May 22 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 Odessa

The gate for the Toolesboro road has been closed as the Mississippi River is flow in through the breach in the Iowa River levee and across the road there.  Sand Run is underwater now as well as the ramp at Schafer's.

Lake Belva Deer

The fishing really hasn't recovered from last week's cold weather.  If we would get more than a couple of warm days in a row I think it would pick right back up.   Bluegill - Fair: The cold weather has affected these guys too.  Largemouth Bass - Fair:  Pick one of the few nice sunny days and hit the warmer bays.  Also work the upper end of the lake. Crappie - Fair: The change in the weather has driven the crappies back out to the deeper 7-8 feet depths.

Lake of the Hills

Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park where minnows may be used as live bait.  Rainbow Trout - Slow: Trout fishing is starting to taper off. Try in the areas around where Lambach Lake dumps into Lake of the Hills and the rocky areas around there. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fishing continues to improve. Work the shallow structure in the warmer bays. Crappie - Good: Crappie fishing is picking up with the warmer temperatures work the rocky areas of the shoreline.

Railroad Lake

The use of live minnows as bait is not allowed on this lake. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing along the north side on the flat is picking up. Warmer weather would keep them there.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are catching some bass off the old creek channel and along the rocks.  Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing is starting to pick up. Work the flooded timber areas as well as the flat on the north side around the logs and stumps.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)

The water level is about half bank full. Not too bad considering the rainy weather. Boat  access up and down through this section is pretty good.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfishing has been pretty good during our last stretch of warm weather but I sure that it has dropped off with this batch of cold weather, not many anglers out the last few days.

Big Hollow Lake

Just hasn't recovered after last week's cold weather. Fishing remains slow.  Bluegill - Good: Work the shallows and you can find the bluegills. Largemouth Bass - Fair: If we can get a nice sunny day, work the north shore shallow water around the trees and brush in the water and you will be hard pressed not to catch a bass. Crappie - Fair: Crappies remain in 7-8 feet of water.

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

Hannen Lake

Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Water clarity is excellent. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are moving to the shallows, unfortunately size has been small.  Largemouth Bass - Good:   Crappie - Fair: Numbers are down but size is good with average fish being around 11-12 inches. There should be some fish shallow and some suspended in the lake basin.

Iowa Lake

The water here is very clear and water temp is about 70 degrees.  Channel Catfish - Fair:   Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are tight to the bank. Fish around any piece of wood lying on the shoreline.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Cast reaction baits in the clear water. Some bass are beginning look for places to spawn. Crappie - Good: Some fish are being caught shallow and some are being caught drifting the main lake basin.

Kent Park Lake

Bluegill - Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught around rock and wood. Crappie - Good: Look for spawning fish around shallow wood and rock.

Lake Macbride

Water temps are approaching 70 degrees. The water clarity is excellent in much of the lake.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: The bass are beginning to move shallow for spawning. Crappie - Fair: Male crappies are right on the rocky banks now. Seems like morning has been best. The best reports are coming from the south arm. Walleye - Fair: Early and late in the day have been best for walleyes. During these low light conditions they can be caught shallower along rock. During the day, troll crankbaits or spinner rigs in 8-13 feet of water.

Central Park Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are moving to the shallows to spawn. Try small jigs or worms around shallow pockets or wood.

Pleasant Creek Lake

White Bass - Fair: White bass are along the banks and spawning. Try small spinners, jigs, or crankbaits.  Muskellunge - Fair: There have been some muskies caught over the past week.

Diamond Lake

Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Bluegill - Good: Fish small jigs or worms around shallow brush or rock. Crappie - Fair: Fish around jetties and adjacent shorelines with a small jig for 8-10-inch crappies and an occasional larger one.

Otter Creek Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs or worms around shallow rock or wood. Yellow Bass - Fair: Throw a small jig or spinner to shallow rock or sand.

Union Grove Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair:   Bluegill - Good: Fish around any shallow rock or wood. The upper end tends to be better. Crappie - Excellent: Fish in shallow pockets for spawners and off the ends of lay downs for those staging to spawn. The lower end tends to be better. Yellow Bass - Fair: Yellow bass should be up in shallow rock or sand in attempts to spawn. Throw small twisters or spinners.

Coralville Reservoir

The lake level is at normal summer pool of 683.4 feet.  Crappie - Good: Some nice 10-14-inch fish are being caught in shallow water on jigs.

Sand Lake

Sand Lake is on the east side of Marshalltown. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Some trout are being caught but catches are inconsistent. Crappie - Good: Fish with minnows under bobbers along the shorelines for fish up to 11 inches.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)

Outflow from the Coralville Reservoir are about 3,000 CFS on May 22, and is predicted to slowly drop over the next week. Channel Catfish - Fair:

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

Red Haw Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler under a bobber along the shorelines. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use rubber worms along the shorelines and around the rocky areas along the jetties and the dam. Crappie - Fair: Use plastic jigs or minnows fished under a bobber. Target areas with brush piles or other submerged structure.

Albia (lower)

Bluegill - Good: Anglers have had luck catching bluegills along the shorelines using nightcrawlers and small jigs. Boat anglers have also had luck using similar baits around areas with submerged structure.

Lake Miami

Lake Miami is currently undergoing a fisheries renovation and is 6-8 feet below normal. The fish population was removed last fall and fingerlings have been stocked. The boat ramps are difficult to use and angler acceptable sized fish are not available.

Lake Sugema

Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs tipped with a nightcrawler along the shorelines.  Largemouth Bass - Good: Target shorelines with submerged structure or rock. Use crawdad imitation baits or rubber worms. Crappie - Fair: Use a slip bobber and a minnow around brush piles or dead trees.  Try different depths until active fish are found. Currently, the most active fish are in 4-6 feet of water.

Rathbun Reservoir

The current lake level is 907.20 feet. The water temperature is 61 degrees. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are staging to move to shallow water to spawn. The warmer temperatures have helped to move the crappies into shallower water. Target areas with brush or other submerged structure in the 4-8 feet depth range. Try minnows fished under a slip bobber or casting tube jigs. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body.

Take your trash with you so your favorite fishing spot is clean and litter free. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions regarding angling in south central Iowa.