The nests are saucer-shaped depressions about 1 to 2 feet in diameter. The current state record was caught in a farm pond in Madison County back in 1986. “April and early May are peak times for smallmouth at West Okoboji Lake”. My uncle caught a little over 2 lbs from a city public lake in 1960's. The current record for this species is 7 lbs, 12 oz, caught in West Okoboji Lake in Dickenson County by angler Rick Gray in September 1990. Most Bluegill in Iowa reach 3.5, 4.5, and 6-inches long in their second, third, and fourth year of life. Males make grunting noises during spawning and may be attracted to spawning areas by odor. Lake Anita, Cass County, one mile south of Anita: Lake Anita is holding a large number of geese keeping a portion of the lake open. This remarkable fish tipped the scale at 3 lbs, 2 oz, and measured to 12.8 inches in length. Bluegill — Fair. We can enjoy hours of fishing and hunting easily within a few minutes to a few hours’ drive from our front door. To replace the existing record, a fish must weigh at least one ounce more. Bluegill will reach 1- to 2-inches long on average in their first year of life. We also noted some areas where an angler might have a chance at landing that next record. This ramp is located in downtown Muscatine. Iowa: 4 lbs 9 oz: Green Castle Lake: Ted Trowbridge: 1981: Kansas: 4 lbs 6 oz: Woodson Lake: Hazel Fey: 1957: Kentucky: 4 lbs 14 oz: Watershed Lake: Penny Hopper: 2005: Louisiana: 6 lbs 0 oz: N/A: N/A: 1969: Maine: 3 lbs 9 oz: Messalonskee Lake: Quinn Warren : 2016: Maryland: 4 lbs 4 oz: Indian Acres: Sid Stollings: 1987: Massachusetts: 4 lbs 10 oz: Jakes Pond: James Crowley: … October 04, 2010 By Rich Patterson. High population density limits growth while the opposite occurs with low density. Between Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island Illinois. Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.) There is about 15 inches of ice on most of the lake. The ramp at Toolsboro is paved but the road to the ramp is gravel. Lake Icaria, Adams County, four miles north of Corning: No report. His first fish was an 11-pound channel catfish, then he hooked Brutus using a bluegill for bait with a Meat Hunter rod and a Penn Fierce 3 bait-running spinning reel. Males in breeding colors often have a deep red, almost dark brown breast. The monstrous slab of a crappie weighed in at 5 lbs, 4.6 oz, blowing by the current world record of an even 5 lbs, originally caught in a private lake in Georgia. Black crappie are intolerant of turbid waters and are nearly always found in the clearer lakes and streams in Iowa. Iowa fish and fishing. It is common to find as many as 50 nests in a 75-foot radius. Some records date back to George S Perry’s world record bass in 1922 while others state records seem to be broken every year. 323pp. It is very abundant in the backwaters and sloughs of the Mississippi River. Iowa: 3 lbs 2 oz: Phil Algreen: Farm Pond, Madison County: Jul 1, … Water temperatures during the spawning season are 70 to 80 degrees. We’ve compiled a list of the State Largemouth Bass Record from all 50 states to help serve as a reference on the quality of fish swimming in your home state. Contact Information by County. That extra ordinary specimen was caught by Patricia Zaerr from Davenport Iowa. 3 lbs 2 oz; 12.88 in. Smallmouth Bass spawn in Iowa during the early part of May as water temperatures exceed 60’ F. Preparatory to the spawning ritual, parent spawners move up larger streams, eventually reaching small tributaries where the actual spawning occurs. Bluegill — Fair: Use jigs tipped with a waxworm fished along deep cedar tree brush piles to catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches. The males guard the nest from all intruders and keep the eggs free from silt. From the shore, the colony of nests look like "elephant tracks". The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ fishing report for the week of Jan. 28, 2021 for southwest Iowa:. A fish must weigh 1 pound (16 ounces) or more to be eligible for state record status. Most Bluegill in Iowa reach 3.5, 4.5, and 6-inches long in their second, third, and fourth year of life. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. Amenities vary by location in pool 18. 1987. Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa. Our mission is to conserve and enhance our natural resources in cooperation with individuals and organizations to improve the quality of life for Iowans and ensure a legacy for future generations. Certified state record fish must be legally caught using an active hook-and-line method (including a proper license or exemption) by sport fishing methods. How to Submit an Entry. Bluegill reach up to 12-inches long and weigh up to 2 pounds, but most Bluegill caught by anglers are seldom over 8-inches. The white crappie state record stands at 4 lbs 9 oz and was caught in 1981 by Ted Trowbridge from Marshalltown, Iowa. There are some really good things that happen early on West Okoboji. Bluegill reproduce over a wide period, usually from late May to early August in Iowa, but peak spawning happens in early June. Amenities vary by location in Pool 17. 5 miles west of Missouri Valley at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, 10 miles west, 3 1/2 miles north of Northwood, 7 miles west of Drakesville on the west side of V17. The largemouth is a fish of lakes, ponds and quiet river waters where its abundance varies from common to abundant. With that move will come the possibility of hauling up a new State record. Bluegill is the most abundant and widespread member of the sunfish family in Iowa. Details. “For bluegill the easy answer will be another farm pond in southern Iowa”, noted Flammang. Black Crappie — Slow. The great advantage of this equipment is the wide choice of baits and techniques that can be used, all within reasonable cost. Bluegill growth varies with population density. The new Oklahoma record measured 76 inches long and weighed 143 pounds. Iowa’s state record 3-pound, 2-ounce ’gill was caught in 1986 in a Madison County farm pond. Most man-made recreational lakes have black crappie, but their abundance depends upon water clarity. Although they aren't common in flowing water and generally shun the state's big flood-control reservoirs, bluegills live in just about every other water. Finer substrates produce the most fry per nest with an average of about 64,000 on sand and fine gravel. Hawaii and Maine, however, share the distinction of producing the lightest blue state record. Hudson, not only is the Alabama state record the largest recorded bluegill in state, national, and world history, but it is the oldest active bluegill state fishing record in the United States. Amenities listed are at City of Ft. Madison boat ramp. Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Iowa State University, Ames. Algae and other vegetation are eaten when normal food items are scarce. A popular access is at the Hwy 21 Access, which is part of the Iowa River Corridor Wildlife Area, just south of Belle Plaine. 2.31 pounds, 12.8 in - farm pond, Van Buren County, Oct. 2018 - Elijah Parrett, Expert Tip. Its upper jaw does not reach the front of the eye when its mouth is closed. The lake is currently drained for a lake restoration project. The chin and gill covers are bright blue, giving the bluegill its name. Any angler familiar with the conditions that bluegills favor can find a great fishing place close to home: Simply stick to clear-water ponds and lakes with few carp or shad and abundant bass, and having extensive shorelines, and bluegills will be there. Support conservation in Iowa by buying a natural resource plate for your vehicle. Bluegill by far offer anglers of all ages some of the most exciting fishing around the state. Iowa has some amazing resources for anglers and hunters alike. Although it has been documented throughout the Little Sioux River watershed as well as in the Missouri River, the Bluegill is not common in western Iowa streams. Aside from farm ponds and impoundments, the largest populations of Bluegill are in warm pools and backwaters of low-gradient streams, and particularly in overflow pools along floodplains with some aquatic vegetation or other cover. Largemouth Bass usually start foraging on fish when they are 1 to 2 inches in length. And the best way is to lead by example. State Record. Largemouth bass is the primary predator in many of our lakes, ponds, and quiet rivers, foraging on fish, crayfish, frogs, aquatic and terrestrial insects, and any small living animal or bird which falls in the water. All Blog Posts | A network for Bluegill fans and people who love big bluegill (Lepomis Macrochirus). Pre-spawn period could possibly yield the next state record caught. “We had fish up to 21 inches in length reported last season”, continued Hawkins. The monstrous slab of a crappie weighed in at 5 lbs, 4.6 oz, blowing by the current world record of an even 5 lbs, originally caught in a private lake in Georgia. Mon - Fri, 8:00am - 4:30pm CST Kent Park Lake. Stop by and take a look! A few casts into the evening, he hooked into what will soon be verified as the new WORLD RECORD black crappie! This stretch is located in Marshall, Tama, the SW corner of Benton, Iowa, and Johnson County.