In the latest southeast Iowa Fishing Report, Lake Darling in Washington County continues to see fair bite conditions. Anglers are slow trolling for Black Crappies over the cedar trees in the middle of the lake and down along the rock piles in 9-10 feet of water. For Bluegills, try tolling out over the habitat in 6-8 feet of water. Try jigging just off the edges of the steeper drop-offs and over the trees in 10-12 feet of water for Largemouth Bass.
Conditions are fair as well in Keokuk County’s Lake Belva Deer, with Crappies just outside the flooded trees out from the beach and down towards the dam. Anglers are catching Bluegills by vertically jigging around the trees to a depth of about 10 feet, while Bass are moving to hard structures like mounds, gravel beds, and flooded timber.
The Iowa River is low at Columbus Junction, but smaller boats should be fine at the Schwob ramp. Some anglers have been having luck catching Channel Catfish at the ends of the sandbars in the deeper water with cut bait. Fishing just above the log jams with the same will also work.
Lake Geode in Henry County is seeing Black Crappies move to deeper water for the summer. Slow troll in 8-10 feet of water along the drop-offs. If you remember where they built the haul road for the renovation, drift along it for Bluegills. Largemouth Bass have slid down the slope at the drop-offs to avoid the heat.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.