Mitchell Lake

Mitchell Lake is a reservoir in Black Hawk County, Iowa. Mitchell Lake covers about 35 acres and reaches a recorded 56 feet.

What to Expect at Mitchell Lake

Mitchell Lake has an old channel, incoming water and quiet coves, and small water-level changes can move fish from the bank to the first drop.

Fish and Useful Baits at Mitchell Lake

Fish reported from Mitchell Lake include black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, flathead catfish, freshwater drum, largemouth bass, walleye, white bass, white crappie, and yellow bass. Stocking records for Mitchell Lake also list channel catfish, though that does not mean those fish will be easy to catch on every trip.

Bass

For bass at Mitchell, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.

Crappie, Perch and Sunfish

For panfish at Mitchell, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, redear or other sunfish.

Walleye and Open-Water Fish

For roaming fish at Mitchell, jig a minnow or troll a crankbait along points and deeper edges for walleye, and follow shad with a spoon, jig or small crankbait for white bass.

Catfish, Bullheads and Carp

For bottom fishing at Mitchell, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish, and use live bait near wood or a deep hole for flathead catfish, and use corn or dough bait on a simple bottom rig for carp.

Other Reported Fish

Other choices at Mitchell include these plans: bounce a jig, worm or crayfish bait along firm bottom for freshwater drum.

A Simple Fishing Plan for Mitchell Lake

On a first trip to Mitchell, check incoming water, one bend in the old channel and a point near deep water with a moving lure, then slow down with a jig or worm where you get a bite.

When to Fish Mitchell Lake

Spring around Mitchell is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall around Mitchell can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.