more information on fishing in the area lakes and rivers, call the Clear Lake Fisheries Office at 641-357-3517.

Mill Creek (Lake)

Mill Creek Lake would be a great place to take a child fishing for bluegills.  Use a small bobber and hook baited with a piece of worm along the boat docks and shoreline.  There is plenty of parking and easy access along the south shore.  Bluegill - Excellent: Use a small bobber and hook baited with a piece of worm along the docks.

Big Spirit Lake

Water temperature is 79 degrees.   Bluegill - Slow: Use a leech or crawler on a hook under a split shot and fish along weed beds on rock bars.   Yellow Perch - Good: Perch fishing has been hit or miss. Anglers are using small jigs tipped with live bait in 20 to 22 feet of water or around weed beds in 8 to 12 feet near Big Stoney and Red Nose Point or Marble Beach.  Walleye - Slow: Use a split shot and hook, Lindy rig with live bait or troll crankbaits along weed beds and rock bars.

East Okoboji Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Use crawdads or chubs fished on the bottom near moving water at the bridges or on the north shore near the spillway.  Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a piece of crawler around boat docks and weed beds.  Yellow Bass - Good: Fish around boat docks or weed lines with small jigs tipped with live bait.

Minnewashta Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Fish around boat docks and weed lines with a small jig tipped with live bait.  Yellow Bass - Good: Fish around boat docks and weed lines with small jigs tipped with live bait.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)

Channel Catfish - Good: Use chubs or other bait along boat docks, brush piles, or near the Trapper's Bay Bridge.  White Bass - Fair: Troll the basin with crankbaits.

West Okoboji Lake

Water temperature is 74 degrees.  Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig or slip bobber with live bait along deep weed beds.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Use a small jig or slip bobber with live bait along weed beds.   Walleye - Fair: Use a slip bobber and leech or jig tipped with live bait near weed beds or rock bars.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Use a small jig or slip bobber with live bait along weed beds.

Five Island Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or cut bait at the train bridge.

Lost Island Lake

Northern Pike - Fair: A few fish are being caught using a chub below a large bobber.  Channel Catfish - Good: Drift live bait along the edge of the rock reef or use stink bait or worms at the bridge.

Lower Gar Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Fish around boat docks or at the outlet with crawdads, frogs, or chubs.

Big Sioux River

The river is currently flooded and out of its banks.

Rock River

Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use live bait near brush piles and eddies.

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)

Channel Catfish - Good: Fish around brush piles and eddies with crawdads or chubs.

West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)

Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish near brush piles and eddies with crawdads or chubs.

For more fishing information on the Spirit Lake area call 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT

Volga Lake

Fishing has slowed but, catfish are still being caught.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are still being caught using night crawlers and chicken liver.  Bluegill - Slow: Check the fishing jetty which drops off fast to deeper water.  Largemouth Bass - Slow: Fish are relating to overhanging structure close to shore.  Any trees with low over hanging branches are a safe bet.  Crappie - Slow: Crappies are in their summer patterns.  Try drifting across the lake to find suspended fish.

Lake Hendricks

Fishing is slow this week.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A few catfish are being caught using chicken liver.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are fair with in-line spinners.

Lake Meyer

Fishing has picked up as of late.  Northern Pike - Good: Northerns are being caught cruising the weed beds.    Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are being caught on worms and chicken liver as they move up to the shallows at dark.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being caught outside the weed line in 10 to 15 feet of water on small jigs and worms.  Fish are ranging from 7 to 8 inches.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are still being caught but have slowed.  Try running a scum frog through the weed beds at first light and sunset.  Crappie - Good: Crappies are being caught outside the weed line in 10 to 15 feet of water using a small jig and worm.  Fish are ranging from 9 to 11 inches.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)

Water levels are slowly dropping and water clarity is improving.  Not many anglers have been out but the river is fishable.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

Water levels are dropping.  The river is fishable but few anglers have been out.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have been having good success using stink bait and chicken livers.

Yellow River

Anglers are reporting good catches of rainbow and brown trout floating downstream.  Rainbow Trout - Good:   Brown Trout - Good:

Cedar River (above Nashua)Water is high but levels are slowly dropping.  Fishing has been slow.  Channel Catfish - Slow: Anglers have been using cut bait or stink bait.

River water levels are still up but falling.  Better fishing will be found in the lakes and smaller streams with better watersheds.  Trout streams are in good condition.  With the water off color, now is a good time to target brown trout.  For more information about a specific stream, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.  Most of our rivers are high but, are falling.  Few anglers have been out on the rivers.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER - IOWA FISHING REPORT

Mississippi River Pool 9

Water level at Lansing is 9.9 feet, and is predicted to drop almost 0.8 feet in the next week.  Water temperature is near 80 degrees.  Water clarity is continuing to improve.  Northern Pike - Good: A few anglers reporting good catches of pike near colder-water inputs like the Upper Iowa River. As the water drops these northerns should be easier to find.  Channel Catfish - Good: In this warm weather the "cats" have been feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast out far to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or chicken liver are the baits of choice.  White Bass - Good: Some nice pockets of active feeding white bass have been seen along the main channel.  Look for minnows jumping and use small white minnow imitations or spinners.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being reported along the bank being caught on a worm and bobber.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing areas with rock and good current, especially near a good back-eddy.   Some nice fish earlier were being reported at the entrance of Big Slough and near Village Creek.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers report good catches of bass in the Lansing area along main channel weed lines suing crawdad crankbaits.  Sauger - Fair: Saugers and walleyes are being caught drifting in front of Desoto Bay and in the sloughs downstream of the Upper Iowa River.  Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes have been caught trolling crankbait or jigs in running sloughs such as Minnesota Slough. Saugers and walleyes are being caught drifting in front of Desoto Bay and in the sloughs downstream of the Upper Iowa River.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.   Remember to take ice with you if you plan on keeping drum and other fish fresh especially with the warm temperatures.

Mississippi River Pool 10

Water level at Lynxville is 17.0 feet, and is predicted to drop almost 2 feet in the next week.  Water temperature is near 80 degrees.  Water clarity is continuing to improve.  Bullhead - Fair: A few nice catches of bullheads reported north of McGregor.  Northern Pike - Fair: A few nice sized northerns have been caught in the Harpers Ferry area.  Try fishing near cold water tributaries or springs.  Channel Catfish - Good: In this warm weather the "cats" have been feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits have been working well here.  White Bass - Good: Some schools of active feeding white bass have begun to show up near the wing dams in Harpers Ferry.  Look for jumping minnows and cast a small white minnow imitation or spinner.  Bluegill - Excellent: Anglers have reported catching large bluegills along rocky areas like near the edge of the spillway, and along the edge of the weed lines and lily pads.  The majority are being caught floating a night crawler.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth are hitting well along rocky areas with current.  They can be seen chasing minnows along with the white bass.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Bigger largemouths are being caught right now. Fish near bank areas along the weed line using top-water or spinner baits for the best success.  Crappie - Slow: Some nice crappies have been caught near woody structure using minnows and small jigs.  The problem is that they have been hard to find, but if you do the size has been good.  Walleye - Fair: The bite is starting to pick up.  A few walleyes are being caught drifting crawlers below the dam and in running sloughs.    Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot drum are being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom, especially out of Noble's Landing.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.   Remember to take ice with you if you plan on keeping drum and other fish especially with the warm temperatures.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Water level at Guttenberg is 9.0 feet, and is predicted to drop almost two feet in the next week.  Water temperature is near 80 degrees.  Water clarity is continuing to improve.  Northern Pike - Fair: A few nice pike being caught near colder-water inputs.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: In this warm weather the "cats" should be feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or crawlers are the baits of choice.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some nice flathead catfish have been caught below the dam jigging heavy spoons or one-eyed jigs.  Bluegill - Excellent: Larger bluegills and other sunfish are being caught right now along the bank with bobber and worms. The DNR fishing walkway has been a popular location.   Edge of weed lines throughout the pool especially in areas of brush piles has also been popular.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Some smallmouth are being caught fishing near rock in good current drifting night crawlers or using artificials.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth can be caught along shorelines with woody debris. Small spinners or jigs will work best, while some are being caught with live bait. Fishing has been better in the upper part of the pool.   Some anglers are using scum frogs and other floating frog lures in pockets of vegetation.  Yellow Perch - Fair: There have been some reports of good catches of yellow perch in the sloughs around Guttenberg.  Sauger - Slow: There have been some reports of sauger coming out of St. Louis Lake.  Walleye - Slow: The walleye fishing should start to pick up.   Wing dams are a little too deep with the high water but as water recedes three-way angling on the front of the wing dams should get good.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Good catches of drum are still being reported in the upper part of pool 11.   During high water fish will often be found near shore in eddy area but away from the strong current. One-eyed jigs or night crawlers have been working well.

Water temperature at Guttenberg is right around 80 degrees. River levels have begun to fall slowly and are expected to continue to fall over the next week.  Water levels are: Lansing 9.9, Lynxville 17.0 and Guttenberg 9.0. Water clarity is improving.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 11.01 feet and falling. Water clarity has improved as water levels are dropping and is fair.  Water temperature is in the low 80s.   Anglers should be on the lookout for radio tagged white crappie in Pool 12. Tags are attached externally to the dorsal fin and we ask that these fish be released or the tags returned from harvested fish.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel cats are biting on stink bait in side channels around snags and near the mouth of catfish creek.  White Bass - Fair: Look for white bass on current breaks along rocky shorelines.  Sampling crews have seen good numbers and sizes this week around Catfish Creek, Peosta Channel, and the head of City Island.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are biting on crawlers under a bobber in shallow water around vegetation and wood.  Also look for them in marinas around docks.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are biting on top-water frogs fished around lily pads and vegetation.  Bass are also biting on crankbaits along rip rap shorelines around Dubuque and in Peosta Channel.  Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow the past week with the high, dirty water, but look for fishing to improve as conditions do.  Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum are biting good on crawlers fished on the bottom in areas of moderate current.

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 10.12 feet and falling. Water clarity is fair and water temperature is in the low 80s.   Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting on stink bait fished around snags in the side channels.  Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow with the high water the last week, but look for fishing to improve as the conditions do.  Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum have been biting on crawlers fished on the bottom in areas of moderate current.

Mississippi River Pool 14

River stage at Camanche is 12.82 feet and falling. Water clarity is poor but improving and water temperature is in the low 80s.  With poor water conditions, fishing has been slow over most of the pool, but a few fish are being caught in the sand pits where water clarity is better.

For fishing information in Pool 12-15 of the Mississippi River contact the Bellevue Fish Management and Research Station at 563-872-4976

Mississippi River Pool 16

River stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 11.76 feet and falling. Fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on dip baits and crawlers fished around brush piles and logjams along the main channel and side sloughs. Fishing along the flooded islands can be good as well.   Bluegill - Slow:   Crappie - Slow:   Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing on the wing dams has been slow due to high and muddy water. There is debris in the water that makes trolling tough.

Mississippi River Pool 17

River stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 11.68 feet and falling. Fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water.   Channel Catfish - Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught on dip baits and crawlers fished around brush piles and logjams along the main channel and sloughs.   White Bass - Slow:   Bluegill - Slow:   Crappie - Slow:   Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water. There is a lot of debris floating in the water that makes trolling wing dams difficult.

Mississippi River Pool 18

River stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 14.10 feet and falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water.   Channel Catfish - No Report:   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pool 19

River stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 10.27 feet and falling. Flood stage is 10 feet. Fishing has been tough due to high and muddy water.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on dip baits, crawlers and shad. Try fishing along brush piles and snags along the main channel and sloughs.   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pools 16-20: River conditions are still high throughout Pools 16-20. Many of the boat ramps are underwater. Fishing has been tough throughout the pools due to high and muddy water. There is lot of debris floating in the river so take caution when boating. For more fishing information on pools 16-20 of the Mississippi River contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT

Lake Odessa

The Toolesboro road remains closed with about 18 inches of water on it.  The wildlife crew has pulled the docks out at Schaffer's and Sand Run.  The ramps are still useable at those two locations.

Lake Belva Deer

They are paving the roads in the park so the south boat ramp is closed.  Please use the north ramp over by the beach. Fishing remains fairly good in the early mornings and late evenings.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try the upper end of the lake during the last couple of hours of daylight.  Chicken liver and stink baits are producing the most catfish.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing remains good in the first few hours of the day as well as the last few.  Small baits fished out in the trees at about 3 to 5 feet down are working the best.  Largemouth Bass - Good: The late evening hours are producing some good bass fishing.  Look for them to be in the shallow water hunting young bluegills.

Pollmiller Park Lake

Channel Catfish - Excellent: Most of the catfish are being caught at 5 feet deep using cut baits or stink bait.  Bluegill - Good: Some nice 8 to 9-inch fish are being routinely caught on light tackle using bobber and worm.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use soft plastics and crankbaits to catch them.

Lake of the Hills

Overall the bite is in the summer pattern.  Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing remains good early or late in the day. Chicken liver and stink baits seem to be working the best.  Bluegill - Slow: The smaller bluegills are staying in shallow, the bigger ones are out in the deeper water suspended at 5 to 7 feet down. Fish early in the morning or just before the park closes.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)

The river is at minor flood stage.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)

The Iowa remains above flood stage.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.

Kent Park Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Fish in the 1 to 6 pounds range are being taken early and late in the day, as well as after a weather front. Dip bait has been working best.

Lake Macbride

Channel Catfish - Good:   Flathead Catfish - Fair:

Central Park Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Most fish are smaller with a nicer one mixed in. Night crawlers have been working best. Fish areas with wood or on the break from shallow to deeper water.

Pleasant Creek Lake

The oxygen levels in Pleasant Creek are quite low below depths of 15 feet. It is likely that fish won’t be found below these depths.

Diamond Lake

The water is muddy due to recent rains.  Channel Catfish - Good:

Otter Creek Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: Best action has been at night.

Coralville Reservoir

The current lake level as of August 4 is 698 feet and it is falling less than one foot per day.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Some anglers are catching catfish on live or cut bait.

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)

Flathead Catfish - Good: Below the dams have been best.

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

Lake Wapello

The lake has refilled after last year's fish population renovation.  Red ear and channel catfish were stocked last fall and largemouth bass and bluegill this spring.

Red Haw Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish have been biting on chicken liver and night crawlers.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler.  Try areas along the aquatic vegetation and in pockets within the vegetation.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastic worms fished around submerged structure or around the rock jetties.

Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)

The lake renovation project has begun and the lake is being drained.  The boat ramps are not usable as the lake is approximately 20 feet low.  The shorelines are still very muddy and shore fishing would be difficult.

Lake Keomah

Channel Catfish - Slow: Cut bait has been producing some catches of channel catfish.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits or rubber worms along the shoreline and around the jetties.  Another good spot to try is along the outside of the aquatic vegetation.

Albia (lower)

A new boat ramp has been constructed on the lower reservoir.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinner baits fished along the shoreline and around areas with submerged structures.  Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline and around submerged structure.  There are buoys marking areas where cedar trees have been placed for fish habitat.

Lake Sugema

Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use plastic worms around areas with submerged structure.  Try top-water lures in the mornings and evenings.

Rathbun Reservoir

The current lake level is 923.79 feet with normal pool being 904 feet.  The water temperature is ranging in the lower 80s.  Boat ramps are open at Honey Creek State Park and the high water ramp at Buck Creek.  Use caution when boating.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are biting on cut bait and dead chubs.  Walleye - Fair: Try trolling or drifting night crawler rigs along underwater reefs and islands.  Underwater points have also been producing some walleyes.  Crankbaits are also a good bait to use this time of year.  Jigging spoons have also been productive.  Please be wary of tagged walleyes and if these fish are harvested please call the hatchery with the tag number.  The phone number for the hatchery is 641-647-2406.

For additional fishing information in south central Iowa please call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT

Rock Creek Lake

Crappie - Good: Anglers targeting crappies have been doing well drifting the center of the lake using small tube jigs, or tube jigs tipped with minnows or wax worms.

Big Creek Lake

There is currently a walleye harvest study taking place.  Anglers who catch a walleye should look near the tail of the fish for a small yellow tag.  The tags can be removed from harvested or released fish of LEGAL size and returned with a survey for a cash reward.  The surveys can be picked up at the marina, park office, Polk City Bait and Tackle, or Johnston Bait and Tackle.  There are also signs posted at the boat ramps with instructions.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats are biting well in the upper arms using fresh cut bait.  Fish in depths 15 foot and less.  White Bass - Good: Big Creek currently has a large population of white bass.  They are biting aggressively, especially just before and just after sunset.  Casting or drifting small jigs or spinners is working well.  Concentrate on the points and jetties on the windblown side of the lake.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are suspended.   Drift fishing small pieces of crawler in 6 to 14 feet has produced good catches in the upper half of the lake in both the east and west arms.  The roadbed in the west ramp bay continues to produce bluegills, white bass, and few crappies.  Bluegills and crappies are suspended from 8 to 12 feet on either side of the road.  The lake is stratified so avoid fishing depths greater than 12 to 15 feet.  The bluegills have been good sized from 7 to 9 inches.   Walleye - Slow: The walleye bite is slow.  The fish that are being caught are coming from mostly the east arm at the upper end of the lake using night crawlers or leeches.

Hickory Grove Lake

Bluegill - Fair: The bluegill pattern is remaining consistent.  The bite is not fast, but they are being picked up by drifting small pieces of night crawler out from the south shore, or near the pallet structures east of the island.  The lake is stratified, so keep bait above 8 to 10 feet.

Lake Ahquabi

Bluegill - Fair: The lake is stratified, so fish no deeper than 8 to 10 feet.  Bluegills are being caught suspended away from shore just past the vegetation.  Concentrate on the northwest shoreline.  There are several large sunken brush piles in this area that bluegills and crappie will suspend over.   Redear Sunfish - Fair: Anglers fishing for bluegills are also picking up some large redears.  Pieces of night crawler or small leeches fished near the bottom in 8 feet of water or less next to the vegetation works well.

Red Rock Reservoir

Channel Catfish - Good: The channel catfish bite is good using fresh cut bait.  White Bass - Good: Good reports are coming still from anglers that are fishing above the mile long bridge and up the Teter Creek arm.  White bass are being picked by covering water and trolling crankbaits.  There was excellent shad reproduction this year.  On calm days look for gulls and/or shad breaking the surface.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Anglers fishing white bass that are busting shad are also hooking into good numbers of wipers.

Saylorville Reservoir

White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught from shore and boat in the marina, especially when the pumps are running, the Big Creek spillway, and by trolling over the flooded Oak Grove parking lot.

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: There are good numbers of channel catfish of all sizes, with quite a few large fish.  Fresh cut bait, such as bluegill fillets, work well.  Due to the very clear water, fish during the late evening and just after sunset.   Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being caught best in the evenings.  Fish just past the edge of the aquatic vegetation with small pieces of night crawler under a bobber.

Central Iowa rivers are running high.  The Middle Raccoon is bumping up a little, but should be at fishable levels by the end of the weekend.  The Des Moines River is still dropping above Saylorville and is becoming fishable, especially for catfish.  Summer fishing patterns in the lakes are staying consistent with the high water temperatures.  Bluegills and crappie are being caught best drift fishing small jigs or live bait fished at depths of 5 to 15 feet.  Catfishing is also good right now in most lakes.

Greenfield Lake

Greenfield Lake has one concrete boat ramp and is trolling motor only.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver or cut bait. Fish are in the 1 to 3 pound range.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches are being caught drifting small jigs in 6 to 8 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught around cedar tree piles casting crankbaits and small spinners. Good percentage of bass in the 15 to 17-inch range.

Mormon Trail Lake

Mormon Trail Lake has excellent water clarity. There is one concrete boat ramp available.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver.

Nodaway Lake

Nodaway has one concrete boat ramp.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish in the 1 to 2 pound range are being caught on night crawlers.

Orient Lake

Orient is full with one concrete boat ramp.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are still using leeches to catch channel in the 14 to 16-inch range.

Lake Anita

Lake Anita is slightly turbid after recent heavy rains. There are two concrete boat ramps to choose from.   Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught drifting small jigs across the main lake. Also, try worms under a bobber around jetties and underwater reefs. Fish average 8 inches.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught casting the shoreline with spinner baits. Crankbaits and plastics are good baits around underwater reefs and roadbeds.   Crappie - Slow: A few crappies can be picked up drifting jigs or casting around underwater reefs. Fish average 9 inches.

Viking Lake

Viking Lake has three concrete boat ramps and three feet of water clarity.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Viking has a good population of channel catfish from 1 to 3 pounds. Liver has been working well fishing in 4 to 6 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth up to 18 inches are being caught casting spinner baits or plastics along weed edges and around structure.

Lake Manawa

Water temperature is in the mid 70s and water clarity is fair.   Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are still being caught on the south and west side. Shrimp has still been the number one bait. Liver and crawlers have also been good. Fish are in the 2 to 6 pound range.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds

Many farm ponds hold good populations of bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. Remember to always ask permission before fishing private ponds.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are active with warmer water temperatures. Try night crawlers, liver, or stink baits around structure.  Bluegill - Fair: To catch bluegill in midsummer cast jigs around deep cover. Night crawlers under a bobber work well for post spawn bluegill.   Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are aggressive this time of year. Top-water baits work well during low light conditions and plastics during the day.

Water temperature is in the mid to upper 70s on most southwest Iowa lakes. For information, contact Bryan Hayes or Mark Boucher at the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587.

Lake Icaria

Water temperature is near 80 degrees.  The lake level is normal.Clarity is about 2 to 3 feet at mid-lake and a little more near the dam.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Several catfish are being caught from shore on bluegill sides.

Little River Watershed Lake

Water levels are normal.  Clarity is between 1.5 and 2.5 feet.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Shoreline anglers are catching channel catfish on bluegill sides or liver.

Lake of Three Fires

Water clarity is about three feet.

Green Valley Lake

The lake level has been lowered to allow for sediment removal from the upper end.  The fish have been restocked and some catfish are being caught.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake

Water temperature is near 80 degrees and clarity is average.  Some days algae can be a problem.  Bullhead - Good: A lot of big bullheads are being caught from shore using crawlers on the bottom.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Several catfish are being caught from shore using liver and bluegill sides.

Grand River

Flows can be high but should return to normal quickly.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A few mid-sized channel catfish are coming from the holes near bridges.

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Nelson Park Lake
Catfish are biting.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers when leaving Nelson Park Lake because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present there.  Channel Catfish - Good: Many channel catfish have been caught from the face of the dam.  Anglers have been having the best luck using stink bait and fishing fairly close to shore in 5 to 10 feet of water.  Bluegill - Slow: 7 to 8-inch bluegill have been caught on small jigs and a wax worm.

Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Water clarity is excellent.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers when leaving Yellow Smoke because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present.  Bluegill - Slow: Yellow Smoke has very large bluegill in the 8.5 to 9.5-inch size range.  Because the water is so clear, try using really light line and small lures.  Fish deep around submerged trees.  Also, try drifting the open water 5 to 10 feet down.  Try small black jigs tipped with a wax worm, piece of night crawler, or piece of crawdad tail.  Anglers that typically fish Yellow Smoke report that they can catch the big bluegill, but don't expect to catch more than 7 or 8 per trip.  Largemouth Bass - Excellent: A lot of largemouth bass are being caught, but most are sub-legal fish.  There are a lot of bass around 14 inches in length that make for great catch and release fishing.

Crawford Creek Impoundment
Fishing is good for catfish, bluegill, and crappie.  Remember to clean vegetation off boat trailers when leaving Crawford Creek because the invasive plant brittle naiad is present.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Anglers are still doing well for channel catfish.  Catfish are biting on just about anything, but night crawlers are working the best.    Bluegill - Good: Try using small jigs and a piece of night crawler.  Try drifting the open water and fishing about 6 to 10 feet down.  Crappie - Good: Crappie were being caught on small minnows. Try drifting the open water and fishing about 6 to 10 feet down.  Crappies are averaging 9.5 inches.  Yellow Perch - Slow: Some anglers have been getting into good perch fishing, but the perch fishing is hit or miss.

Badger Lake
Catfishing has been good, but fishing for other species has been slow.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching catfish on shrimp, cut bait, and dip bait.  A wide variety of sizes are being caught.

Brushy Creek Lake
Fishing has been slow lately.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill have moved into deeper water.  Try drifting with a small jig and a piece of night crawler or jig deep around submerged trees.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass have moved into deeper water and can be found near the weed beds and under mats of vegetation.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Boaters use caution: There is an ongoing dredging project at Storm Lake and boats should stay at least 100 feet away from the dredge pipe.  The dredge pipe is marked with buoys.
Daily bag limit at Storm Lake is 3 walleye, all 17 to 22-inch walleye must be immediately released, only one walleye over 22 inches may be kept.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have been catching 2-pound catfish from boats.  Try using cut bait, minnows, or crawdads for bait.  White Bass - Good: Some white bass are being caught on white twisters or picked up while walleye fishing.  Try fishing white bass with top waters on hot, calm evenings.  Anglers that find white bass chasing bait fish at the surface have been able to catch them every cast.  Yellow Perch - Slow: Storm Lake has large yellow perch, but they are difficult to target.  One or two are picked up on occasion when fishing walleye.  Walleye - Slow: Fishing for walleye has slowed down considerably.  Anglers have been using night crawlers in 8 to 9 feet of water near the dredge cuts.  They have been catching fish in the 12 to 14-inch size range with a few slot fish mixed in.  There have been a few reports of anglers catching their limit of 15 to 16.5-inch fish.

North Twin Lake
Yellow bass and freshwater drum are abundant and anglers have been catching decent numbers of them.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish with stink bait, cut bait, chubs, night crawlers, or crawdads off the bottom.  Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are plentiful at North Twin, but are a little skinny.  Try using live crawdads or night crawlers and fish near the bottom.  Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass fishing has been good at North Twin.  The yellow bass are about 7 to 8 inches long, but there are lots of them.  Some yellow bass in the 9 to 10-inch range have been caught.  Try casting bright colored lures near shore tipped with a piece of crawdad or a little piece of yellow bass meat.

Swan Lake
Water clarity is around 10 to 12 inches.  Bluegill - Fair: A few hand sized bluegills are being caught with a jig and a small piece of worm in about two feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some bass are being caught on rattling crankbaits.  Also try live bait to catch bass when the water clarity is poor.  Crappie - Slow: Crappie in the 7 to 8-inch size range are plentiful at Swan Lake, but they are difficult to target right now.

Black Hawk Lake
Lake View received over 3 inches of rain last night.  Water clarity is poor.  Channel catfish are still biting fast.  Walleye must be 15 inches or longer to keep and anglers are allowed 3 walleye per day.  The Ice House Point picnic area and handicapped accessible pier will be closed for the next 30 days or until further notice.  The road is still open to the boat ramp there, but the remainder of the area will be closed due to the construction of a paved bike trail.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Fish the windward shore with cut bait or stink bait.  Whole crawdads make excellent catfish bait.  Hook the crawdad through the tail and crack the carapace so the juices can put out scent in the water.  Anglers from boats have been catching their limit of catfish averaging 2 pounds.  Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing has slowed down considerably.  Try targeting the rock pile east of Lakewood Point.  It is deeper than the other rock piles and commonly holds walleye this time of year.  Use leeches or night crawlers.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Yellow bass fishing has been good, but the fish are around 5 to 6 inches long.  Try casting bright colored jigs along shorelines where the wind is blowing in.

North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 Bridge near Auburn)
Expect flows in the Raccoon River to be extremely high after the heavy rainfall last night.  Avoid canoeing, kayaking, or tubing the river until the water level goes down.

The Storm Lake area received around 5.5 inches of rain last night.  Sac County and other surrounding counties received at least 3 inches of rain overnight.  Use caution around the rivers as flows will be high.  For more information about these lakes and rivers call Ben Wallace or Don Herrig (712-657-2638) at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View.

Beeds Lake
Channel catfish are biting on chicken liver and night crawler below the dam, largemouth bass are biting on plastic baits.

Lake Catherine
Largemouth bass and bluegill are being caught fishing near the trees. Channel catfish are biting on crawlers fished on the bottom.

Clear Lake
Yellow bass are biting, try drifting live bait or cut bait near the reefs and in the little lake. A few walleyes are being caught; try fishing the reefs using jigs tipped with a minnow.  Channel catfish are biting on crawlers and chicken liver fishing the windswept side of the lake.

Lake Cornelia
Bluegills are biting on worms fished under a bobber in the marina. Channel catfish are biting on chicken liver and night crawlers. Walleyes are biting on leeches the best bite is after dark.

Rice Lake
Yellow perch are biting.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Bullheads are biting on crawlers fished off the bottom.

Morse Lake
Bullheads and channel catfish are biting on crawler fished near the bottom.

For more information on fishing in the area lakes and rivers, call the Clear Lake Fisheries Office at 641-357-3517.

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the brush piles located on the points.  Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the brush piles located on the points.

Mill Creek (Lake)
Mill Creek Lake would be a great place to take a child fishing for bluegills.  Use a small bobber and hook baited with a piece of worm along the boat docks and shoreline.  There is plenty of parking and easy access along the south shore.  Bluegill - Excellent: Use a small bobber and hook baited with a piece of worm along the docks.

Big Spirit Lake
Water temperature is 77 degrees.   Bluegill - Good: Use a leech or crawler on a split shot and hook along weed beds on rock bars.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch fishing has been hit or miss. Anglers are using small jigs tipped with live bait in 20-22 feet of water or around weed beds in 8-10 feet.  Walleye - Fair: Use a split shot and hook along weed beds or drift with spinner rigs in the basin using leeches or worms.

East Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Fish weed lines with small jigs tipped with live bait.  Yellow Bass - Good: Fish around boat docks or weed lines with small jigs tipped with live bait.

Minnewashta Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Fish around boat docks and weed lines with small jigs tipped with live bait.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use chubs or other bait along boat docks, brush piles, or near the Trapper's Bay Bridge.  White Bass - Fair: Troll the basin with crankbaits.

West Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is 73 degrees.  Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig tipped with live bait along deep weed beds.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with live bait near weed beds.  Walleye - Fair: Use a slip bobber and leech or jig tipped with live bait near weed beds or rock bars.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Fish weed edges with small jigs tipped with live bait.

Five Island Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or cut bait at the train bridge.

Lost Island Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Drift live bait along the edge of the rock reef or use stink bait or worms at the bridge.

Big Sioux River
Channel Catfish - Good: Fish near brush piles and eddies with cut bait or crawdads.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use large live bait along cut banks and deep holes with brush piles.

Rock River
Channel Catfish - Good: Use live bait near brush piles and eddies.

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
Channel Catfish - Good: Fish around brush piles and eddies with crawdads.

West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish near brush piles and eddies with crawdads.

For more fishing information on the Spirit Lake area call 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Volga Lake
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Lake Hendricks
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Lake Meyer
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week:

Cedar River (above Nashua)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
River water levels are still up but falling.  Better fishing will be found in the lakes and smaller streams with better watersheds.  Trout streams are in good condition but still high with recent rains.  With the water off color, now is a good time to target brown trout.  For more information about a specific stream, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Silver Lake (Delaware)
Fishing has been good for largemouth bass and bluegill. Most all bass are sub-legal; bass must be 15 inches in length for legal harvest. Bluegills are 5 to 7 inches.   Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing a piece of worm under a bobber along the vegetation edges.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try casting top-water, weedless spoons or spinner baits. Reminder there is a 15-inch minimum size limit on bass in this lake.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Casey Lake is providing some good catches of channel catfish. Dense vegetation has been a problem so fishing from a boat or canoe is beneficial. Most lakes are stratified now so concentrate on depths of 9 feet or less.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing cut baits, chicken livers or stink baits off of the bottom.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are being caught on red worms, wax worms and pieces of crawlers under bobbers.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Top-water lures, artificial plastics seem to be catching fish.

Mitchell
Anglers have been having success catching channel catfish using leaches.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing with leaches on the bottom in 8 to 9 feet of water or less.

Plainfield
Anglers are catching nice size bluegill and largemouth bass. The water level has risen on this lake but should have no impacts on shoreline angling.  Bluegill - Fair: Best success has been using wax worms under a bobber for bluegill.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try casting spinner baits or crankbaits from shore.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Cedar River was providing some catches of walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish but with the recent isolated showers the river may once again be on the rise.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try using night crawlers or cut baits on the bottom in recent flooded areas.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try using small crankbait in and along current breaks.    Walleye - Fair: Some reports of walleye caught using crawlers or leeches on jig head.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River has fallen and water conditions are improving.  There have been reports of channel catfish and walleyes being caught.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try using night crawlers or cut baits on the bottom in off current areas or above woody snags.  Walleye - Fair: Try casting with a jig tipped with a minnow or half of a night crawler below low head dams or along the edge of current breaks.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa is in good shape but may rise again with recent rainfall events.   Channel Catfish - Good: Try using night crawlers or cut bait fished on the bottom in off channel areas.   Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try using both live bait and artificial lures.  Walleye - No Report:

Fishing has improved on the interior rivers for channel catfish, walleye and smallmouth bass. River levels may rise with the July 22 rainfall events but the forecast looks promising through the weekend. Area lakes are providing some catches of channel catfish in and around Black Hawk County. Trout streams still maintain good flows and are producing good angling opportunities on the smaller streams. For more information contact the district office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORT

Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level at Lansing is 10.9 feet and should crest over the weekend.  Water temperature is in the upper 70s.  Water clarity is generally fair, but anglers might have to contend with the floating vegetation over the next few days.  Northern Pike - No Report: With these warmer water temperatures, the northerns should be stacking up near colder-water inputs like the Upper Iowa River.  Channel Catfish - Fair: In this warm weather the "cats" should be feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or chicken liver are the baits of choice.  Bluegill - Fair: Some small bluegills are being reported along the bank being caught on a worm and bobber.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing areas with rock and good current, especially near a good back-eddy.   Some nice fish earlier were being reported at the entrance of Big Slough and near Village Creek.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throughout the area, anglers are having success along the weed line throwing spinners or top-water lures in the duckweed. Largemouth are also being caught along the rock near the power plant.   Sauger - Fair: Saugers and walleyes are being caught drifting in front of Desoto Bay and in the sloughs downstream of the Upper Iowa River.  Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes have been caught trolling crankbait or jigs in running sloughs such as Minnesota Slough. Saugers and walleyes are being caught drifting in front of Desoto Bay and in the sloughs downstream of the Upper Iowa River.  Freshwater Drum - Good: A lot of drum being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.   Remember to take ice with you if you plan on keeping drum and other fish fresh especially with the warm temperatures.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level at Lynxville is 18.4 feet, and should crest over the weekend.  Water temperature is in the upper 70s.  Water clarity is generally fair, but anglers might have to contend with the floating vegetation over the next few days.  Northern Pike - No Report: With these warmer water temperatures, the northerns should be stacking up near colder-water inputs.  Channel Catfish - Fair: In this warm weather the "cats" should be feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or chicken liver are the baits of choice.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: A few flatheads were caught below the Lynxville Dam using one-eye jigging spoons.   White Bass - Slow: Some nice catches of white bass were being reported, but that was slowed due to the high water.   We expect the white bass to regroup up and provide quality fishing yet this year.    Bluegill - Good: Anglers report catching bluegills along rocky areas like near the edge of the spillway, and along the edge of the weed lines. The fish being caught are "keeper"-sized.  The majority being caught floating a night crawler.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth are hitting well along rocky areas with current.  They can be seen chasing minnows along with the white bass.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Bigger largemouth are being caught right now. Fish near bank areas along the weed line using top-water or spinner baits for the best success.  Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught near woody structure using minnows and small jigs.  Yellow Perch - Fair: A few yellow perch have been caught in Bussey near the fishing dock.  The fish have been small, but it is an excellent chance to bring a kid fishing.  Walleye - Fair: The bit is starting to pick up.  A few walleyes are being caught drifting minnows below the dam and in running sloughs.    Freshwater Drum - Good: A lot Drum are being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom, especially out of Noble's Landing.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.   Remember to take ice with you if you plan on keeping drum and other fish especially with the warm temperatures.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level at Guttenberg is 10.3 feet, and should crest over the weekend.  Water temperature is in the upper 70s.  Water clarity is generally fair, but anglers might have to contend with the floating vegetation over the next few days.  Northern Pike - No Report: With these warmer water temperatures, the northerns should be stacking up near colder-water inputs.  Channel Catfish - Fair: In this warm weather the "cats" should be feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or chicken liver are the baits of choice.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some nice flathead catfish have been caught below the dam jigging heavy spoons or one-eyed jigs.  Bluegill - Good: Small bluegills and other sunfish are being caught along the bank with bobber and worms.    Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Some smallmouth being caught fishing near rock in good current.  Largemouth Bass - Fair:  Largemouth can be caught along shorelines with woody debris.    Small largemouth’s can be seen chasing minnows along the bank.   Small spinners or jigs will work best.   Sauger - Fair: There have been some reports of sauger coming out of St. Louis Lake.  Walleye - Slow: The walleye fishing should start to pick up.  Freshwater Drum - Good: Good catches of drum still being reported in the upper part of pool 11.   During high water fish will often be found near shore in eddy area but away from the strong current. One-eyed jigs or night crawlers have been working well.

Water temperature at Guttenberg is in the upper 70s. River levels have bumped up a little, but should crest by this weekend.  Water levels are: Lansing 10.9 feet, Lynxville 18.4 feet and Guttenberg 10.3 feet. Water clarity is generally fair throughout.

Mississippi River Pool 12
River stage at Dubuque is 11.18 feet and rising.  Water clarity is fair and water temperature is in the low 80s. Anglers should be on the lookout for radio tagged white crappie in Pool 12. Tags are attached externally to the dorsal fin and we ask that these fish be released or the tags returned from harvested fish.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats are biting well on stink bait around snags in sloughs and side channels.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are biting the backwaters and marinas around snags, vegetation beds, and docks on crawlers under a bobber.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass have been biting on top-water frogs around vegetation in the backwaters and sloughs.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing has been good around Steamboat on crankbaits in 12-20 feet of water.  Some fish are also coming off of wing dams.  With the high water, look for dams or sections of dam that have less current.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are biting on crawlers fished on the bottom.

Mississippi River Pool 13
River stage at Bellevue is 10.09 feet and rising. Water clarity is fair and water temperature is in the low 80s.   Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel cats have been biting on stink bait fished in the sloughs and side channels.  White Bass - Fair: The white bass have been working schools of bait fish along the river front in Bellevue.  Cast minnow imitating crankbaits or spinners into the frenzy and hold on.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass have been biting well on top-water frogs dragged over vegetation in backwaters and sloughs.  Walleye - Fair: With the high water, look for walleyes on wing dams or sections of wing dams with less current.  Fish are biting on cranks or three-way rigs tipped with crawlers.  Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum have been biting on crawlers fished on the bottom.

Mississippi River Pool 14
River stage at Camanche is 12.18 feet and rising. Water clarity is fair and water temperature is in the low 80s.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats are biting on stink bait or shrimp fished around snags in the side channels and sloughs.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass have been biting on top-water frogs dragged over vegetation in the backwaters and sloughs.  Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum have been biting on crawlers fished on the bottom in areas of flowing water.

For fishing information in Pool 12-15 of the Mississippi River contact the Bellevue Fish Management and Research Station at 563-872-4976

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 9.37 feet.      Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are biting on crawlers, leeches and dip baits fished along riprap shorelines and snags along the main channel and sloughs.  White Bass - Slow:   Bluegill - Slow: Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina fishing pieces of worm under a bobber. Some fish are also being picked up casting small spinners. Fishing has been best right before evening.   Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina on minnows. Fishing has been best towards evening.   Sauger - Slow:   Walleye - Slow: Wing dam fishing has been slow due to recent high and muddy water.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 8.40 feet. Big Timber access is open. Fishing has been slow. Most fishing reports are coming from area lakes and ponds.   Channel Catfish - Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught using stink bait and crawlers fished around snags. Some channel catfish are also being caught from shore along the Muscatine riverfront using night crawlers and stink bait.   White Bass - Slow:   Bluegill - Slow:   Crappie - Slow:   Walleye - Slow:

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 10.71 feet.  Fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water. Most fishing reports are coming from area lakes and ponds.   Channel Catfish - No Report:   White Bass - No Report:   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 7.44 feet. Fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water. Most fishing reports are coming from area lakes and ponds.   Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught on crawlers and stink bait.   White Bass - No Report:   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pools 16-20:  River conditions are improving. Some of the boat ramps are still closed. Main channel water temperature is 82 degrees. Fishing has been slow throughout the pools. Most fishing reports are coming from area lakes and ponds. For more fishing information contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Iowa Lake
The Gateway Lake near Marengo has been producing fish as well.  Channel Catfish - Good: Fish around the shorelines with stink bait.

Kent Park Lake
In addition to the lake, bluegills and bass have been caught in the east ponds, although some ponds are hard to access due to weeds.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Stink bait and chicken livers have been working best. Mornings and evenings are the best time to fish; also fishing improves after rain events where water is coming into the lake.  Bluegill - Fair:   Largemouth Bass - Fair:

Lake Macbride
There is a 9.9 horsepower limit is in effect here. Make sure to check your boat/trailer when leaving the lake as an invasive species of plant (Brittle Naiad) has started growing and chunks are floating around.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish towards evening with sunfish or crawlers. Also fish around creek/drainage inlets following rain events. A few catfish are also being picked up by walleye anglers trolling crankbaits.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish shallow wood/riprap with plastics or deeper rock structure with crankbaits. Top-waters can be good as well.

Pleasant Creek Lake
Remember, there is an 18-inch size limit on largemouth bass and 40-inch size limit on muskies here. An oxygen profile of the lake was done last week and there is almost no oxygen below 15 feet, so anglers should be fishing in the top 15 feet of water.  Channel Catfish - Good: Sunfish as bait is catching some fish in 8 to 12 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Crawlers, sunfish and soft plastics along the dam and jetties are producing best.

Diamond Lake
There is an over abundance of small crappies here. Don’t be afraid to take your limit of 25 every day! Remember, no minnows are allowed here.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try crawlers, chicken liver or stink bait. Evening and after a rain event has been the best times.  Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig, waxie, or worm around the rocks.  Crappie - Excellent: Most fish are small, but they can be caught on a small jig.

Otter Creek Lake
There is an over abundance of yellow bass in this lake. They are scrappy fighters and excellent to eat. There is no limit and don’t be afraid to keep everyone you catch.   Channel Catfish - Good: Right after a rain event is a good time to try. Evenings are best as well.  Yellow Bass - Slow: Try small jigs, spinners, or live bait.

Union Grove Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Most any bait will work for catfish.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Top-waters have been producing bites.  Crappie - Good: Try deeper water with jigs or minnows under slip bobbers.

Coralville Reservoir
As of July 22, the lake level is 704 feet and is dropping nearly one foot per day. It is predicted to continue to fall, barring a major rain event. Fishing activity has slowed due to high water, but some anglers are trying the flooded roadbeds for walleyes. Bow fishing opportunities are plentiful.

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

Lake Wapello
The lake has refilled after last year's fish population renovation.  Red ear and channel catfish were stocked last fall and largemouth bass and bluegill this spring.

Red Haw Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish have been biting on chicken liver and night crawlers.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler.  Try areas along the aquatic vegetation and in pockets within the vegetation.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastic worms fished around submerged structure or around the rock jetties.

Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
The lake renovation project has begun and the lake is being drained.  The boat ramps are not usable as the lake is approximately 20 feet low.  The shorelines are still very muddy and shore fishing would be difficult.

Lake Keomah
Channel Catfish - Slow: Cut bait has been producing some catches of channel catfish.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits along the shoreline and around the jetties.  Another good spot to try is along the outside of the aquatic vegetation.

Albia (lower)
A new boat ramp has been constructed on the lower reservoir.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinner baits fished along the shoreline and around areas with submerged structures.  Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline and around submerged structure.  There are buoys marking areas where cedar trees have been placed for fish habitat.

Lake Sugema
Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler.  Try varying depths until you find active fish.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use plastic worms around areas with trees and stumps.  Top-water lures can be productive in the mornings and evenings.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 926.61 feet with normal pool being 904 feet.  The water temperature is ranging in the lower 80s.  All of the boat ramps are closed and boating is not recommended at this time.
For additional fishing information in south central Iowa please call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Big Creek Lake
There is currently a walleye harvest study taking place.  Anglers who catch a walleye should look near the tail of the fish for a small yellow tag.  The tags can be removed from harvested or released fish of LEGAL size and returned with a survey for a cash reward.  The surveys can be picked up at the marina, park office, Polk City Bait and Tackle, or Johnston Bait and Tackle.  There are also signs posted at the boat ramps with instructions.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats are biting well in the upper arms using fresh cut bait.  Fish in depths 15 feet and less.  White Bass - Good: Big Creek currently has a large population of white bass.  They are biting aggressively.  Casting or drifting small jigs or spinners is working well.  Concentrate on the windblown side of the lake.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are suspended.   Drift fishing small pieces of crawler in 5 to 15 feet has produced good catches in the upper half of the lake in both the east and west arms.  The lake is stratified so avoid fishing depths greater than 12 to 15 feet.  The bluegills have been good sized from 7 to 9 inches.     Walleye - Slow: The walleye bite is still a little slow.  The fish that are being caught are coming from the upper end of the lake using night crawlers or leeches.  The walleye are likely up there taking advantage of food coming in from the swollen Big and Little creeks.

Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Fair: The pattern is holding pretty steady.  The lake is stratified, so fish 10 feet or less.  Suspended bluegills are being caught fishing near the edges of the tree falls on the south shore or drifting slowly all along the steep south shoreline with small jigs and night crawlers.  They are also being picked up near pallet structures.  The pallet piles east of the island hold a good number of fish.  Crappie - Slow: A few crappies can be caught over the sunken pallets in the coves and the brush piles around the island.

Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Fair: The lake is stratified, so fish no deeper than 8 to 10 feet.  Bluegills are being caught suspended away from shore.  Drifting or working slowly out from the northwest shoreline is a good place to start.  There are several large sunken brush piles in this area that bluegills and crappie will suspend over.   Redear Sunfish - Fair: Anglers fishing for bluegills are also picking up some large redears.  Pieces of night crawler or small leeches fished near the bottom next the vegetation works well.

Red Rock Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good: The channel catfish bite is good using fresh cut bait.  White Bass - Good: Good reports are coming from anglers that are fishing above the mile long bridge and up the Teter Creek arm.  White bass are being picked by covering water and trolling crankbaits.  On calm days look for gulls and/or baitfish breaking the surface.  Stopping and casting has not been very effective.

Saylorville Reservoir
White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught from shore along the barrier dam at the marina whenever the pumps are releasing water from the Big Creek ponding area.

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: There are good numbers of channel catfish of all sizes, with quite a few large fish.  Fresh cut bait, such as bluegill fillets, work well.  Due to the very clear water, fish during the late evening and just after sunset.   Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being caught best in the evenings.  Fish just past the edge of the aquatic vegetation with small pieces of night crawler under a bobber.

North Raccoon River (Perry to Van Meter)
Flathead Catfish - Good: River levels have dropped enough to allow access.  With the extended high flows flatheads from as far as Red Rock will likely have migrated into the Raccoon River for their spawn, which should now be complete.  Bullheads and sunfish are the preferred baits.

Recent heavy rains have once again raised central Iowa river levels.  The Des Moines River upstream of Boone was at fishable levels as of Wednesday.  Summer fishing patterns in the lakes are staying consistent.  Bluegills and crappie are being caught best drift fishing small jigs or live bait fished at depths of 5 to 15 feet.  Catfishing is also good right now in most lakes using fresh cut bait.  Contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823 for information on the above area lakes.

Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake has one concrete boat ramp and is trolling motor only.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver or cut bait. Fish are in the 1-3 lb range.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches are being caught drifting small jigs in 6-8 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught around cedar tree piles casting crankbaits and small spinners. Good percentage of bass in the 15 to 17 inch range.

Mormon Trail Lake
Mormon Trail Lake has excellent water clarity. There is one concrete boat ramp available.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver.  Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are still catching 7-8 inch bluegills on weed edges using night crawlers.

Nodaway Lake
Nodaway has one concrete boat ramp.    Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish in the 1-2 pound range are being caught on night crawlers.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught on jigs tipped with night crawler casting around cedar tree piles.

Orient Lake
Orient is full with one concrete boat ramp.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are still using leeches to catch channel in the 14 to 16 inches range.

Lake Anita
Lake Anita has a slight algae bloom. There are two concrete boat ramps to choose from.   Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught drifting small jigs across the main lake. Also, try worms under a bobber around jetties and underwater reefs. Fish average 8 inches.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught casting the shoreline with spinner baits. Crankbaits and plastics are good baits around underwater reefs and roadbeds.   Crappie - Slow: A few crappies can be picked up drifting jigs or casting around underwater reefs. Fish average 9 inches.

Viking Lake
Viking Lake has three concrete boat ramps and 3 foot water clarity.  Channel Catfish - Good: Viking has a good population of channel catfish in the 1-3 pound range. Liver has been working well fishing in 4-6 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth up to 18 inches are being caught casting spinner baits or plastics along weed edges and around structure.

Lake Manawa
Water temperature is in the mid 70s water clarity is fair.   Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are still being caught on the south and west side. Shrimp has still been the number one bait. Liver and crawlers have also been good. Fish are in the 2-6 pound range.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Many farm ponds hold good populations of bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. Remember to always ask permission before fishing private ponds.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are active with warmer water temperatures. Try night crawlers, liver, or stink baits around structure.  Bluegill - Fair: To catch bluegill in midsummer cast jigs around deep cover. Night crawlers under a bobber work well for post spawn bluegill.   Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are aggressive this time of year. Top water baits work well during low light conditions and plastics during the day.

Panfish have associated with deeper structure and channel catfish can be caught close to shore. Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s on most southwest Iowa lakes. For information contact Bryan Hayes or Mark Boucher at the Cold Springs District Office (712)769-2587.

Lake Icaria
Water temperature is near 80 degrees.  The lake level is normal.
Clarity is about 2 to 3 feet at mid lake and a little more near the dam.

Little River Watershed Lake
Water clarity is near 2 feet and temperature is near 80 degrees.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A few channels are coming from the bays on liver.

Lake of Three Fires
Water clarity is about 3 feet.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A few channel catfish are coming from 3 to 5 feet of water on liver.  Bluegill - Slow: A few big bluegills can be caught from the tree piles or stake beds just off the east shore.

Green Valley Lake
The lake level has been lowered to allow for sediment removal from the upper end.  The fish have been restocked and some catfish are being caught.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Several mid-sized channels are coming from the shoreline areas.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Water temperature is near 80 degrees.  Water clarity is average.  Some algae blooms can appear.  Bullhead - Good: A lot of big bullheads are being caught from shore using crawlers on the bottom.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Several catfish are being caught from shore using liver.  Bluegill - Fair: A few bluegills are coming from the steep sided coves with flooded trees or sides of the mounds in about 5 to 10 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Several mid-sized largemouth bass are being caught near the flood trees or brush piles.

Water levels are near normal and water clarity is average.  Algae blooms are starting at some.  Water temperatures are near 80.  Fish have moved to the off-shore structure.

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.

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Nelson Park Lake
Catfish are biting at Nelson Park Lake.  Channel Catfish - Good: Many channel catfish have been caught from the face of the dam.  Anglers have been having the best luck using stink bait and fishing fairly close to shore in 5 to 10 feet of water.  Bluegill - Fair: 7- to 8-inch bluegills have been caught on small jigs and a wax worm.
Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Water clarity at Yellow Smoke is excellent.  Bluegill - Fair: Yellow Smoke has very large bluegills in the 8.5 to 9.5 inch size range.  Because the water is so clear, try using really light line and small lures.  Fish deep around submerged trees.  Also, try drifting the open water 5 to 10 feet down.  Try small black jigs tipped with a wax worm, piece of nightcrawler, or piece of crawdad tail.  Anglers that typically fish Yellow Smoke report that they can catch the big bluegill, but don't expect to catch more than 7 or 8 per trip.  Largemouth Bass - Excellent: A lot of largemouth bass are being caught, but most are sub-legal fish.  There are a lot of bass around 14 inches in length that make for great catch and release fishing.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Catfish are hitting hard at Crawford Creek.  Nice sized bluegill and crappie are being caught in decent numbers.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Anglers are still doing well for channel catfish.  Catfish are biting on just about anything, but night crawlers are working the best. Bluegill - Good: Try using small jigs with a wax worm.  Try drifting the open water and fishing about 6 to 10 feet down.  Crappie - Fair: Crappie were being caught on small minnows. Try drifting the open water and fishing about 6 to 10 feet down.  Yellow Perch - Slow: Some anglers have been getting into good perch fishing, but the perch fishing is hit or miss.
Brushy Creek Lake
Lake water clarity has improved throughout the lake.  All docks are usable again.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegill have been biting on live bait in the shadows of the submerged trees.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass have moved into deeper water and can be found near the weed beds and under mats of vegetation.  Crappie - Fair: A few crappies are being caught on leeches or small minnows.  Walleye - Fair: A few walleye are being caught on leeches or live minnows.  Fish for walleye in the early morning or late evening.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Boaters use caution: There is an ongoing dredging project at Storm Lake and boats should stay at least 100 feet away from the dredge pipe.  The dredge pipe is marked with buoys.  Water temperature is in the low 80s.  Daily bag limit at Storm Lake is three walleyes; all 17 to 22 inch walleyes must be immediately released, only one walleye over 22 inches may be kept.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have been catching catfish averaging 2 pounds from boats.  Try using cut bait, minnows, or crawdads for bait.  White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are being caught on white twisters or picked up while walleye fishing.  Try fishing white bass with top waters on hot, calm evenings.  Look for surfacing baitfish and cast your lures there.  Yellow Perch - Slow: Storm Lake has large yellow perch, but they are difficult to target.  One or two are picked up on occasion when fishing walleye.  Walleye - Fair: Fishing for walleye has slowed down considerably.  Anglers have been using night crawlers in 8 to 9 feet of water near the dredge cuts.  They have been catching fish in the 12 to 14 inch size range with a few slot fish mixed in.  There have been a few reports of anglers catching their limit of 15 to 16.5 inch fish.
North Twin Lake
Yellow bass fishing has been good at North Twin.  The yellow bass are about 7 to 8 inches long, but there are lots of them.  Try casting bright colored lures near shore tipped with a piece of crawdad or a little piece of yellow bass meat.
Swan Lake
Water clarity at Swan Lake is very poor.  Bluegill - Fair: A few hand sized bluegills are being caught with a jig and a small piece of worm in about 2 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some bass are being caught on rattling crankbaits.  Also try live bait to catch bass when the water clarity is poor.  Crappie - Slow: Crappies in the 7 to 8 inch size range are plentiful at Swan Lake, but they are difficult to target right now.
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature at Black Hawk Lake is in the low 80s.  Water clarity is poor.  Channel catfish are still biting fast.  Walleye must be 15 inches or longer to keep and anglers are allowed three walleyes per day.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Fish the windward shore with cut bait or stink bait.  Whole crawdads make excellent catfish bait.  Hook the crawdad through the tail and crack the carapace so the juices can put out scent in the water.  Anglers from boats have been catching their limit of catfish averaging 2 pounds.  Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing has slowed down considerably.  Try targeting the rock pile east of Lakewood Point.  It is deeper than the other rock piles and commonly holds walleyes this time of year.  Use leeches or night crawlers.  Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass fishing has been good, but the fish are around 5 to 6 inches long.  Try casting bright colored jigs along shorelines where the wind is blowing in.
Browns Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair:   Largemouth bass - Fair:
Snyder Bend Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair:   Largemouth bass - Fair:
Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
The Little Sioux River has come down considerably since last week.  Flows are still high so use caution when you're near the river.
North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 bridge near Auburn)
The North Raccoon River has come down since last week.  Try fishing below rock riffles for catfish, smallmouth bass and walleye.
The Black Hawk District received some rain events this week, but not enough to significantly impact the water clarity in the small impoundments and reservoirs.  Catfish are biting around the district.  For more information about these lakes and rivers call Ben Wallace or Don Herrig (712-657-2638) at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View.
Beeds Lake
Channel catfish are biting on chicken liver and night crawler below the dam. Largemouth bass are biting on plastic baits.
Lake Catherine
Largemouth bass and Bluegill are being caught fishing near the trees. Channel catfish are biting on crawlers fished on the bottom.
Clear Lake
Yellow bass are biting, try drifting live bait or cut bait near the reefs and in the little lake. A few walleyes are being caught; try fishing the reefs using jigs tipped with a minnow.  Channel catfish are biting on crawlers and chicken liver fishing the windswept side of the lake.
Lake Cornelia
Channel catfish are biting on chicken liver and night crawlers.
Rice Lake
Bullheads are biting on crawlers fished off the bottom. Crappies are biting on minnows.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bullheads are biting on crawlers fished off the bottom.
Morse Lake
Bullheads and Channel catfish are biting on crawler fished near the bottom.
For more information on fishing in the area lakes and rivers, call us at the Clear Lake Fisheries Office at (641) 357-3517.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the brush piles located on the points.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use soft plastics along shoreline cover. Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait around the brush piles located on the points.
Mill Creek (Lake)
Mill Creek lake would be a great place to take a child fishing for bluegills. Use a small bobber and hook baited with a piece of worm along the boat docks and shoreline. There is plenty of parking and easy access along the south shore.  Bluegill - Excellent: Use a small bobber and hook baited with a piece of worm along the docks.
Big Spirit Lake
Water temperature is 77 degrees. Recent wind has made anchoring difficult for perch fishing.  White Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures in the mornings and evenings.  Look for surfacing fish.  Bluegill - Good: Fish weed beds with a small jig tipped with live bait. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: A few fish are being caught with topwater lures in the mornings or late evenings.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use jigs or other soft plastics along weed beds. Or use topwater lures early and late in the day.  Yellow Perch - Good: Vertical jig with small jigging spoons tipped with wigglers in ~20 feet of water near Templar Park, Rednose Point, or the Footbridge. Stay mobile and look for large schools of fish on the depth finder.   Walleye - Fair: Use a slip bobber and leech or jig tipped with live bait along the weed beds or drift fish with lindy or spinner rigs tipped with live bait in the basin.
East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Look for flowing water coming into the lake and fish with crawdads or chubs.  Bluegill - Fair: Fish weed lines with small jigs tipped with live bait.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish the weed line with jigging lures tipped with live bait.  Walleye - Fair: Fish along the weed line with lindy rigs or jig tipped with live bait.  Yellow Bass - Good: Fish around boat docks or weedlines with small jigs tipped with live bait.
Minnewashta Lake
Bluegill - Good: Fish around boat docks and weedlines with small jigs tipped with live bait.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Use small jigging lures tipped with live bait along the weed beds.  Yellow Bass - Good: Fish around boat docks and weedlines with small jigs tipped with live bait.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use chubs or other bait along boat docks, brush piles, or near the Trapper's Bay Bridge.  White Bass - Fair: Troll the basin with crankbaits.
West Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is 71 degrees.  Northern Pike - Fair: Troll or cast crankbaits along weed beds.  White Bass - Good: Use topwater lures in the mornings and evenings near rock bars and points. Look for surfacing fish.  Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig tipped with live bait along weed beds.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use jigs, crankbaits, or plastics around boat docks and weed beds.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with live bait near weed beds.  Walleye - Fair: Use a slip bobber and leech or jig tipped with live bait near weed beds or rock bars.
Five Island Lake
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use stinkbait or cutbait at the train bridge.  Crappie - Fair: Fish near boat docks with small jigs.
Lost Island Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Drift live bait along the edge of the rock reef or use stink bait or worms at the bridge.
Willow Creek
Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig tipped with live bait along weed beds.
Big Sioux River
Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish near brush piles and eddies with cutbait or crawdads.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use large live bait along cutbanks and deep holes with brush piles.
Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
Channel Catfish - Good: Fish around brush piles and eddies with crawdads.
West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish near brush piles and eddies with crawdads.
For more fishing information on the Spirit Lake area call (712)-336-1840.

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Silver Lake (Delaware)
Fishing has been good for largemouth bass and bluegill on Silver Lake. Most all bass are of sub-legal length; bass must be 15 inches in length for legal harvest. Bluegills are running in the 5- to 7-inch range. Vegetation has become bothersome around the edges of the lake but has improved with increased water levels.  Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing a piece of worm under a bobber along the vegetation edges.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try casting topwater, weedless spoons or spinnerbaits. Reminder there is a 15 inch minimum size limit on bass in this lake.
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Casey lake is providing some excellent catches of channel catfish. Dense vegetation has been a problem so fishing from a boat or canoe is beneficial. Most lakes are stratified now so concentrate on depths of 9 ft. or less.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing cutbaits, chicken livers or stinkbaits off of the bottom.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are being caught on red worms, waxworms and pieces of crawlers under bobbers.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Topwater lures and artificial plastics seem to be catching fish.
Plainfield
Anglers are catching nice size bluegills and largemouth bass. The water level has risen on this lake but should have no impacts on shoreline angling.  Bluegill - Fair: Best success has been using waxworms under a bobber for bluegill.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try casting spinnerbaits or crankbaits from shore.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Cedar River is falling and the water conditions are improving. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try using night crawlers or cutbaits on the bottom in recent flooded areas of the Cedar River.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try using small crankbait in and along current breaks. Walleye - Slow: Some reports of walleye caught using crawlers or leeches on jig head.
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River has fallen and water conditions are improving.    Channel Catfish - Fair: Try using night crawlers or cutbaits on the bottom in off current areas.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa continues to run a bit high but is falling.  With no heavy rains the water conditions look good for this week’s angling. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try using night crawlers or cutbait fished on the bottom in off channel areas.   Walleye - No Report:
Interior rivers still remain high with the widespread and isolated heavy rainfall events over the few weeks. Use good judgment when fishing on the interior rivers during these conditions. Trout streams are still maintaining good flows and are producing good angling opportunities on the smaller streams. For more information contact the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER IOWA FISHING REPORT
Mississippi River Pool 9 - IOWA
Water level at Lansing is 10.7 feet and should drop down another 0.7 feet this week.  Water temperature is near 80.   Please note the Army Road ramp near New Albin is now open.    Northern Pike - No Report: With these warmer water temperatures, the northerns should be stacking up near colder-water inputs like the Upper Iowa River.  Channel Catfish - Good: In this warm weather the "cats" should be feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or chicken liver are the baits of choice.  Bluegill - Fair: Some small bluegills are being reported along the bank being caught on a worm and bobber.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing areas with rock and good current, especially near a good back-eddy.   Some nice fish earlier were being reported at the entrance of Big Slough and near Village Ck.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Throughout the area, anglers are having success along the weedline throwing spinners or topwater lures in the duckweed. Largemouths are also being caught along the rock near the power plant.    Sauger - Good: Saugers and walleyes are being caught drifting in front of Desoto Bay and in the sloughs downstream of the Upper Iowa River.  Walleye - Good: A few walleyes have been caught trolling crankbait or jigs in running sloughs such as Minnesota Slough. Saugers and walleyes are being caught drifting in front of Desoto Bay and in the sloughs downstream of the Upper Iowa River.  Freshwater Drum - Good: A lot of drum being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh. Remember to take ice with you if you plan on keeping drum and other fish fresh especially with the warm temperatures.
Mississippi River Pool 10 - IOWA
Water level at Lynxville is 18.0 and expected to continue to drop another 1.5 feet over the next week.   Water temperature is near 80 and water clarity is fair.  Fishing overall is picking up.  Northern Pike - No Report: With these warmer water temperatures, the northerns should be stacking up near colder-water inputs.  Channel Catfish - Good: In this warm weather the "cats" should be feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or chicken liver are the baits of choice.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: A few flatheads were caught below the Lynxville dam using one-eye jigging spoons.     White Bass - Slow: Some nice catches of white bass were being reported, but that was slowed due to the high water.   We expect the white bass to regroup up and provide quality fishing yet this year.    Bluegill - Good: Anglers report catching bluegills along rocky areas like near the edge of the spillway, and along the edge of the weedlines. The fish being caught are "keeper" size.  The majority being caught floating a night crawler.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth are hitting well along rocky areas with current.  They can be seen chasing minnows along with the white bass.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Bigger largemouths are being caught right now. Fish near bank areas along the weedline using topwater or spinner baits for the best success.  Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught near woody structure using minnows and small jigs.  Yellow Perch - Good: A lot of small perch have been caught in Bussey near the fishing dock.  The fish have been small, but it is an excellent chance to bring a kid fishing.  Walleye - Fair: The bit is starting to pick up.  A few walleyes are being caught drifting minnows below the dam and in running sloughs.    Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot Drum are being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom, especially out of Noble's Landing.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.   Remember to take ice with you if you plan on keeping drum and other fish especially with the warm temperatures.
Mississippi River Pool 11 - IOWA
Water level at Guttenberg is 9.5 feet and expected to drop another 1.5 feet over the next week.  Water temperatures are near 80, and water clarity is generally good.   Northern Pike - No Report: With these warmer water temperatures, the northerns should be stacking up near colder-water inputs.  Channel Catfish - Good: In this warm weather the "cats" should be feeding.  Try fishing along the shoreline or edges of flooded vegetation for best results.   You do not need to cast far out to catch nice catfish.  Stink baits or chicken liver are the baits of choice.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some nice flathead catfish have been caught below the dam jigging heavy spoons or one-eyed jigs.  Bluegill - Fair: Small bluegills and other sunfish are being caught along the bank with bobber and worms.    Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Some smallmouth being caught fishing near rock in good current.  Largemouth Bass - Fair:  Largemouth can be caught along shorelines with woody debris.    Small largemouth’s can be seen chasing minnows along the bank.   Small spinners or jigs will work best.   Freshwater Drum - Good: Good catches of drum still being reported in the upper part of pool 11.   During high water fish will often be found near shore in eddy area but away from the strong current. One-eyed jigs or night crawlers have been working well.
Water temperature at Guttenberg is near 80 degrees. River levels have dropped and are predicted to continue falling.  Water levels are: Lansing 10.7, Lynxville 18.0 and Guttenberg 9.5. Water clarity is generally good throughout.
Mississippi River Pool 12 - IOWA
River stage at Dubuque is 11.17 feet and falling.  Water clarity is fair and water temperatures are in the low 80s. Anglers should be on the lookout for radio tagged white crappie in Pool 12. Tags are attached externally to the dorsal fin and we ask that these fish be released or the tags returned from harvested fish.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats are biting well on stink bait around snags in sloughs and side channels.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are biting the backwaters and marinas around snags, vegetation beds and docks on crawlers under a bobber.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing has been good around Steamboat on crankbaits in 12 to 20 feet of water.  Some fish are also coming off of wing dams.  With the high water, look for dams or sections of dam that have less current.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are biting on crawlers fished on the bottom.
Mississippi River Pool 13 - IOWA
River stage at Bellevue is 10.30 feet and falling. Water clarity is fair and water temperatures are in the low 80s. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel cats have been biting on stink bait fished in the sloughs and side channels.  White Bass - Fair: The white bass have been working schools of bait fish along the river front in Bellevue. Cast minnow imitating crank baits or spinners into the frenzy and hold on.  Walleye - Fair: With the high water, look for walleyes on wing dams or sections of wing dams with less current.  Fish are biting on cranks or three-way rigs tipped with crawlers.  Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum have been biting on crawlers fished on the bottom.
Mississippi River Pool 14 - IOWA
River stage at Camanche is 12.88 feet and falling. Water clarity is poor and water temperatures are in the low 80s. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel cats are biting on stink bait fished around snags in the side channels and sloughs.  Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes are being caught in the sand pits.  Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum have been biting on crawlers fished on the bottom in areas of flowing water.
For fishing information in Pool 12-15 of the Mississippi River contact the Bellevue Fish Management and Research Station at 563-872-4976
Mississippi River Pool 16 - IOWA
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 10.63 feet and falling. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are biting on crawlers, leeches and dipbaits fished along riprap shorelines and snags along the main channel and sloughs.White Bass - Fair: White bass are being caught casting crankbaits, spinners, and jigs/twisters in Sunset Marina. A few white bass are starting to be picked up in front of the Dock restaurant casting jigs and twisters.   Bluegill - Slow: Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina fishing pieces of worm under a bobber. Some fish are also being picked up casting small spinners. Fishing has been best right before evening. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina. Fishing has been best towards evening. Sauger - Slow:   Walleye - Slow:
Mississippi River Pool 17 - IOWA
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 10.36 feet and falling. Big Timber access is closed. Fishing has been slow. Most fishing reports are coming from area lakes and ponds.   Channel Catfish - Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught using stinkbait and crawlers fished around snags. Some channel catfish are also being caught from shore along the Muscatine riverfront using night crawlers and stinkbait.   White Bass - Slow:   Bluegill - Slow:   Crappie - Slow:   Walleye - Slow:
Mississippi River Pool 18 - IOWA
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 13.29 feet and falling. Floodstage is 15 feet. Fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water. Most fishing reports are coming from area lakes and ponds.
Mississippi River Pool 19 - IOWA
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 9.80 feet and falling. Floodstage is 10 feet. Fishing has been slow due to high and muddy water. Most fishing reports are coming from area lakes and ponds.   Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught on crawlers and stinkbait.
Mississippi River Pools 16-20: River conditions are still high and muddy. Many of the boat ramps are under water. Main channel water temperature is 81 degrees. Fishing has been slow throughout the pools. There is debris floating in the river so take caution when boating. For more fishing information contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT

Lake Odessa
The Toolesboro Access and road is closed due to a combination of high water and heavy equipment work on the adjacent levee.  The boat ramps at Schefer and Sand Run are still in good condition for access to Lake Odessa.
Lake Belva Deer
Because of the weather the road paving project hasn't started yet.  Unknown as to when they will be able to start.  Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill fishing has slowed down. Look for them in 5 to 7 feet of water out in the trees.
Pollmiller Park Lake
Bluegill - Fair: The fishing has been fair when the water is choppy using light tackle and worms.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The rains have brought the river back out. Don't look for conditions to improve until sometime next week.
For more information on the above Lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at (319) 694-2430
Lake Geode
The lake is clearing up again as long as the rains stay away for a while.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Look to find the catfish at the upper end of the lake early in the morning.  Chicken liver or shrimp would be the go to baits.  Bluegill - Slow: Try for the bluegills early in the morning along the ledges at 5 to 7 feet deep.
Lake of the Hills
Fishing has slowed down with the hotter weather.  Channel Catfish - Slow: Anglers are picking up a few catfish on chicken liver or stinkbaits.  Bluegill - Slow: The bigger bluegills are out in 5 to 7 foot of water.  Try drifting a small jig tipped with a worm or wax worm.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
Still some lowland flooding.  Most of the boat ramps are still under water.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa is still above flood stage.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at (319) 694-2430.
Kent Park Lake
In addition to the lake, bluegills and bass have been caught in the east ponds.  Channel Catfish - Good: Stinkbait and chicken livers have been working best. Mornings and evenings are the best time to fish; also fishing improves after rain events where water is coming into the lake.
Lake Macbride
There is a 9.9 horsepower limit in effect here. Also, make sure you check your boat/trailer when leaving the lake as an invasive species of plant (Brittle Naiad) has started growing and chunks are floating around.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish towards evening with sunfish or crawlers. Also fish around creek/drainage inlets following rain events. A few catfish are also being picked up by walleye fishermen trolling crankbaits.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish shallow wood/riprap with plastics or deeper rock structure with crankbaits. Topwaters can be good as well.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Remember, there is an 18 inch size limit on largemouth bass and 40 inch size limit on musky here. An oxygen profile of the lake was done last week and there is almost no oxygen below 15 feet, so anglers should be fishing shallower than that.  Channel Catfish - Good: Chicken livers and crawlers are catching some fish. 8-12 feet of water seem to be producing best.  White Bass - Fair: Look for schools of fish feeding on the surface. Throw a topwater plug, shallow running crankbait, or white jig. Dawn and dusk has been the most active times.  Bluegill - Fair: Not a lot of bluegills are being caught, but the ones that are have been good sized. Fish with worms over/around the pallets and brush piles.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Crawlers, sunfish and soft plastics along the dam and jetties are producing best.
Diamond Lake
There is an over abundance of small crappie here. Don’t be afraid to take your limit of 25 every day. Remember, no minnows are allowed here.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try crawlers, chicken liver or stinkbait. Evening and after a rain event has been the best times.  Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig, waxie, or worm around the rocks.  Crappie - Excellent: Most fish are small, but they can be caught on a small jig.
Otter Creek Lake
There is an over abundance of yellow bass in this lake. They are scrappy fighters and excellent to eat. There is no limit and don’t be afraid to keep every one you catch. The water is dirty here now.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Right after a rain event is a good time to try. Evenings are best as well.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Look in shallow flats and along rock banks for schools of yellows. Try small jigs, spinners, or live bait.
Coralville Reservoir
As of July 15, the lake level is 707.5' and has crested. It is predicted to continue to fall, barring a major rain event. Fishing activity has slowed due to high water, but some anglers are trying the flooded roadbeds for walleyes. Bowfishing opportunities are plentiful.
For more information contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Wapello
The lake has refilled after last year's fish population renovation.  Red ear and channel catfish were stocked last fall and largemouth bass and bluegill this spring.
Red Haw Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish have been biting on chicken liver and night crawlers.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler.  Try areas along the aquatic vegetation and in pockets within the vegetation.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastic worms fished around submerged structure or around the rock jetties.
Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
The lake renovation project has begun and the lake is being drained.  The boat ramps are not usable as the lake is approximately 20 feet low.  The shorelines are still very muddy and shore fishing would be difficult.
Lake Keomah
Bullhead - Fair: Use night crawlers fished in 8-10 feet of water.  Channel Catfish - Slow: Cutbait has been producing some catches of channel catfish.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinnerbaits along the shoreline and around the jetties.  Another good spot to try is along the outside of the aquatic vegetation.
Albia (lower)
A new boat ramp has been constructed on the lower reservoir.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a waxworm or a chunk of nightrcrawler.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits fished along the shoreline and around areas with submerged structures.  Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline and around submerged structure.  There are buoys marking areas where cedar trees have been placed for fish habitat.
Lake Sugema
Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a waxworm or a chunk of night crawler.  Try varying depths until you find active fish.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use plastic worms around areas with trees and stumps.  Topwater lures can be productive in the mornings and evenings.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 922.16 with normal pool being 904.  The water temperature is ranging in the lower 80's.  Most of the conservation pool boat ramps are closed.  The high water ramps at Bridgeview, Honey Creek State Park, and Buck Creek are open.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are biting on cut bait and dead chubs.  Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing has slowed down with the high water.  Look for submerged structure off shore.  The high water has really spread the fish out.  There is sorting required for larger fish.    Walleye - Fair: Try trolling or drifting night crawler rigs along underwater reefs and islands.  Underwater points have also been producing some walleyes.  Jigging spoons can also be productive this time of year.  Please be wary of tagged walleyes and if these fish are harvested please call the hatchery with the tag number.  The phone number for the hatchery is 641-647-2406.
For additional fishing information in south central Iowa please call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.
SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT
Beaver Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Good 8 to 9 inch bluegills are being caught using night crawlers fished from any of the jetties, along the rock on the dam, and especially near the flooded wood throughout the lake.
Big Creek Lake
There is currently a walleye harvest study taking place.  Anglers who catch a walleye should look near the tail of the fish for a small yellow tag.  The tags can be removed from harvested or released fish of LEGAL size and returned with a survey for a cash reward.  The surveys can be picked up at the marina, park office, Polk City Bait and Tackle, or Johnston Bait and Tackle.  There are also signs posted at the boat ramps with instructions.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel cats are biting good in the upper arms using fresh cutbait.  Fish in depths 15 foot and less.  White Bass - Good: Big Creek currently has a large population of white bass.  They are biting aggressively.  Casting or drifting small jigs or spinners is working well.  Concentrate on the windblown side of the lake.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are suspended.   Drift fishing small pieces of crawler in 5 to 15 foot has produced good catches in the upper half of the lake in both the east and west arms.  The lake is stratified so avoid fishing depths greater than 12 to 15 feet.  The bluegills have been good sized from 7 to 9 inches.     Walleye - Slow: The walleye bite is still a little slow.  The fish that are being caught are coming from the upper end of the lake using night crawlers or leeches.  The walleye are likely up there taking advantage of food coming in from the swollen Big and Little Creeks.
Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Suspended bluegills are being caught fishing near the edges of the treefalls on the South shore, or drifting slowly all along the steep South shoreline with small jigs and night crawlers.  They are also being picked up near pallet structures.  The pallet piles east of the island hold a good number of fish.  Crappie - Slow: The crappie bite isn't fast right now, but some fish are being picked up on the sunken pallets in the coves and the brush piles around the island.
Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught suspended away from shore.  Drifting or working slowly out from the NW shoreline is a good place to start.  There are several large sunken brush piles in this area that bluegills and crappie will suspend over.   Redear Sunfish - Fair: Anglers fishing for bluegills are also picking up some large redears.  Pieces of night crawler or small leeches fished near the bottom next the vegetation works well.
Red Rock Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good: The channel catfish bite is good using fresh cutbait.  White Bass - Good: Good reports are coming from anglers that are fishing above the mile long bridge.  White bass are being picked by covering water and trolling crankbaits.  On calm days look for gulls and/or baitfish breaking the surface.  Stopping and casting has not been very effective.
Saylorville Reservoir
Lakeview and Cherry Glen boat ramps are now open.  White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught from shore along the barrier dam at the marina whenever the pumps are releasing water from the Big Creek ponding area.
North Raccoon River (Perry to Van Meter)
Flathead Catfish - Good: River levels have dropped enough to allow access.  With the extended high flows flatheads from as far as Red Rock will likely have migrated into the Raccoon River for their spawn, which should now be complete.  Bullheads and sunfish are the preferred baits.
Most Central Iowa rivers getting down to fishable levels.  Lakeview and Cherry Glen boat ramps are now open at Saylorville.  Summer fishing patterns are staying consistent.  Bluegills and crappie are being caught best drift fishing small jigs or live bait fished at depths of 5 to 15 feet.  Catfishing is also good right now in most lakes using fresh cut bait.  Contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at (515) 432-2823 for information on the above area lakes.
Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake has one concrete boat ramp and is trolling motor only.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver or cut bait. Fish are in the 1-3 lb range.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches are being caught drifting small jigs in 6-8 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught around cedar tree piles casting crankbaits and small spinners. Good percentage of bass are in the 15 to 17 inch range.
Mormon Trail Lake
Mormon Trail Lake has excellent water clarity. There is one concrete boat ramp available.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver.  Bluegill - Good: Anglers are catching 7-8 inch bluegills on weed edges using night crawlers.
Nodaway Lake
Nodaway has one concrete boat ramp.    Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish in the 1-2 pound range are being caught on night crawlers.
Orient Lake
Orient is full with one concrete boat ramp.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are still using leeches to catch channel in the 14 to 16 inch range.
Lake Anita
Lake Anita has good water clarity with 2 concrete boat ramps.   Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught drifting small jigs across the main lake. Also, try worms under a bobber around jetties and underwater reefs. Fish average 8 inches.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are being caught casting the shoreline with spinnerbaits. Crankbaits and plastics are a good bait around underwater reefs and roadbeds.   Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught casting jigs around underwater reefs. Fish average 9 inches.
Willow Lake
Willow lake has one concrete boat ramp with excellent water quality.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A few channel catfish have been caught along campground shoreline using liver.
Viking Lake
Viking Lake has three concrete boat ramps and 3 foot water clarity.  Channel Catfish - Good: Viking has a good population of channel catfish in the 1-3 pound range. Liver has been working well fishing in 4-6 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth up to 18 inches are being caught on plastic baits.
Lake Manawa
Water temperatures are in the mid 70's water clarity is fair.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are still being caught on the south and west side. Shrimp has still been the number one bait. Liver and crawlers have also been good. Fish are in the 2-6 pound range.  Crappie - Slow: A few small crappies are being caught in the main lake drifting jigs.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Many farm ponds hold good populations of bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. Remember to always ask permission before fishing private ponds.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are active with warmer water temperatures. Try night crawlers, liver, or stink baits around structure.  Bluegill - Fair: To catch bluegill in mid-summer cast jigs around deep cover. Night crawlers under a bobber work well for post spawn bluegill.   Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are aggressive this time of year. Top water baits work well during low light conditions and plastics during the day.
Water temperatures are in the mid 70's on most SW Iowa lakes. For information contact Bryan Hayes or Mark Boucher at the Cold Springs District Office (712)769-2587.
Lake Icaria
Water temps are in the middle to upper 70s.  The lake level is normal.
Clarity is about 2.5 to 3.5 feet at mid lake and a little more near the dam.
Little River Watershed Lake
Water clarity is near 2 feet.  Temps are in the middle to upper 70s.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A few channels are coming from the bays on liver.
Fogle Lake S.W.A.
Water clarity is very good and temps are in the middle to upper 70s.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Several mid-sized channels are coming from 3 to 6 feet of water using liver.
Lake of Three Fires
Water clarity is about 3 feet.  Bluegill - Slow: A few big bluegill can be caught from the tree piles or stake beds just off the east shore.
Green Valley Lake
The lake level has been lowered to allow for sediment removal from the upper end.  The fish have been restocked and some catfish are being caught.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Several mid-sized channels are coming from the shoreline areas.
Three Mile Lake
Water temps are in the middle to upper 70s.  Clarity is good at mid-lake and near the dam.    Crappie - Fair: A few crappies are coming from structure about 7 to 10 feet down.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Temps are in the middle to upper 70's.  Water clarity is good.  Some algae blooms can appear.  Bullhead - Good: A lot of big bullheads are being caught from shore using crawlers on the bottom.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Several mid-sized channel catfish are being caught from shore using liver.  Bluegill - Fair: A few bluegills are coming from the steep sided coves with flooded trees or sides of the mounds in about 5 to 10 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Several largemouth bass from 12 to 15 inches are being caught in 5 to 8 feet of water near the flood trees or brush piles.
Water clarity continues to improve at most lakes.  Algae blooms are starting at some.  Water temps are in the mid to upper 70's at most places.  Fish have moved to the off-shore structure.  Channel catfish are biting on liver at a lot of lakes.

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.

NORTHWEST
Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Water clarity is excellent.  Bluegill - Fair: Yellow Smoke has very large bluegill in the 8.5 to 9.5 inch size range.  Because the water is so clear, try using really light line and small lures.  Fish deep around submerged trees.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: There are a lot of 14-inch bass that make for great catch and release fishing.  Target areas with submerged trees and along the shoreline.  Try throwing twisters or crankbaits.

Crawford Creek Impoundment
Fishing is still good at Crawford Creek.  Channel Catfish - Good: A lot of channel catfish were caught last weekend.  Fish were biting on just about anything but night crawlers were working the best.  Bluegill - Good: Try using small jigs with a wax worm.  Crappie - Good: Crappie were being caught on small minnows.

Badger Lake
Fishing has slowed down.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing has slowed.  If the bluegill are off the nests try fishing in a little deeper water off shore.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try casting plastics along the shoreline.  Crappie - Good: 9 to 11-inch crappie are being picked up trolling twisters near brush piles.

Brushy Creek Lake
Fishing is good right now.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being caught in the evening hours.  Bluegill - Good: Try using very small black jigs and wax worms or a small piece of night crawler.  Fish along weed lines and around trees in 10 to 15 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are along the weed lines and a variety of bass lures have been working as well as night crawlers.  Crappie - Good: Crappie have moved in around the trees.  Try using small minnows on a bare hook with a slip bobber or a small jig tipped with a minnow.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye have been biting in the early morning and late evening.  Muskellunge - Good: Try fishing muskies in the shallows and along the weed lines.

Bacon Creek Lake
1,600 rainbow trout were stocked on April 17.  Anglers need a trout stamp in addition to their regular fishing license to fish for or keep trout.  Rainbow Trout - Good: Use very small spinners or anything else that is small and flashy when casting for rainbow trout.  When fishing from shore, avoid the east side of the lake near the playground where the water is very shallow near shore.  Rather, try fishing from the face of the dam, the west side of the lake, and the area from the fishing dock below the parking lot to the dam where the water is deeper and trout more likely to be found.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Anglers are still catching walleye.  Water temperature is in the low 70s.  Daily bag limit at Storm Lake is 3 walleye, all 17 to 22-inch walleye must be immediately released, only one walleye over 22 inches may be kept.  White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are being caught on white twisters or picked up while walleye fishing.  Walleye - Good: Shore fishing for walleye has slowed down quite a bit.  Many of the boat anglers have switched from trolling to drifting night crawler harnesses with a bottom bouncer.  Target the old dredge area around Starr Park.  The 15 to 16.5-inch fish have slowed down some, but anglers are still catching walleye in the 13 to 14-inch size range.

North Twin Lake
Panfishing was good last week, but the yellow bass have slowed down.  Anglers are catching a lot of catfish.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel catfish are biting on just about anything.  Bluegill - Fair: Some nice sized bluegill have been caught.  Target the vegetated areas near the north end.  Crappie - Fair: Target the vegetated areas near the north end.  Walleye - Fair: Anglers report good walleye fishing using twisters, crankbaits, jigs, and chubs under bobbers.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Yellow bass have slowed down some, but still can be caught along the shoreline.  Target areas where there is a breeze blowing into shore and cast small bright colored jigs.

Swan Lake
The crappie bite has slowed down as the water clarity has been reduced.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing along the shoreline with plastics, crankbaits, worms, or leeches.  Crappie - Fair: Crappie between 7 and 8 inches are being caught as fast as you can reel them in.  Try fishing from shore between the fish house and the outlet.  Use a small jig baited with a wax worm or a Berkley crappie niblet under a bobber set 1 to 2 feet down.

Black Hawk Lake
Walleye fishing has slowed down, but a lot of sub-legal fish are still being caught.  Walleye must be 15 inches or longer to keep and anglers are allowed 3 walleye per day.  Channel Catfish - Good: When the wind is blowing hard look for areas where there is a strong current near shore and cast your bait into the current and let it sit on the bottom.  Gizzard shad guts work the best, but cut bait and stink bait work well, too.  Many channel catfish are being picked up while walleye fishing.  Crappie - Fair: Some crappie are being caught in the town bay near Ice House Point.  Walleye - Fair: A lot of shorts and a fair number of keepers are being caught.  From shore, fish ice house point with a leech under a slip bobber set just off the bottom.  From a boat, fish just off of Lakewood Point, Crescent Park, and Shotgun Hill and use minnows under a slip bobber or drag a jig with a leech across the bottom.  Anglers tend to catch very few bullheads when fishing for walleye with live minnows.  Also, try targeting the rock piles.  Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass fishing has been good, but the fish are around 5 to 6 inches long.  Try casting bright colored jigs along shorelines where the wind is blowing in.

Black Hawk District Farm Ponds
Panfish and bass are biting in farm ponds around the Black Hawk District.  Remember to ask the landowner’s permission before fishing privately owned farm ponds.

Walleye are still biting at Storm Lake and Black Hawk Lake.  Panfishing has been good at many of the lakes across the district.  Water temperature is in the low 70s at most of the lakes in the Black Hawk District.  For more information about these lakes and rivers call Ben Wallace or Don Herrig (712-657-2638) at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View.

Beeds Lake
Bluegills are biting on a worms fished under a bobber or tube jigs. A few largemouth bass are being caught using plastic baits and channel catfish are biting on crawlers fishing below the dam.

Eldred Sherwood Lake
Bluegills are biting on a piece of worm fished under a bobber near the weed edge. Largemouth bass are biting on plastic baits fished near the weed edge.

Lower Pine Lake
Bluegills are biting on worms and small jigs fished near shore, channel catfish are biting on crawlers fished on the bottom.

Upper Pine Lake
Largemouth bass a biting on spinner and plastic baits. Bluegills are biting on tube jigs.

Lake Smith
Bluegills are biting a piece of crawler fished near the weed edge, channel catfish are biting on crawlers and chicken liver fishing near the dam, largemouth bass are biting on plastic and top water baits fished near the weed edge.

Lake Catherine
Largemouth bass and bluegill are being caught fishing near the trees. Channel catfish are biting on crawlers fished on the bottom.

Clear Lake
Yellow bass fishing is slow. Small walleyes are being caught all over the lake on live bait, for some bigger fish try fishing the reefs using minnows or jigs.  Channel catfish are biting on crawlers and liver, try fishing the wind sweep side of the lake. Muskellunge are biting on spinner baits and large spoons.

Little Wall Lake
Small crappies and largemouth bass are biting near brush on a minnow.

Rice Lake
Bullheads are biting on crawlers fished off the bottom.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Bullheads are biting on crawlers fished off the bottom.

Morse Lake
Bullheads and channel catfish are biting on crawler fished near the bottom.

Iowa River (Iowa Falls to Marshalltown)
Smallmouth bass fishing has been good, try using jigs fished near current breaks.

For more information on fishing in the area lakes and rivers, call the Clear Lake Fisheries Office at 641-357-3517.

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Use live bait below a bobber along the shoreline.

Mill Creek (Lake)
Mill Creek Lake would be a great place to take a child fishing for bluegills.  Use a small bobber and hook baited with a piece of worm along the boat docks and shoreline.  There is plenty of parking and easy access along the south shore.  Bluegill - Excellent: Use a small bobber and hook baited with a piece of worm along the docks.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use soft plastics along shoreline cover.

Big Spirit Lake
Water temperature is 68 degrees.  Bullhead - Slow: Fish at the Grade with worms.  Northern Pike - Good: Troll crankbaits along weed lines.  Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with live bait below a bobber in Anglers Bay along the bull rush beds or near boat docks.     Yellow Perch - Slow: A few fish are beginning to be caught in the main lake basin 19 to 20 feet of water with jigging spoons tipped with bait or drifting Lindy rigs.  Walleye - Fair: Fish rock bars and weed beds with a slip bobber and leech or drift fish with Lindy rigs or troll crankbaits in the main lake basin.

Center Lake
Bullhead - Good: Use worms fished on the bottom.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait or stink bait near boat docks or brush piles along shore.  Walleye - Good: Use minnows fished on the bottom.

East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Use large minnows or cut bait along shoreline brush piles.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish the deep basin with jigging lures tipped with live bait.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Fish around boat docks with small jigs tipped with a piece of worm.
Minnewashta Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Fish around boat docks with small jigs.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Fish around boat docks with small jigs.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait along brush piles near shore.  White Bass - Good: Troll crankbaits.  Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits.

West Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is 62 degrees.  Northern Pike - Good: Troll or cast crankbaits along weed beds.  White Bass - Good: Troll crankbaits in 10 to 12 feet of water along drop-offs.  Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or leech along boat docks and weed beds.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use jigs, crankbaits, or plastics around boat docks and weed beds.  Walleye - Fair: Fish rock bars with a slip bobber and leech around weed beds or jig fish after dark.  Muskellunge - Fair: Fish weed edges with crankbaits or blade baits.  There have been lots of follows.

Ingham Lake
Bullhead - Good: Fish below the dam with worms.

Five Island Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or cut bait at the train bridge.  Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits or drift with live bait.

Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits.

Willow Creek
Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig tipped with live bait below a bobber along shorelines.

Trumbull Lake
Bullhead - Good: Use worms below the spillway.

Lower Gar Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or cut bait along boat docks or other shoreline structure.  Bluegill - Fair: Fish around boat docks with small jigs.

Swan Lake
Bullhead - Good: Use worms fished on the bottom at the outlet.

Upper Gar Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait along boat docks.

Tuttle Lake
Bullhead - Excellent: Fish below the spillway or along the bridge with worms.  Walleye - Slow: Fishing has slowed but a few fish are still being caught trolling crankbaits along the north shore of the lake.

West Swan Lake S.W.M.A.
Bullhead - Good: Use worms fished on the bottom. Some fish are also being caught below the dam.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with live bait on the lake or below the dam.

Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Bullhead - Fair: Use night crawlers fished on the bottom.

East Hottes
Bluegill - Fair: Use a small ice jig tipped with a wax worm along the weed beds.

Big Sioux River
Channel Catfish - Good: Fish current edges and brush piles with worms, stink bait, or cut bait.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use live or cut bait along cut banks and brush piles.  Walleye - Fair: Use a jig tipped with live bait in current seams and holes.

Rock River
Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait around brush piles.

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or live bait in holes or near brush piles.  Walleye - Fair: Use a jig tipped with live bait along current edges and eddies.

West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or cut bait along current edges and around brush piles.  Walleye - Fair: Use twister tails along current edges and holes.

High Lake
Bullhead - Good: Fish with worms on the bottom.

Ocheyedan Pit #1
Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with live bait along shorelines.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use crank baits, soft plastics, live bait along the shoreline.

Recent thunderstorms may slow the fishing down for certain species.  For more fishing information in the Spirit Lake area call 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Take notice of the new structure in the lake as fish will be found close by.  With warmer weather, bass are still on their beds as well as a few bluegills.  Crappies have moved back to deeper water.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are starting to bite.  Try using night crawlers or chicken livers.  Catfish are starting to move up into the rocks getting ready to spawn.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are getting towards the end of their spawn but can still be found near the shallows.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Warmer water has the bass up guarding their beds which is nearing the end of their spawn.  Crappie - Slow: Crappies have moved back to the deeper water so look for them around new habitat in the lake.

Lake Hendricks
Angling has slowed a touch this week on the lake.  Look for bass along the weed beds in the lake.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are starting to bite on chicken liver.  They should be moving into the shore along the rocks getting ready to spawn.  Bluegill - Fair: Try using a small jig tipped with a wax worm.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastics with a slow retrieve.   Crappie - Fair: Crappies have slowed a bit but can still be caught.  Concentrate on deeper water.

Lake Meyer
The action is picking up.  Bluegills are still being caught on slip bobbers and crawlers. Water quality is looking really good.  Northern Pike - Fair: Check the weed beds and weed lines for pike.  Channel Catfish - Good: Good catfishing is being had right now on cut bait and chicken livers.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught with slip bobbers and crawlers.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are having the best luck on bass working the shorelines with worms.  Bass are ranging from 10 to 14 inches.  Crappie - Slow: Crappies have slowed considerably.  Yellow Perch - No Report:

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water quality is good this week and the river is still a bit high.  Smallie fishing is average with walleyes being a little better.  Sucker - Slow: Try using a worm on a hook but the key is to get it to sit on the stream bottom.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth Bass are being caught by anglers using crank baits and twisters.  Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are being caught in the deeper pools using crank baits.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
The river is a little muddy but clearing.  Anglers are having luck wading and fishing pools with crank baits catching walleye.  Sucker - Slow: Try using a worm fished off the bottom for continued success.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth Bass activity has slowed up a bit.  Anglers are using twisters and night crawlers.   Walleye - Good: Walleyes are biting taking Rapalas or jigs tipped with crawlers in the deep pools.

Yellow River
Nice size trout are being caught from Volney down to the mouth.  Try using a jig or spinner floated through deeper pockets along current breaks and around boulders and bluffs.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water temperature has risen with stable weather this past week.  Check the deeper pools and structure for walleyes and smallies.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: With water temperature on the rise, smallies should start become more active and aggressive.  Try throwing crank baits along structure and seams in the current.  Walleye - Fair: Walleyes have are being caught related to bottom structure.

Volga River
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Cedar River has better water quality and is getting back to more normal flow.  Northern Pike - Slow: Anglers are catching a few northerns while fishing for walleyes.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: For catfish, try using crawlers or chicken liver below the dams or in the pockets.  Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching bluegills in the pockets below the dam and the shoreline in the impoundments above the dam.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallies are slowing.  Try using crank baits below the dams or using a jig tipped with a minnow.  Crappie - Fair: Angling has slowed for crappies.  Walleye - Good: Walleyes are being caught using a jig and minnow.

Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are in good condition heading into the weekend and scheduled stockings are back on track.  Spotty showers have muddied up some streams but this should turn the brown trout on.  Anglers are reporting great success on many of our streams all day long.  Nice hatches of mayflies and midges are occurring at this time.  June's stocking schedule is now available online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/fish/news/stockrep/trout.html or call 563-927-5736 for a current stocking report.

River temperatures are in the high 60s and lake temperatures are in the mid 70s.  Water clarity is good.  For more information about a specific stream, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Silver Lake (Delaware)
Fishing has picked up again for largemouth bass and bluegill with the onset of nice weather. Most all bass are below the 15-inch minimum length for legal harvest. Vegetation has become bothersome around the edges of the lake.  Bluegill - Good: Try fishing a piece of worm under a bobber along the vegetation edges.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try casting top water, weedless spoons or spinner baits. Reminder there is a 15-inch minimum size limit on bass in this lake.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Fishing has been spotty.  Largemouth bass have been providing the most action, and a few nicer bluegills are being caught.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish should be getting active soon and a few are being caught. Try using crawlers or minnows fished on the bottom.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill are being caught on red worms, wax worms and pieces of crawlers under bobbers.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Top water lures, artificial plastics seem to be catching fish.

Big Woods Lake
Small crappies and bluegills are being caught but some sorting is necessary.  Bluegill - Fair: Try small hooks and red worms under a bobber.  Crappie - Fair: Try using small jigs tipped with a wax worm or small minnow under a slip bobber.

Brinker Lake
Crappie - Fair: Try minnows or wax worms under a bobber or experiment with a variety of small tube jigs until you find the color the fish are hitting.  Walleye - Fair: Few smaller walleye being caught while fishing for crappie.

George Wyth Lake
Catches of bluegill and smaller crappie are being reported.  Bluegill - Good: Try fishing red worms or a chunk of night crawler under a bobber.  Also fishing with flies and small poppers is starting to be productive.  Crappie - Fair: Try using minnows or wax worms on small jigs.

South Prairie Lake
Fishing has been slow but some bluegills are being caught.  A good number of small largemouth bass are being caught anywhere near the shore.  Bluegill - Fair:   Largemouth Bass - Fair:   Crappie - Fair:

Avenue of the Saints Pond
Largemouth are biting on plastics fished slowly in the flooded willows.   Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish the flooded willows using a plastic worm retrieved slowly through the vegetation.  Crappie - Fair:

Sweet Marsh Reservoir
Bluegill have moved to the shorelines to spawn.  Bluegill - Good: Try using piece of worm under bobber or small jig tipped with a wax worm along shoreline.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass action has been picking up, try pre-rigged plastic worms, other slow moving plastics, or a safety pin style spinner bait.

Plainfield
Anglers are catching nice size bluegill as the spawn has arrived.  Bluegill - Good: Try using a fly rod or small jig under a bobber along the shoreline while the bluegill are on their beds.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Fishing has continued to be good.  Catfish action has slowed, but remains good.  Smallmouth bass action has been improving with crankbaits and crawlers providing the best action.  The walleye bite has been decent but you have to be willing to put in some time to catch numbers of fish.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try using minnows or cut bait on the bottom.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Shallow running crankbaits, in-line spinners, and twister tails have all been catching fish.  Walleye - Fair: Try jigs and crawlers or crankbaits around logs or in deeper pools.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Smallmouth bass action has been picking up.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try shallow running crankbaits, spinner baits, or plastics around logs or other fish cover.  Walleye - Fair: Try shallow running crankbaits and jigs and crawlers around rocks or snags.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The river remains a bit high, which has made fishing tough.  There are some reports of catfish being caught and fishing for smallmouth bass and walleye has improved.  Northern Pike - Fair: Jig and twister tails have been working well. Also try casting spoons around fallen logs.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait or crawlers fished on the bottom.  Walleye - Fair: Try casting crankbaits or jig tipped with half a night crawler.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The river continues to run a bit high and dirty following rain this past week.  Catfish action has been slowing, but walleye and smallmouth bass action is improving.  Channel Catfish - Fair:   Smallmouth Bass - Fair:   Walleye - Fair:

Interior rivers have returned to near average flows and most rivers should be in decent fishing condition for the weekend. Fishing for channel cats has slowed but smallmouth bass and walleye action is picking up. Crappie action is slowing on area lakes, but bluegill action is improving as fish are in the shallows and easily accessible. Trout streams are in excellent condition. For more information contact the district office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level at Lansing is 8.4 feet and clarity has improved.  Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting well in the lower ends of the pool and along rocky areas with current.  Try fishing a worm or minnow on a bobber along the rock.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills have been spawning recently but reports of catches are mixed with a lot of little fish caught.  Seek out spawning areas in shallow bays.  Keep moving to find fish.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try fishing areas with rock and good current, especially near a good back-eddy.  Some nice fish being reported at the entrance of Big Slough and near Village Creek.  Crawdad color or lime colored crankbaits have been working well.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth can be found feeding on minnows near the shore in the slack water of a back-eddy with some sort of structure (boulders/wood).  Some are being caught with crankbaits and top water frogs are well.  Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes caught trolling crankbait in running sloughs and a few on wing dams.   Freshwater Drum - Excellent:  A lot of drum being caught just fishing worm on the bottom along main channel and side channel shorelines.  Drum are easy to clean and excellent eating fish especially if eaten fresh.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level at Lynxville is 14.1 feet and expected to rise slowly.   Water temperature is in the lower 70s.   Northern Pike - Fair: Some northerns are gathering near cold water tributaries and springs.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: The catfishing is starting to heat up near out of the Noble's Landing area.  Stink bait and night crawlers fished off the bottom are working well.   Flathead Catfish - Excellent: The flatheads are really turning on.  Try using large live bait fish in the seam of a back eddy.  White Bass - Good: White bass are starting to run behind wing dams.  Look for feeding schools and cast spinners or jigs into the fray.  Bluegill - Good: Some nice bluegills being caught along main channel shorelines below the lock and dam. Also look for spawning bluegills in shallow bays. Keep moving to find fish.  Nice 'gills have also been caught just above the Lock and Dam in Guttenberg along the walkway.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth hitting well along rocky areas with current. If you find these areas, try working behind the larger boulders and switch up colors until you start catching them.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth being caught along woody debris and emerging vegetation beds.  Crappie - Slow: A few crappies caught in the Harper's Ferry area.  Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice sized perch are being caught in the tail water areas.  Walleye - Good: Anglers are starting to catch walleyes on the wing dams.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom near main channel and side channel shorelines.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water levels are at 5.7 feet and expected to rise slowly over the next week. Temperatures are in the lower 70s. Good shoreline bank fishing can be found at Guttenberg below the DNR fish hatchery and at Mud Lake Park, just north of Dubuque.  Northern Pike - Fair: A few pike beginning to gather at the mouths of cold water tributaries and springs.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish biting well.  Anglers doing well floating worms or minnows on a bobber near rocky areas with current.  Flathead Catfish - Excellent: Some nice flathead catfish have been caught near both sides of the dam.  Large-sized live bait or heavy jigs reaching the bottom have produced quite well.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Some smallmouth being caught fishing near rock in good current.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth being caught along shorelines with woody debris.   Bass are bunching up in the pocket and in the emergency spillway.    Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice Yellow perch being caught on worms.  Walleye - Good: A few walleyes being caught trolling on wing dams.   Some large fish were reported this week although not always a lot of numbers.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught along shoreline in the Guttenberg area fishing a worm on the bottom.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially when prepared fresh.

Water temperature at Guttenberg is 72 degrees.  River levels are expected to rise slowly over the next week:  Water levels are: Lansing 8.6 feet, Lynxville 14.1 feet and Guttenberg 5.7 feet. Water clarity is good right now throughout these areas.

Mississippi River Pool 12
River stage at Dubuque is 8.29 feet and stable. Water clarity is good and water temperature is in the mid 70s. Anglers should be on the look out for radio tagged white crappie in Pool 12. Tags are attached externally to the dorsal fin and we ask that these fish be released or the tags returned from harvested fish.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel cats are biting on stink bait, crawlers, or cut bait around wing dams and snags.  Anglers are also catching them along rocky shorelines on leeches floated under a bobber.  White Bass - Fair: Look for white bass working schools of minnows or shad on the downstream side of wing dams or along shorelines in the mornings and evenings.  Throw minnow imitating crankbaits, spinners, or jigs with twister tails.  Anglers can catch a limit in short order if they find the right school.  Bluegill - Slow: Look for bluegills around docks and snags in backwaters and marinas.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Look for bass around structure in the backwaters and sloughs.  White cranks and spinner baits have been working well.  Also try top water frogs in vegetation beds.  Crappie - Slow: Not many crappies being caught the past week, but look for them around woody structure in backwaters and sloughs.  Minnows or small jigs seem to be working best.  Walleye - Good: Walleye have been biting on three way rigs tipped with leeches and crankbaits on wing dams.

Mississippi River Pool 13
River stage at Bellevue is 6.06 feet and is forecast to rise to 7.4 feet over the next week. Water clarity is good and water temperature is in the mid 70s.  Northern Pike - Good: Pike fishing has been good the past week around the mouths of small tributaries.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish have been biting on stink bait fished around wing dams and snags in sloughs.  Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing has been slow with few reports of any fish being caught.  Walleye - Good: Walleye have been biting on crankbaits and three way rigs tipped with leeches on the wing dams.  Freshwater Drum - Good: The drum bite has been good on night crawlers fished on the bottom.

Mississippi River Pool 14
River stage at Camanche is 10 feet and stable. Water clarity is fair and water temperature is in the mid 70s.   Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are biting on leeches floated under a bobber along rip rap shorelines and on stink bait fished around snags and wing dams.  Walleye - Good: Walleye have been biting on crankbaits on wing dams.

For fishing information in Pool 12-15 of the Mississippi River contact the Bellevue Fish Management and Research Station at 563-872-4976

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 6.54 feet.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are biting on crawlers, leeches and dip baits fished along riprap shorelines and snags along the main channel and sloughs.   White Bass - No Report:   Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing has been good towards evening in Sunset Marina. Most fish are being caught floating pieces of crawler or wax worms under a bobber.  Crappie - Good: Crappie are being caught in Sunset Marina around the docks. Most crappies are being caught floating minnows under a bobber or drifting with a split shot and minnow. Fishing has been best towards evening.   Sauger - Slow:   Walleye - Slow: Some walleyes are being picked up trolling crankbaits on the wing dams or using crawlers on three-way rigs.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 5.43 feet.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on leeches and night crawlers fished along rip rap shorelines and snags along the main channel and sloughs.   White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are being caught casting crankbaits or jigs/twister at GPC.   Bluegill - Slow: Some bluegills are being caught in Big Timber fishing pieces of worm under a bobber.   Crappie - Slow:   Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being caught casting crankbaits or jigs/twisters at GPC.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 7.45 feet.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on leeches and night crawlers fishing around snags and rock in the main channel or sloughs.   White Bass - No Report:   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 4.58 feet.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfishing has been good on night crawlers, leeches, and dip baits fished along riprap shorelines and snags along the main channel and sloughs.   White Bass - No Report:   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:

Mississippi River Pools 16-20: River levels have been steady over the past few days. Main channel water temperature is 75 degrees. For more fishing information contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST
Lake Geode
Water temperature remain in the upper 70s to low 80s and clarity is improving. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are starting to catch catfish in the evenings on stink bait and chicken liver. Along the face of the dam and over by Church Point.  Bluegill - Good: The bluegills are mostly done spawning.  It's time to start working the edge of the weed beds in 8 to 10 feet of water.

Lake Belva Deer
The road paving project is slated to start in July.  Bluegill - Good: The bluegills have moved to deep water.  Early in the morning anglers are catching them suspended at 5 feet deep before they move deeper for the rest of the day.  Crappie - Good: Anglers are finding these fish at about 12 feet down in the deeper areas.  Hint: work the trees in the old creek channel.

Lake of the Hills
Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting on chicken liver, worms, and stink baits. Target areas with rip rap along the lake as now is the time male catfish will be guarding their nests in between the rocks.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing remains steady.  They are headed to deeper water so start targeting the fish habitat in 8 to 10 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing is picking up especially for those using plastic worms. Early morning and late evening are the best time to catch these fish shallow.  Crappie - Fair: The crappie bite is falling off as the fish are moving to deeper water for the summer.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
Most of the area missed the heavy rains forecast earlier in the week.  Look for the river to continue its slow drop.  Channel Catfish - Good: More anglers are getting out on the river and they are catching catfish.  It's also mulberry season so use at least part of your fishing trip with your bait under a mulberry trip as the catfish try to satisfy their sweet tooth eating mulberries.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The river level looks to remain fairly steady through the weekend.  Channel Catfish - Good: The steady water levels have improved the catfishing.

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

Kent Park Lake
In addition to the lake, the upper pond has produced some nice bass and the east ponds are producing bluegills.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catches increase just before and after weather fronts, and dawn/dusk tend to be the best times.  Bluegill - Fair:  Use a small jig or worm along the dam, flats, pockets or shallow brush.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish shallow with plastics or live bait.

Lake Macbride
The fishing has dramatically slowed after the onset of hot weather and warm water.   Channel Catfish - Slow: Fish around riprap with live bait in hopes of catching male catfish guarding spawning cavities.  Bluegill - Fair: Fish shallow flats and pockets with a small jig or worm. Look for nests that look like plate-sized craters. The bluegill size has improved some this year.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish shallow brush or rock with plastics. Deeper rock structure can also be good.  Crappie - Slow: Some small fish are in the shallow brush, but the nicer fish are off shore on stumps and brush.  Walleye - Slow: A few fish are being caught trolling plugs and live bait rigs in deeper water.

Pleasant Creek Lake
Remember, there is an 18-nch size limit on bass and 40-inch size limit on muskies.   Channel Catfish - Slow: Anglers are starting to pick up a few catfish.  Bluegill - Fair: Use a wax worm in 2 to 5 feet of water. Fish have been running 7 to 9 inches.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Crawlers and soft plastics along the dam and jetties are producing some bass.  Walleye - Fair: Trolling or jigging along the dam and deeper structure has been producing some fish.

Diamond Lake
Remember, no minnows are allowed here. There is an over abundance of smaller crappies here. Don’t be afraid to take your 25 fish limit...every day!   Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish have been hitting on cut-bait, shrimp, and crawlers, especially after rain events.  Bluegill - Good: Shallow brush, overhanging trees, and jetty areas are holding fish. Use small jigs or waxies.  Crappie - Fair: Most fish are smaller with an occasional larger one mixed in. Most jigs are working. The fish are along the jetties and brush.

Otter Creek Lake
There is an over abundance of yellow bass in this lake. They are scrappy fighters and excellent to eat. There is no limit and don’t be afraid to keep every one you catch.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are shallow along rock or overhanging trees. Try a small jig or waxie.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish around wood with plastics or comb the shallows with a crankbait.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Look in shallow flats and along rock banks for schools of yellows. Try small jigs, spinners, or live bait.

Coralville Reservoir
As of June 3 the lake level is 691 feet and falling. It will continue to fall until it reaches summer pool of 683 feet. The water clarity is great for the reservoir.  Channel Catfish - Slow: A few catfish are being picked up along the rocks on live bait.

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

Lake Wapello
The lake has refilled after last year's fish population renovation.  Red ear and channel catfish were stocked last fall along with some largemouth bass and bluegill.

Red Haw Lake
Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler fished around the shoreline.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits around structure or off the ends of the jetties.  Use plastic worms in the same areas.  Redear Sunfish - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler.  Look for redears in areas around structure and along the shoreline.

Lake Keomah
Channel Catfish - Slow: Cut bait has been producing some catches of channel catfish.  Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits along the shoreline and around the jetties.  Another good spot to try is along the outside of the aquatic vegetation.

Albia (lower)
The gate has been reopened and a new boat ramp has been constructed on the reservoir.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler.  The fish have been spawning near the shoreline.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinner baits fished along the shoreline and around areas with submerged structures.  Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline and around submerged structure.  There are buoys marking areas where cedar trees have been placed for fish habitat.

Lake Miami
The lake is full from last year's drawdown.  Try small jigs fished along the shoreline and along the dam.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinner baits along the stump fields and around submerged structure.

Lake Sugema
Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler.  Shallow areas have been productive.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits along the shorelines or around submerged structure.  Use plastic worms around areas with trees and stumps.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 916.45 feet with normal pool being 904 feet.  The water temperature is ranging in the lower 70s.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are starting to look for areas to spawn.  Find areas with large rocks.  Bridgeview is a good place to try.  Use dead chubs fished under a bobber.  Crappie - Fair: Casting small jigs along the shorelines has been successful for crappie.  There is sorting required for larger fish.    Walleye - Fair: Try trolling or drifting night crawler rigs along underwater reefs and islands.  Please be wary of tagged walleyes and if these fish are harvested please call the hatchery with the tag number.  The phone number for the hatchery is 641-647-2406.

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

SOUTHWEST
Beaver Lake
Bluegill - Excellent: Good 8 to 9-inch bluegills are being caught drifting or still fishing night crawlers in 5 to 10 feet of water.

Jacob Krumm Nature Preserver Lake (west)
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Reports of strong channel catfish catches have come in this week.  Focus on the dam and rocky areas with cut bait, shrimp, or crayfish.

Roberts Creek Lake
Crappie - Slow: Crappies have moved off into deeper water around woody structure.  High water levels backed up from Lake Red Rock have made fishing difficult from shore due to submerged vegetation.

Big Creek Lake
There is currently a walleye harvest study taking place.  Anglers who catch a walleye should look near the tail of the fish for a small yellow tag.  The tags can be removed from harvested or released fish of LEGAL size and returned with a survey for a cash reward.  The surveys can be picked up at the marina, park office, Polk City Bait and Tackle, or Johnston Bait and Tackle.  There are also signs posted at the boat ramps with instructions.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills have moved off into deeper water, with some males still around pockets vegetation in 3-5 ft of water.  Good catches have continued to come from the upper end of the lake in both the east and west arms.  Walleye - Fair: Good numbers of walleyes, with a few keepers, are being caught trolling live bait rigs and crankbaits.  The fish are being caught in various spots around the lake in both upper and lower ends.  Focus on points and shallow areas in the evenings.

Easter Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleye are still being caught and some are good sized.  Trolling live bait or live bait under a bobber in the evenings is working best.  Crankbaits have also been producing a few fish.  Along the face of the dam has been a good spot, both from shore and boat.

Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being picked up regularly on small jigs along rocky shorelines.  The dam and outlet structure area are good places to start.

Hooper Area Pond
Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill are likely at the tail end of their spawn though some are still being picked up shallow, especially in the wood along the west shoreline.  The larger bluegills are being caught on the upper half of the lake.

Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Fair: There has been some decent catches of bluegills and redears.  They are being caught using night crawlers fished along the edges and in the open pockets of the vegetation, especially in the areas around the jetties.

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught below the Roberts Creek spillway and by trolling crankbaits near by the mile long bridge.  Focus on areas with flowing water.

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught in the shallow bays and close to shore using night crawlers.  Evenings have been the best time.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish should be preparing to spawn.  Look for them to be active around flowing water and rocks.  Crayfish is good bait this time of year.  White Bass - Good: Fishing on the reservoir spillways may be difficult due to locally heavy rains.  White bass will likely be very active at the Big Creek spillway and marina pump station on Saylorville.  Look for flowing water.  Walleye - Fair: Some reports of good walleye harvest below the Saylorville and Red Rock tail waters have continued to come in this week.  High flow levels may make the fishing and access difficult.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Wipers should also be active near the pump station and Big Creek spillway on Saylorville.  Target them with flashy crankbaits and white jigs.

The rivers may be difficult to fish this week due to locally heavy rain and high, muddy flows.  Reservoir water has remained fairly clear this week.  Panfish are beginning to move into deeper and open water around the district.  Try bobber fishing or drifting small pieces of live bait in 5-10 feet of water.  Contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823 for information on the above area lakes and rivers.

Greenfield Lake
Greenfield Lake has one concrete boat ramp and is trolling motor only.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver. Fish are in the 1-3 pound range.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills can still be found close to shore spawning. Cast small jigs around spawning beds. Fish are averaging 8 inches.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are being caught around cedar tree piles casting crankbaits and small spinners. Good percentage of bass in the 15 to 17-inch range.

Mormon Trail Lake
Mormon Trail Lake has excellent water clarity. There is one concrete boat ramp available.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver.  Bluegill - Fair: The bluegill spawn is tailing off but anglers are still catching a few off beds. Cast small jigs to catch 8 to 9-inch fish.

Nodaway Lake
Nodaway has one concrete boat ramp.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish in the 1 to 2 pound range are being caught on night crawlers.

Orient Lake
Orient is full with one concrete boat ramp.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfishing has picked up again using night crawlers. Fish are averaging 14 inches.

Cold Springs Lake
Cold Springs has one concrete boat ramp. The lake has good water clarity and high abundance of aquatic vegetation.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish holes in vegetation with plastics using slow presentation for bass up to 18 inches.

Lake Anita
Lake is full and has good water clarity.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are at the tail end of their spawn. A few are still being caught on beds.   Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught casting the shoreline with spinner baits. Crankbaits and plastics are good around underwater reefs and roadbeds.  Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught casting jigs around underwater reefs. Fish average 9 inches.

Willow Lake
Willow lake has one concrete boat ramp with excellent water quality.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A few channel catfish have been caught along campground shoreline using liver.

Lake Manawa
Water temperature is around 75 degrees and clarity is fair.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are still being caught on the south and west side. Shrimp has still been the number one bait. Liver and crawlers have also been good. Fish are in the 2 to 6 pound range.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Many farm ponds hold good populations of bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. Remember to always ask permission before fishing private ponds.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are active with the warmer water. Try night crawlers, liver, or stink baits around structure.  Bluegill - Fair: The bluegill spawn is over and fish have moved to deeper cover. Night crawlers under a bobber work well for post spawn bluegill.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are aggressive this time of year. Top water baits work well during low light conditions and plastics during the day.

Water temperatures are in the mid to high 70s on most southwest Iowa lakes. Many anglers are focusing on channel catfishing now that the bluegill spawn is coming to an end. For more information contact Bryan Hayes or Mark Boucher at the Cold Springs District Office 712-769-2587.

Lake Icaria
Water temperature is in the lower 70s.  The lake level is about 1 to 2 feet high but falling.
Clarity is still fairly good.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are biting on cut bait.  Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Several largemouth are still being caught from the shoreline structure and flooded grass.  Clarity is better near the dam.  Crappie - Fair: Most of the fish are moving out to off-shore structure.  The bite has tapered off.  Small white jigs or minnows in deep gravel areas are the most successful.  Walleye - Fair: The walleye bite is fairly steady with several small and mid-sized fish being caught by trolling jigs and small crankbaits over the open points.

West Lake (Osceola)
Water clarity is very good but the lake is up a little.  Largemouth Bass - Excellent: The largemouth bass are still near shore in the flooded grass and structure.

Little River Watershed Lake
Water clarity is less than 2 feet and temperature is in the low 70s.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are biting the shallow bays around dark on stink bait or bluegill sides.  Crappie - Slow: A few 7.5 to 8.5-inch crappie are still being caught from shore around the jetties.

Slip Bluff Lake
Water clarity is fair and the panfish are doing well.  Bluegill - Good: A lot of mid-sized bluegill can be caught from the near shore areas and quiet coves.

Fogle Lake S.W.A.
Water clarity is very good and temperature is in the lower 70s.  Bluegill - Good: A lot of mid-sized bluegills are being caught from the quiet shoreline areas on a worm and bobber.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Several mid-sized largemouth bass are being caught from the shoreline structure.

Lake of Three Fires
Water clarity is about 3 feet.  Bluegill - Excellent: A lot of big bluegills can be caught from the shoreline areas or tops of the fish mounds in about 2 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Good: A lot of mid-size bass are near shore around the fallen trees.

Green Valley Lake
The lake level has been lowered to allow for sediment removal from the upper end.  The fish have been restocked and some catfish are being caught.

Summit Lake
The lake has been lowered for shoreline stabilization.

Three Mile Lake
Water temperature is in the lower 70s.  Clarity is good at mid-lake and near the dam. Bluegill - Fair: A lot of mid-sized fish are coming from the near-shore areas.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth are biting well from near-shore flooded grass.  Walleye - Fair: A few walleye are being caught off the steep rocky shoreline areas or slopes fish mounds on crawlers or leeches.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Temperature is in the low 70s and clarity is very good.  Most species are biting well.  Bullhead - Excellent: A lot of big bullheads are being caught from shore using crawlers.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A lot of channel catfish are being caught from the shoreline access areas on crawlers, stink bait, or liver.  Bluegill - Excellent: The bluegill are biting well on crawlers and small jigs from the coves, along the jetties, or off the spawning mounds.  Small jigs or crawler pieces on a bobber work best.  Largemouth Bass - Excellent: A lot of mid-sized bass are biting well from the shoreline structure and rocks.  Crappie - Fair: Several nice crappie are still biting near shore from the gravel areas on minnows.  Some fish are starting to move out.  Walleye - Good: A lot of mid-sized walleye are being caught by jigging and trolling jigs over the steep shore or near gravel areas while bluegill fishing.

Bluegill are still biting strong.  Water clarity is less at some lakes but remains acceptable.  Some lakes are 1 to 2 feet high.  Water temperature is in the low 70s.

From the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

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.

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT

• Crawford Creek Impoundment
  Fishing is going strong at Crawford Creek.  Channel Catfish - Good: A lot of channel catfish were caught last weekend.  Fish were biting on just about anything but night crawlers were working the best.  Bluegill - Good: Try using small jigs with a wax worm.  Crappie - Good: Crappie were being caught on small minnows.
• Badger Lake
  Fishing has slowed down some since last week.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing has slowed.  If the bluegill are off the nests try fishing in a little deeper water off shore.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try casting plastics along the shoreline.  Crappie - Good: 9 to 11 inch crappie are being picked up trolling twisters near brush piles.
• Brushy Creek Lake
  Fishing is good right now.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being caught in the evening hours.  Bluegill - Good: Try using very small black jigs and wax worms or a small piece of night crawler.  Fish along weed lines and around trees in 10 to 15 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are along the weed lines and a variety of bass lures have been working as well as night crawlers.  Crappie - Good: Crappie have moved in around the trees.  Try using small minnows on a bare hook with a slip bobber or a small jig tipped with a minnow.  Walleye - Fair: Try fishing a slip bobber with a leech in 10 to 20 feet of water.  Muskellunge - Slow: Try fishing muskies along the weed lines.
• Bacon Creek Lake
  1,600 rainbow trout were stocked on April 17.  Anglers need a trout stamp in addition to their regular fishing license to fish for or keep trout.  Rainbow Trout - Good: Use very small spinners or anything else that is small and flashy when casting for rainbow trout.  When fishing from shore, avoid the east side of the lake near the playground where the water is very shallow near shore.  Rather, try fishing from the face of the dam, the west side of the lake, and the area from the fishing dock below the parking lot to the dam.  These are areas where it is fairly deep close to shore where trout should be cruising.
• Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
  Anglers are still catching walleyes.  Water temperature is in the low 70s.  Daily bag limit at Storm Lake is 3 walleye; all 17 to 22-inch walleye must be immediately released, and only one walleye over 22 inches may be kept.  White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are being caught on white twisters or picked up while walleye fishing.  Walleye - Excellent: Shore fishing for walleye has slowed down quite a bit.  Many of the boat anglers have switched from trolling to drifting night crawler harnesses with a bottom bouncer.  Target the old dredge area around Starr Park.
• North Twin Lake
  We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
• Swan Lake
  Crappies are biting around shore and from the fishing jetties.  This lake is a great place to take kids fishing right now because the crappie fishing is fast.  However, as the algae starts to bloom expect the crappie fishing to slow down.  Crappie - Good: Crappie between 7 and 8 inches are being caught as fast as you can reel them in.  Try fishing from shore between the fish house and the outlet.  Use a small jig baited with a wax worm or a Berkley crappie niblet under a bobber set 1 to 2 feet down.
• Black Hawk Lake
  The walleye fishing is fast at Black Hawk, but most of the fish are sub-legal.  Bring a lot of live bait and expect to catch about 20 short fish for every keeper.  Walleye must be 15 inches or longer to keep and anglers are allowed 3 walleye per day.  Channel Catfish - Good: When the wind is blowing hard look for areas where there is a strong current near shore and cast your bait into the current and let it sit on the bottom.  Gizzard shad guts work the best, but cut bait and stink bait work too.  Many channel catfish are being picked up while walleye fishing.  Walleye - Good: A lot of shorts and a fair number of keepers are being caught.  From shore, fish ice house point with a leech under a slip bobber set just off the bottom.  From a boat, fish just off of Lakewood Point, Crescent Park, and Shotgun Hill and use minnows under a slip bobber or drag a jig with a leech across the bottom.  Anglers tend to catch very few bullheads when fishing for walleye with live minnows.  Also, try targeting the rock piles in the lake.  Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass fishing has been good, but the fish are around 5 to 6 inches long.  Try casting bright colored jigs along shorelines where the wind is blowing in.
• Black Hawk District Farm Ponds
  Panfish and bass are biting in farm ponds around the Black Hawk District.  Remember to ask the landowner’s permission before fishing privately owned farm ponds.
• Beeds Lake
  Bluegills are biting on a worms fished under a bobber or tube jigs. A few largemouth bass are being caught using plastic baits.
• Lower Pine Lake
  Crappies are biting on minnows fished around the trees.
• Upper Pine Lake
  Largemouth bass a biting on spinner baits. Bluegills are biting on tube jigs.
• Lake Smith
  Bluegills and crappies are biting on worms fished off the pier.
• Lake Catherine
  Largemouth bass and bluegill are being caught fishing near the trees.
• Clear Lake
  Yellow bass fishing has slowed, the spawn is over and the fish are finicky try using small jigs or a small piece of worm or cut bait.  Try fishing the north shore cattail beds and the reefs. Shore anglers should try the docks. Walleyes are being caught on the reefs using minnows and jigs and a few are being caught trolling spinner baits. Crappies are still being caught using minnows in the rushes and the channels. Channel catfish are biting, try fishing the wind sweep side of the lake. For more information on fishing in the area lakes and rivers, call the Clear Lake Fisheries Office at 641-357-3517.
• Lake Cornelia
  Bullheads are biting on worms fished on the bottom. Yellow bass are biting on small jigs in the harbor. Bluegill fishing has been good try fishing with a small piece of worm fished under a bobber.
• Little Wall Lake
  Small crappies and largemouth bass are biting fish near the brush with a minnow.
• Rice Lake
  Bullheads are biting on crawlers fished off the bottom.
• Silver Lake (Worth)
  Bullheads are biting on crawlers fished off the bottom.
• Fin and Feather Lake
  Crappies are being caught using minnows and a bobber or a small jig.
• Lake Pahoja
  Bluegill - Good: Use live bait below a bobber with a small hook around brush piles.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use soft plastics or spinner baits along shorelines.  Crappie - Fair: Use a small jig or minnow below a bobber at brush piles and rock jetties.
• Mill Creek (Lake)
  Mill Creek Lake would be a great place to take children fish.  Bluegill - Good: Use a small bobber with live bait around boat docks and other shoreline cover.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use soft plastics or spinner baits along shoreline cover.
• Big Spirit Lake
  Bullhead - Fair: Use night crawlers at the Grade under the road at the fish barrier.  Northern Pike - Fair: Troll crankbaits over the top of growing weed beds in Angler's Bay.  Bluegill - Good: Use a small ice jig tipped with a wax worm below a bobber in Angler’s Bay along the bulrush beds.  Fish are also being caught around boat docks on the main lake.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Fish rock bars with jigs, crankbaits, or leeches.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use weedless jigs around boat docks and the bulrush beds in Angler’s Bays.  Crappie - Fair: The spawn is just about done but a few fish still remain in and around the bulrush beds.  Use a small white tube jig or minnow below a bobber along the bulrush beds in Angler’s Bay.   Walleye - Good: Troll crankbaits or drift using lindy rigs on the edges of weed beds during the day or fish from shore after sunset with a twister tail, crankbait, or slip bobber with live bait. Recent thunderstorms may slow the fishing down for certain species.  For more fishing information in the Spirit Lake area call 712-336-1840.
• Center Lake
  Bullhead - Good: Use worms fished on the bottom at the fishing pier.  Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait or stink bait along boat docks or brush piles.
• East Okoboji Lake
  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use large minnows or cut bait fish along shoreline brush piles.  White Bass - Fair: Use white twister tails or hair jigs at the bridges, boat docks, or the north shore.  Crappie - Fair: Fish around shoreline brush piles or the Hwy. 9 fishing piers with a small bobber and minnow.  Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits along rock bars during the day or slip bobber fish around boat docks at sunset with leeches.  Yellow Bass - Good: Use small white jigs near the bridges or boat docks in the mornings and evenings.
• Minnewashta Lake
  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with live bait along boat docks.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Pitch soft plastics to boat docks.
• Silver Lake (Dickinson County)
  Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or cut bait near brush piles or drift fish with cut bait.  White Bass - Fair: Troll crankbaits along shorelines.  Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits along shorelines.
• West Okoboji Lake
  If you are looking for a place to take kids fishing, go to Triboji (Lazy Lagoon) on the northwest end of North Bay.  Plenty of parking is available with good shoreline for casting along the boat docks.  There are many different sizes of bluegills with plenty of action.  Northern Pike - Fair: Troll crankbaits along drop-offs and weed flats.  White Bass - Good: Use a jig and minnow on rock bars and drop-offs at sunset.  Bluegill - Good: Use a small ice jig tipped with live bait along boat docks in the canals and main lake.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Fish shallow rock bars with jigs and soft plastics.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use jigs or soft plastics around boat docks.  Walleye - Fair: Slip bobber fish with leeches on developing weed beds during the day or fish at night on rock bars with lighted slip bobbers or a jig and minnow.
• Ingham Lake
  Bullhead - Good: Fish below the dam with worms.
• Five Island Lake
  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or cut bait at the bridge.  Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs around boat docks and other shoreline cover.  Walleye - Good: Troll crankbaits or drift with live bait.
• Lost Island Lake
  Crappie - Fair: Fish around boat docks in the canals with small bobber and minnow.  Walleye - Good: Troll crankbaits or drift fish with Lindy rigs.
• Willow Creek
  Bluegill - Good: Use a piece of worm below a bobber along shoreline cover.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use jigs or soft plastics along shorelines.  Crappie - Fair: Fish near shoreline cover with s small jig or minnow below a bobber.
• Trumbull Lake
  Bullhead - Good: Use worms fished on the bottom.  Crappie - Fair: Fish shoreline cover with a small jig or minnow below a bobber.
• Swan Lake
  Bullhead - Good: Use worms at the outlet.
• Upper Gar Lake
  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with live bait along boat docks.
• High Lake
  Bullhead - Good: Fish with worms on the bottom.
• Tuttle Lake
  Walleye - Good: Troll crankbaits along the north shore.
• West Swan Lake S.W.M.A.
  Bullhead - Good: Use worms fished on the bottom.  Some fish are also being caught below the spillway.  Yellow Perch - Good: Use jig heads or jigging spoons tipped with live bait.
• Silver Lake (Palo Alto County)
  Bullhead - Good: Use worms fished on the bottom.  Walleye - Fair: Troll with crankbaits or drift using live bait.
• Ocheyedan Pit #1
  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with live bait along shorelines.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use crankbaits, soft plastics, live bait along the shoreline.
• East Hottes
  Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig tipped with live bait along shoreline structure.
• Big Sioux River
  Channel Catfish - Good: Fish current edges in deep holes or above brush piles with worms, stink bait, or cut bait.  Some channel cats are also being caught at the Klondike Dam.  Walleye - Fair: use a jig head tipped with a worm or minnow below the Klondike Dam in the mornings.
• Rock River
  Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait or chubs around brush piles or at the dam in Rock Rapids.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use jigs around eddies and boulders.
• Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
  Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait, or stink bait in eddies or above brush piles.  Walleye - Fair: Use a jig tipped with a worm or minnow along current edges and eddies.
• West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)
  Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait or worms fished above brush piles or deep holes.  Walleye - Fair: Use twister tails or a jig tipped with live bait along current edges of holes.

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT

• Volga Lake
  Take notice of the new structure in the lake as fish will be found close by.  Fishing should pick up with crappies and bluegills moving into the shallow bays.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are starting to bite.  Try using night crawlers or chicken livers.  Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills should start moving back into the shallows to spawn.  Largemouth Bass - Slow: Warmer water should have the bass on the move into the bays and shallow water.  Crappie - Slow: Crappie activity should pick up.  Crappies are biting on 1/32 ounce jigs tipped with a wax worm or minnows.  Most of the fishing activity is along the shoreline and relating to structure.
• Lake Hendricks
  Angling is good this week.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are starting to bite on chicken liver.  Bluegill - Good: Try using a small jig tipped with a wax worm.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastics with a slow retrieve.   Crappie - Good: Crappies are hitting on small jigs.
• Lake Meyer
  The action is picking up.  Northern Pike - No Report:   Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught in the shallow bays using night crawlers.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are having the best luck on bass working the shorelines with worms.  Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching a few crappies but a lot of sorting is necessary.  Yellow Perch - No Report:
• Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
  Water quality is good this week and the river is still a bit high.  Smallies and walleyes are starting to bite again as well as a few trout.  Sucker - Slow: Try using a worm on a hook but the key is to get it to sit on the stream bottom.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth bass are being caught by anglers using in-line spinners and small crankbaits.  Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are being caught in the deeper pools using jigs tipped with a night crawler or twister tail.
• Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
  The river is still a bit high and the water is fairly cloudy yet but fishable.  Walleyes, smallies and trout are being caught.  Sucker - Slow: Try using a worm fished off the bottom for continued success.   Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth bass activity has slowed up a bit.  Anglers are using twisters and night crawlers.  Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are biting taking Rapalas or jigs tipped with crawlers drifting in the current.
• Yellow River
  Nice size trout are being caught on the Yellow River from Volney down to the mouth.  Try using a jig or spinner floated through deeper pockets along current breaks and around boulders and bluffs.
• Turkey River (above Clermont)
  Water temperature has risen with stable weather this past week.  Fish activity should pick up.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallies should start become more active and aggressive.  Try throwing crankbaits along structure and seams in the current.  Walleye - Fair: Walleyes have are being caught related to bottom structure.
• Volga River
  We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
• Cedar River (above Nashua)
  Cedar River has better water quality this week and is getting back to a more normal flow.    Northern Pike - Fair: Anglers are catching a few northerns while fishing for walleyes.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: For catfish, try using crawlers below the dams or in the pockets.  Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching bluegills in the pockets below the dam and the shoreline in the impoundments above the dam.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallies are turning on.  Try using crankbaits below the dams or using a jig tipped with a minnow.  Crappie - Good: Anglers are starting to catch crappies using jigs in the slow moving pockets below the dam and near Howards Woods.  Walleye - Good: Walleyes are being caught using a jig and minnow.
• Decorah District Trout Streams
• Trout streams are in good condition heading into the weekend and scheduled stockings are back on track.  Spotty showers have muddied up some streams but this should turn the brown trout on.  Anglers are reporting great success on many of our streams all day long.  Nice hatches of mayflies and midges are occurring at this time.  June's stocking schedule is now available online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/fish/news/stockrep/trout.html or call 563-927-5736 for a current stocking report. River temperatures are in the high 60s and lake temperatures are in the mid 70s.  Water clarity is good.  For more information about a specific stream, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
• Silver Lake (Delaware County)
  Fishing has picked up again for largemouth bass and bluegill with the onset of nice weather. Most bass are below the 15-inch length limit for legal harvest. Vegetation has become bothersome around the edges of the lake.  Bluegill - Good: Try fishing a piece of worm under a bobber along the vegetation edges.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try casting top-water, weedless spoons or spinner baits.
• Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
  Casey Lake has been spotty. Bluegill action has been starting to pick up and largemouth bass have been getting active as well, hitting top-water lures and artificial plastics.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish should be getting active soon and a few are being caught. Try using crawlers or minnows fished on the bottom.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are being caught on red worms, wax worms and pieces of crawlers under bobbers.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Top-water lures, artificial plastics seem to be catching fish.
• Big Woods Lake
  Small crappies and bluegills are being caught but some sorting is necessary.  Bluegill - Fair: Try small hooks and red worms under a bobber.  Crappie - Fair: Try using small jigs tipped with a wax worm or small minnow under a slip bobber.
• Brinker Lake
  Crappies have moved to the shallows and are biting sporadically.  Try fishing very early in the morning or late in the evening.   Crappie - Fair: Try minnows or wax worms under a bobber or experiment with a variety of small tube jigs until you find the color the fish are hitting.  Walleye - Fair: Few smaller walleye being caught while fishing for crappie.
• George Wyth Lake
  Catches of bluegill and smaller crappie are being reported.  Bluegill - Good: Try fishing red worms or a chunk of night crawler under a bobber.  Also fishing with flies and small poppers is starting to be productive.  Crappie - Fair: Try using minnows or wax worms on small jigs.
• South Prairie Lake
  South Prairie has been slow but some bluegills are being caught.  A good number of small largemouth bass are being caught anywhere near the shore.  Bluegill - Slow:   Crappie - Fair: Some nice size crappie have been caught while the spawn nears the end.
• Avenue of the Saints Pond
  Largemouth bass are biting real well on plastics fished slowly in the flooded willows. Some crappies are being caught as well but some sorting may be an option.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish the flooded willows using a plastic worm retrieved slowly through the vegetation.  Crappie - Fair:
• Sweet Marsh Reservoir
  Bluegill are starting to move to the shorelines to spawn.  Bluegill - Good: Try using piece of worm under bobber or small jig tipped with a wax worm along shoreline.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass action has been picking up, try pre-rigged plastic worms, other slow moving plastics, or a safety pin style spinner bait.
• Plainfield
  Anglers are catching nice sized bluegills as the spawn has arrived.  Bluegill - Good: Try using a fly rod or small jig under a bobber along the shoreline while the bluegill are on their beds.
• Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
  Fishing has continued to be excellent.  Catfish action below Waverly has been excellent.  Smallmouth bass action has been consistent fishing crankbaits and plastics.  Walleye action has been decent but you have to be willing to put in some time to catch them.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try using minnows or cut bait on the bottom.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Shallow running crankbaits, in-line spinners, and twister tails have all been catching fish.  Walleye - Fair: Try jigs and crawlers or crankbaits around logs or in deeper pools.
• Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
  Smallmouth bass and walleye action has been picking up.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try shallow running crankbaits, spinner baits, or plastics around logs or other fish cover.  Walleye - Good: Try shallow running crankbaits and jigs and crawlers around rocks or snags.
• Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
  The Wapsipinicon River is in good condition but heavy rains are possible over the weekend.  There are some reports of catfish being caught and fishing for other species should improve.  Northern Pike - Fair: Jig and twister tails have been working well. Also try casting spoons around fallen logs.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait or crawlers fished on the bottom.  Walleye - Fair: Try casting crankbaits or jig tipped with half a night crawler.
• Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
• Water levels have remained steady and angling conditions are favorable but rain is in the forecast for the weekend.  Catfish action has been best but look for walleye and smallmouth bass action to pick up again.  Channel Catfish - Good:   Smallmouth Bass - Fair:   Walleye - Fair. Interior river levels have returned to more normal flows and most should be in decent fishing condition for the weekend. Fishing for channel cats has continued to be very productive with smallmouth bass and walleye action starting to pick up. Crappie and bluegill action is improving as fish are in the shallows and easily accessible. Trout streams are again in excellent condition but more rain is in the forecast for the weekend. For more information contact the district office in Manchester at 563-927-327
• MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS - IOWA
  
• Mississippi River Pool 9
  Water level at Lansing is 8.4 feet and clarity has improved.  Channel Catfish - Good: A few catfish biting well on stink bait or worms near woody debris and rocky areas.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills have been spawning recently but reports of catches are mixed with a lot of little fish caught.  Seek out spawning areas in shallow bays.  Keep moving to find fish.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try fishing areas with rock and good current, especially near a good back-eddy.   Some nice fish being reported at the entrance of Big Slough and near Village Creek.  Crawdad color or lime colored crankbaits have been working well.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth can be found feeding on minnows near the shore in the slack water of a back-eddy with some sort of structure (boulders/wood).  Some are being caught with crankbaits and top-water frogs are working well.  Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes caught trolling crankbait in running sloughs and a few on wing dams.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent:  A lot of drum being caught just fishing worm on the bottom along main channel and side channel shorelines.  Drum are easy to clean and excellent eating fish especially if eaten fresh.
• Mississippi River Pool 10
  Water level at Lynxville is 14.1 feet and holding steady.   Water clarity has improved, and water temperature is in the lower 70s.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: The catfishing is starting to heat up near out of the Noble's Landing area.  Stink bait and night crawlers fished off the bottom are working well.  Flathead Catfish - Excellent: The flatheads are really turning on.  Try using large live bait fish in the seam of a back eddy.  White Bass - Good: White bass are starting to run behind wing dams.  Look for feeding schools and cast spinners or jigs into the fray.  Bluegill - Good: Some nice bluegills being caught along main channel shorelines below the lock and dam. Also look for spawning bluegills in shallow bays. Keep moving to find fish.  Nice 'gills have also been caught just above the Lock and Dam in Guttenberg along the walkway.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth hitting well along rocky areas with current. If you find these areas, try working behind the larger boulders and switch up colors until you start catching them.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth being caught along woody debris and emerging vegetation beds.  Crappie - Slow: Crappie bit seems to have slowed a bit.  Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice sized perch are being caught in the tail water areas.  Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes being caught trolling below the dam and they are also being caught in the major slough areas such as Harpers Slough.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught right now fishing a worm on the bottom near main channel and side channel shorelines.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially if prepared fresh.
• Mississippi River Pool 11
• Water levels are at 5.7 feet and expected to drop slowly over the next week.   Water clarity has improved, and temperature is in the upper 70s. Good shoreline bank fishing can be found at Guttenberg below the DNR fish hatchery and at Mud Lake Park, just north of Dubuque.  Northern Pike - Fair: Some pike are being caught in the Mud Lake and Sunfish Lake dredge cuts, using gaudy spinners.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish biting well on stink bait or worms near woody debris and rocky areas.  Flathead Catfish - Excellent: Some nice flathead catfish have been caught near both sides of the dam.  Large-sized live bait or heavy jigs reaching the bottom have produced quite well.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Some smallmouth being caught fishing near rock in good current.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth being caught along shorelines with woody debris.  Bass are bunching up in the pocket and in the emergency spillway.    Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice yellow perch being caught on worms.  Walleye - Good: A few walleyes being caught trolling on wing dams.  Some large fish were reported this week although not always a lot of numbers.  Freshwater Drum - Excellent: A lot of drum being caught along shoreline in the Guttenberg area fishing a worm on the bottom.  Drum are excellent eating fish especially when prepared fresh. Water temperature at Guttenberg has warmed up to the upper 70s and, near Lynxville, to the lower 70s.  River levels are expected to fall slowly over the next week:  Lansing 8.4 feet, Lynxville 14.1 feet and Guttenberg 5.7 feet. Water clarity is good right now throughout these areas.
• Mississippi River Pool 16
  Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 6.9 feet and falling.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are biting on crawlers, leeches and dip baits fished along riprap shorelines and snags along the main channel and sloughs.  White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough. Fish are being caught casting shallow running crankbaits, Rat-L-Traps, and jig/twister combinations.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing has been good towards evening in Sunset Marina. Most fish are being caught floating pieces of crawler or wax worms under a bobber.  Crappie - Good: Crappie are being caught in Sunset Marina around the docks. Most crappies are being caught floating minnows under a bobber or drifting with a split shot and minnow. Fishing has been best towards evening.   Sauger - Slow:  Walleye - Slow: Some walleyes are being picked up trolling crankbaits on the wing dams or using crawlers on three-way rigs.
• Mississippi River Pool 17
  Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 5.9 feet and falling. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on leeches and night crawlers fished along rip rap shorelines and snags along the main channel and sloughs.  White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are being caught casting crankbaits or jigs/twister at GPC.  Bluegill - Slow:   Crappie - Slow:   Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being caught casting crankbaits or jigs/twisters at GPC.
• Mississippi River Pool 18
  Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 8.2 feet and falling.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on leeches and night crawlers fishing around snags and rock in the main channel or sloughs.   White Bass - No Report:   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:
• Mississippi River Pool 19
  Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 5.98 feet and falling.   Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfishing has been good on night crawlers.  White Bass - No Report:   Bluegill - No Report:   Crappie - No Report:   Walleye - No Report:
• Mississippi River Pools 16 to 20
  River levels continue to slowly fall. Main channel water temperature has risen to 77 degrees. Main channel water clarity is still fairly muddy. For more fishing information contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT

• Lake Geode
  Water temperature remains in the low 80s. Heavy rains have cut down on water clarity.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are starting to catch catfish in the evenings on stink bait and chicken liver.  Bluegill - Good: The bluegills are in shallow.  Work a small jig next to the water willows for the best chance to get a limit.  Largemouth Bass - Good: The bass are in the water willows looking for bluegills to eat.
• Lake Belva Deer
  The road paving project is slated to start in July.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing remains good. The bluegills are right next to shore.  Work the holes in the curly leaf beds.  Largemouth Bass - Good: They are also in shallow.  Work the trees and weed beds to find these fish.
• Lake of the Hills
  Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting on chicken liver.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing has been steady.  Work the shallow water around the stumps.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing is picking up especially for those using plastic worms.
• Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
  The rains are bringing the river back up.  The North Skunk is forecast to reach bank full level sometime Thursday.  The South Skunk will also come up a couple of feet.
• Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
  The Skunk River down by Augusta is forecast by NOAA to be above flood stage by later in the day on Thursday.
• Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
  The Iowa River water level in this stretch is forecast to remain fairly steady at the current higher than normal level.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A few anglers are getting out and catching some catfish.  Use grass frogs and minnows for bait right now.
• Hannen Lake
  Channel Catfish - Good: Try crawlers or stink bait for best results.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawning so fish shallow around brush or pockets with a small worm, jig, or waxie.
• Iowa Lake
  Bluegill - Good: Try around shallow flats, brush or overhanging limbs with a worm or small jig.  Crappie - Fair: Crappies are out a bit deeper now, but some 9 to 10-inchers are being caught.  Redear Sunfish - Good: These will be in similar areas to the bluegill. Use a small worm or jig.
• Kent Park Lake
  In addition to the lake, the upper pond has produced some nice bass and the east ponds are producing bluegills.  Bluegill - Good:  Use a small jig or worm along the dam, flats, pockets or shallow brush.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish shallow with plastics or live bait.
• Lake Macbride
  The fishing has dramatically slowed after the onset of hot weather and warm water. The bluegills are now up spawning and the channel catfish are starting to move shallow to spawn.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish around riprap with live bait in hopes of catching male catfish guarding spawning cavities.  Bluegill - Good: Fish shallow flats and pockets with a small jig or worm. Look for nests that look like plate-sized craters. The bluegill size has improved some this year.  Crappie - Slow: Some small fish are in the shallow brush, but the nicer fish are off shore on stumps and brush.  Walleye - Slow: A few fish are being caught trolling plugs and live bait rigs in deeper water.
• Central Park Lake
  We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
• Pleasant Creek Lake
  Remember, there is an 18-inch size limit on bass and 40-inch size limit on muskie here.   Bluegill - Fair: Use a wax worm in 2 to 5 feet of water. Fish have been running 7 to 9 inches.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Crawlers and soft plastics along the dam and jetties are producing some bass.  Walleye - Fair: Trolling deeper structure has been producing some fish.
• Diamond Lake
  Remember, no minnows are allowed here. There is an over abundance of smaller crappies. Don’t be afraid to take a 25 fish limit...every day!   Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish have been hitting on cut bait, shrimp, and crawlers, especially after rain events.  Bluegill - Good: Shallower brush, overhanging trees, and jetty areas are holding fish. Use small jigs or waxies.  Crappie - Good: Most fish are smaller with an occasional larger one mixed in. Most jigs are working. The fish are tight to the rock bank.
• Otter Creek Lake
  There is an over abundance of yellow bass. They are scrappy fighters and excellent to eat. There is no limit and don’t be afraid to keep every one you catch.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are shallow along rock or overhanging trees. Try a small jig or waxie.  Crappie - Fair: Some smaller crappies are being caught around shallow brush.  Yellow Bass - Excellent: Look in shallow flats and along rock banks for schools of yellows. Try small jigs, spinners, or live bait.
• Union Grove Lake
  There is an abundance of small crappies here. Catching a limit of 25 should not be an issue, and don’t be afraid to take 25 every day!  Bluegill - Good: The bluegills are spawning, so look for them around shallow structure.  Crappie - Excellent: Most crappies are in less than 3 feet of water. Try shallow flats, pockets and around rock with a small jig or minnow. Most fish are 6 to 8 inches with an occasional larger one mixed in.
• Coralville Reservoir
  As of June 3, the lake level is 691 feet and falling. It will continue to fall until it reaches summer pool of 683 feet. The water clarity is great for the reservoir.  Channel Catfish - Fair: The channel catfish should start moving in shallow to spawn soon.
• Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
  Channel Catfish - Good: Trot lines and crawlers have been producing.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some smaller fish are being caught.
• Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
  Flathead Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching many 4 to 6 pound flatheads below the dams in Cedar Rapids, with a few large fish being caught periodically.
• Lake Wapello
  The lake has refilled after last year's fish population renovation.  Red ear and channel catfish were stocked last fall along with some largemouth bass and bluegill.
• Red Haw Lake
  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler fished around the shoreline.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits around structure or off the ends of the jetties.  Use plastic worms in the same areas.  Redear Sunfish - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler.  Look for redears in areas around structure and along the shoreline.
• Lake Keomah
  Channel Catfish - Slow: Chicken liver has been producing some catches of channel catfish.  Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits along the shoreline and around the jetties.  Another good spot to try is along the outside of the aquatic vegetation.
• Albia (lower)
  The gate has been reopened and a new boat ramp has been constructed on the reservoir.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinner baits fished along the shoreline and around areas with submerged structures.  Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline and around submerged structure.  There are buoys marking areas where cedar trees have been placed for fish habitat.
• Lake Miami
  The lake is now full from last year's drawdown.  Try small jigs fished along the shoreline and along the dam.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinner baits along the stump fields and around submerged structure.
• Lake Sugema
  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler.  Shallow areas have been productive.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits along the shorelines or around submerged structure.  Use plastic worms around areas with trees and stumps.
• Rathbun Reservoir
  The current lake level is 914.86 feet with normal pool being 904 feet.  The water temperature is ranging in the upper 60s.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are starting to look for areas to spawn.  Find areas with large rocks.  Bridgeview is a good place to try.  Use dead chubs fished under a bobber.  Crappie - Fair: Casting small jigs along the shorelines has been successful for crappie.  Larger crappies are still around submerged structure in 8 to 10 feet of water.  Walleye - Fair: Try trolling or drifting night crawler rigs along underwater reefs and islands.  Please be wary of tagged walleyes and if these fish are harvested please call the hatchery with the tag number.  The phone number for the hatchery is 641-647-2406. For additional fishing information in south central Iowa call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORT

• Beaver Lake
  Bluegill - Excellent: Good 8 to 9-inch bluegills are being caught drifting or still fishing night crawlers in 5 to 10 feet of water.
• Roberts Creek Lake
  Crappie - Slow: The crappie spawn is pretty much complete, but a few males were still being caught early in the week.
• Big Creek Lake
  There is currently a walleye harvest study taking place.  Anglers who catch a walleye should look near the tail of the fish for a small yellow tag.  The tags can be removed from harvested or released fish of LEGAL size and returned with a survey for a cash reward.  The surveys can be picked up at the marina, park office, Polk City Bait and Tackle, or Johnston Bait and Tackle.  There are also signs posted at the boat ramps with instructions.  Bluegill - Good: Some bluegills are still in shallow spawning.  The bluegills are good size from 8 to 9 inches and are being caught using night crawlers fished shallow in 5 feet or less. Good catches have been coming from the upper end of the lake in both the east and west arms.  Walleye - Fair: Good numbers of walleyes, with a few keepers, are being caught trolling live bait rigs, crankbaits and slip bobbers with live bait near the jetties, east boat ramp and dam.  Evenings have been best.
• Easter Lake
  Walleye - Good: Good sized walleye are being caught.  Trolling live bait or live bait under a bobber in the evenings is working best.  Along the face of the dam has been a good spot.
• Hickory Grove Lake
  Bluegill - Good: Some bluegill are still shallow spawning, especially on the face of the dam and near the outlet structure.  Some good size bluegills are also being found around the sunken pallets east of the island.  Crappie - Fair: The crappie spawn is complete.  Anglers are now picking up some nice crappie fishing brush and pallet piles in 5 to 15 feet of water.  The brush piles around the island have been doing well.
• Hooper Area Pond
  Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are spawning and are being caught shallow, especially in the wood along the west shoreline.  The larger bluegills are being caught on the upper half of the lake.
• Lake Ahquabi
  Bluegill - Fair: There has been some decent catches of bluegills and redears using night crawlers fished along the edges and in the open pockets of the vegetation, especially in the areas around the jetties.
• Red Rock Reservoir
  White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught below the Roberts Creek spillway and by trolling crankbaits near by the mile long bridge.
• Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught in the shallower bays and close to shore using night crawlers.  Evenings have been the best time.
• Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
  White Bass - Good: Anglers are having success fishing for white bass below the Saylorville and Red Rock spillways.  Conditions are a little more difficult below Red Rock due to the high flows.  Walleye - Good: The walleye bite below the Red Rock dam was good early in the week pitching jigs or crankbaits in slack water next to the current.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Good sized wipers are still being caught below the Red Rock Dam in the swift water. Bluegills are still shallow in most lakes.  The crappie spawn is complete, but some males are still being caught up shallow.  The Des Moines and Raccoon rivers are in good condition, especially north of I-80.  Contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823 for information on the above area lakes and rivers.
• Greenfield Lake
  Greenfield Lake has one concrete boat ramp and is trolling motor only.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver. Fish are in the 1 to 3 pound range.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are close to shore spawning. Cast small jigs around spawning beds.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are being caught around cedar tree piles casting crankbaits and small spinners. Good percentage of bass in the 15 to 17-inch range.
  Personally had a chance to fish Greenfield Lake on Memorial Day and caught several smaller bass around 15-inches and one Sauger measuring 20-inches. All fish caught while kayak fishing.
• Mormon Trail Lake
  Mormon Trail Lake has excellent water clarity. There is one concrete boat ramp available.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver.  Bluegill - Good: There are numerous bluegill spawning beds on the south side of lake in pea gravel substrate. Cast small jigs to catch 8 to 9-inch fish.
• Nodaway Lake
  Nodaway has one concrete boat ramp.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish in the 1 to 2 pound range are being caught on night crawlers.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills can be caught on spawning beds. Fish average 7 inches.
• Orient Lake
  Orient is full with one concrete boat ramp.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish have slowed some but are still being caught on night crawlers. Fish are averaging 14 inches.
• Littlefield Lake
  Littlefield has a large watershed and water quality can suffer after rain events. The lake has one concrete boat ramp.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught in the upper end of the lake using night crawlers.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills in the 7 to 8-inch range are being caught close to shore.
• Cold Springs Lake
  Cold Springs has one concrete boat ramp. The lake has good water clarity and high abundance of aquatic vegetation.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish holes in vegetation with plastics using slow presentation for bass up to 18 inches.
• Lake Anita
  Lake is full and has good water clarity.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawning and are readily caught casting small jigs. Look for depressions in sediment usually in 2 to 5 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught casting the shoreline with spinner baits. Crankbaits and plastics are good around underwater reefs and roadbeds.  Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught casting jigs around underwater reefs. Fish average 9 inches.
  Personally had a chance to fish Lake Anita by kayak on Saturday, May 29th. Largemouth bass fishing was excellent. Day began around 6:30 am with several smallish bass caught. Found a large concentration of 2 lb bass about 30-40 feet from the shore around weedbeds. Largest was close to 3 lbs. Around 8:30 am activity slowed and left around 9:30 am. Overall probably close to 24 fish caught approx. 6 were over 2 lbs. Good day at Lake Anita.
• Willow Lake
  Willow Lake has one concrete boat ramp with excellent water quality.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A few channel catfish have been caught along campground shoreline using liver.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are spawning and close to shore. Cast small jigs around bluegill beds for 7 to 8-inch fish.
• Lake Manawa
  Water temperature is around 75 degrees and water clarity is fair.  Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on the south and west side using shrimp or liver. Fish are in the 2 to 6 pound range.  Crappie - Fair: Crappies are still being caught around boy scout island on twister tails.  Walleye - Fair: Anglers are catching a few walleyes trolling shad raps on the west side of lake.
• Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
• Many farm ponds hold good populations of bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish. Remember to always ask permission before fishing private ponds.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are becoming more active with warmer water temperature. Try night crawlers, liver, or stink baits around structure.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are close to shore spawning in many ponds. Look for saucer shaped depressions and cast small jigs to catch spawning bluegills.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are aggressive this time of year and are readily caught casting small spinner baits around structure. Water temperature is around 75 degrees and bluegills are spawning. Water clarity is still good at most lakes after recent heavy rains. For more information contact Bryan Hayes or Mark Boucher at the Cold Springs District Office at712-769-2587.
• Lake Icaria
  Water temperature is in the upper 60s.  The lake level is normal and water clarity is still fairly good.  Channel Catfish - Fair: The catfish are biting on cut bait.  Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Several largemouth are still being caught from the shoreline structure.  Crappie - Good: There are still some crappie near shore.  The bite is starting to taper off.  Small white jigs or minnows in gravel areas are very successful.  Walleye - Good: The walleye bite is picking up.  Several fish have been caught by trolling jigs and small crankbaits along the open points.
• West Lake (Osceola)
  Water clarity is very good.  Largemouth Bass - Excellent: The largemouth bass are still near shore and around the structure.
• Little River Watershed Lake
  Water clarity is less than 2 feet.  Channel Catfish - Fair: The channel catfish are biting the shallow bays around dark on stink bait or bluegill sides.  Crappie - Fair: A lot of 7.5 to 8.5 crappie are being caught from shore around the gravel areas.  A few females are still spawning.
• Slip Bluff Lake
  Water clarity is fairly good and the panfish are doing well.  Bluegill - Good: The bluegill bite getting better.  A lot of mid-sized bluegill can be caught from the near shore areas and quiet coves.  Crappie - Fair: A few nice crappie are biting from the dam.  Some fish are starting to move out.
• Fogle Lake S.W.A.
  Water clarity is very good and temperature is in the upper 60s.  Bluegill - Good: A lot of mid-sized bluegills are being caught from the quiet shoreline areas.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Several mid-sized largemouth bass are being caught from the shoreline structure.  Crappie - Fair: A few crappie are still hanging near the gravel areas and can be caught on small jigs.
• Lake of Three Fires
  Water clarity is about 3 feet and the fish are biting well.  Bluegill - Excellent: A lot of big bluegills can be caught from the shoreline areas in about 2 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass - Excellent: A lot of mid-size bass are near shore around the fallen trees.  Crappie - Fair: The crappie are starting to move out after the spawn.  A few fish can still be caught from just off the gravel areas.
• Green Valley Lake
  The lake level has been lowered to allow for sediment removal from the upper end.  The fish have been restocked and some catfish are being caught.
• Summit Lake
  The lake has been lowered for shoreline stabilization.
• Three Mile Lake
  Water temperature is in the upper 60s and clarity is good.  Bluegill - Good: A lot of mid-sized fish are coming from the near-shore areas.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth are biting well from near-shore areas on spinners and crankbaits.  Crappie - Fair: A few crappie s are still biting near shore but some are starting to move out.  Walleye - Fair: A few walleye are being caught off the steep rocky shoreline areas or slopes fish mounds on crawlers or leeches.
• Twelve Mile Creek Lake
• Water temperature is in the upper 60s and clarity is very good.  All species are biting well.  Bullhead - Excellent: A lot of big bullheads are being caught from shore using crawlers.  Channel Catfish - Fair: A lot of channel catfish are being caught from the shoreline access areas on crawlers, stink bait, or liver.  Bluegill - Excellent: The bluegill are biting well on crawlers and small jigs from the coves, along the jetties, or off the spawning mounds.  A 1/32 oz. black jig works better than crawlers.  Largemouth Bass - Excellent: A lot of mid-sized bass are biting well from the shoreline structure and rocks.  Crappie - Fair: Several nice crappie are still biting near shore from the gravel areas on minnows.  Some fish are starting to move out.  Walleye - Good: A lot of mid-sized walleye are being caught by jigging and trolling jigs over the steep shore or near gravel areas.  Crawlers and leeches are becoming more popular.  The bite is picking up and the size is improving. Some crappies are still biting.  Bluegill are biting strong.  Walleye and largemouth bass are better than previous reports.  Most lakes have normal water clarity.  Water temperature is in the upper 60s.

Have a fishing report for an Iowa lake, river or stream? Leave a comment. Thanks

Ocean Kayk Torque kayak with electric trolling motor.

The Ocean Kayak Torque features a 36 lb thrust Minn Kota electric trolling motor. The Torque is modified version of their popular Prowler Angler Trident 13 kayak. Modified to incorporate a unique trolling motor module and battery compartment as well as speed and foot steering controls. One of the biggest debates among kayakers is that kayaing is about paddling. The Torque is also a paddling kayak complete with skeg plug is the motor unit is removed. The trolling motor is for maneuvering while fishing, since you can steer with your feet and fish at the same time. The Torque is also a great kayak option for those with disabilities or have trouble with paddling.

The trolling motor on the Torque is a Minn Kota 36 lb, 12-volt trolling motor. The specially designed motor plug housing is designed to float in case of accidentally dropping it in the water. The motor is also saltwater capable. To top it off the Minn Kota trolling motor also features their Digital Maximizer which is designed to regulate the power and heat. This means the motor runs cooler and is more efficient which can extend run-time up to 5 times as much on a single charge. Steering is accomplished by foot pegs which controls the oversized rudder. Speed is via a center mounted dial for infinite forward/reverse settings. The only thing missing is a battery monitor which seems like it could have been easily integrated.

As cool and well thought-out as the Torque is, the drop-in motor unit does have a few drawbacks. For starters the motor unit extends about 5 inches below the kayak. This immediately brings issues with draft. You also need to have the kayak in the water before installing the motor(plus, installing the battery and motor in the water greatly reduces the kayak's overall weight). And lastly there are concerns with beach landings and damaging the motor unit. Aside from those few concerns the trolling motor addition is fun and easy to operate.

The Torque also has many of the features of the Angler Trident - minus the rod holders (I guess they couldn't fit everything in). But, there is ample room in the stern tank well for rigging a "fishing crate."

Ocean Kayak Torque features:

• Minn Kota saltwater trolling motor
• Integrated dashboard with infinitely variable speed control
• Kill switch
• Removable skeg plug
• Battery box (battery not included)
• Comfort Plus seat back
• Oversize tank well with bungee
• Large bow hatch with buckles
• Adjustable foot braces
• Fish finder transducer compatible scupper
• Paddle keepers
• Molded-in cup holder
• Deck-mounted carrying handles

Find more about the Ocean Kayak Torque click here.

-

Ocean Kayak Venus 11 kayak paddleseat pfd blue 9005 US $649.00

Ocean Kayak Venus 11 kayak w 230 cm kayak paddle seat color sunrise OK21 US $625.00

Ocean Kayak Tetra 10 Angler Kayak Yellow Color 9005 US $725.00

Ocean Kayak Trident 13 Ang with 230 cm kayak paddle TR6 color sand US $949.00

Ocean Kayak Tetra 10 Angler Kayak Sand Color 9005 US $725.00

Ocean Kayak Trident 13 Angler Yellow with 230 cm kayak paddle OK09 US $949.00

Ocean Kayak Tetra 12 Angler Kayak Sand Color 9005 US $825.00

Ocean Kayak Venus 11 kayak paddleseat pfd grape9005 US $649.00

Ocean Kayak Tetra 10 Kayak Blue Color new 2012 9005 US $649.00

Tarpon Angler fishing kayak by Wilderness Systems.

The Tarpon Angler series of fishing kayaks from Wilderness Systems is a true gem. It should be since the standard recreational Tarpon kayak is one of the best ranked sit-on-top kayaks. In fact, it received the 2008 Sea Kayaker Magazine's Reader's Choice Award for Best Sit-on-top Kayak. So, what's difference between the Tarpon and Tarpon Angler?  For the most part they are about the same. But, the Tarpon Angler fishing kayak comes with two flush mount rod holders behind the seat, a Scotty removable rod holder (for the SlideTrax mounting system) and an anchor (with storage bag). Comparing prices the Tarpon Angler 120 comes with a MSRP $1050 and the Tarpon 120 at MSRP $875. So, for the extra rod holders and anchor you are paying approximately $175 to get the Tarpon Angler. If you purchased the rod holders separately and outfitted a standard Tarpon 120 yourself to match the Tarpon Angler kayak you probably wouldn't be saving much, not to mention voiding your warranty by drilling.

Sizes. The Tarpon Angler kayak series comes in a variety of sizes (just like the recreational Tarpon series) from 12 foot to 16 foot (Tarpon 120, Tarpon 140, Tarpon 160). The Tarpon Angler does offer two models with rudders, the 140 and 160. The Tarpon Angler is also only available in four colors - Camo, Spruce, Sand and Mango, whereas the recreational Tarpon is available in ten colors.

Fishability. The Tarpon Angler is great for fishing. One of the best features of the Tarpon series is the SlideTrax system. The universal SlideTrax is compatible with various fishing rod holders mounts, fish finder mounts, camera mounts, etc... and can be slid and positioned anywhere along the SlideTrax. This is a huge feature for any heavily rigged fishing kayak. Another nice feature to the Tarpon Angler is the two flush mount rod holders behind the seat. Perfect for storing rods while paddling to the destination.

Scotty rod holder on SlideTrax mount.

Wilderness Systems Tarpon Angler Phase 3 sit on top seat.

Hatches. Nothing beats a good hatch while fishing... or kayaking. The Tarpon Angler (just like the rec Tarpon) has you covered with 2 hatches up front for easy accessibility. A large oval hatch on the bow and smaller center hatch, between your legs, is perfect for storing all those little accessories. Also, on either side of the center hatch are half-mesh covered 2 storage pockets for extra gear, pliers, you name it.
Crate it up. A fishing kayak would be a fishing kayak without a space for a milk crate behind the seat. There is ample space in the Tarpon for a crate (or two). Let's face it, it is tough to beat the milk crate's tote-ability and versatility. Please obtain your milk crates legally!

Tarpon Angler Specs:

• Length: 12.3' (120), 14' (140), 16' (160)
• Width: 30" (120), 28" (140), 28" (160)
• Weight: 70 lbs. (120), 75 lbs (140), 78 lbs (160)

Learn more, price compare: Wilderness Systems Tarpon series kayaks

-

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 Kayak Camo with adventure angler packagepaddle XM US $699.00

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 Kayak Yellow with adventure angler packagepaddleE US $699.00

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 Kayak Lt Lime with adventure angler pkgpaddle ed US $699.00

tarpon 100 kayak angler lite pkg color mango 52 US $699.00

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 kayak Blue with adventure angler package paddleMT US $879.00

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 kayak Lt Lime w adventure angler packagepaddleDJ US $879.00

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 Kayak Orange with adventure angler pkg paddle JY US $699.00

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 kayak Camo with adventure angler package paddleMY US $879.00

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 Kayak Aqua with adventure angler packagepaddle XZ US $699.00