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

[Kevan Paul]

I fished boji over the last weekend and the bite was still good. I've switched to plain hook and a leech and that has really been good for me. Give it a try and post your report. 15-20 ft

[Kevan Paul]

Who is ready for some ice fishing at the Iowa Great Lakes?

[Esox_Magnum]

Not me yet, ask me again when muskie season closes....

[Kevan Paul]

Gotta love them ski's!

[Myrt]

I'm ready!!!

[Kevan Paul]

We have a nice cold front coming in on Saturday. If anyone wants to try and get out on some early ice. Please Be Safe! Make sure to take a floatation device and let somebody know where you are going. West O. is going to be great this winter and I'm looking forward to finding a few Perch.

[Kevan Paul]

I hope to make it over to the IGL'S this week. I've been told that the bite is a hair slow. It sounds like they are getting a few good Eyes on Spirit with Spoons and minnow heads.

[Purpledescent]

Kevan,

How's the bite on Angler's bay? Looking to chase a few Gills over the next week while I'm off for Christmas/New Years! Thanks.

[Esox_Magnum]

Bites been off and on, nothing real consistant.... So far I have yet to drill a hole on Spirit or West this season.....Just havent gotten many good reports from my friends that have been on either, hope to change that this week and hopefully can find a few willing fish....

[bluedirt]

Friend had good luck w/eyes Friday afternoon just west of Big Stoney. 17 FOW. Shut off at 6:30 tho for them. We were basically skunked on Fox Lake by Sherburn Sat a.m. Marked fish but very few biters.

[Esox_Magnum]

Like I said hit and miss I know a few did well Friday evening but no reports since then...Buddy had the same luck Sat on Fox to, we did ok but it was slow Wensday there....

[Kevan Paul]

Fishing on Spirit is spotty. It is what it is. If your on the right spot you could pick up 6 to 10 and if your not you might only get one or two maybe even skunked. Puppet minnows tipped with a minnow head have good. I've also been running the Blade Spoon. Glow Red. 18fow has been best for me.

[Kevan Paul]

Wow the bite is not good. I sure hope things turn around soon. The best area for gills has been Emersons bay. People have been catching some perch out deep I don't recommend doing that because every fish you bring to the top is dead. I've fished those fish in the past and no matter how slow you bring them up they still blow there air bags. The walleyes are the most depressing 17 to 22 inch fish caught out deep will die and they have to be released because of the slot. I've fished out deep with a camera and that's about the only way to control what you catch. I did hear that silver lake (Lake Park) has been kicking out a few Walleyes.

[Raider4ever]

Hey everybody, I am contemplating a return trip to Spirit Lake but I want to do it early in the year That being said, what is the "average" ice-out date for Spirit? I know it can vary a lot, but was just wondering what it has been the past few years. Thanks.

[Esox_Magnum]

What do you want to fish for? Walleye season dont open untill the first Saturday in May...

[Raider4ever]

LMB/SMB and Pike. If I read the regs correctly there is no closed season. Not looking to keep anything, just fish. Hence, the question regarding ice-out. Thanks.

[Esox_Magnum]

Normaly early April, but the way this winters going who knows....

[Raider4ever]

Early April? Nice. Maybe I'll shoot for tax-time. Now just have to call around and see if any resorts are open that early. Thanks.

[Kevan Paul]

Kabeles trading post is a nice place to stay.

[Raider4ever]

Is it open that early in the year? Also, did I read the regs correctly in that there is no closed season on LMB, SMB, and Northerns? Thanks!

[Raider4ever]

No place on Spirit Lake itself? We stayed at Sandbar last summer. Their rates say they are open 5/1. Seeing how East Okoboji is smaller, relatively shallow, and narrower than Spirit, does it open up sooner perchance? Thanks again.

[Esox_Magnum]

They all open roughly the same,yes Kabeles is open all year all will be open by May 1st and guessing most are booked already for opener....And you are correct no season on bass or pike only seasons on walleyes and muskies....

[Raider4ever]

Thanks. Not worried about the opener. WI opener is the same weekend (in-laws cabin less than an hour from my house). I'm just looking for someplace to go bass fishing early in the year without traveling a gazillion hours (i.e. the Ozarks). Is holding off for two weeks going to kill me? Probably not. Would it be nice to get out a few times beforehand? Yes, yes it would.

Kabele's web site states they are across the street from the north end of East Okoboji. Does that mean that there is a public street between the place and my boat? I'm kind of partial to having the resort being the buffer between a public street/road/highway and the dock.

[Esox_Magnum]

You will have to load on and off each day, not like norther resorts that are lakeside, most are more motel type places here...

[Kevan Paul]

Like Esox said it might be better to pull the boat out everyday. Sandbar on Spirit has a slip but its a older one I believe.