NORTHWEST

Arrowhead Lake
Water temperature is in the mid to upper 70s. Water clarity is good.  Some bluegills are still on nests. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegill nests along shore and in areas of 2-6 feet of water with gravel/sand substrate. These can be great areas to target larger bluegill with a small jig fished under a bobber.

Black Hawk Lake
The dredge is working in the east basin of the lake. The floating and submerged portions of pipe is marked with buoys. Dredge barges are marked with buoys; boaters should use caution and stay away from the equipment and pipe. Water levels are about 8 inches below the crest of the spillway. Surface water temperature is in the upper 70s. Water clarity is about 1.5 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish are 8- to 11-inches. Most fish have moved to more off shore areas, but can still be picked up along Ice House Point and around the fish house and stone piers in Town Bay. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills along shore.  Fish are 6- to 7-inches.  Areas along shore in Town Bay and near the stone piers may be most productive. Walleye – Fair: Boat anglers are trolling crankbaits and picking up fish. Using twisters or shallow diving crankbaits if fishing from shore.  Water clarity is about 1.5 feet.

Browns Lake
Water temperature is in the mid to upper 70s. Water clarity is about 8 inches.  Water levels remain low; use caution when launching boats. Find crappie up to 10-inches near shore. Find channel catfish along shore near rocky areas and downed trees.

Brushy Creek Lake
Water clarity is good. Surface water temperature is in the mid to upper 70s. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near the jetty and along shore in 5-20 feet of water near submerged trees. Use a small jig (with or without bait) or small minnows on a jig. Bluegill – Fair: Find fish near shore in 1-5 feet of water guarding nests. Use a small jig fished under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics and traditional bass lures along submerged woody structure and weed lines near shore. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Slow.

North Twin Lake
Water levels are about a foot below the crest of the spillway; use caution when launching boats. Water clarity is about 1.5 feet. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass are close to shore.  Most fish are 7- to 8-inches.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Surface water temperature is in the mid to upper 70s. All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching fish from shore. Storm Lake has a good population of 4-6 pound catfish.  Try cut bait, liver or crawlers fished on the bottom along shore. Walleye – Fair: Best bite is the evening; use a lead head with a twister tail from shore.  Also try a jig with a crawler or tipped with a minnow.  Shallow diving crankbaits can also work well from shore. Boat anglers are having luck with crawler harnesses and trolling crankbaits. Yellow Bass – Fair: Find yellow bass close to shore.  Fish are 5- to 11-inches long.  Use a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber. Yellow Perch – Fair: Find perch along shore. Try crawlers and minnows fished under a bobber near rocky shorelines.

Surface water temperature is in the upper 70s in most area lakes. Water temperatures will continue to rise with the predicted warmer weather throughout next week. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
The lake is 5 inches above crest. Water temperature is in the low 70s. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. No more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or crawlers on the bottom in wind-swept shore and spots where water is flowing into the lake. Best bite is after sunset. Walleye – Good: Try fishing a slip bobber with live bait on the rock reefs and near wind-swept points. Yellow Bass – Slow.

Little Wall Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or crawlers on the wind-swept shore. Best bite is after sunset.

Lower Pine Lake
Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

Rice Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of nightcrawler under a bobber near shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on their spawning beds. Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are biting on a variety of baits; try fishing near the edge of the vegetation.

Upper Pine Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Drift fish or troll small jigs or minnows. Best bite is early morning. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

East Okoboji Lake
Lake temperature is in the upper 60s. The water level is 6 inches over crest. There has been a fairly good crappie and bluegill bite recently. Fish are moving shallower, making for great shoreline fishing. Trolling has been working very well. Find crappie and yellow bass in 10-16 feet of water. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Good. Walleye – Fair: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps in the main basins. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. Yellow Bass – Good.

Lost Island Lake
Many anglers have been successful; some sorting may be needed depending on which species you are targeting.  Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Fair: Try trolling crankbaits or with lindy rigs off weed lines. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. Yellow Perch – Fair.

Minnewashta Lake
Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good; some sorting may be needed. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Good.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The late afternoon bite has been good. Many anglers are targeting fish schools during the day. Walleye – Fair: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps.

Spirit Lake
Water temperature is in the low 70s. The lake is 7 inches below crest. The walleye season is open. Black Bullhead – Good: Try fishing the northern grade of Spirit Lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Fair.  Walleye – Fair: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps. Yellow Perch – Fair.

West Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 60s. The water level is 6 inches over crest. The panfish bite has been good around docks and hoists; many species of fish are starting to move in shallower. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Use surface baits or jerk baits. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing off points by trolling crank baits or with lindy rigs. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset.

This week’s forecast calls for temperatures in the 80s and 90s which should start to raise water temperatures quicker. Most area lake temperatures are in the 70s. Water clarity is fairly good on most area lakes. Bass and panfishing has been great on most lakes closer to shore and along weed lines. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are up a bout 3 feet and are stabilizing. Clarity is improving. Fish eddies and current breaks. Visit the USGS Water Dashboard for current water levels. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Try a hook loaded with a crawler, chub, chicken livers or stink bait. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use a spinnerbait or crankbait along lake edges at dawn and dusk. Northern Pike – Fair: Find pike in shallow vegetated areas out of current. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallies below the dams; use a hook tipped with a ringworm, twister tail or nightcrawler.  Walleye – Fair: Try worms or minnows under a slip bobber with enough weight to get your bait near the bottom.

Decorah District Streams
The 2022 Trout Stream Stocking calendar is available on our Trout Fishing webpage. Streams are off-color with recent rain. Streams with better watersheds will clear faster. Flows are up; use caution when crossing or fishing in faster current. Brook Trout – Good: Numerous insect hatches on sunny afternoons. Use midge, caddis, mayfly or scud patterns for hungry brookies. Brown Trout – Excellent: Rain water flowing into streams is bringing a fresh supply of food for curious brownies. Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits near or around structure. Midge and gnat hatches remain strong. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Freshly stocked rainbow trout are waiting for anglers. Use small spinnerbaits, hair jigs or hooks tipped with a worm or minnow floating past structure or around large rocks.

Lake Hendricks
Water temperature is in the 70s. Clarity is over 5 feet. Black Crappie – Good: Find crappie in 6 to 8 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of worm to catch one of these beauties. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a worm on a hook just off the bottom near stumps. Largemouth Bass – Good: Find fish near shore with crankbaits or jig tipped with a brightly colored plastic tail.

Lake Meyer
Anglers are finding hit-and-miss action as the water warms. The lake is very weedy; electric motors may have trouble getting through the vegetation. Water temperature is in the 70s. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie in 6 to 8 feet of water around vertical structure. Bluegill – Good: Find a cove or weed edge. Use an ice fishing jig tipped with a small piece of worm. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a chunk of worm or squished minnow fished off the bottom near stumps or other woody debris. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are in shallow. Try crankbaits or a jig with plastic tail.

North Bear Creek
Bridge replacement work is starting on the Sacquitne Bridge on 360th St. Stream access and parking lot remain open; be courteous to workers. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Stocked weekly from April through October.

Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels rose about a foot and continue to rise slowly. Water clarity is poor. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallies near undercut banks or rock ledges. Use a jig with a twister tail or crankbait. Walleye – Fair: Find walleye in deeper pockets just out of flow.

Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water levels are stabilizing with swift current.  Use care if paddling. Visit the USGS Water Database for more information on water levels. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing the eddies and drop-offs. Walleye – Good: Find walleye in current breaks or eddies. Use crankbaits or spinnerbaits. White Sucker – Good: Try a piece of worm on a hook fished on the stream bottom.

Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Water levels are up about a foot with poor clarity. Water temperature is in the low 60s. Use caution when paddling; current is swift. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Find deeper holes and eddies. Try fishing near the bottom. Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching 10-inch walleye with a jig tipped with a natural colored twister tail in the edges of eddies. White Sucker – Good: Sucker fishing is heating up with warmer temperatures. Find fish off the bottom using a jig tipped with a worm.

Volga Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-60s. Water clarity is over 5 feet. The main park road is open to campground and lake; expect delays due to shoulder work continuing for the next few weeks. See park bulletin for more information. Black Crappie – Good: Use small jigs tipped with plastic tails or minnows off the jetties. Bluegill – Fair:  Anglers are finding gills off the jetties. Try a small piece of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: Trophy-sized catfish are abundant in this lake. Use a dead chub or squished minnow fished off the bottom near woody debris. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use crankbaits in drop-offs and around brush piles and other attracting structures.

Temperatures in the 80s to upper 50s with lower humidity through the weekend. Area river and stream water levels vary depending on rainfall amounts. Use caution when paddling when flows are up. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 9.3 feet at Lansing with a slight bump up expected. Ramps are open, but may still have some debris as the water drops. Water temperature is 74 degrees. New Albin Army road ramp has reopened.  Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappies in the flooded timber on crappie rigs with minnows. Bluegill – Excellent: Use light tackle tipped with piece of worm in areas away from current along the weed edges in backwaters. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait stink bait fished in deeper holes along current breaks of side channels. Flathead Catfish – Good: The flathead bite is picking up with the warmer temperatures. Try a shiner or small bluegill for bait. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum bite is coming on. Use a weighted crawler rig in the current anywhere from shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast jigs or jerk baits in woody cover in the shallows of backwaters. Northern Pike – Excellent: Cast crankbaits off vegetation lines or near the mouth of tributary streams. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth are getting more active along main channel rock structure. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along the faster current. Walleye – Good: Troll crankbaits  off the wing-dams and side channels Yellow Perch – Good: Use a jig tipped with crawler.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 618.5 feet at Lynxville and is expected to recede after a slight bump up. Water temperature is 76 degrees. Sny Magill and Nobles Island ramps are open. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappies in the flooded timber on crappie rigs with minnows. Bluegill – Excellent: Use light tackle tipped with piece of worm in areas away from current along the weed edges in backwaters. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or stink bait fished in deeper holes along current breaks of side channels. Flathead Catfish – Good: The flathead bite is picking up with the warmer temperatures. Try a shiner or small bluegill for bait. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum bite is coming on. Use a weighted crawler rig in the current anywhere from shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast jigs or jerk baits in woody cover in the shallows of backwaters. Northern Pike –  Excellent: Cast crankbaits off vegetation lines or near the mouth of tributary streams. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth are getting more active along main channel rock structure. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along the faster current.  Walleye – Good: Troll crankbaits off the wing-dams and side channels. Yellow Perch – Good: Use a jig tipped with a crawler.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 9.8 feet and is expected to bump up slightly then recede. Water clarity is stained. Water temperature is near 70 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappies in the flooded timber on crappie rigs with minnows. Bluegill – Good: Use light tackle tipped with piece of worm in areas away from current along the weed edges in backwaters. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or stink bait fished in deeper holes along current breaks of side channels.  Flathead Catfish – Good: The flathead bite is picking up with the warmer temperatures. Try a shiner or small bluegill for bait. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Freshwater drum bite is coming on. Use a weighted crawler rig in the current anywhere from shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast jigs or crankbaits in woody cover in the shallows of backwaters. Northern Pike – Excellent: Cast crankbaits off vegetation lines or near the mouth of tributary streams. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Smallmouth are getting more active along main channel rock structure. Cast inline spinners or crankbaits along the faster current.  Walleye –  Good: Troll crankbaits off the wing-dams and side channels. Yellow Perch – Good: Use a jig tipped with a crawler.

Upper Mississippi River levels will trend down after a slight bump up. Water temperature is in the upper 70s. Water is slightly stained from recent rains. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels are 9.4 feet at the Lock and Dam and 10.3 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is good. Water levels are receding, but will rise later in the week. Water temperature is around 77 degrees. Bluegill – Good: Check various harbors in Dubuque for bluegills; use a worm and bobber in 3 feet or less of water. Bobber and worm rigs work best. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel cats have moved into their spawning areas which is often along rock lines. Try to float a bobber or leaches with a simple nightcrawler rig along rocky areas. Those bright blue channel cats you catch are males channel catfish in spawning colors, not blue catfish. Flathead Catfish – Good: Most anglers are using banklines with live bullheads for bait. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Lots of drum are taken in areas of moderate current with a egg sinker and worm rig. Keep fish on ice if you plan to eat them; they can be very good table fare. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass of all sizes are being reported mostly from backwater areas on spinnerbaits and swimbaits. Northern Pike – Good: Some nice pike are being reported on spinnerbaits. Find fish along the newly established vegetation lines. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use a spinnerbait or crankbait along rock lines with moderate current. . Walleye – Fair: Hit-or-miss walleye fishing; some nice fish are being reported at times as well as some frustrated anglers. White Bass – Excellent: Lots of small white bass are being caught on white spinners or jigs. Yellow Perch – Good: Spring can be a good season to hit tailwater yellow perch. Minnow heads and worms are the preferred bait. Keep the worm short and straight on your hooks.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level at the Bellevue Lock is receding at near 10.3 feet. The water temperature is around 78 degrees. All boat ramps are open. Bluegill – Good: Try a simple bobber and worm in the Sabula area backwaters. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel cats have moved into their spawning areas which is often along rock lines. Try to float a bobber with a simple nightcrawler rig along rocky areas. Those bright blue channel cats you catch are males channel catfish in spawning colors, not blue catfish. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Lots of drum are taken in areas of moderate current with a egg sinker and worm rig. Keep your fish on ice if plan to eat them; they can be very good table fare. Largemouth Bass – Good: Nice bass are being caught in the Spring Lake area; other places in the pool are producing bass of all sizes.  Most anglers are using spinnerbaits or swimbaits. Northern Pike – Good: Use gaudy white spinners. Rainbow Trout – No Report: The Kids Trout Pond is unfishable. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits along rock lines. Some nice 3 pound smallmouths have been reported this spring. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are targeting larger sloughs with crankbaits.  White Bass – Good: Small white bass have been reported in the tailwater area; use small white jigs or spinners. Yellow Perch – Good: The bite has been good at times; most anglers are using worms for bait.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level at the Fulton Lock and Dam is receding at 9.7 feet, 12.7 feet at Camanche, and 7.3 feet at Le Claire. Water temperature is around 79 degrees in the main channel. Water clarity is good. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on the bite throughout Pool 14; use a simple bobber and worm rig in 3 feet of water or less. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel cats have moved into their spawning areas which is often along rock lines. Try to float a bobber with a simple nightcrawler rig along rocky areas. Those bright blue channel cats you catch are males channel catfish in spawning colors, not blue catfish.  Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Lots of drum are taken in areas of moderate current with an egg sinker and worm rig. Keep your fish on ice if you plan to eat them; they can be very good table fare. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass can be hard to find in high water as they move into flooded timbers. Look for spots where they will move into after the water recedes. Northern Pike – No Report: Pike are plentiful in Pool 14; anglers fishing northerns or even crappies will run across them. Walleye – Good: Some nice walleyes continue to be reported from sloughs and near shore wing dams. Most anglers are using crankbaits. White Crappie – Good: Some crappie are being taken in marina areas around docks. A few reported around the fallen trees at Rock Creek. Yellow Perch – Fair: Lots of small perch are in the system; the future for yellow perch fishing looks bright in Pool 14. Yellow perch are often caught by anglers fishing for bluegills and crappies.

Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is slowly receding at 10.1 feet at Rock Island. The water temperature is near 79 degrees. Water clarity is fair. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel cats have moved into their spawning areas which is often along rock lines. Try to float a bobber with a simple nightcrawler rig along rocky areas. Those bright blue channel cats you catch are males channel catfish in spawning colors, not blue catfish. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Lots of drum are taken in areas of moderate current with an egg sinker and worm rig. Keep your fish on ice if you plan to eat them; they can be very good table fare. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Pool 15 can be surprising good smallmouth fishing with lots of rock lines available; this a preferred habitat for smallmouth bass. Use small spinners or crankbaits near these rock habitats.

The Mississippi River is slightly high, but the water has been fairly clear; lots of fishing opportunities are available. Water levels are receding, but will come back up. Water temperatures are in the the upper 70s throughout the district. If you have angling questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Management Station at 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 10.04 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Use pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles in Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Islands. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try stink baits or nightcrawlers around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing has been tough with the higher water conditions. Look for walleye on the wing dams. Cast or troll crankbaits or three-way rigs with nightcrawlers. Some walleyes are also being caught in Sylvan slough on jigs and plastics. White Bass – Fair: Cast jigs and twister tails in Sunset Marina. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber around brush piles.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 9.01 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles at Big Timber and Cleveland Slough. The ramp at Big Timber is still closed due to the high water. Channel Catfish – No Report: Try stink bait or nightcrawlers around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Some channel catfish can also be caught fishing from shore along the Muscatine River front along the rocks floating bobbers with worms or leeches. Walleye – No Report: Walleye fishing has been tough with the higher water conditions. Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast or troll crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters around brush piles. Use jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in Big Timber and Cleveland Slough.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 10.53 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. The Toolsboro ramp is open. Water level is at the top of the ramp; could make launching boats difficult. The gates are out of the water at the dam.  Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters around brush piles. Try pieces of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use stink bait and crawlers. Walleye – No Report: Walleye fishing has been tough with the higher water conditions. Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast or troll crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters. Try jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber around brush piles.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 7.19 feet at Lock and Dam 18 and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. Bluegill – No Report: Use pieces of worm under a bobber in the backwaters around brush piles. Channel Catfish – No Report: Try stink bait or nightcrawlers around snags and brush piles along the main channel and side channels. White Crappie – No Report: Use jigs and minnows or minnows under a bobber in the backwaters around brush piles.

River stage has been falling this past week. Water clarity is fair. Main channel water temperature is around 78 degrees. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is in the low 80s. Curly-leaf pondweed beds are nearly gone or soon will be with a little wind. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing is slowing down. Crappies remain in 14-16 feet of water. Move around to find the schools that are feeding. Anglers are catching them using vertical jigging. Bluegill – Fair: Spawning has wrapped up this season.  Look for most bluegills in 5-6 feet of water in the flooded trees. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass fishing has picked up some. Bass are busy feeding on this year’s hatch of bluegills and bass.  Work the edges of the curly-leaf beds and back into the thick brush.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is in the low 80s. Curly-leaf pondweed is reduced to a few small pockets that are dying fast. Water is green, but still decent water clarity. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing has dropped off; might be from a lack of anglers during the last few very hot days. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill fishing has slowed as they transition from nesting sand shallow water to deeper water for the summer. Largemouth Bass – Fair: With most of the weed beds gone and hot weather, look for bass to have moved to deeper water.  The sides of the mounds at the upper end of the lake is a good place to find them in early summer.

Lake Darling
Water temperature is 81 degrees. Water clarity is around 8 feet. Water has a little bit of a tan/green cast to it.  Black Crappie – Fair: Has dropped off some this week. Anglers continue to catch crappies slow trolling or vertical jigging over the deeper water habitat in 12-14 feet of water. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are in deeper 6-8 feet of water and along the edges of the weed beds near deeper water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most bigger fish have moved into deeper water and are hanging out at 6 to 8 feet deep.

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is near 80 degrees. The curly-leaf pondweed is dying back. Black Crappie – Fair: Slow troll along the north side in deeper water just over top of the tree lines completely underwater. Bluegill – Fair: Most bluegills have moved out to their deeper water summer homes. Try the brush and small trees just out from the weed lines in 6-7 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: With the weed beds thinning out, bass are  looking for new homes amongst the flooded brush.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The water level in the Skunk River is holding pretty steady; still cant’ see any sign of the riffle above the Brighton bridge. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing is holding steady; use live baits.

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

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use crawlers, cut bait or live chubs/bluegills. Shovelnose Sturgeon – Good: Try a crawler on the bottom .

Central Park Lake
Water temperature is around 70 degrees. Bluegill – Good. Channel Catfish – Good. Largemouth Bass – Good. Redear Sunfish – Fair.

Coralville Reservoir
Channel Catfish – Good: Try drifting or trolling cut bait in the channel.

Diamond Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Find most crappie around deeper brush piles and suspended in open water. Bluegill – Fair. Channel Catfish – Good: Most fish are 12- to 16-inches.

Hannen Lake
Black Crappie – Slow.  Bluegill – Fair: Look for shallow fish on beds. Catch fish up to 10-inches. Largemouth Bass – Good: Most fish are 12- to 14-inches.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Water temperatures are in the low 70s. A lot of vegetation is around the entire perimeter of the lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing outside the weed edge or look for suspended fish out deeper. Bluegill – Good: Try fishing the inside weed lines or pockets of the weeds. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing over the weeds or along the inside/outside edges.

Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: Try crawlers, cut bait or live chubs/bluegills. Flathead Catfish – Good: Use chubs, bluegills or crawlers.

Lake Macbride
The 10 horsepower maximum is in effect.  Black Crappie – Slow: Look for fish suspended over brush/stumps or in open water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing the weedlines or on rocky banks. Walleye – Slow: Troll crankbaits or crawler harnesses on rock reefs or large flats in 7-14 feet of water.

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

Hawthorn Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs along the shoreline. Channel Catfish – Fair: Look for catfish around the jetties and along the dam or other areas with large rocks. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use plastics around submerged structure and the shoreline.

Lake Miami
Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline. Try different colors until you find the right combo. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead chubs around the shoreline. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try spinnerbaits and crankbaits around the jetties and shorelines.

Lake Sugema
Black Crappie – Fair: Use small jigs and minnows around the flooded trees. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs around shorelines and vegetated areas. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use plastics or spinnerbaits around structure.

Lake Wapello
Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching some crappies with jigs. Look for structure to hold fish. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline as these fish start to spawn. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try rubber worms or other plastics fished around the cedar tree piles.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.50 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody. Black Crappie – Fair: Bite is hit-and-miss with some anglers catching limits and others struggling. Look for submerged structure and keep moving until you find fish.  Channel Catfish – Good: Try dead chubs or nightcrawlers in areas with large rocks. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching walleyes with jig and minnow combos and trolling nightcrawler rigs. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Try vertically jigging around rock piles or trolling crankbaits.

Red Haw Lake
Red Haw State Park partially reopened on May 20th. Visitors can access the beach and north boat ramp area, but are asked to avoid the campground. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs along the shoreline. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try nightcrawlers around the dam and the rock jetties. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinnerbaits along the shoreline and near the rock jetties.

Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

SOUTHWEST

Big Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies have moved off shore. Catch crappies suspended out from the shorelines with rock and treefalls with minnows under a float or troll panfish tube jigs, twister tails and swimbaits. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill have moved to depths less than 6 feet for spawning. Use small pieces of crawler fished at these depths. Walleye – Good: Catch walleye in the evenings from shore just before and after sunset; cast jigs with twister tails, swimbaits or live bait. Boat anglers can catch walleye jigging or trolling live bait rigs over humps, near points, and near creek channel drop-offs along flats.  A good starting area is out from the marina around to the beach. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Good: Wipers are biting on crankbaits being trolled and jigs tipped with live bait.

Boone District Farm Ponds
Boone District Farm Ponds refers to Community Fishing Ponds found on Iowa DNR’s Fish Local site. Bluegill – Good: Catch bluegill shallow with nightcrawlers or very small panfish jigs in many of the public ponds throughout the Des Moines metro.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing on the river has been good for both channels and flatheads.  Anglers are catching fish on live bait and cut bait. White Bass – Good: Cast twister tails, swimbaits, spoons and in-line spinners below the dams in Des Moines. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Good: Try twister tails, swimbaits or live minnows on jigs below the dams in Des Moines and below Red Rock.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Cast panfish jigs or live minnows under a float near wood next to shore.  Crappies are also suspended just off shore; slowly trolling twister tail jigs 3 to 6 feet deep. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill have moved in shallow to spawn.  Use small jigs tipped with live bait under a bobber.

For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Greenfield Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Greenfield has a good year class of 8- to 10-inch black crappie. Bluegill – Good: Cast the shoreline and move often to find 7-inch bluegill. Largemouth Bass – Good: Greenfield has a good largemouth bass population with a good percentage of fish more than 15-inches.

Lake Anita
Water clarity is good.  Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies on the roadbeds and around deep tree piles. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are on the reefs. Angler reports indicate the spawn is winding down. Largemouth Bass – Good: Lake Anita has a good bass population.

Nodaway Lake
Water clarity is 25 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Concentrate on deep tree piles to find post spawn crappies Bluegill – Fair: Cast the shoreline moving often to find spawning bluegill. Channel Catfish – No Report: The lake has good numbers of 22-inch channel catfish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers report very good bass fishing this week.

Orient Lake
Water temperature is above 75 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Cast around the tree piles to find crappies. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning in multiple locations around the lake. Move often to find 8-inch fish.

Prairie Rose Lake
Water clarity is good. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for 9.5 inch crappie around deep tree piles. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills spawn is winding down. A few can still be caught on the underwater reefs and the pea-gravel spawning beds in the lake. Largemouth Bass – Good: There is a high percentage of 14- to 16-inch bass in Prairie Rose.

Viking Lake
All boat ramps are usable. Black Crappie – Fair: Viking will be a good destination for crappie fishing in 2022. Many crappies are being caught casting around the flooded terrestrial vegetation. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills have gained size and are in good body condition due to the drawdown. Bluegills are spawning. Channel Catfish – No Report: Viking has a good channel catfish population. Largemouth Bass – Good: Viking Lake has a very good largemouth bass population and will provide quality bass fishing in 2022.

For information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.

Green Valley Lake
Black Crappie – Slow: Catch crappie up to 11-inches with jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles or rocky shoreline areas. Bluegill – Fair: Use nightcrawlers under a bobber fished along the fishing jetties or near brush piles to catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Catch largemouth bass up to 20-inches with finesse plastics or jigs fished near cedar tree brush piles or along rocky shoreline areas.

Lake Icaria
Docks are in at all boat ramps. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait along rocky shoreline areas to catch channel catfish of all sizes.

Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at main ramp. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a jig tipped with live bait fished along rocky shoreline areas or weed lines to catch crappie up to 11-inches. Bluegill – Good: Catch bluegill up to 8.5 inches with worms under a bobber fished near cedar tree brush piles.

Three Mile Lake
Courtesy docks are in place at the main ramp. Black Crappie – Slow: Catch crappie up to 11-inches with jigs tipped with live bait fished along weed lines. Bluegill – Fair:  Catch bluegill up to 9-inches with nightcrawlers under a bobber fished along weed lines or cedar tree brush piles. Walleye – Slow: Use jigs or crankbaits along weed lines or the roadbed to catch walleye of all sizes.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The dock is in at the main ramp. Black Crappie – Slow: Catch crappie up to 11-inches with jigs or live bait fished near cedar tree brush piles or rocky shoreline areas. Bluegill – Fair: Try nightcrawlers fished under a bobber near brush piles to catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches.

Water temperature is in the mid to upper 70s at most Mount Ayr district lakes. For more information, call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.