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Annual Fishing Forecast
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[size 3]Southwest Iowa Fishing Forecast[/size] [Image: swmap.gif]



[url "http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/news/forcast/swfrcst.html#bluegill"][#800080]Bluegill[/#800080][/url] . [url "http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/news/forcast/swfrcst.html#crappie"][#800080]Crappie[/#800080][/url] . [url "http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/news/forcast/swfrcst.html#largemouth"][#800080]Largemouth Bass[/#800080][/url] . [url "http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/news/forcast/swfrcst.html#walleye"][#800080]Walleye[/#800080][/url] . [url "http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/news/forcast/swfrcst.html#channel"][#800080]Channel Catfish[/#800080][/url] .

Top surprise water body from last year:
Desoto Bend (Harrison Co.). Crappie fishing this past spring was fantastic with numerous fish caught that exceeded 10 inches in length. Anglers were catching most of these crappies in May during the spawn. Fish were found near shore around a variety of habitats such as underwater tree structure, old pilings, and rock rip-rap. Fishing should be excellent again this coming spring. Anglers will have their best luck using small lead-head jigs (1/64 – 1/16 ounce), light line (2 – 4 pound test), bobbers, and may possibly need to tip jig with a small minnow. Fish by casting toward structure, with or without a bobber, then retrieve lure using a slow retrieve. Fish will be found in shallow water (2-5 feet) around structure. If water clarity is good as it was last spring you may be able to visually see male crappies guarding nesting area.

Best hunch for this year:
Prairie Rose Lake (Shelby Co.). Keeper sized crappies are back! After a couple of lack luster years of crappie fishing, more from size than numbers, a large years class of crappies has grown to an angler acceptable size of 8-10 inches. Last spring anglers were catching 7-8 inch fish nearly every cast! Concentrate your efforts near shore around rock rip-rap or the numerous brush piles located around the lake. Also Red Rock Reservoir (Marion Co.). Fisheries management surveys in 2003 found numerous crappie in the 11 – 14 inch size range. Sampled fish were in good condition with fish over one pound very common. Good numbers of white bass/wipers were also sampled, particularly in the Whitebreast area. With good water levels, 2004 could be a banner year for the Red Rock fishery.

FAMILY FRIENDLY:
Hickory Grove Lake (Story Co.), 5 miles west of Colo. Besides good bluegill fishing, the county park has a good camping area, beach, and canoe and paddle boat rentals. There are also hiking trails, prairies, numerous shelters and picnicking areas. The lake is only 20 miles from Ames and Iowa State University and theaters, museums, shopping and sporting events.

HIDDEN JEWEL:
Slipbluff Lake (Decatur Co.) is located two miles north west of Davis City in southern Decatur county. The 16 acre lake has a gravel boat ramp with 4-wheel drive recommended and an electric motors only restriction that makes fishing this lake an adventure. Slipbluff has good crappie and bluegill fishing with fish up to 8 to 10 inches in length. Watch the weather, as the lake can be murky after a big rain.

MOST OVERLOOKED:
Wilson and Windmill Lakes (Taylor Co.) are two county areas that are frequently passed over. Wilson is 17 acres and has 8-11 inch crappie that are commonly caught on the dam during the spawn plus good numbers of 12-16 inch largemouth bass. Windmill, a 22 acre lake, has a good population of 7-9 inch bluegill readily accessible during the spawn. Both have gravel boat ramps, so a 4-wheel drive will be helpful.

The tables below should help guide you to your favorite sport fish. If more information is needed, contact the fisheries biologist in your arera. Good fishing in 2004!!



[/url]Bluegill Lake or stream County Comments Badger Creek Dallas Good for 7 to 8.5-inch fish. Ahquabi Warren Good for 7-9 inch gills, fish near and around the jetties Big Creek Polk 7-9 inch fish. Try the fishing the under water road beds, jetties and shallow points. Beaver Dallas Good for 7 to 9 inch fish. Hooper Lake Warren 7 - 10 inch fish, the best areas are along the dam and west shoreline. Greenfield Adair Lots of 7 and 8-inch fish; try fishing around brush piles. Springbrook Guthrie 7-inch gills, fish along the dam and downed trees on the west shore. Meadow Adair Good for 8 and 9 inch fish, expect quality not quantity. Viking Lake Montgomery 7 to 8 inch gills, work the shorelines in June. Three Mile Union 7 - 9 inch fish are common.
[/url]Crappie Lake or stream County Comments Wilson Lake Taylor Nice 8 to 11 inch fish, abundant on the dam during the spawn. DeSoto Bend Harrison Nice 8-13 inch fish, best fishing is in the spring. Big Creek Polk A good number of 7 to 9-inch fish. Red Rock Marion 11 to 15 inch fish, concentrate on fishing around the feeder streams and dam area. Green Valley Union 7.5 to 10-inch fish, best fishing is around rocky shorelines Easter Polk 7 to 9 inch fish common. West Lake Clarke 7 1/2 to 10-inch fish are abundant. Cold Springs Cass Good for 7 - 11 inch fish Prairie Rose Shelby Fish alsong rocky shore lines in the spring for 7 to 9 inch fish. Three Mile Union 7 1/2 - 10 inch fish are common.
[/url]Largemouth Bass Lake or stream County Comments Badger Creek Dallas All sizes with the largest at 20 inches. Big Creek Polk 18 inch minimum size limit; abundant for bass up to 16 inches. Farm Ponds All Best fishing for bass, first ask for permission. Green Valley Union A 22-inch length limit and trophy fish are present. Little River Decatur All sizes available, 12 inches and up. Prairie Rose Shelby Large fish (14 to 20-inch). Red Rock Marion Fish along the dam, good numbers of big bass up to 20 inches. Roberts Creek Marion Last year's survey recorded many 12 - 17 inch bass. Viking Montgomery Good population of 12-15 inch fish. West Lake Osceola Clarke All sizes, 14 to 17 inch bass are common.
[/url]Walleye Lake or stream County Comments Big Creek Polk Many fish approaching the 15 inch minimum size limit. Des Moines River Polk, Boone; Fish below dams, and riffle/pool areas. Mormon Trail Adair A good population of one pound fish are available. Three Mile Union All sizes with plenty of fish over 26 inches.
[/url]Channel Catfish Lake or stream County Comments Mornon Trail Adair Abundant population of catfish. Prairie Rose Shelby Alot of 3 to 6 pound fish. Fogle Ringgold Last fall's survey sampled many 14 - 20 inch fish. Nine Eagles Decatur Catfish length range from 14 to 25 inches. Rock Creek Jasper Good population of fish up to 4 pounds.[/url]
--article by Andy Moore, from the Iowa Conservationist
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Annual Fishing Forecast - by Bassmaster-ND - 05-19-2004, 04:33 AM
Re: [Bassmaster-ND] Annual Fishing Forecast - by Bassmaster-ND - 05-19-2004, 04:36 AM

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