NORTHWEST

Badger Lake

North of Ft. Dodge.  Fishing has slowed as mid summer weather conditions have arrived.  Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing is picking up; try cut bait and chicken liver.  Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have been catching some hand-size bluegill off shore.  Crappie – Fair: Some 9 – 10 inch fish have been caught on small jigs and minnows.

Brushy Creek Lake

Nice bluegill, crappie and a few walleye are being caught.  Try the weed line for pan fish.  Water has muddied up a bit, especially in the north end.  Please clean your fish at the floating fish cleaning platform at the west ramp.  Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are hitting on liver, stink bait and night crawlers along the shore line.  Bluegill – Good: Bluegills have moved out from shore; try fishing just off the bottom in 6 to 10 feet of water.  Anglers have been having good luck using a piece of crawler or a wax worm on a small hook.  Walleye – Fair: Try fishing for walleye with minnows at dusk.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake )

Fishing has slowed considerably.  Bel Air boat ramp is closed because of a hole at the end of the ramp.  Remember that Storm Lake has a 17-22 inch slot length limit.  All walleye in that range must be immediately released.  Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are still biting on leeches and worms; use a floating jig head and fish the dredge cuts.  White Bass – Fair: White bass are being caught throwing twisters and small spoons on Schaller and Stoney points and off Frank Starr Park .  Other points are also worth a try.  Most fish are in the 10 to 15 inch range.

Black Hawk Lake

Bullhead and catfish fishing have been good.  Bullhead – Good: Anglers are doing well for 8 to 9 inch bullheads.  Channel Catfish – Good: Shore anglers are having good luck catching 1.5 to 2 pound catfish on various baits including liver, leeches, night crawlers and stink bait.  Stink bait has probably has been most effective this last week.

Anglers are catching catfish, but bluegill, crappie and walleye fishing have slowed to midsummer levels.  For more information about these lakes and rivers call Lannie Miller (712-657-2638) at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View .

Briggs Woods Lake

Bluegill fishing is good. Largemouth bass fishing is good. Channel catfish are biting on liver. Crappie fishing is still fair.

Lower Pine Lake

Bluegill fishing is slow. Channel catfish are biting on liver and stink baits.

Upper Pine Lake

Largemouth bass fishing is fair using spinner baits. Channel catfish are biting on liver and stink baits.  Bluegill – Fair: Fish the shoreline with a small piece of worm.

Clear Lake

Yellow bass fishing has picked up; try fishing in 10 to 14 feet of water in the little lake or drifting cut bait or worms in 7 to 10 feet of water on the north shore of the main lake. A few walleyes (mostly sub-legal) are being caught using the same technique.

Little Wall Lake

Small crappies and largemouth bass fishing is good and channel catfish fishing is excellent at night using stink bait.

Boone River

Channel catfish are biting on stink bait.

Iowa River ( Iowa Falls to Marshalltown )

Fishing has been good for smallmouth bass and channel catfish and walleye.

Big Spirit Lake

Bullhead – Good: Fish at the grade from the fishing pier or in front of the fish barrier with worms on the bottom.  Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use top-water lures or jerk baits while looking for surface feeding activity at the Footbridge or Big Stoney Point.  Yellow Perch – Good: Some sorting is required but fish are being caught while vertically jigging with spoons or jigs tipped with worms in 20-22 foot of water on the deep flats on the main lake.   Walleye – Good: Cast jerk baits or drift live bait at weed beds or troll the deep flats on the main lake.

East Okoboji Lake

Channel Catfish – Fair: Use stink bait or large minnows around the bridges or off boat docks.  White Bass – Good: Use white jigs or a bobber and minnow at Trigg’s Bridge early or late in the day.  Bluegill – Good: Use small live bait along weed lines.  Yellow Perch – Fair: Use small live bait along weed lines.  Yellow Bass – Excellent: Vertically jig along weed lines and rock bars with jigging spoons tipped with worms or use a slip bobber and minnow.  Many fish are also being caught around boat docks using mini jigs or a slip bobber and minnow.

Minnewashta Lake

Bluegill – Good: Use mini jigs or live bait around weed beds.  Yellow Bass – Fair: Use mini jigs or live bait around weed beds and boat docks.

Silver Lake ( Dickinson )

White Bass – Good: Troll crankbaits along the north shore.  Walleye – Fair: Troll crankbaits in the west bay and around the island.

West Okoboji Lake

Bluegill – Good: Fish with small hair jigs or use a split shot and hook tipped with live bait around boat docks and weed lines.  Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fish rock bars and weed lines with top-water lures early and late or fish with crawdads on rock bars during the day.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Use a slip bobber and leech on weed lines and docks or use top water lures.   Yellow Perch – Good: Fish with jigging spoons tipped with live bait along weed lines in Emerson Bay .  Walleye – Fair: Slip bobber fish with leeches on rock bars and weed lines or troll crankbaits.

Five Island Lake

Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use stink bait, minnows, or chubs at the rail road bridge.   Walleye – Fair: Fishing has slowed but fish are still being caught while trolling crankbaits.

Lost Island Lake

Walleye – Fair: Fishing has slowed but fish are still being caught while trolling crankbaits on the east and south shores.

Lower Gar Lake

Channel Catfish – Good: Use stink bait along boat docks.

Big Sioux River

The river was high with recent rains but is starting to lower again.  Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use cut bait or stink bait around deep holes and brush piles.  Flathead Catfish – Good: Use large live bait along cut banks, deep holes, and brush piles.

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)

River was high with recent rains but is starting to drop again.  Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut bait or crawdads for bait in holes and brush piles.

West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)

River is beginning to lower after recent heavy rains.  Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use cut bait or crawdads above brush piles.  Walleye – Fair: Use jig and minnow or crankbaits in deeper holes and current seams.

Kids Corner: If you are looking for a place to take a child fishing then go to Big Spirit Lake .  If you are using a boat go perch fishing on the main lake.  Fish in 20-22 foot of water with a jigging spoon and live bait.  If fishing from shore try for bullheads at the grade on the north shore.  Fish have been caught at the fishing pier and in front of the fish barrier at the culvert.  For more fishing report information on the Spirit Lake area call 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River ( Nashua to La Porte City )

Anglers are having best success in the rivers catching channel catfish especially in Bremer County .  Channel Catfish – Good: Try using cut baits and stink baits for these bottom dwellers this time of year.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello )

Conditions are favorable on the Maquoketa River but reports have been slow for most species.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Try fishing the upstream side of log jams using cut baits or stink baits.  Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try casting jig and plastics or crankbaits around woody structure and rocky shorelines.

Fishing for channel catfish in the interior rivers of the Cedar, Wapsipinicon and Maquoketa rivers will provide the best angling opportunities for this time of year. Most rivers are slowly falling from recent rainfall events and are providing the best action for channel catfish. Anglers are reporting a few catches of panfish in area lakes but action is slow. For more information contact the northeast district office at 563-927-3276.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9

Channel Catfish – Excellent: Fish are being caught on stink bait. Check deep holes around wing dams.  White Bass – Good: Fish are being caught trolling along the channel.  Bluegill – Good: Use night crawlers and bobber around the big lake area.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Crankbaits on rocky shorelines.  Walleye – Fair:

Mississippi River Pool 10

Northern Pike – Good: most fish are being caught incidentally while fishing for bass. Use crankbaits along rocky areas.  Bluegill – Fair: Using wax worms under a bobber.  Crappie – Good: Using minnows on a slip bobber in the side sloughs. Walleye – Good: using crankbaits in the lower ends of side sloughs. Fish are also being caught below the dam in the tailwaters.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are being caught along the channel using night crawlers or stink bait. Check the holes around the outside and below wing dams.  Flathead Catfish – Good: Flathead are being caught in the tailwater using night crawlers.  White Bass – Good: White bass can be caught in the tailwaters or along some of the wing dams using small inline spinners.  Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are starting to being caught on the wing dams using small spinners or crankbaits.  Walleye – Good: Walleye are being caught on the wing dams either trolling crankbaits or three-way jigs tipped with night crawlers. Keep checking different wing dams to find where active fish are concentrated.  Freshwater Drum – Good: drum are being caught using night crawlers fished on the bottom.

River gauges: Lansing 7.4, Lynxville 12.2, Guttenberg 4.3. Water temperature at Guttenberg is 72 degrees. The water levels in pools 9-11 are low.  Boaters should use caution when boating outside the main channel. Boaters should also use caution when backing down the ramps so as not to back odd of the ends. Call Guttenberg fisheries station for current conditions at (563) 252-1156.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 7.41 feet and is forecast to remain stable.  Water clarity is fair.  Water temperatures are in the mid 70s.  Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are being caught on stink bait or crawlers fished in 10-12 feet of water in side channels and around wing dams.  Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have been coming on crawlers fished around rocks on wing dams with slow current in 6-9 feet of water and in side channels in 4-6 feet of water around snags.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Shallow crankbaits along the floodwall up by the dam.  Also cranks on rocky shorelines in side channels and along the Iowa shoreline below Nine Mile Island (Massey).  Crappie – Fair: Fish being caught in side channels around snags in 12-14 feet of water.  Walleye – Good: Fish are being caught on the wind dams on three-way rigs tipped with leeches or crawlers or crankbaits.  There are reports of a lot of fish measuring over 20 inches.  Freshwater Drum – Good: Fish crawlers on the bottom in areas with moderate current for small drum or use crawfish for monsters.

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 4.57 feet and is forecast to remain stable.  Water clarity is fair.  Water temperature is in the mid 70s.  Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are biting well on stink bait fished around wing dams.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Throw crankbaits along rocky shorelines with current or below the dam in Bellevue .  Walleye – Good: Walleyes are on the wing dams.  Throw crankbaits or fish three-way rigs with spinners or floaters tipped with crawlers.  Crankbaits are also producing.  With the low water, walleye will be more concentrated on the wing dam tips and dams with more current.  Freshwater Drum – Good: Fish a night crawler on the bottom in areas of moderate current.

Mississippi River Pool 14

River stage at Camanche is 9.81 feet and is forecast to drop slowly.  Water clarity is poor.  Main channel water temperature is in the mid 70s.  Channel Catfish – Good: Good numbers being caught on stink baits, crawlers, or leeches around wing dams.    Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are coming off rocks and woody structure around current.  Crankbaits have been working well.  Walleye – Fair: The bite has slowed with the recent rains and dirty water.  Walleyes are on the wind dams and biting on crankbaits, three way rigs, or jigs.  Freshwater Drum – Good: Fish a piece of crawler on the bottom in areas with moderate current.

For information about fishing Pools 12 – 15 of the Mississippi River , call the Bellevue Fish Management and Research Station at 563-872-4976.

Mississippi River Pool 16

River stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 5.05 feet.    Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are being caught on night crawlers, leeches, and stink baits around wing dams and log piles. Stink baits have been working the best. Fishing has been good along Sunset Marina and at the mouth of the Rock River . Fishing has also been good for catfish in Andalusia Slough and Velie Chute fishing brush piles.   White Bass – Slow: White bass fishing in Sylvan Slough has been hit or miss.  Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are being caught in the backwaters floating pieces of worm or small minnows under a bobber. Areas to try are Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island Complex.   Crappie – Slow: Fishing for crappies in Sunset marina and the Andalusia Island complex has been slow.   Sauger – Fair: Some saugers are being picked up on the wing dams trolling crankbaits or on three-way rigs with half a night crawler or leech.  Walleye – Fair: Walleyes are being caught trolling crankbaits in front of wing dams or anchoring in front of the wing dams and casting to it. Some fish are being picked up on three-way rigs with half a night crawler or leech fished on the front side of wing dams.

Mississippi River Pool 17

River stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 4.61 feet.    Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are being caught on crawlers, leeches, dip baits, and chicken liver fished around wing dams and log jams.   White Bass – Fair: White bass fishing has been hit or miss. Some fish are being caught up by the dam and on the wing dams on crankbaits and jigs/twister combinations. The best fishing has been early in the morning or right before dark.   Bluegill – Slow: Some bluegills are being caught in Big Timber floating pieces of worm or small minnows under a bobber.   Crappie – Slow:  Crappie fishing in Big Timber has been tough. A few fish are being picked up along the deeper cuts floating a minnow under a bobber.   Walleye – Fair: Some walleyes are being caught trolling crankbaits along the fronts of wing dams. Anchoring above wing dams and casting crankbaits has been producing some fish as well.

Mississippi River Pool 18

River stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 6.76 feet.  Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cats are being caught on night crawlers, leeches, dip baits, and chicken liver fished above wing dams and around log piles. Dip baits seem to be working the best.   White Bass – Fair: A few white bass are being picked up by the dam fishing jig and twisters and small crankbaits.   Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill fishing in the backwaters has been slow.   Crappie – Slow: Crappie fishing in the backwaters has been slow.   Sauger – Fair: A few saugers are being picked up while fishing for walleyes on the wing dams.   Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught trolling crankbaits on the wing dams. Some are also being caught on three-way rigs with half a night crawler fished in front of the wing dams. The bite has been better towards evening.

Mississippi River Pool 19

River stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 3.63 feet. Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are being caught on night crawlers, leeches, dip baits, and chicken liver fished around wing dams and log jams.   White Bass – Fair: Some white bass are being picked up by the dam casting a jig and twister or small crankbait.   Bluegill – No Report:   Crappie – No Report:   Sauger – No Report:   Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being picked up on the wing dams around Burlington trolling crankbaits and on three-way rigs tipped with half a night crawler.

Mississippi River Pools 16-20: With recent rains, river levels have risen close to a foot over the past couple of days. Main channel water temperature is around 75 degrees. For more information on fishing Pools 16-20 of the Mississippi River contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Lake Geode

Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfishing around Johnson’s has been decent.  Stink bait or chicken liver seems to be best.  Bluegill – Slow: Not much angler activity on the lake this past week.  The bluegills will be out deep.  I would look for them on the north shoreline between the boat ramp and the beach along the drop off ledge.

Lake Darling

The lake is drained, almost, again, for the third or fourth time this year. Tuesday’s rains didn’t add much water to the lake.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River )

The river level is beginning to drop slowly.  There is still plenty of water to run a boat up the river.  Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing around the brush piles seems to be the way to go for both flatheads and channel cats.  Flathead Catfish – Fair: Anglers are still catching some nice flatheads on the river.

Iowa River ( Columbus Junction to Mississippi River )

The river level continues to drop slowly.  Channel Catfish – Good: Tuesday’s rain would have me looking anywhere there is muddy water flowing into the river from a feeder creek.

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

Lake Macbride

Things have been slow. Fish are in their summer patterns, usually relating to deeper water and cover.   Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish top-waters early around shallow rock. During the day pitch plastics to wood/vegetation or cast crankbaits on points/humps/deeper rock.  Crappie – Slow: Some black crappies are suspending in open water or over rock/brush. Try drifting a jig or slip bobber and minnow. Some nice white crappies are hanging out in the deep lily pads. Pitch a jig or slip bobber and minnow along the edges or in the pockets.

Pleasant Creek Lake

Water clarity is still good but there has been a slight algae bloom giving the water a green tint. Remember, largemouth bass have to be 18 inches to keep here.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Try stink bait, chicken liver, or night crawlers. Dusk seems to be the best time, while 8-10 feet of water seems to be the best depth.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are being caught on live bait, plastic worms, and crankbaits around rocky areas.  Yellow Perch – Fair: Fish small worms or pieces of night crawlers on the bottom.

Coralville Reservoir

As of July 9, the lake level is 690 feet and has been dropping 4-6 inches each day. Normal pool is 683 feet.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught drifting shad or bluegills.

Iowa River ( Coralville Lake to River Junction)

Recent flows coming out of the Coralville dam have been 6,000 cubic feet per second (CFS), which is the summer maximum allowed output. The outflow is projected to be reduced on a daily basis down to 1,500 CFS. This will change fish locations and patterns.  Channel Catfish – Good: Cut bait had been producing well while the river levels were up.  Flathead Catfish – Good: Fish around creek mouths and pool eddies with live bait.

Most area water temperature is in the upper 70s. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Lake Wapello

The lake was completely drained during the summer of 2008.

Red Haw Lake

Channel Catfish – Fair: Night crawlers or chicken liver have been the best bait for catching channel catfish.  Bluegill – Good: Small jigs have been catching fish along with a chunk of night crawler under a bobber.  The best areas have been along the shorelines and around submerged structure.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Use soft plastics along the shoreline and around submerged structure.  Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are also a good choice to use around these same areas.

Albia (lower)

Bluegill – Good: Use small jigs along the shorelines.  Try using a chunk of night crawler under a bobber.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Try areas with some rip rap or areas with submerged structure.  There are also areas marked with habitat buoys where cedar trees have been placed.

Rathbun Reservoir

Lake Rathbun water temperature is in the 70s.  The lake level is currently at 908.13 feet, which is four feet above normal pool.  Channel Catfish – Good: Use night crawlers or cut bait to catch channel catfish around the rip rapped areas around the South Fork and Bridgeview bridges.  Some channel catfish are also being caught by walleye anglers trolling crankbaits.  White Bass – Good: Use flashy blade baits or chrome colored baits to mimic shad.  Try areas with some underwater structure or a change in depth.  The area around Island View has been productive.  Crappie – Slow: Crappies are being caught around flooded vegetation along the shoreline.  Look for areas with flooded willow trees.  A lot of crappies are being caught but most of them are less than 8 inches, with an occasional fish over 10 inches.  Tube jigs with minnows have been working the best.  Walleye – Slow: The South Fork flats and the area around Island View have been producing some catches of keepers.  Trolling night crawlers or minnows has been working the best.  Some walleyes are being caught in shallow water less than 6 feet deep.  Concentrate around areas with flooded willows.

For any additional fishing information in southeast Iowa , please contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.

SOUTHWEST

Don Williams Lake

Crappie – Fair: Drift fishing mid lake on the upper half with small tube jigs or minnows has produced is producing some fish.

Rock Creek Lake

Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are being caught near the campground using cut bait or shrimp.  Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being caught trolling or drifting over the deeper water with tube jigs or small twisters.  Walleye – Slow: A few walleyes are being caught trolling Shad rap style crankbaits.

Big Creek Lake

Channel Catfish – Fair: Large catfish are being caught in deeper water using leeches.  Crappie – Fair: Crappies can be caught drifting deeper water out from the west boat ramp and near the handicap dock using small jigs.  Other good areas to target for crappie are over the submerged brush piles.  Pink, white, and green twisters work well.

Easter Lake

Walleye – Good: Walleye anglers have been successful using leeches or crawlers on bottom bouncers fished near the dam.

Hickory Grove Lake

Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills can be caught drifting over submerged pallet piles with just a split shot and small piece of crawler.  Crappie – Slow: Crappies are being caught by drifting or anchoring over submerged pallet piles in 15 foot of water or less using small tube jigs or minnows.

Lake Ahquabi

Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are being caught on liver and stink baits.  Bluegill – Good: Good sized bluegills are being caught using crawlers fished near the bottom at the edge of the weed beds.  Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass are hitting well on any type of weedless rig fished through the open pockets in the weed beds and along tree falls.

Red Rock Reservoir

White Bass – Fair: The white bass bite has slowed with the cooler water temps.  A few are still being caught using crankbaits or Kastmaster type lures with black/silver or silver/green color combinations to imitate shad.  The better fish are 15 to 17 inches.

Saylorville Reservoir

Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing is good in the mornings and late evenings fishing with cut bait, shrimp, or leeches.  The upper end of the reservoir has been best.  White Bass – Fair: The white bass bite has slowed with the cooler water temps.  A few are still being caught near Sandpiper, Cherry Glen, and the Mile Long Bridge .  They are being caught by trolling crankbaits or Kastmaster style lures through 15 to 25 foot of water.  Silver, green/silver, or gold colors are working best.

Blue Heron Lake ( Raccoon River Park )

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Des Moines River ( Stratford to Saylorville Lake )

Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are being caught using cut bait, liver, or night crawlers fished near any wood cover.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)

Channel Catfish – Good: Good sized channel catfish are being caught below the Saylorville spillway using leeches.  Walleye – Fair: Walleye are being caught in the stretch of river below the Saylorville spillway trolling or casting crankbaits or vertical jigging with jig and crawler.

Contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at (515) 432-2823 for information on the above area lakes and rivers.

Greenfield Lake

Greenfield Lake has a concrete boat ramp and is trolling motor only.   Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are being caught around jetties using liver.  Bluegill – Slow: A few bluegills are being caught drifting a small jig in 6-8 feet of water.

West Lake (Osceola)

Water quality is good and the lake level is near normal.

Three Mile Lake

Water quality is good and water temps are above 80.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: A few fish can be picked up from deeper structure on crankbaits or spinners.  Walleye – Slow: A few walleye are being caught by trolling small crankbaits over open points or the mounds.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake

Water quality is good but the lake is starting to turn a little green.  Bullhead – Fair: A lot of nice bullheads can be caught using crawlers.  Bluegill – Fair: The bluegill fishing has slowed.  A few nice fish can be picked up using small bits of crawlers or slow sinking jigs.    Largemouth Bass – Slow: A few mid-sized fish can be caught on spinners or crankbaits from the rock covered areas.

Water temps are usually in the mid to upper 70s and low 80s with water quality at most lakes is fair or good.  Algae is starting to turn a few lakes green.  Fish are usually off-shore a bit around deeper structure.

NORTHWEST

Badger Lake

North of Ft. Dodge.  Fishing has slowed as mid summer weather conditions have arrived.  Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing is picking up; try cut bait and chicken liver.  Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have been catching some hand-size bluegill off shore.  Crappie – Fair: Some 9 – 10 inch fish have been caught on small jigs and minnows.

Brushy Creek Lake

Nice bluegill, crappie and a few walleye are being caught.  Try the weed line for pan fish.  Water has muddied up a bit, especially in the north end.  Please clean your your fish at the floating fish cleaning platform at the west ramp.  Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are hitting on liver, stink bait and night crawlers along the shore line.  Bluegill – Good: Bluegill have moved out from shore; try fishing just off the bottom in 4 to 12 feet of water.  Anglers have been having good luck using a piece of crawler or a wax worm on a small hook.  Crappie – Fair: Crappie are in the trees; try a small jig or minnow rig and fish in 10 to 14 feet of water.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake )

Fishing has slowed.  Remember that Storm Lake has a 17 to 22-inch slot length limit.  All walleye in that range must be immediately released.  Channel Catfish – Excellent: Anglers are still biting on leeches and worms; use a floating jig head and fish the dredge cuts.  White Bass – Good: White bass are being caught throwing twisters and small spoons on Schaller and Stoney points and off Frank Starr Park .  Other points are also worth a try.  Most fish are in the 10 to 15-inch range.  Walleye – Fair: Walleye catch has slowed considerably, but a few fish are being caught trolling the dredge cuts pulling shad raps.  Some anglers are having more luck in the evenings.

Black Hawk Lake

Bullhead and catfish fishing have been good.  Bullhead – Good: Anglers are doing well for 8 to 9 inch bullheads.  Channel Catfish – Good: Shore anglers are having good luck catching 1.5 to 2 pound catfish on various baits including liver, leeches, night crawlers and stink bait.  Stink bait has probably has been most effective this last week.

Anglers are catching catfish, but bluegill, crappie and walleye fishing have slowed to midsummer levels.  For more information about these lakes and rivers call Lannie Miller (712-657-2638) at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View .

Briggs Woods Lake

Bluegill fishing is good. Largemouth bass fishing is good. Channel catfish are biting on liver. Crappie fishing is still fair.

Clear Lake

Yellow bass fishing has picked up; try fishing in 10 to 14 feet of water in the little lake or drifting cut bait or worms in 7 to 10 feet of water on the north shore of the main lake. A few walleyes (mostly sub-legal) are being caught using the same technique.

Boone River

Channel catfish are biting on stink bait.

Iowa River ( Iowa Falls to Marshalltown )

Fishing has been good for smallmouth bass and channel catfish and walleye.

Big Spirit Lake

Bullhead – Good: Fish at the grade from the fishing pier or in front of the fish barrier with worms on the bottom.  Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use top-water lures in the morning or evening or try jerk baits and jigs on rock bars and connected weed lines.  Yellow Perch – Good: Some sorting is required but fish are being caught while vertically jigging with spoons or jigs tipped with worms in 20 to 22-feet of water on the main lake basin.   Walleye – Fair: Drift fish with Lindy and spinner rigs or slip bobber fish around weed beds and rock bars. If fishing from shore try at the grade at the fish barrier with a slip bobber and minnow or small jig.

East Okoboji Lake

Channel Catfish – Fair: Use stink bait or large minnows around the bridges or off boat docks.  Yellow Bass – Excellent: Vertically jig along weed lines and rock bars with jigging spoons tipped with worms or use a slip bobber and minnow.  Many fish are also being caught around boat docks using mini jigs or a slip bobber and minnow.

West Okoboji Lake

Bluegill – Good: Fish with small hair jigs or use a split shot and hook tipped with live bait around boat docks and weed lines.  Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fish rock bars and weed lines with top-water lures early and late or fish with crawdads on rock bars during the day.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish weed lines with jigs, spinner baits, or live bait.  Or throw top-water lures in the mornings and evenings along boat docks and weed lines.  Walleye – Fair: Slip bobber fish with leeches on rock bars and weed lines.

Five Island Lake

Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use stink bait, minnows, or chubs at the rail road bridge.   Walleye – Fair: Fishing has slowed but fish are still being caught while trolling crankbaits.

Big Sioux River

The river was high with recent rains but is starting to lower again.  Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use cut bait or stink bait around deep holes and brush piles.  Flathead Catfish – Good: Use large live bait along cut banks, deep holes, and brush piles.

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)

River was high with recent rains but is starting to drop again.  Channel Catfish – Good: Use cut bait or crawdads for bait in holes and brush piles.

West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)

River is beginning to lower after recent heavy rains  Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use cut bait or crawdads above brush piles.  Walleye – Fair: Use jig and minnow or crankbaits in deeper holes and current seams.

Silver Lake ( Dickinson )

Walleye – Good: Troll with crankbaits on the north shore and around the island.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua )

The river is now falling after last weeks rain and is clearing.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Best is to use chicken liver or night crawlers in the evening.  Smallmouth Bass – Slow:  Walleye – Good: Crankbait seem to be working the best.

SOUTHEAST

Iowa River ( Columbus Junction to Mississippi River )

The river level continues to drop slowly.  Channel Catfish – Good: Look for the channel cats along the edges of the sand bars and in the mouths of any feeder creeks.

Coralville Reservoir

Channel Catfish – Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught drifting shad or bluegills, while some are being caught off the rock banks of live bait and even crankbaits.  Flathead Catfish – Fair: Anglers casting crankbaits have been picking up some flatheads along sloping rock banks.

Iowa River ( Coralville Lake to River Junction)

Recent flows coming out of the Coralville dam have been 6,000 cubic feet per second, which is the summer maximum allowed output. The outflow is projected to be reduced July 21.  Channel Catfish – Good: Cut bait had been producing well while the river levels were up.  Flathead Catfish – Good: Fish around creek mouths and pool eddies with live bait.

Lake Wapello

The lake was completely drained during the summer of 2008.

Rathbun Reservoir

Lake Rathbun water temperature is in the 70s.  The lake level is currently at 909.36 feet, which is just over five feet above normal pool.  Channel Catfish – Good: Use night crawlers or cut bait to catch channel catfish around the rip rapped areas around the South Fork and Bridgeview bridges.  Some channel catfish are also being caught by walleye anglers trolling crankbaits.  White Bass – Good: Use flashy blade baits or chrome colored baits to mimic shad.  Try areas with some underwater structure or a change in depth.  The area around Island View has been productive.  Crappie – Slow: Crappies are being caught around flooded vegetation along the shoreline.  A lot of crappies are being caught but most of them are under 8 inches, with an occasional fish over 10 inches.  Tube jigs with minnows have been working the best.  Walleye – Slow: Try drifting night crawlers or trolling crankbaits around underwater islands and ridges.  The South Fork flats and the area around Island View have been producing some catches of keepers.  Some walleyes are being caught in water less than 10 feet deep.

SOUTHWEST

Don Williams Lake

Crappie – Fair: Drift fishing mid lake on the upper half with small tube jigs or minnows has produced is producing some fish.

Jacob Krumm Nature Preserver Lake (west)

Bluegill – Good: Some very nice bluegills are being caught using small jigs or crawlers.  The larger fish are coming from the flooded wood in the upper end of the lake.  8 to 9 inch fish are common

Rock Creek Lake

Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are being caught using cut bait or shrimp.  Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being caught drifting with tube jigs tipped with minnows.

Big Creek Lake

Channel Catfish – Fair: Large catfish are being caught in deeper water using leeches.  Crappie – Good: Crappies can be caught drifting deeper water out from the west boat ramp and near the handicap dock using small jigs.  Good catches of crappie are also being caught fishing over the submerged brush piles.  Pink, white, and green twisters work well.

Easter Lake

Walleye – Good: Using leeches or crawlers on bottom bouncers fished near the dam.

Hooper Area Pond

Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are biting well on small jigs tipped with a small piece of crawler.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Due to the turbid water conditions right now bass are biting good on top-water baits.  Crappie – Fair: Crappie are biting on small tube jigs or minnows.

Lake Ahquabi

Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are being caught on liver and stink baits.  Bluegill – Good: Good sized bluegills are being caught using crawlers fished near the bottom at the edge of the weed beds.  Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass are hitting well on any type of weed-less rig fished through the open pockets in the weed beds and along tree falls.

Red Rock Reservoir

White Bass – Fair: The white bass bite has slowed with the cooler water temps.  A few are still being caught using crankbaits or Kastmaster type lures with black/silver or silver/green color combinations to imitate shad.  The better fish are 15 to 17 inches.

Saylorville Reservoir

Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing is good in the mornings and late evenings fishing with cut bait, shrimp, or leeches.  The upper end of the reservoir has been best.  White Bass – Fair: The white bass bite has slowed with the cooler water temp.  A few are still being caught near Sandpiper, Cherry Glen, and the Mile Long Bridge .  They are being caught by trolling crankbaits or Kastmaster style lures through 15 to 25 feet of water.  Silver, green/silver, or gold colors are working best.

Des Moines River ( Stratford to Saylorville Lake )

Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are being caught using cut bait, liver, or night crawlers fished near any wood cover.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)

Channel Catfish – Good: Good sized channel catfish are being caught below the Saylorville spillway using leeches.

West Lake (Osceola)

Water quality is good and the lake level is near normal.

Three Mile Lake

Water quality is good and water levels are normal.  Water temp is above 70.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: A few fish can be picked up from deeper structure.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake

Water quality is good and the lake level is near normal.  Bullhead – Good: A lot of nice bullheads can be caught using crawlers.  Bluegill – Fair: The bluegill fishing has slowed.  A few nice fish can be picked up using crawlers from the near shore rocky areas or deeper flooded trees.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: A few mid-sized fish can be caught from the structure and rock covered areas.

Water temp is usually in the mid to upper 70s and water quality at most lakes is fair or good.

Badger Lake

North of Ft. Dodge.  Fishing has slowed as mid summer weather conditions have arrived.  Bluegill and catfish have moved into deeper water.  Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing is picking up; try cut bait and chicken liver.  Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have been catching some hand-sized bluegill off shore.  Crappie – Fair: Some 9 – 10 inch fish have been caught on small jigs and minnows.

Brushy Creek Lake

Nice bluegill, crappie and a few walleye are being caught.  Try the weed line for pan fish.  Water clarity is still good.  Please clean your fish at the floating fish cleaning platform at the west ramp.  Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are hitting on liver, stink bait and night crawlers along the shore line.  Bluegill – Good: Bluegills have moved out from shore; try fishing just off the bottom in 8 to 12 feet of water.  Anglers have been having good luck using wax worms.  Crappie – Fair: Crappies are in the trees; try a small jig or minnow rig and fish in 10 to 14 feet of water.  Walleye – Fair: Walleye have been biting on minnows.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake )

Fishing has slowed.  Remember that Storm Lake has a 17-22 inch slot length limit.  All walleye in that range must be immediately released.  Channel Catfish – Excellent: Still catching cats with various baits; try drifting a night crawler, under a bobber, along the rocks.  White Bass – Fair: White bass are still being caught with mini-jigs tipped with night crawlers or minnows; try casting along the rocks.  Walleye – Fair: Walleye catch has slowed considerably.

Briggs Woods Lake

Crappie and bluegill fishing is good. Channel catfish are biting on liver.

Clear Lake

Yellow bass fishing is slow, try the Little Lake area or drift fishing the reefs with live bait until you find the fish.  Channel Catfish – Fair: A few catfish are being caught with night crawlers or cut bait fished on the bottom at the Ventura grade and McIntosh State Park shoreline.  Walleye – Slow:

Boone River

Channel catfish are biting on stink bait.

Big Spirit Lake

Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use live bait, jerk baits, or jigs at rock bars and connected weed lines.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use soft plastics around weed beds and boat docks.  Yellow Perch – Good: Drift fish while using bottom bouncers or anchor and vertical jig with small jigging spoons tipped with worms in 20-22 foot of water.   Walleye – Fair: Drift fish with Lindy rigs or slip bobber fish around weed beds.  Fish are also being caught trolling with deep running crankbaits on the main lake basin.

East Okoboji Lake

Channel Catfish – Fair: Use stink bait or chubs around the bridges or off the docks.  Yellow Bass – Good: Vertical jig around Stoney Point and deeper water areas or near boat docks with jigging lures tipped with worms.  Fish are also being caught at wooden docks using a slip bobber and minnow.

West Okoboji Lake

Bluegill – Excellent: Fish with small hair jigs or a split shot and hook with live bait around boat docks or along weed bed edges in 15-18 foot of water.  Smallmouth Bass – Good: Fish the rock bars at Fort Dodge and Gull Points with jerk baits or live bait below a slip bobber.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Use a slip bobber and leech or spinner baits near boat docks and weed lines.  Walleye – Fair: Use slip bobber and leech around rock bars and connected weed beds.

Big Sioux River

Channel Catfish – Excellent: Use cut bait, chubs, or stink bait in deep holes and brush piles.  Flathead Catfish – Good: Use large live bait along brush piles, cut banks, and rock shorelines.

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)

Channel Catfish – Good: Use large minnow or stink bait in holes and above brush piles.  Walleye – Fair: Use twister tails around holes and riffles.

NORTHEAST

Cedar River ( Nashua to La Porte City )

The Cedar River is currently on a steady decline from recent rainfall events and anglers are reporting good catches of channel catfish in Bremer County .  Channel Catfish – Good: Cut baits and stink baits are working well for channel catfish on the Cedar. Try drifting a night crawler or leech under a bobber in shallow riffle areas as well.  Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try casting crankbaits, spinnerbaits or jigs with a twister tail along rocky shoreline areas.  Walleye – Fair: Anglers are reporting occasional catches of walleye casting crankbaits near and along current breaks or drop-offs.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9

Channel Catfish – Excellent: Fish are being caught on stink bait.  Bluegill – Good: using night crawler on the bottom in side sloughs  Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Crankbaits on rocky shorelines  Walleye – Good: Trolling crankbaits in the side sloughs

Mississippi River Pool 10

Northern Pike – Good: most fish are being caught incidentally while fishing for bass. Use crankbaits along rocky areas.  Bluegill – Fair: Using wax worms under a bobber.  Crappie – Good: Using minnows on a slip bobber in the side sloughs.  Walleye – Good: using crankbaits in the lower ends of side sloughs. Fish are also being caught below the dam in the tailwaters.

Mississippi River Pool 11

Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are being caught along the channel using night crawlers or stink bait.  Flathead Catfish – Excellent: Flathead are being caught in the tailwater using night crawlers.  White Bass – Fair: White bass can be caught in the tailwaters or along some of the wing dams using small inline spinners.  Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth are starting to being caught on the wing dams using small spinners or crankbaits.  Walleye – Good: Walleye are being caught on the wing dams either trolling crankbaits or three-way jigs tipped with night crawlers.  Freshwater Drum – Good: drum are being caught using night crawlers fished on the bottom.

River gauges: Lansing 7.89 feet; Lynxville 12.84 feet; Guttenberg 4.22 feet. Water temperature at Guttenberg has fallen to 72 degrees. The water levels in pools 9-11 steady to falling. Call Guttenberg fisheries station for current conditions at (563) 252-1156.

Mississippi River Pool 12

River stage at Dubuque is 7.19 feet and is forecast to remain stable.  Water clarity is good.  Water temperature is in the mid 70s.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish are being caught on stink bait fished in 10-12 feet of water in side channels and around wing dams.  Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have been coming on crawlers fished around rocks on wing dams with slow current in 6-9 feet of water.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Shallow crankbaits along the floodwall up by the dam.  Also cranks on rocks along the channel.  A few fish also being caught in the harbors.  Walleye – Fair: Fish are being caught on the wind dams on three-way rigs tipped with leeches or crankbaits.  Reports of a lot of fish over 20 inches.  Freshwater Drum – Good: Fish crawlers on the bottom in areas with moderate current.

Mississippi River Pool 13

River stage at Bellevue is 4.49 feet and is forecast to slowly fall.  Water clarity is good.  Water temperature is in the mid 70s.  Northern Pike – Fair: Pike are biting on spinners and crankbaits at the mouth of Mill Creek and in the Illinois pocket below the dam in Bellevue .  Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are biting well on stink bait fished around wing dams.  Bluegill – Fair: Reports of bluegills coming off of wing dams with slow current.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Throw crankbaits along rocky shorelines with current or below the dam in Bellevue .  Walleye – Fair: Walleyes are on the wing dams.  Throw crankbaits or fish three-way rigs with spinners or floaters tipped with crawlers or leeches.  Freshwater Drum – Good: Fish a night crawler on the bottom in areas of moderate current.  There is good shoreline access at Pleasant Creek Recreation Area south of Bellevue .

Mississippi River Pool 14

River stage at Camanche is 9.40 feet and is forecast to remain stable to slowly fall.  Water clarity is fair.  Main channel water temps are in the mid 70s.  Channel Catfish – Good: Good numbers being caught on stink baits around wing dams.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are coming off rocks and woody structure around current.  Crankbaits have been working well.  Walleye – Good: Walleyes are on the wind dams and biting on crankbaits, three way rigs, or jigs.  Freshwater Drum – Good: Fish a piece of crawler on the bottom in areas with moderate current.

For information about fishing Pools 12 – 15 of the Mississippi River , call the Bellevue Fish Management and Research Station at 563-872-4976.

Mississippi River Pool 16

River stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 5.48 feet. Tailwater stage has risen slightly over the past few days.   Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are being caught on night crawlers, leeches, and dip baits around wing dams. Some channel catfish are also being caught floating leeches under a bobber along rocky shorelines. Some channel catfish are being picked up along the Davenport Riverfront. Fishing has also been good for catfish in Andalusia Slough and Velie Chute fishing brush piles.   White Bass – Slow: White bass fishing in Sylvan Slough has been slow.  Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are being caught in the backwaters floating pieces of worm or small minnows under a bobber. Areas to try are Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island Complex.   Crappie – Slow: Fishing for crappies in Sunset Marina and the Andalusia Island complex has been slow.   Sauger – Fair: Some saugers are being picked up on the wing dams trolling crankbaits or on three-way rigs with half a night crawler or leech.  Walleye – Fair: Walleyes are being caught trolling crankbaits on wing dams. Some fish are being picked up on three-way rigs with half a night crawler or leech fished on the front side of wing dams.

Mississippi River Pool 17

River stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 4.59 feet. Tailwater stage has risen slightly over the past few days.   Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are being caught on crawlers, leeches, dip baits, and chicken liver fished around wing dams or log jams. Some channel catfish are being caught along the Muscatine Riverfront on night crawlers. Some channel catfish are being caught fishing leeches under a bobber along riprap shorelines.   White Bass – Slow: White bass fishing has been hit or miss. Some fish are being caught up by the dam and on the wing dams on crankbaits and jigs/twister combinations.   Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Big Timber floating pieces of worm or small minnows under a bobber.  Crappie – No Report:  Walleye – Fair: Some walleyes are being caught trolling crankbaits along the fronts of wing dams. Anchoring above wing dams and casting crankbaits has been producing some fish as well.

Mississippi River Pool 18

River stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 6.06 feet. River stage has risen slightly over the past few days.    Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cats are being caught on night crawlers, leeches, dip baits, and chicken liver. Some channel catfish are starting to be picked up floating leeches under a bobber along rocky shorelines.   White Bass – Slow: A few white bass are being picked up by the dam fishing jig and twisters and small crankbaits.   Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are being caught in the backwaters on pieces of night crawler or a small minnow floating under a bobber.   Crappie – No Report:   Sauger – Fair: A few saugers are being picked up while fishing for walleyes on the wing dams.   Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught trolling crankbaits on the wing dams. Some are also being caught on three-way rigs with half a night crawler fished in front of the wing dams.

Mississippi River Pool 19

River stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 3.33 feet.   Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are being caught on night crawlers, leeches, dip baits, and chicken liver fished around wing dams and log jams.  Some channel catfish are starting to be picked up floating leeches and night crawlers under a bobber along the riprap shoreline at Ft. Madison .   White Bass – Slow:   Bluegill – Slow:   Crappie – Slow:   Sauger – Slow:   Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being picked up on the wing dams around Burlington trolling crankbaits and on three-way rigs tipped with half a night crawler.

Mississippi River Pools 16-20: River levels have risen slightly over the past few days throughout Pools 16-20 of the Mississippi River . Main channel water temperature is around 75 degrees. For more information on fishing Pools 16-20 of the Mississippi River contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

SOUTHEAST

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River )

The river level looks to have stabilized.  There is still plenty of water to run a boat up the river.  Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing has been good.  Its the time of the year to look for them to be under Mulberry trees feeding on the berries dropping into the water.  Flathead Catfish – Good: Anglers are still catching some nice flatheads on the river.

Iowa River ( Columbus Junction to Mississippi River )

Channel Catfish – Good: Look for the channel cats along the edges of the sand bars and in the mouths of any feeder creeks.  Flathead Catfish – Fair: A few fish are still being caught on bank lines.  The spawning has started so the fish aren’t moving around as much now.

Coralville Reservoir

As of July 9, the lake level is 690 feet and has been dropping 4-6 inches each day.  Normal pool is 683 feet. Channel Catfish – Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught drifting shad or bluegills, while some are being caught off the rock banks of live bait and even crankbaits.  Flathead Catfish – Fair: Anglers casting crankbaits have been picking up some flatheads along sloping rock banks.

Iowa River ( Coralville Lake to River Junction)

Recent flows coming out of the Coralville dam have been hovering just under 6,000 cubic feet per second, which is the summer maximum allowed output.  Channel Catfish – Good: Cut bait had been producing well while the river levels were up.  Flathead Catfish – Good: Fish around creek mouths and pool eddies with live bait.

Most area water temps are in the upper 70s.

Rathbun Reservoir

Lake Rathbun water temperature is in the upper 70s.  The lake level is currently at 910.27 feet which is just over six feet above normal pool.  Channel catfish – Good: Use night crawlers or cut bait to catch channel catfish around the rip rapped areas around the South Fork and Bridgeview bridges.  Some channel catfish are also being caught by walleye anglers trolling crankbaits.  White Bass – Good: Use flashy blade baits or chrome colored baits to mimic shad.  Try areas with some underwater structure or a change in depth.  The area around Island View has been productive.  Crappie – Slow: Crappies are being caught around flooded vegetation along the shoreline.  A lot of crappies are being caught but most of them are less than 8 inches, with an occasional fish over 10 inches.  Tube jigs with minnows have been working the best.  Walleye – Slow: Try drifting night crawlers or trolling crankbaits around underwater islands and ridges.  Large numbers of smaller walleye are being caught with an occasional keeper.  The South Fork flats and the area around Island View have been producing some catches of keepers.

SOUTHWEST

Don Williams Lake

Crappie – Fair: Drift fishing mid lake on the upper half with small tube jigs or minnows has produced is producing some fish.

Big Creek Lake

Channel Catfish – Fair: Large catfish are being caught in deeper water using leeches.  Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegill bite is good using small pieces of crawler under a bobber or small tube jigs fished near sunken brush piles or drifting near the mouths of the bays.  Crappie – Good: Crappies can be caught drifting deeper water out from the West boat ramp and near the handicap dock using small jigs.  Good catches of crappie are also being caught fishing over the submerged brush piles.  Pink, white, and green twisters work well.

Hickory Grove Lake

Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills can be caught drifting over submerged pallet piles with just a split shot and small piece of crawler.  Crappie – Slow: Crappies are being caught by drifting or anchoring over submerged pallet piles in 15 foot of water or less using small tube jigs or minnows.

Hooper Area Pond

Fishing was slow for Bass when I was there on Sunday.

Lake Ahquabi

Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are being caught on liver and stink baits.  Bluegill – Good: Good sized bluegills are being caught using crawlers fished near the bottom at the edge of the weed beds.  Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Bass are hitting well on any type of weed-less rig fished through the open pockets in the weed beds and along tree falls.

Red Rock Reservoir

White Bass – Excellent: The white bass bite is excellent trolling crankbaits or Kastmaster type lures with black/silver or silver/green color combinations to imitate shad.  The better fish are 15 to 17 inches.

Saylorville Reservoir

Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing is good in the mornings and late evenings fishing with cut bait, shrimp, or leeches.  White Bass – Good: White bass are hitting near Sandpiper, Cherry Glen, and the Mile Long Bridge .  They are being caught by trolling Kastmaster style lures through 15 foot of water or less.  Silver, green/silver, or gold colors are working best.

Des Moines River ( Stratford to Saylorville Lake )

Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish are being caught using cut bait, liver, or night crawlers fished near any wood cover.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)

Channel Catfish – Good: Good sized channel catfish are being caught below the Saylorville spillway using leeches.

Greenfield Lake

Greenfield Lake has a concrete boat ramp and is trolling motor only.   Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish are being caught close to shore around rock.   Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills up to 9 inches are being caught drifting small black jigs tipped with night crawler.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Greenfield Lake has a good population of 12 to 15 inch fish. Cast spinnerbaits or plastic baits along weed edges and in cedar tree piles.

Binder Lake

Water quality is good and the rooted vegetation is starting to recede.

Lake Icaria

The lake level is near normal and the water quality near the dam is good.  Water temps are near 75.  Bullhead – Good: A lot of fish 6 to 10 inches can be caught on crawlers.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Several fish up to 20 inches can be caught from the fish mounds and the structure.  Walleye – Fair: A few walleye are being caught from the mounds.

West Lake (Osceola)

Water quality is good and the lake level is near normal.

Three Mile Lake

Water quality is good and water levels are normal.  Water temps are above 70.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Several fish are biting from structure on spinners and crankbaits.  Walleye – Fair: Some walleye are biting from steep shoreline areas and dirt mounds on small crankbaits.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake

Water quality is good and the lake level is near normal.  Bullhead – Good: A lot of nice bullheads can be caught using crawlers.  Bluegill – Fair: The bluegill fishing has slowed a bit.  A few nice fish from 6 to 8 inches can be picked up using crawlers from the near shore rocky areas.  The areas near the jetties and west shore have been the most successful.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: A few mid-sized fish can be caught from the structure and rock covered areas.  Walleye – Fair: A few walleye are biting from the open points, steep drop-off areas on crankbaits.

A few bluegills are still biting fairly well at a lot of lakes near shore.  A few largemouth bass are biting at several lakes.  Water temps are usually in the mid 70s and water quality at most lakes is fair or good.

The DNR sends out a Fishing Report Weekly. To subscribe send a blank email to: join-fishiowa@lists.ia.gov – I have taken the information and cut it down a bit to my most common used fisheries.

Saylorville Reservoir

Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing is good in the mornings and late evenings fishing in 1 to 5 feet of water with minnows, cut bait, or shrimp.  White Bass – Good: Good catches of white bass are coming from below the Big Creek spillway and off Sandpiper using jigs, spoons, or minnows under a bobber.   Boat anglers trolling crankbaits are also doing well.  Walleye – Fair: Some decent walleye from 16 to 19 inches have been caught by throwing crankbaits near Sandpiper.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: There are some wipers being caught on crankbaits off of Sandpiper.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)

Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish biting on small live sunfish, cut bait, liver, or night crawlers.  Fish near any logjam, eddy, or riprap.  White Bass – Good: White bass are being caught below the Saylorville spillway on jigs, spoons, or minnows.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: A few wipers have been caught below the Saylorville spillway using large jigs tipped with minnows.

Big Creek Lake

Channel Catfish – Fair: Large catfish are being caught in deeper water using leeches.  Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegill bite is good using small pieces of crawler under a bobber or small tube jigs fished near sunken brush piles or drifting near the mouths of the bays.  Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are hitting good on crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and plastic worms.  The most success is on the north end.  Crappie – Fair: Crappies can be caught drifting mid lake out from the Williams Drive boat ramps using small jigs.  Pink and white combinations work well.

Des Moines River ( Stratford to Saylorville Lake )

Channel Catfish – Fair: Channel catfish are being caught using cut bait, liver, or night crawlers fished near any wood cover.  Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Catching drum is no problem right now using night crawlers fished on the bottom.

Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)

Channel Catfish – Good: Channel catfish biting on small live sunfish, cut bait, liver, or night crawlers.  Fish near any logjam, eddy, or riprap.  White Bass – Good: White bass are being caught below the Saylorville spillway on jigs, spoons, or minnows.  Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: A few wipers have been caught below the Saylorville spillway using large jigs tipped with minnows.

Big Spirit Lake

Weed beds have expanded quickly and can be seen almost to the surface.  Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use twister tails or a slip bobber and leech along rock bars that connect with weed lines.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use soft plastics or live bait around weed beds or at Buffalo Run.  Yellow Perch – Good: Drift fish while using bottom bouncers or anchor and vertical jig with small jigging spoons tipped with worms in 20-22 foot of water.   Walleye – Good: Drift fish with Lindy rigs, vertical jig with leeches, or slip bobber fish around weed beds.  Fish are also being caught trolling with crankbaits along weed lines.  Muskellunge – Fair: Fish are being caught while trolling with large crankbaits or inline spinners.

East Okoboji Lake

Channel Catfish – Fair: Use stink bait or chubs around the bridges or off the docks.  Yellow Bass – Excellent: Drift fish along boat docks with jigging spoons tipped with worms or slip bobber fish from docks.

Clear Lake

Yellow bass fishing is slow, try drift fishing the reefs with live bait.  Channel Catfish – Good: A few catfish are being caught with night crawlers or cut bait fished on the bottom at the Ventura grade and McIntosh State Park shoreline.  Walleye – Fair: Walleyes (mostly sub-legal) are being caught off the jetty using minnows.  Yellow Bass – Fair, try drift fishing the reefs with live bait until you find the fish.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake )

Fishing has been good.  A little spotty after weather fronts moved through.  Remember that Storm Lake has a 17-22 inch slot length limit.  All walleye in that range must be immediately released.  Channel Catfish – Excellent: As lake warms the catfishing has improved. They are biting on a variety of baits from shore and in the rocks.  White Bass – Good: White bass are being caught at Frank Starr Park and off the rocks on the big island by throwing twisters and crankbaits.  Anglers have also started to catch whites off the north shore west of Chautauqua jetty.  Walleye – Good: Anglers are still catching fish while trolling slowly with Shad Raps.  Good colors are:  hot steele, clown, purple haze and perch. People have been having good luck drifting with live bait using 1/8 ounce jig heads around Frank Starr, south of big island and the college island.

Brushy Creek Lake

Water clarity is still good.  Nice bluegill, crappie and a few walleye are being caught.  Please clean your fish at the floating fish cleaning platform at the west ramp.  Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish are hitting on stink bait and night crawlers along the shore line.  Bluegill – Good: Bluegill can be found under trees and in the weeds.  Use a small worm on a plain hook in 4 to 10 feet.  Crappie – Good: Crappies are in the trees; try a small jig or minnow rig and fish in 10 to 14 feet of water.  Walleye – Good: Walleye have been hitting on leeches.