The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has cancelled the trout stocking that was originally scheduled for Saturday, March 24. The weather forecast in the upper part of the state predicts heavy rain/snow with high winds. For safety reasons, the trucks carrying the trout will not be on the road. A news release will be sent out at a later date if it is rescheduled.
Southeast Iowa Fishing Report
The following fishing report was provided to KBOE 104.9FM by the Iowa DNR on January, 18, 2018:
Big Hollow Lake
Be cautious of deteriorating ice conditions this weekend if the weather forecast holds true. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are still picking up some nice bluegills out in the flooded timber and to the right of the boat ramp.
Lake Belva Deer
Watch the weather; it looks like the next few days will affect the ice conditions.Just because the ice was good earlier this week, doesn’t mean it will be good later this week. Bluegill – Slow: Work the creek channel out in the flooded trees. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are still picking up crappies out along the creek channel in the flooded timber.
Lake Darling
The warm weather last week added runoff color to the water and slowed down the fishing a little last weekend. Use caution out on the ice if we get the forecasted heavy rains. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are still down near the bottom in 10 to 12 foot of water. Fish near the habitat and you can still find them. Black Crappie – Fair: Work the habitat in the 10 to 12 feet range; it will take a while, but you can still catch a nice batch.
Lake Geode
The lake is drained for renovation.
Lost Grove Lake
Ice conditions are still pretty good as of Jan. 18. Don’t look for them to be near as good by the end of the weekend. Black Crappie – Fair: Last weekend the crappie fishing was a little more hit and miss. Drill a few holes out around the trees and you can still find a nice batch of crappies.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Central Park Lake
The lake is drained for the renovation project that is going on now.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake is holding at winter pool of 683.4 feet. Ice is 6-10 inches depending on where you are. There has been very little fishing activity on the lake. Bluegill – Slow. White Crappie – Slow.
Diamond Lake
An ice fishing tournament will be held here on Jan. 27th. Bluegill – Good: Catch 6-8 inch fish off brush piles on jigs/waxies. Black Crappie – Good: Use jigs/waxies around brush. Most fish are about 8 inches.
Green Castle Lake
Bluegill – Fair: 8-9 inch fish have been reported. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Some legal sized fish are reported.
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
The ice thickness is reported as being 8-10 inches. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Kent Park Lake
The lake is drained for the renovation project that will take place next winter. The ponds in Kent Park are reported as having about 10 inches of ice.
Lake Macbride
Most of the lake has 6-10 inches of ice depending on where you are. Most anglers are targeting the south arm or the area inside the park off the main double ramp. Bluegill – Fair: Use a jig/waxie around any brush or deeper rock. Size is marginal at best as these fish top out at 7.5 inches. Black Crappie – Slow: Try a jig/waxie around/over wood. Walleye – Slow: Use a spoon/minnow along rock edges, deeper stumps, or drop-offs. Dawn and dusk has been best. Most fish are small, but some eaters are also being caught.
Otter Creek Lake
The ice is reported as being about 8 inches. Yellow Bass – Fair. Bluegill – Good. Black Crappie – Good.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 10 feet low from the restoration project. The lake is reported as having 8 to 10 inches of ice. A lot of people have been out here fishing. Most anglers are targeting the area along the dam and out from the main ramp. Walleye – Fair: Try minnows or spoons tipped with minnow heads. Many fish are being caught in deep water. Remember that fish caught from as little as 20 feet can have their air bladders expand out of their mouth if brought up too quickly. There are lots of small walleyes in the system that may not survive releasing if their air bladder is compromised. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs and waxies along the dam. White Bass – Slow: A few fish are being caught suspended in deeper water with spoons. Yellow Perch – Fair: A few decent perch are being caught on jigs or small spoons tipped with waxies. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish over deeper brush with a jig/waxie.
Union Grove Lake
The ice is reported as being about 8-10 inches. The aeration system was started on Jan. 9th; there is open water at the dam end of the lake. There are lots of bluegills in the lake and they top out at about 7 inches. About 500 7-8 inch black crappies were stocked this spring. Two dozen trees were also put in the lake late this fall. Most are along the west shore, a few are in the mouths of the bays on the east side. Some tree tops may still be sticking out to find them.
Recent warmth and rains have made slushy conditions and possibly soft edges in areas. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Miami
Anglers report catching some bluegills using teardrop jigs tipped with a waxworm. Target the cedar tree piles that were added when the lake was renovated.
Lake Sugema
Ice thickness is 6-8 inches. Anglers are catching some bluegills and crappies with teardrop jigs tipped with a waxworm. Target areas with structure and move around until finding active fish.
Lake Wapello
Ice thickness is about 7 inches on the west end of the lake, but is not as thick out from the beach area. Anglers are catching some crappies and bluegills using teardrop jigs tipped with a waxworm. Target areas around the cedar tree piles and fish near the bottom.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 903.02 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. The ramps at the Rathbun marina are closed for the season and all the campgrounds are closed. Ice conditions have been reported as 6-8 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Use waxworms or minnows. Target structure in deeper water.
Sorting is needed for larger fish.
Red Haw Lake
Ice thickness has been reported as 7 inches. Anglers are catching some bluegills and crappies with teardrop jigs tipped with a waxworm. Target the fish habitat placed on the southwest side of the lake near the campground.
Most of the waterbodies in the district have fishable ice, but conditions will vary so use caution. 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.
Iowa DNR Outdoor News
Licenses Expire Jan. 10
Hunters and anglers are encouraged to purchase their 2018 license before their 2017 license expires. Annual Iowa hunting and fishing licenses expire on Jan. 10. License holders who purchased the three year option should check the date range printed on their license for expiration.
2017 Seasons Begin Closing Jan. 10
Small Game
Pheasant: Jan. 10
Quail, gray partridge, ruffed grouse and squirrel: Jan. 31
Cottontail rabbit: Feb. 28
Deer
Nonresident holiday season: Jan. 2
Late muzzleloader and archery: Jan. 10
Turkey
Archery: Jan. 10
Waterfowl
Duck seasons are closed in all zones.
North Zone – Dark Geese, including Canada geese, Brant and white-fronted geese: Jan. 1; Light Geese, including white and blue phase snow geese and Ross’ geese: Jan. 10.
South Zone – Dark Geese, including Canada geese, Brant and white-fronted geese: Jan. 15; Light Geese, including white and blue phase snow geese and Ross’ geese: Jan. 24.
Missouri River Zone – Dark Geese, including Canada geese, Brant and white-fronted geese: Jan. 15; Light Geese, including white and blue phase snow geese and Ross’ geese: Jan. 24.
Furbearer
Hunting and trapping – Raccoon, opossum, badger, striped skunk, fox, bobcat: Jan. 31
Trapping – Otter, mink, muskrat, weasel, coyote: Jan. 31
Hunting, trapping opportunities available through winter
Crow season opens Jan. 14 and closes on March 31
Special light goose conservation order for white and blue phase snow geese and Ross’ geese: Jan. 25-April 15.
Beaver trapping season closes April 15.
Coyote: Continuous open
Groundhog: Continuous open
Pigeon: Continuous open
Winter urban trout stocking starts Jan. 13
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will release trout in seven locations this winter in areas that would not support them during warmer months. These winter stockings are a great place to take kids to catch their first fish. A family friendly event is paired with most of the stockings to help anglers have success and fun while fishing.
The popular program is supported by the sales of the trout fee. Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10.
Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but they must limit their catch to one daily limit. The child can purchase a trout fee which will allow them to catch their own limit.
Winter stocking events are dependent on favorable weather and ice conditions. Check the DNR Trout Fishing website at www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Trout-Fishing for possible changes.
2018 Winter Trout Stocking Schedule
- Jan. 13, Blue Pit, Mason City, at 11 a.m.
- Jan. 13, Scharnberg Pond, Spencer, at 12:30 p.m.
- Jan. 20, Moorland Pond, Fort Dodge, at 9:30 a.m.
- Jan. 20, Big Lake, Council Bluffs, at Noon
- Jan. 27, Lake Petoka, Bondurant, at Noon
- Jan. 27, Bacon Creek, Sioux City, at 2 p.m.
- Feb. 3, Ada Hayden, Ames, at Noon.
REAP Will Hold Public Assembly for Mahaska and Surrounding Counties
Iowa’s Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) assembly comes to southern Iowa on October 18th, giving Iowans the opportunity to discuss their vision for outdoor recreation, soil and water enhancement, historical resources and land management and more.
Each assembly represents a region of counties and participants are required to attend the region for the county in which they reside.
The REAP meeting is Oct. 18, from 6:30-8:00 PM, at the lodge at Lake Keomah State Park, 2720 Keomah Lane, Oskaloosa, for residents of Davis, Jefferson, Keokuk, Mahaska, Van Buren and Wapello counties.
“These meetings are a great opportunity for us to meet with Iowans one-on-one and hear their ideas for their parks, trails, museums and other amenities,” said Chuck Gipp, director of the DNR. “Participation from community members is essential for all of us to work together to enhance our recreational opportunities in our state.”
REAP assemblies are locally led meetings where issues can be brought forth and voted upon. Iowans can discuss the program, recommend changes and discuss impacts in their area. Delegates may also be selected from the local meeting to attend the REAP congress in January at the State Capitol in Des Moines.
“REAP benefits every single county every year in one way or another, either through improved water quality, by preserving our historical assets or providing outdoor recreation,” said Tammie Krausman, DNR REAP coordinator. “It has and will continue to have a significant impact on the quality of life for all Iowans.”
Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Black Bear
Mid-morning on Wednesday, July 12, the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office had received a report of a black bear walking in a soybean field north of Oskaloosa. The partying reporting the sighting spotted the bear at the intersection of Highway-163 and 235th Street.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources was contacted regarding the sighting. Law Enforcement was unable to location the animal, however, they did obtain hair they believe is from a black bear and sent it off to the DNR lab for testing.
Over the past several weeks, the Iowa DNR noted there has been multiple reports of bear sightings in Iowa over the past several weeks; closest being in Tama and Iowa Counties. The DNR believes this bear is no danger to the public and will vacate the state eventually.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind residents that if a bear is sighted to not approach or attempt to feed the animal. Remember to also keep all children and pets inside if a bear has been spotted in the area. Also, make sure to report any sighting to the local Law Enforcement.
Note from Editor: Please do not attempt to shoot or corral animal. Contact the Iowa DNR or Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office.
Information from Mahaska Sheriff’s Office Press Release.
