Top Surprise From Last Year
North Twin Lake (Calhoun County), has seldom experienced a fishery as good as last years. In 2003 it provided some tremendous fishing for 9-12 inch crappies and 7-9 inch bluegills. If that isn't enough to interest you, it also produced some great channel catfish, yellow bass and walleye fishing. Boat anglers did better than shore anglers, as the fish seemed to concentrate along the outside weed line or in the deep-water fish habitat. Small leadheads or live minnows were excellent choices for these panfish species. Look for another great year in 2004.

Best Hunch For This Year
Brushy Creek Lake (Webster County) has been a tremendous fishing lake since it was filled in 1998 and 2004 promises to be a banner year. A large number of slab crappie, from 9 to 13 inches, are present in the lake and should provide some tremendous fishing this spring. A huge year class of 7-9 inch bluegill is also present in the lake. On top of this, large numbers of 17-23 inch walleye are present as well as some great largemouth and smallmouth bass. Throw in some muskies that will top 20 pounds and you have a fishing bonanza. Spawning crappie and bluegill can be caught near the shoreline in May and June, while later in the summer, fish will suspend near the sunken timber that abounds in the lake. Walleye are caught all year long on the underwater points using a slip bobber and leeches.
A strong year class of yellow perch that averaged eight inches during 2003 should provide excellent opportunities at Lake Cornelia (Wright County) during 2004. Perch have always existed in Cornelia, but this is the greatest number of catchable-size fish in recent years. Fishing the north shoreline during the spring with small minnows or nightcrawlers will produce good results. After the water warms anglers should concentrate their efforts in deeper water along the old dredge cut near the north shore.

Best Place To Spend Time With The Family
Upper and Lower Pine Lakes (Hardin County) located in Pine Lake State Park near Eldora offer great opportunities for family fun. Both lakes provide good fishing for bluegill and crappie. Trophy bass up to seven pounds are available in both lakes, with the best population occurring in the lower lake. If you prefer to river fish, the Iowa River lies on the edge of the park and provides excellent fishing for channel catfish, walleye and smallmouth bass. The lower lake has a large swim beach and the upper lake has boats and canoes for rent. The campground is located on the upper lake and several cabins are available for rent on the Iowa River below the lower lake. A well-maintained trail system provides hiking between the lakes and a closeup view of the unique landscape surrounding the lake.

Hidden Jewel
Indian Lake located in Eldred Sherwood Park in Hancock County is a 21-acre artificial lake that provides excellent fishing for largemouth bass and bluegill. It also is stocked annually with channel catfish and walleye. The lake is managed by the Hancock County Conservation Board and is three miles east and one mile north of Goodell. The lake has a gravel boat ramp and allows boats with with electric motors only. Camping, swim beach and shelter are also available for visitors to the lake.

Bluegill Bluegills are a species worthy of attention.  Small hooks, waxworms, a piece of crawler, or a 1/16 ounce (or smaller) dark jig are time tested baits.  Warm July and August water temperatures means an increase activity for bluegill.
 

Crappie