Where in Iowa Are the Fish Biting this Weekend?

Cooler weather in the forecast and the start of the school year mean a nice relaxing fishing trip is just what the doctor ordered, right?

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.  White Bass - Excellent: White bass fishing continues to be very active.  The Sandpiper and Oak Grove areas are good places to start.  Troll or cast spoons and shallow diving crankbaits.  Look for schools of shad breaking the surface.

Fishing on the reservoirs in central Iowa continues to be very good.  River conditions are very low, but fish are concentrated in the deeper pools for anglers willing to access them. For questions on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.

Clear Lake
The water level is 21 inches below crest.  Use caution when launching and boating near shore.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Stink bait, cut bait, and crawlers are working in the evenings and mornings near reefs and vegetation beds.  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.  Yellow Bass - Good: Anglers are catching yellow bass on crawlers, cut bait, and minnows. Drifting and vertically jigging in 6-10 feet of water off the state dock area has been good.  The fish are schooled so move around until you find active fish.

Big Creek Lake
White Bass - Good: White bass are being caught trolling shallow diving crankbaits or spinner rigs with live bait. Target the windblown shoreline.  Bluegill - Fair: Good size bluegill are being caught drifting or bobber fishing pieces of crawler over brush piles at the entrances to many of the coves and over the roadbed in the Williams Drive bay.

Red Rock Reservoir
White Bass - Good: Good size white bass from 12 to 14 inches are being caught trolling or casting spoons and lipless or shallow diving crankbaits.  Areas to begin searching include the marina point, sand island, and the northeast corner of the dam.  Look for schools of shad breaking the surface.

Greenfield Lake
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
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 having success fishing shallow coves with spinner baits early in the mornings and late afternoons. As the temperatures rise the fish go deeper. Many of the fish caught are in the 14 to 19-inch range.   Crappie - Fair: Crappies up to 12 inches are being caught drifting the main lake in the evening.