Where in Iowa Are the Fish Biting this Weekend?

With cooler weather beginning there might be few chances to get out an fish left.

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 water because of the recent drought.

Before you head out make sure you stop by for all your fishing needs!

Here are some central Iowa locations:

Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good: Good size and numbers of catfish can be caught drift fishing cut creek chubs above the mile long bridge.

Clear Lake
The water level is 24 inches below crest. Use caution when launching and boating near shore.  Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappies while drifting and vertical jigging minnows and crawlers in 6-10 feet of water in the little lake, around the reefs, and between the state dock area and the island.  Walleye - Fair: Walleye over the 14-inch minimum legal length limit are starting to be picked up. Vertical jigging crawlers and minnows in 6-10 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 5-10 feet of water off the state dock area, the rock reefs, and in the little lake has been good. The fish are schooled so move around until you find active fish.

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

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.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching bass early in the mornings and late afternoons. As temperatures rise, 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 904.01 feet with 904.00 feet being normal pool.  The surface water temperature is 74 degrees. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Nightcrawlers have been the bait of choice.  Anglers have been trolling or drifting submerged points and underwater rock piles.  Also try areas with the wind blowing into the shore. Walleye - Slow: Anglers have been having some success trolling nightcrawlers around underwater rock piles.  If nightcrawlers aren't working try crankbaits that mimic shad trolled over 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).