AREA WEEKEND WEATHER

The forecast is calling for rain and possibly thunderstorms after 4pm. Highs should be around 73. Those who want to get in some night fishing will have lows around 50 on Saturday night, but the storms may plague area lakes and rivers until after midnight.

Sunday will be mostly sunny with highs around 70. Winds will be breezy out of the northeast and as high as 26 mph.

Win weekly prizes and help Iowa DNR expand walleye collection data by simply recording your catches through June 30. It’s easy to join in the fun! Register today. There is a $25 entry fee; only paid participants qualify for prizes.

NORTHWEST

Arrowhead Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegill along shore in 2-6 feet of water on nests.  Use a small jig under a bobber.

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 70s. Black Crappie – Fair: Much of the crappie action has moved off shore. Anglers have had luck fishing the rock piles. Some sorting is needed. Try fishing along Ice House point shoreline and from boat in 2-6 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Pick up 7- to 8-inches fish along shore with crawlers or small jigs under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Most fish being caught are 12- to 18-inches. Try fishing off shore in the cuts.  Yellow Perch – Fair.

Brushy Creek Lake
Surface water temperatures are in the mid-70s. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a small jig or minnow along weed edges in 5-10 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing the edges of the vegetation along shore in 2-6 feet of water to find fish on spawning beds. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing along the weed lines in 2-6 feet of water. Muskellunge – Fair. Walleye – Fair.

North Twin Lake
Water levels remain low; use caution when loading boats at the ramps. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig or a minnow and jig under a bobber along the shore and docks. Walleye – Fair: Boat anglers have had luck using planer boards and crankbaits.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are in the mid-70s. Water clarity is about 2 feet.  All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; and no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Channel Catfish – Fair: There is a good population of 3-6 pound catfish. Try cut bait or dip baits fished in the bottoms from shore. Walleye – Fair: Boat anglers fishing the cuts has been productive. Use crawler harnesses and crankbaits. Yellow Bass – Fair: Most fish are 5- to 7-inches.Yellow Perch – Slow.

Swan Lake
Bluegill – Good: Anglers have had luck with bluegill from shore.  Most fish are 7-inches. Try fishing near shore and under overhanging trees to find bluegills on nests.

Water temperatures are in the upper 70s in most area lakes. Look for bluegill beds along shore on many of our area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish a small jig along the north shore. Bluegill – Slow.

Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 70s. Lake level is at crest. Water clarity is 6 feet. 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 – Good: Anglers are catching crappies around the rush beds. Early morning bite is best. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a piece of cut bait or crawlers near rocky areas. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Good: Anglers are having success fishing a jig and minnow near vegetation or slip bobber fishing the rock reefs. Yellow Bass – Fair: Try a small jig near vegetation. Best bite is early morning.

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Use a minnow or jig near woody habitat. Bluegill – Good: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 4 feet of water.

Rice Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber in 3 to 4 feet of water. With the clear water, you may have to cast further to avoid spooking the fish.  Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Slow: Best bite is after sunset. Yellow Perch – Slow.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. .  With the clear water, you may have to cast further to avoid spooking the fish. Largemouth Bass – Good. Yellow Perch – Slow.

Winnebago River
Water level is 5.6 feet.

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
The water temperature is in the upper 70s. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small hook and piece of worm. Walleye – Good. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will be needed.

Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and evening.

Lost Island Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper70s. Check out the Iowa Walleye Challenge being held through June 30 for prizes given to anglers catching the most walleye. Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Good: Try trolling with spinners over weeds.

Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair.  Bluegill – Fair. Pumpkinseed – Good.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Courtesy docks are in place. Check out the Iowa Walleye Challenge being held through June 30 for prizes given to anglers catching the most walleye. Walleye – Fair: Try trolling with spinners over or off weed lines.

Spirit Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid-70s. Black Bullhead – Good: Anglers have been very successful fishing the north grade. Black Crappie – Fair: Many nice-sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill – Good: Try a small hook with a small piece of worm. Walleye – Good: Leeches and minnows work well. Anglers have been successful with slip bobbers off points and pulling spinners over vegetation. Yellow Perch – Fair.

West Okoboji Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 70s. Check out the Iowa Walleye Challenge being held through June 30 for prizes given to anglers catching the most walleye. Black Crappie – Good Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good. Walleye – Good: Leeches and minnows work well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Water temperatures are increasing quickly to the middle to upper 70s. A large mortality event of mostly larger adult panfish has been observed in the Iowa Great Lakes due to spawning stress and quickly warming water temperatures. Most area water levels are a few inches over crest. The fish bite has been very good across most areas. Most panfish are starting to finish with spawning. Fishing from docks and along weed lines has been good. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Flows remain elevated; water levels are stable. Water temperatures are in the 70s. Channel Catfish – Good: Try a dead chub or stink baits fished in slack water areas. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try fishing eddies and current breaks. Walleye – Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow or worm below dams. Try using a 3-way with enough weight to keep it on the bottom.

Decorah District Streams
Area streams are in good condition. All stocked streams are announced at least once a month. Stocking continues at traditional rates, weekly or bimonthly. When on private property open to fishing, fishing is the only activity allowed. Brook Trout – Fair: Good hatches of a variety of gnats, mayflies, caddis flies, and midges. Brown Trout – Good: Try fishing near or around logs or undercut banks. Spinnerbaits work well. Try using streamers on larger waterbodies. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Use spinnerbaits, hair jigs or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm, bread, or cheese floating through deeper holes. Freshly stocked fish are waiting to take your bait.

Lake Hendricks
Water clarity is great. Water temperature is in the upper 60s. Bluegills and bass are spawning. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie action is picking up as the water warms. Bluegill – Good: Anglers fishing near shore are finding gills. Use a small chunk of worm fished under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are starting to spawn in shallow water. Bass will guard nests.

Lake Meyer
Water clarity is about 3 feet. Water temperature is in the upper 60s. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie are starting to bite. Use a small jig near shore edges. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of worm under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Try a spinnerbait fished in 3-4 feet of water. Bass are on spawning beds and are aggressive.

Turkey River (below Clermont)
Water clarity is good to excellent. Levels are stabilizing. Water temperature is in the 70s. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use a jig with a twister tail fished in the eddies and off channel areas. Walleye – Good: Early morning or late evening bite is best. Try fishing the deeper holes with a crank or spinnerbait. White Sucker – Good: Try fishing the deeper holes with a worm fished near bottom.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water temperatures are in the 70s. Water clarity is good to excellent. Water levels are stabilizing. Use caution during early season paddling. Log jams and other strainers may have moved. Hypothermia is still a threat with cooler water temperatures. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try fishing near undercut banks and current breaks. A flashy jig works well. Fly anglers using streamers are picking up some action. Walleye – Good: Angling for walleye is picking up below the dams. Use a jig tipped with a plastic tail or crankbait.

Volga Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 60s. Fish activity is improving, especially near shore rocky areas. Black Crappie – Good: Try fishing along the rocky edges in deeper water. Bluegill – Fair. Channel Catfish – Good: Trophy catfish are plentiful in this lake. Use a large crawler fished under a bobber in the evening. Largemouth Bass – Good: Find bass in the shallow bays; use a crank or spinnerbait.

Area interior rivers and streams are stable. Clarity is good to excellent on most area rivers and streams. Temperatures in the low 80s during the day to 50s overnight. Possibility of thunderstorms through the weekend. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Anglers are catching bluegill and largemouth bass. Bluegill – Good: Cast lighter jigs over spawning beds or small piece of crawler under a slip bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use topwater artificial lures or spinnerbaits.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar River level has fallen and is providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye, and channel catfish; bite is hit-and-miss. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead chubs or cut baits fished on the bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing plastics with a jig or cast and retrieve spinnerbaits. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing plastics with a jig.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Anglers are catching walleye and smallmouth bass. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing plastics with a jig or cast and retrieve spinnerbaits. Walleye – Fair: Use plastics with a jig.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The Shell Rock River level has fallen and is providing catches of walleye, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead chubs or cut baits fished on the bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing plastics with a jig or cast and retrieve spinnerbaits. Walleye – Fair: Use plastics with a jig.

South Prairie Lake
South Prairie Lake has a nice run of good sized bluegills. Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of crawler fished under a slip bobber along the edge of weed beds.

Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon River level is falling and is providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye, and channel catfish. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead chubs or cut baits fished on the bottom. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing plastics with a jig or cast and retrieve spinnerbaits. Walleye – Fair: Use plastics with a jig.

Interior water levels have fallen and are providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye, and channel catfish. Check the USGS website for the most recent river levels. Lakes in and around Cedar Falls/Waterloo have been productive for crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. Trout streams are in excellent condition. Contact your local bait shop for the most recent angling opportunities. For more information, contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 8 feet at Lansing and is expected to stabilize. Village creek, Heytman’s Landing and Army road are open; some debris is left from the flood. Water temperature is near 77 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a light jig or a minnow rig fished along the flooded trees. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegill are in shallow during the spawn. Try a garden worm under a bobber along shore with less current such as marina areas or backwaters.  Channel Catfish – Good: Use a crawler or cut bait in the current current from the shoreline or below the Lock & Dams. Flathead Catfish – Good: Use crawlers, live bluegill, or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Drum are actively feeding. Try a weighted crawler in moderate current from shore. Use crayfish to catch large drum. Northern Pike – Fair: Cast flashy spoons and crankbait near the mouths of streams during hot summer days.  Walleye – Good: Try a 3-way rig on the wing-dams with a whole crawler or use crankbaits or twister tail jigs off the rocks from shore. 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. Yellow Perch – Good: Use a light jig or crawler in weeded areas away from heavy current.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is near 616 feet at Lynxville and is expected to fall to 615 feet this week. Noble’s Island, Harpers Ferry and Bussey Lake are open. The Sny Magill road is open; some debris is left from the flood. The bite is picking up with warmer water temperatures. Water temperature is 79 degrees at the Lynxville dam. Use caution when crossing the railroad tracks at McGregor, Marquette, and Noble’s Island, due to tracks being raised during the flood. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a light jig or a minnow rig fished along the flooded trees. Bluegill – Excellent: Try a garden worm under a bobber along shore with less current like marina areas or backwaters.  A lot of sorting with some nicer sizes being caught.  Channel Catfish – Good: Try a crawler or cut bait in the current seams as water temperature rises this week. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding. Use a weighted crawler in moderate current from shore. Use crayfish to catch large drum. Northern Pike – Fair: Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits near the mouths of streams during hot summer days. Shorthead Redhorse – Good: Redhorse are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks and around submerged trees. Walleye – Slow: Try a 3-way rig on the wing dams with a whole crawler or use crankbaits or twister tail jigs off the rocks from shore. 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. Yellow Perch – Excellent: Use a light jig or crawler in weeded areas away from heavy current.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 7.3 feet at Guttenberg and is predicted to fall to near 6 feet over the next week. Guttenberg city ramp and the DNR ramp are open. Turkey River Landing is open. Finley’s and Mud Lake are open; some debris may be left from the flood. The bite is picking up with the warmer water. Water temperature is in the mid-70s. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a light jig or a minnow rig fished along the flooded trees. Bluegill – Good: Try a garden worm under a bobber along shore with less current like marina areas or backwaters. A lot of sorting with some nicer sizes being caught. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a crawler or cut bait in the current seams as water temperature rises this week. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding. Try a weighted crawler from shore. Use crayfish to catch large drum. Northern Pike – Fair: Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits near the mouths of streams during hot summer days. Shorthead Redhorse – Fair: Redhorse are running; they are fun to catch from shore. Drop a weighted crawler into the current breaks. Walleye – Good: Try a 3-way rig on the wing dams with a whole crawler or use crankbaits or twister tail jigs off the rocks from shore. 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. Yellow Perch – Excellent: Use a light jig or crawler in weeded areas away from heavy current.

Upper Mississippi River water levels are expected to fall gradually next week. Most boat ramps have reopened; some debris may be left from the flood. Call ahead for local conditions. Fishing is picking with improved water clarity. Water temperatures are in the upper 70s.

Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is dropping to near 7.2 feet at Lock and Dam 11 and 9.5 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 79 degrees; water clarity is improving. Cleanup continues on the parks and boat ramps in Pool 12. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegills are spawning. Hopefully the water will stabilize soon to provide stable nesting areas. Anglers floating a simple bobber and worm rig are reporting some along rock lines. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish fishing is picking up with warm temperatures. Try cut bait or stink bait in the current seams. Flathead Catfish – Good: Use live green sunfish or bullheads in tailwater areas. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Lots of bass are biting in the marina areas. Shovelnose sturgeon – Good: Use a heavy weight and a gob of worms for bait. Most angling is in the tailwater in moderately strong currents. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast inline spinners just off rock points to catch smallmouth feeding in the rocks. Walleye – Good: Lots of crankbait fishing along rock piles or side channels. White Bass – Good: Try minnows or small spinners in tailwater areas for abundant white bass. Yellow Perch – No Report: Lots of smaller yellow perch are in the system; this is a good indicator for yellow perch fishing this upcoming year. It is still possible to catch yellow perch along hard shoreline banks, even during flooding conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level at Lock and Dam 13 at Bellevue is dropping to near 8 feet. Water clarity is decent. Water temperature is around 79 degrees. Cleanup is well underway; it will take some time to completely clean up boat ramps and parks after the flood. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning. Hopefully the water will stabilize soon to provide stable nesting areas. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Try stick bait or worms along rock piles to catch abundant channel cats. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Anglers are starting to use live bullheads or bluegills to catch flathead catfish in the tailwater areas. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Lots of bass biting in the marina areas and backwater lakes. Some fish are moving out onto the vegetation lines.  Rainbow Trout – No Report: The kids fishing pond is now mostly unfishable as the vegetation has taken hold. The pond will be restocked this fall with trout. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast inline spinners just off rock points to catch smallmouth feeding in the rocks. Walleye – Good: Wing dam fishing has started; numerous fish are being reported. Yellow Perch – No Report: Smaller yellow perch are in the system; this is a good indicator for yellow perch fishing this upcoming year.

Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level at Fulton is receding to near 7.3 feet, 11 feet at Camanche, and near 5.9 feet at LeClaire. Levels are predicted to drop more this week. Water temperature is 79 degrees. Clean up of parks and ramps after the flood is progressing. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning on the Mississippi River; hopefully waters stabilize for these nest building fish. Channel Catfish – Excellent: Channel catfish fishing is picking up with warm temperatures. Try cut bait or stink bait in the current seams or along rock lines. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: A simple egg sinker with a worm rig is the best way to catch abundant drum. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass fishing is good along boat ramp areas and newly exposed flooded vegetation lines. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast inline spinners just off rock points to catch smallmouth feeding in the rocks. Walleye – Excellent: Lots of trolling being done in side channel areas using crankbaits.

Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level at Rock Island is dropping to near 7.6 feet. Water clarity is improving. Water temperature is 79 degrees. Channel Catfish – No Report: It’s time to fish for channel catfish with stink bait along current seams. Freshwater Drum – Good: Use an egg sinker and worm rig for abundant drum. Keep your fish on ice after catching; they make excellent table fare.

The river is receding throughout the district; levels are expected to continue to fall. Water temperatures are in the upper 70s. The recent snow melt flood was ranked the 3rd highest in this stretch of the river. Debris clean-up is mostly complete on parking lots and boat ramps; some boat docks may not be put out yet. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 7.60 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport and is falling steadily. Flood stage is 15 feet at Lock and Dam 15. River stage is 10.41 feet at Fairport; flood stage is 14 feet. The Marquette St. ramp in Davenport is open and the docks are in. The ramps at the Fairport Recreational area are open and the docks are in. The boat ramps at Clark’s Ferry and Shady Creek are open. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles at Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island complex. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel. Use dip baits, shad guts, or nightcrawlers. Look for channel catfish around shorelines with rip-rap and current. Try floating leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along the rocks. Walleye – Fair: Reports of walleyes being caught around current breaks along the main channel; use crankbaits. Also look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try fishing with crankbaits or three-way rigs with crawlers. White Bass – Good: Look for white bass in Sylvan Slough or Sunset Marina. Try jigs and twister tails or in-line spinners. The bite for white bass in Sunset Marina is best in the mornings and right before dark.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 6.22 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 8.35 feet at Muscatine; flood stage is 16 feet. The ramps at Muscatine are open. The boat ramps at Big Timber and Kilpeck are open. The gates are back in the water at the Lock and Dam. Bluegill – Good: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Try a piece of worm under a bobber around brush at Big Timber, Cleveland Slough. and Eagle Fill. Channel Catfish – Good: Look for channel catfish around brush piles in the side channels and main channel. Use dip baits, cut shad, or nightcrawlers. Also look for channel catfish along shorelines with riprap and current. Try floating leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along the rocks. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes around current breaks. Cast jigs with plastics or crankbaits. Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Try fishing the wing dams with three-way rigs and crawlers or casting crankbaits. White Bass – No Report: Look for white bass around current breaks or down by GPC. Cast jigs and plastics or crankbaits.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 7.67 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and is falling. Flood stage is 15 feet. The gates are back in the water at the Lock and Dam. The Toolsboro access should be open by the weekend. We have not received much for fishing reports for this pool this week. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills up shallow in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles at Belle Pocket and Huron Island. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags in side channels and along the main channel. Use dip baits, cut shad, or night crawlers. Look for channel catfish on shorelines with rip-rap and current. Try floating leeches or nightcrawlers under a bobber along the rocks. Largemouth Bass – Good: Some largemouth bass are being caught at the outlet of Lake Odessa on crankbaits. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wing dams. Cast crankbaits or troll three-way rigs with nightcrawlers. White Bass – Good: Some white bass are being caught at the outlet of Lake Odessa. Cast crankbaits or jigs and plastics.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 4.79 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is falling. Flood stage is 10 feet. River stage is 10.45 feet at Burlington; flood stage is 15 feet. River stage is 526.19 feet at Fort Madison; flood stage is 528.0 feet. We have not received any fishing reports or boat ramp condition reports for this pool this week. Bluegill – No Report: Look for bluegills in the backwaters. Try pieces of worm under a bobber around brush piles. Channel Catfish – No Report: Look for channel catfish around brush piles and snags along the main channel and side channels. Use dip baits, cut shad, or nightcrawlers. Look for channel catfish around riprap shorelines with current. Try floating leeched or nightcrawlers under a bobber along the rocks.

River stages continue to fall. Main channel water temperature is around 77 degrees. Water clarity has been fair. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Big Hollow Lake
The water temperature is in the low 80s. Water clarity remains at about 7 feet. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie fishing has picked up a little lately with cooler weather and more anglers on the water. Look for crappie in 6-8 feet of water. Best bite is early morning or late evening. Bluegill – Good: Looking for bluegill in 6-7 feet of water in the flooded brush and trees. Worm and bobber work best in the dense cover. Largemouth Bass -Fair: Find bass in the shallow flooded trees early in the morning; they soon go deeper as the sun comes up.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperatures is about 78-79 degrees. Water clarity is about 8 feet. The curly-leaf pondweed beds are starting to thin out with the increase in water temperatures. Black Crappie – Good: Try fishing in the early morning; expect to be off the water by 10 a.m. Start trolling in 9-12 feet of water just outside the flooded trees out from the beach and on down towards the dam. Bluegill – Good: Work the edges of the curly-leaf beds with worm and bobber or a small jig tipped with a waxworm. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Work the edges of the weed beds in 6-8 feet of water. Don’t forget about the mounds at the upper end of the lake; find them by the curly-leaf weed beds reaching the surface from them.

Lake Darling
The water temperature is 80 degrees. Water clarity is 3.5 feet. Water has a green cast. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are starting to slow troll for crappies over the cedar trees in the middle of the lake and down along the rock piles by the dam in 9-10 feet of water. Bluegill – Good: Might be able to find a few still on the beds, your best chance is over the rock piles in 5-6 feet of water and along the structure in some of the bays. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are set up along the drop-offs to deeper water. Troll crankbaits around the point and the rock piles along the old lagoon

Lake Geode
Water temperature is holding at 80 degrees. Might co0l off a little with the cooler (80s) weather. Water clarity is 8 feet. The water has a green cast to it from the plankton bloom. Nice to see the water willows survived the renovation’s dry lakebed. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are back out to deeper water along the drop-offs. A big batch of last fall’s spawn are 6- to 8-inches; bigger ones are out a little deeper. Bluegill – Good: Try worm and bobber fished in 3 to 5 feet of water. They’ve moved out a little deeper with the hot weather. Might be a good time to head up to the new mounds up across from the beach. Most bluegill are less than 8 inches. Largemouth Bass – Good: Most are still under the legal size limit, but they are fun to catch. Look for most to have moved off to the deep water drop-offs.

Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is 78-79 degrees. Water clarity is about 12 feet. The curly-leaf is nice and green Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are out along the edge of the flooded timber in 8 to 10 feet of water. Try vertical jigging or slow trolling until you find them. Bluegill – Good: Most anglers earlier this week were fishing the edges of the curly-leaf weed beds. They had to do some sorting, but could come up with a nice mess of fish to take home. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most bass are out along the edges of the deeper weed beds. Cast to any of the flooded trees along the edge of the weeds; bass are using them as cover.

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

Hawthorn Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs and minnows. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Target rip-rapped shorelines with jigs and plastics.

Lake Miami
Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs and minnows in the flooded timber. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs and minnows fished near shore. Keep moving until you find active fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try jigs fished along structure and near shore.

Lake Sugema
Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs around structure and along the shorelines. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs fished in small pockets in the vegetation and along its outer edges.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Use spinnerbaits or jigs around rip-rapped shorelines and the rock jetties.

Lake Wapello
Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs along the shorelines and around structure. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use jigs or plastics in areas with structure.

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.67 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: Some crappies are still up shallow, but most have spawned and moved to deeper water. Try jig and minnows around structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Target areas with large rocks such as the Bridgeview area or the dam; catfish are spawning. Try dead chubs or nightcrawlers. Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching walleyes trolling bottom bouncers and on crawler harnesses. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit on walleye at Lake Rathbun. All walleyes measuring less than 15-inches must be immediately released unharmed. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Anglers are catching hybrid striped bass trolling or vertically jigging.

Red Haw Lake
Visitors are asked to avoid the campground area due to the continued storm damage cleanup. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs, change your retrieval speed until you find one the fish like. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics fished along the rock jetties and the dam.

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

SOUTHWEST

Big Creek Lake
Bluegill – Good: Catch bluegills shallow on beds in 2 to 4 feet of water throughout the lake. Walleye – Good: Try jigging with leeches and nightcrawlers or trolling live bait rigs with minnows or crawlers. Concentrate on the upper half of the lake in 10 to 25 feet of water around road beds points and humps during the day and shallow in the evenings.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait and stink baits fished inside and upstream of log piles and treefalls.

Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Channel Catfish – Good: Try dip baits and cut bait fished in and just above treefalls and log piles.

Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing live minnows in treefalls or slowly trolling 2 inch or smaller twister tail jigs just out from shore.

Red Rock Reservoir
Black Crappie – Fair: The crappie spawn is mostly finished. Drift or troll plastics or small crankbaits in coves off the main lake and Whitebreast arm. Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are catching catfish throughout the lake, particularly around structure (rocks submerged trees etc.)

Rock Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Try drifting and trolling small jigs with twister tails tubes or paddle tails. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are spawning in shallow water. Cast jigs or jigs tipped with crawlers in 2-6 feet of water.  Or try a jig head tipped with a crawler under a bobber.

Bluegill are spawning in lakes and ponds throughout Central Iowa; target shorelines (2-6 feet of water).  Paddling anglers are enjoying excellent river conditions. For information on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.

Arrowhead Pond
Water clarity is good. Water temperature is 75 degrees. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are spawning close to shore; they will average 8-inches.

Lake Anita
The water temperature is in the high 70s. Black Crappie – Fair: Black crappies have moved to deeper water; look for them around tree piles. Bluegill – Good: Look for bluegills around traditional spawning areas. Largemouth Bass – Good.

Lake Manawa
Lake Manawa is 2 feet low. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try Sonny’s dip bait or cut bait on windy shorelines. Catch catfish of all sizes. Walleye – Fair: Walleye anglers are having success casting crankbaits.

Prairie Rose Lake
Water clarity is very good. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappie around deep structure; fish average 10-inches. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are close to spawning areas. Cast small jigs and move often to find quality bluegill. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass can be caught all around the lake.

Viking Lake
The Viking Lake water level is back down 18 inches. All boat ramps are usable. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies around deep tree piles. Fish will average 9-inches. There is a large year class of 6-inch black crappie in the lake. Bluegill – Good: Cast small jigs and move often to find spawning bluegill. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast the shoreline just outside the flooded terrestrial vegetation. Anglers report catching numbers of bass in shallow tree piles.

Willow Lake
Willow lake has very good water clarity. Panfishing has been good this year. Black Crappie – No Report: Look for black crappie in deep tree piles. Bluegill – Good: Catch bluegills off their spawning beds. Fish will average 8-inches.

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

Green Valley Lake
Docks are in at the beach and dam boat ramps. Black Crappie – Slow: Try jigs fished near rocky shoreline areas to catch crappies of all sizes. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches with jigs or small worms under a bobber along rocky shoreline areas.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 20-inches with finesse plastics fished along shallow cedar tree brush piles.

Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Black Crappie – Slow: Try jigs fished along flooded timber to catch crappies of all sizes. Bluegill – Slow: Catch bluegill up to 9-inches with jigs or small worms under a bobber along rocky shoreline areas. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try finesse plastics fished along weedlines to catch largemouth bass up to 19-inches.

Three Mile Lake
Docks are in at main ramp. Walleye – Fair: Use jigs or crankbaits along main lake points to catch all sizes of walleyes.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The dock is in at main boat ramp. Bluegill – Slow: Try jigs or worms under a bobber fished along the fish mounds to catch bluegill of all sizes. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch largemouth bass up to 19-inches with finesse plastics along rocky shoreline areas.

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

Kick off summer with your family in an Iowa state park or forest this weekend. Dozens of state parks will host family-friendly activities such as fireside chats, kayaking demonstrations, guided hikes and more!