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 Oct. 2, 2025:

Northwest

Black Hawk Lake
Water levels are several inches over the crest of the spillway. Water temperature are in the upper 60s. Black Bullhead - Fair: Use nightcrawlers fished on or near bottom from shore.  Most bullheads are 10- to 12-inches. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing from the fish house in Town Bay and near the stone piers.  Most fish are smaller; anglers are catching a few keepers. Bluegill - Slow: Look for keeper-size bluegill (7-inches) near the rock pile off Gunshot Hill, the rock piles in the east basin, and along Ice House Point shoreline in 3-6 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Fair. Walleye - Fair:  Anglers are catching walleye from shore. 

Brushy Creek Lake
Surface water temperature is around 70 degrees. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie near submerged structure in 5-10 feet of water along the shorelines. Bluegill - Fair:  Try vertical jigging around submerged trees in deeper water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing along weedlines in 2-8 feet of water. 

Lizard Lake
Yellow Perch - Good: Sorting is needed; catch perch up to 11- to 12-inches long. Use small jigs or a piece of crawler under a bobber.  Find fish along the edges of the cattails.

North Twin Lake
Water levels are near crest level at the spillway. Black Bullhead - Good: Use a piece of crawler fished on the bottom near shore.  Most fish are 11-inches.  Walleye - Fair: Expect the walleye bite from shore to pick up as water temperatures decrease. Yellow Bass - Fair: Use a piece of crawler on a small hook or a jig under a bobber near shore. Catch bass up to 8-inches.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperature is in the upper 60s. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try crawlers or cut bait on the bottom fished from shore in 2-8 feet of water.  Walleye - Slow: Expect shore fishing to pick up as water temperatures start to drop. White Bass - Fair.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Keepers are in the 9-inch range.

Swan Lake
Water levels are at crest. Water clarity is between 1 and 2 feet. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch 9.5-inch crappie in and around the fish house. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers are catching 7.5- to 8-inch crappie with some up to 8.5-inches.

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 .6 inches over crest. Water temperature is in the low 70s. Water clarity is around 25 inches.  Black Crappie - Slow. Walleye - Slow: Use crankbaits and live bait rigs near vegetation during low light periods.  Yellow Bass - Fair:  Try small jigs tipped with with a piece of crawler or cut bait in areas with submerged vegetation.  

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs or live bait in 8-12 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair. 

Rice Lake
Any water west of the north boat ramp is a waterfowl refuge and is closed to all activities from September 1st through the final day of the duck season. Signs across the lake mark this area.  Bluegill - Fair.  Yellow Perch - Good.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill - Fair. Yellow Perch - Slow: Use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler near submerged vegetation.

Winnebago River
River level is 5.2 feet. Northern Pike - Good. Smallmouth Bass - Fair.

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

Northeast

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are stabilizing.  Water clarity is good.  Use caution while boating; hazards may have moved. Check water levels online. Black Crappie  - Good: Find crappie near woody structures in backwater areas. Try a hook tipped with a minnow under a bobber. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs, stink bait and chicken liver fished on the bottom.  Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Use crankbaits or jigs tipped with plastic tails in back eddies or off channel areas.  Walleye - Good: Walleye bite is improving. Use spinner baits or jigs tipped with a nightcrawler or minnow.

Decorah District Streams
All trout stockings are unannounced in October. Pack your bug spray to combat the swarms of mosquitoes and gnats. Water clarity is excellent.  Approach streams slowing to avoid casting a shadow in the stream. Fishing some streams may be more challenging than normal; switch terminal tackle often.  Brook Trout - Slow:  Good hatches of dragonflies, grasshoppers, crickets and ants.  Sneak up on brookies for a better chance to catch one of these beauties. Brown Trout - Good: Use spinner baits near or around logs and undercut banks. Try streamers or a variety of terrestrial insect patterns on larger waterbodies. Rainbow Trout - Excellent:  Use spinner baits, hair jigs or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm, bread or cheese floated through deeper holes. Freshly stocked fish are waiting to take your bait.

Lake Hendricks
Visibility is improving with cooler water.  Black Crappie - Fair: Bite is improving.  Cast spinner bait near submersed structure.  Bluegill - Good: Find bluegills near vegetation beds.  Use a small red worm under a bobber.  Channel Catfish - Good: Find catfish in areas with stumps or other cavities. Use a worm or stink bait fished on the bottom. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try a hook with a plastic tail fished along the shoreline.

Lake Meyer
An algae bloom is limiting visibility to about 12 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Find brush piles and other woody debris to fish around. Bluegill - Slow: Use red worms on a hook under a bobber near brush.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are finding nice-sized catfish along the face of the dam in the evening. Use a worm or stink bait on or near the bottom.  Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try a spinner or crankbait near drop-offs or submerged logs or tree branches.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels are stable. Good to excellent water clarity.  Check water levels online.  Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Find bass near rocky habitats or log piles.  Use a jig tipped with a twistertail or ringworm.  Walleye - Good: Find walleye in deeper holes. Try minnows or spinner baits near evening hours.  

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels are stabilizing with excellent visibility. Water temperatures are cooling. Check water levels online.  Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Try a jig tipped with a worm or twistertail near rocky outcroppings or ledges.  Walleye - Good: Find walleye in deeper holes or near log jams; use spinner or crankbaits.

Volga Lake
Water clarity is improving with cooler temperatures. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappie around structure, docks, or woody debris along the shore. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small hook tipped with a piece of worm around structure. Channel Catfish - Good: Trophy catfish are abundant in this lake. Look for areas with woody debris, submerged trees, and rocky habitat. Use a worm or stink bait fished on the bottom and wait for a tug on your line.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try a jig tipped with a twister tail or shallow running crankbait along rocky shorelines.

Weekend temperatures in the upper 80s to 50s at night with a gusty south wind. Water levels are stable on many area rivers and streams.  Water clarity is good to excellent. Morning and evening bite is best, especially with clear water. For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Big Woods Lake
Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie. Black Crappie - Fair: Look for structure; use a live minnow under a slip bobber. Bluegill - Fair: Try a piece of nightcrawler under a slip bobber  from shore.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City
Anglers are catching walleye, catfish and smallmouth bass.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use live chubs, cut baits, stink baits and nightcrawlers. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Cast a heavy sinker and hook with a live bluegill, bullhead, or sucker above fallen tree snags.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits or jig and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler.  Walleye - Good: Cast crankbaits or jig and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler. Use a nightcrawler under a slip bobber and small split shot.

George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie.  Black Crappie - Fair: Look for structures; use a live minnow under a slip bobber.  Bluegill - Fair: Try a piece of nightcrawler under a slip bobber from shore.

Lake Delhi
Anglers are catching bass. Try fishing early mornings and evenings to avoid heavy boat traffic. Largemouth Bass - Good: Cast and retrieve topwater baits early morning or late evening. Spinner baits and crankbait are productive.  Smallmouth Bass  - Good: Cast and retrieve topwater baits early morning or late evening. Spinner baits and crankbait sare productive.

Manchester District Streams
Trout streams are in excellent condition. 

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Anglers are catching smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and walleye.  The river is in excellent condition and should provide good angling opportunities.  Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut baits, stink baits and nightcrawlers. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast crankbaits or jig and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler.  Walleye - Fair: Cast crankbaits or jig and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler.

Maquoketa River (below Monticello)
Anglers are catching walleye, catfish, and smallmouth bass on the lower Maquoketa River.  A recent electrofishing survey above Pictured Rocks revealed an abundant population of 16-to 20-inch channel catfish. Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut baits, stink baits and nightcrawlers. Smallmouth Bass - Good:  Cast crankbaits or jig and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler. Walleye - Fair: Cast crankbaits or jig and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Anglers are catching walleye and smallmouth bass. A recent river survey revealed numerous and abundant year classes of walleye. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits or jigs and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler.  Walleye - Good: Cast crankbaits or jig and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler. A nightcrawler under a slip bobber and small split shot has been productive.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Anglers are catching walleye and smallmouth bass.  Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits or jig and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler.  Walleye - Good: Cast crankbaits or jig and plastics tipped with or without half a nightcrawler.  

Most interior rivers are providing fair to good walleye, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish angling opportunities.  A few area lakes are producing some bluegill and crappie.  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 8.2 feet at Lansing and stable. Water temperature is 72 degrees in the channel. Water clarity is good with not as many floating weeds. Target the edge of backwater weed beds as fish move out of the current in the fall. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a minnow on a crappie rig in the tree-piles in the sloughs.  Expect the bite to pick up when water temperatures fall again.  Bluegill - Good: Look for bluegills in fallen trees in running sloughs and lower ends of backwaters.  Keep moving to find active fish.  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. Freshwater Drum - Good: Try a weighted nightcrawler on the bottom in areas with medium current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Throw plastics along the shorelines in the upper in the upper end of backwaters away from the current. Northern Pike - Good: Pike seek cooler waters in hot weather. Cast spoons or spinnerbaits at the mouth of tributary streams and along the edges of weeds. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth action has picked up. Use spinners off rock points along the main channel.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing on the wing-dams improved with the stable water levels. Try trolling a crankbait or crawler on a three-way rig. White Bass - Fair: Cast inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for minnows jumping out of the water to find schools of feeding white bass. Yellow Perch - Good: Look for perch on the edge of weed beds. Catch larger perch with a minnow fished just off the bottom.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 613.5 feet at Lynxville and is predicted remain stable. Water temperature is 74 degrees at the Lock and Dam.  Weeds have cleared; water clarity is good. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a minnow on a crappie rig in the tree-piles in the sloughs.  Expect the bite to pick up when water temperatures fall again.  Bluegill - Good:  Look for bluegills in fallen trees in running sloughs and lower ends of backwaters.  Keep moving to find active fish.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: 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. Freshwater Drum - Good: Try a weighted nightcrawler on the bottom in areas with medium current.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Throw plastics along the shorelines in the upper end of backwaters away from the current.  Northern Pike - Good: Pike seek cooler waters in hot weather. Cast spoons or spinnerbaits at the mouth of tributary streams and along the edges of weeds. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth action has picked up. Use spinners off rock points along the main channel.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing on the wing-dams improved with stable water levels. Try trolling a crankbait or a crawler on a three-way rig.  White Bass - Good: Cast inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for minnows jumping out of the water to find schools of feeding white bass. Yellow Perch - Good: Look for perch on the edge of weed beds. Catch larger perch with a minnow fished just off the bottom.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 5.1 feet at the Guttenberg Lock & Dam and expected to to remain stable. Water temperature is in the mid-70s.  Water clarity has improved.  Black Crappie - Fair:  Use a minnow on a crappie rig in the tree-piles in the sloughs.  Expect the bite to pick up when water temperatures fall again. Bluegill - Good: Look for bluegills in fallen trees in running sloughs and lower ends of backwaters.  Keep moving to find active fish.  Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try a weighted crawler or with dip baits off the bottom in current eddies.  Flathead Catfish - Good: Use large shiners or a small sunfish for bait in holes with sunken trees. Freshwater Drum - Good: Try a weighted nightcrawler on the bottom in areas with medium current. Largemouth Bass- Fair: Throw plastics along the shorelines in the upper end of backwaters away from current.  Northern Pike - Good: Pike seek cooler waters in hot weather. Cast spoons or spinnerbaits at the mouth of tributary streams and along the edges of weeds. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent:  Smallmouth action has picked up. Use spinners off rock points along the main channel.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing on the wing-dams should pick up with stable water levels. Try trolling a crankbait or a crawler on a three-way rig. White Bass - Good: Cast inline spinners along current breaks. Watch for minnows jumping out of the water to find schools of feeding white bass. Yellow Perch - Good: Look for perch on the edge of weed beds. Catch larger perch with a minnow fished just off the bottom.

Upper Mississippi River water levels are predicted to remain stable.  Water temperature is in the mid-70s.  Expect fish to feed more heavily to prepare for winter as water temperatures drop.  Water clarity is improving with stable water levels.  Some floating duck weeds are prevalent.  Expect panfish to move off the current to stage near backwater as fall progresses.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is 5.4 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 7.9 feet at the RR Bridge.  Levels are stable.  Water clarity is improving.  Water temperature is around 73 degrees. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a minnow on a crappie rig in the tree piles in the sloughs.  Expect the bite to pick up when water temperatures fall again.  Channel Catfish - Good: Use dip baits or crawlers in moderate current areas with hard bottoms.  Flathead Catfish - Good: Try bank pole fishing with a live bullhead in newly flooded water. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Use egg sinker and worm rigs in moderate current areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits and frog imitation lures in weed beds.  Find clearer water in vegetated areas.  Northern Pike - Good:  Pike seek cooler waters in hot weather. Cast spoons or spinnerbaits at the mouth of tributary streams and along the edges of weeds.  Sauger - Slow: Reports of saugers biting in the tailwaters of the Lock and Dam.  Try vertical jigging live minnows or  twister tails.  Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Get spinners or crankbaits as close to rock piles as possible in moderate current areas.  Flood debris has hampered fishing along rocky areas; the pool is clearing.  Walleye - Fair: Wing-dam fishing improved with the stable water levels. Try trolling a crankbait or a crawler on a three-way rig.  White Bass - Good: Look for feeding schools of white bass in tailwaters and between wing-dams.  Yellow Perch - Good: Look for perch on the edge of weed beds. Catch larger perch with a minnow fished just off the bottom.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level is 5.8 feet at Bellevue and expected to gradually recede. Water clarity is improving.  Water temperature is around 73 degrees. Look for fish along current breaks. Black Crappie - Slow: Use a minnow on a crappie rig in the tree-piles in the sloughs.  Expect the bite to pick up when water temperatures fall again.  Channel Catfish - Good:  Use crawler or dip baits in moderate current areas with hard bottoms. Lower pool stump fields can be excellent for channels.  Flathead Catfish - Fair: Use bank poles with live bait. Freshwater Drum - Good: Try an egg sinker and worm rig in moderate current areas.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits along the edges of weeds. Find clear water within weed beds.  Northern Pike - Fair: Pike seek cooler waters in hot weather. Cast spoons or spinnerbaits at the mouth of tributary streams and along the edges of weeds. Sauger - Slow: Reports of saugers biting in the tailwaters of the Lock and Dam.  Try vertical jigging live minnows or  twister tails. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use spinners and crankbaits along rock lines.  Floating vegetation is hindering throwing lures.   Walleye - Fair: Wing-dam fishing improved with the stable water levels.  Try trolling a crankbait or a crawler on a three-way rig. White Bass - Good: White bass schools are chasing minnows along channel edges. Yellow Perch - Good: Look for perch on the edge of weed beds. Catch larger perch with a minnow fished just off the bottom.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Tailwater stage is 5.91 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and has been rising the past few days.  Flood stage is 16 feet. Main channel water temperature is around 71 degrees  Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Use pieces of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing on the upstream side of brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels and on the wing-dams. Use stink bait, crawlers or cut bait upstream of structure.  Largemouth Bass - No report: Use spinner baits or frog imitation lures along the edges of weeds.  Smallmouth Bass - No report: Find smallmouths along rock lines with some current; use small crankbaits or spinners.  Walleye - Fair: Look for walleyes on the wing-dams.  Try fishing with three-way rigs with crawlers. Cast or troll crankbaits on the wing-dams.  White Bass - No Report: Try small spinners or jigs and twister tails in the tailwaters or in between wing-dams.  Rocky points with current can hold white bass. White Crappie - No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters and side channels around brush piles and snags; use minnows under a bobber or jigs and minnows.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Tailwater stage is 4.85 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and has been falling the past few days. Flood stage is 11 feet. Main channel water temperature is around 75 degrees.  Channel Catfish - No Report: Try stink baits, nightcrawlers, or cut bait along rocky structure. Freshwater Drum - No Report: Use an egg sinker rig with nightcrawlers. Cast crankbaits along riprap shorelines with current. Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Try spinner baits or crankbaits along rock line with current.  

If you have angling questions for Pools 12 and 13 call Karen Osterkamp at 563-357-4408.  For Pools 14 and 15, please call Andy Fowler at 563-293-7157.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 5.81 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Quad Cities and forecast to fall over the weekend. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill - No report: Look for bluegills in backwaters and side channels around brush piles.  Try pieces of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish - No report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use cut shad or stink bait fished upstream of snags or on the upstream side of wing-dams.  Walleye - No report: Try trolling or casting crankbaits on the upstream side of the wing-dams or trolling three-way rig with crawlers.  White Bass - No report:  Try fishing around current seams.  Cast jigs and twister tails, in-line spinners, or small crankbaits at Sylvan Slough, below dams, along the river front below the Lock and Dam, and any rocky point. White Crappie - No report:  Try jigs and minnows/plastics or minnows under a bobber in backwaters and side channels around brush piles. 

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 4.52 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and forecast to fall over the weekend.  Flood stage is 15 feet.  Bluegill - No report: Look for bluegills in backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Use pieces of worm under bobber.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try around brush piles and snags along main and side channels. Use stink bait, cut shad, or nightcrawler upstream of the brush piles or on the upstream side of the wing-dams.  Walleye - Fair: Look for walleye on the wing-dams. Troll or cast crankbaits on upstream side of wing-dams or troll three-way rigs with crawlers.  White Bass - No report: Use jigs and twister tails, inline spinners, or small crankbaits around current seams.  Places to try are the outfalls by GPS, wing-dams, and rocky points.  White Crappie - Good: Try jigs and minnows/plastics or minnows under a bobber in backwaters and side channels around brush piles. Anglers are catching crappies at the inlet to Lake Odessa.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 5.25 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and has been falling the past few days. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill - No report: Look for bluegills in backwaters and side channels.  Use pieces of worm under a bobber along brush piles.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try around brush piles and snags along main and side channels. Use stink bait, cut shad, or nightcrawlers upstream of brush piles or on the upstream side of wing-dams. Walleye - No Report: Look for walleye on the wing-dams; cast jigs and plastics. Cast or troll crankbaits on the upstream side of the wing-dam. White Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits, inline spinners, or jigs and twister tails in areas with current around rocky points or water discharges.  White bass can also be caught at the outlet structure of Odessa.   White Crappie - No Report: Try minnows under a bobber or vertical jig with minnows or plastic around brush piles in backwaters and side channels.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 2.77 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and forecast to fall over the weekend.  Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage is 525.72 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.00 feet. Bluegill - No report: Look for bluegills in backwaters and side channels. Try pieces of worm under a bobber along brush piles.  Channel Catfish - Good: Try around brush piles and snags along main and side channels. Use stink bait, cut shad, or nightcrawlers upstream of brush piles or on the upstream side of wing-dams. Freshwater Drum - Good: Cast or troll crankbaits on wing-dams or riprap shorelines.  Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast jigs and twisters or crankbaits on riprap shorelines.  Walleye - No Report: Look for walleye on the wing-dams; cast jigs and plastics. Cast or troll crankbaits on the upstream side of the wing-dam.   White Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits, inline spinners, or jigs and twister tails in areas with current around rocky points, riprap or water discharges. White Crappie - No Report: Use minnows under a bobber or vertical jig with minnows or plastics around brush piles in backwaters and side channels 

River stages have been falling this past week. Main channel water clarity is fair. Water temperature is around 74-75 degrees. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

Southeast

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-70s. Black Crappie - Fair: Look for crappies in 7-9 feet of water.  Anglers are catching a few crappie first thing in the morning along the edges of the thicker flooded brush and cedar trees. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are holding tight to their current position. Find 10- to 14-inch bass in shallower flooded timber. Bigger bass are staying out in deeper water.

Cedar River (Moscow to Columbus Junction)
River levels are headed back down to the level it was before last week's rains gave it that little boost. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try fishing along the brush piles and snags. Switch back to nightcrawlers and minnows as water temperatures start to cool.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
River level is headed back down and is currently at the level it was before last week's rains gave it that little boost. Channel Catfish - Fair: Bite has slowed with falling water levels. Try .  nightcrawlers and minnows in brush piles.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is 74 degrees.  The water has a green tint with planktonic algae blooms. Water clarity is 30 inches. Black Crappie - Slow: Crappies are not moving much. Bluegill - Fair: Find some bluegills in shallow in the flooded brush along the south side of the lake; many remain out in deeper water, especially along the old creek  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Hot weather slowed bass fishing.  Smaller bass remain in shallow, but moved toward the edges of the deeper water drop-offs.

Lake Darling
Water temperature is 73 degrees. Water clarity is just over 4 feet. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies out over the deeper habitat. Bluegill - Fair: Look for bluegills around rock piles; the bite has slowed down. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Smaller bass are still feeding in shallow, but are concentrated more around the habitat closer to deeper water.  Look for bigger bass in 8 to 9 feet of water.

Lake Geode
The planktonic algae have gotten off one last bloom before cooler weather arrives. Water clarity is 18 inches. Water temperature is 74. Black Crappie - Fair:   Find crappie in the habitat in 8-10 feet of water.  Try vertically jigging right over the habitat. Bluegill - Good: Good: More bluegills are 8-inches. Try worm and bobber over the habitat in 7-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Work crankbaits in the outer edges of the water willow beds in shallow water near the deep water drop-offs.

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-70s. Water clarity is about 4 feet.  Eurasian watermilfoil has returned to the lake; properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody. Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegill in the flooded brush in 5-6 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Good: Work crankbaits along the edges of weed beds and flooded brush at a depth of 4 to 5 feet.

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 - Fair: Try fishing around brush piles. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing rock shorelines.  

Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait in brush piles. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing rock shorelines.  Walleye - Fair: Try fishing around brush piles.

Coralville Reservoir 
Black Crappie - Fair: Use minnows in brush piles. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try rattle rigs and cut bait.  White Crappie - Fair: Use minnows in brush piles.

Goose Pond
Black Crappie – Slow.  Bluegill – Fair.  Largemouth Bass - Good.

Hannen Lake
Black Crappie -Slow.  Bluegill - Good: Mostly 5- to 7-inch fish.  Largemouth Bass - Good.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Black Crappie - Fair.  Bluegill - Good.  Channel Catfish - Fair.  Best bite is after dark. Largemouth Bass - Good.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing along rocky shorelines. Spotted bass - Fair: Try fishing along rock shorelines. White Bass - Fair: Try fishing along rock shorelines.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Try fishing along rock shorelines.

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait in brush piles. 

Kent Park Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good.

Lake Macbride
Black Crappie - Fair: Use minnows in brush piles in 8-12 feet of water. Channel Catfish -Slow: Try green sunfish along the rock jetties. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing in brush piles and green vegetation.  Spotted Bass - Fair: Try fishing along brush and rock piles.  White Crappie - Good: Use minnows in brush piles in 8-12 feet of water.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Use electronics to find fish suspended around points and brush piles; use gizzard shad.

Pleasant Creek Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Try fishing around brush piles.  Walleye - Fair: Try fishing at night around brush and rock piles. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Slow.

Rodgers Park Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good. Redear Sunfish - Fair..

Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait in brush piles. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Try fishing along rock shorelines.  Walleye - Fair: Try fishing around rock shorelines and brush piles.

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 in open areas in the vegetation.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use chicken liver or nightcrawlers. 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: Use small jigs along the cedar tree piles.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try cut bait or nightcrawlers.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target the area along the dam and around the jetties.

Lake Sugema
Black Crappie - Fair: Try jigs or jig/minnow combos. Look for suspended fish in 8-10 feet of water. Crappies should start to move shallow as the water cools. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs in the flooded timber or around open pockets in the vegetation.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits and plastics around the fishing jetties and along the face of the dam.

Lake Wapello
Black Crappie - Fair: Use jigs around submerged structure or target suspended fish in 8-10 feet of water.  Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegills around structure in deeper water; use small jigs.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Try chicken liver or nightcrawlers.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits and plastics around the cedar tree piles.

Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is 905.14 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Water temperature is 72 degrees.  Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels; properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody. Black Crappie - Slow: Look for crappies away from shore around cedar tree piles. They should start to move into shallow water as the water temperature cools. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try chicken liver or cut bait. Walleye - Fair: Use crankbaits that mimic gizzard shad 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. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try nightcrawlers along rocky shorelines and fishing jetties.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Use 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.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are providing a good bite drifting 1/8 ounce jigs or lighter tipped with crawler near the bottom in 5-8 feet of water. Walleye - Fair: While the streams have good flow coming in at the upper end of the lake, try jigging nightcrawlers near the notches in the silt dams. Also try jigging or trolling live bait rigs or shad imitating crankbaits and plastics off humps around points and along the edges of aquatic vegetation in 5 to 15 feet of water. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Catch wipers mostly in the lower half of the lake jigging shad imitating plastics spoons tipped with pieces of cut bait or casting top water lures over the schools. Focus on shorelines or coves the wind is blowing into on windy days.  Early morning and evening bites are best.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish- Good: Use dead gizzard shad or cutbait.

Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small swimbaits, twistertails and tube jigs. Check the Army Corps of Engineers Lake Red Rock homepage for a map of new habitat added this summer to attract crappies.  Channel Catfish - Good: Drift cut baits on the upper end of the reservoir near and above the Mile Long Bridge.  White Bass - Good: Try trolling lipless crankbaits, spoons, or blade baits along the wind-blown shorelines and points.

Saylorville Reservoir
White Bass - Good: Try trolling lipless crankbaits, spoons, and blade baits along wind-blown shorelines and sharp drop-offs like the Sandpiper Beach area.

For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Andy Otting at 515-204-5885 or Seth Fopma at 641-891-3795.

Greenfield Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Try minnows around the jetties. Early morning bite is best.  Sorting is needed.  Channel Catfish - Slow: Use cut bait around the jetties. Largemouth Bass - Good: Greenfield has a good largemouth bass population. Anglers report catching good numbers of sub-legal fish.

Lake Anita
Black Crappie - Fair: Early morning bite has been good; lots of fish less than 9-inches.  Sorting is needed.  Bluegill - Good: Troll or drift small jigs tipped with a crawler.  Largemouth Bass - Fair.

Meadow Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Good population of 10-inch black crappie. Bluegill - Fair: Catch 8-inch bluegill around the cedar tree piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast to the tree piles in the lake

Prairie Rose Lake
Black Crappie - Slow: Anglers are catching a few large black crappie while trolling.  Bluegill - Fair: Cast nightcrawlers under a bobber around the rock piles east of the beach. Channel Catfish - No Report:Good population of channel catfish.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching largemouth bass along the edges of weeds and around structure.

Viking Lake
Channel Catfish - Slow: Use stink bait around the jetties.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Try fishing in shallow tree piles.

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 all sizes of bluegill with worms fished under a bobber along the fishing jetties.

Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at main boat ramp.  Largemouth Bass - Fair:  Catch largemouth bass up to 19-inches with finesse plastics along rocky shorelines.

Three Mile Lake
**Driving is prohibited on any service roads used to access the lakebed and the lakebed itself.**  Lake level is 7 feet below normal pool. Use extra caution as new potential boating hazards may be present with the low lake level.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Bluegill - Fair: Catch all sizes of bluegill with jigs tipped with live bait along rocky shoreline areas or shallow coves.

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