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Posts: 2
| I’m relatively new to the sport and would love some help on good bodies of water in eastern Iowa and any tactics that may help each season. I’m not asking for secret locations or hot spots on certain bodies of water but pointing the new guy in the right direction would be much appreciated. Thank you! |
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Posts: 1516
| where are you located? |
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Posts: 2
| Iowa City. Have been to Pleasant Creek and McBride near by. I have seen several up in Palo but was wondering if anything closer. Saw some reports that McBride was good years ago but terrible now. Anyone have any feedback? |
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Posts: 46
| Clear lake. |
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Posts: 1516
| try the river in Iowa City I heard quite a few went over the #*^@ last flood and they are now in the river |
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Posts: 785
| If you are in Iowa City then it doesn't get any closer then MacBride and Pleasant Creek. I'd suggest spending time learning those bodies of water as drive time won't be an issue. Otherwise most Iowa musky lakes have relatively similar potential in my opinion once you learn their quirks. The bigger lakes kick out more top end fish but the average size and typical realistic catch expectations are about the same. Good luck, Iowa is no Minnesota but it does hold some nice fish  |
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Posts: 89
| Have yet to fish Palo yet, waiting on the fill.
Mcbride is outstanding post spawn until it goes over temp sometime in early mid June. It breaks 80 weeks before most other lakes in the state. Best open water bite in iowa in that period before the heat kicks in.
Prespawn you can't beat clear lake, always a bunch males shallow for action, the females are out suspended and it's hard work to find size that time of year.
Brushy is a great lake but takes more work to pattern in my opinion, monsters in it tho.
Not sure you might have some Illinois lakes not terribly far? I have not looked into it tho, we are in central iowa so we tend to just head north if we want a change of scenery or cooler water.
You have large fish in both those waters. I don't tend to make the mcbride trip this time of year. Few times we have gone water was the color of 3 day old coffie.
We tend to stick with clear/brushy with little southern mn stuff this time of year.
I would make the trip to Palo a few times, Mark all the new structure while the water is low so when it fills you are ready to party.
Good luck
Edited by Long TIme Lurker 10/23/2017 8:00 PM
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Posts: 20
Location: Moline, IL | I work in Iowa City, but reside in the Quad Cities. McBride and Palo are both great options. Someone already mentioned fishing in Illinois. There are some excellent lake not too far away (Lake George, Lake Carlton, Johnson Saulk Trail, and more). Send me a PM if you want to talk local Illinois muskies. |
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