The Fishing Report: Where in Iowa Are the Fish Biting?

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff.

The DNR reminds those boating to be cautious of the low weather because of the recent drought.

Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers casting stink bait rigs into any deeper pools with wood habitat are doing very well on channel catfish now. Anglers have to be willing to do some walking with the very low water conditions.  Walleye - Fair: Very low water conditions have concentrated fish in the areas of deeper water.  Anglers fishing below the Fraser and Boone Waterworks dam have been picking up a mixed bag of walleye, white crappie, white bass and channel catfish. Bluegill and crappie fishing is productive at many central Iowa lakes.  River fishing is good for walleye and catfish, focus on deep holes.  Kayaks and canoes can provide anglers better access to the river.  For questions on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.

Clear Lake
Surface water temperatures are around 60 degrees.  The water level is 28 inches below crest. Use caution when launching and boating near shore.  Walleye - Slow: Some walleye over the 14-inch minimum legal length limit are being caught. Vertical jigging crawlers and minnows in 4-10 feet of water over the reefs and in the little lake seems to be working best.  Yellow Bass - Good: Anglers continue to catch yellow bass on crawlers, cut bait, and minnows. Drifting and vertical jigging in 4-10 feet of water off the state dock area, the rock reefs, and in the little lake continues to work well. The fish are schooled so move around to find active fish. Shore anglers are catching yellow bass in 3-5 feet of water using whole or cut minnows, and crawlers.  Shore anglers fishing from the island and off of the island point have had the most action.

Big Creek Lake
Bluegill - Good: Good size bluegills are being caught fishing over sunken brush piles using small pieces of live bait.

Red Rock Reservoir
Crappie - Good: Good fall crappie fishing can be found on Red Rock fishing near the docks in the marina. Crappie are also congregated in bays in the Whitebreast arm at depths of 4 to 8 feet as well as the south overlook boat ramp bay.  Drift minnows and panfish jigs or troll small crankbaits.

Greenfield Lake
Catfish are being caught around the jetties. The bluegill bite has picked up. Channel Catfish - Good: Dip bait and shrimp are working to catch channel catfish around the jetties. Late afternoon and into the night has been the best time. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches can be caught drifting small jigs tipped with nightcrawler across the open lake.  Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught while drifting.

Lake Anita
Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught drifting small jigs 6-8 feet down. Tipping the jig with worms or Powerbait seems to help. Can also be caught around brush piles.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching bass early in the mornings and late afternoons. As the temperature rises, the fish go deeper. Many of the fish caught are 14 to 19 inches. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are having success jigging around cedar tree piles in the evenings using minnows.

Rathbun Reservoir
Lake level is at 903.68 feet with 904.00 feet being normal pool.  The surface water temperature is 68 degrees.  Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers should try trolling or drifting over rocky points.  Nightcrawlers have been working the best.  Walleye - Slow: Anglers should try throwing crankbaits along rocky shorelines in less than 10 feet of water or trolling nightcrawlers around underwater rock piles or using crankbaits trolled in the same areas.  Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry boats before transporting them 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).