Unseasonably warm weather has given Iowa anglers continued opportunities to test the bite in the southeastern part of the state.

Trout fishing is good as they begin acclimating to their new home in Discovery Park Pond in Muscatine County, East Lake Park Pond in Henry County, and Wilson Lake in Lee County. In Discovery Park Pond, anglers are having success around the fishing pier and corners of the dam. Look for Trout in 4-6 feet of water around trees and cedars in Wilson Lake, and use something with a little flash to get their attention.

Water temperatures rose to the mid-50’s in Big Hollow Lake in Des Moines County, as the Crappie and Bluegill bite remains fair. The Black Crappie bite is hit-or-miss in the old creek channel, with most anglers vertically jigging and moving from spot to spot. Bluegill are making their way to deeper water.

In Keokuk County, Lake Belva Deer water temperatures are reaching 54-55 degrees in the afternoon. As a result, Black Crappie fishing is slow. Anglers slow trolling for Crappie are catching Bluegill as they head to deeper water. Small Bass are being caught in shallow waters, with most bigger fish sticking to deeper water.

Lake Darling in Washington County saw a rise in water temperature, currently hovering around 54 degrees. Black Crappie, Bluegill, and Largemouth Bass are all fair. Most Crappie remain over the cedars in 10-12 feet of water. For Bluegill, anglers are having success with jigs tipped with a worm or slip bobber rigs in rock piles in 4-5 feet of water. A few 10-12 inch bass are swimming in shallow water to hunt Sunfish.

The Bluegill and Largemouth Bass bite is fair in Lost Grove Lake in Scott County as well. Bigger Bluegill are hanging out in 6-7 feet of water around the flooded brush. Most Bass have moved to deeper water along the old creek channel, with some 10-12 inch Bass being caught around rock piles and trees.

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