DNR releases fishing report for Southeast Iowa

Lake of the Hills

The boat ramp is closed for repairs until further notice. Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park that allows live minnows. They are letting the new concrete cure and still have to do some dirt work. Rainbow trout ? good: trout remain very active and readily catchable if you can find them. They are hitting on a variety of baits and lures. Minnows and worms have both been very successful.

Railroad Lake

The water level has been lowered to work on the boat ramp, which has now been completed. The dock will remain out of the water until the new decking is installed. Live minnows are not permitted on this lake. Bluegill ? slow: anglers continue to pull out a few bluegills in the same spots as they are catching crappies. Also try along the road (110th). The sun warms up that water on the nice days. Crappie ? slow: anglers are still picking up a few crappies around the brush piles on the south side of the lake.

Wilson Lake

Rainbow trout ? good: anglers are still catching trout. Look for the easy-to-see culverts and the brush piles in six-to-eight feet of water. Minnow and bobber or a small dark colored jig worked slowly should get their attention.

Environmental Discovery Park North Pond

Pick out a nice day and take the kids to the Discovery Park Pond for some late season fishing action. Rainbow trout ? excellent: anglers continue to catch trout. Along the face of the dam is a good place to start. Start with small jigs or worm and bobber. If that doesn't work try a small spinner and cover more water until you find where they are hanging out that day. Easy access and a small pond make it easy to find the trout.

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

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)

Outflow from the Coralville dam is 150 cubic feet per second. Walleye ? fair: use a jig and minnow in wintering holes below the tube.

Water temperature is in the upper 30s in most area lakes and rivers. Some shallower, protected areas may have some crusting of ice. There has been very little fishing activity on the lakes.

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

Red Haw Lake

Fishing activity has slowed with the cooler water temperatures. Try small jigs for bluegill and largemouth bass and tip the jigs with a wax worm.

Lake Sugema

Fishing activity has slowed. Try vertically jigging minnows on small jigs or using ice fishing equipment.

Rathbun Reservoir

The lake level is 903.09 feet with 904 feet being normal. The surface water temperature is 43 degrees. Very little fishing has been occurring with the colder temperatures. Try vertically jigging minnows or wax worms on ice fishing jigs for crappies. Don't forget that Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain and dry equipment before transporting to another water body.

For questions regarding fishing in south central Iowa, call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.