In this week’s southeast Iowa fishing report, water temperatures in a majority of the area’s lakes and ponds have dropped to the mid-50’s. More consistent weather in the forecast could open up more opportunities for Iowa anglers.

Water clarity is 6-7 feet at Lake Darling in Washington County. Bluegill fishing has improved, with anglers finding them more consistently around rock piles and tree falls in 5-7 feet of water. Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass fishing continue to be fair. Crappies are coming to feed in the rock piles on warmer afternoons, but stay out in 8-10 feet of water earlier in the day. The Bass bite is improving, with anglers recommended to work the shallow waters with soft plastics and slow moving crankbaits.

The Black Crappie and Largemouth Bass bite is similar in Keokuk County’s Lake Belva Deer. Try slow trolling or vertically jigging along the edge of the flooded timber to find schools of Crappie. For Bass, they can be found on the upper end of the lake on warmer afternoons. Jigs or soft plastics worked slowly along the rock bottom sections of the shoreline is recommended.

In Big Hollow Lake in Des Moines County, anglers are picking up a few Crappies in the trees, vertically jigging or with minnows and bobbers. Bass are moving into shallow water in the afternoons and back to deeper water in the early morning and evenings. Meanwhile, Lake Geode is fully stocked with Bass, Redears, Bluegills, Crappies, and Catfish. While still growing to size, it’s a good place to take the kids fishing.

Bluegill, Crappie, and Largemouth Bass fishing are equally fair in Lost Grove Lake in Scott County. Fish are becoming more organized with the more stable weather pattern.

For more information on the above lakes and ponds, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.