Where in Iowa Are the Fish Biting this Weekend?

Beautiful weather in store for the weekend means a trip to the lake might be a perfect activity.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff.

The DNR reminds Urbandale folks who are boating to be cautious of the low water because of the drought.

Here are some central Iowa locations:

Saylorville Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Excellent: Good size channel cats are being caught drifting cut baits.  The old river channel north of the mile long bridge is a good starting point.  White Bass - Good: The white bass are active and can be caught around the Cherry Glen, Oak Grove and Sandpiper areas as well as the west side of the lake on any point.  Cast or troll lipless or shallow diving crankbaits in shad colors, or small, flashy spoons.

Despite the heat, fishing continues to be very good right now, especially for white bass, wipers, and channel catfish on the reservoirs.  Try fishing early in the morning or late in the evenings when fish are most active.  For more information on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.

Clear Lake
The water level is 21 inches below crest.  Use caution when launching and boating near shore.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Stink bait, cut bait, and crawlers are working in the evenings and mornings near reefs and vegetation beds.  Yellow Bass - Good: Anglers are catching yellow bass on crawlers, cut bait, and minnows.  Drifting and vertical jigging in 6-10 feet of water off the State Dock area has been good.  The fish are schooled so move around until you find active fish.

Big Creek Lake
White Bass - Good: White bass fishing has been good trolling shallow diving or lipless crankbaits on the upper half of the lake.  Trolling spinner rigs with crawlers is also catching white bass in addition to bluegill and walleye.  Work the windblown shoreline on breezy days.  Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are being caught drifting crawlers over the roadbeds and the sunken brush piles at the entrances to many of the bays on the lower half of the lake.  Keep the bait above 10 feet.

Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Excellent: Anglers have been doing very well catching bluegills this summer.  Using crawlers and bobber fishing near brush piles and tree falls, or drifting with the bait at depths of 4 to 7 feet.

Red Rock Reservoir
Channel Catfish - Good: Drifting cut bait or stink baits is producing some good catches of channel catfish. White Bass - Excellent: White bass fishing continues to be the hottest bite.  Troll lipless or shallow diving crankbaits to find the schools. Some good areas have been the shoreline going north from the marina point and the northeast corner of the dam.  Also look for gulls feeding on shad pushed to the surface by feeding white bass.

Greenfield Lake
Catfish are being caught around the jetties.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Dip bait and shrimp are working to catch channel catfish around the jetties. Late afternoon and into the night has been the best time.  Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 8 inches can be caught drifting small jigs across the open lake.  Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught while drifting.

Lake Anita
Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught drifting small jigs 6-8 feet down. Tipping the jig with worms or Powerbait seems to help.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are having success fishing shallow coves with spinner baits early in the mornings and late afternoons. As the temperature rises, fish go deeper. Many of the fish caught are in the 14 to 19-inch range.