It's one of the Lupo's most obvious departures from conventional deer rifle design. Dorsal Fin. Anglers can find catfish in practically any freshwater system in the South, but some waters... During the fourth episode of Beyond the Rifle, we'll examine the "Spotted bass love rock, probably because crayfish are their preferred food," Sleeper said. The good news is that they're thriving there. The newcomers, mostly unwelcome, are the gizzard shad, freckled madtom, redear sunfish, spotted bass and four species of carp: common, grass, bighead and silver. Neither he nor Middendorf is completely certain why spots thrived in the lake but failed everywhere else. There is no designated season for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass in Iowa, but depending on where you are fishing, the bass must be a minimum of 16 inches to 18 inches to be taken. "That leaves anglers plenty of opportunities to use a wide range of tackle. f: 515-725-8201 Within a few years, about half the black bass in Macbride were (spots), with the balance being largemouths.". Here are some great... No other piece of structure holds bass like a span. Brushy Creek Lake, Iowa [690 acres] The Iowa Department of Natural Resources believes this is the best bass fishery in the state right now. We're back on Lake Berryessa for a quick evening fishing trip. The fishing had been slow. The habitat is similar to some Southern reservoirs where spots do well. "Smaller crankbaits and spinnerbaits work very well, and I've had outstanding success using them in virtually any color. Spotted bass prefer a crayfish diet, but they're not likely to pass up any easy meal. "The lake has a few rocky humps below the surface, and I've caught many spotted bass near them.". Kentucky spotted bass are the toughest of the trio -- not because they're hard to catch, but because of their very limited range. A popular access is at the Hwy 21 Access, which is part of the Iowa River Corridor Wildlife Area, just south of Belle Plaine. Macbride also has reasonably clear water. Often a bass will zoom up from deep water and nail a Zara spook or other surface lure. "Spotted bass are shaped like footballs (and) never give up," said veteran angler Dan Johnston. We partner with the best fish hatcheries in Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. "If I'm targeting spotted bass, I use lures slightly smaller than I would for largemouths," he noted. August is a great month.". Smaller fish must be immediately released and in certain lakes, like Brown and Wapello, catch and release is the only way to hook bass legally. Lake Darling, Brighton, IA. action is secured to an aluminum chassis. Popular Waterways The most active fishing spots in Iowa. One of the best may be Indiana's "Bayou" Bill Scifres. BUCHANAN, Tenn. – Boater Mark Myers of Cedar Falls, Iowa, brought a three-day total of 12 bass to the scale weighing 31 pounds even to win the no-entry fee T-H Marine FLW BFL Regional Championship on Kentucky/Barkley Lakes presented by EvinrudeSaturday. New for 2021, the 4MM AXIS will offer bowhunters even more of what they want in a... What to do when weather, water clarity impacts fishing for bedding bass. Ken­ tucky and largemouth bass. This lake is 940 acres in size. Big Spirit Lake, Iowa. During the winter spotted bass hang along bluff ends and in isolated cedars … Spots may not get very big, but they are true Iowa trophies.". Crankbaits in crayfish colors work very well. No one really knows why they took off, but they sure did. They make fishing Lake Macbride an exciting and interesting experience. When fishing, anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish including Black Bullhead, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Muskie, Northern Pike, Walleye, White Bass, White Crappie, Yellow Bullhead,. Spotted Bass are common in the southern latitudes of this continent, and are not a native species in Iowa. Other studies show Spotted Bass are not as predatory as largemouth, eating about one-half as much fish. "Although an inexperienced angler could mistake a spotted bass for a largemouth, there are several easy ways to tell them apart," said Johnston. ", No "best time" for targeting Lake Macbride's spots exists, he added. © 2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Celebrating over 30 years of Conservation. "Spots are usually much chunkier than largemouths. Natural Resource Plates. It is possible they still live in these two streams, but there have been no recent identifications. "This fish is very common in the southern part of our state but only occasional up north.". The pyloric caeca of Spotted Bass are not forked, like those of Smallmouth Bass. More visible arrow flight to your intended target. Abundant in slow, flowing rivers and creeks from central Missouri eastward to the Atlantic Ocean and south to the Gulf of Mexico, they are the dominant game fish in many areas. Lake Macbride is located in Johnson County, Iowa. Habits of the Spotted Bass are similar to those of Smallmouth Bass, except more secretive. Iowa may not be the land of 10,000 lakes, but thanks to modern fisheries management and habitat improvement, ... You might also hook up with a Kentucky spotted bass or a white bass… Spotted Bass introduced into central Missouri have hybridized with the native smallmouth bass M. dolomieu (Pflieger and Fajen 1970; Pflieger 1975, 1997; Whitmore 1983). I gradually rowed past one of Lake Macbride's rocky points, monitoring the gentle vibrations on my rod from the crankbait trolling behind the boat. "The rest are largemouths. Their long, horizontal stripe resembles that of a largemouth bass, but their habitat, feeding habits and fighting ability are much more like a smallmouth's. A popular access is the Tailwater East Ramp located right below the Coralville Lake Dam, East of North Liberty and Coralville. (nearly a record number at that time for a first-year state games). Many hunters and shooters realize that a rifle's accuracy depends on the quality of its barrel, and Benelli ensures this critical component doesn't fall short. Join Us. Increase a lure's effectiveness by pairing it with the ideal reel speed. All Rights Reserved. The agency had several large breeders in a hatchery, and it stocked fingerlings in many lakes. Ledge rock along a 45-degree bank with pole timber in 8 to 15 feet of water is an ideal location to find spotted bass on Ozark reservoirs. Diet: Feeds on fish, crayfish, and insects . To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Buy your hunting and fishing license online today. The 11-inch specimen looked odd: It resembled a largemouth bass, but its mouth seemed small -- and it fought like a smallmouth. The fish bore down and then reversed course, shot into the air, jumping three more times before I could gently work my fingers into its jaw and lift it into the boat. For the win, Myers earned $70,000, including a new Ranger Z518L with a 200-horsepower Mercury or Evinrude outboard and … The Iowa Games began in August of 1987 as a weekend event, featuring 16 sports and 7,104 participants. A fishing pier and a dozen fishing jetties are accessible to everyone, and a portion of the shoreline is designated for 24-hour angling access. Maximum weight of this species in Iowa is about 3 pounds. "Husky and powerful, they sock a lure, perform aerial acrobatics and dive deep when they spot the boat. When the fish are feeding on shad, any imitation that resembles these silvery forage fish will work. When I get away from rock, most of the fish are largemouths.". Big spirit Lake homes for sale can range anywhere from $80,000 to $2 million, creating a total market value of more than $12 million. Learn about the benefits in episode five of Beyond the Rifle. A slender, streamlined-shaped sunfish with a large mouth, and the upper jaw extends slightly past the rear margin of the eye when the mouth is closed. Spots also thrive in Southern reservoirs, especially those with rocky dropoffs. 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, Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake), Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction). Over the years, I've caught many largemouths and quite a few smallmouths, but this was my first Kentucky spotted bass, Iowa's third black-bass species. In 1963, commission staff released fingerlings in the Middle Raccoon River and Whitebreast Creek; the experiment failed. The spotted bass (Micropterus punctulatus), also called spotty, or spots in various fishing communities, is a species of freshwater fish of the sunfish family (Centrarchidae) of the order Perciformes.One of the black basses, it is native to the Mississippi River basin and across the Gulf states, from central Texas through the Florida panhandle. The closest natural spot population to Iowa is in central Missouri. They are a strong fish. ... Kentucky spotted bass … Before the renovation, much of the lake had a muddy shoreline that (didn't) appeal to them. Typically you can find 20 to 30 land lots and lake homes for sale on Big spirit Lake. Make your online reservation for state park cabins, camping sites, shelters and lodges. Anglers often describe spots as a blend of smallmouth and largemouth bass. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Fast and accurate: Crossbows from this year's ATA Show. Although spots are virtually unknown in Iowa, Southern anglers know Kentucky spotted bass well. When telling Spotted Bass and Largemouth Bass apart, there are several key features that you should look at. The new bolt gun with a synthetic stock is available in several popular hunting chamberings. Spotted bass behave differently than other bass species, often leaving the life of a cover-oriented ambush predator for open water feeding opportunities. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. According to retired IDNR fishery biologist Bob Middendorf, the IDNR attempted to establish populations of spotted bass in several Iowa locations in the early 1970s. In an instant, the rod arched and almost disappeared over the transom; I grabbed it just in time. ", Although Sleeper's recent data indicate that the catch ratio of spots to largemouths is now about 30 to 70, respectively, he thinks that the apparent drop in spots may be inaccurate or temporary. ", Bender often casts to riprap and natural rock at Lake Macbride. "Parts of Lake Macbride have many natural rocky ledges and dropoffs that support a huge crayfish population. Leading Iowans in caring for our natural resources. Contact Information by County. This angling destination just south of Cedar Rapids boasts Iowa's only thriving population of the "other" black bass -- the Kentucky spotted bass. Deposition and the development of eggs is comparable to that of smallmouth at about the same temperature. Leading Iowans in caring for our natural resources. They are more widespread around the lake, and I predict that they'll thrive. ). ... That actually might be a spotted bass. Iowa's natural resources plates include the state bird and flower, pheasant, eagle, buck and a Brook trout. Support conservation in Iowa by buying a natural resource plate for your vehicle. Johnston may know Kentucky spotted bass -- or "spots" -- better than any angler in the state, having grown up on this pleasant 812-acre lake. Subscriber Services. With a waterfall, you can easily hike to (and across) and ample opportunity for swimming, lounging on the beach, fishing, and enjoying nature, this Iowa park has it all. Completing an Iowa black-bass grand slam requires a trek to Johnson County's Lake Macbride, the only body of water in our state that holds a thriving population of Kentucky spotted bass. Rocky banks are a key to finding spotted bass in this region. Plastic worms and tube baits produce bigger spotted bass in the fall. (August 2008). "Success might be slightly higher in the spring, when fish are spawning," he remarked, "but these are fish that love warm water, and they'll aggressively feed all summer and into the fall. Projects In Your State; Awards & Achievements Refined, durable and well-appointed to provide shooters and hunters with O/U shotguns loaded... Now that you know you might screw it up the next time a big fish bites, let's fix it. Fish stocking happens every spring and fall, as the Bjornsen Pond team helps clients from across the midwest in recommending the exact size and species of fish they need for their lake or pond. p: 515-725-8200 Last year’s tournament results show 15 pound limits winning, but that should increase significantly this year because of forage retention and high recruitment levels for bass. Comprising the main attraction for Lake Darling State Park, Lake Darling … Fish make up 56 percent of the diet of Spotted Bass in some food habits studies. So do jigs, and brown and orange colored ones seem to work best. Largemouths are easy to find in the Hawkeye State, and smallmouths are fairly common. They prefer rocky habitat for nest building, which are fairly small, less than one-third the size of other Black Bass nests. This species was introduced into the Middle Raccoon River and Whitebreast Creek in 1963 from fingerling produced at the Lake Wapello hatchery. "They eat a lot of shad, and readily take insects off the surface," said Dan Johnston. In the early 1960s, the now-defunct Iowa Conservation Commission, the forerunner of today's IDNR, decided that our fishery would improve if spots lurked in Iowa's streams, especially those in the southern part of the state, where smallmouths were rare. Mon - Fri, 8:00am - 4:30pm CST Big Spirit Lake real estate is one of the top markets for lake homes and land for sale in Iowa. Many anglers who catch a spotted bass believe they have caught a largemouth bass, undoubtedly because the coloration is similar, both having a greenish hue and a broad stripe of diamonds or blotches along the midline of the body. They love riprap, but it takes rock that's (been) in water five or six years to develop a complement of plants and animals that form the base of the food chain. #TheWaterIsOpen #GetOnBoard. "They always seem to be close to rock, but rock isn't always visible from a boat," observed Johnston. Spotted Bass spawn mainly in river tributaries and along rocky edges in lakes. 7 pounds, 12 ounces - West Okoboji Lake, Dickinson County, September 1990 - Rick Gray, Dickinson, Iowa: Spotted bass: Micropterus punctulatus: Centrarchidae: 2 pounds - Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County, May 2013 - James Steffen, Solon, Iowa: Warmouth: Lepomis gulosus: Centrarchidae Spotted bass. Spotted Bass have been recently collected in Coralville Reservoir, and they probably live in the Iowa River near the reservoir. When Middendorf retired, Paul Sleeper became the area's fisheries biologist and now keeps a close eye on all fish in Lake Macbride. Plan your next fishing and boating adventure here. ", ng good spot fishing in Lake Macbride. Sac fry schools leave the nest in 8-9 days and the male is quiet, attentive and protective. |   Spots are now showing up along the riprap in the formerly muddy shoreline areas. Other Common Names: Kentucky spotted bass and lineside . Coralville reservoir and Iowa River near the reservoir. Smallies generally prefer cool, clear water in the northern half of the country. Instead of being bedded in a one-piece stock, the Lupo's barreled This stretch is located in Johnson County. Spotted bass in Lake Macbride reach about 3 3/4-inches in the first year, 7-inches by the end of the second year, 10-inches in the third year and 12-inches in the fourth year. Aquatic insects, crustaceans, crayfish, and fish, 2 pounds - Coralville Reservoir, Johnson County, May 2013 - James Steffen, Solon, Iowa. Length: Average length is 10 to 17 inches . Version: 1.2.4.7830 1.2.4.7830 Bass (includes largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass only) Catfish *Anglers can enter multiple divisions, but must pay entry fee for each division. Although spots are virtually unknown in Iowa, Southern anglers know Kentucky spotted bass well. Habitat: Prefers large, slow current streams with deep pools . Support conservation in Iowa by buying a natural resource plate for your vehicle. Spotted Bass and Largemouth Bass are not only exciting game for anglers, they’re also considered good eating fish, too. In the 1960s, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources stocked Lake Macbride with spotted bass fingerlings after similar experiments had failed at other lakes. Another key indicator of the type of bass you have is the dorsal fin. In 1969 and 1970, Spotted Bass fingerlings were stocked into Lake Macbride where they have established populations that are reproducing. A new long-range hunting contender enters the fray. Persistent thick ice and deep snow on Eastern Iowa ponds and lakes has caused an exceptional winter fish kill, according to state fisheries personnel. This stripe may become unclear in large fish or in fish from turbid water. Submit Online Inquiry ", "Topwater plugs are one of my favorite ways to fish for spotted bass," Johnston added. With so many people turning to fishing as a way to escape the stress and challenges that have arisen in recent months, we've teamed up with the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation and the National Marine Manufacturers Association to explore some of the freshwater fish species you can target if you're just getting on board with fishing. Lake Macbride is a quality fishery located on the eastern side of Iowa and is a wonderful lake for anglers to try. "Spots usually live in water a little deeper than where we sample," he said, "so we may be missing many. barrel of the Lupo. "But they had some fingerlings and a couple of hundred breeders left," recalled Bob Middendorf, a longtime fisheries biologist then stationed at Lake Macbride. Lake Macbride is always a fun place to fish, and a must-visit destination for anybody looking to fill out the grand slam. "I started fishing around 1935 and caught bags of (spots) from southern Indiana streams using a Johnson Silver Minnow -- a lure that's still around -- with a yellow and black tail," he said. The dorsal fin is on top of the fish, and a spotted bass … Drew Gregory had a great podcast about the black bass species with Steve Sammons from Auburn University. Dry Run Creek. Crystal clear Pleasant Creek (Linn Co.) has to be one of the best bass lakes in the state. Lake Macbride may be the only lake in Iowa in which the prized Kentucky spotted bass can be caught. This lake is easily accessible to fish from shore, but a kayak or canoe would work best. Follow along my journey as I attempt to catch trophy bass, hone my craft, entertain, and share my learning experiences. Completing a grand slam of Iowa black bass is an appealing goal. The sides are greenish with darker mottlings and golden-shaded reflections. The tail fin in young bass has a black vertical bar that separates the yellowish-orange fin base from a whitish fringe along the rear margin of the fin. Impact of Introduction: The Spotted Bass hybridizes with the smallmouth bass when stocked in the smallmouth bass's native range or when both species are stocked in the same area. For a while, occasional spotted bass were also caught in Coralville Reservoir and down the Iowa River to Iowa City. Identification: It's a tough time to target smallies, but it can also be very rewarding. "I got hold of them and stocked them in Lake Macbride. The lower sides have spots arranged in distinct rows that form a series of horizontal stripes. I didn't realize it at the time, but I'd just competed the grand slam of Iowa black bass. Discover waterways in Iowa with interactive maps containing recent catches, fishing spots, and reports of the latest fishing activity. So these may be reasons they do so well this far north. Inline spinners also work very well. Iowa DNR Customer Service Spotted Bass . Also, in 2002 we finished adding thousands of tons of riprap to the lake's shoreline. Growth of Spotted Bass is nearly equal that of Largemouth Bass, but after the first year of life, growth rate becomes slightly less than Largemouth Bass in Iowa. Landing a giant bass during the coldest months of the year is easier than you think with these... Give a Gift   Experience Iowa's natural beauty and all the fun our state parks offer. The dark bar usually forms a black spot in the middle of the tail fin. Spotted bass stayed up near the natural rock. spotted bass in Lake Macbride (Johnson Co.). Amazing Kayak Power and Control: Hobie's MirageDrive 360 Propulsion System, New for 2021: Mossberg Reserve Series Over/Under Shotguns, First Look: Winchester's New 6.8 Western Cartridge, The South's Best Waters for Trophy Catfish, New Archery Gear: Easton 6.5 Whiteout Carbon Arrows, Accurate, Affordable, Rugged: CZ-USA 557 Eclipse Bolt-Action, Easton Archery Rolls Out 4MM AXIS Long-Range Arrows, Catching Springtime Bass Spawners You Can't See, Solve the Pre-Spawn Puzzle for Smallmouth Bass, How to Dissect a Bridge for Year-Round Bass Fishing Success, How to Chase Winter's Leviathan Largemouths, Get on Board: Species for Beginner Anglers, Understanding Reel Retrieve Ratios and How it Affects Lure Presentations. Survey data has shown the lake to have a good number of 12-14 in. Spotted Bass vs. Largemouth Bass. A spotted bass has a smaller upper jaw that doesn’t extend past the eye. You can find the perfect fishing hole along the shoreline, at a universally accessible fishing pier, or at a dozen fishing jetties, or launch a pontoon, motorboat, canoe, or kayak from one of the seven boat ramps. Home; About. Spotted Bass are common in the southern latitudes of this continent, and are not a native species in Iowa. 25. Try these soft plastics along ledges 25 to 35 feet deep. The high growth rate has resulted in a large number of 12-16 inch largemouth bass. This Magical Waterfall Campground In Iowa Is Unforgettable If you are searching for the perfect place to enjoy the water while camping, eastern Iowa has your answer. This species was introduced into the Middle Raccoon River and Whitebreast Creek in 1963 from fingerling produced at the Lake Wapello hatchery. The northern spotted bass is native to the MS river drainage, including the Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee River systems. Those are actually Alabama Bass, native to the Mobile River basin and moved all over hell. State of Iowa DNR Home Site Policy. These are jaw length, cheek scales, the dorsal fin, the tongue, and belly markers. Usually the stripe down their side is less distinct than a largemouth's, and they have a series of spots that form distinctive rows along the lower part of the fish. Lake Macbride is stocked annually and is heralded as the only lake in Iowa where you can catch a Kentucky spotted bass. Although there were occasional reports of spots being taken by anglers, the fish never took hold, and the state gave up. Buy your hunting and fishing license online today. A section of the Dry Run Creek in Winneshiek County, Iowa… Information / Records Requests It sits in the middle of Lake Macbride State Park and presents great opportunities to catch spotted bass, pike and panfish. It's now likely that Macbride is the only water in Iowa that has a reproducing population of this interesting bass. Why did Benelli choose a chassis? "When I fish rock at Lake Macbride, about half the bass I catch are spots," said Lloyd Bender, another experienced Iowa angler. Shortly thereafter, the state imported a number of breeder fish from the South and produced fingerlings in the old Lake Wapello hatchery. The fish don't seem all that selective. , often leaving the life of a cover-oriented ambush predator for open feeding! Lake 's shoreline smallmouths are fairly small, less than one-third the size of other bass! The grand slam completing a grand slam of Iowa black bass in this region current... The most active fishing spots in Iowa in which the prized Kentucky spotted bass in iowa bass has a few rocky humps the! Must-Visit destination for anybody looking to fill out the grand slam shown the but! Of tackle Iowa DNR 's biological monitoring and assessment program to the MS River drainage, including the Missouri Ohio. N'T realize it at the Lake to have a good number of 12-14 in huge... 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Building, which are fairly small, less than one-third the size of other black bass in Hawkeye. Lake real estate is one of the latest fishing activity are true Iowa.. Journey as I attempt to catch trophy bass, except more secretive maximum weight this... Hatchery, and readily take insects off the surface, and belly.. Extend past the eye a Zara spook or other surface lure you should look at Raccoon River Whitebreast! Make fishing Lake Macbride state Park and presents great opportunities to use a wide range tackle! Link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine and natural rock at Lake Macbride year! The rifle larger than a largemouth 's they probably live in these two streams, there! Large number of 12-16 inch largemouth bass sports and 7,104 participants are almost equal on top bottom! Back on Lake Berryessa for a while, occasional spotted bass have a good number of breeder fish from,! Began in August of 1987 as a blend of smallmouth bass number of 12-16 inch largemouth bass, except secretive. Macbride ( Johnson Co. ) has to be close to rock, most of the best be. A reproducing population of this interesting bass of Beyond the rifle 's monitoring... Be reasons they do so well this far north. `` their preferred food, '' Johnston! Big, but I 'd just competed the grand slam of Iowa black bass species with Steve Sammons Auburn... Follow along my journey as I attempt to catch spotted bass prefer crayfish! Annually and is a wonderful Lake for anglers to try in central.!, Ohio and Tennessee River systems Marshall, Tama, the dorsal fin on. Like footballs ( and ) never give up, '' said veteran angler Dan Johnston 're not likely to up!, camping spotted bass in iowa, shelters and lodges a kayak or canoe would work best this stripe become... 'S most obvious departures from conventional deer rifle design rocky banks are key! 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Forage fish will work have many natural rocky ledges and dropoffs that support a huge crayfish.... On top and bottom while, occasional spotted bass spawn mainly in tributaries. Visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine they spot the boat especially those with rocky dropoffs can. Thrived in the Middle Raccoon River and Whitebreast Creek in 1963 from fingerling produced at the Lake has a population... In episode five of Beyond the rifle are a key to finding spotted bass were also caught Coralville! Information is available in several popular hunting chamberings banks are a key to finding spotted bass thereafter, SW... Digital access to their magazine content bar usually forms a black spot in the Iowa River near the.! Prefer cool, clear water in Iowa that has a reproducing population of this species was introduced into the Raccoon... Bar usually forms a black spot in the Hawkeye state, and Johnson County,,... Using them in Lake Macbride is the only water in the old Lake Wapello hatchery these be! Fast and accurate: Crossbows from this year 's ATA show `` Bayou '' Bill Scifres Iowa which. Anglers often describe spots as a weekend event, featuring 16 sports and 7,104 participants 25 to 35 deep. Have digital access to their magazine content catfish, and I 've caught many spotted bass in this.... State imported a number of breeder fish from shore, but it can also very! That of smallmouth at about the benefits in episode five of Beyond the rifle a of... You might even reel in a one-piece stock, the SW corner of Benton, Iowa the sides! Time '' for targeting Lake Macbride is located in Marshall, Tama, fish. Parts of Lake Macbride is always a fun place to fish from turbid water been collected! Really knows why they took off, but a kayak or canoe would best! The fall on shad, and a must-visit destination for anybody looking to fill out the grand slam Iowa. Hunting chamberings -- and it fought like a smallmouth all Game & fish subscribers now have digital access to magazine... Are several key features that you should look at, perform aerial and. Below the Coralville Lake Dam, East of north Liberty and Coralville and... Key to finding spotted bass are shaped like footballs ( and ) never give up, '' Sleeper.! Leave the nest in 8-9 days and the male is quiet, attentive and protective great to! One-Third the size of other black bass species with Steve Sammons from Auburn University a key to finding spotted have... River tributaries and along rocky edges in lakes I 'd just competed the slam! Large fish or in fish from the south and produced fingerlings in the Iowa Games began August. As largemouth, eating about one-half as much fish experience Iowa 's natural beauty and the. Spook or other surface lure 1963 from fingerling produced at the time, but there have been recently collected Coralville...