Spirit Lake/West Okoboji Fishing reports by Paul’s Fishing Guide Service

[Esox_Magnum]

More like 2-2.5" as of this afternoon, fishings poor at best but a few fish were being caught.... Ice is not all that safe and temps arent condusive to rebuilding yet....Yes guys are out and even a couple friends who will fish on about anything said it's shakey at best...

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Kevan tried to PM you and you're full clean you're box up so I can PM you please.

[Kevan Paul]

All good to go A. Of IA . Some buddy's of mine fished anglers over the last few days and said that the fishing at ok. They had 10 they kept one day gills perch and Crappie. The said the pike are thick and on the chew. They measured just shy of 3" of ice but like shawn said you need to use extreme caution!

[Mr.Seaguar]

I went to the grade today. It was deader than dead. Not even many fish on flasher. Ice was 4-5" plenty safe. I talked to some guys who were on Anglers. I told one guy who walked out to talk to me dont fish the grade, go to anglers. He said I just came from Anglers, dont go there. He said he marked fish but no takers. Later I talked a guy who said he saw fish in Anglers but they were all pike and Muskies. I am gonna wait until some better parts of West get safe before I go back up

[Kevan Paul]

The bite is on!. My guide Cody and his bro. Killed the gills today. The ice is around 3" and the gills were on the chew. They caught 30 fish in just a few hours. Sounds like little E is kicking out a few fish also!!!

[Kevan Paul]

Well boys Spirit has some good ice. You can find 3-7 " today and i would guess that the entire lake will be over 5" by Wednesday. About Time!

[Kevan Paul]

The ice on spirit is 5-9" and west is 3-9" The best gills are being caught in Emersons Bay. The best Walleye bite is on Spirit and we have been fishing off little Stony Point 17 fow and the bite has been good. We caught 15 plus fish tonight and the biggest was just under 20" Jigging spoons and minnow head. We are still looking for the Perch but maybe by next week we will find a few.

[Kevan Paul]

Spirit is kicking out piles of Walleyes. Fish Reeds Run or Stony Point 17-20 ft with a frosty spoon or a buckshot (Minnow Heads). Both work good. The Perch bite on Spirit is slow but they have been catching a few off West. The gill fishing has been spotty. When gill fishing keep on the move til you find some good fish.

[tspotout]

Piles of walleyes??? I have had 1 good week of slot fish and that was 4 weeks ago since then very slow alot of 12" fish

[Esox_Magnum]

Reports I'm getting is good walleye fishing but sorting is needed, my partner earlier today met me after getting his limit of eyes off Spirit, it's not an every day thing but at least every other at least....

[Kevan Paul]

Reports I'm getting is good walleye fishing but sorting is needed, my partner earlier today met me after getting his limit of eyes off Spirit, it's not an every day thing but at least every other at least....

Thats correct 1 out of 2 or 3 trips is very good. Im still working 17-20 FOW. Frosty Spoons have been good. Glow Red!

[Kevan Paul]

The lakes have been kinda slow but a few good fish are beeing caught. Gills (little E) Perch Triboji and walleyes on spirit.

[thatsawalleye]

Anyone have a report on Little Spirit???????

[Kevan Paul]

Nothing on little spirit. Saw a few off reeds on big. Slow bite for perch and the panfish are a hit or miss. Millers has been the best on west o.

[Kevan Paul]

Spirit walleyes are still a hit or miss. We are finding some Perch in 30 fow on west!

[Purpledescent]

Kevan, how's the bite on Anglers? What's been working there? I think I might be heading out there this weekend. Thanks!

[Kevan Paul]

Not sure haven't fished it. Sounds like its picking back up and i think im going to have to try it. Im going to run a hex. Fly with a mayfly or worm.

[Kevan Paul]

The bite is starting to pick up around the Iowa Great Lakes. Good Numbers of Gills are being caught in Anglers Bay and Millers on West O. Perch are being caught in 12 ft of water along the shores of the main lake. Keep on the move if your in millers the fish are in one spot on one day and another spot the next.

[Scott M]

Thanks for the tips Kevan, finally made it down to 'Boji and gave it a shot. I hopped around until I found some fish, Millers was the ticket. I saw a monster of a gill, but that's as far as the story goes. He gave me half a look but didn't even want to get close enough to get my heart going. It was like watching a 180 class buck and hoping he'd come into range. I came for the sightfishing and got to experience it. (Also got to load up on gear at Fishermen's Factory Outlet and take IGLs off my must do list and put them on my must do again list). I fooled enough 'gills to make me happy and got to experience the fickle nature of these fish. It really does make you better at jigging, terminal tackle selection, and fish behavior interpretation. I just haven't done enough of it through the years!

Also found some perch out deeper; I was fishing in a t shirt and sunglasses for nearly two hours, hard to beat! Finished the day on some stained water nearby and found a mixed bag of fish. I ended up helping a couple young guys that came driving up learn about ice fishing, flashers, gear selection...a variety of topics. They were happy to take home my catch for a meal. So I guess it's pay it forward. Kevan provided a few good tips and I was able to send along a few as well.

Good luck guys, that's an awesome resource and I will be back!

[Raider4ever]

T-Minus 137 days and counting.

[Kevan Paul]

Thanks I'm glad I could help. Millers really has been the best spot this winter. We have been finding most of the fish biting on a tiny tungsten jig and a piece of Berkley Bloody. The Crappie did go well on Pink wedges with a small lead jig. The lead seems to fall much slower and thats what the crappie were looking for.

Little E and the Bar has been good but it takes a special day and fisherman to find them and figure it out. This year has been way different compared to year in the past.

[Kevan Paul]

Sounds like the ice is still good west in millers and little e. Also check out anglers bay this is the best time of the year to fish that bay.

[Kevan Paul]

The lakes are opening up fast. This is a great time to get out and catch some nice panfish. Give Kabeles a call for details on the panfish bite.

[Esox_Magnum]

Sight fishing ice out smallies are a blast to....

[Kevan Paul]

We have been catching good gills in the Canals on West O and the Walleyes have been going very good after dark on all 3 lakes. Most people are pulling cranks with the electric at about 1.5 in 5-9 fow Flickers have been my choice of bait.