Janet Tarbox, Flickr

(KMAland) -- It's currently a great time to catch fish in KMAland.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources conservationists are reporting significant fishing numbers in southwest Iowa this fall season. Iowa DNR Regional Fisheries Supervisor Chris Larson says Iowa is known for its excellent fall fishing.

"This time of year -- when everyone is busy hunting and football games are going on -- these lakes we have in southwest Iowa you can pretty much have to yourself," Larson said. "You can get out there with just a few boats. Fishing is fantastic right before the late fall/winter sets in because the fish are really putting on a feed bag to try and get up their energy reserves to survive the long winter."

Larson says one of the hottest fishing spots at the present time is Twelve Mile Lake, located just east of Creston.

"People are catching the heck out of some really nice bluegills," Larson said. "I was there last week and caught some up to 10 inches in length. There's also some very nice crappies that can be caught in the flooded timber."

Larson adds several southwest Iowa lakes are reporting substantial largemouth bass numbers.

"Lake Icaria, Viking Lake, Lake of Three Fires, Lake Anita, and Green Valley all have excellent [largemouth] bass populations," Larson said. "Bass are doing the same thing that all of the other species are doing right now. They are actively feeding and trying to build up their fat reserves to survive the long winter we have coming."

Larson says there are several tips area anglers need to remember when fishing in the fall.

"The water temperatures are cooling down so you need to slow your presentation down," Larson said. "It also really helps to have live bait this time of year. For whatever reason in the fall, the fish are more finicky. They can be suspended from the bottom all the way to the top. I tend to fish the deeper water spots. If you are fishing from the shore, fish a shoreline where it drops off into deep water quickly."

Iowa fall fishing information is available at iowadnr.gov.