DNR fishing report for week ending May 2, 2019

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DES MOINES - The following is the weekly fishing report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources for the southeast portion of the state.

Big Hollow Lake
A few more anglers out this last week on the nicer days; they are starting to catch a few more fish.Largemouth Bass- Fair: Anglers are catching a few bass; look for them on the north side in the shallows where the sun hits the water.Bluegill- Fair: Work the shallower brush piles in the sun.Black Crappie- Fair: Anglers are picking up a few crappies in shallow around the flooded timber on the warmest sunny days.

Environmental Discovery Park North Pond
Pick out a nice warm day and go trout fishing. You must have a fishing license and a pay the trout fee to fish for and/or possess trout. Brook Trout - Good: The trout have had a chance to settle down; look for them to be around the habitat and in the corners. Power bait or waxworms are good baits for the kids to try. Rainbow Trout - Good: The trout have had a chance to settle down; look for them to be around the habitat and in the corners. Power bait or waxworms are good baits for the kids to try.

Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature remains right around 50 degrees. The cold nights are keeping it from warming up much more. Largemouth Bass – Slow: A few bass were caught during the warmer weather along the riprap in the sun before returning to deeper water when it cools off.

Lake Darling 
Water temperature are stuck at 50-52 degrees; the forecast for next week doesn't look to improve on that. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Anglers continue to pick up a few bass in the shallows on the warmer days. Black Crappie - Slow: Catching a few crappies around some of the brush piles; it will be a while before they start to move in shallow.

Lost Grove Lake
Boat docks are in at the ramps. The wind earlier this week limited the number of anglers out. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers continue to pick up some bass up in the flooded timber on sunny afternoons. Black Crappie - Slow: Anglers are picking up a few crappies in the flooded timber in a little deeper water.

Wilson Lake
You must have a fishing license and a pay the trout fee to fish for and/or possess trout. Rainbow Trout - Good: Work the culvert piles and cedar trees; the trout have settled some, so it’s a good time to switch to natural baits and power bait under a bobber in these areas. Brook Trout - Good: It was a 500 brook trout/500 rainbow trout mix at the stocking; look for them to be in the same places as the rainbows.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake level, as of April 25, is 679 feet. At this level, boating is not recommended above Lake Macbride State Park. The water is very dirty. Water temperatures are in the upper 50's. No fishing reports are available.

Diamond Lake
The fishing cleaning station and restrooms are open for the season. Minnows are not allowed here. Black Crappie - Good: The warm up pushed crappies shallower. Tube jigs or jigs tipped with worms work best. Some limits have been reported.

Lake Macbride 
Water temperatures are in the mid 50's. All motors may be used at no wake speed at this time. All docks are in and the fish cleaning stations are open. Walleye - Fair: Some fish (mostly males) are very shallow, while others are still out deeper. The shallow bite should improve as water temperatures warm. Black Crappie - Good: Good: Fish are starting to move shallower. They are not on the bank, but are by shallower brush and staging just off the bank. Nice 10- to 13-inch crappie are available. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Wipers are starting to move shallower and chase bait and lures.

Otter Creek Lake 
The lake is full; the water is fairly clear. Yellow Bass – Fair: Try small jigs, spinners or live bait. Most fish are 8- to 9-inches.

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is full. Water temperatures are in the mid 50's. There is a lot of terrestrial vegetation in the shallows that established during the low water period. Walleye - Fair: Most action is in the shallows towards evening.

Prairie Park Fishery
2000 trout will be released here last Saturday. You must have a fishing license and a pay the trout fee to fish for and/or possess trout. Brook Trout – Fair. Rainbow Trout – Fair.

Sand Lake 
This lake is in Marshalltown. 2000 trout will be released here last Saturday. You must have a fishing license and a pay the trout fee to fish for and/or possess trout. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair. Rainbow Trout – Fair. Brook Trout– Fair. Black Crappie – Slow. 

Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) 
Walleye - Fair: The bite has slowed, but some fish are still being caught on jigs below the dams. Channel Catfish - Fair: Nice fish are being reported on cut bait.

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

Lake Miami
Start in the shallows using small jigs for bluegill. Use minnows around the submerged trees for crappies.

Lake Sugema
Try jigs tipped with minnows around the flooded timber for crappie.

Lake Wapello
Try small jigs along the shorelines for bluegill. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait or dead chubs.

Ottumwa Park Pond South
Trout were stocked on March 30. You must have a fishing license and a pay the trout fee to fish for and/or possess trout. Catch trout with a variety of methods including a live minnow fished under a bobber, small tube jigs and in-line spinners. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 905.87 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. The water temperature is in the lower 50's. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are catching channel catfish; use cut bait or shad sides. Black Crappie - Slow: Crappie fishing remains slow. Warmer water will help in the upcoming weeks.

Red Haw Lake
Try small jigs in the shallows for bluegills or cut bait for channel catfish. Target brush piles for largemouth bass.

The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.

fishing, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Pen City Current, rivers, sports

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