June 24 DNR Southeast Iowa Fishing Report

Lake Odessa

All the ramps remain underwater and the Toolesboro road also remains closed. They have been able to open the outlet to let water out now.

Lake Geode

Geode had four inches of rain last week so the lake, while now clearing up, is still pretty dirty. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing before the lake got muddy again, anglers were catching some nice bluegills.

Lake of the Hills

Channel Catfish - Good: Some nice catfish are being caught on chicken liver. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are coming in shallow with a few starting to build nests. The bigger fish are coming in now. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for the bass to be nesting around the stump fields and around the sunken logs. Top-water lures are doing well early and late. Fish deeper with plastic worms along the drop-offs during mid-day.

Railroad Lake

Channel Catfish - Excellent: Catfishing is very good. With the rains, target the area around the pipe where Bluegrass enters the lake. Bluegill - Excellent: They are in shallow everywhere and are biting.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)

Flooded

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)

The Iowa at Wapello is forecast to be around or above flood stage for the next several days.

Big Hollow Lake

Because of massive amounts of rain the lake is very muddy and about two feet above normal pool. Very little fishing activity now. Before the rains, fishing had been excellent.

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

Iowa Lake

A good number of large redear sunfish were seen during the fish survey on June 16. Most fish were 5-10 feet off the bank on flats in preparation to spawn. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish are moving to the banks to spawn. Fish around rock or wood. Bluegill - Fair: Some fish are still shallow and some have moved out off the bank. Anglers have been catching them out to 12 feet of water.

Kent Park Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Try crawlers or stink bait for best results. After a rain event or towards evening have been the most productive times. Bluegill - Fair: Try a small jig or worm along the dam or brush piles.

Lake Macbride

The 10 hp maximum motor restriction is in effect. The water has become murky with the rain and warmer temperature. Channel Catfish - Fair: Look for spawning fish in the shallows, especially around rock. Try sunfish or crawlers for best results. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Mornings have been best. Try a variety of lures around shallow rock or wood. Some fish have been caught on deeper rock/points using crankbaits.

Central Park Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfishing has started picking up. Try stink bait or crawlers for best results. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are biting best just before dark, but fishing has slowed recently. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass fishing has been hit and miss. Target structure and the dam with jigs or crankbaits.

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 - Fair: Try jigs, spinners, or small crankbaits. Many fish have been small, but nice sized fish are available. Walleye - Good: Most fish have been small but they are being caught on live bait rigs and crankbaits in about 15 feet of water.

Diamond Lake

The city treated the lake for algae so the water should start clearing up a bit. Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or crawlers for best results. Evening tends to be the most productive time. Bluegill - Fair: Fish around brush with a small jig or worm. Crappie - Fair: Fish around deeper brush or open water with a jig. Most fish are around 8 inches.

Otter Creek Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Lots of catfish have moved in shallow to spawn try crawlers or stink bait for best results. Bluegill - Fair: Nice sized bluegills can be found around shallow wood and overhanging trees. Yellow Bass - Good: Most fish are being caught away from the bank now. Windblown banks will have fish in a bit shallower. Try small jigs or spinners.

Union Grove Lake

Channel Catfish - Good: Stink bait and livers have been producing well. Bluegill - Good: Fish around brush with a small jig or worm. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish around lay-downs with spinner baits, crankbaits, or plastics. Top waters have been effective early and late in the day. Crappie - Fair: Most catches have come from boats drifting in open water.

Coralville Reservoir

The current lake elevation is 692.6 feet and is predicted to remain at this level for a few days, and then begin to drop. This could be affected by any heavy rain events. 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: Anglers are picking up a few white bass using jigs along the rocks as well.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)

Flows coming out of the Coralville Reservoir are at 6,000 cubic feet per second and will remain at this output for the foreseeable future. Channel Catfish - Good: Flathead Catfish - Fair: White Bass - Fair: Walleye - Fair:

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

Red Haw Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: The catfish are spawning so 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 if the fish are finicky. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits or crankbaits along the shoreline structure.

Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)

The lake was drained for a lake renovation last year but work is now complete. New fish habitat areas have been built along with some new jetties. The gate has been closed and the lake is now about 3/4 full. The boat ramps are still not usable.

Albia (lower)

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

Lake Miami

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

Lake Sugema

Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs around shoreline structure. Some sorting will be necessary for larger fish. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use a jig n' pig combo or try spinner baits. Fish areas with submerged structure.

Rathbun Reservoir

The lake level is at 912.35 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. Water temperature has been in the mid 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 hot water (above 104 degrees F) or let them dry for at least 10 days (5 days in sun). Channel Catfish - Fair: Use dead chubs around areas with large rocks such as Bridgeview or along the dam. Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs or minnows. Start in 6-8 feet of water and then move shallow. Areas along the shore with overhanging trees or vegetation are good places to start. Walleye - Fair: Anglers have been catching walleyes on underwater islands pulling nightcrawler rigs. 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.