Iowa DNR fishing report for southeast Iowa

The way we interact with others may be a little different right now with Iowa's current State of Emergency. The Iowa DNR has made adjustments to protect the health and safety of state employees, the public, and our angling community.

But that doesn't mean you can't go fishing. Stay close to home, keep groups to fewer than 10 people, and once you find your fishing spot, be mindful of one another's safety (keep at least 6 feet of distance between you and others).

This 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

Big Hollow Lake

Water temperatures are in the upper 40's; cooler nights coming might knock that down some. Largemouth Bass - Fair: A few boats are getting out on sunny days and picking up a few bass. Slow work soft plastic around the flooded trees in the bright sunshine.

Lake Belva Deer

Water temperature are around 44 degrees; need more sunny days to get it to heat up. Water is fairly clear. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try along the north side shores at the upper end of the lake where there is a rocky bottom to the lake.

Lake Darling

Water temperature is in the mid 40's. Water clarity remains fair (24-30 inches). Largemouth Bass - No Report: Low numbers of anglers out. Picking up a few bass on the afternoons when the sun is shining and warm. Black Crappie - Slow: Crappie remain out in deeper water. Water temperature needs to come up another 10 degrees for them to come in shallow.

Lost Grove Lake

The gate to the boat ramp by the dam opened on the April 1st. Docks are getting in. Bathrooms remain closed following the Iowa State Park COVID-19 policy. Channel Catfish - Fair: If you find a sunny day, work the shoreline where the wind is blowing in with cut bait. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Work the shorelines where the sun is warming up the shallows with soft plastics worked slowly. Black Crappie - Slow: Crappies remain out in deep water. Water temperatures need to hit the upper 50s before they come in shallow.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)

The Skunk River has come back down to about 1/2 bank full.

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

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Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)

Water temperatures are in the mid 40's. Walleye – Slow.

Central Park Lake

Water temperatures are in the mid 40's. A few anglers have been out, but fishing has been poor. The boat dock is in, but restrooms, shelters, cabins, and campground are closed. Use of the playground is not recommended.

Coralville Reservoir

The lake is at spring pool of 679.3 feet. Boating above Lake Macbride ramp is not recommended at spring pool. The ramp at Macbride is very shallow. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait around the 380/965 bridges. Shallow windblown bays can also be good.

Diamond Lake

The dock/kayak launch are in, but the bathrooms are closed. Black Crappie - Fair: A good number of fish have been caught off the jetties. Try small jigs tipped with worms or waxworms fished under a bobber.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)

Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 40's. The boat dock is in, but buildings and restrooms are closed. Black Crappie – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair.

Lake Macbride

Surface temperatures are in the mid-40's. The west dock at the main ramp has been put in and the dock in the bay of the four lane sailboat ramp is always in. The rest of the docks will be put in once more park staff is available. Bathrooms are closed due to COVID concerns. Black Crappie - Slow: A few fish are being caught along the causeway, especially on warmer days. Most fish are suspended in 10-20 of water over trees and stumps. Channel Catfish - Slow: Some fish have been caught on dead shad in the upper ends of the lake. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Slow: Fish windblown banks where shad may be found. Walleye - Slow: A few smaller males are being caught shallow at close to dark. Most fish are out a bit deeper.

Liberty Centre Pond

2000 trout were stocked in this North Liberty Pond. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Good: Try small jigs, spinners, spoons, scented baits or worms.

Otter Creek Lake

The park is open and the boat ramp dock is in; restrooms, fishing cleaning station, nature center, and camping area gates are closed. No fishing reports are available.

Pleasant Creek Lake

There has been a lot of fishing activity, but reports are limited. The docks are in and the bathrooms are closed. Walleye - Slow: Try three-way rigs during the day and jigs or crankbaits towards evening fished along the dam. Muskellunge - Slow: There have been quite a few anglers, but reports are limited. Jerk baits work best.

Prairie Park Fishery

2000 trout were stocked here. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Try small jigs, spinners, spoons, scented baits or worms.

Union Grove Lake

The boat docks are in, but the restrooms are closed. Some anglers have been out, but no reports are available.

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)

All accesses are open, but restrooms are closed. Lots of anglers have been out, but catches have been minimal.

Fishing reports are scarce due to lack of staff in most areas. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

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Lake Miami

Anglers are catching some largemouth bass along the shore.

Lake Sugema

Use nightcrawlers to catch catfish.

Lake Wapello

Catch catfish with nightcrawlers or cut bait.

Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond)

2000 trout were stocked here. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Try small jigs, in-line spinners, spoons, or worms.

Rathbun Reservoir

The current lake level is 904.28 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish - Good: Use nightcrawlers on windblown shores.

Red Haw Lake

Anglers are catching largemouth bass along the shore. The docks have been put in.

The district includes Appanoose, Davis, Lucas, Mahaska, Monroe, Wapello, Wayne and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.