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
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.  Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass are biting on crawlers, cut bait, and minnows. Drifting and vertical jigging in 3-8 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 2-4 feet of water using cut bait, minnows, and crawlers.  Shore anglers fishing with cut bait in mornings and evenings from the island and off shore 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 end of the ramps.  There is gravel past the end of the concrete.  Crappie - Fair: A few crappies along with decent bluegills are being caught fishing minnows or tube jigs tipped with wax worms over deeper brush piles.

Red Rock Reservoir
Crappie - Good: Anglers fishing the docks and dredged areas of the marina bay are catching good numbers of nice sized crappies using tube jigs tipped with minnows or wax worms.

Lake Anita
Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills are being caught around brush piles. Tipping the jig with worms or Powerbait seems to help. Crappie - Fair: Anglers are having success jigging around cedar tree piles using minnows.

Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is 903.54 feet with 904 feet being normal pool. The surface water temperature is 60 degrees. Fishing has been slow with most crappies out in deeper water. Walleyes have been hard to find but try submerged islands and points using crankbaits. Don’t forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain and dry boats and equipment before transporting to another water body.