Largemouth Bass

Afton, Iowa, offers a more intimate largemouth bass fishing experience than some of the state's larger lakes. The numerous small lakes and ponds in Union County are the key here, providing diverse habitat and often less fishing pressure. Green Valley State Park is a great place to start. Spring is excellent, particularly during the pre-spawn and spawn periods when bass are close to shore. Target shallow, weedy areas and submerged structure with spinnerbaits, crankbaits, or soft plastics. Summer can be good using topwater lures early and late in the day. A local tip: Pay attention to water clarity, as some ponds can get murky. Adjust your lure color accordingly. Also, consider using smaller presentations, as the bass in these smaller waters can be a bit more finicky. Largemouth in this region tend to be healthy and aggressive, but don't expect trophy sizes as often as you might in larger reservoirs.