IA DNR: Current Iowa Fishing Report

Iowa Fishing Report

www.iowadnr.gov

July 1, 2009

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.

SOUTHWEST

Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Channel cats are biting on stinkbait, cut bait, chicken livers and crawlers on the bottom.
Flathead Catfish	Good	Flatheads are biting on live baits, fresh cut bait and crawlers on the bottom.
Freshwater Drum	Good	Drum are biting on crawlers on the bottom.
Smallmouth Bass	Slow	Smally fishing has slowed down with increased turbidity and higher river levels. Fish with crankbaits and jigs on revet banks and wing dike tips.

Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Channel cats are biting on stinkbait, cut bait, chicken liver and crawlers on the bottom.
Flathead Catfish	Good	Flatheads are biting on live bait, fresh cut bait and crawlers on the bottom.
Freshwater Drum	Good	Drum are biting on crawlers on the bottom.

Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Channels are boting on stinkbait, cut bait, chicken livers and crawlers on the bottom.
Flathead Catfish	Good	Flatheads are biting on live baits, fresh cut bait and crawlers on the bottom.
Freshwater Drum	Good	Drum are biting on crawlers on the bottom.

For more information on fishing in the Missouri River contact Fisheries in Onawa at 712-433-4706.

Binder Lake

Water quality is good and the rooted vegetation is starting to receed a little.

Lake Icaria

The lake level is near normal and the water quality near the dam is good. Water temps are above 70.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Some fair sized bluegills are biting from the tops of the fish mounds.
Bullhead	Excellent	A lot of fish 6 to 10 inches can be caught from shore just about anywhere in the lake on crawlers.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Several fish up to 20 inches have been caught near-shore, the fish mounds, and the woody structure.
Walleye	Fair	Some walleye are being caught from the mounds and big points.

West Lake Corning

Water quality is good.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	A few fish up to 7.5 inches can be caught from shore near the west roadway.

West Lake (Osceola)

Water quality is good and the lake level is near normal.

Little River Watershed Lake

Water clarity is less than 12 inches.

Slip Bluff Lake

Water quality is fair.

Badger Creek Lake

Water clarity is around 2 to 3 feet near the dam. Algae is developing.

Fogle Lake S.W.A.

Water quality is good.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	A few fish can be caught from spawning beds at various places around the shoreline and others just off-shore near structure.. Most fish are from 6 to 7.5 inches.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Several fish are just off-shore near structure and can be caught on spinners and crankbaits.

Lake of Three Fires

Water clarity is about 2.5 feet.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	Several real nice fish have been caught using crawlers over the fish mounds or near the east corner of the dam.
Bullhead	Good	A lot of real nice fish have been caught using crawlers from shore just about anywhere around the lake.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	A lot of mid-sized fish have been caught from the near-shore structure.

Wilson Park Lake

Water quality is fair.

Windmill Lake

Water levels are near normal.

Green Valley Lake

The lake level has been lowered for construction projects and water quality improvemnets to be completed.

Three Mile Lake

Most fish species present in the lake are biting a little. Water quality is good and water levels are normal. Water temps are above 70.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	The bluegill are biting on crawlers.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Several fish are biting from structure just off-shore on spinners and crank baits.
Walleye	Fair	Some walleye are biting from steep shoreline areas and dirt mounds on crank baits.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake

Water quality is good and the lake level is near normal.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	The bluegill fishing is still good. A lot of nice fish from 6 to 8 inches can be picked up using crawlers from the near shore rocky areas. The areas near the jetties and west shore have been very successful. The rock fields hold a lot of bigger sized fish.
Bullhead	Good	A lot of nice bullheads can be caught using crawlers.
Largemouth Bass	Good	A lot of mid-sized fish can be caught from the near-shore structure and rock covered areas.
Walleye	Fair	The walleye are biting better from the open points, steep drop-off areas, and near the dike at the upper end on crank baits. Some anglers are seeing success by trolling crankbaits over the rock fields.

The bluegills are still biting fairly well at a lot of lakes near shore. Some walleye activity is happening on the mounds. Largemouth bass are biting at several lakes. Water temps are usually in the mid 70's and water quality at most lakes is fair or good.

Greenfield Lake

Greenfield lake has a concrete boat ramp and is trolling motor only.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Bluegills up to 9 inches are being caught drifting small black jigs tipped with nightcrawler.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Fish are being caught close to shore around rock.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Greenfield Lake has a good population of 12 to 15 inch fish. Cast spinnerbaits or plastic baits along weed edges and in cedar tree piles.

Mormon Trail Lake

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

Orient Lake

Orient has a large watershed and is vulnerable to large sediment loads. Lake has one concrete boat ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Anglers are catching channel catfish along the campground shoreline using red dip worms. Fish are averaging 15-18 inches.

Littlefield Lake

Lake is full and has concrete boat ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Channel catfish in the 1-3 lb range are being caught in the corners of the dam and along campground arm using liver.

Lake Anita

Lake is full with good water clarity.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Crappie	Fair	Crappies has slowed since last week but anglers are still having success drifting small jigs in 6-8 feet of water in the main part of the lake.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	Fishing has slowed for largemouth bass since last week but fish are being caught in 6-8 feet of water along road bed.

Lake Manawa

Lake is full with a slight algea bloom.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Fair	Anglers are having success using cut bait and shrimp on the south and west side of the lake. Fish are averaging 1-3 lbs.
Walleye	Slow	A few walleyes are being caught on west side of lake drifting nightcrawlers.

Anderson Area Pond 1

Pond 1 is north of Montgomery County office building. There is no boat ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Blugills are being caught along dam casting small jigs or nightcrawlers under a bobber.

Hacklebarney East

Hacklebarney East has excellent water quality being able to see down 15 feet. Lake has one small gravel boat ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Fair	Lake has a good channel catfish population with fish averaging 2-3 lbs. Cast bait past weed line using a slip bobber.

Cold Springs District Farm Ponds

Most farm ponds are full and support good populations of largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Remember to always ask permission before fishing private ponds.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Try casting small jigs along weed edges and around structure.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Channel cats are being caught close to shore and around structure using cut bait.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Largemouth bass can be caught casting spinners or plasic baits around structure and close to shore.

Water temperatures have been averaging in the upper 70's. Successful anglers are vertical jigging or drift fishing for panfish. Channel catfish can be found close to shore. Contact Bryan Hayes or Mark Boucher at the Southwest District Office for more information on area lakes at 712-769-2587.

Don Williams Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	Bluegills can still be caught shallow using crawlers under a bobber or by drifting in 8- 10 feet of water with a split shot and small piece of crawler.
Crappie	Fair	Drift fishing mid lake on the upper half with small tube jigs or minnows has produced is producing some fish.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Largemouth are hitting using plastics or spinner baits fished near wood structure. There are good fish up to 20 inches.

Beaver Lake

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

Jacob Krumm Nature Preserver Lake (west)

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

Rock Creek Lake

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

Roberts Creek Lake

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

Big Creek Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Excellent	Bluegill bite is good using small pieces of crawler under a bobber or small tube jigs fished near sunken brush piles or drifting near the mouths of the bays.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Large catfish are being caught in deeper water using leeches.
Crappie	Fair	Crappies can be caught drifting deeper water out from the West boat ramp and near the handicap dock using small jigs. Pink, white, and and green twisters work well.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Bass are hitting good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and plastic worms. The most success is on the north end.

Easter Lake

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

Hickory Grove Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	Bluegills can still be caught shallow using crawlers under a bobber or drifting deeper water with just a split shot and small piece of crawler.
Crappie	Slow	Some crappies are being caught near wood or riprap in shallow water. Crappies are also being caught drifting in the middle of the lake using small jigs or minnows.

Hooper Area Pond

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

Lake Ahquabi


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	Good sized bluegills are being caught using crawlers fished near the bottom at the edge of the weed beds.
Channel Catfish	Good	Catfish are being caught on livers and stinkbaits.
Crappie	Fair	A few crappies are being caught at the fishing pier throwing 1/32 jigs with twister tails.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Bass are biting on small plastics fished on the edges of the vegetation.

Red Rock Reservoir


Fish Name	Status	Comments
White Bass	Excellent	The white bass bite is excellent trolling crankbaits with black/silver color combinations to imitate shad. The better fish are 15 to 17 inches.

Saylorville Reservoir


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Catfishing is good in the mornings and late evenings fishing in 1 to 5 foot of water with minnows, cutbait, and especially shrimp.

Blue Heron Lake (Raccoon River Park)

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

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Fair	Channel catfish are being caught using cutbait, livers, or nightcrawlers fished near any wood cover.
Freshwater Drum	Excellent	Catching drum is no problem right now using nightcrawlers fished on the bottom.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Channel catfish biting on small live sunfish, cutbait, livers, or nightcrawlers. Fish near any logjam, eddy, or riprap.
White Bass	Good	White bass are being caught below the Saylorville spillway on jigs, spoons, or minnows.
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass)	Fair	A few wipers have been caught below the Saylorville spillway using large jigs tipped with minnows.

Contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at (515) 432-2823 for information on the above area lakes and rivers.

SOUTHEAST

Lake Wapello

The lake was completely drained during the summer of 2008. Repairs have been made and the gate is now shut and the lake is re-filling.

Red Haw Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	Small jigs have been catching fish along with a chunk of nightcrawler under a bobber. The best areas have been along the shorelines and around submerged structure.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Nightcrawlers have been the best bait for catching channel catfish.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Use soft plastics along the shoreline and around submerged structure. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are also a good choice to use around these same areas.

Lake Keomah


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler fished along the shoreline. Look for areas with structure.
Channel Catfish	Slow	Use nightcrawlers or dead minnows.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Use soft plastics or jigs fished along submerged structure. Try off the ends of the rock jetties and also where the jetties meet the shoreline.

Albia (lower)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	Use small jigs along the shorelines. Try using a chunk of nightcrawler under a bobber.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Try areas with some rip rap or areas with submerged structure. There are also areas marked with habitat buoys where cedars trees have been placed.

Lake Miami

The lake drawdown started May 15th. Anglers may still use the lake during this time and the boat docks and boat ramps are usable.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Use small jigs along the shorelines and around structure.
Channel Catfish	Good	Use nightcrawlers, chicken liver or dead minnows.
Crappie	Fair	Use small jigs or jig/minnow combinations along the shoreline or other structure.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Use soft plastics or spinnerbaits around structure.

Lake Sugema


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Use small jigs tipped with a nightcrawler. Try a variety of depths.
Crappie	Fair	Use small jigs tipped with a minnow or waxworm. Try different colors and locations until you find active fish.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Use soft plastics around weedlines and other structure. Try using spinnerbaits in the same areas. Topwaters are also a good choice for mornings and evenings.

Rathbun Reservoir

Lake Rathbun water temperature is in the upper 70's. The lake level is currently at 909.23 which is just over five feet above normal pool.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Use nightcrawlers or cut bait to catch channel catfish around the rip rapped areas around the South Fork and Bridgeview bridges. Some channel catfish are also being caught by walleye anglers trolling crankbaits.
Crappie	Slow	Crappies are being caught around flooded vegetation along the shoreline. Alot of crappies are being caught but most of them are under 8 inches, with an occassional fish over 10 inches. Tube jigs with minnows have been working the best.
Walleye	Fair	Try drifting nightcrawlers or trolling crankbaits around underwater islands and ridges. Large numbers of smaller walleye are being caught with an occassional keeper. The South Fork flats and the area around Island View have been producing some catches of keepers.
White Bass	Good	Use flashy blade baits or chrome colored baits to mimic shad. Try areas with some underwater structure or a change in depth. The area around Island View has been productive.

Rathbun District Farm Ponds

Crappies and bluegills have been hitting in area farm ponds. Largemouth bass are also being caught. Be sure to ask permission before fishing private farm ponds.

For any additional fishing information in southeast Iowa, please contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.

Lake Geode

Water conditions have returned to normal.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Fishing is picking up again with the improving water conditions. I would start looking for the bluegills and redears to move out to the edge of the weed beds very soon.

Lake Belva Deer

Work on the road paving project continues. Next week they are planning on closing 250th Ave, the road across the dam, to start the grading work on it. A detour map is available at the Keokuk CCB website.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Slow	Anglers are seeing the bluegills on the beds but they can't get them to bite. The storms rolling through aren't helping the fishing.
Channel Catfish	Good	Catfish have been biting. Try chicken liver or stink bait along the dam face or around the rocky faces of the jetties.

Pollmiller Park Lake

Water conditions have improved greatly since last week.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	With the clearing water the bluegills are starting to bite again. use light tackle around the fish habitat.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	The bass are liking the return of the clear water. Look for these fish to be out a little deeper with the coming of summer.

Lake Darling

The lake is drained. The lake has filled back up with the heavy rains. It will drain all back out.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)

The river has finally returned to within its banks. Not much angling activity yet as it just got back to the almost bank full level this last week end.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)

The river is steadily dropping and looks to be going to continue that trend. Water temps range in the low 80's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Look for the channel cats along the edges of the sand bars and in the mouths of any feeder creeks.
Flathead Catfish	Fair	Setting banklines with the dropping water levels is constantly dropping water levels is going to be tough.

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

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 16

River stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 6.54ft and falling. River levels are forecasted to fall throughout the weekend.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina on pieces of worm fished under a bobber.
Channel Catfish	Good	Channel catfish are being caught on nightcrawlers, leeches, and dipbaits around wingdams. Some channel catfish are also being caught floating leeches under a bobber along rocky shorelines. Some channel catfish are being picked up along the Davenport Riverfront. Fishing has also been good for catfish in Andalusia Slough and Velie Chute fishing brush piles.
Crappie	Slow	Fishing for crappies in Sunset marina and the Andalusia Island complex has been slow.
Sauger	Fair	Some saugers are being picked up on the wingdams trolling crankbaits or on three-way rigs with half a night crawler or leech.
Walleye	Fair	Walleyes are being caught trolling crankbaits on wingdams. Some fish are being picked up on three-way rigs with half a nightcrawler or leech fished on the front side of wingdams.
White Bass	Slow	White bass fishing in Sylvan Slough has been slow.

Mississippi River Pool 17

River stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 5.32ft and falling. River levels are forecasted to fall throughout the weekend.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	No Report
Channel Catfish	Good	Channel catfish are being caught on crawlers, leeches, dipbaits, and chicken liver fished around wingdams or log jams. Some channel catfish are being caught along the Muscatine Riverfront on nightcrawlers. Some channel catfish are starting to be caught fishing leeches under a bobber along riprap shorelines.
Crappie	No Report
Walleye	Fair	Some walleyes are being caught trolling crankbaits along the fronts of wingdams. Anchoring above wingdams and casting crankbaits has been producing some fish as well.
White Bass	Slow	White bass fishing has been hit or miss. Some fish are being caught up by the dam and on the wingdams on crankbaits and jigs/twister combinations.

Mississippi River Pool 18

River stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 7.65ft and falling. River levels are forecasted to fall throughout the weekend.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	No Report
Channel Catfish	Good	Channel cats are being caught on nightcrawlers, leeches, dipbaits, and chicken livers. Some channel catfish are starting to be picked up floating leeches under a bobber along rocky shorelines.
Crappie	No Report
Sauger	No Report
Walleye	No Report
White Bass	Slow	A few white bass are being picked up by the dam fishing jig and twisters and small crankbaits.

Mississippi River Pool 19

River stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 4.63ft and falling. River levels are forecasted to fall throughout the weekend.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Slow
Channel Catfish	Good	Channel catfish are being caught on nightcrawlers, leeches, dipbaits, and chicken livers fished around wingdams and log jams. Some channel catfish are starting to be picked up floating leeches and nightcrawlers under a bobber along the riprap shoreline at Ft. Madison.
Crappie	Slow
Sauger	Slow
Walleye	Slow
White Bass	Slow

Mississippi River Pools 16-20: River levels are forecasted to continue to fall throughout pools 16-20 of the Mississippi River. Main channel water temperature is around 77 degrees and water clarity has improved. For more information on fishing Pools 16-20 of the Mississippi River contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 8.07 feet and is forecast to remain stable. Water clarity is fair. Water temperatures are in the mid 70's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Bluegills have been coming on crawlers fished around rocks on wing dams with slow current in 6-9 feet of water.
Channel Catfish	Good	Good number being caught on stink bait fished in 10-12 feet of water in side channels and around wing dams. Leeches along rocks are also producing but mostly male fish.
Crappie	Slow	Crappie fishing has been very slow with very few reports of any being caught.
Freshwater Drum	Good	Fish crawlers on the bottom in areas with moderate current.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Shallow crankbaits along the floodwall up by the dam. Also cranks on rocks along the channel. A few fish also being caught in the harbors.
Walleye	Fair	Fish are being caught on the wind dams on three way rigs tipped with leeches or crankbaits. Reports of a lot of fish over 20 inches.

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 5.62 feet and is forecast to slowly fall. Water clarity is fair. Water temperatures are in the mid 70's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Reports of a few bluegill coming out of Middle and South Sabula Lake.
Channel Catfish	Good	Catfish are starting to bite on stink bait or leeches under a bobber along rip rap.
Freshwater Drum	Good	Fish a night crawler on the bottom in areas of moderate current. There is good shoreline access at Pleasant Creek Recreation Area south of Bellevue.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Throw crankbaits along rocky shorlines or below the dam in Bellevue.
Northern Pike	Good	Pike are biting on spinners and crankbaits at the mouth of Mill Creek in Bellevue.
Walleye	Fair	A few fish are being caught on wing dams. Three way rigs tipped with leeches are producing, as well as crankbaits. Good numbers of fish in the 20-27" protected slot reported.

Mississippi River Pool 14

River stage at Camanche is 9.82 feet and is forecast to slowly fall over the next week. Water clarity is poor. Main channel water temps are in the high 70's.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Good numbers being caught on stink baits. A few fish coming on leeches along rocky shorelines, too, but are mostly male fish.
Freshwater Drum	Good	Fish a piece of crawler on the bottom in areas with moderate current.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Bass are coming off rocks and woody structure around current. Crankbaits have been working well.
Walleye	Fair	The bite has been slow with the muddy water, but a few fish are being caught on wing dams or mussel beds on leeches and crankbaits.

Mississippi River Pool 15

No reports recieved from Pool 15.

For information about fishing Pools 12 - 15 of the Mississippi River, call the Bellevue Fish Management and Research Station at 563-872-4976.

Mississippi River Pool 9


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Some fish are being caught by the power plant at Lansing. Use a nightcrawler under a bobber.
Channel Catfish	Good	Fishing rocky shorelines with minnows and night crawlers
Flathead Catfish	Good	Flathead can be caught along the channel fishing small bullheads on the bottom
Freshwater Drum	Excellent	Drum are being caught in many areas using a nightcrawler on the bottom
Largemouth Bass	Good	Fish rocky shorelines and backwater areas with topwaters and crankbaits.
Walleye	Fair	Walleye fishing has been fair trolling the faces of wingdams.

Mississippi River Pool 10


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Has been some good fishing on wingdams with worm on a boober. Try fishing the inside of the wingdams. Keep moving if fish aren't biting.
Channel Catfish	Excellent	Good fishing near wingdams. Try fishing deep areas with worm on the bottom or stinkbait.
Freshwater Drum	Good	use a nightcrawler on sand flats or side channels
Largemouth Bass	Good	Bass can be caught using tube jigs around some of the woody structures along the side channels. Also try fishing spinnerbaits along the wingdams and rocky shorelines.
Northern Pike	Fair	Some anglers catching pike fishing for bass in flat weedy areas. Also try fishing nears the mouths of any springs or cold water streams.
Walleye	Fair	Fish the wingdams trolling a threeway jig tipped with nightcrawlers or tipped with leaches.
White Bass	Good	Fish are being caught near the spillway above Harpers Ferry using small inline spinners.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Mayflies are hatching in large numbers on Pool 11. This sometimes triggers good fishing.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Catfish can be caught along the channel using stinkbait rigs.
Flathead Catfish	Fair	A few flathead are still being caught below the dam using.
Freshwater Drum	Good	Use a nightcrawler on the bottom along sand flats or side channels.
Largemouth Bass	Slow	A few fish are being caught in the backwaters using tubejigs or spinnerbaits.
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Fish are being caught on wingdams and rocky shorelines using tube jigs or small spinners.
Walleye	Fair	Some fish are being caught on the wingdams trolling threeway rigs. Fish are also being caught trolling crankbaits along the edge of the channel.

River gauges: Lansing- 7.89 Lynxville- 13.7 Guttenberg- 5.3 Water temperature at Guttenberg has fallen to 72 degrees. The water levels in pools 9-11 steady to starting to fall. Call Guttenberg fisheries station for current conditions at (563) 252-1156.

NORTHEAST

Silver Lake (Delaware)

Anglers are reporting good action fishing for largemouth bass.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Most bluegills have moved off of the spawning beds but some are still available for the taking. Try using artificial flies or piece of nightcrawler under a bobber.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Try casting weedless baits for bass in the 10-12 inch size range.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)

Bluegill fishing has slowed in Casey Lake but channel catfish have been biting well.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Fish from shoreline in 3-6 ft. of water using a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber for remaining bluegill on the beds-The bite has slowed as the main spawning push is nearing an end.
Channel Catfish	Good	Use cutbaits, nightcrawlers or stinkbaits fished on bottom of the lake.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Try casting crankbaits, spinnerbaits or plastics near the dam and around jetties.

Lake Delhi

Anglers are catching bluegills and channel catfish in Lake Delhi.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Anglers are still catching bluegills, but fish have moved off of their beds into deeper water around structure.
Channel Catfish	Good	Try using slip bobbers or fish off of the bottom with nightcrawlers for good catfish action.

Avenue of the Saints Pond

Largemouth bass fishing has picked up on this lake.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Try fishing a piece of nightcrawler underneath a bobber fished from shore.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Try casting crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastics along the shoreline.

Plainfield

Largemouth bass are biting well in Plainfield Lake.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Try using small piece of nightcrawler underneath a bobber in 3-5 feet of water off of shoreline.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Try casting crankbaits, spinnerbaits and plastics along the shoreline.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)

The Cedar river is currently on a steady decline from recent rainfall events and anglers are reporting good action for smallmouth bass and a few catches of channel catfish and walleye, especially in Bremer County.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Fair	Cutbaits and stinkbaits are working well for channel catfish on the Cedar.
Smallmouth Bass	Good	Try casting crankbaits, spinnerbaits or jigs with a twister tail along rocky shoreline areas.
Walleye	Fair	Anglers are reporting occasional catches of walleye casting crankbaits near and along current breaks or dropoffs.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)

Good catches of channel catfish have been reported out of the Shell Rock River.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Try fishing cutbaits, nightcrawlers or stinkbaits fished on the bottom of the river.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)

Water levels continue to slowly fall on the Wapsipinicon River. Conditions are improving and anglers are reporting good catches of channel catfish and a few walleye.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Post-spawn action is starting to take shape using nightcrawlers, livers and deadbaits.
Walleye	Fair	Walleyes have been caught on the Wapsi using jigs tipped with a minnow or nightcrawler or try casting crankbaits for these elusive fish.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)

Conditions remain excellent for angling on the Maquoketa River.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Fish nightcrawlers or stinkbaits near logjams or fallen trees. Fish the area from Delhi down to Maquoketa for the best action
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Conditions are excellent for fishing in the Maquoketa River and some nice bass have been caught with artificial baits.
Walleye	Fair	Try casting small jigs tipped with half of a nightcrawleror casting crankbaits along current breaks or rocky shoreline areas.

Lake fishing has slowed in most area lakes as the main spawning push for fish has come to an end. River fishing is beginning to really pick up as we head into stable water flows and good summer conditions. Channel Catfish and smallmouth bass have been biting well on the interior rivers of the Shell Rock, Cedar,Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa . For further information contact the N.E. Ia. District Fisheries Office at 563-927-3276.

Volga Lake

Water are normal water level and water clarity has been good.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Slow
Channel Catfish	Good	Catfish activity has increased with the warming temperatures. Right now large numbers of catfish are congregating along the rip rap in 3 to 5 feet of water. Try floating a worm 3 feet under a bobber, and stay close to shore.
Crappie	Slow
Largemouth Bass	Good	Fishing crankbait along rip rap shores.

Lake Hendricks

Lake Hendricks still has very good water clarity.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Try using small twistertails tipped with a small piece of worm.
Channel Catfish	No Report	Now is a good time to try fishing for catfish especially with warmer water temperatures. Try using chicken liver or dead chub on the bottom.
Crappie	No Report
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Try fishing the weed edges near dropoffs with weedless plastic worms.

Lake Meyer


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Smaller bluegill are being caught near the jetty. Worms fished under a bobber continues to be your best bet.
Channel Catfish	Good	Nice size cats are being caught on fish guts.
Crappie	Slow	Crappies have moved to deeper water.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Try looking for bass along weed edges using plastic worms.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)

Water levels are falling and the river is clearing. Angling has been slow with the muddy water but should improve.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Northern Pike	No Report
Smallmouth Bass	Slow
Walleye	Slow

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

Water levels are falling and the river is clearing. Angling has been slow with the muddy water but should improve.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Fair	Catfish have been caught in the back eddies of the river fished off the bottom using nightcrawlers. Try using chicken liver or dead chubs to weed out sucker bits.
Smallmouth Bass	Fair
Sucker	Fair	Suckers are being caught in the back eddies of the river fished off the bottom using nightcrawlers.
Walleye	No Report

Volga River

Water conditions are good.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	Black or white twistertails seem to be working the best.

Cedar River (above Nashua)

The river is muddy but is clearing. Fishing has slowed due to river conditions.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Fair	Anglers are having the best success using night crawlers, chicken liver and dead minnows.
Largemouth Bass	Slow
Northern Pike	Slow
Smallmouth Bass	Slow
Walleye	Slow

Decorah District Streams

Trout streams are in good to excellent condition. Trout streams continue to be regularly stocked and trout are waiting to be caught. For trout stocking information, please call 563-927-5736 or to check the schedule on-line, go to www.iowadnr.gov/fish/news/stockrep/trout.html.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Brown Trout	Good	There are reports of good hatches of both terrestrial and aquatic insects, especially flying ants and crickets.

The Upper Iowa, Turkey and Cedar River water levels have been dropping and water clarity is fair but fishable. If you have any questions, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

NORTHWEST

Mill Creek (Lake)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Use small micro jigs around docks and weed beds.
Bullhead	Fair	Use worms near the swimming area.
Channel Catfish	Good	Use worms, stinkbait, or live bait fished on the bottom around brush piles or rocks.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Fish with soft plastics around weed beds and rocks. Use weedless surface lures over weed beds in the evening

Big Spirit Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Use soft plastics around weed beds and boat docks.
Smallmouth Bass	Good	Use twister tails or a slip bobber and leech along rock bars that connect with weedlines.
Walleye	Fair	Drift fish with lindy rigs, verticle jig with leeches, or slip bobber fish around weed beds. Fish are also being caught trolling with crank baits along weed lines.
Yellow Perch	Good	Drift fish while using bottom bouncers or anchor and verticle jig with small jigging spoons tipped with worms in 20-22 foot of water.

East Okoboji Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Fair	Use stink bait or chubs around the bridges or off the docks.
Yellow Bass	Good	Drift fish along boat docks with jigging spoons tipped with worms or slip bobber fish from docks.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Good	Troll with crank baits on the north shore and around the island.

West Okoboji Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Excellent	Fish with small hair jigs or a split shot and hook with live bait around boat docks or along weed bed edges.
Largemouth Bass	Good	Use soft plastics around boat docks and weedlines.
Northern Pike	Good	Troll crankbaits or spoons along weedlines.
Smallmouth Bass	Good	Fish the rock bars at Fort Dodge and Gull Points with jerkbaits or a lead head and leech.
Walleye	Fair	Use slip bobber and leech around weed beds at sunset.
White Bass	Good	Fish along points with jigs at sunset.

Five Island Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Use stink bait or chubs at the railroad bridge.
Walleye	Fair	Troll with crank baits along drop offs.

Lost Island Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Walleye	Good	Trolling with crankbaits.

Willow Creek


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	Fish along edge of weed beds with small jigs or a bobber and small hook with a piece of worm. Large Pumpkinseed sunfish are also being caught.

Swan Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bullhead	Good	Use worms along the north shore.

Tuttle Lake


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Crappie	Fair	Fish the south shore along boat docks with small jigs.
Walleye	Good	Troll with planer boards using crank baits.

Silver Lake (Palo Alto)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bullhead	Good	Use worms on the east shore.

Big Sioux River

Blue catfish have also been caught using large cut bait in deep holes, current seams, and brush piles near its confluence with the Missouri River.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Excellent	Use cut bait, chubs, or stink bait in deep holes and brush piles.
Flathead Catfish	Good	Use large live bait along brush piles, cut banks, and rock shorelines.

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	Use large minnow or stink bait in holes and above brush piles.
Walleye	Fair	Use twister tails around holes and riffles.

West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Excellent	Use chubs or stink bait in holes and around brush piles.
Walleye	Fair	Use twister tails or crank baits along current breaks and holes.

Kids Corner: If you are looking for a place to take a child fishing then take them to Scharnburg Park located 5 miles west of Spencer on B24. Use a small bobber and piece of night crawler on the fishing jetty located on the west shore. Expect to catch bluegill, green sunfish, bullheads, and bass along the rocks or willows located along the shore. For more fishing report information on the Spirit Lake area rivers and lakes call 712-336-1840.

Beeds Lake

Crappies and Bluegill fishing is fair.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair
Crappie	Fair

Briggs Woods Lake

Crappie and bluegill fishing is good. Channel catfish are biting on liver.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good
Channel Catfish	Good
Crappie	Good

Eldred Sherwood Lake

Bluegill fishing has been good using a piece of nightcrawler fished under a bobber near the weed edge.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good
Channel Catfish	Good	biting on cutbait.

Lower Pine Lake

Bluegill fishing is fair using a piece of nightcrawler fished under a bobber near the shoreline brush piles.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair
Channel Catfish	Good	using liver

Upper Pine Lake

Bluegill fishing is fair. Largemouth bass fishing is fair using a lindy rig or Carolina rig with a worm or minnow. Channel catfish are biting on liver.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Fish the shoreline with a small piece of worm.
Largemouth Bass	Fair

Lake Smith

Bluegill fishing has been good, try a piece of nightcrawler fished under a bobber near the weed edge.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good
Channel Catfish	Good	biting on cutbait.

Lake Catherine

Bluegill fishing has been slow. Largemouth bass fishing is good using jigs and plastic baits.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Slow
Largemouth Bass	Good

Clear Lake

Yellow bass fishing is slow, try drift fishing the reefs with live bait untill you find the fish.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good	A few catfish are being caught with nightcrawlers or cutbait fished on the bottom at the Ventura grade and McIntosh State Park shoreline.
Walleye	Fair	Walleyes (mostly sublegal) are being caught off the jetty using minnows.
Yellow Bass	Fair

Lake Cornelia


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bullhead	Good	Bullhead fishing is fair using a night crawler fished on the bottom.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Channel catfish are biting cut bait and liver.
Walleye	Slow	A few Walleyes are being caught on trolled crankbaits.
White Bass	Fair	Biting on small white twister tails.

Little Wall Lake

Small crappies, largemouth bass and Channel catfish fishing is good.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Good
Crappie	Good
Largemouth Bass	Good

West Twin Lake

Bullhead fishing is good using a nightcrawler fished on the bottom.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bullhead	Good

Rice Lake

Bullhead fishing is good fishing with a crawler off the bottom.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bullhead	Good

Bluebill Lake

Bluegill fishing has been slow. Largemouth bass are biting on crankbaits and plastic baits.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Slow	Bluegill fishing has been fair fishing the weed edges.
Largemouth Bass	Fair	Largemouth bass are biting on crankbaits and plastic baits.

Shell Rock River (above Greene)

Channel Catfish and Smallmouth bass fishing is fair.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Fair	using cut bait or liver.
Smallmouth Bass	Fair	using jigs and crankbaits.

Winnebago River

Channel Catfish and Smallmouth bass fishing is fair.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Fair
Smallmouth Bass	Fair

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

Nelson Park Lake

Fishing has slowed. Anglers are catching a few catfish on stink bait.

Yellow Smoke Park Lake

Anglers are catching some panfish. It has been fairly slow.

Crawford Creek Impoundment

Fishing has slowed somewhat.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	Shore and boat anglers are catching a few good sized bluegill with small hooks and jigs. Try from boat ramp to the dam, or any place that's easy to get to from the ramp parking lot.
Channel Catfish	Good	Anglers have been catching some catfish at night using various baits.
Crappie	Good	Anglers are catching some nice crappie using small hooks & jigs with small minnows. Fish have moved into deeper water; try from boat ramp to dam, or anywhere in between.

Badger Lake

North of Ft. Dodge. Fishing has slowed as mid summer weather conditions have arrived. Bluegill and catfish have moved into deeper water.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Fair	Anglers have been catching some hand-size bluegill off shore.
Channel Catfish	Good	Catfishing is picking up; try cut bait and chicken livers.
Crappie	Fair	Some 9 - 10 in fish have been caught on small jigs and minnows.

Brushy Creek Lake

Warmer weather and rains have slowed fishing. Water clarity is still good. Nice bluegill, crappie and a few walleye are being caught. Please clean your your fish at the floating fish cleaning platform at the west ramp.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bluegill	Good	Bluegill have moved out from shore; try fishing just off the bottom in 8 to 12 feet of water.
Channel Catfish	Good	Catfish are hitting on liver, stink bait and nightcrawlers along the shore line.
Crappie	Fair	Crappie are in the trees; try a small jig or minnow rig and fish in 10 to 14 feet of water.
Walleye	Fair	Walleye have been biting on minnows.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)

Fishing has slowed. Remember that Storm Lake has a 17-22 inch slot length limit. All walleye in that range must be immediately released.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Channel Catfish	Excellent	Still catching cats with various baits; try drifting a nightcrawler, under a bobber, along the rocks.
Walleye	Fair	Walleye catch has slowed considerably.
White Bass	Fair	White bass are still being caught with mini-jigs tipped with nightcrawlers or minnows; try casting along the rocks.

North Twin Lake

Fishing has slowed; anglers are catching some nice bullheads.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bullhead	Good	Fair numbers of big bullhead are being caught.
Channel Catfish	Fair	Anglers are catching a few catfish on liver.

Black Hawk Lake

Bullhead and catfish fishing have been very good. Water has warmed considerably the last week.


Fish Name	Status	Comments
Bullhead	Excellent	Anglers are doing well for 8 to 9 inch bullheads.
Channel Catfish	Good	Shore anglers are having good luck catching 1.5 to 2 lb. catfish (2 lb) on various baits including liver, leeches, nightcrawlers and stink bait.

Fishing has slowed this week across district. Water clarity has been relatively good in most lakes. For more information about the these lakes and rivers call Lannie Miller (712-657-2638) at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View.