- Joined
- Jun 16, 2010
- Location
- North Liberty, Iowa
For immediate release: September 29, 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 leaving the 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 leaving the 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 leaving the 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. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching some largemouth bass with a few over 15 inches being caught.
Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegills and crappie are being caught in 20 feet of water with jigs and wax worms.
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. Walleye - Slow:
North Twin Lake
Fishing remains the same as last week. Northern Pike - Slow: An occasional northern is being caught while fishing for yellow bass. Channel Catfish - Slow: Anglers are catching a few channel catfish using the usual baits. Walleye - Slow: An occasional walleye is being caught while yellow bass fishing. Yellow Bass - Good: Anglers are doing well for medium sized yellow bass.
Swan Lake
Water clarity as of Tuesday was 36 inches. Panfish are starting to bite. Fish about one foot off the bottom around the fish house. Crappies are 8 to 8.5 inches in size.
Black Hawk Lake
Anglers are allowed three walleye per day and all walleye must be at least 15 inches. Recent sampling efforts have shown a lot of nice walleye along the shoreline between the tip of Ice House Point and the handicapped accessible pier. Also, surveys show a decent number of crappie around 9 to 10 inches in Black Hawk Lake. Crappie - Slow: A few anglers have been catching nice sized crappie in the Town Bay.
Browns Lake
Browns Lake is open to boat traffic.
Snyder Bend Lake
Snyder Bend is still closed. It will likely remain closed until it is no longer connected 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 leaving the lake to avoid spreading this species to other water bodies.
Water temperatures are around 60 degrees. For more information on lakes and rivers in this area contact Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Anglers are having success catching yellow bass using crawlers, cut bait, or minnows. Most fish are 8 to 9 inches with some 10 inchers in the mix. Fishing Hy-Vee reef and Fisherman's reef and any of the smaller rock reefs have been good spots. Many anglers are having success northwest of the Island. White bass and yellow perch are also being caught in the schools of yellow bass. Morning till early afternoon seems to be the best time, but the yellows usually continue to bite all day.
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. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try casting around submerged logs and along the dam for best results
Big Spirit Lake
White Bass - Fair: White bass have slowed down in the past week for most anglers that had previously been reporting them. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing the edge of weed lines, the north grade, area docks, and buffalo run fish barrier for the best action. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try fishing along rocky points, the footbridge, and Angler's Bay for best results. Largemouth Bass - Good: Many largemouth bass have been reported while casting spinner baits along the weed lines and along the north grade road. Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers are starting to catch good numbers of perch again with the stable weather. Try finding schools and using a small jig with wigglers. Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing continues to pick up in the early morning and at night at the footbridge, north grade, and Stoney Point.
East Okoboji Lake
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. Yellow Perch - Good: Try using a small jig with wigglers around areas with mucky bottoms. Walleye - Fair: Walleye have been reported along rocky points like parks marina and Stoney Point. 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 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 - Good: Some yellow perch are being picked up while fishing for bluegill.
Big Sioux River
Channel Catfish - Good: Fishing for channel catfish has remained good with the low water levels. Find a deep pool and use stink bait or chicken liver for best action.
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.
Catfish and walleye have been biting well on area rivers. For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the Spirit Lake hatchery at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
The road is now open to the lake. Now would be an excellent time to take a slow boat ride around the lake and admire the fall color. Bluegill - Slow: Largemouth Bass - Slow: Crappie - Slow:
Lake Hendricks
Water temperature is in the low 60s. The water is stained with a brown tint from an algae bloom. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are having the best luck using a worm fished under a bobber in the late afternoon. Largemouth Bass - Fair:
Lake Meyer
Aquatic vegetation in the lake is now gone making shoreline fishing much easier. Try angling over the brush piles. Northern Pike - Slow: A few anglers reported catching larger pike. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A very nice size bass are being caught but the action is slow. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to bite. Angers are having the best luck using a jig and minnow.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Flow is low so concentrate efforts around the deeper holes and around snags and log jams. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Walleye - Good: Anglers have been using crankbaits and jigs tipped with a twister tail. Also try floating worms through the deeper holes.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
With low water levels, focus efforts in the deeper holes. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Walleye - Good: Try using crankbaits and jigs with twister tails. Anglers have also been using silver or gold spinners.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
The Cedar River has been experiencing a diatom bloom making the water look like it has a brown tint to it. Northern Pike - Fair: Anglers have been using small frogs with good results. Smallmouth Bass - Fair:
Decorah District Streams
#18 Blue Wing Olive and #16 Mahogany Dun hatches remain heavy on northeast Iowa streams, the Blue Wing hatch being dominant. Both hatches often begin late in the morning and last until just before dusk. Try a #16 Adams or Brown Adams for the Mahogany Dun hatch and any delicately tied #18 Blue Wing pattern for the Olives. For stocking information, go to the website www.iowadnr.gov or call 563-927-5376.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
Key in on deeper pools and undercut rock ledges for catfish, smallmouth and walleye. Look for fish upstream of Garber to below Elkader.
Area rivers are looking good but be aware of low flow conditions. Lakes and trout streams are in excellent condition. The leaves are beginning to turn color with the peak predicted for the weekend of October 8, and cooler weather making for a great outing in Northeast Iowa. For more information, contact Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Brinker Lake
There have been reports of anglers catching crappie. Crappie - Fair: A crappie minnow fished under a slip bobber in 10 feet of water has been most productive.
George Wyth Lake
Anglers have been catching some crappie fishing off of the dock or jetties. Fishing should only improve as water temperature drops heading into fall. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Spinner baits have been catching bass. Crappie - Fair: A crappie minnow fished under a slip bobber in 10 feet of water has been most productive.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Fishing has improved for walleye and smallmouth bass as they tend to feed more aggressively heading into fall. There also have been reports of crappie being caught near brush piles above the dams in the impoundment areas. Northern Pike - Fair: Artificial spoons and crankbaits have been producing some northern pike. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Jig and twistertail or spinner baits have been producing smallmouth bass. Crappie - Fair: Concentrate near brush piles with a minnow tipped under a slip bobber. Walleye - Good: A nightcrawler or 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. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Jig and twistertail or spinner baits have been producing smallmouth bass. Walleye - Good: Crankbaits or a minnow tipped on a jig work well.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River is in excellent condition. Smallmouth bass reports have been good with walleye and northern pike being caught as well. Northern Pike - Fair: Artificial spoons and crankbaits have been producing some northern pike. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Concentrate near the riffle areas casting spinner baits or jigs with a twistertail. 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 - Good: Spinner baits or jig tipped with a twistertail can be productive. Walleye - Good: Fish a jig tipped with a crawler or minnow.
Manchester District Streams
Trout streams remain in excellent condition with the dry, cool weather heading into early fall.
Fishing on the interior rivers for walleye and smallmouth bass has improved over the last week as water temperatures decline. Anglers are also beginning to pick up some northern pike and crappie on the rivers as well. Some area Black Hawk County lakes have been fair also for crappie. Trout streams in the Manchester District are in excellent condition; call the Manchester District Office at 563-927-3276 for more information.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River levels at Lansing are 8.2 feet and expected to remain stable at this level over the next week. Water temperature is 58 degrees. Northern Pike - Fair: A few nice pike being caught by anglers fishing for bass. Channel Catfish - Good: Fall channel cat biting well on chicken livers. Fish deep holes by wing dams. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill fishing remains very strong. As water temperature cools, fish will begin to move towards backwaters, so look for fish in running sloughs near any woody structure. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth bite is very good on rocky areas with current. Look for minnows jumping and fishing late in the day can be very productive. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Largemouth bass are feeding heavily now. Fishing on wing dams is strong but as temperatures cool more fish will move towards backwaters. Walleye - Good: Walleye bite is picking up on wing dams and running sloughs. Keep moving to find active fish. Simple jig and minnow combo seems to work best.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River levels at Lynxville are 6.13 feet and expected to remain stable but drop slightly over the next week. Water temperature is 58 degrees. Northern Pike - Good: A few nice pike being caught by anglers fishing for bass. Channel Catfish - Good: Fall channel cat biting well on chicken livers. Fish deep holes by wing dams. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill fishing remains very strong. As water temperature cools fish will begin to move towards backwaters, so look for fish in running sloughs near any woody structure. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth bite is very good on rocky areas with current. Look for minnows jumping and fishing late in the day can be very productive. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Largemouth bass are feeding heavily now. Fishing on wing dams is strong but as temperatures cool more fish will move towards backwaters. Sauger - Good: Sauger fishing in the tail waters is beginning to pick up with many 12 to 13-inch fish. Walleye - Good: Walleye bite is picking up on wing dams and running sloughs. Keep moving to find active fish. Simple jig and minnow combo seems to work best.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River levels at Guttenberg are at 5.2 feet and expected to drop slightly over the course of the next week. Water temperature is 58 degrees. Northern Pike - Fair: A few nice pike being caught by anglers fishing for bass. Channel Catfish - Good: Fall channel cat biting well on chicken livers. Fish deep holes by wing dams. Some nice fish caught recently in the tail waters. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill fishing remains very strong. As water temperature cools fish will begin to move towards backwaters, so look for fish in running sloughs near any woody structure. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth bite is very good on rocky areas with current. Look for minnows jumping and fishing late in the day can be very productive. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Largemouth bass are feeding heavily now. Fishing on wing dams is strong but as temperatures cool more fish will move towards backwaters. Sauger - Good: Sauger fishing beginning to pick up in the tail waters with a lot of 12 to 13-inch fish. Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite is picking up on wing dams and few being caught in the tail waters. Keep moving to find active fish. Simple jig and minnow combo seems to work best.
River levels remain low and stable on the upper Mississippi Pools 9-11. The consistent after levels have made for good fishing as water temperature cools into the upper 50s the fall feeding has begun. Floating vegetation may be a problem while boating and fishing.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 5.84 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on dip baits and shad. Trying fishing above snags pile along the main channel and side channels. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina drifting minnows under a bobber. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being picked up in Sunset Marina drifting minnows under a bobber. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being caught on jigs and minnows on the ends of wing dams.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 5.00 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on shad and dip baits. Try fishing for catfish around snags along the main channel and side sloughs. Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Sauger - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 4.94 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on shad and dip baits. Try fishing for catfish around snag piles along the main channel and in side sloughs. Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - Good: Crappies are being caught in the backwaters on jigs and minnows. Sauger - No Report: Walleye - Slow: A few walleyes are being caught on the wing dams. Try casting jigs/minnows or crankbaits to the wing dams.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 2.38 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on shad and dip baits. Try fishing for channel catfish around snag piles along the main channel or side channels. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught in the backwaters on jigs and minnows. Look for fish around brush piles. Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow.
Mississippi Pools 16-20: River levels have risen slightly over the past couple of days due to recent rains. River levels are still low and anglers should use caution when boating. Main channel water temperature is around 61 degrees. 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 Geode
Brittle Naiad (an invasive aquatic plant species) is present in Geode so please clean your boat and trailer before leaving the ramp. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish has continued to be good as these fish get ready for their winter nap. Look for them to be foraging around the rocky shorelines and down along the face of the dam.
Lake Belva Deer
Boaters take note: the campground (south) boat ramp is closed for paving. Use the north boat ramp. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are stilling getting good numbers of catfish along the rocks and while crappie fishing. Crappie - Fair: Most of the crappies being caught now are down along the dam. Minnows and slip bobbers or small jig and minnows seem to be working the best.
Lake of the Hills
The fall stocking of 1,800 rainbow trout will be 10:30 a.m., Oct. 22 at the boat ramp. Anglers who catch one of the 200 tagged trout will get a prize. Channel Catfish - Good: All types of stink baits, liver, and night crawlers are producing decent fish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing is picking up. The bluegills are moving a lot as they fatten up for winter, so be ready to move with them. 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. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up some bluegills around the tube coming from Bluegrass Lake. Largemouth Bass - Fair: There are some nice fish being caught off the timber and from around the rocky shorelines. Crankbaits seem to be the most effective. Crappie - Good: Action has been picking up along the stretch of flooded timber along the old creek channel. Live minnows are not permitted in Railroad Lake.
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.
Iowa Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Bluegill - Fair: Crappie - Slow:
Lake Macbride
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish shallow structure early and late in the day for best results.
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 small. Yellow Bass - Good: Fish are being caught closer to shore.
Union Grove Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Stink bait 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 29 is 685.2 feet and is creeping up about .05 feet a day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Most fish have been coming on shad. Crappie - Fair: Fish jigs or minnows along rocky banks.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Anglers have been having success using a jig tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler fished under a bobber. Target areas with some submerged habitat or along the shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try rubber worms fished around structure or around the rock jetties. Plastic crawdads or lizards should also be tried.
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: Small jigs fished under a bobber tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler have been productive. Try depths ranging from 4 to 8 feet along the upper end of the reservoir. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use rubber worms fished along the dam.
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 nightcrawler fished under a bobber have been the most productive. Try areas with submerged habitat and along the shoreline in 4-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits or plastic crawdad imitations fished along the shorelines. The water temperature is in the 60s.
Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is at 904.33 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. Water temperatures have been running in the mid 60s. 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 water above 104 degrees or let them dry for at least 10 days (5 days in sun). Crappie - Slow: Crappies are still being caught close to shore using jig and minnow combos. Also try areas in a little deeper water with some type of underwater structure. Walleye - Fair: Nightcrawler harnesses and bottom bouncers being trolled have been catching some fish. Try the areas around Island View or South Fork. 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
Roberts Creek Lake
Crappie - Good: Trolling small panfish crankbaits or drifting small jigs or minnows is catching decent numbers of crappie with an occasional large fish over 11 inches.
Big Creek Lake
Bluegill - Good: Large bluegill are being caught over brush piles in 15 feet of water or less and near structure in the deeper water near the emergency spillway.
Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Good: Anglers drifting crawlers or small jigs mid lake out from the north shore are catching bluegill and occasional crappie. Bluegill can also be easily caught fishing live bait over pallet and brush piles in 8 feet of water or less, especially those between the island and beach and out from the plover bay shelter.
Hooper Area Pond
Crappie - Good: Drifting small jigs or live minnows is working well on crappies. A good population of nice size crappie exists. Most are black crappie running between 8 and 10 inches, but some white crappies are there up to 12 inches.
Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Anglers are having good outings for channel catfish fishing the upper end of the reservoir using cut shad. Casting cut shad out from shore at Jester Park is also good for non boat anglers.
Water temperatures are holding in the low to mid 60s and good fall fishing is happening. Now is a great time to be out for bluegill and crappie. 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. Bluegill - Fair: 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. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill are being caught around brush piles with nightcrawlers. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught vertical jigging around brush piles. Fish average nine 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 - Fair: Catfish are being caught on shrimp. Fish average 14 to 18 inches.
Cold Springs Lake
Cold Springs has one concrete boat ramp. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught in less than six feet of water using cut bait. Fish average 2.5 pounds.
Lake Anita
Lake Anita has two concrete ramps. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to nine 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. Crappie - Fair: Crappie up to 10 inches are being caught vertical jigging the brush piles.
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 eight 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 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. Crappie - Fair: Crappies up to 10 inches can be caught around brush piles.
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 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.
Water temperatures are in the low to mid 60s. The bluegill and crappie bite is picking up. For more information on fishing call the district office at Lewis at 712-769-2587.
Lake Icaria
The water temperature is in the upper 60s and clarity is above normal. Walleye - Good: Several walleyes are being caught by trolling the open points.
Little River Watershed Lake
The lake has been lowered 20 feet to allow for a fish renovation, shoreline repairs, and fish habitat project to be completed this fall and winter. The fishery will be restocked as soon as conditions allow.
Green Valley Lake
The lake level is down about nine feet to allow completion of the final stages of a sediment removal project. The main concrete ramp is open and functional. The fishery is growing fast and currently contains a lot of bluegill up to 8 1/2 inches, crappies up to 9 1/2 inches and bass from 8 to 15 inches.
Three Mile Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 60s. Water clarity is good at mid-lake and near the dam. The upper end is still a little green. The fall walleye and crappie bite is starting. Crappie - Good: Several crappies are coming from the flooded tree piles near sharp drop offs. Size is good. Walleye - Good: Several walleye are being caught from the old roadway between the ramp and the open flats of the upper end.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The water temperature is in the upper 60s. Algae is starting to disappear. The walleye, crappie and bluegill bite is starting.
Water temperatures are falling into the mid 60s at most lakes. Small lakes are in the low 60s. Water clarity is above average at most lakes. The fall crappie and walleye bite is picking up a lot.
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 leaving the 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 leaving the 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 leaving the 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. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching some largemouth bass with a few over 15 inches being caught.
Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegills and crappie are being caught in 20 feet of water with jigs and wax worms.
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. Walleye - Slow:
North Twin Lake
Fishing remains the same as last week. Northern Pike - Slow: An occasional northern is being caught while fishing for yellow bass. Channel Catfish - Slow: Anglers are catching a few channel catfish using the usual baits. Walleye - Slow: An occasional walleye is being caught while yellow bass fishing. Yellow Bass - Good: Anglers are doing well for medium sized yellow bass.
Swan Lake
Water clarity as of Tuesday was 36 inches. Panfish are starting to bite. Fish about one foot off the bottom around the fish house. Crappies are 8 to 8.5 inches in size.
Black Hawk Lake
Anglers are allowed three walleye per day and all walleye must be at least 15 inches. Recent sampling efforts have shown a lot of nice walleye along the shoreline between the tip of Ice House Point and the handicapped accessible pier. Also, surveys show a decent number of crappie around 9 to 10 inches in Black Hawk Lake. Crappie - Slow: A few anglers have been catching nice sized crappie in the Town Bay.
Browns Lake
Browns Lake is open to boat traffic.
Snyder Bend Lake
Snyder Bend is still closed. It will likely remain closed until it is no longer connected 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 leaving the lake to avoid spreading this species to other water bodies.
Water temperatures are around 60 degrees. For more information on lakes and rivers in this area contact Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Anglers are having success catching yellow bass using crawlers, cut bait, or minnows. Most fish are 8 to 9 inches with some 10 inchers in the mix. Fishing Hy-Vee reef and Fisherman's reef and any of the smaller rock reefs have been good spots. Many anglers are having success northwest of the Island. White bass and yellow perch are also being caught in the schools of yellow bass. Morning till early afternoon seems to be the best time, but the yellows usually continue to bite all day.
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. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try casting around submerged logs and along the dam for best results
Big Spirit Lake
White Bass - Fair: White bass have slowed down in the past week for most anglers that had previously been reporting them. Bluegill - Fair: Try fishing the edge of weed lines, the north grade, area docks, and buffalo run fish barrier for the best action. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Try fishing along rocky points, the footbridge, and Angler's Bay for best results. Largemouth Bass - Good: Many largemouth bass have been reported while casting spinner baits along the weed lines and along the north grade road. Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers are starting to catch good numbers of perch again with the stable weather. Try finding schools and using a small jig with wigglers. Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing continues to pick up in the early morning and at night at the footbridge, north grade, and Stoney Point.
East Okoboji Lake
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. Yellow Perch - Good: Try using a small jig with wigglers around areas with mucky bottoms. Walleye - Fair: Walleye have been reported along rocky points like parks marina and Stoney Point. 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 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 - Good: Some yellow perch are being picked up while fishing for bluegill.
Big Sioux River
Channel Catfish - Good: Fishing for channel catfish has remained good with the low water levels. Find a deep pool and use stink bait or chicken liver for best action.
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.
Catfish and walleye have been biting well on area rivers. For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the Spirit Lake hatchery at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
The road is now open to the lake. Now would be an excellent time to take a slow boat ride around the lake and admire the fall color. Bluegill - Slow: Largemouth Bass - Slow: Crappie - Slow:
Lake Hendricks
Water temperature is in the low 60s. The water is stained with a brown tint from an algae bloom. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are having the best luck using a worm fished under a bobber in the late afternoon. Largemouth Bass - Fair:
Lake Meyer
Aquatic vegetation in the lake is now gone making shoreline fishing much easier. Try angling over the brush piles. Northern Pike - Slow: A few anglers reported catching larger pike. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A very nice size bass are being caught but the action is slow. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are starting to bite. Angers are having the best luck using a jig and minnow.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Flow is low so concentrate efforts around the deeper holes and around snags and log jams. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Walleye - Good: Anglers have been using crankbaits and jigs tipped with a twister tail. Also try floating worms through the deeper holes.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
With low water levels, focus efforts in the deeper holes. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Walleye - Good: Try using crankbaits and jigs with twister tails. Anglers have also been using silver or gold spinners.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
The Cedar River has been experiencing a diatom bloom making the water look like it has a brown tint to it. Northern Pike - Fair: Anglers have been using small frogs with good results. Smallmouth Bass - Fair:
Decorah District Streams
#18 Blue Wing Olive and #16 Mahogany Dun hatches remain heavy on northeast Iowa streams, the Blue Wing hatch being dominant. Both hatches often begin late in the morning and last until just before dusk. Try a #16 Adams or Brown Adams for the Mahogany Dun hatch and any delicately tied #18 Blue Wing pattern for the Olives. For stocking information, go to the website www.iowadnr.gov or call 563-927-5376.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
Key in on deeper pools and undercut rock ledges for catfish, smallmouth and walleye. Look for fish upstream of Garber to below Elkader.
Area rivers are looking good but be aware of low flow conditions. Lakes and trout streams are in excellent condition. The leaves are beginning to turn color with the peak predicted for the weekend of October 8, and cooler weather making for a great outing in Northeast Iowa. For more information, contact Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Brinker Lake
There have been reports of anglers catching crappie. Crappie - Fair: A crappie minnow fished under a slip bobber in 10 feet of water has been most productive.
George Wyth Lake
Anglers have been catching some crappie fishing off of the dock or jetties. Fishing should only improve as water temperature drops heading into fall. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Spinner baits have been catching bass. Crappie - Fair: A crappie minnow fished under a slip bobber in 10 feet of water has been most productive.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Fishing has improved for walleye and smallmouth bass as they tend to feed more aggressively heading into fall. There also have been reports of crappie being caught near brush piles above the dams in the impoundment areas. Northern Pike - Fair: Artificial spoons and crankbaits have been producing some northern pike. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Jig and twistertail or spinner baits have been producing smallmouth bass. Crappie - Fair: Concentrate near brush piles with a minnow tipped under a slip bobber. Walleye - Good: A nightcrawler or 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. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Jig and twistertail or spinner baits have been producing smallmouth bass. Walleye - Good: Crankbaits or a minnow tipped on a jig work well.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River is in excellent condition. Smallmouth bass reports have been good with walleye and northern pike being caught as well. Northern Pike - Fair: Artificial spoons and crankbaits have been producing some northern pike. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Concentrate near the riffle areas casting spinner baits or jigs with a twistertail. 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 - Good: Spinner baits or jig tipped with a twistertail can be productive. Walleye - Good: Fish a jig tipped with a crawler or minnow.
Manchester District Streams
Trout streams remain in excellent condition with the dry, cool weather heading into early fall.
Fishing on the interior rivers for walleye and smallmouth bass has improved over the last week as water temperatures decline. Anglers are also beginning to pick up some northern pike and crappie on the rivers as well. Some area Black Hawk County lakes have been fair also for crappie. Trout streams in the Manchester District are in excellent condition; call the Manchester District Office at 563-927-3276 for more information.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River levels at Lansing are 8.2 feet and expected to remain stable at this level over the next week. Water temperature is 58 degrees. Northern Pike - Fair: A few nice pike being caught by anglers fishing for bass. Channel Catfish - Good: Fall channel cat biting well on chicken livers. Fish deep holes by wing dams. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill fishing remains very strong. As water temperature cools, fish will begin to move towards backwaters, so look for fish in running sloughs near any woody structure. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth bite is very good on rocky areas with current. Look for minnows jumping and fishing late in the day can be very productive. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Largemouth bass are feeding heavily now. Fishing on wing dams is strong but as temperatures cool more fish will move towards backwaters. Walleye - Good: Walleye bite is picking up on wing dams and running sloughs. Keep moving to find active fish. Simple jig and minnow combo seems to work best.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River levels at Lynxville are 6.13 feet and expected to remain stable but drop slightly over the next week. Water temperature is 58 degrees. Northern Pike - Good: A few nice pike being caught by anglers fishing for bass. Channel Catfish - Good: Fall channel cat biting well on chicken livers. Fish deep holes by wing dams. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill fishing remains very strong. As water temperature cools fish will begin to move towards backwaters, so look for fish in running sloughs near any woody structure. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth bite is very good on rocky areas with current. Look for minnows jumping and fishing late in the day can be very productive. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Largemouth bass are feeding heavily now. Fishing on wing dams is strong but as temperatures cool more fish will move towards backwaters. Sauger - Good: Sauger fishing in the tail waters is beginning to pick up with many 12 to 13-inch fish. Walleye - Good: Walleye bite is picking up on wing dams and running sloughs. Keep moving to find active fish. Simple jig and minnow combo seems to work best.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River levels at Guttenberg are at 5.2 feet and expected to drop slightly over the course of the next week. Water temperature is 58 degrees. Northern Pike - Fair: A few nice pike being caught by anglers fishing for bass. Channel Catfish - Good: Fall channel cat biting well on chicken livers. Fish deep holes by wing dams. Some nice fish caught recently in the tail waters. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill fishing remains very strong. As water temperature cools fish will begin to move towards backwaters, so look for fish in running sloughs near any woody structure. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth bite is very good on rocky areas with current. Look for minnows jumping and fishing late in the day can be very productive. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Largemouth bass are feeding heavily now. Fishing on wing dams is strong but as temperatures cool more fish will move towards backwaters. Sauger - Good: Sauger fishing beginning to pick up in the tail waters with a lot of 12 to 13-inch fish. Walleye - Fair: Walleye bite is picking up on wing dams and few being caught in the tail waters. Keep moving to find active fish. Simple jig and minnow combo seems to work best.
River levels remain low and stable on the upper Mississippi Pools 9-11. The consistent after levels have made for good fishing as water temperature cools into the upper 50s the fall feeding has begun. Floating vegetation may be a problem while boating and fishing.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 5.84 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on dip baits and shad. Trying fishing above snags pile along the main channel and side channels. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Sunset Marina drifting minnows under a bobber. Crappie - Fair: Some crappies are being picked up in Sunset Marina drifting minnows under a bobber. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being caught on jigs and minnows on the ends of wing dams.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 5.00 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on shad and dip baits. Try fishing for catfish around snags along the main channel and side sloughs. Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Sauger - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 4.94 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on shad and dip baits. Try fishing for catfish around snag piles along the main channel and in side sloughs. Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - Good: Crappies are being caught in the backwaters on jigs and minnows. Sauger - No Report: Walleye - Slow: A few walleyes are being caught on the wing dams. Try casting jigs/minnows or crankbaits to the wing dams.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 2.38 feet. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on shad and dip baits. Try fishing for channel catfish around snag piles along the main channel or side channels. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught in the backwaters on jigs and minnows. Look for fish around brush piles. Walleye - Slow: Walleye fishing has been slow.
Mississippi Pools 16-20: River levels have risen slightly over the past couple of days due to recent rains. River levels are still low and anglers should use caution when boating. Main channel water temperature is around 61 degrees. 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 Geode
Brittle Naiad (an invasive aquatic plant species) is present in Geode so please clean your boat and trailer before leaving the ramp. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish has continued to be good as these fish get ready for their winter nap. Look for them to be foraging around the rocky shorelines and down along the face of the dam.
Lake Belva Deer
Boaters take note: the campground (south) boat ramp is closed for paving. Use the north boat ramp. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers are stilling getting good numbers of catfish along the rocks and while crappie fishing. Crappie - Fair: Most of the crappies being caught now are down along the dam. Minnows and slip bobbers or small jig and minnows seem to be working the best.
Lake of the Hills
The fall stocking of 1,800 rainbow trout will be 10:30 a.m., Oct. 22 at the boat ramp. Anglers who catch one of the 200 tagged trout will get a prize. Channel Catfish - Good: All types of stink baits, liver, and night crawlers are producing decent fish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing is picking up. The bluegills are moving a lot as they fatten up for winter, so be ready to move with them. 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. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up some bluegills around the tube coming from Bluegrass Lake. Largemouth Bass - Fair: There are some nice fish being caught off the timber and from around the rocky shorelines. Crankbaits seem to be the most effective. Crappie - Good: Action has been picking up along the stretch of flooded timber along the old creek channel. Live minnows are not permitted in Railroad Lake.
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.
Iowa Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Bluegill - Fair: Crappie - Slow:
Lake Macbride
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish shallow structure early and late in the day for best results.
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 small. Yellow Bass - Good: Fish are being caught closer to shore.
Union Grove Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Stink bait 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 29 is 685.2 feet and is creeping up about .05 feet a day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Most fish have been coming on shad. Crappie - Fair: Fish jigs or minnows along rocky banks.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Anglers have been having success using a jig tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler fished under a bobber. Target areas with some submerged habitat or along the shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try rubber worms fished around structure or around the rock jetties. Plastic crawdads or lizards should also be tried.
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: Small jigs fished under a bobber tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler have been productive. Try depths ranging from 4 to 8 feet along the upper end of the reservoir. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use rubber worms fished along the dam.
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 nightcrawler fished under a bobber have been the most productive. Try areas with submerged habitat and along the shoreline in 4-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits or plastic crawdad imitations fished along the shorelines. The water temperature is in the 60s.
Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is at 904.33 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. Water temperatures have been running in the mid 60s. 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 water above 104 degrees or let them dry for at least 10 days (5 days in sun). Crappie - Slow: Crappies are still being caught close to shore using jig and minnow combos. Also try areas in a little deeper water with some type of underwater structure. Walleye - Fair: Nightcrawler harnesses and bottom bouncers being trolled have been catching some fish. Try the areas around Island View or South Fork. 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
Roberts Creek Lake
Crappie - Good: Trolling small panfish crankbaits or drifting small jigs or minnows is catching decent numbers of crappie with an occasional large fish over 11 inches.
Big Creek Lake
Bluegill - Good: Large bluegill are being caught over brush piles in 15 feet of water or less and near structure in the deeper water near the emergency spillway.
Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Good: Anglers drifting crawlers or small jigs mid lake out from the north shore are catching bluegill and occasional crappie. Bluegill can also be easily caught fishing live bait over pallet and brush piles in 8 feet of water or less, especially those between the island and beach and out from the plover bay shelter.
Hooper Area Pond
Crappie - Good: Drifting small jigs or live minnows is working well on crappies. A good population of nice size crappie exists. Most are black crappie running between 8 and 10 inches, but some white crappies are there up to 12 inches.
Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Anglers are having good outings for channel catfish fishing the upper end of the reservoir using cut shad. Casting cut shad out from shore at Jester Park is also good for non boat anglers.
Water temperatures are holding in the low to mid 60s and good fall fishing is happening. Now is a great time to be out for bluegill and crappie. 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. Bluegill - Fair: 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. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill are being caught around brush piles with nightcrawlers. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught vertical jigging around brush piles. Fish average nine 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 - Fair: Catfish are being caught on shrimp. Fish average 14 to 18 inches.
Cold Springs Lake
Cold Springs has one concrete boat ramp. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are being caught in less than six feet of water using cut bait. Fish average 2.5 pounds.
Lake Anita
Lake Anita has two concrete ramps. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to nine 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. Crappie - Fair: Crappie up to 10 inches are being caught vertical jigging the brush piles.
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 eight 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 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. Crappie - Fair: Crappies up to 10 inches can be caught around brush piles.
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 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.
Water temperatures are in the low to mid 60s. The bluegill and crappie bite is picking up. For more information on fishing call the district office at Lewis at 712-769-2587.
Lake Icaria
The water temperature is in the upper 60s and clarity is above normal. Walleye - Good: Several walleyes are being caught by trolling the open points.
Little River Watershed Lake
The lake has been lowered 20 feet to allow for a fish renovation, shoreline repairs, and fish habitat project to be completed this fall and winter. The fishery will be restocked as soon as conditions allow.
Green Valley Lake
The lake level is down about nine feet to allow completion of the final stages of a sediment removal project. The main concrete ramp is open and functional. The fishery is growing fast and currently contains a lot of bluegill up to 8 1/2 inches, crappies up to 9 1/2 inches and bass from 8 to 15 inches.
Three Mile Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 60s. Water clarity is good at mid-lake and near the dam. The upper end is still a little green. The fall walleye and crappie bite is starting. Crappie - Good: Several crappies are coming from the flooded tree piles near sharp drop offs. Size is good. Walleye - Good: Several walleye are being caught from the old roadway between the ramp and the open flats of the upper end.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The water temperature is in the upper 60s. Algae is starting to disappear. The walleye, crappie and bluegill bite is starting.
Water temperatures are falling into the mid 60s at most lakes. Small lakes are in the low 60s. Water clarity is above average at most lakes. The fall crappie and walleye bite is picking up a lot.