Weekly Fishing Report

Learn the best hot spots and latest news about Iowa’s fishing opportunities from region to region. 

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How to Read Our Weekly Iowa Fishing Report
DNR’s weekly fishing report is broken down by counties or regions – northwest, northeast, Mississippi river, southeast and southwest. You can check the activity of your favorite lake or stretch of river within each region, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), as well as a hot bait or lure pattern.

Fishing reports may include information on stream or river flows (and if it is rising or dropping), ice conditions, depths that fish are biting (watch for trends if this changes), or safety issues like if the water suddenly becomes shallow in spots.

Iowa Fishing Report for April 24, 2025:

NORTHWEST

Black Hawk Lake
Water levels are 6 inches over the crest of the spillway. Anglers are doing well from shore and boat.  Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are starting to pick up crappies from shore.  Fishing along Ice House Point shoreline and in the marina have been productive. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are picking up fish. Boat anglers have been doing well with minnows on a bottom bouncer rig.

Brushy Creek Lake
The courtesy docks are in place.  Black Crappie - Fair: Fish can be picked up near shore in 2-8 feet of water near submerged structure.  Walleye - Fair.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s. Anglers are catching crappie, walleye, and yellow bass in the marina.  Black Crappie - Slow: Anglers have picked up a few fish in the marina. Walleye - Fair: This time of the year fish can be picked up near shore and also out deeper by boat. Use minnow leach or crawler fished near the bottom under a bobber from shore.  Or from boat use a bottom bouncer rig near the dredge cut. Yellow Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching bass in the marina. Yellow Perch - Fair.

For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
Water temperatures is in the mid 50s.  Water level is at crest.  All the courtesy docks are in.  Walleye - Good: Anglers wading and boat fishing are catching walleye. Try jigs, minnows, or slow retrieved crankbaits near reefs and shallow rocky shorelines.  Shore anglers try near the canals and the jetties after sunset.  Yellow Bass – Slow: Fish will move shallow on the north shore on warm afternoons.

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Crappie are suspended in the dredge cuts. Walleye - Slow.

Rice Lake
Largemouth Bass- Fair: Target woody habitat near the shore.  Yellow Perch - Slow: Try fishing near the cattail edges on warmer days.

Winnebago River
Water level is 6.36 feet.  Northern Pike - No report: Use suckers, chubs, and jigs in slack current areas and where tributaries enter the river.

For additional information, contact Clear Lake Fisheries Office at 641-357-3517.

East Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie - Fair:  Bluegill - Fair. Largemouth Bass - Fair:  Yellow Perch - Fair: Many fish have been observed; sorting will most likely be needed.

Ingham Lake
Walleye - Fair: Morning and afternoon bite is best.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye - Fair: The bite is hit-or-miss.

Spirit Lake
The walleye season is closed. The Marble Beach fish cleaning station is inoperable; the projected timeline for repair is to have it open again by walleye weekend.  Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are finding quality-size fish up to 14-inches. Anglers report some success around Templar Lagoon.  Bluegill - Fair.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting is needed; anglers are finding many of acceptable size.

West Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie - Fair:  Bluegill - Fair. 

Most boat ramp courtesy docks are in and useable. Water temperatures are around 60 degrees.  Most lake are close to crest level.  The walleye season on the IGL's is closed until May 3rd. For current conditions, call 712-330-2542.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water temperatures in the upper 50s. Water levels are relatively steady.  A slight bump may occur with rainfall.  Black Crappie - Fair: Action is picking up. Try minnows for best luck. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Anglers using a dead chub or piece of carp fished on the bottom are finding good action in impoundments and off channel areas. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Action remains variable. Use a jig tipped with plastic tail or crankbait fished through a deeper hole out of current. Walleye - Fair: Find walleye in deeper holes and out of current using  minnows or worms.

Decorah District Streams
Catchable trout stockings are weekly with streams announced once a month. Trout streams are in excellent condition.  Afternoon insect hatches are improving. Turkey season is in full swing.  Avoid wearing red, white, or blue; these colors look like a turkey head. Brook Trout - Slow: Good hatches of gnats and midges occurring on warm sunny afternoons. Use care not to alarm fish when approaching steams with clear water.   Brown Trout - Good: Try fishing near or around undercut banks. Spinnerbaits work well, especially in windy conditions. Use  steamers on larger waterbodies for some exciting action.  Brown trout prefer slightly off-color water.  Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Use spinnerbaits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm, dough ball, or cheese floated through deeper water. Use bait if you plan to keep your catch.

Lake Hendricks
Fish activity slowed with cooler water temperatures.  Black Crappie - Slow: Try angling higher in the water column in the late afternoon and along the rocky shoreline where water warms quicker.  Bluegill - Slow. Largemouth Bass -Fair: Use crankbaits along drop-offs or around structure. 

Lake Meyer
Fish activity slowed with cooler water temperatures. Black Crappie -Slow.  Bluegill - Fair: Use small jig tipped with waxworm or red worms around jetties.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Find bass along drop-offs or near woody structure near shore.

Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water temperatures is in the mid to upper 50s. Water levels steady. Walleye – Fair. White Sucker – Fair. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are steady. Water temperature is in the 50s. Smallmouth Bass - Slow. Walleye - Fair: Use a jig tipped with minnow. Find fish in slack water below dams. White Sucker - Slow: Sucker bite is variable. Use a worm on the stream bottom.

Volga Lake
Few anglers are out due to windy weather.  Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappie around woody structure. Use a flashy lure to attract attention. Bluegill - Slow: Find bluegills around structure near shore. Use small jigs tipped with waxworms or a small piece of nightcrawler.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try crankbaits or spinnerbaits in the drop-offs, downed trees, or rocky areas. 

Rain and thunderstorms possible Thursday through Monday. Rain amounts are variable.  Temperatures will be in the mid-50s to low 30s. Turkey Hunting is in full swing until May 18.  For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Anglers are catching walleye and crappie.  Black Crappie- Fair: Try drifting a minnow under a slip bobber or casting and retrieving crappie jig.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are taking a few catfish on stink baits or chubs. Walleye - Fair: Use a jig head with plastics with or without a live minnow. Look for the deeper pools current breaks and tail ends of riffles. 

Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids) Channel catfish--slow. Walleye--slow. White bass--slow

Heritage Pond
Heritage Pond will be stocked with catchable rainbow trout this Saturday. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.  Rainbow Trout - Good: Cast and retrieve flashy jigs or little spinners for success or floating baits underneath a slip bobber.

Lake Delhi
Anglers have been catching a few crappie. With the recent rainfall the lake may be getting dirty.  Avoid mid-afternoons and weekends due to heavy boat traffic. Black Crappie - Fair: Try a live minnow under a slip bobber or cast various colored tube or hair jigs near structure.

Manchester District Streams
Trout streams have been up and down due to recent rainfall events.  Next week’s forecast calls for temperatures near the 70s; should be good aquatic insect hatches to provide great trout fishing.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Anglers are catching walleye and smallmouth bass.  River levels have been up and down with the recent rainfall events.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing a jig head with plastics with or without a live minnow or cast and retrieve crankbaits or spinnerbaits. Walleye - Fair: Use a jig head with plastics with or without a live minnow. Look for the deeper pools, current breaks, and tail ends of riffles.  

Maquoketa River (below Monticello)

River levels are on the rise and murky. There had been a few reports of anglers catching smallmouth bass on the Maquoketa River.

North Prairie Lake
North Prairie Lake will be stocked with catchable rainbow trout this coming Saturday April 26th. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.  Rainbow Trout - Good: Cast and retrieve flashy jigs or little spinners for success or floating baits underneath a slip bobber.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Interior river levels continue to rise with the recent rainfall. Angling continue to catch a few walleye and crappie on the river.  There have been no reports for area lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo area.  Trout streams have been hit and miss with the recent rainfall as well. For more information, contact your local area bait and tackle shop.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 8.9 feet at Lansing and is expected to rise to 10 feet over the next week. Water temperature is near 56 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw plastic along the shorelines in upper end of backwaters away from current.  Northern Pike - Excellent: Pike are on the feed after the spawn.  Try larger flashy spinnerbaits in the shallows and weedy shorelines. Sauger - Slow:  Fish out of the current near tailwaters of the lock and dam using a hair jig tipped with a minnow in the tailwaters.  Some fish being picked up downriver on closing dams.  Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use spinners along the rocks on shorelines with current. Walleye- Slow: Fish out of the current near tailwaters of the lock and dam using a hair jig tipped with minnow.  Some fish being picked up downriver on closing dams.  Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn. Yellow Perch - Good: Use a crappie rig tipped with worms or a minnow in the current seams off shore.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level has risen to 17.9 feet at Lynxville and is expected to gradually rise near 19 feet next week. Fishing away from the current below the Lock and Dam or side channels has been good.  Water temperature is 58 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw plastic along the shorelines in upper end of backwaters away from the current.  Northern Pike - Good: Pike are on the feed after the spawn. Try larger flashy spinnerbaits in the shallows and weedy shorelines.  Sauger - Slow:  Fish out of the current near tailwaters of the lock and dam using a hair jig tipped with minnow. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinners along the rocks on shorelines with current. Walleye - Slow: Fish out of the current near tailwaters of the lock and dam using a hair jig tipped with minnow.  Some fish being picked up downriver on closing dams.  Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn. Yellow Perch - Good: Use a crappie rig tipped with worms or a minnow in the current seams off shore.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level has risen to 9.5 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to reach 12 feet next week. Water temperature is near 56 degrees.  Largemouth Bass- Fair: Throw plastic along the shorelines in upper end of backwaters away from current.  Northern Pike - Excellent: Pike are on the feed after the spawn. Try larger flashy spinnerbaits in the shallows and weedy shorelines. Sauger - Slow: Fish out of the current near tailwaters of the lock and dams.  Expect bite to pick up again post-spawn.  Smallmouth Bass - Good:  Use spinners along the rocks on shorelines with current.  Walleye - Slow: Fish out of the current near tailwaters of the lock and dam using a hair jig tipped with minnow.  Some fish being picked up downriver on closing dams.  Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn.  Yellow Perch - Good: Use a crappie rig tipped with worms or a minnow in the current seams off shore.  Perch are biting off shore at Mud Lake park near Dubuque.

Upper Mississippi River water levels is rising again this week. During high water, find areas away from the current to fish.  Recent rain has muddied the water.  The bite is improving as fish become more active with warmer water temperatures. Water temperature is in the upper 50s this week. 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level at Dubuque Lock and Dam is rising at 8.7 feet and 11.2 feet at the RR Bridge. The water is clear. Water temperature is around 57 degrees in the main channel. Black Crappie - Fair:  It takes a bit of fishing in brush piles, but anglers can catch a few crappie on minnow rigs. Bluegill - No report: Bluegill populations are strong; no reports of anglers fishing for them since ice out. Some backwaters still have remnant ice. Freshwater Drum - Good: Easily catch drum on an egg sinker and worm rigs.  Northern Pike - Fair: Pike fishing has been very good early spring.  It has slowed; should pick up again after water warms a bit.  Walleye - Slow: Walleye bite is slow.  Most walleyes have spawned by now and usually bite starts to pick back up on wing dams in the next few weeks.  Yellow Perch -Good: Try jig and worm rigs in the tailwater areas.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is rising and near 9.4 feet at Bellevue. Water is clear. Water temperature is around 58 degrees in the main channel. Bluegill - No report: Anglers caught lots of bluegills during the ice fishing season; expect a good open water fishing season. Bowfin - Good: Bowfin are good early season biters.  Try backwater area like the Green Island Wildlife area for early season fun. Brown Bullhead - Good: The lower pool access sites are good places to fish off the bank to catch brown bullhead and an occasional catfish. Bullheads are good early season biters. Northern Pike - No report: Expect pike to start biting again soon; populations are very good in Pool 13.  Paddlefish - No Report: Paddlefish snagging season is closed.  Rainbow Trout - Excellent: The Kids' trout pond north of the DNR fisheries station is stocked with trout and should remain good fishing until April/May when it will weed over. Walleye - Slow: Most walleyes have spawned by now and usually bite starts to pick back up on wing dams in the next few weeks.  Yellow Perch - Good: Try small jigs and worm rigs in the tailwaters.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level is rising and presently near 8.3 feet at Fulton, 11.7 feet at Camanche, and 6.5 feet at LeClaire. Water is clear. Water temperature is around 59 degrees. Bluegill - No report: It was a good ice fishing season this year;  hopefully that translates to a good open water season. Channel Catfish -Good: Seems early, but good channel catfishing is occurring using blood baits.  Northern Pike - Fair: As expected some nice pike have once again been reported by anglers throwing spinner baits. Paddlefish - No Report: Paddlefish snagging season is now closed.  Walleye - Slow: Most walleyes have spawned by now and usually bite starts to pick back up on the wing dams in the next few weeks.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is rising near 9.0 feet at Rock Island. Water is clear. Water temperature is around 60 degrees.

Water temperatures is in the upper 50s throughout the district.  Levels are once again on the rise. If you have angling questions, call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 9.05 feet and failing at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 11.9 feet.   Flood stage is 15 feet.  Largemouth Bass - No report: Look for largemouth bass in the backwaters around woody structure.  Sauger - No Report: Look for saugers below the Lock and Dam and in Sylvan Slough. Try jigs and minnows or troll three-way rigs with minnows or crankbaits. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes below the Lock and Dam and in Sylvan Slough. Use jigs and minnows or troll three-way rigs with minnows or crankbaits.  Start looking for walleyes on the wing dams and they transition from spawning areas.  White Bass - No report: Look for white bass in Sylvan Slough and around Arsenal and Power dam outflows.  Try casting jigs and twister tails or crankbaits.  White Crappie - No report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles as water temperatures start to warm. Try minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows.   Places to try are Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island complex.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 7.54 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and rising. Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 10.9 feet by the middle of next week.  Flood stage is 15 feet. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Look for largemouth bass around woody structure in the backwaters.  Places to try are Big Timber and Cleveland Slough.  Sauger - No Report: Look for saugers below the Lock and Dam. Try jigs and minnows or troll three-way rigs with minnows or crankbaits. Walleye - No Report: Use jigs and minnows or troll three-way rigs with minnows or crankbaits below the Lock and Dam.  Start looking for walleyes on the wing-dams. White Bass - No Report: Look for white bass around the outfalls around GPC.  Try casting jigs and plastic or crankbaits.  White Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles as water temperatures start to warm. Try minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows. 

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 9.26 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and rising.  Tailwater stage is forecasted to reach 12.3 feet by the middle of next week.  Flood stage is 15 feet. Sauger - No Report: Look for saugers below the Lock and Dam. Try jigs and minnows or troll three-way rigs with minnows or crankbaits. Walleye - No Report: Try vertical jigging with minnows or troll three-way rigs with minnows or crankbaits below the Lock and Dam.  Start looking for walleyes on the wing-dams as the spawn comes to an end.  White Bass - Fair: There have been some reports of white bass being caught at the outlet of Odessa.  Try casting jigs and plastic or crankbaits.  White Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles as water temperatures start to warm. Try minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows.  Try fishing the Huron Island complex.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 5.96 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is forecast to reach 8.0 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage is 10 feet.  Sauger - No Report: Look for saugers below the Lock and Dam. Try jigs and minnows or troll three-way rigs with minnows or crankbaits. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes below the Lock and Dam. Use jigs and minnows or troll three-way rigs with minnows or crankbaits. Start looking for walleyes on the wing-dams as the spawn comes to an end. White Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles as water temperatures start to warm. Try minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows. 

River stage has been rising this past week and is forecast to keep rising. Tailwater stage has risen around 1.0-1.5 feet this past couple days. Main channel water temperature is around 57 degrees. Water clarity is fair.  If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
Water Temperature is holding right at around 60 degrees. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie still holding at 6-7 feet of water in the flooded timber. Slowly work small jigs floated under a small bobber.   Bluegill - Fair: The bluegills are starting to work the shallower water as the water continues to warm the insects are getting more active around the flooded timber in 2-3 foot of water.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Start fishing the face of the dam and off the ends of the jetties with the heavy rains.  I would recommend switching to nightcrawlers for bait.

Coralville Reservoir

Channel Catfish--Slow. White Crappie - Fair: Fish brush piles or docks

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)

Channel Catfish--Slow: Fish around brush piles and rocks. Sauger--Slow Walleye--Slow

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is 59-60 degrees.  Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies have moved in around the trees in 6-7 feet of water and are suspended at about 4-5 feet down  Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching a few bluegills while fishing for the crappies using small jigs   

Lake Darling
Water temperature is 60 degrees.  The lake level and clarity are returning to normal after last Easter's two inches of rain.  Still a little muddy.  Black Crappie - Fair:  Expect the crappie fishing to pick back up as the water clears.  They seem to be holding over the rock piles just like last week. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegills with small jigs while crappie fishing.

Lake Geode
Water temperature is in the low 60s.  Black Crappie - Good: Find crappies suspended above rock piles or trees in about 6-8 feet of water. Slowly work a Bobber and minnow or small jig.  Not seeing much action in shallower just yet. Largemouth Bass - Fair: The bass continues to get a little more active with the warmer temperatures and are moving into the shallower water habitat might be time to throw a few crankbaits at them.

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperatures earlier this week was 54-55 degrees.  Water remains fairly clear and you can see some of the curlyleaf pondweed starting to come up.  Black Crappie - Fair:  When the wind allows it anglers have been working the flooded timber in 4-6 foot of water and picking up some crappies.  Channel Catfish - Fair: The place to try for them would be along the face of the dam using cutbait when the winds aren't blowing 20-30 mph.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi)

Water temperature is running in the upper 50's. All the rain on Easter has put the water level at about 2/3 full. There is a lot of woody debris floating down the river. Channel Catfish - Fair: The catfish are getting spread out and more actively feeding. Cutbait or night crawlers in the slack water areas should find you a few to take home.

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

Diamond Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching black and white crappies in the mornings.

Hannen Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching 8- to 11-inch crappie around brush piles. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching mostly small bluegill 4- to 7-inches around brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fishing around brush piles.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Water temperatures are 50-55 degrees.  Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are moving shallower. Anglers are catching crappie in less than 8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Channel Catfish - Slow.  Spotted Bass - Slow: Walleye anglers are catching a few spotted bass. Walleye- Slow: Fish current seams and eddies with lead heads and soft plastics. White Bass - Slow. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Slow: Walleye anglers are catching a few. 

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Channel Catfish -Slow.  Walleye - Slow: Anglers are catching a few walleye with soft plastics.

Lake Macbride
Bluegill - Fair: Around around brush piles and rock shorelines.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try jigs, spinnerbaits, or chatter baits in brush piles and rocky areas.  Muskellunge - Slow.  Spotted Bass - Fair: Use jigs, spinnerbaits, or chatter baits in brush piles and rocky areas.  Walleye- Slow. White Crappie - Fair: Find crappies near the causeway on rocks and in brush piles.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Slow: Suspended near brush piles.

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Black Crappie - Slow. Bluegill - Slow.  Northern Pike Slow. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try leadhead and plastics in eddies.  Walleye - Slow: Use leadhead and plastics on current seams and holes. White Sucker - Good: Try redhorse and suckers with nightcrawlers.

Fishing has slowed down due to rain/thunder storms but should pick back up with stable and warming weather.  For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Hawthorn Lake
Channel Catfish -Slow: Try shad guts or dead minnows on wind-blown shorelines.  Largemouth Bass - No report: Largemouth bass should start to move into shallow water as temperatures warm.  Use plastics fished slowly.

Lake Keomah
Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project. Please stay out of the lakebed.

Lake Miami
Channel Catfish - Slow: Try dead minnows on wind-blown shorelines.  Largemouth Bass - No report: Look for bass to start to move into shallow water along the dam.

Lake Sugema
Bluegill - No report: Bluegill should start to move shallow as the water temperature increases.  Use small jigs. Channel Catfish - Slow: Try shad guts or dead chubs on wind-blown shorelines.

Lake Wapello
Black Crappie  - No report: Crappies should start to move into shallow water as the water temperature increases. Use small jigs around structure. Channel Catfish No report: Try dead minnows on wind-blown shorelines.

Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond)
1500 trout were stocked on March 22nd.  You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Try in-line spinners, chunks of nightcrawlers or prepared trout baits.

Pleasant Creek Lake

Walleye--slow. Wiper (hybrid striped bass)--slow

Sand Lake 

Two thousand rainbow trout to be stocked Friday the 25th. Trout stamp required to fish for or possess trout.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.00 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Water temperatures are in the mid 50s. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels; properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody.  Black Crappies - No Report: Water temperatures are still pretty cool for crappies to move shallow.  Some will start to move as water temperatures warm; most move in about the first two weeks of May.  Channel Catfish - Slow: Use shad guts or dead chubs on wind-blown shorelines.  Walleye - No Report: Walleye broodstock collections have been completed for the season.  Target post spawn walleyes around rock piles in 8-12 of water.

Red Haw Lake
Bluegill - No report: Bluegills should start to move shallow with warmer water temperatures.  Channel Catfish - Slow: Try dead minnows on the shorelines.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target shorelines with spinners or plastic.

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

SOUTHWEST

Big Creek Lake
Walleye - Fair: Day bite has been slow. Find walleye in shallow near rip-rap shoreline and jetties around sunset and after. Cast jigs with twister tails, swim baits or minnows.

Boone District Farm Ponds
Community ponds are the quickest to warm up after ice out, creating a fair to good pre-spawn largemouth bass and crappie bite. Check the Fish Local page to find ponds with public access. Black Crappie – Fair: Slowly retrieve small twister tails or swim baits.  If it exists in the pond, target edges of cattail stands and any wood habitat. Largemouth Bass - Good: Slowly retrieve plastics and shallow diving crankbaits.

For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Greenfield Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair Use shad sides or cut bait along wind-blown shorelines. Greenfield has a good channel catfish population. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Greenfield has a good largemouth bass population.

Lake Anita
Lake Anita has good bass, bluegill and crappie populations. Black Crappie - Good: There is a big year class of 9-inch fish.  Sorting will be necessary. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers should be able to catch bluegills around deep structure. Largemouth Bass - Fair.

Littlefield Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Littlefield has a good population of 9-inch black crappie.  Look for spawning fish along the dam.

Mormon Trail Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Bite will pick up along the dam and around the jetties.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Mormon Trail has a good largemouth bass population with a good percent of fish over 15-inches.

Prairie Rose Lake
Prairie Rose has an excellent largemouth bass population, large bluegills and black crappies.  Black Crappie Fair: Anglers report catching black crappie around the rock piles and jetties.  Bluegill - Good.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching largemouth bass around the jetties.

Red Rock Reservoir

Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies will begin moving shallow into early May. The first areas to check are any shorelines with riprap. Cast small two inch or less plastics or live minnows under a float.

Viking Lake
Water clarity is good. Black Crappie - Good: Cast small jigs two feet under a bobber in the pontoon arm of the lake.  Sorting will be necessary for 9 inch fish.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use shad sides or cut bait on the windy shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are having good luck casting the shoreline.

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

Green Valley Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Black Crappie - Fair: Try using jigs tipped with live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles for crappies up to 9 inches.

Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at main boat ramp. Black Crappie - Good: Use jigs fished in shallow coves to catch all sizes of crappie.

Three Mile Lake
**Driving is prohibited on any service roads used to access the lakebed and the lakebed itself.**  Lake level is 10 feet below normal pool. Boat ramp lanes are out of the water at the main boat ramp. 

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies of all sizes with jigs in shallow coves.

Water temperature is in the upper 50s in most district lakes. For more information, call Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-931-6031.