Iowa Fishing Report: December 1

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.

Southwest Iowa

Don Williams Lake

Don Williams is currently 16 feet low and was recently chemically treated to eliminate gizzard shad. There was some minor game fish mortality with the majority being bluegill and crappie. Good populations should exist for those interested in ice fishing this winter. The fish are safe to eat. Also, now is a good time to GPS some of the great habitat in this lake before it refills.

Lake Petoka

Brook Trout - Good: Plenty of brook trout remain in the lake. In-line spinners, prepared trout baits, wax worms, or small live minnows are all catching fish. There will be a through the ice stocking in late January.

Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake

Rainbow Trout - Excellent: 2,200 rainbow trout were stocked Nov. 18. Anglers continue to have success. Use flashy spinners or trout paste baits under bobbers. Tipping the spinners with a little bit of crawler seems to make the fish hit and hold longer for a hook set.

Banner Lake (south)

Rainbow Trout - Good: Good numbers of trout are present from the fall stocking for anglers looking for action before ice-up. Small, flashy in-line spinners are doing best.

Most anglers are patiently awaiting the ice fishing season. Reports will become more numerous when ice fishing begins. For more information on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.

Little River Watershed Lake

The lake has been lowered 18 feet to allow a fishery renovation, shoreline riprap, and the construction of fish habitat. All of the fish have been eliminated. The construction work is scheduled for mid spring completion. The water level will be kept at least 15 feet down until then. Fish will be stocked in the spring.

Sands Timber Lake (Blockton Reservoir)

The lake has been completely drained allow the construction of sediment stabilization structures and shoreline work. The lake will be allowed to refill when the work is complete.

Green Valley Lake

The water level is still down to allow completion of a sediment removal project. The in-lake work is expected to be complete by mid-December. Water levels should rise when run-off occurs. The fishery contains a lot of large bluegill and crappie. The channel catfish and largemouth bass are mid-sized but very abundant.  Ice fishing the next few months should be quite good.

Summitt Lake

The lake has been completely drained to allow the replacement of the spillway structure. Completion is expected in late spring.

Skim ice is forming on small lakes and ponds. The mid-sized and large lakes are open.