Where in Iowa Are the Fish Biting this Weekend?

Grab your jacket and fishing poll.

We've got another week detailing the best fishing spots near you.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff.

The DNR reminds those boating to be cautious of the low weather because of the recent drought.

Saylorville Reservoir
White Bass - Good: Boat and wading anglers have been doing well on white bass trolling and casting crankbaits and spoons from the Sandpiper beach area to the marina point.  Crappie - Fair: Some good size white crappie are being picked up near the docks in the marina fishing minnows under a bobber or jigging tube jigs.

Clear Lake
The fish cleaning station is closed for the winter. Walleye - Slow: A few walleyes are being picked up with minnows and cut bait fished from shore in 2-6 feet of water during mornings or evenings. Drifting and vertical jigging in 3-6 feet of water has worked for anglers fishing near the north shore just east of McIntosh Point and in the little lake.  Yellow Bass - Fair: Yellow bass are biting on crawlers, cut bait, and minnows. Drifting and vertical jigging in 2-6 feet of water along north shore just east of the state dock area and in the little lake is working well. Shore anglers are catching yellow bass in 2-4 feet of water using cut bait, minnows and crawlers. Shore anglers fishing cut bait in mornings and evenings from the Ventura Jetties and outside of the reeds along the north shore between The Venetian Village and McIntosh Point are doing the best.

Big Creek Lake
The east, west, marina and Williams Drive boat ramps are usable, but boaters should use caution. The water starts at the ends of the ramps. There is gravel past the end of the concrete.  It may be difficult to pull boats out with two wheel drive vehicles.  Crappie - Fair: A few crappies along with decent bluegills are being caught fishing minnows or tube jigs tipped with wax worms over deeper brush piles.

Red Rock Reservoir
Crappie - Good: Anglers fishing the docks and dredged areas of the marina bay are catching good numbers of nice sized crappies using tube jigs tipped with minnows or wax worms.

Lake Anita
Bluegill - Slow: Bluegills are being caught around brush piles. Tipping the jig with worms or Powerbait seems to help. Crappie - Slow: Anglers are having success jigging around cedar tree piles using minnows.

Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is 903.39 feet with 904 feet being normal. The surface water temperature is 51 degrees.  Fishing has been slow.  Some anglers have been catching crappie along the boat docks in the marinas. Try crankbaits for walleyes around submerged rock piles.  Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry boats before transporting to another water body.