Walleye, bass targets of early fishing expeditions

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has issued its weekly report on fishing conditions across the state, including Southeast Iowa.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)

The Iowa River continues to drop, but at a much slower rate than last week.

Lake Belva Deer

Water temperature has dropped to 50 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Very little angler activity on the lake this week. Bass have moved back out to deeper water waiting for it to warm back up.

Lake Darling

Water temperature has dropped to 50 degrees. Water level is still dropping back down to normal pool level. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers are marking bass in 10 to 12 feet of water.

Lost Grove Lake

Largemouth Bass - Slow: Most bass have moved out to 10-14 feet of water to wait out the cold weather. Use soft plastics or jigs worked slowly around the flooded timber.

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

Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)

River levels are low, making areas hard to access via boat. Backwater areas in Benton County have produced some fish. Northern Pike – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Smallmouth Bass – Fair.

Coralville Reservoir

The lake level is 683 feet. Channel Catfish - Slow: Try cut bait in the area of 380/965 bridges.

Diamond Lake

All facilities in the park are open. Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs or jigs tipped with worms. Anglers fishing off the jetties are having some success.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)

Water temperatures are 52-54 degrees. Largemouth Bass - Fair. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Good: Look for schools 7-10 feet down..

Lake Macbride

Water temperatures are 52-54 degrees. Black Crappie - Fair: Try minnows over brush in 10-15 feet of water. Walleye - Fair: Use jigs or crankbaits over or along windblown rock or jigging in 20-25 of water. Try shallower towards evening. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: A few anglers are finding packs of fish usually along rock bars and piles.

Otter Creek Lake

The docks are in and the fish cleaning station is open. The lake level is full. There has been very little fishing activity. No fishing reports are available.

Union Grove Lake

The docks are in at the ramps. Water clarity is good. No fishing reports are available.

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

Hawthorn Lake

Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try along rocky shorelines and fishing jetties. Bluegill - Slow: Use small jigs tipped with live bait.

Lake Miami

Bluegills and crappies will start to move shallow as the water warms. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Target areas along the dam and around the fishing jetties.

Lake Sugema

Target channel catfish with nightcrawlers or cut bait. Black Crappie - Slow: Use small jigs with live bait. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try along the fishing jetties and other rocky shorelines.

Lake Wapello

Target largemouth bass with spinnerbaits or crankbaits fished around the submerged structure.

Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond)

Trout have been stocked. Use live minnows fished under a bobber, small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners and casting spoons. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.

Rathbun Reservoir

The current lake level is 905.75 msl. Recreation pool is 904 msl. Water temperature is 50-55°degrees depending on location. Prairie Ridge, Island View North and Middle boat ramps are closed, but will open by May 15. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another waterbody. Channel Catfish - Fair: Target windblown shorelines with shad sides or nightcrawlers. Black Crappie - Slow: Try minnows over brush piles or rock piles in 10-15 feet of water.

Red Haw Lake

The boat docks are in. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Target areas along the shorelines and along the dam. Bluegill - Slow: Try small jigs under a bobber.

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.