Iowa’s statewide fishing report for Oct. 26, 2023 – Outdoor News
NORTHWEST
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 50s. Water clarity is about 10 inches. Water levels are 14 inches below the crest of the spillway. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing over the rock piles and from shore in 2-5 feet of water. Anglers have also had success in the fish house in Town Bay. Bluegill – Fair: Fish near rock piles and rocky areas near shore. Try floating a bobber with live bait or a jig tipped with a minnow or plastic. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use a plastic or crankbait near shallow rock piles and outcroppings. Walleye – Fair: Boat and shore anglers are picking up fish. Try from shore in the evenings with minnows under a bobber or pulling twisters.
Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing around woody or rocky structure along shore in 3-8 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use a plastic or crankbait in 6-10 feet of water and near structure along the edge of the channel. Walleye – Slow: Try a jig tipped with a minnow/plastic or crankbaits near structure along shore or along the channel.
North Twin Lake
Water levels are about two feet below the crest of the spillway; use caution when launching boats at the ramps.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are in the mid-50s. All walleye between 19- and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; and no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or dip baits fished on the bottom near shore. Walleye – Fair. Fish from shore in the mornings and evenings. Yellow Bass – Fair: Most fish are 5- to 7-inches.
Water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 50s in most area lakes. Shoreline fishing action should continue to pick up. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 50s. Water clarity is around two feet. The lake level is about 13.8 inches low. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17- and 22-inches must be immediately released unharmed. No more than one walleye longer than 22-inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair: Use small jigs or minnows along vegetation edges or the dredge cuts. Muskellunge – Fair: Fall is an excellent time to target muskie. There is a 40-inch minimum length on muskellunge in Iowa. Walleye – Fair: Try a jig and minnow near vegetation. Best bite is after sunset. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use your electronics to find fish.
Rice Lake
Any water west of the north boat ramp is a waterfowl refuge and is closed to all activity from Sept. 1st through the final day of the duck season. Largemouth Bass– Fair: Use jigs or spinnerbaits.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Fair: Nice-sized bluegill are available. Drift fish or slow troll small baits across the mid-lake flats. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast jigs and spinnerbaits along vegetation. Yellow Perch – Fair: Fall is a good time to target perch. Use small jigs tipped with a piece of crawler.
Winnebago River
Water level is 4.49 feet.
For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-50s. Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows and plastics. Bluegill – Fair: Most fish have moved deeper; anglers can find success fishing from docks or shore. Use a small hook and piece of worm. In deeper water, use pilkies with wigglers or a slip bobber setup. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and evening.
Lost Island Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid-50s. Black Crappie – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Try trolling with spinners over weeds. Walleyes should start to move more shallow in the evenings as water temperatures drop.
Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Slowly troll over vegetation with minnows and plastics. Bluegill – Fair. Pumpkinseed – Good.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Black Bullhead – Good. Walleye – Fair: Expect the walleye bite to improve this week with falling water temperatures.
Spirit Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid-50s, but are dropping. Wader and shoreline fishing have been good. Water levels are nine inches below crest. Black Crappie – Good: Use minnows and plastics. Many nice-sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill – Good: Fishing has still been good from docks using a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water, use pilkies with wigglers or a slip bobber setup. Walleye – Good: Leeches and minnows work well. Wader fishing off shore has been good. Yellow Perch – Good: Good numbers can be found; may need to be sorted for size.
West Okoboji Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid-50s. The bass bite has been getting harder. Water levels are three inches below crest. Wader fishing in the evening for walleyes has been good. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Use pilkies with wigglers or a slip bobber setup. Pumpkinseed – Good. Walleye – Fair: Leeches and minnows have been working well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
Water levels have gone up with recent rains, but are still a few inches below crest. Area water temperatures are in the mid-50s. Anglers have found the most success fishing off rock points and the edges of weed lines. Shoreline wader fishing has been improving. Most courtesy docks are still in place. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels are low. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a hook loaded with a crawler, chub, or frog. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallies below dams. Use a hook tipped with a ring worm, twister tail, or nightcrawler. Walleye – Fair: Try minnows on a bladed jig with enough weight to get your bait near the bottom of deeper water.
Decorah District Streams
Unannounced trout stream stocking continues through the end of October. Brown and brook trout are getting ready to spawn. Trout nests, or redds, are showing up in streams; avoid walking on these areas. Many trout streams run through public areas – hunting is in full swing. Brook Trout – Fair: The best brook trout streams are heavily vegetated, making fishing difficult. Try dabbling a fly through the narrow unvegetated runs or find deeper pools above beaver dams. Brown Trout – Good: Anglers may have to be more stealthy when approaching streams due to clear water. A variety of terrestrial insect patterns will work, especially crickets and grasshoppers. Rainbow Trout – Good: A small chunk of worm or cheese under a bobber fished through a deeper hole will turn a rainbow head. Cut the line on deeply hooked fish if returning to water.
Lake Hendricks
Fish activity is increasing as water temperatures cool. Find fish near shore in the morning, moving to deeper water in the evening. Black Crappie – Good: Find crappie in deeper water. Use a small jig tipped with a plastic tail or spinnerbait. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair: Find catfish near woody structure. Use a chunk of worm, squished minnow, or liver near the lake bottom. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use a jig tipped with plastic tail or spinnerbait. Slow your retrieval as temperatures drop .
Lake Meyer
Fish are more active with cooler water temperatures. Water is very clear. Evening bite is best. Black Crappie – Good: Use a small jig with a plastic tail or spinnerbait in deeper water. Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of worm under a bobber along rocky shoreline. Try fishing in deeper water in the evening, but near surface. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a chunk of worm, squished minnow, or liver fished on the bottom. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try a spinner or crankbait with a slow retrieve in the evening.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels remain low. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Find smallies in deeper holes or near rock ledges. Use a small jig or crankbait. Walleye – Good: Use a jig tipped with a twister tail or spinnerbait through deeper holes or near rock ledges.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Water levels remain low with minimal change in depth. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Find fish in deeper holes or near rock ledges with a small jig or crankbait. Walleye – Fair: Use a jig tipped tipped with enough weight to get toward the bottom in deeper holes or a crankbait.
Volga Lake
Water temperatures are cooling into the 50s. Clarity is good. Black Crappie – Good: Use tube jigs tipped with crappie nibbles off jetties. Also try trolling around the lake to find suspended fish. Bluegill – Good: Find gills off jetties or along rocky shoreline in the morning, moving to deeper water in the evening. Try tube jigs tipped with artificial attractants or a small piece of worm under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair: Trophy-sized catfish are abundant. Use a dead chub or squished minnow fished off the lake bottom near woody debris. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing drop-offs and around brush piles and other attracting structures. Use crankbaits toward evening.
Water levels on area rivers and streams remain low. Wet and potentially snowy weekend with temperatures in the upper 50s to upper 20s. Many hunting seasonsare open. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Brinker Lake
Anglers are catching crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a crappie minnow under a slip bobber in 8-10 feet of water over structure.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Walleye and smallmouth bass bite has picked up. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Cast and retrieve jigs tipped with plastics. Walleye – Excellent: Cast and retrieve jigs tipped with plastics.
Heritage Pond will be stocked with trout Nov. 2.
North Prairie Lake will be stocked with trout Nov. 2. Rainbow Trout – Good: Try casting flashy lures or bait under a slip bobber for some good trout action.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
The walleye and smallmouth bass bite has picked up. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast and retrieve jigs tipped with plastics. Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve jigs tipped with plastics.
Interior river levels remain low and with the arrival of fall angling opportunities for walleye and smallmouth bass have improved. Lakes in and around Black Hawk County have been providing catches of panfish and largemouth bass. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and will remain to be stocked unannounced throughout the month of October. For further information contact your local bait shops for the most recent information. For more information, contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level at Lansing is 8.4 feet and is expected to rise to 9.4 feet. Water temperature is near 59 degrees. Lansing Village Creek ramp conditions have improved with the slight rise in water. Large boat launching is not recommended. Boaters should avoid power loading, use caution and go slow when loading and unloading. Black Crappie – Slow: Some crappies are being picked up in fallen trees in running sloughs in about six feet of water using artificial jigs or a crappie minnow. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are still in sloughs and main channel areas but will be moving to backwaters as water temps cool. Float a garden worm under a bobber along the shoreline. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish with crawlers or stink-bait in deeper holes off main channel structure. Flathead Catfish – No Report: Use crawlers, live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: The drum are actively feeding. Fish a weighted crawler in moderate current from the shoreline. Use a deep dive crankbait or crayfish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish the edge of weed beds in backwater and side channel areas. Northern Pike – Excellent: Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits along weed edges in sloughs and backwater lakes. Sauger- Good: Sauger have begun to move up to the dams. Vertical jig a twister tail or with minnow rig in the tailwaters. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast a spinner or crankbaits in current along the rocky shorelines. Walleye – Good: Vertical jig below the lock & dam or fish a 3-way rig over structure, like rock closing dams. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12. Yellow Perch – Excellent: Perch are biting along the weed edges in 8 feet of water. Reports of jumbo perch are being caught using a minnow rig.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level at Lynxville is 614 feet and predicted to rise to 618.8 feet next week. Water temperature is 60 degrees at Lock & Dam 9-Lynxville. Use caution at Sny Magill boat ramp during low water. There is a scour hole below the concrete ramp and a rock mound behind the scour hole. Damage to boat props and trailers is possible. In addition, there are several snags at the mouth of Sny Magill creek to avoid. Black Crappie – Slow: Some crappies are being picked up in fallen trees in running sloughs in about six feet of water using artificial jigs or a crappie minnow. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are still in sloughs and main channel areas but will be moving to backwaters as water temps cool. Float a garden worm under a bobber along the shoreline. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish with crawlers or stink-bait in deeper holes off main channel structure. Flathead Catfish – Fair: Flatheads are biting on crawlers, live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: The drum are actively feeding. Fish a weighted crawler in moderate current from the shoreline. Use a deep dive crankbait or crayfish to catch large drum. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Fish the edge of weed beds in backwater and side channel areas. Northern Pike – Good: Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits along weed edges in sloughs and backwater lakes. Sauger – Good: Sauger have begun to move up to the dams. Vertical jig a twister tail or with minnow rig in the tailwaters. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast a spinner or crankbaits in current along the rocky shorelines. Walleye – Good: Vertical jig below the lock & dam or fish a 3-way rig over structure like rock closing dams. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12. Yellow Perch – Excellent: Perch are biting along weed edges in eight feet of water. Reports of jumbo perch are being caught using a minnow rig.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level below Lock & Dam 10-Guttenberg is 5.2 feet and is predicted to rise to 11.3 feet this week. Water temperature is near 59 degrees. Use caution during low water at the Guttenberg city ramps. Damage to boat props and trailers is possible. Ramp repairs will be delayed due to higher water this week. Call the Guttenberg Fisheries Management office at 563-252-1156 for current ramp availability. Black Crappie – Slow: Some crappies are being picked up in fallen trees in running sloughs in about six feet of water using artificial jigs or a crappie minnow. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are still in sloughs and main channel areas but will be moving to backwaters as water temps cool. Float a garden worm under a bobber along the shoreline. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish with crawlers or stink-bait in deeper holes off main channel structure. Flathead Catfish – No Report: Some flatheads are being caught on live bluegill or shiners. Freshwater Drum – Good: Drum are actively feeding. Fish a weighted crawler in moderate current from the shoreline. Use a deep dive crankbait or crayfish to catch large drum. Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish the edge of weed beds in backwater and side channel areas. Northern Pike – Good: Cast flashy spoons and crankbaits along weed edges in sloughs and backwater lakes. Sauger – Good: Sauger have begun to move up to the dams. Vertical jig a twister tail or with minnow rig in the tailwaters. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Cast a spinner or crankbaits in current along the rocky shorelines for some fun smallmouth bass action. Walleye – Good: Vertical jig below the lock & dam or Fish a 3-way rig over structure like rock closing dams. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12. Yellow Perch – Excellent: Perch are biting along weed edges in eight feet of water. Reports of jumbo perch are being caught using a minnow rig.
Upper Mississippi River levels are predicted to rise several feet this week. Water temperatures are in the mid 50s. Weed die-off continues to make fishing a challenge. Panfish are moving into backwater lakes preparing for winter. Walleye/sauger are migrating up to the lock & dams.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The river is rising at Dubuque and the level at Lock and Dam 11 is at 5.0 feet and 7.7 feet at the railroad bridge. Water temperature is around 59 degrees, and the water clarity is good. Be careful not to back off the ramps in this very low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. Expect up to a five-foot rise in water level this week. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are all over the board, some are reporting good fishing from the usual brush piles to others reporting it as poor. Bluegill – Excellent: Gills are still in moderate current areas but will soon be moving toward backwater habitats for the winter. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut-bait or stink bait in the current seams or above tree falls. Move often, if not catching fish. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is best. Use large crayfish to catch larger drum. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Fishing will improve as they start fall feeding. Northern Pike – Good: Fishing for pike should pick up in the cooler weather. Use gaudy white spinners. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Fish in strong current on wingdams. Heavy jigs or one-eyes are commonly used. Walleye – Good: Walleye bite seems to have picked up and expecting a good fall season. Walleyes and Sauger will transition to the tailwaters as the temperatures fall. White Bass – Excellent: Try minnows or small spinners in the tailwaters. They have been seen blowing up minnows. Yellow Perch – Fair: Populations are very strong in the river now.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level at Lock and Dam 13 is low but rising at Bellevue with levels near 5.2 feet. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 60 degrees. Be careful not to back off the ramps in this extremely low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. It is very easy for instance to back off the Bellevue City Boat Ramp. Expect a minimum of five-foot rise in water levels this week. Black Crappie – Good: Catch on crappie reported all over the board – some reporting good fishing in the usual brush piles while others report fishing as poor. Bluegill – Excellent: Gills are still in moderate current but will soon be moving toward backwater habitats for the winter. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish stick bait or worms along rock piles. In the lower parts of the pool, concentrate in the stump fields or along the weed lines. Bigger cats may bite on cut bait, but move often if the fish are not biting. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig in moderate current areas is best. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Fish along vegetation lines with plastics. Northern Pike – Fair: Pike fishing should pike up this fall. Use gaudy white spinners. Rainbow Trout – No Report: The nuisance aquatic vegetation is starting to die back and the pond will be restocked later this month with trout when vegetation clears out. Smallmouth Bass – Excellent: Try tips of wing dams in stronger currents. Walleye – Good: Walleye bite has picked up a bit this week and expecting a good fall season. Walleyes and Sauger will transition to the tailwaters as the temperatures fall. White Bass – Good: White bass have been biting in the tailwater areas and can be seen feeding on minnows. Watch for feeding gulls as they often will feed when white bass are chasing minnows. Yellow Perch – Good: Healthy nine-inch yellow perch were reported along vegetation lines and bush piles.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level at Fulton is near 5.1 feet and rising, 9.7 feet at Camanche and near 4.7 feet at LeClair. Temperature is around 60 degrees. Be careful not to back off the ramps in this very low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. Expect a minimum of five-foot rise in water levels this upcoming week. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie catch is all over the board – some report it as good in the usual brush piles while others report fishing as poor. Bluegill – Good: Gills are still in moderate current but will soon be moving toward backwater habitats for the winter. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish can still be caught although many anglers are moving away from targeting them. Try the current areas below eight feet with cut shad. Anglers report catching some catfish while bluegill fishing with bobbers and worms. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Simple egg sinker with a worm rig is best, in areas with moderate current. Try around boat ramps. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Use soft plastics along vegetation lines and brush piles. Northern Pike – Fair: Bite should pick up this fall. Use gaudy white spinner baits. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Casting inline spinners or crank baits just off rock points has been good. Lots of small fish so use light tackle. Walleye – Fair: Walleye bite has picked up a bit and is expected to be good this fall. Walleyes and Sauger will transition to the tailwaters as the temperatures fall. White Bass – Good: Use small spinners or jigs in the tailwater with an occasional hybrid white bass. Watch for feeding gulls which will follow schools as they chase minnows. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some yellow perch are being caught with red worms along exposed vegetation lines. Lots of small fish with an occasional keeper.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level at Rock Island is rising at 5.1 feet. Water clarity is good and water temperature is 60 degrees. Be careful not to back off the ramps in this very low water. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats on our ramps. Expect a five foot rise this upcoming week. Channel Catfish – Good: Try using stink bait around logjams or rock lines. Fish in water less than eight feet deep. Freshwater Drum – Excellent: Use an egg sinker and worm rig. Keep fish on ice after catching and they make excellent table fare. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Try throwing spinners along the rock lines. Lots of rock is available but need to have somewhat strong current to hold smallmouth bass. White Bass – Good: Use small spinners in the tailwaters.
Expect a big bump in water levels this coming week but as of now the river is still low for a few more days. When boating, please be careful to not back trailers off the back of ramps. Use the minimum amount of water to float boats off trailer. Water temps are around 60 degrees. Good fishing continues throughout the district and enjoy the fall fishing. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities is 5.12 feet and forecast to reach 9.3 feet by Nov. 1 due to recent rains. Sauger – Slow: A few saugers were caught in Sylvan Slough but fishing has been slow. Try vertical jigging with minnows. Walleye – No Report: Look for walleyes on the wingdams. With the low water conditions look for fish towards the ends of the wingdams where there is more flow. Try casting crankbaits or trolling three-way rigs with crawlers. White Bass – Fair: White bass are being caught in Sylvan Slough on jigs and twister tails or in-line spinners. Try casting around areas with current or up by the Arsenal and Power Dams. White Crappie – Good: Crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina using minnows fished under a bobber around brush.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 at Muscatine is 4.04 feet and forecast to reach 7.8 feet by Nov. 1. Sauger – Fair: Look for fish below the dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – No Report: With the low water conditions look for fish towards the tips of the wingdams where there is more flow. Try crankbaits or trolling three-way rigs with nightcrawlers. Also look for walleyes below the Lock and Dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. White Bass – Fair: Look for white bass out on the wingdams. Try casting crankbaits or jigs and twister tails. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber around brush piles.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston is 3.83 feet and forecast to reach 8.3 feet by Nov. 1. Sauger – Fair: Look for saugers below the dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – Fair: With the shallow water, try fishing towards the tips of the wingdams where there is more flow. Fish with crankbaits or three-way rigs with nightcrawlers. Look for walleyes below the Lock and Dam try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters and side channels. Try minnows under a bobber around brush piles and snags in Huron Chute/Huron Island.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 1.69 feet and forecast to reach 4.4 feet by Nov. 1. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Sauger – No Report: We have not received any tailwater sauger fishing reports for this pool this week. As water temperatures fall the bite should pick up. Look for saugers below the dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – No Report: We have not received any tailwater walleye fishing reports for this pool this week. Look for walleyes on the wingdams. Try fishing with crankbaits or trolling three-way rigs with nightcrawlers. White Crappie – No Report: Look for crappies in the backwaters and side channels. Try fishing with minnows under a bobber around brush piles.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Tailwater stages are forecast to rise with recent heavy rains up north. Main channel water clarity has been fair and water temperature is around 60 degrees. Conditions may change as river levels start to rise. There has been some tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers. Some crappies are starting to be caught in the backwaters. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature was near 60 degrees on Tuesday, but will be dropping fast. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are out in deeper water along the edges of the trees. They are scattered in smaller schools; moving around is needed to find them. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are hanging around the habitat in 3-4 feet of water. Use bobber and worm or small jigs tipped with a waxworm. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Most bass are hanging in deeper water around trees or coming in shallow near the edge of deeper water.
Emma Young Pond
Rainbow Trout – Excellent: 1000 rainbow trout were stocked on Oct. 21. Water is clear and the vegetation is under control. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: This little two-acre pond with fairly easy access. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Lake Belva Deer
Water clarity is a little over three feet and temperature is 60 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing has slowed. Fish in deeper water, 8-10 feet down in the trees along the old creek channel and around the edges of the timber. The continued cooler weather might bring them in shallower after a while, but not yet. Channel Catfish – Slow: The cold weather forecast will probably get the catfish going into winter mode. Largemouth Bass – Slow: The unstable weather patterns seem to be pushing to bass into deeper water.
Lake Darling
The recent warm days and nights has warmed the water to 60 degrees on Oct. 26. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappies are still out deep. Bluegill – Fair: Fish the rock piles with about 4-5 feet of water over them. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass seem to be in deeper water and the cooler weather will probably will keep that trend going.
Lake of the Hills
Lake of the Hills was stocked with 2,000 rainbow trout on Oct. 21. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are catching some 6-7-inch bluegills while fishing for the trout. Bluegills were stocked last year and are growing nicely. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: These trout were ready to bite right off the truck. Good numbers of the tagged fish were caught fairly quickly.
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature was close to 60 degrees but will be dropping with cooler weather. Lost Grove Lake has Eurasian Watermilfoil; be sure to clean all vegetation off your boat and trailer before leaving the boat ramp area. Bluegill – Fair: Prior to the weather changes, they were hanging out in 5-6-feet of water, along the edge of the flooded brush. Cooler temps will likely push them deeper. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Look for bass in 8-10-feet of water around trees. Jigs seem to be work best.
Marr Park Pond
Good crowd for the fall trout stocking on Oct. 21. Bluegill – Good: Use a worm and bobber for the best action. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Still plenty of trout available. Use small jigs or bobbers and Powerbait or waxworms or red worms seem to be working the best.
Water temperature was 60 degrees on Oct. 24 and clarity was a little over 10 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills were in 8-10-feet of water and around either the cedar tree piles or some of the old trees underwater. Redear Sunfish – Fair: The redears are in less than five feet of water feeding on snails before the cold weather sets in.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake level is 682.5 feet. Black Crappie – Good: Try bright jigs or minnows over brush or along rock bluffs. Most fish are 9- to 11-inches.
Diamond Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Best bite is mornings and evenings. Most fish are 8- to 9-inches. Channel Catfish – Good: Many 2-4 pound fish were caught this week.
Grundy County Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Nice-sized fish are being reported; use small worms.
Hannen Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: 8- to 10-inch fish are starting to be picked up with the cooling weather.
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Black Crappie – Fair: Look for suspended fish over deeper water. Minnows work best. Bluegill – Fair: Try worms under bobbers near the shoreline. Some bigger fish are out deeper. Channel Catfish – Good: Evening bite is best; use stink bait and worms. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try squarebill crankbaits and plastics.
Kent Park Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing on top of or along the weeds; most fish are 12- to 15-inches.
Lake Macbride
The 10 hp maximum is off; any size motor may be operated at 5 mph. Water temperatures are about 60 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows over brush piles. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing around the rock/wood or topwaters in the morning or evening. Walleye – Slow: Troll crankbaits in 7-15 feet of water or cast to wind-blown rock banks. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: There is some surface activity at sunrise/sunset; look for suspended fish or wind-blown banks during the day.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Water temperatures are about 60 degrees. The modern bathroom and fish cleaning station has been closed for the season. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing minnows over brush piles. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing shallower water. Lots of smaller fish with bigger fish mixed in. Walleye – Fair: Use jigs or live bait along rock in 10-20 feet of water.
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try jigs/crawlers in the deeper holes with the low water. Walleye – Good: Use jigs/crawlers in the deeper holes with the low water.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Corydon Reservoir
Corydon Reservoir is closed for a park renovation. The campground and boat ramp are also closed.
Hawthorn Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs around the fishing jetties and along the face of the dam. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use jigs and plastics along rip-rapped shorelines.
Lake Miami
Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs and minnows in the flooded timber. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler around the cedar tree piles and along shore. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinnerbaits or crankbaits along structure and near shore.
Lake Sugema
Black Crappie – Fair: Try jigs around submerged structure. Keep moving until you find active fish. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs in small pockets in the vegetation and along its outer edges. Try areas around the rock jetties. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use spinnerbaits or jigs along rip-rapped shorelines and around the rock jetties.
Lake Wapello
Black Crappie – Slow: Drift minnows in deeper water to catch suspended crappies. These fish should move shallow as the temperature drops. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs around structure and along shore. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use crankbaits or rubber worms in the cedar tree piles.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond)
Rainbow trout were stocked at 11 a.m., on Oct. 26. Try small spinners or a chunk of nightcrawler. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 902.87 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Prairie Ridge boat ramp and campground are closed for the season. Bridgeview and Island View campgrounds are closed, but the boat ramps remain open. Island View dedication site boat ramp is closed due to low water, but Island View west ramp is open. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody. Black Crappie – Slow: Try trolling small crankbaits to catch suspended crappie. Some crappies are still around docks; use jig and minnow combinations in those areas. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead chubs or nightcrawlers in areas with wind-blown shorelines. Walleye – Slow: There is a 15-inch minimum length limit on walleye at Lake Rathbun. All walleyes measuring less than 15-inches must be immediately released unharmed. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Anglers are catching hybrid striped bass trolling or vertically jigging over rock piles.
Red Haw Lake
Park visitors are asked to avoid the campground area due to the continued storm damage cleanup. Bluegill – Fair: Target submerged habitat and the shorelines using small jigs. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use dead chubs around the rock jetties and along the dam. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics along the rock jetties and the dam.
Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.
SOUTHWEST
Big Creek Lake
Walleye – Slow: Its not a hot bite, but some walleye are being caught trolling shad imitating crankbaits or jigging shad imitating plastics in 12 feet of water or less in the upper half of the lake. Find humps that come up to 3 to 6 feet from the surface.
Des Moines River (Stratford to Saylorville Lake)
Walleye – Fair: Catch walleyes casting jigs tipped with shad imitating plastics or live minnows. Fish deeper slower pools on outside bends and cut banks and gravel bars.
Don Williams Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Catch suspended crappies slowly trolling two-inch or smaller twister tail jigs or live minnows in 3 to 6 feet of water in the upper two thirds of the lake.
Red Rock Reservoir
White Crappie – Fair: Catch crappies through October slowly trolling or drifting panfish plastics in arms off the main lake. Some of these include the South Overlook arm, Campetine Creek arm, and the Teter Creek arm.
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout will be stocked Nov. 3. Catch trout casting in-line spinners small spoons jigs with small twister tails or swimbaits or live baits under floats.
For information on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
Big Lake (Including Gilbert’s Pond)
Rainbow trout will be stocked at 3 p.m. on Nov. 1. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – No Report: Use similar tackle used for crappies; small spinners, twister tails, and minnows work well.
Greenfield Lake
Black Crappie – No Report: Greenfield has a good population of 9-inch black crappie. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Boat anglers are having success casting the shoreline.
Lake Anita
Water clarity is good. Black Crappie – Slow: Slow troll open water areas to catch 9-inch black crappies. Sorting will be needed; there is a good year class of 6-inch fish. Early morning bite is best. Bluegill – Slow: Use a slow presentation with small jigs to catch 8-inch fish. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers report catching bass around the road bed.
Orient Lake
Orient has a good fish population and should provide quality fall fishing opportunities. Black Crappie – No Report: Orient has good numbers of 9- to 10-inch fish. Bluegill – No Report: Bluegills are 8- to 9-inches and in good body condition. Largemouth Bass – No Report: There are a decent number of 12-14-inch bass.
Prairie Rose Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers report catching black crappie slow trolling around structure. Best bite is the first two hours of daylight. Use bright colored jigs due to the stained water clarity. Fish average 11-inches. Bluegill – Slow: Anglers are picking up bluegill around the underwater tree piles using slip bobbers. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
For information on lakes in the Southwest District call the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587.
Little River Watershed Lake
The dock is in at the main boat ramp. Black Crappie – Good: Try jigs tipped with a minnow or twister tails fished suspended in the main basin for black crappie up to 10.5-inches.
Three Mile Lake
Lake level is currently eight feet below normal pool. The lake will be up to eight feet below normal pool for the rest of 2023.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The dock is in at main boat ramp. Black Crappie – Good: Try jigs tipped with minnows fished in the flooded timber to catch black crappie up to 10-inches. Yellow Perch – Fair: Catch yellow perch up to 11-inches with jigs tipped with a nightcrawler fished in the flooded timber.
West Lake (Osceola)
Main boat ramps are closed due to low water conditions.
Water temperature is in the mid to upper 50s in most Mount Ayr district lakes. For more information, call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
Source: https://www.outdoornews.com/2023/10/26/iowas-statewide-fishing-report-for-oct-26-2023/
