Iowa DNR fishing report

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has released a report on fishing conditions for the state, including southeast Iowa.

The agency also has advice for anglers hoping to find their lunch at the nearest pond or stream.

* Try a new fishing spot - if your regular fishing location is popular and busy, try out a new one that is not so crowded.

* Once you find your spot, keep at least 6 feet of distance between you and other groups.

* Stick with your immediate family, but keep groups to fewer than 10 people.

* Bring lures from home instead of buying bait to minimize your interaction with other people.

* Bring hand sanitizer and wash your hands often.

The DNR's weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys and county and state parks staff. You can check the activity of your favorite lake or stretch of river within each district, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), as well as a hot bait or lure pattern.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River

This week's rains have the Iowa River coming back up; up about 8 inches so far this week. Channel Catfish - Fair: Depending on how much more it rains, find a feeder creek that has some decent flow into the river and use nightcrawlers for bait. Catfish will be looking for these spots to find fresh food washed in by the rains.

Lake Belva Deer

Cooler weather and rain this week has cooled the water temperature to the low 70's. Most of the runoff from the rains is being caught by the marsh above the lake. Bluegill - Slow: Go deep (16-18 feet) in the flooded timber or head to the mounds at the upper end of the lake. Early morning bite is best. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Very few anglers have been out this week. Expect bass to move in shallow when the weather settles down.

Lake Darling

Water temperature Wednesday (9/9) was 70 degrees. Rain has kept angler numbers down this week. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Rapidly falling water temperatures should bring the fish in shallow once the weather settles down. Bluegill - Slow: Most of the rain is being absorbed by the ground; not much runoff is getting past the ponds. Expect bluegills to remain out around the rock piles for a while yet.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)

This stretch of the Skunk River is starting to creep up after this week's rains. A few of the mud bars are starting to disappear. Channel Catfish - Slow: Most of the rain is being absorbed by the ground; not many of the feeder creeks have gained much flow yet. Work the bigger brush piles near the deeper holes. More than a few grass frogs are still around to use for bait.

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

Lake Sugema

Black Crappie - Slow: Drift jigs tipped with a minnow in 6-10 feet of water for suspended crappies. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try crankbaits or rubber worms along the shorelines and rip-rapped areas.