March 6 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

Counting the slush and snow that has turned into ice there is about 24 inches to drill through.  The water is still a little stained from the rain and snow melt from a couple of weeks ago. The bottom of the thermocline is down around 20 feet so don't fish below that depth. Bluegill - Fair: The bite seems to be from 3-6 p.m. Anglers are still mostly working the creek channel area out from the south boat ramp. Look for fish in 15-18 feet of water. Where the incoming water from the marsh is bringing in just a little more oxygen.

Pollmiller Park Lake

Not much ice fishing activity going on right now. Bluegill - Fair: Locate them around the brush piles.

Lake of the Hills

Tomorrow, (Friday, March 7th) at 10:30 is the spring trout release.  Should have good 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 on wax worms and jigs in deeper water. An additional 2,000 trout will be added on March 7. Bluegill - Good: Wax worms are the popular baits on ice jigs. The bite is picking up. Find the brush piles out the deeper water to find the 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 out on the ice. The ice around the edges is still a little thin. The use of live minnows as bait is not allowed on this lake. Bluegill - Good: 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

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Lake Macbride

Most of the lake has 15-20 inches of ice. The area east of the causeway on the south arm has poor oxygen levels and is probably not worth fishing. It is also not worth fishing deeper than 25 feet as there is no oxygen beyond that depth. There has been very little activity out here this week. 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. Walleye - Slow: A few fish are being caught in the evening over rock piles and stumps.

Central Park Lake

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Pleasant Creek Lake

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

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 8-10 inches.

Otter Creek Lake

Ice is close to 24 inches thick. Fishing activity has been low this week. Anglers are working harder for fish. 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 15-20 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. Water clarity and oxygen levels are low, resulting in poor fishing. The lake drawdown has not started but may begin next week.

Prairie Park Fishery

Remember, you need a trout stamp to fish for and to possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Slow:   Crappie - Fair:

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

Red Haw Lake

Anglers report about 10 inches of ice around the shoreline and 15 to 16 inches out farther.  Fishing has been fair for bluegills.  Try areas with 20 feet of water and fish about 1-2 feet off the lake bottom.  Fishing around brush piles will also increase your catch.  If we get a warm-up the ice around the shoreline will start to melt so use caution getting on and off the ice.

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. Look for the areas marked with buoys as they were placed over brush piles. Try small jigs tipped with a wax worm fished near the bottom. If we get a warm-up the ice around the shoreline will start to melt so use caution getting on and off the ice.

Lake Sugema

Ice thickness is reported at 8-10 inches. Fishing has been slow on Lake Sugema with some anglers catching a few crappie using wax worms.  Concentrate on areas with submerged structure or within a few feet of the lake bottom. If we get a warm-up the ice around the shoreline will start to melt so use caution getting on and off the ice.

Rathbun Reservoir

Thicknesses of 8-12 inches of ice have been reported.  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 904.99 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 we get a warm-up the ice around the shoreline will start to melt so use caution getting on and off the ice.

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