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.

SOUTHEAST

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)

The river level is holding steady the last few days; it has fallen a couple more inches this past week. Lots of sand and gravel bars are exposed. Channel Catfish - No Report: With the falling water temperatures, catfish should start their fall feeding binge to fatten up for winter.

Lake Belva Deer

Water temperature has dropped into the low 60's. Water is still pretty green. Most fish are staying out in deeper water. Bluegill - Fair: The bluegill bite is picking up; a little better than fair, but anglers are having to work hard to catch their fish. Slowly troll in 12-18 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie fishing is picking up a little. Slowly troll in deeper water at the lower end of the lake. Largemouth Bass - Fair: The bite is starting to pick up; most bass are not in shallow yet. Work the mid depths (6-10 feet deep) in the timber. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing is picking up as these fish start fattening up for the fall.

Lake Darling

Water temperature dropped to 62 by Thursday (10/1) morning. The water is starting to clear up and be less green. Strong northwest winds blowing right down the middle of the lake kept angler numbers low this week. Largemouth Bass - Good: Some bass are coming in shallow along the rocks to feed on crawdads, with many bass staying out deep. Work the deeper (8-10 feet) rock piles and trees with soft plastics or crankbaits. Use jigs or crawdad baits along the rocks in shallow. Bluegill - Fair: Most bluegills are staying out in the deeper (8-10 feet) water. Black Crappie - Fair: Just not coming in shallow yet. Slow trolling over the habitat in 10-12 feet of water. A few are being caught over the rock piles in 5-8 feet of water.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)

The water level dropped a little bit more, but is holding steady for the last few days. Channel Catfish - Slow: Find catfish in the deeper water around the brush piles.

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

Lake Sugema

Black Crappie - Fair: Drift jigs tipped with a minnow in 6-10 feet of water for suspended crappies. Submerged structure can also hold fish. Keep moving until you find active fish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try crankbaits or rubber worms along the shorelines and rip-rapped areas.