Iowa DNR releases fishing report

Lake Belva Deer

Cooler weather is dropping the water temperature to around 53 degrees. Crappie ? fair: on warmer days anglers are still catching some crappies in front of the beach.

Lake of the Hills

Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park where live minnows can be used as bait. The best time to catch most fish species is mid-afternoon. Rainbow trout ? excellent: rainbows have settled down from last weekend. Look for them around the corners of the lake and around the stumps and logs in about four feet of water. Channel catfish ? good: work the shallow water where the sun is warming the water. Chicken liver and night crawlers are the baits to use. Bluegill ? fair: work the shallows when the sun is shining with worm and bobber. Crappie ? fair: the lures you use for trout will also be bringing in some crappies.

Railroad Lake

The use of live minnows is not permitted in this lake. Channel catfish ? good: good catfishing continues as these fish rush to get fattened up for winter.

Wilson Lake

Trout were stocked on Nov. 3. There will be tagged trout that can be turned in for prizes. Bluegill ? good: look to the brush piles to find the bluegills. The water is clear enough that you can see most of the fish habitat from shore.

Environmental Discovery Park North Pond

Trout were stocked on Nov. 3. There will be tagged trout that can be turned in for prizes.

Red Haw Lake

Try small jigs along the shoreline for bluegills. Largemouth bass have been hitting on spinnerbaits along the rock jetties.

Lake Sugema

Fishing activity has slowed down. Try minnows for crappies along flooded timber areas and around rocky shorelines. Slow down your presentation as the water cools down for largemouth bass.

Rathbun Reservoir

The lake level is 903.39 feet with 904 feet being normal. The surface water temperature is 51 degrees. Fishing has been slow. Some anglers have been catching crappie along the boat docks in the marinas. Try crankbaits for walleyes around submerged rock piles. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels, so make sure to clean, drain, and dry boats before transporting to another water body.

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