Iowa DNR releases fishing report

Lake Belva Deer

The water is starting to cool down. Water temperature is in the low to mid 60s. Bluegill ? fair: bluegill fishing seems to be on and off. They are catching them first thing in the morning in eight to 10 feet of water. Crappie ? fair: a few crappies are still being caught. They seemed to have moved to deeper water.

Lake of the Hills

Water temperature is in the upper 50s. 2,000 trout were stocked on Oct. 19 and plenty remain in the lake. Remember, Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park where the use of live minnows for bait is allowed. Rainbow trout ? good: anglers are finding them about three feet down around the stumps and logs. Worm and bobber seems to be working the best. In-line spinners and or wet flies and streamers are also working. Bluegill ? good: bluegills seem to be spread out across the lake. Be ready to move around and fish different depths. Worm and bobber is working the best.

Railroad Lake

Remember you cannot use live minnows as bait in Railroad Lake. Channel catfish ?good: catfishing continues to be good using stinkbait and chicken liver. Fish the flats on the north side or the old creek channel on the south.

Wilson Lake

There will be 1,000 trout released at 1 p.m. on Nov. 9, and 200 will be tagged for prizes. Bluegill ? fair: work the brush piles and culvert to pick up some bluegills. The bite should pick up as the weather settles down.

Environmental Discovery Park North Pond

There will be 1,000 rainbow trout will be released on Nov. 9 at 10 a.m., with 100 tagged for prizes. Bluegill ? good: bluegill fishing has been good using worm and bobber.

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

Hannen Lake

Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Water clarity is about six feet and water temperature is about 50 degrees. Bluegill ? fair: Try fishing deeper for nicer bluegills. Crappie ? fair: try small jigs around shallow brush. Most fish are 10-11 inches.

Iowa Lake

Bluegill ? fair: try deeper water with small worms or jig/waxie.

Lake Macbride

Water temperature is about 50 degrees. Water clarity is poor as the lake has turned over. Fishing has been slow. Crappie ? slow: try the ends of laydowns or docks with jigs or minnows. Most fish are less than 10 inches. Walleye ? slow: a few fish are being picked up by shore fishermen fishing windblown rocky banks.

Diamond Lake

Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Bluegill ? fair: try small jigs tipped with worms around brush. Most fish are six to seven inches. Crappie ? fair: try small jigs around brush. Most fish are eight to nine inches but they are plentiful.

Coralville Reservoir

The current lake level is 685.8 feet and slowly rising. Angling pressure has decreased due to the colder temps. Crappie ? fair: most anglers are having success with jigs along steep rock banks or by wood and brush. Most fish have been 10 to 12 inches but fish from eight to 16 inches are available.

Sand Lake (Iowa City)

Rainbow trout ? good: trout were stocked here for the weekend of Nov. 2. Try small jigs/spinners or worms.

Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)

The Anamosa area has reported good fishing now. Channel catfish ? fair: try minnows or cut bait in deeper holes. Smallmouth bass ? fair: try jigs or minnows below dams and deeper holes. Walleye ? fair: try jigs or minnows below dams and deeper holes.

Sand Lake (Marshalltown)

Rainbow trout ? fair: trout were stocked here three weeks ago and should be catchable on worms or small jigs/spinners.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.

Lake Wapello

Fishing pressure has been light. Try small jigs for bluegills. Anglers should try jig-n-pig combos for largemouth bass.

Red Haw Lake

Try using a slip bobber and a minnow for crappies. Try using rubber worms or crawdad imitations for largemouth bass.

Lake Sugema

Try using a slip bobber and a minnow for crappies. Try different depths and different spots until finding active fish. Try rubber lizards or crawdad imitations for largemouth bass. Concentrate on areas with rip-rapped shorelines.

Rathbun Reservoir

The current lake level is 905.45 feet with normal pool being 904 feet. The water temperature is 53 degrees. Crappie ? slow: fishing pressure has been light. Try finding crappies around brush piles in eight to 10 feet of water using jigs and minnows or minnows and slip bobbers. Walleye ? slow: fishing pressure has been light. Try areas with submerged points and rock piles. Try using a minnow under a slip bobber. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain and dry boats before transporting to another water body. Spray boats and trailers with high pressure hot water (above 104 degrees) or let them dry for at least 10 days (five days in the sun).

If you have other questions regarding fishing in south central Iowa call the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406.