Bluegill Fishing In The Cedar Valley

It's fishing time and as the water warms up, fish start moving to the shallows to spawn. That includes the fun to fish for and tasty bluegill. Our good friends at the Iowa Department of Natural resources put together videos to help us get those little morsels of fish. So, here's to bluegill fishing in the Cedar Valley.

Also, below is the latest fishing report from the Iowa DNR.

Don't forget to get your fishing license. The Iowa DNR makes it easy now as you can get your fishing license online, and print it right at home. Just go to tinyurl.com/fishiowa.

(Video courtesy of Iowa Department of Natural Resources via Youtube)

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORT 

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Bluegill - Good: Fish a small worm under a bobber or cast small jigs over the tops of bluegill beds for aggressive fish. Largemouth Bass - Good: Crankbaits, spinnerbaits and Carolina rigs have been working well.

Big Woods Lake
There have been reports of anglers catching crappie out of Big Woods Lake. Crappie - Fair: Cast colored tube jigs or fish with a crappie minnow under a slip bobber around structure.

George Wyth Lake
There have been reports of anglers catching crappie out of George Wyth Lake. Crappie - Fair: Cast colored tube jigs or fish with a crappie minnow under a slip bobber around structure.

South Prairie Lake
Anglers have been catching crappie in South Prairie Lake. With the warmer forecast ahead the crappie action should only improve as most area lakes warm. Crappie - Good: Cast colored tube jigs or fish with a crappie minnow under a slip bobber along edges of vegetation.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Fishing has been hit and miss with fluctuating temperatures but should improve with warmer temperatures. Anglers can expect catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Walleye - Fair: Anglers have switched to a crawler tipped on a jig or casting crankbaits for active walleye. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits for active smallmouth bass as water temperatures increase. Channel Catfish - Fair: Stink baits and dead cut baits are providing good catches of channel catfish.

Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Fishing has been hit and miss with fluctuating temperatures but should improve with warmer temperatures. Anglers can expect catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel. Walleye - Fair: Anglers have switched to a crawler tipped on a jig or casting crankbaits for active walleye. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits for active smallmouth bass as water temperatures increase. Channel Catfish - Fair: Stink baits and dead cut baits are providing good catches of channel catfish.

Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Fishing has been hit and miss with fluctuating temperatures but should improve with warmer temperatures. Anglers can expect catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Walleye - Fair: Anglers have switched to a crawler tipped on a jig or casting crankbaits for active walleye. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Cast crankbaits for active smallmouth bass as water temperatures increase. Channel Catfish - Fair: Stink baits and dead cut baits are providing good catches of channel catfish.

Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Fishing has been hit and miss with fluctuating temperatures but should improve with warmer temperatures. Anglers can expect catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel. Walleye - Fair: Anglers have switched to a crawler tipped on a jig or casting crankbaits for active walleye. Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Cast crankbaits for active smallmouth bass as water temperatures increase. Channel Catfish - Fair: Stink baits and dead cut baits are providing good catches of channel catfish.

With the recent onset of colder temperatures the angling pressure and catch has declined but there is warmer weather ahead. The interior rivers are providing catches of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Crappie and bluegill were moving into shallows but colder weather moved them deeper within the lakes. Trout fishing opportunities have been excellent all spring, for further information call the Northeast District Office at 563-927-3276.