Northeast

Mississippi River Pools 9 to 15: Water levels on the Mississippi River are approaching normal summer levels. The gates are back into Lock and Dams 9 and 10 after the spring river rise. River stage in the tailwater of Lock 10 is 7.25 feet. Water temperature hit 65 degrees last week but, due to cooler weather last weekend, temperatures fell back to 55 degrees as of May 16. Some good fishing has been reported, however, despite the colder temperatures keeping many anglers off the water. Walleye and sauger fishing is really starting to pick up with some fish being caught in Blackhawk Park (Pool 9) and near Lynxville (Pool 10) on crankbaits and night crawlers. Most fish are running near two pounds. Wing dam fishing has also started with some small walleyes and saugers being taken on night crawlers. Walleye fishing along the wing dams in Pools 12 to 15 is fair using crankbaits or three-ways tipped with a leech or night crawler. Bluegill fishing in the backwater areas in Pools 9 to 15 is improving as the river falls back into its banks. Bluegills are also being taken in the tailwaters in areas just outside of the main current in shallow water. Anglers are catching fish along rocky shorelines or next to woody debris in 1 to 5 feet of water using a piece of night crawler. Crappie fishing remains slow, with only a few fish being reported by anglers in Pools 9 to 15. For crappies, look for woody debris and suspend a night crawler or jig in 1 to 7 feet of water in areas with little or no current. Crappie numbers and size are excellent this year in Pools 9 and 10, however, with many large fish observed by DNR personnel during the spring northern pike netting. Largemouth bass fishing is improving in Pools 9 to 15 on a variety of traditional bass lures including soft plastics, spinner baits, top-water lures and jig-and-pigs fished around woody structure, vegetation and rocky shorelines in the backwaters and along the main channel border in areas with little or no current. Shore Slough and Minnesota Slough in Pool 9 have been hotspots for largemouth bass anglers. Smallmouth bass are being taken on plastics and spinner baits thrown along the rocky shoreline areas in Pools 9 to 11. Freshwater drum fishing is excellent in Pools 9 to 11 and fair in Pools 12 to 15 fishing night crawlers in the tailwaters and along wing dams and along the sand flats off of the main channel. A few channel catfish are biting in Pools 12 to 15 on night crawlers and cheese baits along the main channel border, main chute borders and side chutes. Channel catfish can be found in water anywhere from 2 to 15 feet deep.

Cedar (Mitchell and Floyd) and Upper Iowa rivers (Winneshiek): Recent rains and colder temperatures this past weekend has slowed fishing. Angling success should improve as the water clears and temperatures rise to more seasonable levels.

Cedar River (Black Hawk): Catfish are biting on night crawlers and dead baits fished off the bottom.

Maquoketa River (Delaware and Jones): Walleye fishing is fair on live and artificial baits.

Lake Delhi (Delaware): Crappie fishing is fair to good in the shallow water next to rocks or woody structure using minnows under a bobber or tube jigs. Channel catfish are biting on dead minnows fished off the bottom.

Big Woods Lake (Black Hawk): Crappie fishing has slowed this past weekend due to colder temperatures, but should pick up as the weather improves.

Brinker and Fisher lakes (Black Hawk): Bluegill fishing is good. A few crappies are being caught in Brinker Lake.

Casey Lake (Tama): Bluegill fishing is good using small jigs in the shallows.

Trout fishing is excellent and stream conditions are good to excellent. Fishing conditions on Otter Creek are excellent. There are miles of stream to fish, but most anglers never make it beyond Echo Valley Park to fish the downstream reaches. Upon entering Echo Valley Park, Otter Creek is on the right and Glovers Creek is on the left. The two streams are separated by a narrow rock backbone that is a great place to get a unique scenic view of the two streams. Most of the areas to fish on Otter are on private land, but they are open for public fishing. If you don't mind hiking, you can take the Jensen trail and fish your way downstream. Further downstream along Echo Valley Road, most of the stream along the road is open to public fishing. Along this stretch, you will find some excellent habitat, deep pools and springs coming into the stream. For current trout stocking information, contact the Iowa DNR at 563-927-5736 or go on-line at www.iowadnr.com and check the fisheries web pages to view the 2005 stocking calendar.

For information on fishing in northeast Iowa, call the regional office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.

 

Northwest

Spirit Lake (Dickinson): Walleye fishing was good for shore anglers. Look for areas with running water; walleyes will concentrate near those areas in the evening to feed. Few boats have been out recently due to high winds and cold weather. Some have had success fishing in front of the footbridge area.

West Okoboji Lake (Dickinson): Fish Turtle Lake and Triboji for bluegills. The size is a bit smaller at Triboji. Use wax worms and small earthworms. Largemouth bass are being caught in the canals. Use small twisting crankbaits or spinner baits. Anglers are catching walleyes trolling crankbaits in 12 to 16 feet of water, and near the Hwy. 71 bridge.

East Okoboji Lake (Dickinson): Fish for white bass around the north end by the spillway using small spinners or floating crankbaits. Anglers are catching walleyes near Parks Marina trolling crankbaits and drifting leeches. A few bluegills and crappies are being caught in the trestle area on small jigs tipped with a wax worm.

Center Lake (Dickinson): Bluegill fishing has been good around the south shore using mini-jigs tipped with a wax worm.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): Walleye fishing is excellent and is often overlooked by anglers heading to the larger lakes. This lake can be tough to fish, but the best time is to fish in the evening. In the spring, use shallow running crankbaits on the west end to catch walleyes. Another approach is to drift the north side of the island with minnows. Other spring spots include trolling the east shore where the breakline occurs in the daytime, and move shallow as night approaches. In front of Trappers Bay, drop the anchor and throw twisters or crankbaits for walleyes. The south shoreline also gives up some nice fish over small rock humps and points. For wade-in and shore fishing, the Trapper's Bay State Park area and south boat ramp area are excellent places to fish. During the winter, this lake offers an excellent opportunity to ice fish.

Five Island (Palo Alto): Walleye fishing is fair on the east side of the lake.

Klondike Dam (Lyon): Walleye are biting on white twisters.

Lake Pahoja (Lyon): Anglers are catching small crappies.

Storm Lake (Buena Vista): Walleye fishing is fair trolling crankbaits and live bait. Anglers are catching some walleyes at the inlet jetty on twisters. There is a 15-inch minimum length limit on walleyes and only one fish longer than 22 inches is allowed per day. Channel catfish fishing is good to very good on leeches, night crawlers and minnows.

Black Hawk Lake (Sac): Channel catfish are good on shad entrails along windy shorelines. Yellow bass are still being caught on the rocks. Bullhead fishing is good at the inlet bridge, along with a few catfish. Walleye fishing has been good on lead heads tipped with a leech or drifting night crawlers. Lots of fish under the 15-inch minimum length limit. Make sure to bring a ruler.

North Twin (Calhoun): Channel catfish fishing is good. Fishing is good for huge bullheads. Netting results last week found lots of 10 to 12-inch bullheads weighing more than a pound.

Brushy Creek (Webster): Anglers are catching a few nice walleyes using night crawlers in the evening. Bass are around submerged shrubs and trees. A few nice bluegills are being caught on worms.

Clear Lake (Cerro Gordo): Walleye fishing is fair. Toll crankbaits in 3 to 7 feet of water or use a jig and minnow on the rock reefs is working the best. Yellow bass fishing is fair. Fish will move to the shallow rocky shorelines on the warmer days. Use small jigs - 1/16 ounce or less - for the best results.

Beeds Lake (Franklin): Crappie fishing is good using small jigs and minnows along the causeway and fishing jetties.

Silver Lake (Worth): Yellow perch are hitting at the fishing jetty on small minnows. Bullhead fishing is excellent using night crawlers on the bottom. Northern pike fishing is fair. Anglers are catching pike while fishing for yellow perch.

For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the regional office in Spirit Lake at 712-336-1840.

 

Southwest

Green Valley (Union): Some large crappie can still be caught over the rocks and shallow spawning areas. Channel catfish is good on liver and blood baits. Some largemouth bass are being caught. Fishing is good for big 12 to 13-inch bullheads on night crawlers.

Three Mile (Union): Some walleyes can be caught on leeches and night crawlers near the dam and over the rock piles. Crappies are starting to bite in the shallow areas and over the mounds. Channel catfish are being caught using blood bait or liver in the shallow bays and the upper end of the lake. Largemouth bass can be caught along the shore or in the shallow cover.

Twelve Mile (Union): Channel catfish can be caught on liver or blood baits at the upper end and in shallow bays. Big walleyes are being picked using leeches and night crawlers around the big points.

Walnut Creek Marsh (Ringgold): Fishing is fair to good for bluegill and crappie using night crawlers and small jigs along the south dike.

Fogle Lake (Ringgold): Channel catfish can be caught using liver in shallow water. Crappie and largemouth bass can be caught from the rocks. Some bluegill can be caught from the rocks or in the shallow spawning areas in corners of dam and back in coves.

Little River (Decatur): Some 9 to 10-inch crappies are easy to catch over the rocks and spawning areas. Some bluegills are being caught in the shallows on night crawlers. Channel catfish can be caught from the upper end and shallow bays. Walleye fishing is good using leeches in flooded trees.

Badger Creek (Madison): Some bluegill and crappie can be caught from the rocks along the jetties and off the rocked roadways using night crawlers or light jigs.

Wilson (Taylor): Some crappie can be caught from the dam using light jigs. Bluegills can be caught off south shore in bay.

Windmill Lake (Taylor): Bluegill and crappie fishing is good in the corners of the dam and in the shallow spawning areas.

West Lake Osceola (Clarke): Bluegills and crappie are starting in the shallow spawning areas. Largemouth bass fishing is real good.

Grade Lake (Clarke): Fishing is good for bluegills in the corners of the dam and the point of the small bays and is good for medium sized bass.

Viking (Montgomery): Crappie fishing is good. Crappies are close to shore spawning. Use a small jig, casting close to shore. Bluegills are being caught using small jigs tipped with night crawlers. Largemouth bass fishing is also good using plastic baits with a slow retrieve. Channel catfish are being caught using liver and stink bait.

Cold Springs (Cass): Channel catfish are being caught using liver. Crappie and bluegill fishing has picked up with warming water temperatures. Cast small jigs around rocks on shore in 2 to 5 feet of water.

Manawa (Pottawattamie): Channel catfish are being caught using cut bait. Walleyes are being caught drifting night crawlers along rocky shore in the evening. Largemouth bass fishing is fair using a slow presentation with spinner baits and plastic worms. Crappies are being caught on west end of lake using small jigs.

Orient (Adair): Fishing is fair for 7 to 8-inch crappies along the rocks. Channel catfish are being caught using liver early in the morning.

Mormon Trail (Adair): Anglers are catching a few crappies and catfish.

Greenfield (Adair): A few crappies are being caught around brush piles using minnows. Bass and a few bluegills are also being caught.

Prairie Rose (Shelby): Warmer temperatures have improved fishing success. Crappies and bluegills are being caught near shore. Use small jigs tipped with night crawlers. Largemouth bass fishing has picked up using crankbaits and plastic worms.

DeSoto Bend (Harrison): A few walleyes are still being caught jigging minnows around brush piles. Crappies are just beginning to spawn. Cast small jigs near shore.

Willow Lake (Harrison): Bluegills are being caught using worms. Crappie fishing is fair using small jigs near shore.

Don Williams (Boone): Crappie fishing is fair using minnows and jigs. Largemouth bass fishing has been fair. Bluegill fishing has been fair on worms.

Hickory Grove (Story): Crappie fishing has been fair to good using crappie jigs with minnows. Bluegill fishing is fair with worms and bobbers. Largemouth bass fishing has been fair, with a few fish up to 19 inches.

Big Creek (Polk): Bluegill fishing has been fair with traditional gear. Crappie fishing has been spotty to fair, with some good catches of nice sized crappie using jigs and minnows.

Rock Creek (Jasper): Bluegill fishing has been slow to fair using worms. Crappie fishing has been fair to good using jigs and minnows. Bullhead and channel catfish fishing has been fair using worms and/or chicken liver.

Easter Lake (Polk): Fishing has been fair to good for 6 to 8-inch crappies using jigs. Largemouth bass fishing has been fair using plastic worms. Some walleye have been caught.

Saylorville Lake (Polk): Crappie and white bass fishing has been good to excellent at the outlet from Big Creek Lake. Fish have been caught on a variety of lures with reports of nice-sized fish of a variety of species caught.

Below Saylorville Dam (Polk): Crappie fishing was good in the tailwater ponds at Saylorville. White bass fishing has been good to excellent using jigs and/or minnows.

Des Moines River (Polk): Crappie and white bass fishing has been fair to good in the Des Moines River below Scott Street and Center Street dams.

Lake Red Rock (Marion): Crappie fishing has been slow, but some nice sized fish have been caught using a jig and minnow combination and jigs alone. The better areas are the shallow, with warmer water, and around the outlet from Roberts Creek.

Roberts Creek (Marion): Crappie fishing has been fair near the outlet using jigs tipped with a minnow.

Lake Ahquabi (Warren): Crappie fishing has been fair using jigs tipped with a minnow. Largemouth bass fishing has been fair using plastic worms and spinner lures. Bluegill and redear fishing is fair on worms.

Hooper Lake (Warren): Crappie fishing has been fair using jigs tipped with a minnow. Largemouth bass fishing has been slow to fair using plastic worms and spinner lures.

For more information on fishing in southwest Iowa, call the regional office in Lewis at 712-769-2587.

 

Southeast

Mississippi River Pools 16 to 19: Despite the cooler windy weather and recent rise in water levels, fishing on the Mississippi River Pools 16 to 19 has been fair to good. At the gauging station on Pool 16 (near Muscatine) the water temperature is 49 degrees and the river pool stage is 11.70 feet and is expected to rise slightly over the next several days. In Pool 16 to 19, anglers continue to do well catching channel catfish. Fishing for catfish has been hit or miss. The best action has been in the morning and evening using leeches, worms and shad guts. Crappie fishing has been good in the backwaters. Anglers are catching crappies in Big Timber (Pool 17) and Lake Odessa (Pool 17), Carthage Lake (Pool 19) on jigs and minnows and slip bobber rigs. Bluegill and bass fishing has been fair in the backwaters. Anglers are catching a few walleye and sauger, but fishing has been slow. Try using jigs or bait rigs tipped with a minnow, leech, or crankbaits.

Lake Odessa (Louisa): Warm weather forecasted for this week should trigger the crappies to head to shore to spawn. Rain doesn't affect Odessa too much because of its small watershed.

Lake Darling (Washington): Cold weather and strong winds over the weekend pushed the crappies to deeper water. Water temperature did not drop much remaining in the lower 60s. Any warm weather this week should bring the crappies in full force as it is getting late for the spawn.

Lake Geode (Henry): Recent cold weather pushed the crappies to deeper water. To locate crappies, troll slowly over the creek channel and drop-offs. Use jigs tipped with minnows a couple of feet off the bottom.

Lake Rathbun (Appanoose): Crappie fishing has been good for anglers using small jigs and minnows. Fish are being caught from water 10 feet deep and less.

Lake Sugema (Van Buren): Crappies and bluegills have been hitting on small jigs and minnows. Largemouth bass have been hitting on a variety of artificial lures

Lake Hawthorn (Mahaska): Largemouth bass have been hitting on crankbaits and spinner baits. The areas of the lake with riprap on the shoreline have been best. Crappies have been biting on small jigs and minnows

Lake Wapello (Davis): Anglers are catching nice sized bluegills.

Lake Keomah (Mahaska): Largemouth bass have been hitting on spinner baits and other artificial lures. Bluegills and crappies have been hitting on small jigs tipped with a minnow or a chunk of night crawler.

Lake Macbride (Johnson): Crappies are being caught from the shallow water brush piles using minnows under a bobber or a jig tipped with a minnow.

Pleasant Creek (Linn): A few walleyes are being caught trolling live bait rigs or crankbaits on the rocks.

Hannen Lake (Benton): Bluegills in the 6 to 9-inch range are being caught. Largemouth bass are being caught regularly in the shallows.

Diamond Lake (Poweshiek): A few crappies are being caught. They are moving shallower but not yet to the bank. Bluegills have moved shallow and are biting for most anglers.

Kent Park (Johnson): Bluegills have moved to the shallows and anglers continue to pick some up. Anglers are also catching a few channel catfish and largemouth bass.

Union Grove (Tama): Anglers are catching a few crappies, mostly 7 to 9 inches, from the shallow brush piles.

Lake Iowa (Iowa): Crappies were being caught in the early mornings on minnows, while bluegills are being taken on wax worms.

Wapsipinicon River (Linn): Walleyes and smallmouth bass have been caught on live bait and jigs.

Skunk River (Keokuk and Washington): The river is nearly bank full and is still rising.

Iowa River (Louisa): The river is high and muddy, but is not flooding. The reservoir is moderating water levels as the river is above flood stage at Marengo.

English River (Keokuk and Washington): The river is quickly dropping after cresting on Saturday. Anglers should look for actively feeding catfish in the feeder streams, especially if the rain in the forecast occurs. Minnows and night crawlers work better this time of year than stink bait because of the cooler water temps.

For more information on fishing in southeast Iowa, call the regional office in Brighton at 319-694-2430.