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

With cooler temperatures this weekend would make for an enjoyable fishng trip. Check out our weekly fishing report.

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.

Here are some central Iowa locations:
Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Good size channel cats are being caught drifting cut baits.  The old river channel north of the mile long bridge is a good starting point.  White Bass - Good: The white bass are active are can be caught around the Cherry Glen and Sandpiper areas as well as the west side of the lake.  Some of the best action has come by trolling small lipless crankbaits in shad colors, along with small flashy spoons and twister tails.

Reservoir fishing continues to be very good to excellent right now for white bass, wipers, and channel catfish. Try fishing early in the morning or late in the evenings when fish are most active.  For more information on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.

Clear Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Channel catfish are still being caught with live bait fished over the rock reefs and in areas of the little lake.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye are being caught while drifting or trolling with live bait over rock reefs and also in areas of 8 to 10 feet of water in the little lake.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Anglers are picking up yellow bass while drifting live bait and cut bait in 10 to 12 feet of water around the rock reefs and in areas north of the island.  A few are being caught in the little lake using the same method. Note: The lake level is 18 inches below crest.  Due to these low water conditions, boaters are reminded to use caution in near-shore areas of the lake.


Big Creek Lake
White Bass - Good: White bass fishing has been good trolling shallow diving or lipless crankbaits on the upper half of the lake.  Trolling spinner rigs with crawlers is also catching white bass in addition to bluegill and walleye.  Work the windblown shoreline on breezy days.  Bluegill - Good: Decent bluegill success is coming from fishing crawlers over the brush piles or drifting over the roadbeds.  Bluegill can also be caught fishing the edges of the deeper weed beds at many locations along the west shoreline as you work south of the west boat ramp.

Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Good: Anglers drifting or slowly retrieving small pieces of crawler or small tube jigs in 4 to 7 feet of water are picking up good size bluegill.

Red Rock Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good: Drifting cut bait or stink baits is producing some good catches of channel catfish. White Bass - Excellent: White bass are hitting now with the heat.  Troll lipless or shallow diving crankbaits to find the schools.  Some good areas have been the shoreline going north from the marina point and the northeast corner of the dam.  Also look for gulls feeding on shad pushed to the surface by feeding white bass.

Greenfield Lake
Bluegills and crappies can be caught drifting and around cedar tree piles. Catfish are being caught around the jetties. Channel Catfish - Fair: 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 across the open lake.  Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught while drifting.

Lake Anita
Aquatic vegetation is abundant because of the good water clarity. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught drifting small jigs 6 to 8-feet down. Tipping the jig with worms or Powerbait seems to help. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are having success fishing shallow coves with spinner baits early in the mornings and late afternoons. As the temperature rises, the fish go deeper. Many of the fish caught are in the 14 to 19-inch range.

Rathbun Reservoir
Channel catfish have been very active.  Worms and stink baits have been the most productive.  Walleye fishing has been good.  Most fish are being caught in 5 to 15 feet of water.  Worms fished over humps and points, in the Southfork and Island View areas, as well as over points along the south shore has been most productive.  Trolled crankbaits are also very effective.