Lake Darling

The water temperature warmed back up to 59 degree on Wednesday (4/24). Water clarity around two feet. Strong winds have been keeping it stirred up.

Black Crappie - Fair: The crappies seemed to be out around the rock pile in 6 to 8 foot of water for the most part. jigs or slip bobbers and minnows

Bluegill - Fair: The better bluegills are out at the ends of the jetties or in the rock piles with the crappies

Largemouth Bass - Fair: When the sun is out they are moving into the warm sunny bays. The wind and the clouds move in they move out. Still want to work them slow with crankbaits or jigs.

Source: Iowa DNR

Water temperature was 59 degrees over the weekend has dropped into the mid 50's over the last couple of days. Water is clearing but still brown from the runoff caused by the rain.

Black Crappie - Fair: Earlier this week there were some crappies along the shorelines near deeper water. Most were still out in deeper water.

Bluegill - Fair: Anglers earlier this week, were catching bluegills along the rocks using small jigs.

Largemouth Bass - Fair: The bass on the warmer sunny days have been moving in to shallow water to feed. They don't seem to be moving too far away from the deeper water just yet.

Source: Iowa DNR

Largemouth Bass - Fair: With the warmer weather in the forecast I would be looking for the bass along the base of the rocks on the north side of the lake. Jigs and soft plastics that mimic crawdads worked slow.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at (319) 694-2430

Water Temperature at 45 degrees. Lake is high and muddy after nearly 3 inches of rain.

Largemouth Bass - No Report: With all the extra muddy water it will take a while for the fish to adjust.

Channel Catfish - Fair: Might be a good time to fish up in Honey Creek and the flooded low areas for catfish.

Source: Iowa DNR

For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at (319) 694-2430

Water temperature in the upper 30's now for the most part. A few boats out on the lake very little actual fishing pressure.

Black Crappie - Slow: When the lake is calm you can pick up a few crappies out in the middle of the lake hanging around the cedar trees out there. Use ice fishing jigs tipped with minnows to catch them.

Source: Iowa DNR

Source: Iowa DNR

Source: Iowa DNR

Source: Iowa DNR

For more information on the ice conditions on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at (319) 694-2430

UNSAFE. Most of the ice is turning to a dark blue green color. Areas of open water on the north side and around the jetties.

Source: Iowa DNR

Source: Iowa DNR

On Jan 3 the lake was about 30% ice covered but the wind and above freezing temps were eating the ice pretty fast.

For more information on the ice conditions on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at (319) 694-2430

Source: Iowa DNR