www.iowadnr.gov
July 3, 2008
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office. Phone numbers are listed at the end of each district report.
Northeast
Boaters are advised to stay alert to the dangers of floating debris. Debris washed into the rivers from flooded areas could potentially capsize a watercraft. Additionally, floods move and rearrange underwater substrates creating unseen hazards such as sand deposits or deep cuts that were not present prior to the flood.
Mississippi River Pools 9 to 15: It should be a great holiday weekend for fishing on the Upper Mississippi as conditions are becoming favorable for quality angling. Fishing activity has picked up nicely and is expected to be good for many different species. Conditions continue to greatly improve for fishing in Pools 9 to 15 as the water levels are still high but falling steadily. As of Wednesday, water level at Lansing (Pool 9) was 8.7 feet, Lynxville, Wis. (Pool 10) was 17.3 feet, Guttenberg (Pool 11) 9.0 feet, Dubuque 11.4 feet, Bellevue 10.2 and Camanche was at 13.2 feet. Water temperature was 75 degrees.
Largemouth bass are hitting spinner baits fished along brush piles in Minnesota Slough (Pool 9) and in the tailwaters at Lynxville (Pool 10) and Guttenberg (Pool 11). Bass fishing has been good in Pools 12 to 15 along shorelines with rock riprap. Rip-rapped areas below the locks and dams are also good for bass angling. In Pool 12, fish around the City Island and the Peosta channel in Dubuque or in Pool 13 try catching bass from the mouth of Mill Creek down to the water treatment plant in Bellevue.
Catfishing in all pools is excellent on stink bait, cut baits or leeches under a bobber. Concentrate your efforts along rocky shorelines as catfish are beginning to spawn. Channel catfish populations on the river are excellent and anglers should find an abundant supply of nice eating-sized channel cats.
At New Albin (Pool 9) and Harpers Ferry (Pool 10), a few anglers are catching walleyes drifting night crawlers. A few walleyes are also being caught in the backwater areas in Pools 12 to 15 and off the wing dams in Pool 13; however, high water and swift currents have pushed the fish close to shore and made fishing more difficult. As the river continues to calm, look for walleye fishing to improve.
A few northern pike are being caught below the Pool 10 spillway and in Bussey Lake (Pool 11).
Freshwater drum (sheepshead) fishing has been excellent in Pools 12 to 15 using a piece of night crawler fished on the bottom.
Local fishing hotspots on the Mississippi River include the handicap walkway at the DNR office in Guttenberg where anglers are catching catfish, bowfin, drum, and bass along the rocks. Bluegill and crappie are beginning to bite at Harpers Ferry in Harpers Slough (Pool 10) and in backwater areas in Pools 12 to 15. Middle and South Sabula lakes in Pool 13 have been fair for bluegill, bass and crappie.
Ramps continue to open as waters recede; however, anglers may want to call ahead for ramp availability. At the time of this report, here is a list of some of the known ramp conditions from north to south: Lansing Village Creek (Pool 9) is open, Heytman’s Landing (Pool 9) is open, both ramps at Harpers Ferry (Pool 10) are open, Nobel’s Island (Pool 10) is open, Sny Magill (Pool 10) is still closed but expected to open soon, Bussey Lake (Pool 10) open, Guttenberg DNR hatchery ramp (Pool 11), open but parking is limited, Guttenberg city ramp (Pool 11) is now open, Turkey River ramp (Pool 11) open but launching is not recommended (mud covered), Finley’s Landing (Pool 11) open, and Mud Lake (Pool 11) is open. The fishing platform at Harpers Ferry (Pool 10) is open, but the walkway may have some mud remaining on the path. Angling platforms at Bussey Lake (Pool 10) are ready for anglers as is the angling walkway at Guttenberg (Pool 11) as the mud has been cleared.
Cedar River (Mitchell, Floyd, Chickasaw, Bremer, Black Hawk), Shell Rock River (Butler) and Wapsipinicon River (Buchanan): Fishing conditions are improving with river levels coming down. Channel catfish are biting on minnows and chicken liver fished on the bottom. Try fishing for walleyes with a jig tipped with a night crawler or casting crankbaits along rocky shorelines or next to woody structure. Smallmouth bass fishing is picking up drifting night crawlers with a small split shot along the bottom in the current or casting crankbaits in and around rocky shorelines or woody structure.
Turkey River (Clayton) and Upper Iowa River (Winneshiek and Allamakee): The upper stretches of these rivers are starting to clear up. Smallmouth fishing should continue to improve as the river levels recede.
Volga Lake (Fayette): Fishing is good for channel catfish on worms and for largemouth bass on artificial baits.
Big Woods Lake (Black Hawk): Anglers are having good success casting crankbaits and spinner baits along the shorelines for largemouth bass.
Casey Lake (Tama): Casey Lake in Hickory Hills Park is excellent for channel catfish in the early morning hours or just after sunset. Catfish are biting on night crawlers, stink bait, chicken liver, shrimp baits, etc. Fishing is also good for bluegills. Fish in and around structure using light-weight jigs tipped with a piece of red worm.
Lake Hendricks (Howard): Fishing is good for channel catfish using chubs or chicken liver off the shore on the south side of the lake. Fishing is fair for bluegills on wax worms or a piece of night crawler suspended under a bobber, or with black and white artificial flies. Largemouth bass fishing is fair using plastic worms worked near structure. Look to find bluegills and bass on nests near shore for better action.
Lake Meyer (Winneshiek): Water clarity is good and lake level is back to normal. Catfishing is good using chicken liver along the shore by the dam. Crappie fishing is good in the snags using small light-colored tube jigs. Bluegill fishing is good using worms fished near shore or by the new jetty, but some sorting is required.
Trout streams are in excellent and very fishable conditions. Stocking catchable trout has been resumed in all streams. Summer insect hatches are occurring at normal rates. Call the trout stocking hotline at 563-927-5736 to get the most updated information.
For information on fishing in northeast Iowa, call the regional office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.
Southeast
Mississippi River Pools 16 to 20: Pools 16 to 20 have reopened to recreational navigation. Water levels are still high and boaters are cautioned to watch for floating debris. Water clarity is poor and temperature is around 74 degrees.
In Pool 16, river stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 11.38 feet and falling. River levels are forecasted to fall to 9 feet by the middle of next week. Flood stage is 15 feet. Fishing is starting to pick up. Channel catfish are being caught along the rocks on leeches and night crawlers floated under a bobber. Some flathead catfish are being caught along the rocks on live bait. White bass are biting in Sylvan Slough on jigs and twisters. Some walleyes are also being caught on jig/twister combinations in Sylvan Slough. The Marquette St. ramp in Davenport is open. The ramp at Credit Island is closed. The Fairport Recreational area is also closed.
In Pool 17, river stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 11.57 feet and falling. River level is predicted to fall below 9 feet by the middle of next week. Fishing is slow due to current river conditions and limited access. There have been a few shore anglers catching channel catfish on live bait along the rocky shorelines. The Muscatine city ramp is closed. The ramp at Big Timber is closed.
In Pool 18, river stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 14.14 feet and falling. River stage is forecasted to fall to 11 feet by the middle of next week. Fishing has been slow due to river conditions and limited access. Toolesboro Landing is closed.
In Pool 19, river stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 10.82 feet and falling, but river is still above flood stage. Catfish are being caught in the backwaters on night crawlers. Flathead catfish are also being caught on live bait. The Burlington ramps are open.
In Pool 20, river stage at Lock and Dam 19 is 16.13 feet. Flood stage is 16 feet. River level is forecasted to fall to 12.5 feet by the middle of next week. No fishing report.
Lake Odessa (Louisa): Odessa remains flooded. All boat ramps and the Toolesboro road are closed.
Lake Darling (Washington): Catfishing is very good. Fishing is the best from early to midmorning and again in the late evening using chicken liver. Work off the jetties and along the rocky shorelines.
Lake Belva Deer (Keokuk): Bluegills are still in shallow, but with the clear water, stealth is a must. Catfishing remains very good with chicken liver being the bait of choice.
Lake Geode (Henry): Bluegills are biting along the weed lines in 6 to 8 feet of water. Catfishing below the spillway continues to be good even though the water from the Skunk River is going down.
Lake Rathbun (Appanoose): Walleye fishing has been good trolling or drifting night crawlers around the Island View area and other rocky points. White bass are also being caught using the same technique. Channel catfish have been biting on liver and night crawlers around the bridge embankments at South Fork and Bridgeview. The lake is 13 feet above normal pool so some boat ramps are closed. The high water ramps remain open.
Lake Sugema (Van Buren): Largemouth bass have been hitting on soft plastics and top-water baits fished primarily in the evening. Bluegills have been biting on small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler. The bluegills have already spawned and have moved out into a little deeper water.
Lake Wapello (Davis): The lake is completely drained. Now would be a good time to have a look at all the structure in the lake to aid future fishing trips.
Lake Keomah (Mahaska): Largemouth bass have been hitting crankbaits and spinner baits. Channel catfish have been biting on night crawlers and chicken liver. Some bluegills are being caught using small jigs. Try different depths to find fish.
Lake Macbride (Johnson): Catfish are starting to bite on shad in the upper ends of the lake and off the shallow parts of the jetties. Largemouth bass fishing has been good on top-water baits. Crappie fishing has slowed near the shorelines, but suspended fish can be caught drifting or trolling around 4 to 8 feet down.
Kent Park (Johnson): Catfishing is very good on Sonny’s catfish bait and liver. Most fish are between 1 and 2 pounds. Bass fishing is good in the evenings before dark on top-water lures.
Lake Iowa (Iowa): Catfish are being caught from shore and boat with worms and a bobber. Average size is 2 to 4 pounds.
Pleasant Creek (Linn): White bass are being caught around rocky areas using crankbaits and top-water baits. Largemouth bass are being caught on rubber worms. Bluegills are biting on worms under a bobber around the jetties and bays. A few walleyes are being caught on leeches.
Diamond Lake (Poweshiek): Catfish are biting on worms and stink bait. Largemouth bass are biting on top-water baits. A few bluegills are biting around the brush piles.
Skunk River (Washington and Henry): The river has finally gone back to a few feet below bank full. Not many anglers have been out yet to test the waters.
For more information on fishing in southeast Iowa, call the regional office in Brighton at 319-694-2430.
Southwest
Fogle Lake (Ringgold): Largemouth bass fishing is good with several mid-sized fish being caught from structure. Channel catfish are biting on stink bait. Water level is normal and clarity is about 3 1/2 feet.
Lake of Three Fires (Taylor): Several bluegills have been caught at the east end of the dam on night crawlers. Largemouth bass can be caught from structure. Channel catfish can be caught in the bays. Water level is normal and clarity is about 3 1/2 feet at the dam.
Icaria (Adams): Channel catfish are biting in the shallow bays and riprap. Water level is normal, boat ramps are accessible and clarity is about 2 feet.
Three Mile Lake (Union): The lake level is normal. Water clarity is about 3 feet at the dam. A few bluegills are biting just off shore near structure on night crawlers. Some wipers and walleyes have been caught on small crankbaits. Channel catfish have been biting on stink bait.
Twelve Mile Lake (Union): The lake level is normal. Walleye fishing is good for mid-sizes fish on crankbaits over the rocky areas. A few nice bluegills are being caught. Many small to mid-sized largemouth bass have been caught from the near-shore structure. Channel catfish are in the rocks. Water clarity is at least 4 ½ feet near the dam.
Green Valley (Union): Water level is normal and all ramps are usable. Water clarity is about 2 feet. A lot of channel catfish have been caught from the shallow bays on stink bait. Most are between 2 and 5 pounds. Bluegills are caught occasionally near the tree piles on night crawlers. Largemouth bass are being caught from structure.
Little River (Decatur): The ramps are usable and the water clarity is about 1 foot.
Nine Eagles (Decatur): Water clarity as about 3 ½ feet. Largemouth bass fishing is good for mid-sized fish on the outside of the weed line.
Badger Creek (Madison): Largemouth bass fishing is good near structure.
West Osceola (Clarke): Several real nice largemouth bass can be caught from the shoreline structure around the entire lake.
Binder Reservoir (Adams): Bluegills are being caught from the weed line edges on night crawlers. Water clarity is at least 4 feet near the dam.
Contact Gary Sobotka at (641) 464-3108 for information on the above area lakes.
Don Williams (Boone): Bass and crappies are biting and the best time to fish is right before dark. Use jigs for crappies and artificial worms for bass.
Big Creek (Polk): Water clarity is improving daily. Bluegills are biting on night crawlers under a bobber in shallow water and crappies are biting on minnows fished under a bobber. Walleyes are biting, but sorting is needed for fish over the 15-inch minimum length limit.
Beaver Lake (Dallas): Bluegills are being caught on worms and catfish on cut bait.
Saylorville Lake (Polk): Water is dropping about a foot a day. White bass are still being caught at the pump station but it is harder to catch them from shore. Look for moving water or schools of fish busting the surface. Cherry Glen high water boat ramp opened July 2 and the parking lot is expected to fill quickly so get there early.
Red Rock (Marion): Access is limited due to high water
Rock Creek (Jasper): Bluegill bite is slowing and worms are the best bet. Catfish are still being caught on stink bait and cut bait. Crappies are biting on jigs in 6 to 8 feet of water.
Hickory Grove (Story): Water clarity is improving. Bluegills are biting on a worm fished under a bobber. Crappies are being caught trolling or drifting small jigs or crankbaits. Some catfish are being caught on night crawlers or cut bait.
Easter Lake (Polk): Bluegills are biting on worms. Catfish are being caught on worms and shrimp.
Lakes Ahquabi and Hooper (Warren): Shore fishing has been slow but catfish have been biting on worms. Crappies and bluegills have been biting on tube jigs fished next to rock piles out of boats.
Mariposa (Jasper): Bluegills are biting on worms fished under a bobber. Catfish are biting on worms and chicken liver.
Contact Ben Dodd at (515) 432-2823, Ext.108, for information on the above area lakes.
Anderson Area (Montgomery): Bluegill fishing is fair in the north pond along dam using small jigs and worms. Bluegills are 7 to 8 inches.
Hacklebarney (Montgomery): Bluegills are being caught along the edge of vegetation with small black jigs tipped with worms. Catfish is fair along the dam using worms and crayfish.
Viking Lake (Montgomery): Viking Lake was renovated in the fall of 2006. The lake refilled and was restocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, red ear sunfish and channel catfish in the spring of 2007. Anglers can expect to catch largemouth bass up to 15 inches, bluegills 6 to 7 inches, and catfish 14 to 16 inches. Expect fish to grow rapidly in this newly renovated lake.
Lake Manawa (Pottawattamie): Catfish are still good on worms and shrimp. Walleyes are being caught at night jigging twister tails tipped with a minnow. A few crappies are being caught around docks and Boy Scout Island using large minnows with white tube jigs.
Willow Lake (Harrison): Bluegill fishing is good for 8-inch fish around the jetties. Channel catfish is excellent using liver.
Orient (Adair): Catfish is fair using liver.
Greenfield (Adair): Bass fishing is fair using plastic baits around cedar tree piles. Bluegills are fair drifting small jigs and around jetties. A few catfish are being caught on liver.
Lake Anita (Cass): Crappie fishing is fair for 7 to 8-inch fish along the dam and around cedar trees. Bluegills have slowed but a few are being caught along weed edges using small jigs and worms. Bass fishing is fair using plastic baits around rocks and along the road bed during the day. Catfishing is fair south of the beach using stink bait.
Littlefield Lake (Audubon): Catfish fishing is good using night crawlers.
Arrowhead Lake (Pottawattamie): Largemouth bass fishing is good casting plastic baits around jetties and underwater structure. Catfish is good on shrimp close to shore around rock.
Prairie Rose Lake (Shelby): Channel catfish fishing is good using worms around the jetties. Carp are also being caught along the campground shoreline. A few flatheads, in the 6 to 8 pound range, are being caught using live bait.
Middle Raccoon River (Guthrie): Anglers are catching a few crappies below the Lenon Mills dam using minnows.
Farm Ponds: Anglers are catching bass and bluegills at some of the local ponds. Reminder: Be sure to ask landowner for permission before fishing.
Contact Bryan Hayes at (712) 769-2587 for information on the above area lakes.
For more information on general fishing in southwest Iowa, call the regional office in Lewis at 712-769-2587.
Northwest
Spirit Lake (Dickinson): Anglers are picking up walleyes at Cottonwood, Big Stoney, Little Stoney, or Red Nose points with live bait where weed lines and rock meet. Use worms or leeches while drifting or troll with crankbaits. Look for crappies along weed lines on the main lake or try in Trickles Slough with a pink jig head and white twister tail. For smallmouth bass, fish the rocks at Big Stoney or Little Stoney points or along rocky shorelines with boat docks using jerk baits or jig and pigs. Anglers are catching bluegills using live bait on small ice jigs or drifting with leeches along weed lines near Big Stoney Point. Fish live bait on the rock reef at Buffalo Run or Little Stoney for yellow perch. Anglers are trolling crankbaits along weed lines in the main lake for northern pike.
East Okoboji Lake (Dickinson): Anglers are catching white bass at the spillway, the Hwy. 9 Bridge, and Hinshaw’s Bridges using a jig and minnow at sunrise or sunset. Yellow bass are biting at the trestle, near the Hattie Elston boat ramp and Hinshaw’s Bridge on a small tube or hair jig tipped with a minnow. Bluegill fishing is good at the trestle, or along weed lines with worms or leeches. Anglers are catching channel catfish using night crawlers or cut bait at the north end of the lake and around any of the bridges at night and early morning. Fish the spillway with night crawlers for bullheads. Look for muskies suspended and relating to weed lines and rock reefs from Stony Point on south.
West Okoboji Lake (Dickinson): Largemouth bass fishing is good around boat docks or weed lines in North, Emerson and Miller’s bays. Smallmouth bass are being caught from the deeper rock piles in Miller’s Bay, and Pocahontas, Fort Dodge, Pillsbury and Gull points with jerk baits, crawdads or leeches. Fish the deeper weed lines while drifting with leeches in North and Smith’s bays for bluegills. Anglers are fishing for walleyes at the weed lines near rock reefs using a slip bobber and a leech, spinner rigs with worms or leeches, or trolling crankbaits along outside weed lines in Emerson and Miller’s bays. For northern pike, troll crankbaits or cast buck tails along weed edges. For muskies, fish along weed lines at North, Smith’s and Emerson bays early in the morning or late in the evening.
Center Lake (Dickinson): Fish the south or west shore with worms for bullheads. Channel catfish are biting on the west shore near boat ramp and by downed trees along shore.
Storm Lake (Buena Vista): Fishing is fair for walleyes using live bait on the dredge cuts. Channel catfish are good on night crawlers and white bass fishing is fair on twisters.
Black Hawk Lake (Sac): Fishing is good for catfish on chicken liver, cut bait and leeches.
Brushy Creek (Webster): Water clarity is increasing daily. Bluegills can be caught on a small hook and a piece of worm. Largemouth bass have been hitting on an assortment of lures. Many small walleyes are taking leeches and minnows along the shoreline. Occasionally a nice group of crappies have been caught on small minnows.
Clear Lake (Cerro Gordo): Walleye fishing is good using live bait rigs drifted or trolled in 6 to 14 feet of water. Trolling crankbaits in the similar depths is catching walleyes, too. Anchoring on rock reefs and using a jig and night crawler or minnow is also producing walleyes. Anglers are catching a lot of sub-legal walleyes, so sorting is required to for legal fish. Channel catfish are hitting prepared baits and dead chubs at the reefs, the Ventura Grade and shoreline areas with a breeze coming in. A few bullheads are being caught off the McIntosh Woods shoreline and the Ventura Grade.
Crystal Lake (Han*censored*): Channel catfish are hitting from shore and the jetties on chicken liver and chubs.
Smith Lake (Kossuth): Channel catfish are hitting on liver and prepared baits. Largemouth bass fishing has been good using spinner baits and plastics. Remember the 18-inch minimum length limit on largemouth.
Rice Lake (Worth): Bullhead fishing is good using night crawlers.
Lake Cornelia (Wright): Bullhead fishing is excellent for 8 to 10-inch fish using night crawlers on the bottom. Channel catfish are hitting of the jetty using liver and prepared baits.
For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the regional office in Spirit Lake at 712-336-1840.
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Iowa Sportsman
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