Big Hollow Lake
Water temperature is 73 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie on the edge of the flooded timber on the south side of the lake in 9-10 feet of water up a foot or so off the bottom. Bluegill – Fair: Some are starting to sneak back onto the spawning beds; many are still out in 6 to 7 feet of water. Use a worm and slip bobber to clear the water so you can vertically jig over top of them. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass have recovered from the spawn. The bigger the bass the farther they are back in the trees.
Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
Recent rains are forecast to keep the river levels stable until middle of next week before falling again. Channel Catfish – Good: Try cut bait in the backends of the sandbars or stink baits behind brush piles.
Lake Belva Deer
Water temperature is 72 degrees. Water clarity is 7 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Try slow drifting or vertically jigging over the habitat and in about 12-16 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills out in deeper water 10-14 feet down in the trees. They might come back in to continue the spawn as the water continues to warm.
Lake Darling
Water temperature is 71 degrees. Water clarity is good at 50-60 inches. The water has a green tint; it’s starting to clear again. Black Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies down by the dam in brush piles in deep water out from the high rip-rap bank or on the rock pile field on the ends of the dam. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill fishing slowed with most bedding areas vacant. They may start to come in as the water warms into the 70s. Anglers are catching most in 6-8 feet of water.
Lake Geode
Water temperature is 73 degrees. Water clarity is 6 feet. Black Crappie – Good: Find crappies in the habitat in 8 to 19 feet of water; try vertically jigging. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are starting to return to the spawning beds after a brief break. Use a worm and bobber or a small jig tipped with a waxworm. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are looking for young bluegills and crappies to feed on.
Lost Grove Lake
Water temperature is 68-70 degrees. Curly-leaf is still in good health; hasn’t started the summer die back yet. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill fishing has slowed. They should start to move back on to the beds as the water warms back up. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are cruising the shallows feeding on the young bluegills; use crankbaits or topwater baits.
Railroad Lake
Minnows can’t be used as bait. Black Crappie – Slow: Work the brush piles in the middle of the lake; use small jigs. Bluegill – Excellent: Try worm and bobber and small jigs fished a few yards out from shore. Channel Catfish – Slow: Catfishing has slowed with falling water temperatures. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use nightcrawlers rigs and assorted artificial baits.
Skunk River (Rose Hill to Coppock)
River levels were slowly dropping; forecast to start to rise again with recent rainfall. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing with stink baits and cut baits had started to slow, but should pick up with the rising water. It’s time to try nightcrawlers again.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.