Recent rainfall has cooled the lakes and ponds in southeast Iowa, however, bite conditions continue to be slow outside of Channel Catfish.

Lake Darling in Washington County is still about 8-10 inches from going over the spillway. With a water temperature of 77 degrees, most fish are staying in 6-8 feet of water to stay cool. Bluegills are hanging out over the tops of the rock piles. Largemouth Bass are below the phytoplankton layer, so run a shallow diving crankbait between 1-4 feet in the morning, or a medium diver between 5-9 feet later in the day. The Catfish bite is fair, as they are out in shallow culvert piles and at the foot of the rip-rap.

Conditions are similar in Keokuk County at Lake Belva Deer, where the Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Bass bite are all slow. Most are hanging around the trees in 6-7 feet of water. The best place for Channel Catfish continues to be along the face of the dam, while anglers are encouraged to try the “Old Pond” as well.

Henry County’s Lake Geode is one of the warmest in the area, recorded at 81 degrees this week. As a result, most of the fish have moved to deeper water at depths between 8-10 feet. Troll the drop-offs for Crappies and Bass, and look for Bluegills along the lake renovation haul road on the west side.

The Iowa river saw a brief bump in water levels, but have since dropped, making it tough to navigate with a boat right now. The Catfish will still be in deeper pools around the brush piles and logjams. Most anglers have switched from live bait to cut bait and stink baits. The same can be said for the Skunk River from Rose Hill to Coppock.

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