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 June 12, 2025:

NORTHWEST

Black Hawk Lake
Water levels are several inches over the crest of the spillway. Water temperature are around 70 degrees. Water clarity is1 to 2 feet. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching crappie along Ice House Point shoreline and in the marina. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up some keeper-size bluegill (7-inches) near shore. Walleye - Fair: Throw a twister or soft plastic near shore during late evening or try fishing the rock piles.  Yellow Perch -Slow.

Brushy Creek Lake
Water temperatures are around 70 degrees. Water clarity is about 5 feet.  Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie near shore in 5-10 feet of water near submerged structure.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are on beds; try fishing along shore in 1-5 feet of water and along weed lines.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing along weed lines in 2-8 feet of water.  Walleye - Fair.

North Twin Lake
Water temperatures are around 70 degrees. Water clarity is 3 feet. Water levels are at the crest of the spillway.  Black Bullhead - Good: Use a piece of crawler fished on the bottom near shore.  Most fish are 11-inches.  Walleye - Fair: Throw a twister or use a crawler or minnow under a slip bobber during mornings or evenings.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Fish are up to 8-inches.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are around 70 degrees.  Water clarity is about 2 feet. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try crawlers or cut bait on the bottom fished from shore.  Walleye - Fair:  Much of the walleye action have now moved off shore.  Use crankbaits or a bottom bouncer rig fished near the dredge cut.  White Bass - Fair.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Pick up yellow bass near shore.  Keepers are in the 9-inch range.

Swan Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8-inches near shore. Largemouth Bass – Fair. 

Water temperatures are in the low 70s in most area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Drift fish small jigs along the north shore. Bluegill - Good: Try fishing in 1 to 2 feet of water from the causeway. Largemouth Bass – Good.

Clear Lake
Lake level is about an inch over crest.  Water temperature is in the low 70s. Water clarity is around 40 inches.  Walleye - Good: Try live bait or crankbaits near deeper vegetation beds. Yellow Bass - Fair:  Use small jigs in shallow rock on warmer days.  Best bite is early morning.

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie -Fair.  Bluegill -Good: Bluegills are on beds near shore.

Rice Lake
Bluegill - Good: Try small jigs in areas with firm bottom substrate to find bluegills on spawning beds.  Largemouth Bass- Good: Use jigs and spinnerbaits near shoreline habitat.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Try small jigs with a piece of crawler.  Sorting is needed for larger fish.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are on spawning beds; try small jigs near these areas.  Largemouth Bass- Good: Find bass near vegetation close to shore. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a small jig in 4-5 feet of water. Perch are scattered; try different locations to find them.

Winnebago River
River level is 8.49 feet.

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

Center Lake
Black Crappie - Good:  Some sorting is needed.

East Okoboji Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 60s. Anglers have been very successful catching many panfish species. Black Crappie - Good.  Bluegill - Good: Anglers are catching bluegill just off shore or near docks as fish are starting to nest. Largemouth Bass - Fair.  Yellow Bass - Good. Yellow Perch - Fair: Many fish have been observed; sorting will most likely be needed.

Ingham Lake
Walleye - Fair: Best bite is morning and afternoon.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Black Bullhead - Good: Catch quality-sized fish just off shore.  Walleye - Fair: Bite is hit-or-miss.

Spirit Lake
The Marble Beach fish cleaning station is fully operational.  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 acceptable size fish.

West Okoboji Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 60s. Black Crappie - Fair:  Bluegill - Good. 

Area water temperatures are in the upper 60s, but temperatures have stayed cooler due to recent rains.  Most lakes are above crest level. Panfishing has been very good close to shore as fish have started making beds in shallow. For current conditions, call 712-330-2542.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water temperatures are warming. Water levels are stabilizing.  Anglers are finding a variety of fish using live bait.  Black Crappie - Good: Action is picking up; use minnows or red worms. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers using cut bait, chubs or worms fished on the bottom are finding good action in impoundments and off channel areas. Smallmouth Bass - Fair:  Use a jig tipped with a minnow fished through a deeper hole out of current. Walleye - Good: Find walleye in deeper holes and out of current using minnows. 

Decorah District Streams
Catchable trout stockings are weekly with streams announced once a month. Trout streams are in excellent condition. Wear long pants or waders to protect your legs from irritating yellow parsnip and nettles.  Gnats and mosquitoes are common. Caddisfly and mayfly hatches are becoming more numerous as the season progresses. Brook Trout - Fair: A variety of insect hatches are occurring. Use care not to alarm fish when approaching streams with clear water. Brown Trout - Excellent: Try fishing near or around undercut banks. Spinnerbaits work well, especially in windy conditions. Use streamers on larger waterbodies for 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
Water temperature are warming. The water is clear.  Black Crappie - Fair: Try angling higher in the water column in the late afternoon. Use a jig tipped with a plastic tail over rocky humps.  Bluegill - Fair. Find gills around pallet structures. Use a small hook tipped with a worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Try spinnerbaits along weedlines in about 6 feet of water.  

Lake Meyer
Water temperatures in the low 70s. Water clarity is 8 feet. Vegetation around the boat ramp is clearing.  Black Crappie - Slow:  Use a jig tipped with a minnow or spinnerbaits in deeper water.  Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm or red worms along the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Find bass in shallow to spawn or near woody structure near shore.

Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water temperatures are rising as water levels stabilize. Water clarity is good.  Northern Pike - Good: Use a spinnerbait with a steel leader to prevent getting bitten off.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use a jig tipped with a minnow. Walleye - Good. Try a jig tipped with a minnow or spinnerbait just off the channel out of current.  

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water temperature are rising as levels stabilize. Water clarity is good. Brown Trout -Good: Find brown trout at mouths of trout streams. Spinnerbaits work well.  Smallmouth Bass - Good. Walleye - Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow in slack water below the dams. 

Volga Lake
Water temperature are warming slowly with good visibility.  Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie around woody structure. Use a flashy lure to attract attention. Bluegill - Good: Find bluegills around structure near shore. Use small jigs tipped with waxworms or a small piece of nightcrawler.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try crankbaits or spinnerbaits near shore around downed trees or rocky areas.

Temperatures are in the 80s to upper 50s. A chance of thunderstorm through the weekend; better chance Friday and Sunday.  Area waters are in good condition. For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Big Woods Lake
Anglers are catching crappie; some sorting may be needed. Black Crappie - Good: Drift a minnow under a slip bobber or cast and retrieve crappie jigs around structure.

Brinker Lake
Anglers are catching crappie and bluegill. Black Crappie - Good: Drift a minnow under a slip bobber or cast and retrieve crappie jigs.  Bluegill - Fair: Try a piece of worm under a slip bobber to find active spawning beds.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) 
Anglers are catching channel catfish, walleye and smallmouth bass.  Channel Catfish - Good: Use dead cut baits, nightcrawlers and stink baits.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try 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 crawler.  Look for the deeper pools, current breaks and tail ends of riffles.

George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and walleye. Black Crappie - Good: Look for structures; drift a minnow under a slip bobber or cast and retrieve crappie jigs.  Bluegill - Fair: Try a piece of worm under a slip bobber to find active spawning beds.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater or spinnerbaits early morning or late evening.  Walleye - Good: Try jigging or trolling crankbaits.

Lake Delhi
Avoid mid-afternoons and weekends due to heavy boat traffic. Black Crappie - Good: Try a live minnow under a slip bobber or cast various colored tube or hair jigs near structure.  Bluegill - Good: Use a piece of nightcrawler underneath a slip bobber near structure.

Manchester District Streams
Next week’s forecast calls for temperatures in the 80s; should be good aquatic insect hatches to provide great trout fishing.  Brown Trout - Good: Match the hatches with dry flies.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Anglers are catching walleye and smallmouth bass. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try 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 continue to fall in Jones and Jackson counties.  Anglers are catching smallmouth bass, walleye, and channel catfish.  Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Cast and retrieve spinnerbaits or a jig tipped with half a nightcrawler.  Walleye - Fair: Try a jig head with plastics with or without a live minnow.  Look for the deeper pools, current breaks and tail ends of riffles.

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)
Anglers are catching walleye.  Channel catfish are a good target species with increased water temperatures.  Channel Catfish - Good: Use dead cut baits. Walleye - Good: Cast and retrieve jerk baits.

Most interior river levels continue to fall. Anglers are catching a few walleye, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish on the rivers.  Good reports on area lakes of anglers catching crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass as the lakes start to warm in and around the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Trout streams are in excellent condition. For more information, contact Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 8.1 feet at Lansing and is expected to remain stable. Water temperature is near 72 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Try a weighted crawler off the bottom in current eddies.  Flathead Catfish - Good: Use large shiners or a small sunfish for bait in holes with sunken trees. Largemouth Bass - Good: Throw plastics along the shorelines in the upper end of backwaters away from current.  Northern Pike - Good: Pike are on the feed after the spawn.  Try larger flashy spinnerbaits in the shallows and weedy shorelines. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinners along the rocks on shorelines with current. Yellow Perch - Fair: Use a crappie rig tipped with worms or a minnow in the current seams off shore.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is near 615.6 feet at Lynxville and is predicted to gradually fall next week.  Water temperature is 72 degrees at the Lock and Dam.  The road at Sny Magill ramp has reopened.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try a weighted crawler off the bottom in current eddies.  Flathead Catfish - Good: Use large shiners or a small sunfish for bait in holes with sunken trees.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw plastics along the shorelines in the 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.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinners along the rocks on shorelines with current. 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 is near 7.3 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to gradually recede. Water temperature is near 70 degrees.  Black Crappie - Slow.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try a weighted crawler off the bottom in current eddies.  Fathead Catfish - Good: Use large shiners or a small sunfish for bait in holes with sunken trees. Largemouth Bass- Fair: Throw plastic along the shorelines in the upper end of backwaters away from current.  Northern Pike - Fair: Pike are on the feed after the spawn. Try larger flashy spinnerbaits in the shallows and weedy shorelines. Smallmouth Bass - Good:  Use spinners along the rocks on shorelines with current.  Yellow Perch - Fair: Use a crappie rig tipped with worms or a minnow in the current seams off shore. 

Upper Mississippi River water levels are on a gradual fall. Water temperature is in the low 70s. Multiple species are biting with the warmer water temperatures. Panfish have started to spawn in the shallow shoreline areas.
 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is steady at near 6.8 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 9.2 feet at RR Bridge. The water is clear. Water temperature is around 72 degrees. The boat ramp at Spruce Creek park is open. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappies here and there on minnows. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill are spawning; find nests in shallow waters, especially near mouths of backwater areas and marinas. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait on channel edges and above brush piles.  Flathead Catfish - Good: Anglers are setting trot lines with sunfish or bullheads for bait. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use egg sinker and worm rigs in moderate current areas. Catch bigger drum with large crayfish. Largemouth Bass - Excellent:  Bass are spawning.  Use spinnerbaits and crankbaits. Northern Pike - Good: Try gaudy white spinners around the weed edges.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Find smallies along the rock lines; use spinners or small crankbaits as close to the rocks as possible. 

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is stable at near 7.4 feet at Bellevue. Water clarity is good. Water temperature is near 73 degrees. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are nesting along edges of backwater areas. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink baits above fallen tree snags in moderate current areas.  Try fishing fairly shallow waters (3-6 feet).  Flathead Catfish - Good:: Anglers are setting trot lines with sunfish or bullheads for bait. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Use a simple egg sinker and worm rig in moderate current areas.  Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Try spinnerbaits and crankbaits along the weedlines.  Northern Pike - Good: Use gaudy white spinnerbaits. Rainbow Trout - Fair: The Kids pond at Bellevue Fisheries station is covered with duckweed,  open pockets become available when it's windy. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Catch smallies on rock piles with moderate current.  White Bass - Good: Find white bass feeding on sandy areas throughout the pool; use small white spinners.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level is steady at near 6.8 feet at Fulton, 10.6 feet at Camanche, and 5.6 feet at LeClaire. Water is clear. Water temperature is near 74 degrees.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are nesting near shore in backwater areas. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use stink bait in shallow waters above brush piles or near stump fields. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Use an egg sinker and worm rig in moderate current areas.  Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass are spawning at the edge of weedlines in backwater areas.  Northern Pike - Good: Excellent populations of northern pike are seen in Pool 14; gaudy white spinners work best. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use small crankbaits or spinners near rock piles in moderate current areas.  White Bass - Good: Try small spinners in tailwaters.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is steady at 8.6 feet at Rock Island. Water is clear. Water temperature is 75 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait rigs near moderate current areas and along rock lines. Freshwater Drum - Good: Use a egg sinker rig in moderate current areas off shore near boat ramps.  Smallmouth Bass - No report: Pool 15 is a sleeper smallmouth bass spot with many rock lines that hold abundant smallies.  Use a simple spinner or crankbait.

River levels are receding. Water temperature is in the lower to mid-70s throughout the district. Water is clear.  If you have angling questions, call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 7.21 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet.  Bluegill - No report: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters.  Try pieces of worm under a bobber along brush piles. Channel Catfish - No report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use cut shad, nightcrawlers, or stink bait fished upstream of the brush. Try floating leeches or crawlers under a bobber along rip-rap shorelines with current.  Walleye - No report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams.  Cast or troll crankbaits or jigs with plastic or nightcrawlers on the upstream side of the wing-dams. Fishing will be difficult with the dirtier water conditions due to recent rain. White Bass - No report: Cast crankbaits, inline spinners,  or jigs and twister tails in areas with current around rocky points or water discharges in Sylvan Slough. White Crappie - No report:  Use minnows under a bobber or vertical jig minnows or plastics around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 5.8 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has been falling. Flood stage is 15 feet.  Bluegill - No report: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Use pieces of worm under a bobber fished along brush piles at Big Timber and Cleveland Slough.  Channel Catfish - No report: Try around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use stink bait, cut shad, or nightcrawlers upstream of the brush. Float leeches or crawlers under a bobber along rip-rap shorelines with current.  Walleye - No Report: Look for walleye on the wing-dams. Cast crankbaits or jigs with plastic or nightcrawlers on the upstream side of the wing-dams or troll crankbaits. Fishing could be difficult with the muddy water conditions. White Bass - No Report: Cast crankbaits, inline spinners, or jigs and twister tails in areas with current around rocky points or water discharges.  White Crappie - No Report: Use minnows under a bobber or vertical jig minnows or plastics around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 7.02 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill - No report: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters.  Use pieces of worm under a bobber along bursh piles in the Huron Island complex.  Channel Catfish - No report: Try around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use stink bait, cut shad or nightcrawlers upstream of the brush. Float leeches or crawlers under a bobber along rip-rap shorelines with current. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams.  Cast crankbaits or jigs with plastic or nightcrawlers on the upstream side of the wing-dams or troll crankbaits. Fishing may be difficult with dirtier water conditions due to recent rains. White Bass - No report: Cast crankbaits, inline spinners, or jigs and twister tails in areas with current around rocky points or water discharges. White Crappie - No Report: Use minnows under a bobber or vertical jig minnows or plastics around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels in the Huron Island complex.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 4.22 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is forecast to fall over the weekend. Flood stage is 10 feet. Bluegill - No report: Bluegills are up shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber along brush piles.  Channel Catfish - Try around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use stink bait, cut shad or nightcrawlers upstream of the brush. Float leeches or crawlers under a bobber along rip-rap shorelines with current. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams.  Cast crankbaits or jigs with plastic or nightcrawlers on the upstream side of the wing-dams or troll crankbaits. Fishing may be difficult with dirtier water condition due to recent rains.  White Bass - No Report: Cast crankbaits, inline spinners, or jigs and twister tails in areas with current around rocky points or water discharges. White Crappie - No Report: Use minnows under a bobber or vertical jig minnows or plastics around brush piles in the backwaters and side channels.

Tailwater stages are falling. Main channel water clarity is fair. Main channel water temperature is 73 degrees. 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 73 degrees. Duckweed is thick on top of the curly-leaf pondweed beds, but not bad elsewhere. Black Crappie - Good: Try a small jig or a slip bobber and minnow in 7 to 8  feet of water along the outer edges of the curly-leaf pondweed beds on the northside of the lake. Bluegill - Fair: Most spawning beds are still vacant. Look for bluegills in a pocket in the curly-leaf pondweed beds or out in the trees down about 6 feet. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Find bass in the brush or outer edges of the weed beds; use soft plastics rigged weedless.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is 74 degrees. Water clarity is 7 feet.  Black Crappie – Good: Try slow drifting and vertically jigging over the habitat and in about 12-16 feet of water. Trolling speed of about 1 mph works best. Bluegill - Fair: A few male bluegills are on the spawning beds; many remain out in 10-12 feet of water.

Lake Darling
Water temperature is in the mid-70s. Water clarity is good (50-60 inches). The water still has a a green cast. Black Crappie - Good: Anglers are catching crappies off of the brush and rock piles in deeper water by the dam. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are returning to the spawning beds.  Many more are staying out around the rock piles in 6-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing has picked up with the return of the females from deeper water.  Best bite is early morning before it gets too hot.

Lake Geode
Water temperature is73 degrees. Water clarity is 5 1/2 feet. Water willows are making a comeback. Black Crappie - Good: Try vertically jigging in the habitat in 8 to 9 feet of water.  . Bluegill - Good: Many spawning beds were reoccupied earlier this week. Use worm and a small bobber to avoid spooking the fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are looking for young bluegills and crappies to feed on. Find bass in tree falls and rock piles along the old haul road;  shallow diving crankbaits should draw their attention.

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is 72.  Curly-leaf is still in good health. Algae on top of it is getting fairly thick.  Bluegill - Good: Anglers are catching bluegill along the outer edges of the flooded brush in 6-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Good: Best bite is the first 2 or 3 hours of daylight or just as the sun starts to set.  If you catch a calm no wind period, switch to topwater for the big splash.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The river is stable at about half bank full. More than adequate water levels for boats. Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut baits and stink baits.  Mulberries are starting to ripen; catfish really like to eat mulberries.

Yenruogis Pond
Water is extremely clear; you can see 11 feet down on a cloudy day. Water temperature is 74 degrees. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are still on the spawning beds.  Use flyrods and poppers or ultralight rods and tiny jigs in this clear water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try topwater baits on the less noisy side.  You can see the bass coming from a distance.

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

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use dip bait around brush piles and rocks. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Try fishing brush piles and rock shorelines.  Northern Pike - No Report: Look for pike in creek mouths or other areas with cooler water entering river.  Sauger - No Report: Fish are scattered on sand bars.  Shorthead Redhorse - No Report: Use crawlers in fast current rock areas.  Smallmouth Bass - Try crankbaits in rocky areas.  Walleye - No Report: Fish are scattered on sand bars.  

Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
Channel Catfish -Good: Use dip bait or cut bait near brush piles and rocks. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Try fishing in brush piles and rock shorelines.  Shorthead Redhorse - No Report: Use crawlers in fast current areas with rock.  Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Try fishing rock shorelines. Walleye - Fair Use a lead head tipped with a worm on rocky shorelines.

Central Park Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Find a few fish near shore. Channel Catfish -Fair: Try fishing in rock areas. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing in brush piles or rock areas. 

Coralville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing near rock areas.  Flathead Catfish - Slow: Try fishing near rock areas.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing in tapering rock banks.  White Crappie - Slow: Try fishing in brush piles or rock wall areas to catch suspended fish.

Diamond Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Look for suspended fish off shore. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing in area with rocks or brush piles.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing around brush piles.  White Crappie - Slow: Look for suspended fish off shore.

Hannen Lake
Black Crappie - Slow. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching mostly 4- to 7-inch bluegills around brush piles.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing in areas with rock or brush piles.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try fishing around brush piles; most fish are 2-3 pounds.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Bluegill - Slow: Some bluegills are still close to shore while others have moved off shore.  Channel Catfish - Fair:  Try fishing around rock or brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use topwater lures in weed edges or around shoreline cover.  White Crappie - Fair: Look for fish around brush piles.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or cut bait near brush piles and rock with current seams.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Try fishing near brush piles and rock shorelines.  Northern Pike - No Report: Look for fish in creek mouths or other areas with cooler water entering the river. Sauger - Slow. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Use crankbaits or jigs.along rocky shorelines.  Spotted Bass - Slow; Use crankbaits or jigs.  Walleye - Fair: Try a leadhead tipped with a worm around brush piles. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits or jigs. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Try crankbaits or jigs.

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or cut bait near brush piles and rocks. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Try fishing in brush piles and rocks. White Bass - Slow: Anglers fishing for channel catfish are catching a few white bass.

Lake Macbride
The seasonal 10 horse motor restriction is in effect. Bluegill - Fair.  Channel Catfish -Fair: Try fishing rock areas or brush piles.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Try fishing in rock areas or brush piles.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing weed edges, brush piles or rock edges with stumps.  Muskellunge - Fair: Troll or cast along edges of vegetation or out in the basin to catch suspended fish.  Spotted Bass - Fair: Try fishing in weed edges, brush piles or rock edges with stumps.  Walleye- Fair: Trolling works best. White Bass - Slow: Look for scattered suspended fish around wind-blown points.  White Crappie - Fair: Try fishing around brush piles.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Slow: Look for scattered suspended fish around wind blown-points.

Pleasant Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Slow.  Bluegill - Slow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing in rock areas or brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Slow.  Muskellunge - Slow.  Walleye - Fair: Best bite is at night. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow. 

Sand Lake 
Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try fishing around shoreline brush piles.  Rainbow Trout – No report. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.  

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait or dip bait on rocky shorelines and brush piles.  Flathead Catfish - Slow: Try fishing in brush piles or rock areas. Northern Pike - No report: Look for fish in creek mouths or other areas with cooler water entering river.  Rock Bass - Fair: Use a worm on a lead head around rock areas. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try crankbaits in rock areas and brush piles. Walleye - Fair: Use a worm on a lead head or crankbaits around brush piles and rock areas.

Looking for a new spot to Fish Local? Check out these community fishing ponds:

• Arti and Red's Pond
• Broadmoor Pond
• Centennial Park Pond
• Ely Pond
• Goose Pond
• Whispering Meadows
• Williamsburg Pond (West End Pond)

Overall fishing has slowed for most species as spring spawning concludes on area lakes and fish move off shore and begin setting up their summer patterns.  For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Hawthorn Lake
Black Crappie - Fair.  Use small jigs around structure and the jetties. Bluegill -Fair: Try small jigs along the shallows and in open areas in the vegetation. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use plastics around the jetties and along the face of the dam.

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

Lake Miami
Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs around the jetties and along the dam.  Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs along the shorelines.  Largemouth Bass -Fair: Target the area along the dam and around the jetties.

Lake Sugema
Black Crappie - Fair: Try jigs or jig/minnow combos. Keep moving until you find active fish. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs in the shallows.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits and plastics around the fishing jetties and along the face of the dam.

Lake Wapello
Black Crappie - Good: Use small jigs around structure and the shorelines.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are on spawning beds and moving shallow.  Use small jigs in these areas.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try spinnerbaits and plastics around the cedar tree piles.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.31 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels; drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody.  Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs or jigs under a slip bobber. Use minnows if the crappie get picky. Walleye - Fair: Usr crankbaits or crawler harnesses in rock piles and the old river channel.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Anglers are catching hybrids.  Cast crankbaits or try vertically jigging in rock piles and rock reefs.

Red Haw Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs along the shoreline and around the jetties.  Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs around the shallows and on the edge of the lily pads.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinners or plastics along shorelines and the edge of the lily pads.

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

SOUTHWEST

Big Creek Lake
Anglers may notice orange and white buoys in the northwest arm of the lake. These buoys are marking equipment on the bottom of the lake used in an ongoing fishery research project.  Please do not disturb them. Walleye - Fair:  Jig or troll live bait rigs off humps and around points in 10 to 20 feet of water during the day and shallower in the evenings near sunset.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Catch Wipers mostly in the lower half of the lake jigging shad imitating plastics through the schools or casting top water lures over the schools.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut baits and stink baits ahead of wood debris.

Hickory Grove Lake
Black Crappie - Fair:  Drift or troll jigs 3-6 feet deep to catch suspended crappies.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills have moved shallow to spawn. Use worms or very small plastics under a bobber near shore in 2 to 5 feet of water.

Red Rock Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good: Drift cut baits on the upper end of the reservoir near and above the Mile Long Bridge.

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

Greenfield Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait around the jetties. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Greenfield has a good largemouth bass population.

Lake Anita
Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching crappies around deep structure late in the day.  Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are still finding spawning bluegills. Largemouth Bass - Fair.

Prairie Rose Lake
The water is extremely clear after the alum treatment. Black Crappie - Slow: Look for crappie around the tree piles.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are spawning on the underwater reefs and pea-gravel beds placed in the lake.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching largemouth bass casting the shoreline.

Viking Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Look for black crappie around deep structure.  Sorting is needed for 9-inch fish. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill average 7.5-inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: 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 main boat ramp.  Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill up to 7.5-inches with jigs tipped with live bait near the fishing jetties or cedar tree brush pile. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Catch all sizes of largemouth bass with finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at main boat ramp. Black Crappie - Slow: Use jigs or minnows along weedlines to catch all sizes of crappies.  Bluegill - Fair: Try jigs tipped with live bait fished along creek channels in the flooded timber to catch all sizes of bluegill. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 19-inches with spinnerbaits along the weedline.

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. Bluegill - Fair: Try jigs tipped with live bait along creek channels in the flooded timber to catch all sizes of bluegill.

Water temperature is in the mid-70s in most district lakes. For more information, call Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-931-6031.