SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature was 68 degrees on 5/20, but has been dropping. The duckweed is still confined to around the edges of the lake, most of the lake is free of it. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers were finding crappies in about 9 feet of water earlier this week. Minnows and slip bobbers work best. Bluegill – Good: Scout the shallows along the northside to find spawning areas. Get the males to bite with small jigs tipped with a little live bait or just a worm and a bobber. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait or nightcrawlers along the face of the dam. Largemouth Bass – Good: Nesting has wrapped; a few males may still on the nest. Cast or slowly troll crankbaits along the edges of the trees.
Deep Lakes
Water temperature was 65 degrees at Lake Chester on 5/21. Sprayed the curlyleaf around the boat ramp; should make it easier for the boats to get out. Electric trolling motors only. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies have moved off to the cedar trees in deeper water. Bluegill – Fair: With the ultra-clear water you must sneak up on them or they scatter. Some bluegill are still on the spawning beds. Work the edges of the weed beds with a 1/64 ounce or smaller jig tipped with a piece of redworm.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
River level is 3/4 bank full. Water temperature is in the mid to upper 60’s. Try nightcrawlers or cut bait in the back edges of the sandbars. Use minnows or green sunfish around the log jams.Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfishing has slowed with the falling temperatures. Recent rains are adding a lot of “new” food into the river. Use nightcrawlers or cut bait in the mouths of any of the feeder creeks.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is in the mid to low 60s. Black Crappie – Good: Find crappies out in the cover in 10-12 feet of water. Try vertically jigging with a jig and minnow or just a minnow and slip bobber. Bluegill – Good: Good: Cooler temperatures are keeping new bluegills from coming in to nest. If you find a nesting area that is still active, you can catch some nice fish. Work the open pockets and the edges of the curlyleaf beds where they are feeding on insects. Channel Catfish – Good: Cold water temperatures have put a hold on the spawn. Catfish are still in the rocks, they are just feeding instead of guarding nesting cavities. Largemouth Bass – Good: Most males are off the nests, but remain in shallow to hunt baby crappies. Females remain out deep to rest for a little while longer.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is 62 degrees. Water clarity remains clear; some some planktonic algae is starting to show back up. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies have headed back out deep after the spawn. Try a yellow jig tipped with a minnow in brush piles and rock piles in 8-10 feet of water. Bluegill – Good: Look for some bluegills still holding to the nest in bays with a hard bottom out of the wind. You will find a lot of empty beds as they move off the nests and cold temperatures keep new fish from moving in. Channel Catfish – Fair: Dropping temperatures have slowed the males getting geared up for the spawn. You can still find plenty of fish roaming the rocky shorelines looking for something to eat. Use live crawdads or minnows or chicken liver. Largemouth Bass – Good: Most bass have moved off the nest. You can still find the males in shallow feeding on baby crappies and bluegills. Try small jigs or small crankbaits.
Lost Grove Lake
Water is fairly clear at 6 feet+. The curlyleaf beds are well established. Water temperatures are in the low 60s. Black Crappie – Fair: When the wind dies down, find crappies in deeper water suspended at 12-16 feet down; use jig and minnow. Bluegill – Good: “Drift-troll” worm and bobber and a small jig tipped with a worm to find them; switch to a small bobber and worm. Find bigger bluegills and redears in fairly shallow water (3-4 inches). Largemouth Bass – Fair: Nesting seems is wrapping up. Females are still out deep recovering from the spawn, but there are still plenty of males in shallow feeding on baby crappies and bluegills. Cast spinnerbaits and crankbaits along the outer edge of the curlyleaf beds or jigs back into the pockets in the weeds.
Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi)
River level is slowly rising with recent rains; water is muddier than last week.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.