Where in Iowa Are the Fish Biting this Weekend?

The weekend forecast calls for cool weather.

But you can grab your jacket and take in another weekend of fishing in central Iowa.

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.

Before you head out stop by Johnston Bait & Tackle for all your supplies.

Saylorville Reservoir
White Bass - Good: Boat and wading anglers have been doing well on white bass trolling and casting crankbaits and spoons from the Sandpiper beach area to the marina point.  Crappie - Fair: Some good size white crappie are being picked up near the docks in the marina fishing minnows under a bobber or jigging tube jigs.

Clear Lake
The water level is 30 inches below crest. Use caution when launching and boating near shore.  Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up crappies using minnows and a jig fished in the deeper waters of the little lake.  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 like it works best.  Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass are biting on crawlers, cut bait, and minnows. Drifting and vertical jigging in 4-10 feet of water off the island, the rock reefs, and in the little lake is working well. The fish are schooled so move around until you find active fish.  Shore anglers are catching yellow bass in 2-5 feet of water using jigs with a twister tail, minnows, and crawlers.  Shore anglers fishing mornings and evenings from the island and off shore just east of McIntosh Woods Point are doing the best.

Big Creek Lake
The east, west, marina and Williams Drive boat ramps are usable, but boaters should use caution.  The water starts near the ends of the ramps.  There is gravel past the end of the concrete.  Bluegill - Good: Good size bluegills are being caught fishing over sunken brush piles using small pieces of live bait.  Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappie fishing minnows or tube jigs tipped with wax worms over brush piles.

Red Rock Reservoir
Crappie - Good: Good fall crappie fishing can be found near the docks in the marina. Crappies 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 - Fair: Dip bait and shrimp are working to catch channel catfish around the jetties.  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. Bluegills can also be caught around brush piles.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching 14 to 19 inch bass. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are having success jigging around cedar tree piles in the evenings using minnows.

Rathbun Reservoir
Lake level is at 903.60 feet with 904.00 feet being normal pool.  The surface water temperature is 63 degrees.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers should try trolling or drifting over rocky points.  Nightcrawlers have been working the best.  Crappie - Slow: Anglers should try minnows fished over and around submerged structure in 8-12 feet of water. 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).