Feb. 27 Iowa Fishing Report

 

 

For lake locations, maps and other information, go to www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/FishingReports.aspx

 

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.

 

SOUTHEAST

Lake Belva Deer

This week's cold weather has fixed most of the damage done by last week's rains. Bluegill - Fair: The bite seems to be between 3-6 p.m.  Anglers are still working the creek channel area out from the south boat ramp.

 

Pollmiller Park Lake

The ice is back to a fairly good condition. Last week's rains took the snow cover off. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing is starting to pick back up around brush piles.

 

Lake of the Hills

The ice had been a little soft around the edges but has mostly been repair by the return to cold weather.  The DNR will stock trout on March 7, at 10:30 a.m. Should have ice this year. Remember, Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park  where the use of live minnows for bait is legal. Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout are starting to be caught again, mostly on wax worms and jigs in deeper water.  Bluegill - Good: Wax worms are the popular baits on ice jigs. The bite is picking up. Find brush piles in deeper water to find fish. Crappie - Good: Crappies are also being caught off the brush piles in deeper water. The bite is also picking up for the crappies.

 

Lambach Lake

Be careful on the ice; the ice around the edges is still a little thin. The use of live minnows as bait is not allowed in Lambach Lake.  Bluegill - Good: The bluegills continue to bite.  Some good numbers are being caught.  Crappie - Good: Good sized crappies are being caught again with regularity.

 

For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

 

Iowa Lake

Bluegill - Fair:   Crappie - Slow

 

Lake Macbride

Most of the lake has 12-18 inches of ice. The area east of the causeway on the south arm has poor oxygen levels and is probably not worth fishing. Bluegill - Fair: Fish around any kind of brush or rock and chances are you will find bluegills. Unfortunately the size is marginal at best.  Crappie - Slow: Crappie reports are tough to come by. Fish over/around brush or rock in 12-18 feet of water. Walleye - Fair: A few are being caught in the evening over rock piles and stumps.

 

Pleasant Creek Lake

Much of the lake has 24 inches of ice. Sunset has been best.  White Bass - Fair: Look for fish over humps in 15-20 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: Look for fish around brush piles and use a jig/waxie.  Walleye - Fair: A few fish are being caught right before/after dark. Fish are moving up to as little as 8 feet of water to feed at night.

 

Diamond Lake

Remember, no minnows are allowed.  Bluegill - Good: Fish around brush for 6-8-inch bluegills. Fish had been reported as suspended lately.  Crappie - Fair: Look for suspended fish around brush. Most are running 8-10 inches.

 

Otter Creek Lake

Ice is close to 24 inches thick. Fishing activity has been lower this week.  Bluegill - Fair: Fish around brush in 10-15 feet of water with a jig and waxie. Average fish is 7-8 inches.  Crappie - Slow:   Yellow Bass - Fair: Fish 18-20 feet of water with a jig or spoon tipped with a waxie or cutbait. Average fish is about 10 inches.

 

Coralville Reservoir

Most of the lake has 12-18 inches of ice but caution should still be used. No voids under the ice have been found/reported. DO NOT go under the Mehaffey Bridge. The lake did bump up a little and then came back down and is holding steady at 382.25 feet. Inflow and outflow are matched at 500 CFS. The drawdown has been delayed due to ice cover. Water clarity has decreased with this week's rain and runoff. Bluegill - Fair: Fish are being caught in and around brush.  Crappie - Slow: Anglers that find the right brush pile on the right day are catching some nice crappies.

 

For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

 

Red Haw Lake

Anglers report about 12 inches of ice.  Last week's rain and warm up had caused some open water around the shoreline.  This week's colder temperatures have frozen the water back up but the ice thickness varies along the shoreline so use caution getting on and off the ice. Try areas with 20 feet of water using small jigs tipped with a wax worm for bluegills.  Fish about 1-2 feet off the bottom.  Fishing around brush piles will also increase your catch.

 

Albia (lower)

Ice thickness is reported as up to 10 inches in some areas.  Fishing has been slow and the fishing pressure has been light.  Use caution getting on and off the ice due to last week's warm up and rain. This open water along the shoreline has frozen back up but ice thickness varies.  Look for the areas marked with buoys as they were placed over brush piles.  Try small jigs tipped with a wax worm.

 

Lake Sugema

Ice thickness is reported at 8-10 inches.  Last week's rain and warm up has caused open water along the shorelines.  This week's colder temperatures have frozen most of that back up but the ice thickness is variable.  Use caution when getting on and off the ice.  Fishing has been slow on Lake Sugema with some anglers catching a few crappies. Concentrate on areas with submerged structure.

 

Rathbun Reservoir

Thicknesses of 8-12 inches of ice have been reported.  Use caution along the shoreline due to last week's warm up and refreeze this week. Ice thickness varies along the shoreline.  Fishing has been slow and fishing pressure has been light.  Try to find underwater structure and use small jigs tipped with a minnow. The current lake level is 905.96 feet. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body.

 

If you have other questions regarding fishing in south central Iowa call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.

Contact

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