Iowa Fishing Report 11-17-2011

Basshawk

Iowa Fishing Report Officer
Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Location
North Liberty, Iowa
#1
For immediate release: November 17, 2011

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.

NORTHWEST
Nelson Park Lake
Nelson Park has the invasive plant brittle naiad. Be sure to clean boat and trailer before you leave lake to avoid spreading this species to other water bodies. Fishing has been slow for all species.

Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Yellow Smoke has the invasive plant brittle naiad. Be sure to clean boat and trailer before you leave lake to avoid spreading this species to other water bodies. Water clarity is excellent. Fishing has been slow.

Crawford Creek Impoundment
Crawford Creek has the invasive plant brittle naiad. Be sure to clean boat and trailer before you leave lake to avoid spreading this species to other water bodies. Docks have been removed and the water has been shut off in the park for the winter.

Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegill and crappie are being caught in 20 to 25 feet of water on wax worms.

Bacon Creek Lake
The DNR release 1,500 rainbow trout at 1 p.m. today (Nov. 17).

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
The hydraulic dredge has been removed from the lake for the season. Anglers are allowed three walleye per day, all fish between 17 and 22 inches must be released; only one of the three fish can be over 22 inches. Fishing continues to be slow at Storm Lake. Water level is approximately 1.5 feet low. Walleye - Slow:

North Twin Lake
Anglers continue to catch good numbers of yellow bass. Most are around eight inches, with a few 9 and 10-inchers. Anglers fishing the windward shoreline have had the best luck. There have been reports of walleye being caught as well.

Swan Lake
Crappie fishing is excellent. Anglers are catching their limit of crappies in a short amount of time. Fish from the jetties and fish house in the southern part of the lake. Fish are ranging from 8.5 to 9.5 inches. This is a perfect opportunity to take kids fishing.

Black Hawk Lake
Anglers are allowed three walleye per day and all walleye must be at least 15 inches. Water level of the lake is approximately one foot low. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers have been catching medium sized bluegill in Town Bay from the south stone pier. Walleye - Slow: Anglers have been catching a few legal walleye from Ice House Point using live minnows under a bobber or casting twisters and shad raps. Some walleye have also been caught trolling shad raps.

Browns Lake
Fishing from shore has been slow at Brown's Lake.

Snyder Bend Lake
Snyder Bend has been reopened. However, anglers need to be aware of the refuge boundary.

Great Western Park Lake
Great Western Park has the invasive plant brittle naiad. Be sure to clean boat and trailer before you leave lake to avoid spreading this species to other water bodies.

Moorland Pond
The DNR released 1,500 rainbow trout on Nov. 16. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Fishing for rainbow trout is excellent. Anglers were catching rainbow trout within minutes of stocking the fish. Cast a small shiny spinner or super duper. Also, try Berkley Powerbait under a bobber set about 3 to 5 feet down.

Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
Small northerns are being caught around the Linn Grove Dam. Walleye fishing has been slow.

For more information on lakes and rivers in this area contact Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
No activity reported.

Blue Pit
The DNR will stock 1,500 trout on Nov. 23

Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat and equipment to stop the spread of invasive species. For more fishing information in the north central area contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Few anglers have been out on the lake. Bluegill - Slow: Largemouth Bass - Slow: Crappie - Slow: Try using a jig tipped with a wax worm.

Lake Hendricks
Anglers have been fishing along the point around the handicap fishing pier and north along the road with some luck. The lake is about a foot low right now. Bluegill - Slow: Try using a wax worm with a slow retrieve. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - Good: Try tossing a jig out and letting it sink to bottom. Slowly retrieve the lure. The fish seem to bite at the last minute.

Lake Meyer
No one has been on the lake this week. Northern Pike - No Report: Bluegill - No Report: Largemouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - No Report:

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Anglers are reporting a slow down on walleye activity. Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Walleye - Slow:

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Few anglers have been out but the ones that have gone are reporting walleye are still biting. Northern Pike - No Report: Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Walleye - Slow: Anglers have reported best luck using minnows.

Turkey River (below Clermont)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

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

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Fish have been biting but not by using techniques traditionally used this time of year. Northern Pike - No Report: Smallmouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching smallies while fishing for walleye. Smallmouth are hitting nightcrawlers. Crappie - No Report: Walleye - Excellent: Walleye have been hitting on a minnow fished under a bobber. Don't set the hook right away as they aren't aggressively taking bait.

Decorah District Streams
Blue Wing Olives are still hatching on northeast Iowa streams in the early afternoons, particularly on warmer days. #18 Blue Wing dries, #18 Pheasant Tail Nymphs, various small wet flies and larger streamers are all taking good fish. Try a #20-#24 Griffith's Gnat for the occasional midge hatch, which can represent a midge cluster. Consider wearing a blaze orange hat or jacket when fishing - there are hunters near the streams!

Area rivers, lakes and trout streams remain in good condition. Several urban trout pond stockings are occurring this week and are listed on our website. For more information, contact Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Walleye and channel catfish are still hitting well on the Cedar River. Concentrate in the deeper water for walleye and more shallow areas for channel catfish using live baits. Channel Catfish - Good: After dark has been most productive drifting baits through shallow water areas. Walleye - Good: Jigs tipped with or without a twistertail and minnow has been most productive.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Walleye and smallmouth bass fishing has been good. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Most smallmouth bass have been incidental catches from walleye anglers. Stick with the jig and twister tail tipped with a minnow. Walleye - Good: Jig and twister tail tipped with a minnow has been the best combination.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
There are still reports of walleye being caught on the Wapsipinicon River in Buchanan County and good reports of northern being caught in Bremer County. Northern Pike - Good: Try casting spinners near woody debris for northerns. Walleye - Fair: Jigs tipped with or without a twistertail and minnow has been most productive.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

With the onset of early winter conditions in northeast Iowa, fishing on the inland lakes has been very inconsistent for panfish. The interior rivers; Cedar and Shell Rock, still remain productive for walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. The Wapsipinicon in Bremer County has been good for northern pike. Call the Manchester District Office at 563-927-3276 for additional information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River levels at Lansing are 7.8 feet and expected to stay at this level over the next week. Northern Pike - Fair: Pike are scattered but feeding. Many being caught on minnows along snags or in backwaters around what vegetation is left. Bluegill - Fair: Majority of bluegills have moved into overwintering areas. Fish deeper areas and fish slow with small jigs and worms. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: A few smallmouth bass are still actively feeding along rocky areas with current. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are still feeding but have moved closer to overwintering areas and are slowing down. Begin to use slower presentation to catch fish. Walleye - Good: Some nicer walleyes reported over the last week in Minnesota Slough.

Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville is 13.1 feet and expected to stay at this level over the next week. Bluegill - Fair: Majority of bluegills have moved into overwintering areas. Fish deeper areas and fish slow with small jigs and worms. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are still feeding but have moved closer to overwintering areas and are slowing down. Begin to use slower presentation to catch fish. Crappie - Slow: Crappie bite slowing down as fish move into overwintering areas but a few nice fish still being caught in sloughs. Sauger - Excellent: Sauger bite has picked up over the past week in the tail waters with more limits caught and some nicer sized fish. Walleye - Fair: Some nice walleyes being caught. Jig and minnow still seems to be the best combination.

Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg is 4.5 feet and expected to stay near this level over the next week. Bluegill - Fair: Majority of bluegills have moved into overwintering areas. Fish deeper areas and fish slow with small jigs and worms. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth are still feeding but have moved closer to overwintering areas and are slowing down. Begin to use slower presentation to catch fish. Crappie - Slow: Crappie bite slowing down as fish move into overwintering areas but a few nice fish still being caught in sloughs. Sauger - Excellent: Sauger bite has picked up with a few more limits reported and some nicer sized fish. Walleye - Good: A few walleyes reported being caught in the tail waters on the Wisconsin side.

Fishing levels remain low on the Upper Mississippi River Pools 9 - 11 and are expected to remain stable at low levels over the next week. Water temperatures have fallen into the lower 40s and many fish have moved into wintering areas.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water Level at Dubuque is 5.5 feet and steady. Water temperature is in the 40s. Some fall fishing can still be had! Sauger - Fair: Some sauger mostly in the 12-inch range are being taken on jigs and minnow and three way rigs in the tail water areas. Walleye - Fair: A few large walleyes in the ‘slot’ are being reported. Slot fish between 20 and 27 inches cannot be kept.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water Level at Bellevue is 5.7 feet and dropping slowly and steady. Water temperature is in the 40s. Sauger - Fair: Some small sauger and an occasional large walleye are being taken out of the Bellevue tail water. Anglers are mainly using a jig and minnow. Walleye - Fair: Some very large walleyes are being taken in the upper portions of Pool 13 on wing dams.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water Level at LeClaire is 4.5 feet and steady. Water temperature is around 50 degrees. Sauger - Fair: Some small sauger are being taken on jigs and minnow or three way rigs with a small minnow. Walleye - Fair: Some nice walleyes are still hanging on the wing dams in the upper portions of the pool. Walleyes are feeding heavily on gizzard shad right now!

Mississippi River Pool 15
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

River levels remain low and stable on the upper Mississippi Pools 12-15. Water temperature is the 40s. Most anglers are concentrating on tail water fishing although some fish like crappie could still be taken in many backwater areas.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Crappie and bluegill are being caught in the backwaters and Sunset Marina although access to Sunset is difficult. Current stage is 5.33 feet. Water temperature is 45 degrees. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are being caught on bobbers and minnows or worms fished about two feet deep. Crappie - Good: Crappie are being caught on bobber and minnows fished about two feet deep. Try using larger walleye minnows instead of crappie minnows. Be patient the bite can be slow at this water temperature

Mississippi River Pool 17
Pool 17 stage is 4.66 feet and falling. Water temperature is 45 degrees. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught in the backwaters. Try around the trees and brush piles in Big Timber. Bobbers and minnows fished about two feet deep seem to be working. Try larger walleye size minnows

Mississippi River Pool 18
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Mississippi River Pool 19
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Pool 16-19 water temperatures are running 45 degrees from north to south. River level is low boaters should continue to use caution. Many of the backwaters have been difficult to access. Remember to drain, clean and dry your boat to avoid accidently transporting invasive species.

Contact Fairport Fish Management at 563-263-5062 Bernard.schonhoff@dnr.iowa.gov for additional information on this area.

SOUTHEAST
Lake of the Hills
Even with the cooler weather anglers continue to catch fish. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: The fall stocking was Oct. 22. Find the trout and you'll get a limit quickly. Use wax worms and artificial lures. Channel Catfish - Good: Look for the catfish to be in the shallow bays on any of the warmer afternoons. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anyone just looking to catch and release a few bass before ice up should be trying crank or spinner baits on the sunny days and worms around the structure when it's colder. Most bass being caught now are sublegal in size. Crappie - Good: The crappies around the dock area as well as the brush piles. Minnows are working the best. Remember Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park that you can use minnows.

Railroad Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are hitting with increased frequency as they fatten up for winter. Liver and night crawlers are the baits to use. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are catching some smaller bass using crankbaits and spinner baits during the warmer days. Crappie - Good: More crappies are being caught along the timber by the old creek channel. Remember minnows are not allowed in Railroad Lake.

Wilson Lake
The fall trout stocking was Nov. 5 when 1,000 trout were released. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Look for the trout to be hanging around the cedar tree piles and fallen trees that create habitat in the shallow water. Be ready to catch a limit fast.

Environmental Discovery Park North Pond
Water temperature was 51 degrees on Saturday. The DNR released 1,000 rainbow trout on Nov. 5. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: The trout fishing is excellent. Look for the fish to be out in about 4 feet of water. Don't be surprised to actually see the fish as they cruise the shoreline. Powerbait and spinners seem to be working the best.

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

Lake Macbride
All the loading docks have been taken out for the winter. Crappie - Slow: Vertical jig brush piles with a jig or minnow. Walleye - Fair: Crankbaits have produced a few fish. Windblown areas should start producing fish as the walleyes feed up for winter. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Crankbaits have produced a few fish. Windblown areas should start producing fish as the wipers feed up for winter.

Diamond Lake
Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Crappie - Fair: Crappies were being caught off the jetties on small jigs. Most fish are on the small side.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake level as of Nov. 16 is 686.4 feet. White Bass - Fair: Cast jigs or small crankbaits to windblown banks. Crappie - Slow: Fish jigs over brush piles.

Sand Lake
The DNR will release 1,500 rainbow trout in south Iowa City (Gilbert Street) on Nov. 18 at 11:30 a.m. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Use a small jig, spinner, worm, or Powerbait product. The fish will be stocked at the ramp on the north end, so this should be the most productive area.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Crappie - Fair: Fish slack water areas with a jig and/or minnow. Walleye - Fair: Look for walleyes in deeper holes. Some big fish have been caught as of lately.

Prairie Park Fishery
2,000 rainbow trout were stocked on Oct. 28. Rainbow Trout - Good: Use small jigs, spinners, worms, or Powerbait products. The west end of the lake is usually most productive.

For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Red Haw Lake
Fishing pressure has slowed. Try a chunk of nightcrawler for bluegills in the 6 to 12 feet range. Target areas with submerged structure.

Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
The lake was drained last year for a lake renovation but work is complete. New fish habitat areas have been built along with some new jetties. The lake is now full. Fingerlings were stocked in May.

Lake Sugema
Lake Sugema contains the invasive plant brittle naiad so make sure to inspect and clean your boat and trailer when leaving the lake. Fishing has been slow. Try for crappies in 10 to 15 feet of water using wax worms or minnows.

Ottumwa Lagoon
Trout were stocked on Oct. 14. Try using small spinners or small jigs.

Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is 904.22 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. Water temperature has been in the upper 40s. Crappie fishing has been slow. Try areas with underwater structure in 10 to 15 feet of water using bobbers and minnows. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry boats before transporting to another water body. Spray boats and trailers with high pressure hot water (above 104 degrees) or let them dry for at least 10 days (5 days in sun).

For further fishing reports in south central Iowa call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406

SOUTHWEST
Lake Anita
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week. Bluegill - No Report: Try the same presentation and location used by ice anglers. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Look for largemouth bass schooled up in and around brush piles and road beds. Crappie - No Report: Crappie up to 11 inches are available. Try using small ice fishing tackle in the cooler fall water temperatures. Fish the same areas normally targeted by ice anglers.

Lake Manawa
Crappies are being caught off docks on the main lake. Anglers have to sort for sized fish. Crappie - Fair: Fish under the docks w/ minnows. Sort for nicer sized fish.

Trout were stocked in West Lake in Big Lake Park in Council Bluffs on Nov. 9. Trout fishing in the park would be a good option over the Thanksgiving weekend. The onset of colder fall temperatures has slowed activity on area lakes and up to date information is limited.