Anglers across Southeast Iowa are finding late-summer fishing conditions holding steady despite recent stretches of warm weather. Water temperatures remain in the mid- to upper-70s at most area lakes and rivers, keeping fish active but often deeper during the heat of the day. Here’s a look at the latest fishing action:
Big Hollow Lake
Afternoon water temperatures are pushing near 80 degrees, and fish are adjusting accordingly.
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Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies holding in 7–9 feet of water, particularly around thicker flooded brush and cedar trees. Early mornings along the brush edges are best.
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Largemouth Bass – Good: Smaller 10- to 12-inch bass remain in shallow water, while larger bass have moved to deeper areas to escape the heat.
Cedar River (Moscow to Columbus Junction)
River levels dropped about six inches, but the bite remains solid.
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Channel Catfish – Good: The hot weather hasn’t slowed the catfish bite. Focus efforts on the lower Cedar.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
Levels are down another foot, creating more shallow areas for boaters.
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Channel Catfish – Good: Cut bait or dead shad fished behind or beside logjams continues to produce.
Lake Belva Deer
Surface temperatures reach 80 degrees in the afternoons, with mid- to upper-70s the rest of the day.
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Bluegill – Good: Most bluegills remain in 10–12 feet of water among flooded timber. Use slip bobbers or vertically jig with waxworms.
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Largemouth Bass – Good: Smaller bass are staying shallow; bigger bass move in early mornings before the sun hits the water.
Lake Darling
After reaching 80 degrees earlier in the week, water temps have cooled to around 76 degrees. The water is clearing with some planktonic algae remaining.
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Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are holding over deeper habitat.
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Bluegill – Fair: Many remain deep, but some linger in shallow water. Try a worm and bobber off jetties or steep shorelines.
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Channel Catfish – Good: Fishing has picked up with stink bait or chicken liver along rocks near the main boat ramp and around Crappie Cove.
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Largemouth Bass – Fair: Smaller bass are staying shallow, while larger fish are holding deeper. Crankbaits run 7–9 feet past structure work well.
Lake Geode
Water is green with about 20 inches of clarity and temperatures near 78–80 degrees.
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Black Crappie – Fair: Target habitat in 8–10 feet of water with vertical jigs.
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Bluegill – Good: Eight-inch fish are common; try a worm and bobber in 7–8 feet of water. Expect them to move shallower as daylight shortens.
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Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are holding along deep-water drop-offs.
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid-70s with about 4 feet of clarity. Eurasian watermilfoil is present—anglers are reminded to drain, clean, and dry all equipment before leaving.
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Bluegill – Good: Most are in 6–7 feet of water around flooded brush.
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Largemouth Bass – Good: Evening and early morning crankbait action is strong along weed bed edges and submerged brush.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
Sand and gravel bars are reappearing, limiting access to shallow-water boats and canoes.
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Channel Catfish – Fair: Reduced flow has slowed the bite slightly. Stink baits and cut bait around sand bar edges and brush piles remain effective.
For up-to-date fishing information, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.