July 14 Southeast Iowa Fishing Report

Lake Belva Deer

The water is clearing up but still is a little cloudy. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good during the evening hours. Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill fishing has been very good. Some on still on the nest but most have moved out to the deeper water. Early morning and late evenings are the best times to fish.

Pollmiller Park Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: 1 to 3 pound catfish are common. Fish during the cooler parts of the day. Bluegill - Good: Light tackle and small baits such as wax worms are a must. Still good numbers of fish up to 9 inches are being caught. Largemouth Bass - Fair: The evenings are producing the best fishing. During the heat of the day look for the fish to be around the deep structure.

Lake of the Hills

Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish in the 2 to 4-pound range are common. Use chicken liver or stink bait. Bluegill - Good: The bluegills are shallow and providing fast action once you find the right depth. Larger bluegills are out a little deeper around the brush piles and rocky areas. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are around the stump fields and sunken logs. Top water lures are working the best early and late. During the heat of the day, work plastic worms along the drop-offs.

Railroad Lake

Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfishing is very good using chicken liver and dip baits along the old creek channel. Bluegill - Good: Fish the north side and the shallow bay by the recycling containers early and late in the day. Largemouth Bass - Good: Nice fish are being caught off the flooded timber and from the rip rap.

Wilson Lake

Rainbow Trout - Fair: Trout continue to be caught near the bottom on a variety of baits and lures.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)

The river is slightly below half-bank full so there is plenty of water to boat in. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfishing has been good as the river level has stabilized. Try a few freshly caught grass frogs as bait. Flathead Catfish - Good: Anglers had a lot of bank poles out over the Fourth of July weekend and caught some nice fish.

Big Hollow Lake

Channel Catfish - Slow: Anglers are picking up a few catfish while fishing for bluegills around the jetties. Bluegill - Slow: The rock along the jetties are still producing bluegills.

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

Kent Park Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Try crawlers or stink bait, early and late in the day. Bluegill - Good: Try a small jig or worm along the dam or brush piles. Largemouth Bass - Fair:

Lake Macbride

The 10 hp maximum motor restriction is in effect. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some fish are still around shallow rock, while others have moved offshore. Try sunfish or crawlers for best results. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try a variety of lures around shallow rock or wood. Some fish have been caught on deeper rock/points using crankbaits. Early and late in the day are best.

Pleasant Creek Lake

Remember, there is an 18-inch minimum on largemouth bass here. Channel Catfish - Good: Try fishing along the dam or other rocky areas with stink bait, liver or crawlers. White Bass - Good: Try jigs, spinners, small spoons, or small crankbaits. Many fish have been small, but nice sized fish are available. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try crankbaits, soft plastics, or crawlers. Walleye - Good: Most fish have been small but they are being caught on live bait rigs and crankbaits. Target depths around 15 feet.

Diamond Lake

Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Channel Catfish - Excellent: Use stink bait or crawlers for best results. Evening tends to be the most productive time. Anglers have been catching limits of fish, mostly 1 to 2 pounders.

Coralville Reservoir

The current lake elevation on July 14 is 683.5 feet. Normal summer pool is 683.3 feet. Channel Catfish - Fair: A few fish are still being caught along the rocks on live bait. Some fish are also being caught a bit deeper on cut bait. White Bass - Fair: A few white bass are being caught on jigs and small crankbaits.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)

Flows coming out of the Coralville Reservoir are 2,500 cubic feet per second and are continuing to fall. Channel Catfish - Good: Flathead Catfish - Fair: Freshwater Drum - Fair:

Maquoketa (Hopkinton to Canton)

Channel Catfish - Good: Use chicken liver or stink bait for best results. Night fishing has been the most productive. Walleye - Fair: Most fish have been smaller.

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

Red Haw Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs fished around the rock jetties. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs fished along shoreline structure and around submerged structure in 6-10 feet of water. Try adding a chunk of nightcrawler. Largemouth Bass - Good: Rubber worms and spinner baits are usually good this time of year. Try areas around the jetties and along the shoreline.

Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)

The lake was drained for a lake renovation last year but work is now complete and the lake is now full. New fish habitat areas have been built along with some new jetties.

Albia (lower)

Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try plastic worms fished along the shoreline.

Lake Miami

Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers have been having some success in the evenings using cut bait or dead chubs. Try areas along the east shoreline.

Lake Sugema

Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs around shoreline structure. Some sorting will be necessary for larger fish. Weed lines can also be a good spot to try this time of year. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use a jig n' pig combo or try spinner baits. Fish areas with submerged structure and along the shoreline.

Rathbun Reservoir

The lake level is at 913.88 feet with 904.0 feet normal pool. Water temperature has been in the upper 70s. 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 water above 104 degrees or let them dry for at least 10 days with 5 days in sun. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs or chicken liver around areas with the wind blowing into them. Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs or minnows. Areas along the shore with overhanging trees or vegetation are good places to start. Small chrome colored crankbaits can also work this time of year. Walleye - Fair: Try using nightcrawler rigs and bottom bouncers. With the higher lake levels the walleye are spread out so try new areas. Another option would be baits that mimic small shad like chrome colored crankbaits or blade baits. Tagged walleyes should be reported at 641-647-2406.

For further fishing reports in south central Iowa call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406.