- Joined
- Jun 16, 2010
- Location
- North Liberty, Iowa
For immediate release: August 18, 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.
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. There has not been much fishing activity at Crawford Creek lately.
Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegill and crappie are being caught in 14 feet of water on small jigs and worms. Cast close to shore and fish near the bottom.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Boaters use caution. The hydraulic dredge is in operation at Storm Lake. Stay clear of dredge barge, booster pump barge, and pipeline. 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 at Storm Lake remains the same as last week. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use the usual baits like stink bait, shrimp, cut bait, and minnows. Try fishing the inlet where Little Storm flows into Big Storm. White Bass - Slow: Cast white twisters or shad colored crankbaits. Look for white bass breaking the surface pursuing baitfish and cast into the school. Walleye - Slow: Boat anglers have been doing the best for walleye. Most anglers are drifting or trolling bottom bouncers with a crawler harness or a leech around the dredge cuts. The Mustad Slow Death hooks have been very popular with the anglers. Trolling small shad colored crankbaits has been working well.
North Twin Lake
Yellow bass fishing is good with most being caught at the north end of the lake. Channel catfish and freshwater drum continue to bite. Some decent crappies have been caught from the docks.
Swan Lake
Channel catfishing has been good. Recent surveys show a large portion of the channel catfish population is ranging from 3.5 to 5.5 pounds.
Black Hawk Lake
Anglers are allowed three walleye per day and all fish must be at least 15 inches. Catfishing remains good. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish have moved off shore and are lying along the dredge cuts in about 8 feet of water. Fish the deep edge of the drop-offs and use crawdads, cut bait, or gizzard shad guts.
Blue Lake
Largemouth bass are being caught in the mornings and evenings. Plastic frogs are working well.
Browns Lake
Browns Lake is open to boat traffic. Anglers are still catching channel catfish ranging from 2 to 4 pounds.
Snyder Bend Lake
Snyder Bend is closed to boat traffic.
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.
Southwood Conservation Area Pond (east)
Panfishing has been good with anglers catching nice sized bluegill and crappie. Anglers have been targeting deeper water and submerged structure. Some catfish are being caught on prepared baits and chicken liver.
Little Sioux Park Lake
Water is very clear. Anglers have been catching some bluegill and catfish. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fishermen have been catching some 2 to 3 pound cats mostly at night, using mainly nightcrawlers and liver. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers have been catching some hand-size bluegill fishing a piece of nightcrawler on a small hook under a bobber.
Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
The river has come down some and should be fishable.
North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 Bridge near Auburn)
The river has come down and is now fishable.
North Raccoon River (Auburn to Perry)
Some anglers have had good success running bank lines for flathead catfish. Remember that you need to have your bank lines tagged and they need to be checked every 24 hours if you leave them unattended.
Black Hawk District Farm Ponds
Purple rubber worms with white spots or a grub worm with a curly tail has been working for anglers targeting bass. Use weedless setups if possible. The top water action is off and on. Many of the bass are short striking. Some nice panfish are also being caught in farm ponds.
Water temperature is starting to cool down. 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.
Eldred Sherwood Lake
No recent reports for this lake but please be aware that this lake contains an invasive plant called brittle naiad. Please clean, drain, and dry your boat and equipment before going to another water body.
Upper Pine Lake
Largemouth bass fishing has been fair, most boat anglers cast near or under the overhanging or fallen trees for best success. Use the typical spinners or plastic worms for best results.
Lake Smith
Anglers fishing for channel catfish have been using crawlers, chicken liver, or stink bait fishing from shore. Early mornings or late evenings are the best times to go.
Clear Lake
Yellow bass fishing has been good with anglers catching them while drifting over the artificial reefs, rock reefs, and dredged areas in the little lake using jigs with crawlers or cut bait. Anglers that find a good school of fish have been able to vertically jig them catching up to 50 fish. Walleye fishing is fair and most fish are still being caught while trolling or drifting the reefs or little lake using crawlers or minnows in 6 to 12 feet of water.
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.
Dog Creek (Lake)
Bullhead - Good: Anglers have reported many large bullheads being caught in the past week on night crawler under a bobber.
Big Spirit Lake
White Bass - Good: Bass fisherman have reported good catches of white bass. Bluegill - Good: Anglers are catching bluegill on the edge of weed lines with slip bobbers and a piece of worm. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Anglers are still catching smallmouth while casting in the bulrushes and above the submerged vegetation. Largemouth Bass - Good: Many largemouth bass have been reported while using the same tactics as fishing for smallmouth. Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers are reporting a limited number of yellow perch being caught. Action will improve in the coming weeks. Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing has slowed down, but some anglers are still reporting limits. Fishing is best along the weed beds and Stoney Point with leeches and crawlers during early morning hours for best action.
East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing along the spillway or along tree falls with cut bait or other smelly baits. White Bass - Good: Watch for schooling fish breaking the water and use a minnow or minnow-like bait for best action. Fishing at the spillway in the early morning has been producing good numbers of fish. Walleye - Good: Walleye have been reported along rocky points and wader fisherman at the spillway early in the morning and before sunset. Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass are being caught while fishing for white bass.
Little Spirit Lake
Bullhead - Good: Try fishing on the bottom with a night crawler near the outlet.
Silver Lake (****inson)
Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing toward evening hours with a dead chub or stink bait White Bass - Good: Watch for schooling fish chasing minnows and fish with minnow or minnow-like baits Walleye -. Good: Wader fishing activity at night will continue to improve as water temperature drops.
West Okoboji Lake
Northern Pike - Good: Pike have been reported using the same tactics as fishing for largemouth bass. Bluegill - Good: For the best action fish docks and weed lines associated with deep water vertical jigging with a small piece of night crawler or small crawdad. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth bass are being picked up using crankbaits along the weed lines. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fishing is good along deep weed lines associated with inside turns using traditional baits. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some yellow perch are being picked up while fishing for bluegill.
Big Sioux River
Channel Catfish - Good: As water levels drop, fishing will continue to pick up for channel cats.
Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish have been biting on night crawlers and chicken livers as the river has been going down.
Area rivers are continuing to drop with the dry weather and catfish fishing is picking up. For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the Spirit Lake fish hatchery at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Largemouth bass are biting well. There is an 18-inch minimum size limit on largemouth bass on this lake. Please check boat trailers for any presence of brittle naiad when leaving the boat ramp. Largemouth Bass - Good: Crankbaits and rubber worms have been working excellent for largemouth bass.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar is in good condition. In both Bremer and Black Hawk counties smallmouth bass fishing has been good. Anglers are also catching fish when targeting channel catfish and walleye. Channel Catfish - Fair: Dead chubs fished on the bottom during late evening hours has been best for channel catfish. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Crankbaits or live baits work well this time of year. Look for woody structure or rock shorelines for smallmouth bass. Crappie - Fair: Fish areas where there is slack water near fallen trees or brush. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are picking up an occasional walleye, try using a jig tipped with a nightcrawler or casting crankbaits.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Walleye, channel catfish and smallmouth bass are being caught. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Jigs tipped with a twister and nightcrawler slowly retrieved off of the bottom or casting crankbaits can be productive this time of year. Walleye - Fair: Jig and twister tipped with a crawler or casting crankbaits work very well this time of year.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Northern pike fishing has been good on both the upper and lower stretches of the river in Bremer and Buchanan counties. Anglers are picking up walleye, smallmouth bass and suckers as well. Sucker - Excellent: Fish a night crawler on the bottom next to current in 4 to 5 feet of water. Northern Pike - Good: Spoons and spinner baits have been the top lures of choice. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Crankbaits have been best fished below riffle areas and rock shorelines. Walleye - Fair: Both crankbaits and jigs tipped with a nightcrawler have been productive.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The river is in excellent condition. Channel Catfish - Fair: Most anything; cut baits, nightcrawlers, chicken livers fished on the bottom in most areas of the river has been productive on channel catfish. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Crankbaits or live baits work well this time of year. Look for woody structure or rock shorelines for smallmouth bass. Walleye - Fair: Crankbaits seem to have been the most productive.
Manchester District Streams
Trout streams are in excellent condition, call the Manchester District Office for any additional information at 563-927-3276.
Interior rivers are in excellent condition and should remain with the extended weather forecast. Smallmouth bass have been biting well on most of the interior rivers along with channel catfish and walleye. Largemouth bass fishing on area Black Hawk County lakes has been fair during early morning and late evening hours. Trout streams in the Manchester District are in excellent condition, call the Manchester district office at 563-927-3276 for any additional information.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River levels at Lansing are 9.8 feet and expected to drop slowly to 9 feet by next week. All boat ramps are open. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel cats fishing is really good now on stink bait and worms fished in fallen trees in sloughs or in deep holes by wing dams. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are really biting well. Fish with a small piece of worm right in the fallen trees on shorelines with little current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass really hitting well around wing dams and shoreline structure. Lots of small fish, so try using larger lures for larger fish. Yellow Perch - Fair: Nice perch being caught on worms fishing for bluegills. Try fishing outside of weed beds to find groups of perch. Walleye - Fair: As river levels drop, fishing around wing dams for walleyes should get better. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum fishing continues to be good fishing worms or crawdads on the bottom along main channel shorelines
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville is 18.3 feet and expected to fall slowly to 17.5 feet by next week. All boat ramps are open. Northern Pike - Fair: Some nice sized pike reported being caught in the Harpers Ferry area. Look for fish in weed beds near tributaries or springs. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel cats fishing is really good now on stink bait and worms fished in fallen trees in sloughs or in deep holes by wing dams. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are really biting well. Fish with small piece of worm right in fallen trees on shorelines with little current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass really hitting well around wing dams and shoreline structure. Lots of small fish, so try using larger lures for larger fish. Yellow Perch - Fair: Nice perch being caught on worms fishing for bluegills. Try fishing outside of weed beds to find groups of perch. Walleye - Fair: As river levels drop, fishing around wing dams for walleyes should get better. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum fishing continues to be good fishing worms or crawdads on the bottom along main channel shorelines.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg is 10 feet and expected to fall slowly to 9 feet by next week. All boat ramps are open. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel cats fishing is really good now on stink bait and worms fished in fallen trees in sloughs or in deep holes by wing dams. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are really biting well. Fish with small piece of worm right in fallen trees on shorelines with little current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass really hitting well around wing dams and shoreline structure. Lots of small fish, so try using larger lures for larger fish. Yellow Perch - Fair: Nice perch being caught on worms fishing for bluegills. Try fishing outside of weed beds to find groups of perch. Walleye - Fair: As river levels drop fishing around wing dams for walleyes should get better. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum fishing continues to be good fishing worms or crawdads on the bottom along main channel shorelines.
River levels are still 5 feet above normal but are expected to drop slowly over the next week. Water temperature has cooled off to 75 degrees. With fairly stable weather and water conditions fishing activity has begun to increase.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 10.04 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Some channel catfish are being caught on stink baits and shad guts fished around snag piles along the main channel or in side channels. White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough casting jigs with twister tails. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina on wax worms. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina on wax worms. Walleye - Slow: Some walleyes are being caught casting crankbaits to wing dams.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 8.76 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on stink baits and shad guts. Try fishing above snag piles along the main channel and side channels.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 9.91 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on stink baits and shad guts. Try fishing above snag piles along the main channel and side channels.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 6.17 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on cut shad, stink baits, and crawlers. Try fishing above snag piles along the main channel or side channels. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in the backwaters. Try using jigs and minnows or small plastics around brush piles.
Pools 16-19: River level throughout the pools has been fairly steady over the past few days. Main channel water temperature is around 79 degrees and water clarity is fair. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat before going to another water body. For more fishing information on Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Odessa
The water temperature is cooling down with the cooler nights. Bluegill - Good: With a little work and knowledge of the lake anglers are catching some big bluegills. Work the deeper water of the sand run and Yankee chute areas. Crappie - Good: There are some slab crappies being caught along the trees dropped into deeper water. Also try down in Burris ditch near the outlet. Slip bobbers and minnows are working well as are jigs tipped with minnows.
Lake Geode
Make sure to clean off your boat and trailer after fishing, Geode does have brittle naiad. Water temperature has cooled down to 79 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing remains good around the rocks along the dam face as well as the rip rap along the shore at the boat ramps. Chicken liver and stink baits remain the go to baits. Bluegill - Good: With the cooler weather the bluegill fishing has improved. Look for them to be in shallow in the morning and late evening and move back out to the ledges for the middle of the day.
Lake Belva Deer
The water temperature has cooled down to the upper 70s. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing remained good during the evening hours. Chicken liver and cut bait are good things to try. Bluegill - Good: The bluegills have for the most part moved out to deeper water. look for them to be around the trees in the old creek channel. Crappie - Good: Anglers are catching some nice crappies out in front of the beach. Slip bobbers and minnows are a good way to start.
Pollmiller Park Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are finding the bigger bluegills in the deeper water. Largemouth Bass - Good: nightcrawler or soft plastics have produced some nice fish although most are less than 15 inches.
Lake of the Hills
Angler numbers have increased with the cooler weather. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish in the 2 to 4 pound range are common. Liver and various stink baits are working the best. Bluegill - Good: Once you find the right depth (they're out deep) and the habitat, you can do well. Largemouth Bass - Good: Last week's hot weather had been making the bass go deeper earlier. The recent cool weather should be bringing them up shallow for longer in the morning and evening.
Railroad Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Fishing along the old creek channel with liver or stink baits should get you some nice eating size catfish. Bluegill - Good: Fish the north side around the stumps and logs or in the tree falls or by the recycling containers and you should catch some bluegills. Largemouth Bass - Good: Work the flooded timber and along the riprap late in the day or early in the morning.
Wilson Lake
The water is very clear and the lake is a little low with the dry weather. Rainbow Trout - Slow: An occasional trout is still being caught. Park staff is seeing a few feeding near the surface just before dark. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up a few bluegills around the cedar tree piles in deeper water.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The river is getting low enough that even the small john boats are having problems. Channel Catfish - Fair: The anglers that know where the deeper water are still catching some nice catfish.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The river continues to drop. The level is low enough that only the small john boats are not having problems navigating. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good. Try a few freshly caught grass frogs as bait or stink baits.
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430
Kent Park Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Try chicken liver or dip bait for best results. Evenings have been the best time. Bluegill - Fair: Largemouth Bass - Fair:
Lake Macbride
The 10 hp maximum motor restriction is in effect. The invasive plant brittle naiad is here so make sure to inspect and clean your boat/trailer when leaving the lake. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try crawlers, stink bait, or cut bait in 8 to 12 feet of water. Evenings have been best. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try a variety of lures around shallow rock or wood. Some fish have been caught on deeper rock/points using crankbaits. Early and late in the day are best.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Remember, there is an 18-inch minimum on largemouth bass here. The invasive plant brittle naiad is here, so make sure to inspect and clean your boat/trailer when leaving the lake. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try fishing off the dam or jetties with stink bait or crawlers. After dark has been prime time. White Bass - Fair: Try jigs, spinners, small spoons, or small crankbaits. Many fish have been small, but nice sized fish are available. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try crankbaits, soft plastics, or crawlers. Walleye - Fair: Most fish have been small but they are being caught on live bait rigs and crankbaits. Target depths around 15 feet.
Otter Creek Lake
The fish cleaning station was destroyed in the storms and is no longer available. Bluegill - Fair: Largemouth Bass - Fair: Yellow Bass - Good:
Union Grove Lake
Channel Catfish - Good:
Coralville Reservoir
The lake elevation on August 18 is at normal summer pool of 683.3 feet. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try crawlers or cut bait in areas with some flow.
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Chicken liver and stink bait have been producing well.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill - Good: Anglers have had some luck using small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler along the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been having some success using rubber worms and spinner baits. Target areas along the dam and the rock jetties.
Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
The lake was drained for a lake renovation last year but work is now complete. New fish habitat areas have been built along with some new jetties. The lake is now full.
Albia (lower)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Try prepared baits along the shorelines and areas with some rock. Evenings should be the best times. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers have been catching some keeper bluegills using small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler within 10 feet of the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastic worms fished along the shoreline and spinner baits along the dam and other rocky areas.
Lake Miami
Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have been having some success in the evenings using dead chubs or stink bait. Try areas along the east shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try rubber worms or crankbaits fished along the face of the dam or along the west side among the stumps. Crappie - Slow: Try drifting minnows in the main lake area.
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. Bluegill - Fair: Try using small jigs tipped with a piece of nightcrawler along the shoreline and areas of the lake with standing timber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try using top water baits fished in the early morning or late evening hours. Fish areas with rip-rapped shorelines with a jig n' pig combo or a rubber worm.
Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is at 905.59 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. Water temperature has been in the upper 70s. Outlet Park will be closed starting August 22, for a river stabilization project and could be closed up to 60 days. 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). Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are still being caught off docks and close to shore using a jig and a minnow. Look for areas with flooded woody structure. Suspended crappies can be targeted using small chrome colored crankbaits. Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing has started to pick up a little. Anglers have had some success trolling chrome colored crankbaits or vertically jigging blade baits. They are also using nightcrawlers being drifted or trolled. Tagged walleyes should be reported at 641-647-2406.
For further fishing reports in south central Iowa call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406
SOUTHWEST
Big Creek Lake
White Bass - Good: White bass can be caught casting jigs or crankbaits. On calmer days they can be seen busting baitfish on the surface. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are being caught drifting pieces of nightcrawler along the edge of the vegetation beds on the upper half of the lake and over the roadbeds and brush piles that are in 15 feet of water or less. Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are being caught on the upper third of the lake by drifting or jigging nightcrawlers, or casting and trolling crankbaits. Do not fish water deeper than 15 feet. Many fish being caught are sublegal, but fish over 15 inches are coming in. Check legal size fish for yellow tags near the tail. If one is caught follow the instructions on the signs at the boat ramps.
Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill fishing has been excellent! They are being caught drifting small pieces of crawler or still fishing over the pallet piles near the island and off the south shoreline across from the island. The bluegills are good size with some going over 9 inches.
Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Good: Decent bluegill and large redear sunfish are being caught with crawlers fished in any open pockets of vegetation.
Red Rock Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers drifting cut bait are doing very well on good sized channel cats. White Bass - Fair: Look for schools of shad busting the surface then troll or cast lipless crankbaits or spoons in these areas. Try multiple colors to find their preference. Good starting colors are chrome or a blue/chrome combo. The Marina Point and west of the mile long bridge are good starting points.
Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Drifting cut creek chubs north of the mile long bridge is producing some excellent catfishing. Expect some healthy 5 pounds plus cats. White Bass - Good: The white bass bite is going good right now. The best activity has been in the Sandpiper point area, Oak Grove area, and around the mile long bridge. Cast or troll spoons and shad colored crankbaits. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Anglers trolling the Sandpiper area are also getting into some wipers. The best activity has been in the evenings.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Wipers are chasing shad and can be seen breaking the surface. Anglers are having fun casting into this action. The wipers are currently around 17 inches and it is recommended to turn most fish back. This will allow for some exciting fishing for large wipers in the near future.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel catfish are being caught in good numbers on cut bait and stink bait. Stink bait is currently out fishing cut bait.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish - Good: Good numbers of 4 to 8 pound catfish are being caught on cut bait. White Bass - Fair: The white bass bite is fair below the Red Rock spillway casting jigs or drifting minnows under a bobber.
The best bites right now continue to be white bass on the reservoirs and channel catfish in the rivers and reservoirs. Crappies are being caught suspended by drifting in deeper water. Bluegills are being caught fishing near brush piles, pallets, and the edges of vegetation in lakes that have it. Don't fish too deep, most lakes have a thermocline between 6 and 10 feet. For information on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.
Greenfield Lake
Greenfield has one concrete boat ramp. Water clarity is good. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using shrimp. Fish average 2 pounds. Bluegill - Slow: 7 to 8-inch bluegill can be caught drifting small jigs. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught casting around jetties and weed edges. Many fish are in the 12 to 15-inch range.
Nodaway Lake
Nodaway has one small boat ramp. Water temperature is in the high 70s. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being caught along the north shoreline and the dam with dip bait. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill are being caught around brush piles with nightcrawlers. Crappie - Slow: Crappies can be caught trolling jigs around brush piles in 10 to 12 feet of water. Fish average 9 inches with a few 11-inch fish being caught. Evenings seem to be best.
Orient Lake
Orient Lake has one concrete boat ramp. Water temperature was 76 degrees on Aug. 13. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being caught on shrimp. Fish average 14 to 18 inches.
Cold Springs Lake
Cold Springs has one concrete boat ramp. Water temperature is 80 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught in less than 6 feet of water using cut bait. Fish average 2.5 pounds.
Lake Anita
Lake Anita has two concrete ramps. Water temperature is in the high 70s. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills up to 9 inches are being caught drifting and around brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught along the road beds and in brush piles. Bass are all sizes up to 20 inches. Crappie - Slow: The crappies being caught are around brush piles and underwater reefs. Late afternoon is the best bite. Fish average 9 inches.
Willow Lake
Willow has one concrete boat ramp and excellent water clarity. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish can be caught along the campground shoreline and around jetties using blood bait or liver. Bluegill - Fair: The best bluegill bite is early in the morning using nightcrawlers under a bobber. Fish average 8 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Largemouth are being caught using power bait worms around sunken trees. Most fish are 12 to 14 inches.
Viking Lake
Viking Lake has four feet of water clarity. The lake has three concrete boat ramps. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfishing has been fair in the evenings around the jetties using liver. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching largemouth bass in the sunken cedar trees using plastic baits. Casting spinner baits along weed edges has also produced fish up to 20 inches.
Lake Manawa
Manawa is full and has a slight algal bloom. Water temperature is 80 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught on the west and south side of the lake using shrimp or Sonny's dip bait. Fish up to 6 pounds have been reported.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
There are numerous farm ponds in southern Iowa that can provide a quality fishing trip. Remember to always get permission to fish private farm ponds. Aquatic vegetation is starting to come on. Small boats or bass buggies will aid in fishing small ponds this time of year. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish can be caught using a variety of prepared baits in the summer. Fish in 3 to 6 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: Fish for bluegills around deeper structure and outside edges of vegetation. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are aggressive now and can be caught casting around structure and along the shoreline. Early morning and late evenings are the best times to target largemouth.
Water temperatures have cooled to the high 70s in most areas. Catfishing has been good early morning or late afternoon. Interior rivers have also been producing channel catfish. For more information on fishing call the district office at Cold Springs, at 712-769-2587.
Lake Icaria
The water level is near normal. Water clarity is near 36 inches at the dam. Channel Catfish - Good: Several channel catfish are being caught from the riprap and bays near shore.
Little River Watershed Lake
The lake level is being lowered to allow a shoreline rip rap project to proceed. The lake is currently down five feet and will likely drop another five feet by Aug. 25. The project is expected to continue through the winter months. Boat access will soon be limited.
Lake of Three Fires
The water level is near normal and clarity is good. Channel Catfish - Fair: A few channel catfish are being caught from the bays of the east shore.
Green Valley Lake
The lake has been lowered to allow the sediment removal project to continue. The lake is easily accessible through the main concrete.
Three Mile Lake
The water level is normal and clarity is good.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The water level is normal. Free floating algae has developed in a few spots. Bullhead - Good: Several giant bullheads can be caught using crawlers or liver from most areas of the lake. Bluegill - Fair: A few big bluegills are being caught from the rocky areas near shore.
Water temperatures are still very hot. Water levels are normal. Most lakes have established a thermocline ranging from 12 feet to as shallow as 5 feet. No oxygen will be present below these depths. Water clarity is normal for mid-summer.
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.
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. There has not been much fishing activity at Crawford Creek lately.
Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegill and crappie are being caught in 14 feet of water on small jigs and worms. Cast close to shore and fish near the bottom.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Boaters use caution. The hydraulic dredge is in operation at Storm Lake. Stay clear of dredge barge, booster pump barge, and pipeline. 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 at Storm Lake remains the same as last week. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use the usual baits like stink bait, shrimp, cut bait, and minnows. Try fishing the inlet where Little Storm flows into Big Storm. White Bass - Slow: Cast white twisters or shad colored crankbaits. Look for white bass breaking the surface pursuing baitfish and cast into the school. Walleye - Slow: Boat anglers have been doing the best for walleye. Most anglers are drifting or trolling bottom bouncers with a crawler harness or a leech around the dredge cuts. The Mustad Slow Death hooks have been very popular with the anglers. Trolling small shad colored crankbaits has been working well.
North Twin Lake
Yellow bass fishing is good with most being caught at the north end of the lake. Channel catfish and freshwater drum continue to bite. Some decent crappies have been caught from the docks.
Swan Lake
Channel catfishing has been good. Recent surveys show a large portion of the channel catfish population is ranging from 3.5 to 5.5 pounds.
Black Hawk Lake
Anglers are allowed three walleye per day and all fish must be at least 15 inches. Catfishing remains good. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish have moved off shore and are lying along the dredge cuts in about 8 feet of water. Fish the deep edge of the drop-offs and use crawdads, cut bait, or gizzard shad guts.
Blue Lake
Largemouth bass are being caught in the mornings and evenings. Plastic frogs are working well.
Browns Lake
Browns Lake is open to boat traffic. Anglers are still catching channel catfish ranging from 2 to 4 pounds.
Snyder Bend Lake
Snyder Bend is closed to boat traffic.
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.
Southwood Conservation Area Pond (east)
Panfishing has been good with anglers catching nice sized bluegill and crappie. Anglers have been targeting deeper water and submerged structure. Some catfish are being caught on prepared baits and chicken liver.
Little Sioux Park Lake
Water is very clear. Anglers have been catching some bluegill and catfish. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fishermen have been catching some 2 to 3 pound cats mostly at night, using mainly nightcrawlers and liver. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers have been catching some hand-size bluegill fishing a piece of nightcrawler on a small hook under a bobber.
Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
The river has come down some and should be fishable.
North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 Bridge near Auburn)
The river has come down and is now fishable.
North Raccoon River (Auburn to Perry)
Some anglers have had good success running bank lines for flathead catfish. Remember that you need to have your bank lines tagged and they need to be checked every 24 hours if you leave them unattended.
Black Hawk District Farm Ponds
Purple rubber worms with white spots or a grub worm with a curly tail has been working for anglers targeting bass. Use weedless setups if possible. The top water action is off and on. Many of the bass are short striking. Some nice panfish are also being caught in farm ponds.
Water temperature is starting to cool down. 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.
Eldred Sherwood Lake
No recent reports for this lake but please be aware that this lake contains an invasive plant called brittle naiad. Please clean, drain, and dry your boat and equipment before going to another water body.
Upper Pine Lake
Largemouth bass fishing has been fair, most boat anglers cast near or under the overhanging or fallen trees for best success. Use the typical spinners or plastic worms for best results.
Lake Smith
Anglers fishing for channel catfish have been using crawlers, chicken liver, or stink bait fishing from shore. Early mornings or late evenings are the best times to go.
Clear Lake
Yellow bass fishing has been good with anglers catching them while drifting over the artificial reefs, rock reefs, and dredged areas in the little lake using jigs with crawlers or cut bait. Anglers that find a good school of fish have been able to vertically jig them catching up to 50 fish. Walleye fishing is fair and most fish are still being caught while trolling or drifting the reefs or little lake using crawlers or minnows in 6 to 12 feet of water.
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.
Dog Creek (Lake)
Bullhead - Good: Anglers have reported many large bullheads being caught in the past week on night crawler under a bobber.
Big Spirit Lake
White Bass - Good: Bass fisherman have reported good catches of white bass. Bluegill - Good: Anglers are catching bluegill on the edge of weed lines with slip bobbers and a piece of worm. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Anglers are still catching smallmouth while casting in the bulrushes and above the submerged vegetation. Largemouth Bass - Good: Many largemouth bass have been reported while using the same tactics as fishing for smallmouth. Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers are reporting a limited number of yellow perch being caught. Action will improve in the coming weeks. Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing has slowed down, but some anglers are still reporting limits. Fishing is best along the weed beds and Stoney Point with leeches and crawlers during early morning hours for best action.
East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing along the spillway or along tree falls with cut bait or other smelly baits. White Bass - Good: Watch for schooling fish breaking the water and use a minnow or minnow-like bait for best action. Fishing at the spillway in the early morning has been producing good numbers of fish. Walleye - Good: Walleye have been reported along rocky points and wader fisherman at the spillway early in the morning and before sunset. Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass are being caught while fishing for white bass.
Little Spirit Lake
Bullhead - Good: Try fishing on the bottom with a night crawler near the outlet.
Silver Lake (****inson)
Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing toward evening hours with a dead chub or stink bait White Bass - Good: Watch for schooling fish chasing minnows and fish with minnow or minnow-like baits Walleye -. Good: Wader fishing activity at night will continue to improve as water temperature drops.
West Okoboji Lake
Northern Pike - Good: Pike have been reported using the same tactics as fishing for largemouth bass. Bluegill - Good: For the best action fish docks and weed lines associated with deep water vertical jigging with a small piece of night crawler or small crawdad. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth bass are being picked up using crankbaits along the weed lines. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fishing is good along deep weed lines associated with inside turns using traditional baits. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some yellow perch are being picked up while fishing for bluegill.
Big Sioux River
Channel Catfish - Good: As water levels drop, fishing will continue to pick up for channel cats.
Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish have been biting on night crawlers and chicken livers as the river has been going down.
Area rivers are continuing to drop with the dry weather and catfish fishing is picking up. For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the Spirit Lake fish hatchery at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Largemouth bass are biting well. There is an 18-inch minimum size limit on largemouth bass on this lake. Please check boat trailers for any presence of brittle naiad when leaving the boat ramp. Largemouth Bass - Good: Crankbaits and rubber worms have been working excellent for largemouth bass.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar is in good condition. In both Bremer and Black Hawk counties smallmouth bass fishing has been good. Anglers are also catching fish when targeting channel catfish and walleye. Channel Catfish - Fair: Dead chubs fished on the bottom during late evening hours has been best for channel catfish. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Crankbaits or live baits work well this time of year. Look for woody structure or rock shorelines for smallmouth bass. Crappie - Fair: Fish areas where there is slack water near fallen trees or brush. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are picking up an occasional walleye, try using a jig tipped with a nightcrawler or casting crankbaits.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Walleye, channel catfish and smallmouth bass are being caught. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Jigs tipped with a twister and nightcrawler slowly retrieved off of the bottom or casting crankbaits can be productive this time of year. Walleye - Fair: Jig and twister tipped with a crawler or casting crankbaits work very well this time of year.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Northern pike fishing has been good on both the upper and lower stretches of the river in Bremer and Buchanan counties. Anglers are picking up walleye, smallmouth bass and suckers as well. Sucker - Excellent: Fish a night crawler on the bottom next to current in 4 to 5 feet of water. Northern Pike - Good: Spoons and spinner baits have been the top lures of choice. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Crankbaits have been best fished below riffle areas and rock shorelines. Walleye - Fair: Both crankbaits and jigs tipped with a nightcrawler have been productive.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The river is in excellent condition. Channel Catfish - Fair: Most anything; cut baits, nightcrawlers, chicken livers fished on the bottom in most areas of the river has been productive on channel catfish. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Crankbaits or live baits work well this time of year. Look for woody structure or rock shorelines for smallmouth bass. Walleye - Fair: Crankbaits seem to have been the most productive.
Manchester District Streams
Trout streams are in excellent condition, call the Manchester District Office for any additional information at 563-927-3276.
Interior rivers are in excellent condition and should remain with the extended weather forecast. Smallmouth bass have been biting well on most of the interior rivers along with channel catfish and walleye. Largemouth bass fishing on area Black Hawk County lakes has been fair during early morning and late evening hours. Trout streams in the Manchester District are in excellent condition, call the Manchester district office at 563-927-3276 for any additional information.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River levels at Lansing are 9.8 feet and expected to drop slowly to 9 feet by next week. All boat ramps are open. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel cats fishing is really good now on stink bait and worms fished in fallen trees in sloughs or in deep holes by wing dams. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are really biting well. Fish with a small piece of worm right in the fallen trees on shorelines with little current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass really hitting well around wing dams and shoreline structure. Lots of small fish, so try using larger lures for larger fish. Yellow Perch - Fair: Nice perch being caught on worms fishing for bluegills. Try fishing outside of weed beds to find groups of perch. Walleye - Fair: As river levels drop, fishing around wing dams for walleyes should get better. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum fishing continues to be good fishing worms or crawdads on the bottom along main channel shorelines
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville is 18.3 feet and expected to fall slowly to 17.5 feet by next week. All boat ramps are open. Northern Pike - Fair: Some nice sized pike reported being caught in the Harpers Ferry area. Look for fish in weed beds near tributaries or springs. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel cats fishing is really good now on stink bait and worms fished in fallen trees in sloughs or in deep holes by wing dams. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are really biting well. Fish with small piece of worm right in fallen trees on shorelines with little current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass really hitting well around wing dams and shoreline structure. Lots of small fish, so try using larger lures for larger fish. Yellow Perch - Fair: Nice perch being caught on worms fishing for bluegills. Try fishing outside of weed beds to find groups of perch. Walleye - Fair: As river levels drop, fishing around wing dams for walleyes should get better. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum fishing continues to be good fishing worms or crawdads on the bottom along main channel shorelines.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg is 10 feet and expected to fall slowly to 9 feet by next week. All boat ramps are open. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel cats fishing is really good now on stink bait and worms fished in fallen trees in sloughs or in deep holes by wing dams. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills are really biting well. Fish with small piece of worm right in fallen trees on shorelines with little current. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass really hitting well around wing dams and shoreline structure. Lots of small fish, so try using larger lures for larger fish. Yellow Perch - Fair: Nice perch being caught on worms fishing for bluegills. Try fishing outside of weed beds to find groups of perch. Walleye - Fair: As river levels drop fishing around wing dams for walleyes should get better. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum fishing continues to be good fishing worms or crawdads on the bottom along main channel shorelines.
River levels are still 5 feet above normal but are expected to drop slowly over the next week. Water temperature has cooled off to 75 degrees. With fairly stable weather and water conditions fishing activity has begun to increase.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 10.04 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Some channel catfish are being caught on stink baits and shad guts fished around snag piles along the main channel or in side channels. White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough casting jigs with twister tails. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina on wax worms. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina on wax worms. Walleye - Slow: Some walleyes are being caught casting crankbaits to wing dams.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 8.76 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on stink baits and shad guts. Try fishing above snag piles along the main channel and side channels.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 9.91 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on stink baits and shad guts. Try fishing above snag piles along the main channel and side channels.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 6.17 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on cut shad, stink baits, and crawlers. Try fishing above snag piles along the main channel or side channels. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in the backwaters. Try using jigs and minnows or small plastics around brush piles.
Pools 16-19: River level throughout the pools has been fairly steady over the past few days. Main channel water temperature is around 79 degrees and water clarity is fair. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat before going to another water body. For more fishing information on Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Odessa
The water temperature is cooling down with the cooler nights. Bluegill - Good: With a little work and knowledge of the lake anglers are catching some big bluegills. Work the deeper water of the sand run and Yankee chute areas. Crappie - Good: There are some slab crappies being caught along the trees dropped into deeper water. Also try down in Burris ditch near the outlet. Slip bobbers and minnows are working well as are jigs tipped with minnows.
Lake Geode
Make sure to clean off your boat and trailer after fishing, Geode does have brittle naiad. Water temperature has cooled down to 79 degrees. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing remains good around the rocks along the dam face as well as the rip rap along the shore at the boat ramps. Chicken liver and stink baits remain the go to baits. Bluegill - Good: With the cooler weather the bluegill fishing has improved. Look for them to be in shallow in the morning and late evening and move back out to the ledges for the middle of the day.
Lake Belva Deer
The water temperature has cooled down to the upper 70s. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing remained good during the evening hours. Chicken liver and cut bait are good things to try. Bluegill - Good: The bluegills have for the most part moved out to deeper water. look for them to be around the trees in the old creek channel. Crappie - Good: Anglers are catching some nice crappies out in front of the beach. Slip bobbers and minnows are a good way to start.
Pollmiller Park Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are finding the bigger bluegills in the deeper water. Largemouth Bass - Good: nightcrawler or soft plastics have produced some nice fish although most are less than 15 inches.
Lake of the Hills
Angler numbers have increased with the cooler weather. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish in the 2 to 4 pound range are common. Liver and various stink baits are working the best. Bluegill - Good: Once you find the right depth (they're out deep) and the habitat, you can do well. Largemouth Bass - Good: Last week's hot weather had been making the bass go deeper earlier. The recent cool weather should be bringing them up shallow for longer in the morning and evening.
Railroad Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Fishing along the old creek channel with liver or stink baits should get you some nice eating size catfish. Bluegill - Good: Fish the north side around the stumps and logs or in the tree falls or by the recycling containers and you should catch some bluegills. Largemouth Bass - Good: Work the flooded timber and along the riprap late in the day or early in the morning.
Wilson Lake
The water is very clear and the lake is a little low with the dry weather. Rainbow Trout - Slow: An occasional trout is still being caught. Park staff is seeing a few feeding near the surface just before dark. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up a few bluegills around the cedar tree piles in deeper water.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The river is getting low enough that even the small john boats are having problems. Channel Catfish - Fair: The anglers that know where the deeper water are still catching some nice catfish.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The river continues to drop. The level is low enough that only the small john boats are not having problems navigating. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good. Try a few freshly caught grass frogs as bait or stink baits.
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430
Kent Park Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Try chicken liver or dip bait for best results. Evenings have been the best time. Bluegill - Fair: Largemouth Bass - Fair:
Lake Macbride
The 10 hp maximum motor restriction is in effect. The invasive plant brittle naiad is here so make sure to inspect and clean your boat/trailer when leaving the lake. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try crawlers, stink bait, or cut bait in 8 to 12 feet of water. Evenings have been best. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try a variety of lures around shallow rock or wood. Some fish have been caught on deeper rock/points using crankbaits. Early and late in the day are best.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Remember, there is an 18-inch minimum on largemouth bass here. The invasive plant brittle naiad is here, so make sure to inspect and clean your boat/trailer when leaving the lake. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Try fishing off the dam or jetties with stink bait or crawlers. After dark has been prime time. White Bass - Fair: Try jigs, spinners, small spoons, or small crankbaits. Many fish have been small, but nice sized fish are available. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try crankbaits, soft plastics, or crawlers. Walleye - Fair: Most fish have been small but they are being caught on live bait rigs and crankbaits. Target depths around 15 feet.
Otter Creek Lake
The fish cleaning station was destroyed in the storms and is no longer available. Bluegill - Fair: Largemouth Bass - Fair: Yellow Bass - Good:
Union Grove Lake
Channel Catfish - Good:
Coralville Reservoir
The lake elevation on August 18 is at normal summer pool of 683.3 feet. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try crawlers or cut bait in areas with some flow.
Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Chicken liver and stink bait have been producing well.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill - Good: Anglers have had some luck using small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler along the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been having some success using rubber worms and spinner baits. Target areas along the dam and the rock jetties.
Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
The lake was drained for a lake renovation last year but work is now complete. New fish habitat areas have been built along with some new jetties. The lake is now full.
Albia (lower)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Try prepared baits along the shorelines and areas with some rock. Evenings should be the best times. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers have been catching some keeper bluegills using small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler within 10 feet of the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastic worms fished along the shoreline and spinner baits along the dam and other rocky areas.
Lake Miami
Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have been having some success in the evenings using dead chubs or stink bait. Try areas along the east shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try rubber worms or crankbaits fished along the face of the dam or along the west side among the stumps. Crappie - Slow: Try drifting minnows in the main lake area.
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. Bluegill - Fair: Try using small jigs tipped with a piece of nightcrawler along the shoreline and areas of the lake with standing timber. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try using top water baits fished in the early morning or late evening hours. Fish areas with rip-rapped shorelines with a jig n' pig combo or a rubber worm.
Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is at 905.59 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. Water temperature has been in the upper 70s. Outlet Park will be closed starting August 22, for a river stabilization project and could be closed up to 60 days. 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). Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are still being caught off docks and close to shore using a jig and a minnow. Look for areas with flooded woody structure. Suspended crappies can be targeted using small chrome colored crankbaits. Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing has started to pick up a little. Anglers have had some success trolling chrome colored crankbaits or vertically jigging blade baits. They are also using nightcrawlers being drifted or trolled. Tagged walleyes should be reported at 641-647-2406.
For further fishing reports in south central Iowa call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406
SOUTHWEST
Big Creek Lake
White Bass - Good: White bass can be caught casting jigs or crankbaits. On calmer days they can be seen busting baitfish on the surface. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are being caught drifting pieces of nightcrawler along the edge of the vegetation beds on the upper half of the lake and over the roadbeds and brush piles that are in 15 feet of water or less. Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are being caught on the upper third of the lake by drifting or jigging nightcrawlers, or casting and trolling crankbaits. Do not fish water deeper than 15 feet. Many fish being caught are sublegal, but fish over 15 inches are coming in. Check legal size fish for yellow tags near the tail. If one is caught follow the instructions on the signs at the boat ramps.
Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill fishing has been excellent! They are being caught drifting small pieces of crawler or still fishing over the pallet piles near the island and off the south shoreline across from the island. The bluegills are good size with some going over 9 inches.
Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Good: Decent bluegill and large redear sunfish are being caught with crawlers fished in any open pockets of vegetation.
Red Rock Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers drifting cut bait are doing very well on good sized channel cats. White Bass - Fair: Look for schools of shad busting the surface then troll or cast lipless crankbaits or spoons in these areas. Try multiple colors to find their preference. Good starting colors are chrome or a blue/chrome combo. The Marina Point and west of the mile long bridge are good starting points.
Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Drifting cut creek chubs north of the mile long bridge is producing some excellent catfishing. Expect some healthy 5 pounds plus cats. White Bass - Good: The white bass bite is going good right now. The best activity has been in the Sandpiper point area, Oak Grove area, and around the mile long bridge. Cast or troll spoons and shad colored crankbaits. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Anglers trolling the Sandpiper area are also getting into some wipers. The best activity has been in the evenings.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Wipers are chasing shad and can be seen breaking the surface. Anglers are having fun casting into this action. The wipers are currently around 17 inches and it is recommended to turn most fish back. This will allow for some exciting fishing for large wipers in the near future.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Channel catfish are being caught in good numbers on cut bait and stink bait. Stink bait is currently out fishing cut bait.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish - Good: Good numbers of 4 to 8 pound catfish are being caught on cut bait. White Bass - Fair: The white bass bite is fair below the Red Rock spillway casting jigs or drifting minnows under a bobber.
The best bites right now continue to be white bass on the reservoirs and channel catfish in the rivers and reservoirs. Crappies are being caught suspended by drifting in deeper water. Bluegills are being caught fishing near brush piles, pallets, and the edges of vegetation in lakes that have it. Don't fish too deep, most lakes have a thermocline between 6 and 10 feet. For information on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.
Greenfield Lake
Greenfield has one concrete boat ramp. Water clarity is good. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using shrimp. Fish average 2 pounds. Bluegill - Slow: 7 to 8-inch bluegill can be caught drifting small jigs. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught casting around jetties and weed edges. Many fish are in the 12 to 15-inch range.
Nodaway Lake
Nodaway has one small boat ramp. Water temperature is in the high 70s. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being caught along the north shoreline and the dam with dip bait. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill are being caught around brush piles with nightcrawlers. Crappie - Slow: Crappies can be caught trolling jigs around brush piles in 10 to 12 feet of water. Fish average 9 inches with a few 11-inch fish being caught. Evenings seem to be best.
Orient Lake
Orient Lake has one concrete boat ramp. Water temperature was 76 degrees on Aug. 13. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being caught on shrimp. Fish average 14 to 18 inches.
Cold Springs Lake
Cold Springs has one concrete boat ramp. Water temperature is 80 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught in less than 6 feet of water using cut bait. Fish average 2.5 pounds.
Lake Anita
Lake Anita has two concrete ramps. Water temperature is in the high 70s. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills up to 9 inches are being caught drifting and around brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught along the road beds and in brush piles. Bass are all sizes up to 20 inches. Crappie - Slow: The crappies being caught are around brush piles and underwater reefs. Late afternoon is the best bite. Fish average 9 inches.
Willow Lake
Willow has one concrete boat ramp and excellent water clarity. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish can be caught along the campground shoreline and around jetties using blood bait or liver. Bluegill - Fair: The best bluegill bite is early in the morning using nightcrawlers under a bobber. Fish average 8 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Largemouth are being caught using power bait worms around sunken trees. Most fish are 12 to 14 inches.
Viking Lake
Viking Lake has four feet of water clarity. The lake has three concrete boat ramps. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfishing has been fair in the evenings around the jetties using liver. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching largemouth bass in the sunken cedar trees using plastic baits. Casting spinner baits along weed edges has also produced fish up to 20 inches.
Lake Manawa
Manawa is full and has a slight algal bloom. Water temperature is 80 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught on the west and south side of the lake using shrimp or Sonny's dip bait. Fish up to 6 pounds have been reported.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
There are numerous farm ponds in southern Iowa that can provide a quality fishing trip. Remember to always get permission to fish private farm ponds. Aquatic vegetation is starting to come on. Small boats or bass buggies will aid in fishing small ponds this time of year. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish can be caught using a variety of prepared baits in the summer. Fish in 3 to 6 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: Fish for bluegills around deeper structure and outside edges of vegetation. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are aggressive now and can be caught casting around structure and along the shoreline. Early morning and late evenings are the best times to target largemouth.
Water temperatures have cooled to the high 70s in most areas. Catfishing has been good early morning or late afternoon. Interior rivers have also been producing channel catfish. For more information on fishing call the district office at Cold Springs, at 712-769-2587.
Lake Icaria
The water level is near normal. Water clarity is near 36 inches at the dam. Channel Catfish - Good: Several channel catfish are being caught from the riprap and bays near shore.
Little River Watershed Lake
The lake level is being lowered to allow a shoreline rip rap project to proceed. The lake is currently down five feet and will likely drop another five feet by Aug. 25. The project is expected to continue through the winter months. Boat access will soon be limited.
Lake of Three Fires
The water level is near normal and clarity is good. Channel Catfish - Fair: A few channel catfish are being caught from the bays of the east shore.
Green Valley Lake
The lake has been lowered to allow the sediment removal project to continue. The lake is easily accessible through the main concrete.
Three Mile Lake
The water level is normal and clarity is good.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The water level is normal. Free floating algae has developed in a few spots. Bullhead - Good: Several giant bullheads can be caught using crawlers or liver from most areas of the lake. Bluegill - Fair: A few big bluegills are being caught from the rocky areas near shore.
Water temperatures are still very hot. Water levels are normal. Most lakes have established a thermocline ranging from 12 feet to as shallow as 5 feet. No oxygen will be present below these depths. Water clarity is normal for mid-summer.