May 26 Southeast Iowa fishing report

Lake Odessa

All the ramps remain underwater and the Toolesboro road also remains closed.

Lake Geode

Water temperature is in the mid 60s. Bluegill - Good: The male bluegills are starting their nests. If you work slowly and quietly you can pick off a few from the beds before they spook since they are not defending the nests yet. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass are being caught in the shallows. Some of the males are setting up nesting territories so look for those fish to be around the stumps and tree falls along the weed line. Crappie - Good: The crappie spawn is nearly over but you can still catch some in shallow also look for them to be around the nearest drop-off to the shallow bays.

Lake Belva Deer

Water temperature is in the mid to upper 60s. Bluegill - Good: The bluegills are back into the shallows. A few of the bigger males are in really shallow building nests. Largemouth Bass - Good: The bass are out along the edge of the weed lines eating small crappies. Jigs or small crankbaits seem to work best. Crappie - Good: This week the crappies were in shallow near the edge of the weed beds in bays with the flooded trees. Small blue and white tube jigs (what I caught them on) or minnows seem to work well.

Lake of the Hills

Rainbow Trout - Fair: Trout are still active with some fish being picked up early and late in the day. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfishing is picking up with liver being the favorite bait. Bluegill - Good: The bluegills are coming in shallow with a few starting to build nests. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Bass fishing has been spotty although the serious bass anglers have been picking up some nice fish. Crappie - Good: Start by working the tree falls in the upper end of the lake. The crappies are in shallow finishing up there spawn.

Railroad Lake

This sister lake to Lake of the Hills has been favored with its warmer water making the fish a little more active. Largemouth Bass - Good: Look for some nice fish around the stumps on the north side and along the flooded timber on the south side.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)

The North Skunk, by Sigourney, is expected to go above flood stage this weekend so look for the Skunk to go up as well.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)

The Iowa is forecasted by NOAA to come up to near bank full at Wapello sometime early this weekend.

Big Hollow Lake

This new lake down in Des Moines County is starting to get angler?s attention. Go to the Des Moines County Conservation Board Website for more its location and a contour map. Channel Catfish - Fair: Average size is 10 to 14 inches.  Start with using nightcrawlers around the creek channel and gully bottoms. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being found around the jetties and shallow timber. Worm and bobber is working the best. They are starting to build nests. Largemouth Bass - Excellent: These fish are just below the legal length, their numbers are high and they are aggressive. Fish on sunny afternoons in the shallow bays and terraces around the islands where the water will be a little warmer. Crappie - Good: The crappies were in shallow around just about every tree in the lake. Most are still a little small at about 8 inches.

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

Iowa Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Fish around shallow brush with small worms or jigs. Crappie - Fair: Fish around shallow brush or rock with small jigs or minnows.

Kent Park Lake

Some bass and bluegills are being caught in the ponds, but the lake has been pretty slow.

Lake Macbride

The 10 horsepower maximum limit on outboards goes into effect on May 27. Water temperature has been about 70 degrees and clarity is very good.  Crappie - Fair: Fish up to 15 inches have been caught, with many being 9 to 12 inches. Fish around submerged brush/trees with a slip bobber/minnow or jig. The upper ends of the lake have been the most productive.  Walleye - Good: Some fish have been caught jigging over structure, and some fish have been caught trolling crankbaits.

Central Park Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Fish around shallow brush or in pockets for spawning bluegills. Nice sized fish are available. Largemouth Bass - Good: Lots of bass are up shallow for the spawn. Most fish are 12 to 14 inches.

Pleasant Creek Lake

Water clarity is very good. White Bass - Good: Look for schools moving into the shallows to spawn. Windblown areas tend to be best. Use jigs, spinners, or small crankbaits. Bluegill - Fair: Look for spawning fish in the shallows. Use a small jig tipped with a worm or wax worm. Most fish have been good sized. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Males have been moving shallower in search of nesting sites. Most fish are smaller. Remember, largemouth bass have to be 18 inches to keep. Crappie - Fair: Fish around brush with tube jigs or minnows. Walleye - Fair: A few fish are coming from jigging or trolling crankbaits. Most have been smaller.

Diamond Lake

Remember, minnows are not allowed here. Bluegill - Fair: Fish around shallow brush piles. Use a small jig or small worm under a bobber. Crappie - Good: Size has been a bit small (8 inches) but numbers are good. During the warm weather, fish have been caught right along the shoreline on small tube jigs.

Otter Creek Lake

Channel Catfish - Fair: Some nice sized fish have been caught. Nightcrawlers have been working well. Bluegill - Fair: Look for spawners in the shallows. Use a small jig or worm. Crappie - Fair: Fish around shallow brush with a small jig or minnow. Yellow Bass - Good: The yellow bass are spawning now. Large schools will be roaming the shallows. Use a small jig, spinner, or minnow to catch these scrappy, tasty fish.

Union Grove Lake

People looking to catch crappies should be fishing here now! Fish shallow and don?t be afraid to keep your limit of 25 as there is an abundance of 8 to 9-inch fish. Bluegill - Good: Fish around shallow wood and brush with a small worm or jig. Most fish will be 6 to 7 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Top water baits have been producing well. Crappie - Excellent: Fish around shallow brush or rocky/sandy bays with a small jig or minnow. The shallow bays on the east bank from the beach to the dam are holding the greatest concentration of fish.

Coralville Reservoir

The current lake level as of May 25 is 683.5 feet and is now predicted to rise to 686.7 feet by June 2. Fishing reports are based off of last week?s normal water conditions.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are still catching catfish on cut bait and some on nightcrawlers. Crappie - Fair: Some bigger sized crappies are being caught. Fish shallower brush and along rocky banks in coves.

Dike Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Fish are moving shallow to spawn. Try a small jig tipped with a worm or wax worm in shallow flats. Crappie - Fair: Nice sized crappies are being picked up on minnows suspended over pallet structures. Walleye - Fair: A few smaller walleyes are being caught here.

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)

Most reports have come from the dams in Cedar Rapids. Channel Catfish - Good: Nightcrawlers have been catching fish below the dams. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Fish have been caught on nightcrawlers but other live baits should be working as well.

For more information, contact the Lake Macbride fisheries station at 319-624-3615.

Red Haw Lake

Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs fished along shoreline structure and around submerged structure in 6 to 10 feet of water. These fish will continue to move shallower at the water temperature rises. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use rubber worms or spinner baits along the shoreline structure. Crappie - Good: Use small jigs in shallow water. The crappies have started to move shallow to spawn.

Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)

The lake had been drained for a lake renovation which 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 starting to fill. As of May 17, the lake was approximately 1/3 full. The boat ramps are still not usable.

Albia (lower)

Bluegill - Fair: Try areas along the shoreline. Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of nightcrawler.

Lake Miami

Channel Catfish - Slow: Anglers have been having some success in the evenings using cut bait or dead chubs. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try using jig?n pig combos or spinner baits in 2 to 8 feet of water around submerged structure. Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline. Some sorting will be necessary for large fish.

Lake Sugema

Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some nice bass are being caught. Use a jig?n pig combo or try spinner baits. Fish areas with submerged structure. Crappie - Good: Use small jigs or minnows along the shorelines or among the flooded timber.

Rathbun Reservoir

The lake level is at 908.27 feet with 904.0 feet normal pool. Water temperature has been in the upper 60s. Crappies have moved to deeper water with the cooler weather. Try deeper water first and then move shallow. Anglers are reminded that walleyes have been tagged in Lake Rathbun and if tagged fish are caught please report the tag to the hatchery at 641-647-2406. Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs or minnows. Anglers have been having some success fishing from shore.

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

Information courtesy of the Iowa DNR.