Crappie and bass fishing heating up in area waterways

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LEE COUNTY - The following is the Iowa Department of Natural Resources fishing report for the week ending Wed. May 22, 2019.

Big Hollow Lake
Black Crappie
- Fair:Crappies moved to a little deeper water last weekend because of the weather. Try around 6 feet deep and work your way in shallower if the forecast weather for the next couple of days comes true.Largemouth Bass- Fair: Anglers that were willing to push back into the backs of the bays with flooded timber, were catching some pretty decent bass on plastic worms.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The Iowa River at Wapello is down to about 2 feet below bank full; down closer to the Mississippi River it remains at bank full or a little higher.

Lake Belva Deer
The lake has returned to its normal level; water clarity is much improved at 8 feet. Black Crappie - Fair: As of Wednesday, most of the crappies remain out in deeper water. Water temperature was still below 60 degrees. Anglers were able to find schools of crappies in 10 to 15 feet of water.

Lake Darling 
Last weekend’s weather dropped the water temperature into the mid 50's; it was only 59 degrees by Wednesday afternoon. Water clarity is about 2 1/2 feet. Black Crappie - Fair: As of Wednesday, most of the crappies remained in 8 to 10 feet of water. Of the few that were in shallow, only a small percentage were actively spawning. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Find where the sun is hitting shallow water that isn’t too far away from deeper water and you can catch some bass.

Lost Grove Lake
The lake level is nearing normal pool level again. Water temperature should break above 60 degrees sometime today (Thursday). Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers were catching good numbers of bass in the shallows around the flooded trees over the weekend.Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies moved out to deeper water last weekend and have just started to work their way back into shallower water.

Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
The Skunk River is one of the few rivers in the area that is at fairly "normal levels" at about half bank full. Channel Catfish - Fair: Anglers are picking up some nice catfish using mostly nightcrawlers and cut bait. Flathead Catfish - Fair: Starting to see a few early bank lines out.

For more information on the above lake, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)
Shovelnose Sturgeon - Good: Use a crawler fished on the bottom.

Coralville Reservoir
The lake is at summer pool of 683 feet. Channel Catfish – Slow. White Crappie – Slow.

Diamond Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Early in the week, the males were on the bank under overhanging brush, while the females were suspended 10-14 feet down. Most fish are around 9 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are starting to pick up some bluegills.

Green Castle Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Catch fish up to 9 inches. Black Crappie - Fair: Most fish are 8-10 inches.

Hannen Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: The bite slowed a bit this week, but most fish are 10-13 inches. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Most fish are smaller.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Black Crappie - Fair: Some fish are still suspended out deeper, while some move in shallow on warmer days. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Some nicer fish were caught this week. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching some fish on deeper brush piles, as well as some near shore.

Lake Macbride 
Water temperatures are in the low 60's. Water clarity is good. All motors may be used at no wake speed at this time. The fish cleaning stations are open. Walleye - Fair: Some fish are shallow, while others are still out deeper. Jigging and trolling crankbaits have been working. Black Crappie - Good: Fish are starting to move shallower. Some fish are on the bank and more should be as it warms. Nice 10-13 inch crappie are available. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Wipers are starting to move shallower and chase bait and lures. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Quite a few bass are in the shallows. 

Otter Creek Lake 
Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair.

Pleasant Creek Lake
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 and after dark. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Fair: Look for schools of fish towards sunset.

Rodgers Park Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Some decent fish were caught this week.

Sand Lake 
This lake is in Marshalltown. 2000 trout were released here on April 20. You must have a fishing license and a pay the trout fee to fish for and/or possess trout. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Fair: Most fish are 14-16 inches. Jigs and other artificials are working, if you can find a school. Rainbow Trout – Fair. Black Crappie - Fair: Try jigs or minnows around brush or near shore. Many fish are around 10 inches.

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

Hawthorn Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try rubber worms or spinnerbaits around the rock jetties and along the dam. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try dead chubs or nightcrawlers. 

Lake Miami
Black Crappie - Fair: Use minnows around the submerged trees. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs around the rock jetties and shorelines.

Lake Sugema
Largemouth Bass - Good: Try spinnerbaits or crankbaits around rock jetties and along the dam. Black Crappie - Fair: Try jigs tipped with a minnow.

Lake Wapello
Bluegill
 - Fair: Try small jigs along the shorelines. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait or dead chubs. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try rubber worms or spinnerbaits around rock jetties and submerged structure. 

Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 906.66 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. The water temperature is in the 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 - Fair: Try jigs along the rocky shorelines. Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) - Good: Anglers have been successful trolling crankbaits along rocky shores. 

Red Haw Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use cut bait or dead chubs. Bluegill - Fair: Try small jigs fished around the shores and submerged structure. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Target brush piles and other submerged structure.

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.

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