Fishing

[Northland]

We are new to the area, and would like some information on Walleye Weekend in Spirit Lake. Walleye Weekend is May 6 & 7. We have some folks coming in to fish that weekend and was wondering which lake would be the best for fishing opener weekend?

Northland [email protected]

712-336-1450

northlandinnspiritlake.com

[mechanictim]

For someone new to the area I think Big Spirit is the easier lake to fish and would give you the best chance at hooking one the tagged fish for prize money(be sure to register!) East Okboji has good numbers of walleye but can be hard to find good spots that are not a little crowded. West Okoboji usually gives up the biggest fish of the season,this lake also sees a lot of recreational boat traffic witch can make it hard to stay on active fish (something about someone catching fish that brings a lot of drive bys.)

Oh'Shucks bait and tackle on Highway 86 just north west of Milford has a great selection of tackle and used to give out free lake maps that they would mark with current hot spots and what was working as far as bait or lures. They also have some state record fish on display. Kabeles on north Hill avenue in Spirit Lake is another good place to get fishing info. Another good place to get info and gear is Fishermans Factory Outlet on highway 71/9. This is the factory outlet store for Berkley, Fenwick, Abu Garcia and a couple of others. This is the place to go for deals on Fireline and Berkly power baits and Gulp baits. You will also some real deals on factory second rods and reels if you have some friends or a couple of kids to outfit on a budget.

The Iowa Lakes area is a tourist and fishing destination for a lot of people and any of the bait shops in the area will do their best to help you have a good time on the lakes.

[Shad rap]

If you have a boat I would try lindy rigs down the middle of big spirit or up on the north end. It should be none stop action. you might have to sort alot of fish to find some keepers. at night there should be action on any dock that you might have access to. a lead head and minnow worked well off the docks when I lived down there. We will be out on west lake pulling plugs at night with the rest of the crowd.