Fresh Iowa Fishing Reports

Prespawn crappie fishing has been great. With the water in the low 50s the crappies were hanging in 20' +/- water with large schools of smaller fish tight to structure and pods of large fish roaming just off the structure. Water temps pushed up to the 60s with warm rains and the crappies are starting to move up to spawn. The warmer water temps have the wipers and white bass are starting to kick into gear. The cold front April 18-19 could push water temps back down temporarily.

Fall is here, and the fish are on the move. The other day we bounced from spot to spot, working those transition areas where summer weedlines give way to hard-bottom edges. Staying mobile was the key. After a few moves, the Livescope lit up, and a big mark slid into view. One good thump later, and a 25-inch walleye was in the net. That’s what fall fishing is all about—covering water, dialing in the transitions, and finding those big, hungry walleyes. At Let’s Go Fishing Guide Service, we’ll put you right in the middle of the action.

This morning started early at Wolford’s Island. The lake was calm, the sky still waking up — and so were the fish. We found the yellow bass stacked thick and hungry, but the walleyes? Not so much. They were acting like it was still bedtime. So, we made a move — reeled up and switched to trolling. And that’s when the magic started. The rods started bending and the drag started singing. First, a fat 23-inch walleye hit the net, then came crappies and more yellow bass. Things were heating up quick. With momentum on our side, we changed it up again and slid into some weeds. That’s where we landed another beauty — a 23.5-inch walleye, thick and golden, straight out of the cabbage. But the real curveball of the day? One of the rods doubled over and it didn’t stop. After a long, heavy fight, we pulled up a carp pushing nearly 30 pounds. Unexpected, wild, and easily the highlight of the trip. Who knew? Just another day guiding on Clear Lake — where the fish keep it interesting and the stories write themselves.