Largemouth Bass

While Luana, Iowa, might not be the first place that springs to mind for largemouth bass fishing, the Turkey River and its backwaters provide some surprisingly good opportunities. The river's slow-moving sections and associated ponds and sloughs hold bass that can be targeted with a variety of techniques. Look for structure such as submerged logs, weed beds, and overhanging trees. Spring and early summer, during and after the spawn, can be particularly productive. Topwater lures and spinnerbaits can be effective in these shallow, weedy areas. As the water warms, switch to deeper-diving crankbaits or soft plastics fished around structure. A local's secret: explore some of the smaller, less-obvious backwaters off the main river channel. These areas often hold overlooked bass. Public access can be limited, so be sure to check property boundaries and obtain permission where necessary. The bass in this area tend to be opportunistic feeders, so experiment with different lures and presentations until you find what they're biting.