But given that this is probably one of the most popular sport fish in the state, I’ll just talk about the current state record. 2 lbs is true trophy in public lakes. Iowa fish and fishing. Lake Macbride. Bluegill spawn over a wide period, usually from late May to early August in Iowa, but peak spawning happens in early June. It is uncommonly found in the interior rivers, preferring the quiet waters of overflow oxbows and backwaters along these streams. Iowa’s state record 3-pound, 2-ounce ’gill was caught in 1986 in a Madison County farm pond. Amenities vary by location in Pool 17. “There is a potential for Spirit Lake to yield the next state record smallmouth bass, but definitely West Okoboji Lake”, said IDNR Fisheries Biologist Mike Hawkins. There are some really good things that happen early on West Okoboji. To replace the existing record, a fish must weigh at least one ounce more. The amenities list are for Buffalo Shores campground in Buffalo, Iowa. What is the world record for the biggest crappie? These are big waters, with diverse habitat and plenty of food.” These flood control reservoirs are most common for white crappie due to the turbidity of the water and siltation. Giant Black Crappie (Illinois) A new record is about to be set in Illinois with the story of a … Iowa Conservation Commission, Des Moines, Iowa. Three Mile Lake, Union County, three miles northwest of Afton: Ice thickness is about 4-11 inches at the main boat ramp and north ramp. Iowa Family Bluegill Trips. With warming waters we’ll start seeing largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie and bluegill begin to transition to shallow spawning haunts. The Iowa Aquatic Gap Analysis Project Final Report. How to Submit an Entry. From the shore, the colony of nests look like "elephant tracks". 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. southwest of West Des Moines; Raccoon River Park, 2 miles west, 1/2 miles south of Spirit Lake, At the 117 South exit off of Interstate 80, Colfax, 1 mile south of Barnes City on the east side of V13, 2 miles east of Chariton on the south side of 482nd Street, 5 miles southeast of Lovilia on the west side of 635th Avenue. Our staff checks anglers at the docks as well as shore anglers for any information. “April and early May are peak times for smallmouth at West Okoboji Lake”. The largemouth is a fish of lakes, ponds and quiet river waters where its abundance varies from common to abundant. The upper end of the pontoon arm and the south arm has 8 inches of ice. 117 Bluegill Ct , Pella, IA 50219-7513 is currently not for sale. Hawaii and Maine, however, share the distinction of producing the lightest blue state record. “We had fish up to 21 inches in length reported last season”, continued Hawkins. Bluegill try to spend most of their time in water from 60 to 80 °F (16 to 27 °C), and tend to have a home range of about 320 square feet (30 m 2) during nonreproductive months. Most man-made recreational lakes have black crappie, but their abundance depends upon water clarity. Between Davenport, Iowa and Rock Island Illinois. Harlan, J.R., E.B. 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. Bluegill by far offer anglers of all ages some of the most exciting fishing around the state. Contact Information by County. Southern edge of Muscatine on Pettibone Avenue, East of Fruitland. Experience Iowa's natural beauty and all the fun our state parks offer. It is common to find as many as 50 nests in a 75-foot radius. The chin and gill covers are bright blue, giving the bluegill its name. River Mile 647.9 at Lynxville, WI upstream to River Mile 679.2 at Genoa WI. Sometimes Bluegill hybridize with other members of the sunfish family, like Redear Sunfish, Green Sunfish and Pumpkinseed. None. River Mile 583 at Dubuque, IA upstream to River Mile 615 at Guttenberg, IA. 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. Water temperatures during the spawning season are 70 to 80 degrees. “Keep in mind a fish can store 20% of weight as eggs, so big females are your best chance at a new state record. It is common to abundant in the natural lakes and the backwater sloughs of the upper Mississippi River. Where can you find bluegill: Bluegill are native to the eastern United States and parts of northern Mexico, but can also be found in South Africa and parts of Europe. But the Illinois Natural History Survey ran tissue samples of the fish in its laboratory to determine that May’s bluegill was indeed a bluegill. Males make grunting noises during spawning and may be attracted to spawning areas by odor. Amenities at other locations in Pool 16 vary by location. 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. Good luck and tight lines all! Submit Online Inquiry The white crappie state record stands at 4 lbs 9 oz and was caught in 1981 by Ted Trowbridge from Marshalltown, Iowa. Bluegill — Fair. All Blog Posts | A network for Bluegill fans and people who love big bluegill (Lepomis Macrochirus). The small sac fry of bass, feed upon microscopic crustaceans. Iowa has so many tremendous bluegill waters that it's impossible to list them all. A color photograph of the angler with the fish can be submitted to Game, Fish and Parks personnel along with the completed application (photo can be emailed also). This is the point in many of the articles I write where I can provide all of our readers with some of the characteristics of a largemouth bass. View more property details, sales history and Zestimate data on Zillow. |, Family Fishing: Find the Perfect Guide for Your Family Adventure. A few casts into the evening, he hooked into what will soon be verified as the new WORLD RECORD black crappie! Speaker, and J. Mayhew. ft. single-family home is a 3 bed, 2.0 bath property. Remember to pack out what you pack in, and even when it’s not yours pick it up any way. ©2019 The Iowa Sportsman. 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. Lake Macbride has about 14 inches of ice. Largemouth Bass p: 515-725-8200 Bluegill — Fair: Anglers report good … Below is a list of all 50 states with links to each state's DNR site to investigate current state records, lake records in some cases and even the top 10 catches for each species. Lake Icaria, Adams County, four miles north of Corning: No report. There are two species of crappie in Iowa, the black crappie and the white crappie. Finer substrates produce the most fry per nest with an average of about 64,000 on sand and fine gravel. “Generally, I’d suggest that the large flood control reservoirs such as Red Rock, Rathbun, Coralville, and Saylorville in that order of likeliness. Most Bluegill in Iowa reach 3.5, 4.5, and 6-inches long in their second, third, and fourth year of life. Largemouth Bass usually start foraging on fish when they are 1 to 2 inches in length. First-food items are supplemented with insects and insect larvae as the fish grows. f: 515-725-8201 Since impoundment of this stream for navigation, smallmouth numbers have decreased. Iowa DNR Customer Service To apply for a state record, fill out the State Record application form and send it to: Fisheries Division, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, PO Box 30446, Lansing MI 48909. “For bluegill the easy answer will be another farm pond in southern Iowa”, noted Flammang. Bluegill will reach 1- to 2-inches long on average in their first year of life. High population density limits growth while the opposite occurs with low density. The Bluegill is extremely abundant in the backwater and sloughs of the Mississippi River. 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. Bluegills mature during the second year under suitable conditions, but slower growth will delay maturity to the third year. Iowa: 3 lbs 2 oz: Phil Algree: Farm Pond: 1986: Kansas: 2 lbs 5 oz: … [5] 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: … The upper jaw reaches past the middle of the eye when the mouth is closed. 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. “For largemouth in my district I’d point to Lake Wapello”, said Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Management Biologist Mark Flammang. There is as much enjoyment out of catching these as it is to see the face of the inexperienced, young and old alike to hook a nice bluegill and bring it to shore. Recent stream sampling information is available from Iowa DNR's biological monitoring and assessment program. Males in breeding colors often have a deep red, almost dark brown breast. Missouri has a long, proud tradition of fishing, and its abundant lakes and streams have produced exceptional fish. Iowa is a bluegill state. “For bluegill the easy answer will be another farm pond in southern Iowa”, noted Flammang. “It’s mostly due to the diversity of habitat in West Lake and the cooler water temps.” West Okoboji Lake covers 3,847 acres and has a maximum depth of 134 feet which help keep waters cooler. Water temperatures during the spawning season are 70 to 80 degrees. 323pp. Redear Sunfish are native from North Carolina to Florida, west into Texas, southern Missouri and Ohio. North side of Ames, west of Grand Avenue/Highway 69. Researchers note that stream populations may be sustained by fish continuously escaping from impoundments. “The biggest fish are often caught just prior to the spawn”, adds the biologist. “Angler surveys help us with population estimates. Caught in 1950 by T.S. Pool 13 Starts at River Mile 556.7. We also noted some areas where an angler might have a chance at landing that next record. Black Crappie — Slow. Crappie 3 lbs 2 oz; 12.88 in. Best bite is early and late in the day. 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. Current State Record Fish. 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. Customer Service: 515-725-8200 | Iowa DNR Headquarters Wallace State Office Building | 502 East 9th Street, 4th Floor | Des Moines, IA 50319-0034, Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP), Declaratory Orders and Rulemaking Petitions, State Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Plan, Iowa DNR's biological monitoring and assessment program, DeSoto Bend at DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake). The current record is 2 pounds, 6.4 ounces. They are common to abundant in smaller tributary streams during spawning in late spring and are taken occasionally in the Mississippi. Support conservation in Iowa by buying a natural resource plate for your vehicle. Bluegill — Fair: Use jigs tipped with a waxworm fished along deep cedar tree brush piles to catch bluegill up to 8.5-inches. All Rights Reserved. The great advantage of this equipment is the wide choice of baits and techniques that can be used, all within reasonable cost. Current World Record Bluegill: 4 pounds, 12 ounces (caught on Lake Ketona, Alabama, in 1950. Iowa has some amazing resources for anglers and hunters alike. The state record black crappie was caught in 2013 at Three Mile Lake in Union County by angler Dale Klein of Omaha, Nebraska. It is abundant in all reaches of the Mississippi River. The pectoral fins are long and pointed and extend past the eye when they are bent in a forward position. It is very abundant in the backwaters and sloughs of the Mississippi River. These fish are extremely important to anglers. State Record. And the best way is to lead by example. Algae and other vegetation are eaten when normal food items are scarce. Male fish build a saucer-shaped nest on the gravel, coarse sand or rock bottom by sweeping its tail over the substrate. Illustration by Maynard Reece, from Iowa Fish and Fishing. This home was built in 1995 and last sold on 6/9/2015 for $281,000. Some of the large interior streams have dense populations of white crappie. Mississippi Official State Record Freshwater Fish (Rod and Reel Division) Species Weight Angler Location Caught Date Alligator Gar 215 lbs Earl Stafford MS River (Natchez) 5/3/2003 American Eel 5 lbs 1 oz Mitch McLendon MS River (Vicksburg) 7/12/1994 Bighead Carp 67 lbs 12 oz Ron Maxwell Sardis Lower Lake 4/3/2007 Bigmouth Buffalo 46 lbs 3 oz Willie Hearn Private Pond … 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. The Bluegill is Iowa’s most common and widely distributed member of the sunfish family. Males built nests in 1 to 4 feet of water along the shore, over diverse substrate materials, but sand and gravel are preferred. This stretch is located in Marshall, Tama, the SW corner of Benton, Iowa, and Johnson County. “It will likely be a female and she’ll be full of eggs which will help with that size and weight”, added the biologist. For fly anglers, a small popper on a warm summer day can lead to hours of fun. Amenities vary by location in pool 18. Iowa: 3 lbs 2 oz: Phil Algreen: Farm Pond, Madison County: Jul 1, … A near-record bluegill (2 pounds, 5 ounces) was caught recently by 13-year-old Joshua Thomas from a private pond near Tahlequah, Okla. There is some shore fishing along the parking area and at the outlet of Lake Odessa. Support conservation in Iowa by buying a natural resource plate for your vehicle. 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. Bluegill is the most abundant and widespread member of the sunfish family in Iowa. The lake is currently drained for a lake restoration project. After a huge ‘gill caught by a kid in Okla. goes viral, we take a look at the biggest of the diminutive species. 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. The next black crappie state record will likely come from a smaller interior lake or farm pond. Its upper jaw does not reach the front of the eye when its mouth is closed. The nests are saucer-shaped depressions about 1 to 2 feet in diameter. The small-sized mouth of this fish limits the size of food particles ingested and almost dictates a diet of insects and similar small organisms. Look up the size of the current state record in the list below (State Record Fish - Current Records) to see if your fish is larger than the current record. The current state record was caught in a farm pond in Madison County back in 1986. White crappie tolerate turbid waters far better than black crappie and are more abundant in waters that carry heavy silt loads. This remarkable fish tipped the scale at 3 lbs, 2 oz, and measured to 12.8 inches in length. The fish species must be certified by a FWC biologist, and a FWC employee must witness the official weighing, on a certified scale, and take measurements. “But that nearly 11 pound mark is also going to be tough to beat.” Lake Wapello isn’t very far from Lake Fisher where the current state record originated and it is an outstanding fishery for big fish. 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. State Record Fish Application. 1987. Bluegill photos, videos, discussion, blogs & more. Few females lay all their eggs in one nest, so each nest has the eggs of several females. Bluegill Minnesota’s record is a 2-pound, 13-ouncer from Hubbard County in 1984. Details. Weighing in at 10 lbs 12 oz., and caught at Lake Fisher in Davis County in 1984, it remains at the top for this species of bass. The spiny dorsal fin has 10 spines and is joined broadly to the soft dorsal fin, but there is no notch. 2005. South edge of Centerville in Lelah Bradley Park along 210th Avenue, 2 miles west of Allerton on the north side of J46. Occurrence is common in the impounded waters of the Mississippi River, especially the sloughs and backwaters. Amenities listed are for the Toolsboro Ramp. 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. Pre-spawn period could possibly yield the next state record caught. May’s fish was also bigger than the records for neighboring states Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa and Indiana - prompting some to claim the fish had to be a hybrid. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ fishing report for the week of Jan. 28, 2021 for southwest Iowa:. The need for calmer clearer water allows these fish to thrive in some of the smaller lakes we have in Southern Iowa. Amenities listed are at City of Ft. Madison boat ramp. Black Crappie — Fair. 2.31 pounds, 12.8 in - farm pond, Van Buren County, Oct. 2018 - Elijah Parrett, Expert Tip. This species of the sunfish family, in my book, are the feistiest and a scrappy bass that pound for pound offer anglers an unforgettable experience. Distribution of the largemouth bass in Iowa is statewide, mainly because this species has been stocked by the Conservation Commission into nearly every lake, pond and reservoir. It is a common resident in certain eastern Iowa rivers but rare in western streams. Bluegill are the most commonly caught, and one of the most highly sought after, species in Iowa. 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. Nice story and good to see that Illinois State Record bluegill is over 3 lbs! - Farm Pond, Madison County, July 1986 - Phil Algreen, Earlham, Iowa. Take Care of the Resource A popular access is at the Hwy 21 Access, which is part of the Iowa River Corridor Wildlife Area, just south of Belle Plaine. Last month we took a look at the current State records for perch, walleye, northern pike and muskellunge or musky as they are known. A deep, slab-sided sunfish with a small mouth. They thrive in small ponds and large lakes in every nook and cranny of the state. Make your online reservation for state park cabins, camping sites, shelters and lodges. The Official Home page for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, DNR. Two miles south of Muscatine, IA off of X-61/Stewart Rd. The aggressive males often build nests, almost touching adjoining nests. Bluegill reproduce over a wide period, usually from late May to early August in Iowa, but peak spawning happens in early June. Bluegills mature during the second year under suitable conditions, but slower growth will delay maturity to the third year. Iowa Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, Iowa State University, Ames. Smallmouth Bass My uncle caught a little over 2 lbs from a city public lake in 1960's. Most Bluegill in Iowa reach 3.5, 4.5, and 6-inches long in their second, third, and fourth year of life. The previous all-tackle, world-record bluegill weighed only 2 pounds, 8 ounces – just a little over half as big as McKenzie’s fish. October 04, 2010 By Rich Patterson. Many of our “first fish” experiences have been these feisty little fish. Many farm ponds have been stocked with white crappie, but their well-being in these small water bodies is seldom satisfactory. Iowa's natural resources plates include the state bird and flower, pheasant, eagle, buck and a Brook trout. N edge Waterloo, located within George Wyth State Park. Natural Resource Plates. 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. The sides usually display vertical bars, but these are more prominent in smaller fish. Old Record is 2 lbs 10 oz in 1963 and 2.02 lbs 13" in 1993. Starts at River Mile 482.9. They are a recently introduced sunfish in Iowa waters. With that move will come the possibility of hauling up a new State record. Amenities list for Muscatine City Ramp. Information / Records Requests This fish is not commonly found in western Iowa streams, but is occasionally found in most eastern Iowa interior rivers. The Bluegill is intolerant of continuous high-turbidity, siltation and flowing waters, although in Wisconsin, Bluegill were often found in moderately swift waters of streams. The breast and belly are yellow or reddish-orange. The Department of Conservation has developed a State Record Fish Program to acknowledge and honor anglers who have caught the largest recorded fish from a list of recognized species found in Missouri waters. After nests are built, the ripe male selects a gravid female and lures her toward the nest with aggressive nudges and bites. It is found in nearly all Iowa waters, but is more abundant in lakes and ponds than in streams and rivers. Summertime on a river might be the best time and place to hook into a monster musky. Kent Park Lake. Located between Clinton and Davenport, starts at River Mile 522.5. It’s every outdoorsman and woman’s responsibility to take care of the resources we have by teaching our kids stewardship. There are no distinct vertical bars as in white crappie. The black crappie is a silvery-speckled, deep-bodied, slab-sided sunfish with a large mouth. Mr. Trowbridge caught this amazing specimen on Green Castle Lake located in Marshall County.