- Joined
- Jun 16, 2010
- Location
- North Liberty, Iowa
For immediate release: March 10, 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
Crawford Creek Impoundment
There is about 7 to 8 inches of ice, but it is getting soft. Fair numbers of bluegill and a few crappies have been caught in 12 feet of water. Use extreme caution if going ice fishing.
Brushy Creek Lake
There is open water around the beach. Ice conditions elsewhere on the lake are not safe.
Bacon Creek Lake
1,500 rainbow trout were stocked on January 8. Anglers need a trout stamp in addition to their regular fishing license to fish for or keep trout. Daily limit of trout is 5.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Ice conditions are poor throughout most of the lake, especially around the shoreline. Anglers will have difficulty getting on the ice. The marina is completely open.
Swan Lake
Ice conditions are poor throughout a large portion of the lake.
Browns Lake
Ice is about 10 inches near the boat ramp, but conditions are extremely variable throughout the lake. Crappie fishing has been fair with the occasional bonus walleye.
Snyder Bend Lake
Ice conditions are poor with a lot of holes opening up.
Arrowhead Lake
Ice is around 12 inches thick.
Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
Most of the river has opened up, but ice conditions are unpredictable.
Ice conditions are degrading. For more information on the lakes and rivers in this area contact Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk Fish Management Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Bluegills are biting on wax worms, fishing near structure.
Lower Pine Lake
No activity.
Lake Smith
Fishing has been slow, a few bluegills and yellow perch are biting in the late afternoon.
Clear Lake
The ice has deteriorated enough that vehicle usage is not recommended. Yellow bass fishing is still fair; the best bite is from 5 p.m. until dark, on the Little Lake fishing in about 7 to 12 feet of water using minnows or cut bait. A few walleyes are being caught using the same method.
Lake Cornelia
Fishing is fair for 7 to 9-inch yellow perch. The best bait is cut bait on a jig.
For more information on fishing in the area lakes and rivers, call the Clear Lake fisheries office at 641-357-3517.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Anglers are reporting good catches of bluegills. Crappie - Good: Some crappie are being caught while fishing for bluegill.
Big Spirit Lake
Ice conditions are beginning to deteriorate again at accesses. Recent heaves of ice have made Marble Beach, Buffalo Run, and Mini-Wakan unsafe for driving. Hales Slough access is still in okay condition, however, that can change quickly with warming temperatures and new snowfall. Bluegill - Good: Anglers are reporting good numbers of bluegill fishing by the North Grade from the road to the footbridge, as well as in Angler's Bay. Use caution at the grade as the inlet has opened up in the past few weeks. Crappie - Good: Anglers are reporting good numbers of crappies while fishing in Angler's Bay. Yellow Perch - Good: Not much pressure has been put on Spirit this week with failing ice conditions. Fish are being caught on the main lake basin using small ice jigs tipped with wigglers, wax worms, and artificial blood worms. Anglers are experiencing successful catches on the Marble Beach, Big Stoney, Templar Park, and Cottonwood points. Some success has been reported in Angler's Bay.
West Okoboji Lake
Vehicle travel is no longer advised on West Okoboji. Use extreme caution if deciding to drive onto the ice. Northern Pike - Good: Anglers are reporting some northern pike on tip-ups in shallow water in the bays. Bluegill - Good: Fish in the bays with small ice jigs tipped with wax worms/wigglers or plastics. Bluegills are still aggressively biting, but sorting is needed for larger bluegill. Yellow Perch - Good: Some anglers are reporting good catches of perch off of Triboji access, Eagle Point and Haywards Bay.
Trumbull Lake
Yellow Perch - Good: Anglers are reporting good catches of perch on the south side of the lake.
Scharnberg Pond
Rainbow Trout - Good: Anglers have reported limits of trout fishing in shallow water, and throughout the water column.
Ice conditions are still good once you get out on area lakes; however extreme caution should be used near shorelines and accesses. Most accesses are no longer safe on area lakes to drive. Also, remember that walleye season is now closed on Big Spirit, East Okoboji, and West Okoboji until May 7.
NORTHEAST
Lake Hendricks
A few anglers have been out on the ice. The best time to fish is in the evening. Please use caution when going out on the ice. Bluegill - Fair: Big bluegills have been hitting on wax worms.
Lake Meyer
Use caution when going out on the ice. Lake Meyer has had very few anglers out this week. Bluegill - No Report:
Decorah District Streams
Many of the stream flows are up but running clear to slightly off color later in the day. For the fly angler, try using Griffith's gnats. For the spin fisher, jigs and poppers work well for this time of year. The Proposed 2011 Trout Stocking Schedule is now available on the website at http://www.iowadnr.gov/fish/news/stockrep/trout.html.
Ice conditions vary. Please use caution when going out on the ice. Many of our trout streams are in good condition and fishable but flows are up. For more information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
There have been some reports of walleye and northern pike being caught on the Cedar River. Northern Pike - Good: Try concentrating near open backwater areas or below dams using chubs under a bobber or larger artificial baits as the pike spawn approaches. Walleye - Fair: Jig and minnow combinations work well in open water areas this time of year.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports have been of some walleye and northern pike being caught on the Shell Rock River. Northern Pike - Fair: Try concentrating near open backwater areas or below dams using chubs under a bobber or larger artificial baits as the pike spawn approaches. Walleye - Fair: Jig and minnow combinations work well in open water areas this time of year.
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon is slowly rising and is at 6.43 feet as of the morning on March 10. Open backwater areas or below dams could provide some good fishing for northern pike with these conditions. Northern Pike - Fair: Try concentrating near open backwater areas or below dams using chubs under a bobber or larger artificial baits as the pike spawn approaches.
Few anglers are still getting out on area lakes but reports are slow, ice fishing is not recommended due to poor ice conditions at this time. Most interior rivers are open now and have been providing some angling opportunities for walleye and northern pike. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For further information contact the Manchester district office at 563-927-3276.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Tail water stage at Lansing is 8.5 feet and falling. Ice depth is okay in some areas but that could change with the warm weather. Please use caution in places like Minnesota Slough. Driving vehicles on the ice is not advised. High water levels in the river have made many pockets of treacherous ice. Bluegill - Fair: The upper portions of DeSoto Bay on the Wisconsin side continues to see lots fishing pressure. Greens Lake as well has seen some pressure but fish have been running small. Yellow Perch - Fair: The yellow perch bite usually gets better later in the ice fishing season. DeSoto Bay has produced a lot of perch and ice is still decent in places. Perch bite has been on and off daily. Sauger - Good: For anglers venturing into Minnesota and Wisconsin waters the sauger bite at the Genoa Dam has been good with heavy fishing pressure.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Tail water stage at Lynxville is 16.5 feet and falling right now. Some good ice conditions remain but water is rising and open areas exposed along the edges. Lynxville tail water is open. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some nice perch reported from sloughs in the Prairie Du Chien area. Some anglers still fishing on Gremore Lake but please use caution. Sauger - Good: The tail waters still have a lot of current due to the high water going into the winter. This has made fishing for sauger challenging as they may not be staging in their normal locations. Walleye - Fair: Some smaller walleyes are being caught on jig and minnow.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Guttenberg tail water stage is 8.4 feet. A few safe ice areas exists in select backwaters but use caution when ice fishing. The city ramp at Guttenberg is launchable. Anglers can call the DNR office in Guttenberg for current conditions. Yellow Perch - No Report: During later season ice often yellow perch fishing can get better. Perch can withstand a slight bit of current and sometimes are found in backwater areas with minimal flow. Sauger - Good: Some sauger are being caught in the tail water on jigs and minnows or 3-way rigs. Anglers are encouraged to call the DNR office in Guttenberg for current ramp conditions but as of March 10, one lane of the Guttenberg City ramp was launchable. Walleye - Fair: A few smaller walleyes are being reported mostly being caught on 3-way rigs or jig and minnow.
Ice conditions on many backwaters is still good but the condition of the ice could change with the rising river. Check ice frequently as ice is uneven in depth. Unsafe ice condition could develop around shorelines and areas with current should be avoided.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 9.73 feet. Ice fishing is not advisable due to unsafe ice conditions. Sauger - Slow: A few anglers are catching saugers on jigs and minnows below Lock and Dam 15. Walleye - Slow:
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 8.71 feet. Ice fishing is not advisable due to unsafe ice conditions. We have received no tail water sauger fishing information for this pool. Sauger - No Report:
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 10.31 feet. Ice fishing is not advisable due to unsafe ice conditions. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught on shad guts fished above wing dams. Sauger - Slow: Some saugers are being caught fishing jigs/minnows or jigs/plastics around wing dams. Walleye - Slow: Some walleyes are being caught fishing jigs/minnows or jigs/plastics around wing dams.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 7.23 feet. Ice fishing is not advisable due to unsafe ice conditions. Tail water fishing has been slow. Sauger - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Pools 16-19: Ice fishing in the backwaters is not advisable due to unsafe ice conditions. River levels are still above normal which has made tail water fishing for saugers and walleyes tough. For more fishing information on Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Geode
UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS. There are several areas of open water.
Lake Belva Deer
UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS.
Lake of the Hills
UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS
Crawford Pond
UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS
Lake Darling District Farm Ponds
UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS, Many of the smaller ponds out in the open are now ice free.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling fisheries station at 319-694-2430
Iowa Lake
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Kent Park Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended. The edges of the lake are melting and ice conditions are poor.
Lake Macbride
Ice fishing is not recommended. The edges of the lake have melted and the main lake ice is poor.
Central Park Lake
Ice conditions look questionable. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Ice conditions are poor. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Diamond Lake
Ice conditions are dangerous. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Otter Creek Lake
The ice is dark and the edges are melting. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Union Grove Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended. The aeration system has been shut off and there is a large area of open water down by the dam.
Coralville Reservoir
Nearly 75 percent of Coralville Reservoir is open. Most boat ramps are still inaccessible due to ice along the shorelines. As of March 10, the lake level is 680.2 feet and is predicted to fall to 679.3 feet by March 14, and hold this level for the spring.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
As of March 10, the flow from the "tube" is 3,140 cubic feet per second (CFS). It is predicted to jump to 3,900 CFS and hold through the weekend. Starting next week, the flows are predicted to slowly fall.
Prairie Park Fishery
Ice conditions are poor. Ice fishing is not recommended.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Red Haw Lake
Ice conditions are not safe for anglers. The ice has started melting along the shoreline creating quite a bit of open water.
Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
The lake has been drained for a lake renovation and work has begun around the lake. New fish habitat areas are being built along with some new jetties.
Lake Miami
Ice conditions are not safe for anglers.
Lake Sugema
The lake now has open water with all the ice melting. Fishing has been slow.
Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is at 902.92 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. Ice conditions are not safe for anglers. The lake is approximately 80 percent ice covered. Anglers are reminded that walleyes have been tagged in Lake Rathbun and if tagged fish are caught please take the time to look under the jaw of the walleye to check for a tag. Please call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with any tagged walleye information or questions. Outlet Park will be closed from March 16 to 25, for an Army Corps of Engineers project.
For further fishing reports in south central Iowa, call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406
SOUTHWEST
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Walleye - Slow: Anglers below the Saylorville spillway are catching a few walleye. The better bite is during lower water releases. The fish have been good size. Anglers are also beginning to target the Boone Waterworks Dam and Fraser Dam. There has been little success so far, but should improve soon if water conditions stay the way they are. Bounce a jig tipped with a minnow, twister tail, or ring worm like soft plastics through the current seams.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are being caught below the Red Rock spillway. They are being caught throwing jigs with twisters or jigs with minnows.
Central Iowa ice conditions have become poor and variable from lake to lake. Ice fishing is not recommended. The best fishing for now is walleyes and catfish in the rivers below dams and spillways. For questions on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.
Lake Icaria
The lake has bands of open water near shore. Some small areas are starting to open up in the middle of the lake. Boat access would be difficult at this time.
Green Valley Lake
The water level is down about 12 feet for the sediment removal project. The edges have open water and the catfish should be starting.
Three Mile Lake
Some narrow bands of the edges are open but most of the lake is covered with poor quality ice.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Some portions of the edges are open and others are still iced in. Boat access is not possible at this time. The existing ice looks very poor.
All of the snow has melted again. The farm ponds and small lakes south of Highway 34 are completely open. The large lakes have open water around the edges and poor ice in the middle. The boat ramps at the big lakes are not always ice-free. The lakes along Highway 92 have a lot of ice remaining with small areas of open water around the edges.
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
Crawford Creek Impoundment
There is about 7 to 8 inches of ice, but it is getting soft. Fair numbers of bluegill and a few crappies have been caught in 12 feet of water. Use extreme caution if going ice fishing.
Brushy Creek Lake
There is open water around the beach. Ice conditions elsewhere on the lake are not safe.
Bacon Creek Lake
1,500 rainbow trout were stocked on January 8. Anglers need a trout stamp in addition to their regular fishing license to fish for or keep trout. Daily limit of trout is 5.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Ice conditions are poor throughout most of the lake, especially around the shoreline. Anglers will have difficulty getting on the ice. The marina is completely open.
Swan Lake
Ice conditions are poor throughout a large portion of the lake.
Browns Lake
Ice is about 10 inches near the boat ramp, but conditions are extremely variable throughout the lake. Crappie fishing has been fair with the occasional bonus walleye.
Snyder Bend Lake
Ice conditions are poor with a lot of holes opening up.
Arrowhead Lake
Ice is around 12 inches thick.
Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
Most of the river has opened up, but ice conditions are unpredictable.
Ice conditions are degrading. For more information on the lakes and rivers in this area contact Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk Fish Management Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Bluegills are biting on wax worms, fishing near structure.
Lower Pine Lake
No activity.
Lake Smith
Fishing has been slow, a few bluegills and yellow perch are biting in the late afternoon.
Clear Lake
The ice has deteriorated enough that vehicle usage is not recommended. Yellow bass fishing is still fair; the best bite is from 5 p.m. until dark, on the Little Lake fishing in about 7 to 12 feet of water using minnows or cut bait. A few walleyes are being caught using the same method.
Lake Cornelia
Fishing is fair for 7 to 9-inch yellow perch. The best bait is cut bait on a jig.
For more information on fishing in the area lakes and rivers, call the Clear Lake fisheries office at 641-357-3517.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Anglers are reporting good catches of bluegills. Crappie - Good: Some crappie are being caught while fishing for bluegill.
Big Spirit Lake
Ice conditions are beginning to deteriorate again at accesses. Recent heaves of ice have made Marble Beach, Buffalo Run, and Mini-Wakan unsafe for driving. Hales Slough access is still in okay condition, however, that can change quickly with warming temperatures and new snowfall. Bluegill - Good: Anglers are reporting good numbers of bluegill fishing by the North Grade from the road to the footbridge, as well as in Angler's Bay. Use caution at the grade as the inlet has opened up in the past few weeks. Crappie - Good: Anglers are reporting good numbers of crappies while fishing in Angler's Bay. Yellow Perch - Good: Not much pressure has been put on Spirit this week with failing ice conditions. Fish are being caught on the main lake basin using small ice jigs tipped with wigglers, wax worms, and artificial blood worms. Anglers are experiencing successful catches on the Marble Beach, Big Stoney, Templar Park, and Cottonwood points. Some success has been reported in Angler's Bay.
West Okoboji Lake
Vehicle travel is no longer advised on West Okoboji. Use extreme caution if deciding to drive onto the ice. Northern Pike - Good: Anglers are reporting some northern pike on tip-ups in shallow water in the bays. Bluegill - Good: Fish in the bays with small ice jigs tipped with wax worms/wigglers or plastics. Bluegills are still aggressively biting, but sorting is needed for larger bluegill. Yellow Perch - Good: Some anglers are reporting good catches of perch off of Triboji access, Eagle Point and Haywards Bay.
Trumbull Lake
Yellow Perch - Good: Anglers are reporting good catches of perch on the south side of the lake.
Scharnberg Pond
Rainbow Trout - Good: Anglers have reported limits of trout fishing in shallow water, and throughout the water column.
Ice conditions are still good once you get out on area lakes; however extreme caution should be used near shorelines and accesses. Most accesses are no longer safe on area lakes to drive. Also, remember that walleye season is now closed on Big Spirit, East Okoboji, and West Okoboji until May 7.
NORTHEAST
Lake Hendricks
A few anglers have been out on the ice. The best time to fish is in the evening. Please use caution when going out on the ice. Bluegill - Fair: Big bluegills have been hitting on wax worms.
Lake Meyer
Use caution when going out on the ice. Lake Meyer has had very few anglers out this week. Bluegill - No Report:
Decorah District Streams
Many of the stream flows are up but running clear to slightly off color later in the day. For the fly angler, try using Griffith's gnats. For the spin fisher, jigs and poppers work well for this time of year. The Proposed 2011 Trout Stocking Schedule is now available on the website at http://www.iowadnr.gov/fish/news/stockrep/trout.html.
Ice conditions vary. Please use caution when going out on the ice. Many of our trout streams are in good condition and fishable but flows are up. For more information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
There have been some reports of walleye and northern pike being caught on the Cedar River. Northern Pike - Good: Try concentrating near open backwater areas or below dams using chubs under a bobber or larger artificial baits as the pike spawn approaches. Walleye - Fair: Jig and minnow combinations work well in open water areas this time of year.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports have been of some walleye and northern pike being caught on the Shell Rock River. Northern Pike - Fair: Try concentrating near open backwater areas or below dams using chubs under a bobber or larger artificial baits as the pike spawn approaches. Walleye - Fair: Jig and minnow combinations work well in open water areas this time of year.
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon is slowly rising and is at 6.43 feet as of the morning on March 10. Open backwater areas or below dams could provide some good fishing for northern pike with these conditions. Northern Pike - Fair: Try concentrating near open backwater areas or below dams using chubs under a bobber or larger artificial baits as the pike spawn approaches.
Few anglers are still getting out on area lakes but reports are slow, ice fishing is not recommended due to poor ice conditions at this time. Most interior rivers are open now and have been providing some angling opportunities for walleye and northern pike. Trout streams remain in excellent condition. For further information contact the Manchester district office at 563-927-3276.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Tail water stage at Lansing is 8.5 feet and falling. Ice depth is okay in some areas but that could change with the warm weather. Please use caution in places like Minnesota Slough. Driving vehicles on the ice is not advised. High water levels in the river have made many pockets of treacherous ice. Bluegill - Fair: The upper portions of DeSoto Bay on the Wisconsin side continues to see lots fishing pressure. Greens Lake as well has seen some pressure but fish have been running small. Yellow Perch - Fair: The yellow perch bite usually gets better later in the ice fishing season. DeSoto Bay has produced a lot of perch and ice is still decent in places. Perch bite has been on and off daily. Sauger - Good: For anglers venturing into Minnesota and Wisconsin waters the sauger bite at the Genoa Dam has been good with heavy fishing pressure.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Tail water stage at Lynxville is 16.5 feet and falling right now. Some good ice conditions remain but water is rising and open areas exposed along the edges. Lynxville tail water is open. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some nice perch reported from sloughs in the Prairie Du Chien area. Some anglers still fishing on Gremore Lake but please use caution. Sauger - Good: The tail waters still have a lot of current due to the high water going into the winter. This has made fishing for sauger challenging as they may not be staging in their normal locations. Walleye - Fair: Some smaller walleyes are being caught on jig and minnow.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Guttenberg tail water stage is 8.4 feet. A few safe ice areas exists in select backwaters but use caution when ice fishing. The city ramp at Guttenberg is launchable. Anglers can call the DNR office in Guttenberg for current conditions. Yellow Perch - No Report: During later season ice often yellow perch fishing can get better. Perch can withstand a slight bit of current and sometimes are found in backwater areas with minimal flow. Sauger - Good: Some sauger are being caught in the tail water on jigs and minnows or 3-way rigs. Anglers are encouraged to call the DNR office in Guttenberg for current ramp conditions but as of March 10, one lane of the Guttenberg City ramp was launchable. Walleye - Fair: A few smaller walleyes are being reported mostly being caught on 3-way rigs or jig and minnow.
Ice conditions on many backwaters is still good but the condition of the ice could change with the rising river. Check ice frequently as ice is uneven in depth. Unsafe ice condition could develop around shorelines and areas with current should be avoided.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 9.73 feet. Ice fishing is not advisable due to unsafe ice conditions. Sauger - Slow: A few anglers are catching saugers on jigs and minnows below Lock and Dam 15. Walleye - Slow:
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 8.71 feet. Ice fishing is not advisable due to unsafe ice conditions. We have received no tail water sauger fishing information for this pool. Sauger - No Report:
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 10.31 feet. Ice fishing is not advisable due to unsafe ice conditions. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught on shad guts fished above wing dams. Sauger - Slow: Some saugers are being caught fishing jigs/minnows or jigs/plastics around wing dams. Walleye - Slow: Some walleyes are being caught fishing jigs/minnows or jigs/plastics around wing dams.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 7.23 feet. Ice fishing is not advisable due to unsafe ice conditions. Tail water fishing has been slow. Sauger - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Pools 16-19: Ice fishing in the backwaters is not advisable due to unsafe ice conditions. River levels are still above normal which has made tail water fishing for saugers and walleyes tough. For more fishing information on Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Geode
UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS. There are several areas of open water.
Lake Belva Deer
UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS.
Lake of the Hills
UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS
Crawford Pond
UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS
Lake Darling District Farm Ponds
UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS, Many of the smaller ponds out in the open are now ice free.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling fisheries station at 319-694-2430
Iowa Lake
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Kent Park Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended. The edges of the lake are melting and ice conditions are poor.
Lake Macbride
Ice fishing is not recommended. The edges of the lake have melted and the main lake ice is poor.
Central Park Lake
Ice conditions look questionable. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Ice conditions are poor. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Diamond Lake
Ice conditions are dangerous. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Otter Creek Lake
The ice is dark and the edges are melting. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Union Grove Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended. The aeration system has been shut off and there is a large area of open water down by the dam.
Coralville Reservoir
Nearly 75 percent of Coralville Reservoir is open. Most boat ramps are still inaccessible due to ice along the shorelines. As of March 10, the lake level is 680.2 feet and is predicted to fall to 679.3 feet by March 14, and hold this level for the spring.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
As of March 10, the flow from the "tube" is 3,140 cubic feet per second (CFS). It is predicted to jump to 3,900 CFS and hold through the weekend. Starting next week, the flows are predicted to slowly fall.
Prairie Park Fishery
Ice conditions are poor. Ice fishing is not recommended.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Red Haw Lake
Ice conditions are not safe for anglers. The ice has started melting along the shoreline creating quite a bit of open water.
Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
The lake has been drained for a lake renovation and work has begun around the lake. New fish habitat areas are being built along with some new jetties.
Lake Miami
Ice conditions are not safe for anglers.
Lake Sugema
The lake now has open water with all the ice melting. Fishing has been slow.
Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is at 902.92 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. Ice conditions are not safe for anglers. The lake is approximately 80 percent ice covered. Anglers are reminded that walleyes have been tagged in Lake Rathbun and if tagged fish are caught please take the time to look under the jaw of the walleye to check for a tag. Please call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with any tagged walleye information or questions. Outlet Park will be closed from March 16 to 25, for an Army Corps of Engineers project.
For further fishing reports in south central Iowa, call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406
SOUTHWEST
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Walleye - Slow: Anglers below the Saylorville spillway are catching a few walleye. The better bite is during lower water releases. The fish have been good size. Anglers are also beginning to target the Boone Waterworks Dam and Fraser Dam. There has been little success so far, but should improve soon if water conditions stay the way they are. Bounce a jig tipped with a minnow, twister tail, or ring worm like soft plastics through the current seams.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are being caught below the Red Rock spillway. They are being caught throwing jigs with twisters or jigs with minnows.
Central Iowa ice conditions have become poor and variable from lake to lake. Ice fishing is not recommended. The best fishing for now is walleyes and catfish in the rivers below dams and spillways. For questions on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.
Lake Icaria
The lake has bands of open water near shore. Some small areas are starting to open up in the middle of the lake. Boat access would be difficult at this time.
Green Valley Lake
The water level is down about 12 feet for the sediment removal project. The edges have open water and the catfish should be starting.
Three Mile Lake
Some narrow bands of the edges are open but most of the lake is covered with poor quality ice.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Some portions of the edges are open and others are still iced in. Boat access is not possible at this time. The existing ice looks very poor.
All of the snow has melted again. The farm ponds and small lakes south of Highway 34 are completely open. The large lakes have open water around the edges and poor ice in the middle. The boat ramps at the big lakes are not always ice-free. The lakes along Highway 92 have a lot of ice remaining with small areas of open water around the edges.