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 5, 2025:

NORTHWEST

Black Hawk Lake
Water levels are several inches over the crest of the spillway. Water temperature are around 70 degrees. Water clarity is about 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: The bite has slowed. Throw a twister or soft plastic near shore during late evening or try fishing the rock piles.  Yellow Perch -Slow.

Brushy Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie near shore in 5-10 feet of water near submerged structure.  Bluegill - Fair: Use small jig tipped with a piece of crawler fished under a bobber near shore.  Walleye - Fair.

North Twin Lake
Water level is several inches below crest.  Walleye - Fair: Throw a twister or use a crawler or minnow under a slip bobber during mornings or evenings.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are in the upper 60s.  Water clarity is about 2 feet. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try crawlers or cut bait on the bottom fished from shore.  Walleye - Fair:  Fishing from shore has slowed with dropping water temperatures. Boat anglers are having better luck; 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. 

Iowa residents can fish for free without a license June 6-8.  Water temperatures are around 70 degrees in most area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
Lake level is about a half inch over crest.  Water temperature is in the upper 60s. Water clarity is around 40 inches.  Black Crappie - Fair. Walleye - Good: Try live bait or crankbaits near deeper vegetation beds. Yellow Bass – Good:  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 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 building beds; try small jigs near these areas.  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 6.91 feet.

Free fishing weekend is coming up June 6-8 for Iowa residents.  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 mid-60s.  Black Crappie - Fair:  Bluegill - Good: Anglers are catching bluegill just off shore or near docks as fish are starting to nest. Largemouth Bass - Fair:  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. 

Iowa residents can fish for free without a license June 6-8.  If you're considering buying a license, this weekend would be a good time to try for free.  Area water temperatures are in the mid-60s.  Most lakes are just above crest level. Panfishing has been very good close to shore as fish move in shallow as water temperatures increase. 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. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers using minnows fished on the bottom are finding good action in impoundments and off channel areas. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent:  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 or worms.  Yellow Perch - Good: The perch bite is on.  Anglers using a jig tipped with a minnow are finding fish.

Decorah District Streams
Catchable trout stockings are weekly with streams announced once a month. Trout streams are in excellent condition. Flows remain elevated.  Gnats and mosquitoes are common. Caddisfly and mayfly hatches are becoming more numerous, especially on warm sunny days. Brook Trout - Fair: A variety of insect hatches are occurring. Use care not to alarm fish when approaching streams with clear water. Brown Trout - Good: 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 - Good. Find gills around pallet structures. Use a small hook tipped with a worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass -Good: Try spinnerbaits along weedlines in about 6 feet of water.  

Lake Meyer
dying off.  Black Crappie - Good.  Find fish in shallow water.  Use a jig tipped with nightcrawlers or spinnerbaits.  Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm or red worms around the jetties. 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.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: 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.  White Sucker – Fair: Use worms fished on the stream bottom. 

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water temperature are rising as levels stabilize. Water clarity is good. Smallmouth Bass - Good. Walleye - Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow in slack water below the dams. White Sucker - Fair: Try a worm fished on the stream bottom.

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 mid-70s to 50s, with a chance of thunderstorm through the weekend. 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.  Channel Catfish - Good: Use dead cut baits, nightcrawlers and stink baits. 

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 bober 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 70s; 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 pool 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. Crappie are in the spawning mode; bluegills will follow shortly. 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 8.3 feet at Lansing and is expected to remain stable. Water temperature is near 72 degrees. Black Crappie - Slow: Use small tube jigs or minnows fished in fallen trees in backwaters and side channels.  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. Sauger - Slow:  Use a hair jig tipped with a minnow out of the current near Lock and Dam tailwaters. Anglers are picking up sauger downriver on closing dams.  Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinners along the rocks on shorelines with current. Walleye- Slow: Use a hair jig tipped with a minnow out of the current near Lock and Dam tailwaters. Anglers are picking up walleye downriver on closing dams.  Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn. 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 616.4 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.  Black Crappie - Slow: Use small tube jigs or minnows in fallen trees in backwaters and side channels.  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.  Sauger - Slow: Use a hair jig tipped with a minnow out of the current near Lock and Dam tailwaters. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinners along the rocks on shorelines with current. Walleye - Slow: Use a hair jig tipped with a minnow out of the current near Lock and Dam tailwaters. Anglers are picking up walleye 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 is near 7.9 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to gradually recede. Water temperature is near 70 degrees.  Black Crappie - Slow: Use small tube jigs or minnows fished in fallen trees in backwaters and side channels.  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. Sauger - No report: Use a hair jig tipped with a minnow out of the current near Lock and Dam tailwaters. Anglers are picking up sauger downriver on closing dams. Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn.  Smallmouth Bass - Good:  Use spinners along the rocks on shorelines with current.  Walleye - No report: Use a hair jig tipped with a minnow out of the current near Lock and Dam tailwaters. Anglers are picking up walleye downriver on closing dams. Expect the bite to pick up again post-spawn.  Yellow Perch - Fair: 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 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 receding to near 7.6 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 9.8 feet at RR Bridge. The water is clear. Water temperature is around 70 degrees.  The main boat ramp at Spruce Creek park is still under construction; attemps have been made to keep at least one lane useable. Black Crappie - Slow: Anglers can still catch crappie in brush piles. 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 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 receding to near 8.3 feet at Bellevue. Water clarity is good. Water temperature is near 71 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.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Catch smallies on rock piles with current areas.  White Bass - Good: Try small spinners in tailwaters.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level is receding to near 8.2 feet at Fulton, 11.5 feet at Camanche, and 6.4 feet at LeClaire. Water is clear. Water temperature is near 71 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.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use small crankbaits or spinners near rock piles in moderate current areas.  White Bass - Fair: Try small spinners in tailwaters.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is 8.6 feet at Rock Island. Water is clear. Water temperature is 72 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.

River levels are receding. Water temperatures is in the lower 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 8.62 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is forecast to fall over the weekend. 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 bait, 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 trolling crankbaits or jigs with plastic or nightcrawlers on the upstream side of the wing-dams or troll crankbaits. 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 7.17 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is forecast to fall over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet.  Bluegill - No report: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Use pieces of worm under a bobber fished around 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 8.71 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is forecast to fall over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill - No report: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters.  Use pieces of worm under a bobber 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 tough with the 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 5.60 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 tough with the 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 have risen with recent heavy rains. Main channel water clarity is poor. Main channel water temperature is 71 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. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie on the edge of the flooded timber on the south side of the lake in 9-10 feet of water up a foot or so off the bottom.  Bluegill - Fair: Some are starting to sneak back onto the spawning beds; many are still out in 6 to 7 feet of water.  Use a worm and slip bobber to clear the water so you can  vertically jig over top of them. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass have recovered from the spawn.  The bigger the bass the farther they are back in the trees.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
Recent rains are forecast to keep the river levels stable until middle of next week before falling again. Channel Catfish - Good: Try cut bait in the backends of the sandbars or stink baits behind brush piles.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is 72 degrees. Water clarity is 7 feet.  Black Crappie – Fair: Try slow drifting or vertically jigging over the habitat and in about 12-16 feet of water.  Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills out in deeper water 10-14 feet down in the trees. They might come back in to continue the spawn as the water continues to warm.

Lake Darling
Water temperature is 71 degrees. Water clarity is good at 50-60 inches. The water has a green tint; it’s starting to clear again. Black Crappie - Fair: Look for crappies down by the dam in brush piles in deep water out from the high rip-rap bank or on the rock pile field on the ends of the dam. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing slowed with most bedding areas vacant.  They may start to come in as the water warms into the 70s.  Anglers are catching most in 6-8 feet of water.

Lake Geode
Water temperature is 73 degrees. Water clarity is 6 feet. Black Crappie - Good: Find crappies in the habitat in 8 to 19 feet of water; try vertically jigging. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are starting to return to the spawning beds after a brief break.  Use a worm and bobber or a small jig tipped with a waxworm. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are looking for young bluegills and crappies to feed on.

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is 68-70 degrees.  Curly-leaf is still in good health; hasn't started the summer die back yet. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing has slowed. They should start to move back on to the beds as the water warms back up. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are cruising the shallows feeding on the young bluegills; use crankbaits or topwater baits.

Railroad Lake
Minnows can’t be used as bait. Black Crappie - Slow: Work the brush piles in the middle of the lake; use small jigs. Bluegill - Excellent: Try worm and bobber and small jigs fished a few yards out from shore. Channel Catfish - Slow: Catfishing has slowed with falling water temperatures. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use nightcrawlers rigs and assorted artificial baits.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
River levels were slowly dropping; forecast to start to rise again with recent rainfall. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing with stink baits and cut baits had started to slow, but should pick up with the rising water. It’s time to try nightcrawlers again.

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: Anglers are catching a catfish on live bait such as green sunfish and bullheads around brush piles and rocks. 

Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
Channel Catfish -Good: Use dip bait near brush piles and rocks. Flathead Catfish - Slow.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair. Walleye - Fair.

Central Park Lake
Black Crappie –Slow..  Bluegill – Good. Channel Catfish -Good. Largemouth Bass – Good.  Redear Sunfish – Good.

Coralville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good.  Flathead Catfish - Slow.  Largemouth Bass - Fair.  Spotted Bass - Fair.  Walleye - Fair. White Crappie - Fair: Try fishing in brush piles or rock areas.

Diamond Lake
Black Crappie - Slow.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing around brush piles.  White Crappie - Slow.

Hannen Lake
Black Crappie - Slow. Bluegill - Good: Anglers are catching mostly 4- to 7-inch bluegills around brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try fishing around brush piles.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Black Crappie - Slow: Fish have moved offshore; try for suspended fish over brush piles.  Bluegill - Slow: Some bluegills are still close to shore while others have moved off shore.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching catfish. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Some bass are close to shore; most have moved to outside weedlines and brush piles.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use stinkbait or cut bait near brush piles and rock with current seams.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Try live bait near brush piles and rock. Sauger - Slow. Smallmouth Bass - Slow. Spotted Bass - Slow; Use crankbaits or leadhead with fluke.   Walleye - Fair. White Bass - Fair.. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair.

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or cut bait near brush piles and rocks. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Try live bait near brush piles and rocks. 

Lake Macbride
The seasonal 10 horse motor restriction is in effect. Bluegill - Fair.  Channel Catfish -Fair.  Flathead Catfish - Slow.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try fishing around brush piles.  Muskellunge - Fair: Troll or cast along edges of vegetation.  Spotted Bass - Good.  Walleye- Good: Trolling works best.  White Crappie - Slow.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair.

Pleasant Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Slow.  Bluegill - Fair. Channel Catfish - Fair. Largemouth Bass - Fair.  Muskellunge - Fair.  Walleye - Good: Best bite is at night. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair. 

Sand Lake 
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)
Black Crappie - Slow.  Bluegill - Fair.  Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait or dip bait.  Flathead Catfish -Fair. Largemouth Bass - Fair.  Rock Bass - Fair. Smallmouth Bass - Fair. Walleye - Good.

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: Try 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 - Fair: Bluegills will move shallow as they spawn.  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 and around underwater habitat.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: 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 the 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 904.34 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels; drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody.  Black Crappies - Fair: Try small jigs or jigs under a slip bobber. Use minnows if the crappie get picky. Walleye - Fair: Try 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 any structure close to shore.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinners or plastics along shorelines.

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. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill shallow on the upper half of the lake and in the backs of coves with chunks of nightcrawlers or leeches.  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.

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:  The crappie spawn is finishing up. Cast small plastics or live minnows under floats near any wood or rock habitat along and just off shore. Drift or troll jigs 3-6 feet deep to catch post-spawn 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: Drif cut baits on the upper end of the reservoir near and above the Mile Long Bridge.

Roberts Creek Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small twister tails or swim baits at depths of 3-6 feet in the lower half of the lake to catch post-spawn crappies.

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

Greenfield Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: 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 - Good: Find bluegills close to historical spawning sites. Largemouth Bass - Fair.

Littlefield Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Littlefield has a good population of 9-inch black crappie.  Bluegill - Fair: Cast the shoreline to find spawning bluegill.  Fish average 8-inches.    

Mormon Trail Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Cast the shoreline to find spawning bluegill. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Mormon Trail has a good largemouth bass population with a good percent of fish over 15-inches.

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
Water clarity is good. 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 - Fair: Catch all sizes of largemouth bass with finesse plastics fished near cedar tree brushpiles.

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. Black Crappie - Slow: Use jigs or minnows along creek channels to catch all sizes of crappies  Bluegill - Fair: Try jigs tipped with live baitalong creek channels in the flooded timber to catch all sizes of bluegill.

Water temperature is in the upper 60s to low 70s in most district lakes. For more information, call Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-931-6031.