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Jigging Spring Walleyes Minnesota walleye guide Jonny Petrowski plies his trade in the Rainy River area. This includes Upper Red Lake and, during the spring spawning run, the Rainy River, which flows into Lake of the Woods.
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Late Ice Fishing Tips & Tactics It appears that my ice-fishing season is about over. I’ve got a trip scheduled for this week, and that’s to northern Minnesota. After that, I’m going to be fishing rivers and waiting
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Iowa Fishing Reports
The weekly fishing report for southeast Iowa, as released by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Mississippi River Pool 17: Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 5.9 feet and falling. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on leeches and night crawlers fished along rip rap shorelines and snags along the main channel and sloughs. White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are being caught casting crankbaits or jigs/twister at GPC. Bluegill - Slow: Crappie - Slow: Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being caught casting crankbaits or jigs/twisters at GPC.
Mississippi River Pool 18: Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 8.2 feet and falling. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on leeches and night crawlers fishing around snags and rock in the main channel or sloughs. White Bass - No Report: Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Mississippi River Pool 19: Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 5.98 feet and falling. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfishing has been good on night crawlers. White Bass - No Report: Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Mississippi River Pools 16 to 20: River levels continue to slowly fall. Main channel water temperature has risen to 77 degrees. Main channel water clarity is still fairly muddy. For more fishing information contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Lake Geode: Water temperature remains in the low 80s. Heavy rains have cut down on water clarity. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are starting to catch catfish in the evenings on stink bait and chicken liver. Bluegill - Good: The bluegills are in shallow. Work a small jig next to the water willows for the best chance to get a limit. Largemouth Bass - Good: The bass are in the water willows looking for bluegills to eat.
Lake Belva Deer: The road paving project is slated to start in July. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing remains good. The bluegills are right next to shore. Work the holes in the curly leaf beds. Largemouth Bass - Good: They are also in shallow. Work the trees and weed beds to find these fish.
Lake of the Hills: Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting on chicken liver. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing has been steady. Work the shallow water around the stumps. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing is picking up especially for those using plastic worms.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock): The rains are bringing the river back up. The North Skunk is forecast to reach bank full level sometime Thursday. The South Skunk will also come up a couple of feet.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River): The Skunk River down by Augusta is forecast by NOAA to be above flood stage by later in the day on Thursday.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River): The Iowa River water level in this stretch is forecast to remain fairly steady at the current higher than normal level. Channel Catfish - Fair: A few anglers are getting out and catching some catfish. Use grass frogs and minnows for bait right now.
Hannen Lake: Channel Catfish - Good: Try crawlers or stink bait for best results. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawning so fish shallow around brush or pockets with a small worm, jig, or waxie.
Iowa Lake: Bluegill - Good: Try around shallow flats, brush or overhanging limbs with a worm or small jig. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are out a bit deeper now, but some 9 to 10-inchers are being caught. Redear Sunfish - Good: These will be in similar areas to the bluegill. Use a small worm or jig.
Kent Park Lake: In addition to the lake, the upper pond has produced some nice bass and the east ponds are producing bluegills. Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig or worm along the dam, flats, pockets or shallow brush. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish shallow with plastics or live bait.
Lake Macbride: The fishing has dramatically slowed after the onset of hot weather and warm water. The bluegills are now up spawning and the channel catfish are starting to move shallow to spawn. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish around riprap with live bait in hopes of catching male catfish guarding spawning cavities. Bluegill - Good: Fish shallow flats and pockets with a small jig or worm. Look for nests that look like plate-sized craters. The bluegill size has improved some this year. Crappie - Slow: Some small fish are in the shallow brush, but the nicer fish are off shore on stumps and brush. Walleye - Slow: A few fish are being caught trolling plugs and live bait rigs in deeper water.
Pleasant Creek Lake: Remember, there is an 18-inch size limit on bass and 40-inch size limit on muskie here. Bluegill - Fair: Use a wax worm in 2 to 5 feet of water. Fish have been running 7 to 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Crawlers and soft plastics along the dam and jetties are producing some bass. Walleye - Fair: Trolling deeper structure has been producing some fish.
Diamond Lake: Remember, no minnows are allowed here. There is an overabundance of smaller crappies. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish have been hitting on cut bait, shrimp, and crawlers, especially after rain events. Bluegill - Good: Shallower brush, overhanging trees, and jetty areas are holding fish. Use small jigs or waxies. Crappie - Good: Most fish are smaller with an occasional larger one mixed in. Most jigs are working. The fish are tight to the rock bank.
Otter Creek Lake: There is an overabundance of yellow bass. They are scrappy fighters and excellent to eat. There is no limit and don't be afraid to keep every one you catch. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are shallow along rock or overhanging trees. Try a small jig or waxie. Crappie - Fair: Some smaller crappies are being caught around shallow brush. Yellow Bass - Excellent: Look in shallow flats and along rock banks for schools of yellows. Try small jigs, spinners, or live bait.
Union Grove Lake: There is an abundance of small crappies here. Catching a limit of 25 should not be an issue, and don't be afraid to take 25 every day. Bluegill - Good: The bluegills are spawning, so look for them around shallow structure. Crappie - Excellent: Most crappies are in less than 3 feet of water. Try shallow flats, pockets and around rock with a small jig or minnow. Most fish are 6 to 8 inches with an occasional larger one mixed in.
Coralville Reservoir: As of June 3, the lake level is 691 feet and falling. It will continue to fall until it reaches summer pool of 683 feet. The water clarity is great for the reservoir. Channel Catfish - Fair: The channel catfish should start moving in shallow to spawn soon.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction): Channel Catfish - Good: Trot lines and crawlers have been producing. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some smaller fish are being caught.
Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow): Flathead Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching many 4 to 6 pound flatheads below the dams in Cedar Rapids, with a few large fish being caught periodically.
Lake Wapello: The lake has refilled after last year's fish population renovation. Red ear and channel catfish were stocked last fall along with some largemouth bass and bluegill.
Red Haw Lake: Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler fished around the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits around structure or off the ends of the jetties. Use plastic worms in the same areas. Redear Sunfish - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler. Look for redears in areas around structure and along the shoreline.
Lake Keomah: Channel Catfish - Slow: Chicken liver has been producing some catches of channel catfish. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits along the shoreline and around the jetties. Another good spot to try is along the outside of the aquatic vegetation.
Lake Sugema: Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler. Shallow areas have been productive. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits along the shorelines or around submerged structure. Use plastic worms around areas with trees and stumps.
Mississippi River Pool 17: Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 5.9 feet and falling. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on leeches and night crawlers fished along rip rap shorelines and snags along the main channel and sloughs. White Bass - Fair: Some white bass are being caught casting crankbaits or jigs/twister at GPC. Bluegill - Slow: Crappie - Slow: Walleye - Fair: Some walleyes are being caught casting crankbaits or jigs/twisters at GPC.
Mississippi River Pool 18: Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 8.2 feet and falling. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfish are being caught on leeches and night crawlers fishing around snags and rock in the main channel or sloughs. White Bass - No Report: Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Mississippi River Pool 19: Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 5.98 feet and falling. Channel Catfish - Good: Channel catfishing has been good on night crawlers. White Bass - No Report: Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Mississippi River Pools 16 to 20: River levels continue to slowly fall. Main channel water temperature has risen to 77 degrees. Main channel water clarity is still fairly muddy. For more fishing information contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Lake Geode: Water temperature remains in the low 80s. Heavy rains have cut down on water clarity. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are starting to catch catfish in the evenings on stink bait and chicken liver. Bluegill - Good: The bluegills are in shallow. Work a small jig next to the water willows for the best chance to get a limit. Largemouth Bass - Good: The bass are in the water willows looking for bluegills to eat.
Lake Belva Deer: The road paving project is slated to start in July. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill fishing remains good. The bluegills are right next to shore. Work the holes in the curly leaf beds. Largemouth Bass - Good: They are also in shallow. Work the trees and weed beds to find these fish.
Lake of the Hills: Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting on chicken liver. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing has been steady. Work the shallow water around the stumps. Largemouth Bass - Good: Bass fishing is picking up especially for those using plastic worms.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock): The rains are bringing the river back up. The North Skunk is forecast to reach bank full level sometime Thursday. The South Skunk will also come up a couple of feet.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River): The Skunk River down by Augusta is forecast by NOAA to be above flood stage by later in the day on Thursday.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River): The Iowa River water level in this stretch is forecast to remain fairly steady at the current higher than normal level. Channel Catfish - Fair: A few anglers are getting out and catching some catfish. Use grass frogs and minnows for bait right now.
Hannen Lake: Channel Catfish - Good: Try crawlers or stink bait for best results. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are spawning so fish shallow around brush or pockets with a small worm, jig, or waxie.
Iowa Lake: Bluegill - Good: Try around shallow flats, brush or overhanging limbs with a worm or small jig. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are out a bit deeper now, but some 9 to 10-inchers are being caught. Redear Sunfish - Good: These will be in similar areas to the bluegill. Use a small worm or jig.
Kent Park Lake: In addition to the lake, the upper pond has produced some nice bass and the east ponds are producing bluegills. Bluegill - Good: Use a small jig or worm along the dam, flats, pockets or shallow brush. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish shallow with plastics or live bait.
Lake Macbride: The fishing has dramatically slowed after the onset of hot weather and warm water. The bluegills are now up spawning and the channel catfish are starting to move shallow to spawn. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish around riprap with live bait in hopes of catching male catfish guarding spawning cavities. Bluegill - Good: Fish shallow flats and pockets with a small jig or worm. Look for nests that look like plate-sized craters. The bluegill size has improved some this year. Crappie - Slow: Some small fish are in the shallow brush, but the nicer fish are off shore on stumps and brush. Walleye - Slow: A few fish are being caught trolling plugs and live bait rigs in deeper water.
Pleasant Creek Lake: Remember, there is an 18-inch size limit on bass and 40-inch size limit on muskie here. Bluegill - Fair: Use a wax worm in 2 to 5 feet of water. Fish have been running 7 to 9 inches. Largemouth Bass - Good: Crawlers and soft plastics along the dam and jetties are producing some bass. Walleye - Fair: Trolling deeper structure has been producing some fish.
Diamond Lake: Remember, no minnows are allowed here. There is an overabundance of smaller crappies. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish have been hitting on cut bait, shrimp, and crawlers, especially after rain events. Bluegill - Good: Shallower brush, overhanging trees, and jetty areas are holding fish. Use small jigs or waxies. Crappie - Good: Most fish are smaller with an occasional larger one mixed in. Most jigs are working. The fish are tight to the rock bank.
Otter Creek Lake: There is an overabundance of yellow bass. They are scrappy fighters and excellent to eat. There is no limit and don't be afraid to keep every one you catch. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are shallow along rock or overhanging trees. Try a small jig or waxie. Crappie - Fair: Some smaller crappies are being caught around shallow brush. Yellow Bass - Excellent: Look in shallow flats and along rock banks for schools of yellows. Try small jigs, spinners, or live bait.
Union Grove Lake: There is an abundance of small crappies here. Catching a limit of 25 should not be an issue, and don't be afraid to take 25 every day. Bluegill - Good: The bluegills are spawning, so look for them around shallow structure. Crappie - Excellent: Most crappies are in less than 3 feet of water. Try shallow flats, pockets and around rock with a small jig or minnow. Most fish are 6 to 8 inches with an occasional larger one mixed in.
Coralville Reservoir: As of June 3, the lake level is 691 feet and falling. It will continue to fall until it reaches summer pool of 683 feet. The water clarity is great for the reservoir. Channel Catfish - Fair: The channel catfish should start moving in shallow to spawn soon.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction): Channel Catfish - Good: Trot lines and crawlers have been producing. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Some smaller fish are being caught.
Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow): Flathead Catfish - Good: Anglers are catching many 4 to 6 pound flatheads below the dams in Cedar Rapids, with a few large fish being caught periodically.
Lake Wapello: The lake has refilled after last year's fish population renovation. Red ear and channel catfish were stocked last fall along with some largemouth bass and bluegill.
Red Haw Lake: Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler fished around the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits around structure or off the ends of the jetties. Use plastic worms in the same areas. Redear Sunfish - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler. Look for redears in areas around structure and along the shoreline.
Lake Keomah: Channel Catfish - Slow: Chicken liver has been producing some catches of channel catfish. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs along the shoreline. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits along the shoreline and around the jetties. Another good spot to try is along the outside of the aquatic vegetation.
Lake Sugema: Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm or a chunk of night crawler. Shallow areas have been productive. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use spinner baits along the shorelines or around submerged structure. Use plastic worms around areas with trees and stumps.
