This week’s fishing report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources includes fair or better conditions in most of the KCII listening area’s lakes and ponds, including a new opportunity to test the bite in Washington County.

The fall trout stocking at Marr Park Pond took place on Saturday, with plenty of room for anglers to find a spot to fish. Bite conditions are excellent after 1000 rainbow trout were stocked over the weekend, 100 of which are tagged for prizes. A valid fishing license and paid trout fees are required to fish for or possess trout.

Also in Washington County, Lake Darling water temperatures have dropped into the mid-50s. Black Crappies remain out over the deeper water habitat, while Bluegills are on the rock piles in 4-5 feet. Bass fishing is picking up, so work the shallows that are in the sun, but not far from deeper water.

In Keokuk County’s Lake Belva Deer, the Black Crappie bite is good, especially in 8-10 feet of water down in the trees along the old creek channel and around the edges of the timber. Continued cooler weather may bring them to the shallows, but hasn’t yet. For Catfish, work the rocks off the ends of the jetties and the dam with nightcrawlers and minnows. Larger Bass are starting to get picked up at the upper end of the lake along the shoreline. They like to work those areas near the six-inch rock for crawdads this time of year.

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