Lake Geode
Heavy rains have made the lake high and muddy. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers are still catching a few bluegills down around the dam.

Lake Belva Deer
The road crews are still making progress on the road project. This year they are preparing the road bed and the paving will occur next year after the road bed has had a winter to settle. The surface will remain gravel this year. A detour map is available at the Keokuk CCB website. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers are seeing the bluegills on the beds but they can't get them to bite. The storms rolling through aren't helping the fishing.

Skunk River (Coppock to Mississippi River)
Most of the river is either in minor or moderate flood stage.

Iowa River (Columbus Junction to Mississippi River)
The rains have brought the river to bank full up to minor flood stage around the Wapello area. Water temperature ranges between 76 and 80 degrees. Flathead Catfish - Slow: Anglers have seen a big drop in the number of flatheads being caught. The up and down water levels can't be helping any.

Lake of the Hills
The hot, muggy weather and numerous storm fronts have slowed fishing at Lake-of-the-Hills. Fish early in the morning, late in the evening, or in shady areas. Rainbow Trout - Slow: No reported catches. Channel Catfish - Fair: Find throughout the lake using night crawlers, stink bait, and chicken liver. Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are starting to come off the beds. Use small jigs tipped with wax worms or pieces of night crawlers. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use traditional bass baits. Experiment with water depth until you find fish. Crappie - Slow: No significant catches reported.

Kent Park Lake
Anglers are also catching fish in some of their ponds as well. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try around rock with crawlers or sunfish. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing has been decent around shallow rock and brush. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Crankbaits and soft plastics have been producing best.

Lake Macbride
Water temperature is in the low to mid 80s. Remember a 10 hp maximum is now in effect for Lake Macbride. Channel Catfish - Fair: Try crawlers or sunfish around shallow rock, wood, weeds. Towards evening is usually best.

Diamond Lake
The water is quite dirty due to heavy rains. Remember, no minnows are allowed here. Channel Catfish - Fair: The catfish have been around shallow rocks and wood in attempts to spawn. Fish with crawlers or sunfish around these shallow structures. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills have been caught here.

Most lakes have water temps cracking the 80 degree mark. Channel catfish have been spawning and can be found around shallower rock and wood.

Lake Wapello
The lake was completely drained during the summer of 2008. Repairs have been made and the gate is now shut and the lake is re-filling.

Red Haw Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Night crawlers have been the best bait for catching channel catfish. Bluegill - Good: Small jigs have been catching fish along with a chunk of night crawler under a bobber. The best areas have been along the shorelines and around submerged structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use soft plastics along the shoreline and around submerged structure. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are also a good choice to use around these same areas.

Lake Keomah
Channel Catfish - Slow: Use night crawlers or dead minnows. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a chunk of night crawler fished along the shoreline. Look for areas with structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use soft plastics or jigs fished along submerged structure. Try off the ends of the rock jetties and also where the jetties meet the shoreline.

Albia (lower)
Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs along the shorelines. Try using a chunk of night crawler under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Good: Try areas with some rip rap or areas with submerged structure. There are also areas marked with habitat buoys where cedars trees have been placed.

Lake Miami
The lake drawdown started May 15. Anglers may still use the lake during this time and the boat docks and boat ramps are usable. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use night crawlers or dead minnows. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs along the shorelines and around structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use soft plastics or spinnerbaits around structure. Crappie - Good: Use small jigs or jig/minnow combinations along the shoreline or other structure.

Lake Sugema
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a night crawler. Try a variety of depths. Largemouth Bass - Good: Use soft plastics around weed lines and other structure. Try using spinnerbaits in the same areas. Top-waters are also a good choice for mornings and evenings. Crappie - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow or wax worm. Try different colors and locations until you find active fish.

Rathbun Reservoir
Lake Rathbun water temperature is in the 70s. The lake level is currently at 909.74 feet which is about six feet above normal pool. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use night crawlers or cut bait to catch channel catfish in the coves and bays. White Bass - Good: Use flashy blade baits or chrome colored baits to mimic shad. Try areas with some underwater structure or a change in depth. The area around Island View has been productive. Crappie - Slow: Crappies are being caught around flooded vegetation along the shoreline. A lot of crappies are being caught but most of them are less than 8 inches, with an occasional fish over 10 inches. Walleye - Fair: Try drifting night crawlers or trolling crankbaits around underwater islands and ridges. Large numbers of smaller walleye are being caught with an occasional keeper. The South Fork flats have been producing some catches of keepers.

Rathbun District Farm Ponds
Crappies and bluegills have been hitting in area farm ponds. Largemouth bass are also being caught. Be sure to ask permission before fishing private farm ponds.

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