Iowa Fishing Report
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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 at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.
NORTHWEST
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Fishing has been slow at Crawford Creek.
Moorhead Park Pond
Fishing has been slow at Moorehead.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
The dredge machine on Storm Lake is in operation. Stay clear of the dredge, booster pump and pipeline that runs from the dredge to the east shore. Fishing remains the same as last week at Storm. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers drift fishing with night crawlers have been doing good. White Bass - Fair: White bass can be caught pulling plugs, crankbaits or casting white twisters. Walleye - Slow: Pulling plugs or Shad Raps continue to be the best producers.
North Twin Lake
Fishing for yellow bass and crappie is starting to pick up. Anglers are focusing their efforts around the docks.
Black Hawk Lake
Black Hawk Lake is approximately 10 inches below crest. Black Hawk Lake's fishery was renovated last fall. Although we have been restocking the lake with sportfish, there are not a lot of harvestable size fish in the lake yet.
Browns Lake
Anglers are catching catfish using Sonny's stink bait and dead shad at night. Fishing for other species has been slow.
Snyder Bend Lake
Fishing has been slow.
Arrowhead Lake
Catfish have been biting good on leeches under a bobber. Some largemouth bass can be caught with the same technique.
Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
Good sized catfish are being caught in the deeper pools. Use a slip sinker and hook and look for the current breaks along high banks preferably or the standard snags. Anglers should really focus on the current breaks. A few walleye can be caught using night crawlers for bait. The river is in good condition for wading right now.
Little Sioux River (Correctionville to Missouri River)
Walleye have been biting good on white twisters. Fish in the morning and evening hours and focus efforts around rocky habitat and deeper water.
For more information on lakes and rivers in the Black Hawk District contact the Black Hawk District Office at .
Upper Pine Lake
A few bluegills are being caught.
Lake Smith
Channel Catfish - Good: Try with some cutbait, worms or stinkbait. Fish are probably biting best the last hour of sunlight to an hour after sunset. Bluegill - Slow: Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few largemouths are being caught in the evening and early morning.
Lake Catherine
Channel Catfish - Good: Cats are biting on minnows or chicken liver. Try early morning or right at dark. They are decent size with some running 7 to 9 pounds. Largemouth Bass - Good:
Largemouth bass are biting on spinners.
Clear Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are still hitting quite well. Fish can be caught just about anywhere on the lake. Try the edges of the reeds. Fish with worms, cutbait or stinkbait in the evening or morning hours. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers looking to catch a few bluegills can target the jetties by Ventura. Dangle a worm right on the edge of the rocks off the tips of the jetty in the evening hours. Walleye - Slow: Anglers are catching a few walleyes trolling or drifting along the north shore, from the state dock area to the east. Muskellunge - Good: Muskies are still hitting good near docks around the lake or near reed edges. Yellow Bass - Good: Anglers are still catching good numbers of yellows near the state reef area or any of the rock reefs. On strong south wind days, shore anglers can pick up good numbers by the boat harborage and reed edges. South of the lake outlet on the east side of the lake has been good lately.
Crystal Lake
No Reports from anglers lately.
Iowa River (Iowa Falls to Marshalltown)
Channel Catfish - Good: Fish the logjams and deeper holes and move often. Fish with cutbait or stinkbait. Flathead Catfish - Good: A few reports of anglers catching flatheads on dough balls. If you can get a boat or kayak on the river and find some of the deeper holes to spend the night with some live bait, you should have good success.
East Fork Des Moines (Algona to Humboldt)
Water is low and anglers are using kayaks. Northern Pike - Good: Pike are also being caught on crankbaits. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are good size (3 to 8 pounds) and can be caught on a variety of bait (worms, cutbait, live bait, stinkbait). Some anglers have had good luck using a purpledescent crankbait. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Smallmouth (most are 10 to 14 inches, though some may push the 20-inch mark) hitting gold and black crankbaits. Walleye - Slow: A few anglers are picking walleyes up on jigs.
For lake updates and fishing information in the north central area contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at .
Big Spirit Lake
Walleye - Slow: Fishing continues to be slow but a few more fish are starting to come in. Trolling live bait rigs as well as crankbaits early and late in the day seems to be the best. Shore fishermen are also catching a few.
East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass - Fair: Try a Pilkie tipped with wigglers over rock piles.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Slow: bluegills should start to move shallower as the water cools. Continue to fish around weed edges and open pockets.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
There is a green algae bloom on the lake reducing visibility. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish activity should increase with warmer temperatures. Try using a hook baited with a worm or stinkbait and let it sit near the bottom. Bluegill - Slow: Use a small jig tipped with a worm under a bobber. Fish should be hanging around brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are hitting a jig tipped with a twistertail or worm. Crappie - Fair: Fish are suspended over the deep water brush piles. Try using a jig tipped with imitation minnows. Yellow Perch - No Report:
Lake Hendricks
The lake continues to look good. Channel Catfish - No Report: Try using night crawlers or stink baits fished under a bobber along the rockier shoreline. Fish have been active at night. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills have been difficult to catch but nice ones will take bait. Try using a hook tipped with a small chunk of worm fished under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Good: Anglers have been catching largemouth bass using crankbaits and soft plastics casting from shore. Crappie - Excellent: Anglers have been catching crappies in a variety of locations using small tube jigs or jigs tipped with twistertail.
Lake Meyer
The lake is looking good but few people have been out. Fish seem to be biting better in the evening and closer to dark. Northern Pike - No Report: Channel Catfish - Slow: Try fishing for catfish near submersed trees. Use a worm or cut bait fished on the bottom under a bobber. Bluegill - Slow: Try using a piece of worm fished under a bobber around the brush piles off the jetty and dock. Anglers have been catching a few keepers every now and then. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching bass from shore by tossing a jig tipped with plastic twistertail or a big chunk of night crawler. Crappie - Slow: Anglers continue to pick up a few suspended in deeper water.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
Fish seem to be more active in the morning with action picking up again in the late afternoon. Sucker - Slow: Anglers are catching suckers on a hook tipped with a worm and fished along the bottom. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are using jigs tipped with a worm or darker colored twistertail with some success. Crankbaits have also been working. Walleye - Good: Anglers are having luck using dark colored jigs or a hook tipped with a worm or twister tails. Spinner baits have also been working.
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
Folks paddling the Upper Iowa River have been pleased with the river after flooding earlier this spring. Even though it changed in places, many holes were cleaned out and exposed gravel and cobble bottom have been producing nice fish. Sucker - No Report: Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Anglers are using jigs tipped with a twistertail or worm. Walleye - Good: Anglers are having success using a variety of tackle including drifting jigs tipped with long piece of worm or white twistertails and smaller white shad crankbaits.
Yellow River
Fishing out of a canoe or kayak is allowed without landowner permission. Wading or fishing from the bank requires landowner permission.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Anglers are finding fish around downfalls and other structure in the water. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Anglers are using a jig tipped a worm with success. Also try using a crawdad or a lure imitating crawdads. Walleye - Good: Try fishing along cut banks or around woody debris.
Turkey River (below Clermont)
Concentrate efforts around downfalls and deeper holes. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Smallmouth bass are hitting light colored jigs or jigs tipped with night crawlers. Walleye - Excellent: Anglers have been successful using light colored jigs.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels and clarity are prime for fishing this week. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are hitting on worms and chicken livers. Smallmouth Bass - Excellent: Anglers are using a jig tipped with a twistertail. Smallies 14 inches-plus are common. Crappie - Slow: Anglers have been finding crappies around brush piles. Walleye - Good: Anglers are using jigs tipped with a long night crawler or a twistertail with a little sparkle.
Decorah District Streams
Dry fly fishing has picked up considerably since Labor Day weekend and northeast Iowa streams are fishing well. Though morning trico hatches are nearly over, blue wing olive and mahogany dun (Paraleptophlebia debilis) hatches have been excellent in the afternoons and evenings. Hopper and especially cricket patterns have also been very effective terrestrial choices for afternoons.
Fish activity has been increasing on area rivers. Water levels are stable, at typical summer levels and clarity is excellent. For more on water levels, please visit http://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/
George Wyth Lake
Anglers have been catching crappie out of George Wyth Lake. Crappie have been in the 7- to 8-inch size with a few larger ones being caught also. Concentrate near the recently placed habitat. Crappie - Fair: Try vertical jigging or floating a crappie minnow under a slip bobber near structure.
Plainfield
Anglers are catching a few crappie and bluegill out of Plainfield Lake. Bluegill - Fair: Crappie - Fair:
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The river level on the Wapsipinicon River is now at 4.57 feet and dropping. Northern Pike - Fair: Floating a live chub under a bobber has been effective for northerns on the Wapsipinicon. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Crankbaits or spinner baits are good for smallmouth bass. Walleye - Fair: Night crawler tipped on a light jig is good for walleye this time of year.
Manchester District Streams
Trout streams are in great condition and fish are actively feeding on prepared baits, spinners, jigs and flies. Consider fishing late evenings for dry fly action and grasshopper patterns provide a good option for aggressive fish throughout the day during this time of year. Rainbow Trout - Good: Brown Trout - Good:
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
The Cedar is still providing fair to good angling for walleye and smallmouth bass but navigation has become difficult. Consider focusing on early morning or late evening for smallmouth bass and walleye. Both a jig and night crawler or crankbaits have been providing the best overall action. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Crankbaits or spinner baits are good for smallmouth bass. Walleye - Fair: Jig & crawler or casting crankbaits has been good for walleye.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
There have been few reports on the Maquoketa River this week. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Crankbaits or spinner baits are good for smallmouth bass. Walleye - Fair: Jig & crawler or casting crankbaits has been good for walleye.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Anglers are catching walleye and smallmouth bass on the Shell Rock but navigation has become difficult with low water levels. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Crankbaits or spinner baits are good for smallmouth bass. Walleye - Fair: Jig & crawler or casting crankbaits has been good for walleye.
Panfish angling remains sporadic on area Black Hawk County Lakes. Interior river fishing has been good for walleye and smallmouth bass but navigation remains difficult due to low water levels. Night crawlers are the best overall bait this time of year but artificial baits are also a good selection as water temperatures begin to drop. Trout streams in northeast Iowa are in excellent shape. For further information call the N.E. District Office at .
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Pool 9 at Lansing level is 7.9 and stable and water clarity is excellent with temperature at 64 F.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Pool 10 at Lynxville level is 12.5 and stable and water clarity is excellent with temperature at 64 F. Bluegill - Good: The bluegill bite is still going good. Fish with small hook tipped with small pieces of night crawler along submerged riprap.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Pool 11 at Guttenberg level is 4.4 and stable and water clarity is excellent with temperature at 64 F. Bluegill - Good: The bluegill bite is still going good. Fish with small hook tipped with small pieces of night crawler along submerged riprap. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth have been active along main channel borders on spinnerbaits. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum are still biting good drifting crawlers along current edges on the main channel.
The good fishing continues on the Upper Mississippi along with cooler water temperatures in the mid 60s this week. Boaters should watch out for stumps and wingdams with very low water levels. Panfising has been excellent everywhere with good sizes being caught.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level at the lock and dam in Dubuque is at 4.6 feet and the water level at the RR Bridge is at 7.3 feet. Water temperature is in the upper 60s and water is clear. Some vegetation is flowing causing some angst with anglers snagging floating "weeds." Northern Pike - Good: Bright flashy lures are catching pike in the taillwater and near cooler tributary streams. Bluegill - Good: Action has slowed a bit but fish can still be found on rock piles and snags throughout the pool. Use a simple hook and worm for best results. Fish close to rock piles and brush for best results. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Some smallies are being caught along current areas near rock. Spinners and crankbaits are best but some are also being caught by the bluegill anglers on worms. Most of these bass are small but fight quite well. Remember the size limit is 14 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Numerous 12-inch largemouth are being reported caught nearly everywhere. Most folks are using minnow imitation lures but some are also being caught by the bluegill anglers using worms. Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are still on the wingdams but fishing for them has been temperamental. Try staying above the wingdams and casting bright colored crank baits to the dams. The lure must intermittently touch rock for best success. Freshwater Drum - Good: Drum are being caught on simple egg sinkers and worm rigs. Drum can be a great eating fish but you must keep them on ice after being caught and remove all red meat from fillets!
Mississippi River Pool 13
Water level at the Bellevue Lock and Dam rose a bit and is at 4.4 feet. Water is clear and water temperature is at 67 degrees. Northern Pike - Good: Bright flashy lures are catching pike in the tailwater and near cooler tributary streams. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill still are being caught in decent numbers. It has been a great year for this panfish. Size ranges from 6.5 inches to 9 inches. Most anglers are using worms and bobbers or split shot rigs. Fish very close to structure (logs and rocks) for best results. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Some smallmouth are being caught along rock piles throughout the pool. Smallmouth concentrate along areas that are rocky and have current. Use jigs or spinners for best results. Anglers are also reporting catching rock bass while smallmouth fishing! Largemouth Bass - Good: Sub-legal bass are providing good action on spinner baits in Pool 13. Try fishing around rocky points or rip rap areas for best luck. The size of the largemouth bass has been small but good for kids fishing! Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes were reported using three way rigs above the wingdams. Small chunks of worms or floating crankbaits yield the best results. Freshwater Drum - Good: A simple rig with an egg sinker and worm rig yields the best results. Drum can be great eating fish but you must be prepared to keep them on ice and remove all red meat from fillets.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level at Fulton is around 4.4 and steady. Water clarity is quite good. The water temperatures is at 67 degrees. The Rock Creek on the Iowa side of the River and Cattail Slough on the Illinois side of the River are popular angling locations! Northern Pike - Fair: Bright flashy lures are catching pike in the tailwater and near cooler tributary streams. Bluegill - Good: Many 8 and even 9 inchers have been reported. Most anglers are using worms and bobbers for the best success. Fish very close to rocks and logs for the best results. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Some smallies are being reported on the rock rip rap areas of the pool especially up by Clinton. Largemouth Bass - Good: Small largemouth bass are being caught seemingly everywhere on Pool 14. The size is mainly under the legal size limit of 14 inches but folks are having a ball catching 12-inch fish. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are mainly throwing crank baits on the dams for best results. Some anglers are using plainer boards along channel edges. Freshwater Drum - Good: Several drum were reported by folks using a worm rig on the bottom. Drum can be excellent table fare but you need to keep them on ice for best flavor!
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level at LeClaire is at 4.2 and steady. Water temperature is at 67 degrees. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are being caught off of docks and in the marina mouths. Freshwater Drum - Good: Freshwater drum are being caught all along the channel boarder by anglers using worms for bait. Boat ramps such as Eagles Landing can be a great spot to catch drum!
The water levels in Pools 12 to 15 are low. Beware of logs and submerged rocks throughout the district. Water clarity is good. Fishing has slowed but we are expecting some great fall fishing.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport is 4.20 feet. Main channel water temperature is around 70 degrees. Fishing is being reported as slow.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 16 at Muscatine is 3.45 feet. Main channel water temperature is around 70 degrees. We have received no fishing information for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston is 3.15 feet. Main channel water temperature is around 70 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some channel catfish are being caught fishing stinkbait, cut shad and night crawlers above snag piles along the main channel and side channels. Fishing above the wingdams can produce some fish as well.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 1.20 feet. Main channel water temperature is around 70 degrees. Most fishing reports are coming from area lakes and ponds. Channel Catfish - Fair: A few channel catfish are being caught on stinkbait, shad and night crawlers fished above snag piles along the main channel and side channels. Crappie - Fair: A few crappies are being caught in the back waters. Try fishing brush piles in backwater lakes and running sloughs with tube jigs or minnows under a bobber.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: River conditions are still low so use caution when boating. Main channel water temperature is around 70 degrees. Remember to clean, drain and dry your boat before going to another waterbody. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at .
SOUTHEAST
Lake Odessa
Wildlife continues to bring up the water up to its fall level. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching some nice catfish at the inlet tubes as the catfish feed on small fish and other foods coming in with the river water. Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing is picking up as the water temps drop and the water level rises. Work the tree falls and brush in the sand run area.
Lake Belva Deer
While the weather has cooled off, the fishing has yet to pick up. Water temperatures dropped 15 degrees earlier this week and continued unsettled weather has kept the fishing from improving. Water Temp is in the low 70s. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting. With the weather cooling off I would switch back to the natural baits such as minnows and night crawlers. Bluegill - Excellent: Anglers are doing very well catching bluegills first thing in the morning and just before dark. Fish are out in about 5 to 6 foot of water. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: Bass fishing is really picking up. Work the shallows and bays that have the sun shining into them."
Pollmiller Park Lake
Water temp was 70 on Wednesday. Water was down about a foot from the normal level and was very clear. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing should be picking up soon. They are still out in about 5 to 6 feet of water around the brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Good: Lots of bass are around the trees. Concentrate your efforts around the side of the lake and bays with the sun shining down onto the water.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
The Skunk very low right now, but looks to have leveled off according to the river gauges.
We keep missing the rains. Channel Catfish - Fair: Find the deep holes and you'll find the fish.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa continues to slowly drop. Channel Catfish - Fair: Look to the brush piles in deeper water and the big cut banks to find the catfish. Frogs and stink baits are good baits to try.
Big Hollow Lake
Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing is picking up. Work the timber in about 4 foot of water either with small jigs or worm and bobber.
Lake Wapello
Channel catfish have been biting on stinkbait. Anglers have been catching bluegills but smaller fish are making up most of the catch so sorting is required for larger fish. Use small jigs around the aquatic vegetation and rock jetties.
Red Haw Lake
Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig tipped with a chunk of night crawler along the jetties. Also try a chunk of night crawler on a hook under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try rubber worms in the submerged structure along the shoreline. Try a spinnerbait along the ends of the rock jetties and along the face of the dam.
Lake Sugema
Bluegill - Slow: Try using small jigs with a waxworm around structure in 8-10 feet of water. Also try around the aquatic vegetation. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try using spinnerbaits and crankbaits along rip-rapped shorelines. Try rubber worms along the aquatic vegetation.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.63 with normal pool being 904. The water temperature is 69 degrees. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain and dry boats before transporting to another water body. Spray boats and trailers with high pressure hot water (above 104 degrees) or let them dry for at least 10 days (5 days in the sun). Crappie - Slow: Anglers have been finding some crappies in 8-10 feet of water around brush piles. Use jigs or minnows around these areas. Anglers have also been catching some crappies around docks using a jig and a minnow. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Walleye - Slow: Anglers have been catching some walleyes trolling crankbaits around submerged points and rock piles.
If you have other questions regarding fishing in south central Iowa please call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at .
SOUTHWEST
Big Creek Lake
Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing is still in the summer pattern of drift fishing small jigs with crawler, especially over the old road beds. Big Creek bluegills are good size with many fish over 8 inches. Crappie - Fair: There have been some decent catches of nice sized black crappie over the past week. Anglers are catching the fish suspended over brush piles in 15 foot of water or less using live minnows or panfish tube jigs.
Lake Ahquabi
Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing is picking up fishing the sunken habitat around the fish house and out from the northwest shoreline using minnows under a bobber or jigging a small panfish tube jig. A map of structure locations can be located within the Iowa DNR website under Fishing -> Where to Fish
Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Excellent: White bass are being caught in good numbers trolling crankbaits on the windblown shoreline and points. Look for shad schools breaking the surface close to shore. Good colors to start with are shad imitating colors, such as solid chrome. Fish are feeding close enough to shore that wading and casting spoons and inline spinners is also an option. Crappie - Good: A late summer/early fall crappie bite has started. Anglers fishing minnows under a bobber near rock structure close to shore on the main lake are doing fairly well.
Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Drift fishing cut creek chubs or dead shad on the upper portion of the lake will produce some fun catfishing with good chances at fish over 5 pounds. White Bass - Good: Saylorville white bass fishing continues to be good on the warm days. Look for the shad schools to find fish. Troll or cast small lipless crankbaits or spoons that closely resemble small shad. Wading and casting is also an option in the Oak Grove and Sandpiper areas.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Fair: Anglers looking for a unique fishing opportunity this fall can make a trip to Ada Hayden for rainbow trout that have survived and grown through the past two summers. Anglers start to pick up some of these trout has water temps reach 70 degrees and below. A variety of baits can work. These include live minnows, twister tail jigs, small crankbaits and in-line spinners. The trout fee is required to fish for and possess trout.
Panfishing for crappie back on structure has started to pick up in central Iowa. Reservoir fishing for white bass and channel catfish continues to be good. For questions on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at .
Greenfield Lake
Try drifting for bluegills and crappie or cast around cedar tree piles. Channel Catfish - Slow: Try fishing shrimp or chicken liver around the jetties to catch fish in the 2-pound range. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills can be caught drifting small jigs. Fish are 7 to 8 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught in the cedar tree piles using plastics. Many fish are in the 12- to 15-inch range. Crappie - No Report: Vertical jigging or fish a minnow under a bobber around cedar tree piles to catch 8- to 10-inch crappie.
Littlefield Lake
A few bluegills and crappie are being picked up drifting. Littlefield has a good channel catfish population. Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish in the 2-pound range are being caught with liver in the upper end of the lake. Bluegill - Fair: Drift small jigs tipped with crawler to catch bluegill. Early morning has been the best time of the day. Crappie - Fair: A few crappies are being caught drifting a white twister tail. Fish are 10 inches.
Lake Anita
Largemouth bass fishing continues to be good. Bluegills are being caught drifting in 8 to 10 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: Drift small jigs tipped with crawler of Powerbait to catch 8- to 9-inch fish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are being caught throwing crankbaits and plastics along vegetation edges and along road beds. Fish are all sizes. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught drifting jigs or vertical jigging in 8 to 10 feet of water. Blue seems to be the preferred color.
Viking Lake
Largemouth bass fishing has been good this summer at Viking. The crappies are suspended off the dam and around the many brush piles. Channel Catfish - Slow: Fish with cut bait around rock fields and underwater reefs. Fish are 2 to 4 pounds. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are being caught slow trolling crankbaits. Plastic baits are also working around cedar tree piles. Fish are all sizes. Crappie - Fair: A few crappies are being caught using minnows under a bobber in the tree piles. Fish are 7 to 10 inches.
Lake Manawa
Crappies have picked up on the main lake. Reports of a few walleyes are also being caught. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are being caught on the south and west side of the lake using liver. Crappie - Fair: Float a minnow under a bobber around docks to catch 9- to 10-inch crappie. Walleye - Slow: A few walleye have been caught trolling crankbaits on the west and south side of the lake.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Bluegills and crappie are beginning to associate around structure. Largemouth bass has been good in farm ponds. Remember to always get permission before fishing private farm ponds. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish can be caught in 4 to 6 feet of water using prepared baits, liver or cut bait. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills can be caught suspending worms or small jigs in 4 to 8 feet of water around structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass can be caught with a variety of baits and lures. Cast along vegetation edges and around structure to catch bass. Crappie - Fair: Try minnows under a bobber around structure.
Water temperatures have fallen below 70 degrees. Bluegill and crappie fishing has been fair on area lakes. For more information on lakes in the southwest district call the Cold Springs office at
Lake Icaria
The lake is about 18 inches low but access is easy. The water temperatures are a little below 70. Water clarity is good. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some good sized largemouth bass are being caught from the flooded tree piles. Crappie - Fair: A few crappies can be caught from outside edges of the flooded cedar tree piles in 6 to 9 feet of water.
Little River Watershed Lake
The lake is near full and the water clarity is very good. The fish are small to mid-sized and growing. The channel catfish and bluegills the most popular. Channel Catfish - Fair: The early morning and twilight periods are producing some mid-sized channel catfish off of liver. Bluegill - Fair: The anglers are finding a few mid-sized bluegills hanging around the deeper cedar tree piles.
Lake of Three Fires
The lake is about 1 foot low. The water clarity is good and the temperature is a little below 70. Channel Catfish - Fair: An occasional channel catfish is being caught from the campground points. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some largemouth bass are hanging around the deeper tree piles
Sands Timber Lake (Blockton Reservoir)
The lake has been drained to allow the construction of a wetland.
Green Valley Lake
The lake is near full and water clarity is above normal. Temperatures are in the upper 60s. Bluegill - Fair: The bluegills are hanging around the structure in at least 5 to 7 feet of water. Small jigs tipped with crawlers or wax worms just off the bottom are working well. Largemouth Bass - Fair: A few anglers are finding some mid-sized largemouth bass around the tree piles and outsides of the fish mounds.
Summitt Lake
The lake has refilled and has been restocked.
Three Mile Lake
The lake is about 2 feet low but access is easy. Water temperatures are in the upper 60s and clarity is good. Crappie - Fair: A few fall crappies are biting from around the flooded trees and piles in 6 to 10 feet of water.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
The water clarity is good and the temperatures are in the upper 60s. Bluegill - Fair: A few bluegills are coming off of the deeper portions of the rock fields or from the flooded trees and piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some largemouth bass are hanging in 5 to 7 feet of water near flooded trees or the sharper drop-offs. Crappie - Fair: The deeper flooded tree piles are producing some crappies. Small jigs or minnows in 5 to 8 feet of water seems to be the best.
Water temperatures are falling to the below 70. Water clarity is very good. The fish are starting to bite!
Missouri River (Sioux City to Little Sioux)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are having success on various baits such as: worms, cutbait, dipbaits, minnows and crawfish. Flathead Catfish - Slow: Anglers are having some success on chubs, goldfish, and sunfish near deep water habitat, wing dikes, revetments and incoming rivers and streams. Walleye - Slow: Water temperatures have cooled down some and anglers are reporting a few walleye and sauger being caught.
Missouri River (Little Sioux to Council Bluffs)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Fishing has been fair for channel catfish on various baits. Anglers continue to have success on dipbaits, worms and cutbait. Flathead Catfish - Slow: A few flathead catfish are biting on live bait and cut bait. Try using live baits such as chubs and sunfish around deep holes near wing dykes, logs, and incoming rivers and streams. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: A few smallmouth are being caught around rocky structure and around current breaks. Walleye - Slow: Anglers are catching a few walleye and sauger on artificial and live baits near current breaks and wing dykes.
Missouri River (Council Bluffs to Missouri State Line)
Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers continue to have success catching channel catfish on various baits such as dipbaits, worms, and cutbait. Try in the deeper slack water areas below wing dikes and drift piles. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Flathead fishing continues to be good in and near deeper slack water holes, near logs, incoming rivers and streams, and rocky habitat. Flatheads bite best on live baits such as chubs, bullheads, and sunfish.
The Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska is at 21.47 ft./31,100 cfs. The Missouri River has dropped .56 ft from last week. The water temperature is 71 degrees.
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