Perhaps the biggest challenge on larger waters is simply locating large walleyes like this one caught by professional walleye angler Keith Kavajcez. Photo courtesy of Greg Keefer.

A lot of big waters in central Iowa offer plenty of big ‘eyes -- all you have to do is get out there and take ‘em!

Anglers have several choices when picking walleye waters in central Iowa. These larger lakes have the best walleye habitat, and are looking good for this spring.

“Iowa’s walleye waters are good fishing,” said Iowa Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist Lannie Miller, “due to the Iowa stocking program. Without it, we wouldn’t have a walleye fishery anywhere in the state except for the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. We’ve been stocking 6- to 8-inch fingerlings in most of the interior lakes we target and can almost guarantee a good year-class every year.”

Most of central Iowa’s bigger lakes and reservoirs offer outstanding walleye opportunities. The real problem lies in deciding on which to try, so check these out: a few of the walleye waters at the heart of the Hawkeye State that should be best for 2008.

RATHBUN LAKE
Rathbun Lake is one of IDNR fisheries biologist James Wahl’s top choices for central Iowa walleyes.

Spawners target the Buck Creek Arm of the lake before returning to the main-lake basin, where they spend the summer. These big-water walleyes will take a variety of jig-and-minnow combinations and jigs with soft-plastic trailers. They can be fussy at times, but a well-placed minnow or tight-wobbling bait can be irresistible.

Perhaps the biggest challenge offered up by Rathbun’s 11,000 acres is simply finding the fish. Deeper points, windswept shoreline areas and submerged rocky cover in water as deep as 20 feet are all early-season possibilities. Anglers will have to take the time to pattern the walleyes in this lake, as the fish might be here today and gone tomorrow. Once you find them, get ready for some real action.

Rathbun Lake sprawls across portions of three counties -- Appanoose, Lucas and Wayne -- on the Chariton River about 75 miles southeast of Des Moines. The nearby towns of Corydon, Albia, Centerville and Chariton offer plenty of amenities to the visiting angler. Access is from state routes 2 and 5 and U.S. Route 34. Launch ramps are readily available around the lake.

Contact the IDNR’s Rathbun Fish Management Unit in Moravia at (641) 647-2406 for more info and GPS coordinates for old structures placed in the lake by the IDNR.

BRUSHY CREEK

The IDNR found that walleyes love the clear water at Brushy Creek. Fish approaching 6 or 7 pounds aren’t uncommon at Brushy Creek, and a lot of them are heading into that size-range this year.

Steep dropoffs typify the shoreline. Submerged humps covered with rocks and flooded roadways are walleye magnets when the fish are deep. North of the dam is a hump that attracts walleyes and can be explored with jigs tipped with plastic trailers or minnows. The riprap on the shoreline near the dam can also be productive.

“Brushy has proven to be a tough lake to fish, but there have been some very nice walleyes taken,” said Chad Kelchen of the Brushy Creek State Recreation Area. “If I were talking to a newcomer to the area, I’d recommend either jigging or using slip-bobbers with live bait over rock structure with a change of depth around it.”

Drift-fishing and trolling are mistakes, said Kelchen. If you’re moving, you’ll be donating a lot of tackle to the bottom of the lake.