Iowa Fishing Report 9-15-2011

Basshawk

Iowa Fishing Report Officer
Joined
Jun 16, 2010
Location
North Liberty, Iowa
#1
For immediate release: Sepmtember 15, 2011

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

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

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

Crawford Creek Impoundment
Crawford Creek has the invasive plant brittle naiad. Be sure to clean boat and trailer before you leave lake to avoid spreading this species to other water bodies. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfishing has slowed some compared to the last few weeks, but anglers are still able to catch a few. Turkey liver, sonny's stink and blood bait. Bluegill - Slow: A few bluegills are being caught by shore anglers around the handicapped accessible pier and the cabins.

Brushy Creek Lake
Fishing at Brushy Creek is fairly slow. Bluegill - Fair: Some limits of bluegill are being caught in 14 feet of water around the submerged trees. Crappie - Fair: Try using minnows around the submerged trees. Walleye - Fair: Some walleye are being caught in 15 to 20 feet of water during midday. Anglers last weekend reported catching walleyes on spinners in 6 to 8 feet of water.

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 should start to pick up as water cools. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish anglers are catching a few fish on the usual baits. White Bass - Fair: Anglers have been catching a few white bass while casting twisters. Walleye - Slow: Anglers have reported catching a few walleye while casting twisters.

North Twin Lake
Anglers are still catching a lot of yellow bass at North Twin. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching a few channel catfish using the usual baits. Yellow Bass - Good: Anglers are doing well for medium sized yellow bass.

Swan Lake
Fishing has improved at Swan Lake. Some boat anglers have been catching crappie. Anglers are also catching some bluegills and medium sized crappie around fishing house & jetties. Bluegill - Fair: Fish around fishing house & jetties. Crappie - Fair: Fish around fishing house & jetties.

Black Hawk Lake
Anglers are allowed three walleye per day and all walleye must be at least 15 inches. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish have moved off shore and are laying 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. Yellow Bass - Fair: Some yellow bass were being caught from the north shore along the Sac Beach area. Target the windblown shorelines.

Browns Lake
Browns Lake is open to boat traffic.

Snyder Bend Lake
Snyder Bend is still closed. It will likely remain closed until it loses connectivity to the Missouri River.

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.

Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
Catfishing in the Little Sioux has dropped off. Anglers are still catching one or two fish a trip using night crawlers on a circle hook below a split shot. However, the action isn't as fast as it used to be.

North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 bridge near Auburn)
Anglers have been catching a few catfish; use stink bait or big yellow grasshoppers.

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
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.

Clear Lake
Yellow bass fishing continues to be good, most anglers fish in the main lake with cut bait and crawlers. Fishing north of the island in 8 to 15 feet of water or the artificial reefs have been good spots, just be willing to move around to find the active schools. Walleye are also being caught in 5 to 10 feet of water boating around the weed lines near bullrushes and cattails using crawler harnesses or small crankbaits.

Rice Lake
As the fall approaches typically the yellow perch on Rice move in towards shore and anglers can enjoy some decent catches of perch with a few walleye or crappie mixed in. Use jigs with small minnows or a piece of crawler.

Bluebill Lake
Anglers have been catching yellow perch from shore using crawlers on a hook or jig. Channel catfish have also been biting on stink baits fished from shore.

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.

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing has been consistently good for a while now. Try fishing with a small piece of night crawler under a bobber along weed lines and trees.

Dog Creek (Lake)
Bullhead - Good: Anglers have reported many large bullheads being caught in the past week on night crawlers under a bobber.

Big Spirit Lake
Limits of perch have started to come in on Big Spirit in the past week, however, some days the bite is much better than others. White Bass - Good: Bass fisherman have reported good catches of white bass Bluegill - Good: Try fishing the edge of weed lines, the north grade and buffalo run fish barrier for the best action. Largemouth Bass - Good: Many largemouths have been reported while casting spinnerbaits along the weed lines and along the north grade road. Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers are reporting a few limits of yellow perch being caught. Action will improve with the cooler weather. Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing is very slow right now with many anglers not catching any fish.

East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing along the spillway or along tree falls with cut bait or another smelly bait. White Bass - Good: Try fishing the spillway or along the edge of weed beds for best action with a minnow or piece of cut bait. Walleye - Fair: 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 or try drifting through the main basin with a bobber and minnow. Walleye - Fair: Wader fishing activity at night will continue to improve as water temperatures drop.

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 - Good: Some yellow perch are being picked up while fishing for bluegill

Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Fair: Walleye are still being caught near the rock point and rock pile. They are feeding on young yellow bass so try to mimic their forage.

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.

West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)
Anglers are reporting good numbers of channel catfish, and also some walleyes while fishing in deeper pools.

Fishing has started to pick up on area lakes for yellow perch, while bluegills have stayed consistently good. Catfish and some walleye have been biting well on area rivers.

NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Road construction on the road to the lake and new campground is nearing completion but the road remains closed. The lake and campground will be inaccessible during construction. The lake is being stocked with 8 inch channel catfish this week.

Lake Hendricks
The aquatic vegetation has really died back making for some nice shore fishing. The lake is getting stocked with 8 inch channel catfish this week. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers have been using worms fished during the evening. Bluegill - Fair: Try using a worm fished under a bobber near some structure such as a stump or log. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try slow trolling to get those fish just under the surface.

Lake Meyer
Lake Meyer will be stocked with 8 inch channel catfish this week. Northern Pike - Slow: Channel Catfish - No Report: Bluegill - Fair: Small ones are aggressive and biting on worms. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers are using artificial lures with success. Crappie - Slow: Crappies starting to bite. Try angling in 8 to 10 foot of water.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Look for fish in the deeper pools or around snags especially with the low water levels on the river. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Bass are hitting crawfish type lures and spinners. Walleye - Good: Try using jigs tipped with a crawler or twister tail.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
The Upper Iowa is looking good but levels are low. Concentrate efforts around the deeper pools. Northern Pike - Good: Pike are being caught on spoons and twister tails. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting on worms or jigs tipped with a twister tail. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth bass are hitting crankbaits and dark colored twister tails. Walleye - Good: Walleye are hitting on crankbaits.

Cedar River (above Nashua)
The Cedar River is in excellent condition. The bite around Charles City slowed a bit with the cool front but should pick up by the weekend. Northern Pike - Slow: A few northerns have been caught while fishing for walleye. Channel Catfish - Fair: Chubs, chicken liver and worms are still the best bet for those finicky cats. Crappie - Good: Anglers have had best luck with a worm in slack water pockets. Walleye - Good: Anglers have had good luck using a jig tipped with a worm floated under a bobber or jigs tipped with green plastic tail.

Decorah District Streams
A few northeast Iowa streams have recently sported excellent early afternoon hatches of an unusual mayfly, the Mahogany Dun (Paraleptophlebia debilis). Try a #16 Adams for the surface hatch, or a #16 Pheasant Tail Nymph sub-surface. #18 Blue Wing Olive hatches have also been heavy. Terrestrials such as grasshoppers and crickets should remain effective until the first hard frosts. For spin fishers, try using dark colored jigs. For stocking information, visit our webpage or call 563-927-5736.

With this cooler weather, fish are becoming more active. Many of our rivers are clear and low concentrating fish in the deeper pools. Lakes and trout streams are in excellent condition. For more information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Largemouth bass and bluegill are both biting well fishing from the shoreline. Bluegill - Good: A piece of worm or wax worm on a small hook fished 2 feet under a small bobber has been good from the shore. Largemouth Bass - Good: Crawler under a bobber has been great for kids wanting to catch a fish. Crankbaits and plastics have been working well also fished from the shore.

Big Woods Lake
There have been reports of anglers catching panfish on Big Woods Lake. Try fishing the north side of the lake off of the jetties where underwater habitat has been placed.

George Wyth Lake
Anglers have been catching some panfish on George Wyth Lake; try fishing off of the dock or jetties. Fishing should only improve as water temperatures drop heading into the fall season.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Fishing is fair for walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish right now on the Cedar River in both Bremer & Black Hawk Counties. Channel Catfish - Fair: Cut baits and stink baits have been the bait of choice by most anglers during late August. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Topwater baits and spinnerbaits have been producing smallmouth bass especially during the early morning and late evening hours. Walleye - Fair: Crankbaits or a minnow tipped on a jig work well this time of year heading into the fall season.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Fishing has been fair for most species but walleye have reported as fair to good on the Shell Rock River. Walleye - Good: Crankbaits or a minnow tipped on a jig work well this time of year heading into the fall season.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsi is currently dropping and should produce some good angling opportunities by the weekend. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Concentrate near the riffle areas casting crankbaits. Walleye - Fair: Fish downstream of woody structure along the current breaks and back eddy areas.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
The Maquoketa River is in excellent condition. Concentrate efforts for smallmouth bass and walleye above Delhi. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Crankbaits have been working the best for smallmouth bass. Walleye - Fair: Crankbaits seem to be more productive than a jig and crawler during the tail end of August with the recent cooler temperatures.

The interior rivers are in good condition for angling opportunities this weekend. Reports have been fair for walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish on most rivers. Some area Black Hawk County lakes have been fair also for panfish. Trout streams in the Manchester District are in excellent condition, call the Manchester District Office @ 563-927-3276 for any additional information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water levels at Lansing are 8.0 and expected to stay at this level through next week. DeSota Bay and Minnesota Slough both seem to be key areas to catch fish! Northern Pike - Good: Many pike with some being very large are being reported. Fish along the weed lines using large spinners or spoons. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish are being caught in current area and near brush piles using chicken livers and stink bait. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills seem to be everywhere right now. Some report catching them on the wingdams, some are in the openings to backwater areas. Small jigs and plain old bobber fishing are being used extensively. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Lots of 10- to 12-inch fish being caught! Most people using small spinners or jigs. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch are being caught by bluegill anglers, mostly as an incidental but in some cases anglers are catching a mess of perch. Walleye - Good: Fish reported being taken both off the wingdams and the openings to major sloughs. Many people using 3-way rigs and small piece of crawler. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are being caught in large numbers in current areas by anglers using a sliding egg sinker and night crawlers.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level at Lynxville is at 13 and expected to stay at this level through next week. Northern Pike - Good: Some pike are being caught by mostly largemouth anglers along weedy shorelines. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish are being caught in current areas and near brush piles using chicken livers and stink bait. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegills seem to be everywhere right now. Some report catching them on the wingdams, some are in the openings to backwater areas. Small jigs and plain old bobber fishing are being used extensively. The tailwaters and the Sny Magill areas both report good gill catches. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallies are biting along rock areas with current. Crank baits and spinners are working well. Fish tend to be on the small side but fun on ultralight rods. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Numerous small largemouth being reported in the tailwaters, and throughout Harpers Slough. Walleye - Good: Some 14 inch type walleye are being taken off the wingdams now that water levels have stabilized. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are being caught in large numbers in current areas by anglers using a sliding egg sinker and night crawlers.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level at Guttenberg is at 5 feet and expected to stay at this level over the next week. Water is clear with some floating vegetation starting to hamper fishing slightly. Northern Pike - Excellent: Lots of pike of all sizes biting on bass type lures Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfish are being caught in current area and near brush piles using chicken livers and stink bait. White Bass - Fair: Some nice larger white bass in the 15- to 17-inch range are being caught Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill and an occasional yellow perch are being caught in all habitats right now. Many of the larger bluegills appear to be on the wingdams, especially on the inside edge. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Some smallmouth bass are being taken off wingdams and rocky shorelines, mostly on small crank baits. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Small bass are plentiful in the tailwater and in the backwater sloughs such as Cassville Slough. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes were being taken off the wingdams on 3-way rigs but the bite seems to have slowed down. The walleye fishing is expected to be very good if water levels continue to be stable. Freshwater Drum - Excellent: Drum are being caught in large numbers in current areas by anglers using a sliding egg sinker and night crawlers. Put drum on ice after you catch them and they are very good eating!

River levels on the Upper Mississippi have been holding stable at lower levels. Water temps are in the lower 70s. Floating vegetation can be a problem so please take the time to clean boats of any aquatic vegetation as much vegetation is present at the boat ramps. Do not bring water milfoil and other invasive plant species back to your favorite fishing waters. Good fishing is being found nearly everywhere.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 4.88 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on stink baits, shad guts and shrimp fished around snag piles along the main channel or in side channels. Channel catfish are also being caught anchoring above wingdams, at the mouth of the Rock River, and along Sunset Marina. White Bass - Slow: White bass fishing has been slow in Sylvan Slough. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill fishing has been slow in Sunset Marina and in the Andalusia Island complex. Many of the backwater areas in the Andalusia Island have been difficult to access. Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing has been slow in Sunset Marina and in the Andalusia Island complex. Many of the backwater areas in the Andalusia Islands have been difficult to access with the lower water conditions. Sauger - Fair: Some saugers are being caught trolling or casting crankbaits on the wingdams. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being caught on the wingdams on jigs and plastics or on three-way rigs with half a crawler. Some walleyes are also being picked up trolling or casting crankbaits on the wingdams.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 3.95 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. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being caught in the backwaters. Try using jigs and minnows or jigs and soft plastics around brush piles.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 4.26 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. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being caught casting or trolling crankbaits on the wingdams.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 1.85 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 - Good: Some crappies are being caught in the backwaters. Try using jigs and minnows or small plastics around brush piles. Some crappies are also being caught at the pumping station. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being caught trolling or casting crankbaits on the wingdams.

Pools 16-19: River level throughout the pools has been falling over the past week. Main channel water temperature is around 71 degrees and water clarity is good. 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 Belva Deer
THE SOUTH (CAMPGROUND) BOAT RAMP IS CLOSED FOR PAVING. PLEASE USE THE NORTH BOAT RAMP. Channel Catfish - Excellent: The catfishing has been excellent. They are catching them in too many places to list. I like to use chicken liver but night crawlers or minnows are also catching a lot of fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing has been very good. Work the near shore habitat as they are working over this year's bluegill spawn. Crappie - Good: Crappie fishing west of the beach and in the area out in front of the machine shed down by the dam has been good when there is some chop on the water.

Lake of the Hills
Channel Catfish - Good: All types of stink baits, liver and night crawlers are producing decent fish. Crappie - Good: Live minnows are producing crappies off the fishing dock area as well as the brush piles. REMEMBER Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park where live minnows can be used as bait.

Railroad Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good along the old creek channel. Crappie - Good: Action has been picking up along the stretch of flooded timber along the old creek channel.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The river is very low right now, boating would be very difficult right now. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfishing has been very good lately with the cooler weather. They are on a feeding frenzy as the drop in water temperature is telling the catfish that it's about time to make that trip to the overwintering holes to sleep through the winter.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good with the return of the cooler weather. They are getting fattened up for their winter hibernation.

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

Lake Macbride
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish shallow structure early and late in the day for best results. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: A few fish are being caught on crankbaits. Look for balls of shad on the surface or on your electronics, and the wipers should be in the area.

Diamond Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Bluegill - Fair:

Otter Creek Lake
The fish cleaning station is no longer available due to storm damage. Channel Catfish - Good: Some nice sized fish can be caught. Bluegill - Fair: Most fish have been smaller sized. Yellow Bass - Good: Fish are being caught closer to shore now.

Union Grove Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Stinkbait has been working best for catfish. Crappie - Fair: Some fish are starting to be caught by jigging in deeper water.

Coralville Reservoir
The water level on September 15 is 684.9'. The level is slowly rising due to reduction of outflow to allow for construction below the dam. The water level will be held at 685' once it reaches that level this weekend. Channel Catfish - Fair: Crappie - Fair:

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Areas in Johnson County have been producing catfish on dipbaits. Live bait has been producing well in deeper holes in Tama County. Water levels are low and boat access is limited. Flathead Catfish - Good: Live bait has also been producing flatheads in Tama County. Walleye - No Report: Several nice walleyes were seen in the deeper holes around Marshalltown during a fish survey this week.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Outflow from the dam is 260 CFS as of September 15 due to maintenance work being done below the dam. Flows will continue to be at this rate until September 17 in which it will go to 340 CFS.

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

Red Haw Lake
Bluegill - Good: Anglers have been using small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler. Target areas with some submerged habitat or along the shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Good: Spinnerbaits have been successful when fished around the rock jetties and the shoreline. Topwater lures can also be productive in the early mornings and the late evenings.

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. Fingerlings were stocked in May.

Albia (lower)
Bluegill - Fair: Some keeper bluegills are being caught using small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler. Try depths ranging from 4-8 feet and along the upper end of the reservoir. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits along the shorelines. Use rubber worms fished along the dam and the areas of the lake with rock.

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: Small jigs with a chunk of night crawler have been the most productive. Try areas with submerged habitat and along the shoreline in 4 to 8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use spinnerbaits or crankbaits fished along the shorelines. The water temperature is in the low 70s.

Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is at 904.36 with 904.0 being normal pool. Water temperatures have been running in the upper 70s. Outlet Park has been reopened. 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° F) or let them dry for at least 10 days (5 days in sun). Crappie - Slow: Crappies are still being caught off docks and close to shore using jig and minnow combos. Look for areas with flooded woody structure. Suspended crappies can be targeted by trolling small chrome colored crankbaits. Try areas with variations in depths like underwater islands and submerged points. Walleye - Fair: Jig and minnow combinations have been producing a few fish when fished shallow. Night crawlers fished along drop-offs and underwater islands have also been catching some fish. Don't forget about trolling crankbaits for suspended fish. Tagged walleyes should be reported at 641-647-2406.

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

SOUTHWEST
Roberts Creek Lake
Crappie - Fair: Trolling small shad colored crankbaits is working well for picking up suspended crappie.

Big Creek Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Good catches of channel cats are being caught on the upper end of the lake drifting cut bait. Cut creek chubs seem to be working best. White Bass - Good: White bass are the most aggressive bite in Big Creek right now. Troll shallow diving crankbaits on the upper half of the lake on the windblown side. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill are being caught drifting pieces of night crawler 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 foot of water or less.

Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Good: Bluegill can be easily caught fishing live bait over pallet and brush piles in 8 foot of water or less, especially those between the island and beach and out from the plover bay shelter.

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 or dead shad north of the mile long bridge is producing some excellent catfishing. Expect some healthy 5-pound-plus cats. White Bass - Good: The white bass bite continues to be fairly good. 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.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish - Good: Boat navigation is challenging, but good numbers of channel cats are being caught on cut chubs, suckers, shad and stink baits.

The white bass action is still fair on the large reservoirs. Catfishing is excellent in the reservoirs and most lakes using cut bait. Rivers are low and difficult to navigate in a boat, but the catfishing is good using cut bait and stink baits. Bluegill and crappie are being caught by drifting or fishing over pallet and brush piles. 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 - Fair: 7-8 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. 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 night crawlers. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught vertical jigging around brush piles. 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. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are being caught on shrimp. Fish average 14 to 18 inches.

Cold Springs Lake
Cold Springs has one concrete boat ramp. Bullhead - Good: Bullheads are biting on night crawlers. Fish average 9 inches. 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. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills up to 9 inches are being caught drifting and around brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught along weed edges and the road beds. Bass are all sizes up to 20 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 night crawlers under a bobber. Fish average 8 inches. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Largemouth are being caught using Powerbait worms around sunken trees. Most fish are 12 to 14 inches.

Viking Lake
Viking Lake has 4 feet of water clarity. The lake has 3 concrete boat ramps. Channel Catfish - Good: 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 spinnerbaits along weed edges has also produced fish up to 20 inches.

Lake Manawa
The lake level is about 2 feet high at Lake Manawa. Water temperature is 70 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.

Middle Raccoon River (above Van Meter)
The Middle Raccoon River below Lenon Mills dam is at a fishable level using small boats and canoes. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Smallmouth bass can be caught in pools above riffles and around rock casting twister tails.

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 - Good: Channel catfish are active now that water temps are cooling down. Liver and prepared blood baits work well this time of year. 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.

Panfish are being caught drifting and along vegetation edges. Catfishing has been good on interior rivers. For more information on fishing call the S.W. District Office at (712) 769-2587.