The past few days I have been targeting the "elusive" Coralville Reservoir crappies. These specific crappies are very tempermental, to say the least. However if you can find feeding fish you will catch some of the biggest crappies in Iowa.
This particular body of water is very intimidating. Coralville Reservoir is 23 miles long. I spent the majority of saturday just looking for familiar spots on the water. It is has been quite a while since there was thick enough ice on the lake to fish with a snowmobile. I logged over 75 miles on my sled just looking for areas to fish. I covered the whole lake and decided on two spots to fish. The first spot was in a cove, that had 18 FOW water at the mouth. This spot also had some submerged brush piles. This spot I only caught one fish, but it was a dandy 16" slab. Unfortunately, my batteries in my camera were dead. The second spot was the same as the first, only the depth was 12 feet. This is where I really nailed the crappies.
The bite has been a consistant hit or miss for me. One morning they will go really well, like Sunday morning. Sunday evening- nothing. This morning, Adam and I caught only a few crappies along with some gills. The fish are usually on the flasher, and that is the most frustrating part. Choosing the right bait- size and color- smashed waxworm, half a waxworm- or whole? These fish are very picky, and that is why I label them as elusive. They are fed so well, you have to be on top of your game to detect a bite, hook the fish, and then land them. For me, it is just trial and error- eliminate what doesn’t work. Horizontal baits sometimes are what they prefer, or they may only eat a vertical bait. I can say for sure, they will not touch a minnow. But, if you put in your time, and give it a good honest effort, you very well may be rewarded with some dandy slabs!!
I think tomorrow, will be the last day for snowmobile travel on the lake. The snow is all but melted to slush, and I also believe the corps is letting the lake down four feet. Which make the whole lake UNSAFE, even if you are on foot. I would check with the corp before you head out.
Here is the website for the corps- http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Coralville/default.htm
And the phone number
(319) 338-3543 ext. 6300
I hope everyone is still getting on some safe ice in Iowa. There is still a bunch of ice out there, just remember, it is never safe!!
Good luck- stay safe, and we’ll see you on the hard water!!
Great report Luke! Nice fish too.
Great report
Sounds like you were lucky to get on them out there
Congrats on a good day
Nice report Luke!!!! I guess the hard work does pay off…..eventually!!!
Great report Luke, you gotta love those crappie
Wow! Bring some up for a fry!!!!
Usually they drop it around 2/15, or so I have been told-probably depends on the year; good thing to call and check b4 anyone goes out. With the warmer weather causing runoff coupled especially with the weather ppl talking about up to an inch of rain possibly Saturday, they are probably not wasting much time in drawing ‘er down, but you never know, so calling ahead is probably the best advice. I have heard stories from some old timers at work who ventured out on the ice there after the draw down, only to find air when the auger broke through, kinda creepy…
Joe
Thanks for the report Luke. Looks like some very nice specks
Nice reprt Luke! Did’nt realize coralville was so big!
Nice report Luke. Good to see Adam out on the ice.
Nice report and slabs Luke
I have fished that lake in late spring and had a blast on the crappies. My brother also put me on some big channel cats. After reading your report I may have to give bro a call and plan another spring trip. It is a cool lake
Thanks for the report and pics Luke! Makes living vicariously easy
dave
Nice report Luke…Good to see ya on some native ice.
Excellent report Luke! It is true that a seasonal reduction in lake level is anticipated in Feb, but also true that we (NWS weather) are expecting A LOT of rain, and some freezing rain and snow just north too. It could total 2 inches between friday night and sunday, with another big rain possible next week too. That’s bad news for anyone on the ice anywhere. In general, most rivers in Iowa, southern Wisconsin, and Illinois could top flood stage in the next 3 weeks.
Andy…Good to hear from you!!
So you can’t do anything about the rain huh???
Unfortunately, the only thing I can do about the rain, is have it come as sleet and snow. Looks like that’ll happen for much of the area now. Oh well….
They are lowering the reservoir…I HIGHLY STRESS staying OFF OF CORALVILLE Reservoir…until the ice is completely gone!!