Northwest Iowa Fishing Reports

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Town Bay is open. Any remaining ice on the lake is unsafe for travel. More reports will be available as open water fishing begins. 

Brushy Creek Lake
Any remaining ice is unsafe for travel. More reports will be available as we receive them. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Ice is pulling away from many access points along shore. There are large areas of open water. Travel on any remaining ice is not recommended. Immediately after ice out is a good time to target channel catfish along shore using cut bait. 

Remaining ice in western Iowa is unsuitable for ice fishing. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 15-17 inches. Avoid areas near the aerators. Vehicle traffic is not recommended. Yellow Bass - Good: The bite has picked up. Use light tackle and be mobile to stay on fish. The best bite is still at early morning and late afternoon. Walleye – Fair: Try jigging spoons and minnow heads. The best bite is still at early morning and the last hour of light. Yellow Perch - Fair. 

Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 14-17 inches. Avoid areas near the aerators. Vehicle traffic is not recommended. Black Crappie - Slow: Use a small jig tipped with spikes or a minnow head near the edge of the dredge cut. Bluegill - Good: Try a small jig tipped with spikes near the edge of the dredge cut. 

Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 15-18 inches. Avoid areas near the aerators. Vehicle traffic is not recommended. Walleye - Slow. Yellow Perch - Slow.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 15-18 inches. Avoid areas near the aerators. Vehicle traffic is not recommended. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass action continues; best early morning with jigs tipped with wigglers. Fish traditional sites and move often to find active fish. 

Five Island Lake
Walleye - Fair: Ice anglers have had good pole bending activity with numbers of fish harvested. Yellow Bass - Good: Action has picked up, good numbers of fish have been harvested; fish the dredge cuts for the best action. Black Crappie - Good: Incidental catches by yellow bass anglers reflect bonus numbers in the creel. 

Ingham Lake
Use caution; thin ice conditions around the aeration system. 

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught; fish the Stoney Point area for the best action. Walleye - Fair: Numbers of fish are reported from Lost Island Lake; change tactics with the changing weather conditions. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some yellow perch and black crappie are being caught by anglers fishing for yellow bass. 

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Use caution; thin ice conditions around the aeration system. 

Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Walleye - Fair: Ice anglers report catching walleye; best bite is during late day. Yellow Perch - Fair: Fishing action has been very variable; ice anglers are catching nice size perch. 

Spirit Lake
Limited access to the lake. Yellow Perch - Fair: Reports of yellow perch action on the south east end of the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Report of crappie and bluegill from the Templar Park area. 

Trumbull Lake
Yellow Perch - Good: Persistent and patient anglers will be rewarded with good numbers of yellow perch 12 inches and larger in the creel. Northern Pike - Good: Action has picked up; anglers are harvesting northern pike from the lake. 

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Bluegills continue to be fussy; persistence and patience will be rewarded with good numbers of fish caught. Reports of improving water clarity. Northern Pike - Good: Good numbers of fish up to 36 inches are being caught. Tip-up action will improve in the next few weeks. Yellow Perch - Fair: Report of yellow perch being caught from the deep water areas and some fish reported from the north end. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

r Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Town Bay is open. The east basin is ice free. Bluegill - Fair: Use waxworms and crawlers fished under a bobber from the floating dock and along Ice House Point shoreline. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie from the floating dock in Town Bay and along Ice House Point shoreline using minnows and crawlers suspended below a bobber. 

Brushy Creek Lake
Any remaining ice is unsafe for travel. More reports will be available as we receive them. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Any remaining ice is unsafe for travel. Immediately after ice out is a good time to target channel catfish along shore using cut bait. 

A few western Iowa lakes are still partially ice covered. However, open water fishing is occurring on most lakes. More reports will be available as more anglers get out on open water. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Ice thickness is 10-13 inches. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie - Fair. 

Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 12-16 inches. Ice at the accesses has deteriorated; vehicle traffic is not recommended. Yellow Bass - Good: Try near the Baptist camp in the main lake and by the channel in the little lake. Use light tackle and be mobile to stay on fish. The best bite is still at early morning and late afternoon. Walleye – Fair: Try jigging spoons and minnow heads. The best bite is still at early morning and the last hour of light. Black Crappie – Fair.

Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 12-16 inches. Vehicle traffic is not recommended. Black Crappie - Slow: Use a small jig tipped with spikes near the edge of the dredge cut. Bluegill - Slow: Try a small jig tipped with spikes near the edge of the dredge cut. 

Lake Cornelia
Ice fishing not recommended. 

Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 12-16 inches. Vehicle traffic is not recommended. Walleye - Slow. Yellow Perch - Slow.

Upper Pine Lake
Ice fishing not recommended. 

Winnebago River
Northern Pike are starting to bite. Try fishing the slack water below a dam or where a creek dumps in to the river. Use live chubs or crank baits. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass action continues; best with jigs tipped with wigglers. Fish traditional sites and move often to find active fish. Catch bonus yellow perch and bluegill while fishing for yellow bass.

Five Island Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Action has picked up, good numbers of fish have been harvested; fish the dredge cuts for the best action. Black Crappie - Good: Incidental catches by yellow bass anglers reflect bonus numbers in the creel. 

Ingham Lake
Use caution; thin ice conditions around the aeration system. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Fair: Good numbers of angler acceptable size fish are being harvested with some catfish mixed in the catch. 

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught, but sorting is needed; fish the Stoney Point area for the best action. Walleye - Fair: Numbers of fish are reported from Lost Island Lake; change tactics with the changing weather conditions. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some yellow perch and black crappie are being caught by anglers fishing for yellow bass. 

Spirit Lake
Yellow Perch - Fair: Reports of yellow perch action on the south east end of the lake. Best action is early morning and evening with a jig tipped with a minnow head. Black Crappie - Fair: Report of crappie and bluegill from the Templar Park area. 

Trumbull Lake
Foot traffic only recommended. Yellow Perch - Good: Persistent and patient anglers will be rewarded with good numbers of yellow perch 12 inches and larger in the creel. 

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Bluegills continue to be fussy; persistence and patience will be rewarded with good numbers of fish caught. Best activity early is morning and evening. Northern Pike - Good: Tip-up action will improve in the next few weeks with large fish common in the catch. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
The lake is ice free. Bluegill - Fair: Use waxworms and crawlers fished under a bobber from the floating dock and along Ice House Point shoreline. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie from the floating dock in Town Bay and along Ice House Point shoreline using minnows and crawlers suspended below a bobber. 

Brushy Creek Lake
The lake is ice free. More reports will be available as we receive them. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Immediately after ice out is a good time to target channel catfish along shore using cut bait. Walleye - Fair:  Use twisters, minnows or leeches from shore.  Expect walleye shore angling action to pick within the next week with increasing water temperatures. 

Look for shore fishing action to pick up as water temperatures slowly warm. More reports will be available as more anglers get out on open water. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended.  

Shell Rock River (above Greene)
Water levels are rising slowly. Walleye and northern pike are starting to bite.   

Winnebago River
Northern pike and walleyes are starting to bite. Try fishing the slack water below a dam or where a creek dumps in to the river. Use live chubs or crank baits. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

East Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill action is reported off the south ramp (Hwy 71) in 8 feet of water.  Sorting is needed. Best action is early evening hours. Yellow baas, perch and crappie are also mixed in the catch. 

Spirit Lake
Yellow Perch - Fair: Reports of yellow perch action on the south end of the lake. Best action is early morning and evening with a jig tipped with a minnow head. Black Crappie - Fair: Report of crappie and bluegill from the Templar Park area. 

West Okoboji Lake
Limited fishing activity; the majority of the anglers are focusing on the north end of the lake. Foot traffic only on the Iowa Great Lakes.  Access areas are soft with "rubber or water proof boots" needed to get through the slush.

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 41 degrees. Bluegill - Fair: Use waxworms and crawlers in Town Bay. Most action has been in Town Bay and along Ice House Point, the floating dock, and from the inlet bridge. Yellow Perch - Slow: A few perch have been picked up from the floating dock in Town Bay and from the inlet bridge. Black Crappie - Fair: Use crawlers and minnows fished from shore and from the floating dock. Walleye - Slow: Expect walleye shore fishing action to pick up as water temperatures gradually warm. Fish a minnow or leech under a bobber or throw a twister along the Ice House Point shoreline, North Shore, and East Shore near the outlet. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water temperature is around 40 degrees. Walleye - Fair: Throw twisters or fish minnows under a bobber from the state marina. Expect good walleye action along the east and north shores as water temperatures continue to climb.White Bass - Fair: Anglers are having luck fishing from shore on the east side and from the marina. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie from the marina using minnows and a twister. 

Some western Iowa lakes are providing good shore fishing action. Water temperatures are in the low 40's. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Beeds Lake is ice free. 

Clear Lake
Clear Lake is about 75 percent ice free. The boat ramp at city beach is accessible. 

Lake Cornelia
Lake Cornelia is ice free. The docks at the boat ramp are in. 

Lower Pine Lake
The docks at the boat ramp are in. 

Shell Rock River (above Greene)
River levels are up. Try fishing the slack water areas below a dam with live bait. 

Upper Pine Lake
The docks at the boat ramp are in. 

Winnebago River
River levels are rising with the melting snow. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Ice out brings excellent channel catfish fishing as catfish go on a feeding frenzy. There is open water at the spillway and bridges; Lower Gar Lake has extensive open water. Fish these areas for some early "pole bending” action. 

Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Walleye - Fair: Numbers of fish are reported caught. 

Lakes remain ice covered. Very limited fishing activity on the Iowa Great Lakes. Forecasted warmer temperatures will help melt the ice. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid 50's. Expect fishing to pick back up as water continues to warm. Bluegill - Fair: Use waxworms and crawlers in the marina. Action has slowed a bit, but a few have been picked up in Town Bay, along Ice House Point and from the inlet bridge. Black Crappie - Slow: Use crawlers and minnows fished from shore and the floating dock. Walleye - Slow: Expect walleye shore fishing action to pick up as water temperatures gradually warm. Fish a minnow or leech under a bobber or throw a twister along the Ice House Point shoreline, North Shore, and East Shore near the outlet. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water temperature is in the mid 50's. Walleye - Fair: Throw twisters or fish minnows under a bobber from the state marina. Decent walleye action along the north shore near Chautauqua Park. White Bass - Fair: Anglers are having luck fishing from shore on the east side and from the marina. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie from the marina using minnows and a twister. 

Action should pick up as water temperatures continue to warm up. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Beeds Lake is ice free. 

Clear Lake
Clear Lake is about 95 percent ice free. Water temperature is 46 degrees. The docks are in at the city beach ramp and the Island boat ramp. Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are biting in the cannels and fishing off the jetties. Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are starting to bite near the outlet. Best time to fish is after sunset. Be aware - DNR staff have nets set in this area. 

Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake is about 95 percent ice free. 

Lake Cornelia
Lake Cornelia is ice free. The docks at the boat ramp are in. 

Lower Pine Lake
The docks at the boat ramp are in. 

Upper Pine Lake
The docks at the boat ramp are in. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Ice out brings excellent channel catfish fishing as catfish go on a feeding frenzy. The north end of the lake and bridges has extensive open water. Fish these areas for some early "pole bending” action. 

Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Silver Lake is open. Report of boat traffic last weekend. Walleye - Fair: Numbers of fish are reported caught. 

Ice is receding from the Iowa Great Lakes. Open water exists at the bridges and the north end of East Okoboji, Minnewashta, Upper and Lower Gar Lakes. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST

Black Hawk Lake
Expect crappie and walleye fishing to pick back up as water continues to warm. Bluegill - Fair: Use waxworms and crawlers in the marina, inlet, and Town Bay. Action has slowed a bit, but persistent anglers have been picked up a few. Black Crappie - Slow: Use crawlers and minnows fished from shore and the floating dock. Expect the crappie bite to pick up near shore as water temperatures reach 60 degrees. Walleye - Slow: Expect walleye shore fishing action to pick up as water temperatures gradually warm and post-spawn fish increase feeding activity. Fish a minnow or leech under a bobber or throw a twister along the Ice House Point shoreline, North Shore, and East Shore near the outlet. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Walleye - Fair: Try along the north shore near Chautauqua Park, the east shoreline and the state marina. Look for the bite to pick up offshore near dredge cuts along the east shore and in around 8 feet of water on the west end of the lake. White Bass - Fair: Anglers are having luck fishing from shore on the east side and from the marina. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappie from the marina using minnows and a twister. 

Shore fishing action should pick up as water temperatures continue to warm. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
Water temperature is 55 degrees. The docks are in at all the boat ramps. Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are biting in the canals and fishing off the jetties. Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are still being caught near the outlet. Best time to fish is after sunset. White Bass - Fair: Use minnows and jigs fished from the jetties. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

East Okoboji Lake
Public docks are in on the north end. Channel Catfish - Good: Ice out brings excellent channel catfish fishing as catfish go on a feeding frenzy and provide superb early "pole bending " action. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers report catching fish from the trestle. 

Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Walleye - Fair: Report of large fish being caught during the late evening hours. Cast a white twister for the best action. 

Spirit Lake
Marble Beach campground, including the boat ramp, is closed for the season for renovation. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow in shallow rock structures. Action is best during sunny, calm days. Black Crappie - Good: Good numbers of fish are being harvested from the Templar Park lagoon; Buffalo Run has been "hit or miss."

West Okoboji Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Some fish are being caught from the Triboji lagoon. Bluegill - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught from Lazy Lagoon (Triboji). Sorting is needed; persistence will result in good numbers creeled. 

The Iowa Great Lakes are ice free. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST

Clark Lake (Mike Zack W.A.)
Northern Pike and Largemouth are biting on crankbaits and soft plastic baits. 

Clear Lake
Water temperature is 62 degrees. The docks are in at all the boat ramps. Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are biting. Use a small jig or a minnow in the rush beds and areas with vegetation. Walleye - Good: Try a slip bobber and leeches fished in the rocky reefs. Yellow Bass - Good: Yellows bass are moving into the shallow rocky areas to spawn. Use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler or cut bait in the early morning. Channel Catfish - Fair: With recent rains, any spot where water is entering the lake is worth trying for catfish. Fish a dead chub or crawlers on the bottom. The best bite is late evening. 

Crystal Lake
Water temperature is 62 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use nightcrawlers fished from shore. Walleye – Slow. Black Bullhead - Fair: Try nightcrawlers fished from shore. Bluegill – Slow. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Use traditional baits in the evening. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers report a panfish bite of bluegill and crappie from docks; sorting is needed. Walleye - Good: Report of anglers catching fish from the south end; best bite during the evening hours. 

Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleye are being caught close to shore. Try fishing from a dock or wader fishing after dark. Black Crappie - Good: Reports of crappie and yellow perch being caught. Fish shallow water areas such as the canal. Yellow Bass - Fair: Report of yellow bass being caught. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. 

Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Walleye - Fair: Report of large fish being caught during the late evening hours. Cast a white twister for the best action. Black Bullhead - Good: Good action reported of angler acceptable sized fish. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some activity reported. 

Spirit Lake
Marble Beach campground, including the boat ramp, is closed for the season for renovation. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow in shallow rock structures. Action is best during sunny, calm days. Black Crappie - Good: Good numbers of fish are being harvested from the Templar Park lagoon; Buffalo Run has been "hit or miss." Walleye - Good: Best action is during the night off the docks. Fish leeches under a bobber or cast a twister tail. Black Bullhead - Good: A good bite is reported at the north grade; fish traditional baits on the bottom

West Okoboji Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Some fish are being caught from the Triboji lagoon. Bluegill - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught from Lazy Lagoon (Triboji). Sorting is needed; persistence will result in good numbers creeled. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Arrowhead Lake
Bluegill - Fair: As water continues to warm, look for bluegill nest colonies along the west and east shorelines; the highest concentration are likely in the southern end of the lake. Use a small tube jig tipped with a piece of crawler.

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 70 degrees. Water clarity is 5-6 feet. Bluegill - Fair: Fish for bluegill just about anywhere along the shoreline. The fish average 7-8 inches. Use a small hair or tube jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber off the floating fishing pier, the west stone pier, and the inlet bridge. Look for bluegills to start moving closer to shore, sitting on nests; you can easily target the males. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are picking up walleye from shore and by boat. Town Bay, the shoreline along Ice House Point, and near the inlet bridge are producing fish. Use leeches fished under a bobber and twisters on the downwind shoreline where walleye are feeding. Black Crappie - Slow: Anglers are still picking up fish from Ice House Point, the floating dock, the stone piers, and the inlet bridge. Catch fish up to 11 inches with crawlers and leeches fished under a bobber. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth all over the lake using the traditional bass lures. Many anglers have found good bass action at the Ice House Point, the east shoreline,and the lake side of the inlet bridge. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water clarity is 3-4 feet. Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Much of the walleye action has shifted to the boat anglers. Boat anglers are doing well trolling shad raps or ripple shads or drifting crawler harnesses on the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake in about 8 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up suspended crappie out mid-lake in the dredge cuts while fishing for walleye. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits; most action has been from boat while fishing dredge cuts. 

Swan Lake
Water temperature is around 70 degrees. Water clarity is 3 feet. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with crawler along the dam and off the jetties. Most of the fish are 6-7 inches. Look for fish to move closer to shore and the males sitting on nests.

Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegill spawning in the arm north of the swim beach and in the coves along the south shore. Yellow Smoke is known for its big bluegill consistently reaching 9 inches or more. 

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are around 70 degrees. Bluegill are starting to move close to shore in many lakes and ponds. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 67 degrees. Black Crappie - Good: Crappies are biting. Use a small jig or a minnow in the rush beds and areas with vegetation. Walleye - Good: Try a slip bobber and leeches fished in the rocky reefs. Yellow Bass - Fair: Yellows bass are on the rocky areas to spawn. Use a small jig in the early morning. Channel Catfish - Fair: With recent rains, any spot where water is entering the lake is worth trying for catfish. Fish a dead chub or crawlers on the bottom. The best bite is late evening. 

Crystal Lake
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use nightcrawlers fished from shore. Walleye – Slow. Black Bullhead - Fair: Try nightcrawlers fished from shore. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill are biting. Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. 

Lake Smith
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are biting on a variety of baits. Bluegill – Fair.

Rice Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are biting on plastic baits. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in the edge of the vegetation. 

Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are biting on plastic baits. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

Center Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Cast mini jigs in shallow water wood habitat. 

East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Use traditional baits in the evening. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers report a panfish bite of bluegill and crappie from docks; sorting is needed. Walleye - Good: Report of anglers catching fish from the south end; best bite during the evening hours. 

Five Island Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Use traditional baits during evening hours. Walleye - Fair: Action is picking up with numbers of angler acceptable size and larger being caught. 

Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleye are being caught close to shore. Try fishing from a dock or wader fishing after dark. Black Crappie - Good: Reports of crappie and yellow perch being caught. Yellow Bass - Fair: Report of yellow bass being caught. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. 

Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Walleye - Fair: Report of large fish being caught during the late evening hours. Cast a white twister for the best action. Black Bullhead - Good: Good action reported of angler acceptable sized fish. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some activity reported. 

Spirit Lake
Marble Beach campground, including the boat ramp, is closed for the season for renovation. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow in shallow rock structures. Action is best during sunny, calm days. Black Crappie - Good: Fish the bulrush on the lake for spawning crappie. Cast a mini-jig and swim the bait slowly back to the boat to find active fish. Walleye - Good: Best action is during the night off the docks. Fish leeches under a bobber or cast a twister tail. Black Bullhead - Good: The bite has slowed at the north grade; persistence will be rewarded with good numbers of fish caught. Fish traditional baits on the bottom.

Trumbull Lake
Northern Pike - Fair: Use casting spoons below the spillway. 

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Wooden docks in deeper water and new aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Arrowhead Lake
Bluegill - Fair: As water continues to warm, look for bluegill nest colonies along the west and east shorelines; the highest concentration are likely in the southern end of the lake. Use a small tube jig tipped with a piece of crawler.

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 70's. Water clarity is 5-6 feet. Bluegill - Fair: The bluegill spawn is later than normal, but look for fish to start moving in close to shore again. Use a small hair or tube jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber off the floating fishing pier, the west stone pier, and the inlet bridge. Look for bluegills sitting on nests; you can easily target the males. Walleye - Fair:Try in Town Bay, the shoreline along Ice House Point, and near the inlet bridge. Use leeches fished under a bobber and twisters on the downwind shoreline where walleye are feeding. Black Crappie - Slow: A few have been picked up from Ice House Point, the floating dock, the stone piers and the inlet bridge. Catch fish up to 11 inches with crawlers and leeches fished under a bobber. Look for post-spawn crappie out deeper. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. Many anglers have found good bass action at the Ice House Point, the east shoreline,and the lake side of the inlet bridge. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake.

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for Musky. Walleye - Good: Use minnows, leaches and twisters in 5-15 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Try minnows on a jig in 10-20 feet of water.  Some males are being caught near shore, so look for the fishing close to shore to improve over the next week. Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish along the vegetation to find the perch. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures.  There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. Muskellunge - Fair: There is a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky on Brushy Creek Lake. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill are still pre-spawn.  Look for bluegill fishing to improve near shore as water continues to warm. 

Crawford Creek Impoundment
Bluegill - Fair: Catch bluegill near shore using a small jig tipped with bait fished under a bobber.  Look for males guarding nests near shore.  Fish are 6-8 inches. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water clarity is 3-4 feet. Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Much of the walleye action has shifted to the boat anglers. Boat anglers are doing well trolling shad raps or ripple shads or drifting crawler harnesses on the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake in about 8 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are picking up suspended crappie out mid-lake in the dredge cuts while fishing for walleye. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits; most action has been from boat while fishing dredge cuts. 

Swan Lake
Water temperature is around 80 degrees. Water clarity is 3 feet. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with crawler along the dam and off the jetties. Most of the fish are 6-7 inches. Look for fish to move closer to shore and the males sitting on nests.

Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Find bluegill spawning in the arm north of the swim beach and in the coves along the south shore. Yellow Smoke is known for its big bluegill consistently reaching 9 inches or more. 

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are in the upper 70's. Bluegill are starting to move close to shore in many lakes and ponds. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 74 degrees. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are biting. Use a small jig or a minnow in the rush beds and areas with vegetation. Walleye - Good: Try a slip bobber and leeches fished in the rocky reefs. Yellow Bass - Fair: Yellows bass have moved off the shallow rocky areas and are out in deeper water.  Use a small jig with a minnow or cut bait in the early morning. Channel Catfish - Fair: With recent rains, any spot where water is entering the lake is worth trying for catfish. Fish a dead chub or crawlers on the bottom. The best bite is late evening. Muskellunge - Fair.  

Crystal Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are biting. Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie are biting. Use a small minnow and a bobber in 3 to 6 feet of water. 

Lake Smith
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are biting on a variety of baits. Bluegill – Fair.

Rice Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are biting on plastic baits. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in the edge of the vegetation. 

Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are biting on plastic baits. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

Center Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Cast mini jigs in shallow water wood habitat. 

East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Use traditional baits in the evening. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers report a panfish bite of bluegill and crappie in shallow water; best bite during early evening hours.  Walleye - Good: Report of anglers catching fish from the south end; best bite during the evening hours. 

Five Island Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Use traditional baits during evening hours. Walleye - Fair: Action is picking up with lots of angler acceptable size and larger being caught.

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake. 

Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Good: Report of a walleye bite at Lost Island Lake. Yellow Bass - Good: Report of yellow bass being caught. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. 

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye - Good: Troll crank baits when there is a good walleye chop on the lake. 

Spirit Lake
Marble Beach campground, including the boat ramp, is closed for the season for renovation. Smallmouth Bass - Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow in shallow rock structures. Action is best during sunny, calm days. Black Crappie - Good: Fish the bulrush on the lake for spawning crappie. Cast a mini-jig and swim the bait slowly back to the boat to find active fish. Walleye - Good: Best action is during the night off the docks. Fish leeches under a bobber or cast a twister tail. Cast crankbaits or a jig and minnows in emerging weed beds.

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Wooden docks in deeper water and new aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 70's. Water levels are 15 inches over the crest of the spillway. Water clarity is around 2 feet. Bluegill - Slow: Try Town Bay, Ice House Point, and the North Shore. Use a small hair or tube jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 3-6 feet of water. Target deeper fish this time of year on the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point, and the East Basin. Walleye - Fair: Use leeches fished under a bobber in the shoreline along Ice House Point. Boat anglers have had some luck on the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point and the East Basin.  Black Crappie - Slow: A few have been picked up from Ice House Point, the floating dock, the stone piers and the inlet bridge. Catch fish up to 11 inches with crawlers and leeches fished under a bobber. Look for post-spawn crappie out deeper. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. Many anglers have found good bass action at the Ice House Point, the east shoreline,and the lake side of the inlet bridge. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake. Muskellunge - Fair: There is a 40 inch minimum length limit on musky at Black Hawk Lake. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait, cut bait, or crawler fished on the bottom along Ice House Point and in Town Bay. Look for fish along rocky shorelines this time of year. 

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and leaches in 15-20 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Try minnows on a jig in 10-20 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish along the vegetation to find perch. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. Muskellunge - Fair: There is a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky on Brushy Creek Lake. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Boat anglers are doing well trolling crank baits or drifting crawler harnesses on the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake in about 8 feet of water. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits; most action has been from boat while fishing dredge cuts. 

Swan Lake 
Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with crawler along the dam and off the jetties. Most fish are 6-7 inches. 

Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig fished under a bobber with a minnow or piece of crawler around structure in 5-10 feet of water. Yellow Smoke is known for its big bluegill consistently reaching 9 inches or more. 

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are in the low 70's. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Drift fish or troll with tube jig or a small minnow. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 4 feet of water. 

Clear Lake
Clear Lake is 7 inches above crest. Surface water temperature is 74 degrees. Walleye - Good: Try a slip bobber and leeches or crawlers fished near the edge of vegetation in 3 to 6 feet of water. Yellow Bass - Slow: Use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler at the edge of vegetation. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting baits fished on the rock reefs and off the jetties. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try a spinner or topwater bait in the open spots in the vegetation. Muskellunge - Fair. 

Crystal Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are biting. Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are biting spinners and plastic baits. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small tube jigs in the dredge cut. 

Lake Smith
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are biting on a variety of baits. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are biting. Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. 

Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are biting on plastic baits. Bluegill - Good: Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll with tube jig or a small minnow. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 4 feet of water. 

Clear Lake
Clear Lake is 7.5 inches above crest. Surface water temperature is 76 degrees. Walleye - Good: Try a slip bobber and leeches or crawlers fished near the edge of vegetation in 3 to 6 feet of water. Yellow Bass - Slow: Use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler at the edge of vegetation. Channel Catfish - Good: Catfish are biting baits fished on the rock reefs and off the jetties. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Try a spinner or topwater bait in the open spots in the vegetation. Muskellunge - Fair. 

Crystal Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are biting. Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are biting spinners and plastic baits. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small tube jigs in the dredge cut. 

Lake Smith
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are biting on a variety of baits. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are biting. Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. 

Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass are biting on plastic baits. Bluegill - Good: Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught; cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs in the evening. Walleye - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Bluegill - Good: Anglers report an improving panfish bite of bluegill and crappie. Use small jigs tipped with waxworms in the weed lines. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake. 

Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Good: leye action has improved; reports of the best action in areas with flow. Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. 

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye - Fair: Walleye action has slowed on the lake; persistence will be rewarded with nice fish caught. 

Spirit Lake
Walleye - Good: Good walleye action continues; troll live bait. Yellow Perch - Good: Report of yellow perch action "picking up" on the lake. 

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Wooden docks in deeper water and new aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 80 degrees. Water levels are 7 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill - Slow: Try Town Bay, Ice House Point, and the North Shore. Use a small hair or tube jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 3-6 feet of water. Target deeper fish this time of year on the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point, and the East Basin. Walleye - Fair: Try leeches or crawler harnesses around Ice House Pt, the dredge cut near Denison Beach, and around the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point and the East Basin. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. Many anglers have found good bass action at the Ice House Point, the east shoreline,and the lake side of the inlet bridge. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait, cut bait, or crawler fished on the bottom along Ice House Point and in Town Bay. Look for fish along rocky shorelines this time of year. 

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and leaches in 15-20 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Try minnows on a jig in 10-20 feet of water near submerged structure. Yellow Perch - Fair: Find perch along the vegetation and deeper structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Boat anglers are picking up fish trolling crankbaits or drifting crawler harnesses on the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake in about 8 feet of water. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits; most action has been from boat while fishing dredge cuts. 

Swan Lake 
Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with crawler along the dam and off the jetties in 3-6 feet of water. Most fish are 6-7 inches. 

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are around 80 degrees. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll with tube jig or a small minnow. 

Clear Lake
Clear Lake is 3.5 inches above crest. Surface water temperature is 76 degrees. Walleye - Fair: Troll spinners near the edge of vegetation in 3 to 6 feet of water. Yellow Bass - Fair: Try a jig tipped with a small piece of crawler at the edge of vegetation. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or cut bait after dark. 

Crystal Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are biting. Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are biting spinners and plastic baits. Black Crappie - Good: Drift or troll small tube jigs in the dredge cut. 

Lake Smith
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are biting on a variety of baits. Bluegill –Good: Bluegill are biting. Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
The boat dock at Hattie Elston (North ramp) has been pulled. Yellow Bass - Good: The bite has picked up; good numbers of fish are being caught. Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs in the evening. Walleye - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Bluegill - Good: Anglers report an improving panfish bite of bluegill and crappie. Use small jigs tipped with waxworms in the weed lines. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake. 

Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleye action has improved; reports of the best action in areas with flow. Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. 

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye - Fair: Walleye action has slowed on the lake; persistence will be rewarded with nice fish caught. 

Spirit Lake
The south boat ramp (Orleans) is closed. Walleye - Good: The good walleye bite continues; troll live bait in the morning. Yellow Perch - Good: Report of yellow perch action "picking up" on the lake; sorting is needed. 

West Okoboji Lake
The Triboji boat ramp is closed due to flooding. Bluegill - Good: Wooden docks in deeper water and new aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 80 degrees. Water levels are 5 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill - Slow: Try Town Bay, Ice House Point, and the North Shore. Use a small hair or tube jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 5-6 feet of water. Target deeper fish this time of year on the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point, and the East Basin. Walleye - Fair: Try leeches or crawler harnesses around Ice House Pt, the dredge cut near Denison Beach, and around the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point and the East Basin. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. Many anglers have found good bass action at the Ice House Point, the east shoreline,and the lake side of the inlet bridge. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait, cut bait, or crawler fished on the bottom along Ice House Point and in Town Bay. Look for fish along rocky shorelines this time of year. 

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and leaches in 15-20 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Try minnows on a jig in 10-20 feet of water near submerged structure. Yellow Perch - Fair: Find perch along the vegetation and deeper structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Boat anglers are picking up fish trolling crankbaits or drifting crawler harnesses on the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake in about 8 feet of water. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits; most action has been from boat while fishing dredge cuts. 

Swan Lake 
Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with crawler along the dam and off the jetties in 3-6 feet of water. Most fish are 6-7 inches. 

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are around 80 degrees. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Good: Drift fish or troll with a tube jig or small minnow. 

Clear Lake
Clear Lake is 3 inches above crest. Surface water temperature is 81 degrees. Walleye - Fair: Troll spinners near the edge of vegetation in 3 to 6 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or cut bait after dark. Black Crappie - Good: Try fishing the edge of the vegetation with a jig and minnow. 

Crystal Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are biting. Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are biting spinners and plastic baits. Black Crappie - Good: Drift or troll small tube jigs in the dredge cut. 

Lake Smith
Largemouth Bass - Good: Largemouth bass are biting on a variety of baits. Bluegill –Good: Bluegill are biting. Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. 

Upper Pine Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater baits. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish being caught. Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Walleye - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Bluegill - Good: Anglers report a good panfish bite of bluegill and crappie continues. Use small jigs tipped with waxworms in the weed lines. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake. 

Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleye action has improved; reports of the best action in areas with flow. Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. Channel Catfish - Good: Numbers of fish were caught over the weekend, contact the local bait shop for more information.  

Spirit Lake
Walleye - Good: Troll live bait or crankbaits. Yellow Perch - Good: Report of yellow perch action "picking up" on the lake with good numbers of angler acceptable size fish being caught. Northern Pike - Good: Look for areas with flow for the best action.

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Rock piles in deeper water with stands of aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 80 degrees. Water levels are 4 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill - Slow: Try Town Bay, Ice House Point, and the North Shore. Use a small hair or tube jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 5-6 feet of water. Target deeper fish this time of year on the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point, and the East Basin. Walleye - Fair: Try leeches or crawler harnesses around Ice House Pt, the dredge cut near Denison Beach, and around the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point and the East Basin. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. Many anglers have found good bass action at the Ice House Point, the east shoreline,and the lake side of the inlet bridge. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait, cut bait, or crawler fished on the bottom along Ice House Point and in Town Bay. Look for fish along rocky shorelines this time of year. 

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and leaches in 15-20 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Try minnows on a jig in 10-20 feet of water near submerged structure. Yellow Perch - Fair: Find perch along the vegetation and deeper structure. Largemouth Bass - Good: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Boat anglers are picking up fish trolling crankbaits or drifting crawler harnesses on the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake in about 8 feet of water. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits; most action has been from boat while fishing dredge cuts. 

Swan Lake 
Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with crawler along the dam and off the jetties in 3-6 feet of water. Most fish are 6-7 inches. 

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are around 80 degrees. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a tube jig or small minnow. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a small jig. 

Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 72 degrees. Walleye - Fair: Jig a minnow or leech above submerged vegetation in 6 to 10 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Good: Use stink bait or cut bait fished on the bottom after sunset. Black Crappie - Good: Try fishing the edge of the vegetation with a jig and minnow. 

Crystal Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are biting. Use a small piece of crawler and a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are biting topwater baits. Black Crappie - Good: Drift or troll small tube jigs in the dredge cut. 

Upper Pine Lake
Largemouth Bass - Good: Use topwater baits. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
The dock at East Okoboji Beach boat ramp is out. Yellow Bass - Good: Excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish being caught. Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Walleye - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Bluegill - Good: Anglers report a good panfish bite of bluegill and crappie continues. Use small jigs tipped with waxworms in the weed lines. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake. 

Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleye action has improved; reports of the best action in areas with flow. Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. Channel Catfish - Good: Numbers of fish were caught over the weekend, contact the local bait shop for more information.  

Spirit Lake
Walleye - Good: Troll live bait or crankbaits. Yellow Perch - Good: Report of yellow perch action "picking up" on the lake with good numbers of angler acceptable size fish being caught. Northern Pike - Good: Look for areas with flow for the best action. Bluegill - Good: Reports of bluegill, crappie and yellow perch being caught in the Illinois Pondweed in 8 - 10 feet of water. Use a slip bobber and jigs to fish fast and find active fish. 

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Rock piles in deeper water with stands of aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 80 degrees. Water levels are 3 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill - Slow: Try Town Bay, Ice House Point, and the North Shore. Use a small hair or tube jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 5-6 feet of water. Target deeper fish this time of year on the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point, and the East Basin. Walleye - Slow: Try leeches or crawler harnesses around Ice House Point, the dredge cut near Denison Beach, and around the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point and the East Basin. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. Many anglers have found good bass action at the Ice House Point, the east shoreline, and the lake side of the inlet bridge. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait, cut bait, or crawler fished on the bottom along Ice House Point and in Town Bay. Look for fish along rocky shorelines this time of year. 

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and leaches in 15-20 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Try minnows on a jig in 10-20 feet of water near submerged structure. Yellow Perch - Fair: Find perch along the vegetation and deeper structure. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Boat anglers are picking up fish trolling crankbaits or drifting crawler harnesses on the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake in about 8 feet of water. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits; most action has been from boat while fishing dredge cuts. 

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are around 80 degrees. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a tube jig or small minnow. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a small jig. 

Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 70 degrees. Walleye - Fair: Jig a minnow or leech above submerged vegetation in 6 to 10 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait or crawlers fished after sunset. Black Crappie - Good: Try fishing the edge of the vegetation with a jig and minnow. Yellow Bass - Good: Try a small jig tipped with a piece of cut bait along the edge of vegetation in 6 to 8 feet of water. Muskellunge - Fair: Fish the edge of the vegetation and near docks. 

Crystal Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are biting topwater baits. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small tube jigs in the dredge cut. 

Lake Cornelia
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or chicken liver after sunset. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
The dock at East Okoboji Beach boat ramp is out. Yellow Bass - Good: Excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish being caught. Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Walleye - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Bluegill - Good: Anglers report a good panfish bite of bluegill and crappie continues. Use small jigs tipped with waxworms in the weed lines. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake. 

Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleye action has improved; reports of the best action in areas with flow. Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. Channel Catfish - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of pan sized fish, 14 - 17 inches in the lake. Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of fish about 7 inches in the lake. Black Crappie - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of angler acceptable size fish up to 10 inches in the lake. 

Spirit Lake
Walleye - Good: Troll live bait or crankbaits. Yellow Perch - Good: Report of yellow perch action "picking up" with good numbers of angler acceptable size fish being caught. Northern Pike - Good: Look for areas with flow for the best action. Bluegill - Good: Reports of bluegill, crappie and yellow perch being caught in the Illinois Pondweed in 8 - 10 feet of water. Use a slip bobber and jigs to fish fast and find active fish. 

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Rock piles in deeper water with stands of aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 80 degrees. Water levels are 3 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill - Slow: Try Town Bay, Ice House Point, and the North Shore. Use a small hair or tube jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 5-6 feet of water. Target deeper fish this time of year on the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point, and the East Basin. Walleye - Slow: Try leeches or crawler harnesses around Ice House Point, the dredge cut near Denison Beach, and around the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point and the East Basin. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. Many anglers have found good bass action at the Ice House Point, the east shoreline, and the lake side of the inlet bridge. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait, cut bait, or crawler fished on the bottom along Ice House Point and in Town Bay, and anywhere along rocky shorelines. 

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and leaches in 15-20 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Try minnows on a jig in 10-20 feet of water near submerged structure. Yellow Perch - Fair: Find perch along the vegetation and deeper structure. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Boat anglers are picking up fish trolling crankbaits or drifting crawler harnesses on the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake in about 8 feet of water. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits; most action has been from boat while fishing dredge cuts. 

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are in the upper 70's. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a tube jig or small minnow. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a small jig. 

Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 76 degrees. Walleye - Fair: Jig a minnow or leech above submerged vegetation in 6 to 10 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait or crawlers fished after sunset. Black Crappie - Good: Try fishing the edge of the vegetation with a jig and minnow. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift or troll a small jig tipped with cut bait in 6 to 8 feet of water until you find the fish. Muskellunge - Fair: Fish the edge of the vegetation and near docks. 

Crystal Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are biting topwater baits. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small tube jigs in the dredge cut. 

Lake Cornelia
Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait or chicken liver after sunset. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
The dock at East Okoboji Beach boat ramp is out. Yellow Bass - Good: Excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish being caught. Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Walleye - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Bluegill - Good: Anglers report a good panfish bite of bluegill and crappie continues. Use small jigs tipped with waxworms in the weed lines. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake. 

Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleye action has improved; reports of the best action in areas with flow. Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught with black crappie and yellow perch mixed in the catch. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. Channel Catfish - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of pan sized fish, 14 - 17 inches in the lake. Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of fish about 7 inches in the lake. Black Crappie - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of angler acceptable size fish up to 10 inches in the lake. 

Spirit Lake
Walleye - Good: Troll live bait or crankbaits. Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers of angler acceptable size yellow perch are being caught shallow; start on the outside line of the weed beds for the best action. Bluegill - Good: Reports of bluegill, crappie and yellow perch being caught in the Illinois Pondweed in 8 - 10 feet of water. Use a slip bobber and jigs to fish fast and find active fish. 

Trumbull Lake
Walleye - Fair: Use crankbaits in the basin. 

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Rock piles in deeper water with stands of aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 70's. Water levels are 3 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill - Slow: Try Town Bay, Ice House Point, and the North Shore. Use a small hair or tube jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 5-6 feet of water. Target deeper fish this time of year on the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point, and the East Basin. Walleye - Slow: Try leeches or crawler harnesses around Ice House Point, the dredge cut near Denison Beach, and around the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point and the East Basin. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. Many anglers have found good bass action at the Ice House Point, the east shoreline, and the lake side of the inlet bridge. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait, cut bait, or crawler fished on the bottom along Ice House Point and in Town Bay, and anywhere along rocky shorelines. 

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and leaches in 15-20 feet of water. Black Crappie - Fair: Try a small piece of crawler or minnow on a jig in 10-20 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Fair: Find perch along the vegetation and deeper structure. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegills in 15-20 feet of water. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Boat anglers are picking up fish trolling crankbaits or drifting crawler harnesses on the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake in about 8 feet of water. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits; most action has been from boat while fishing dredge cuts. Channel Catfish - Fair: Fish stink bait, leeches, and crawlers on the bottom. 

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are in the upper 70's. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a tube jig or small minnow. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a small jig. 

Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 77 degrees. Walleye - Good: Jig a minnow or leech above submerged vegetation in 6 to 10 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Good: Use cut bait or crawlers fished after sunset. Black Crappie - Good: Try a jig and minnow near the deeper submerged vegetation. Yellow Bass - Excellent: Drift or troll a small jig tipped with cut bait in 6 to 8 feet of water until you find the fish. 

Crystal Lake
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Bass are biting topwater baits. Black Crappie - Good: Drift or troll small tube jigs in the dredge cut. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish being caught. Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Walleye - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Bluegill - Good: The bite has fluctuated with the changing weather, but persistence will be rewarded with good numbers caught. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake. 

Lost Island Lake
Walleye - Good: Walleye action has improved; reports of the best action in areas with flow. Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught with black crappie and yellow perch mixed in the catch. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching large channel catfish after dark.  Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of fish about 7 inches in the lake. Black Crappie - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of angler acceptable size fish up to 10 inches in the lake. 

Spirit Lake
Walleye - Fair: The walleye bite has slowed, but persistence will be rewarded with good catches of fish. Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers of angler acceptable size yellow perch are being caught shallow; start on the outside line of the weed beds. Bluegill - Good: Reports of bluegill, crappie and yellow perch being caught in the Illinois Pondweed in 8 - 10 feet of water. Use a slip bobber and jigs to fish fast and find active fish. 

Trumbull Lake
Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers fishing from a boat or kayak report some perch action from the lake.

Tuttle Lake
Walleye - Fair: Use crankbaits in the basin.

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Rock piles in deeper water with stands of aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a tube jig or small minnow. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a small jig. 

Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 69 degrees. Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits in 6 to 10 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Good: With recent rains and more predicted for next week, cut bait or crawlers in areas where water is entering the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift a jig and minnow over deeper submerged vegetation. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift or troll a small jig tipped with cut bait or a minnow in 6 to 10 feet of water until you find the fish. Muskellunge - Fair: Fish the edge of the vegetation and near docks. 

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small tube jigs in the dredge cut. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish being caught. Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Walleye - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Bluegill - Good: The bite has fluctuated with the changing weather, but persistence will be rewarded with good numbers caught. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake. 

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught with black crappie and yellow perch up to 10 inches mixed in the catch. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. Channel Catfish - Good: Anglers report catching large channel catfish after dark.  Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of fish approaching 7 inches in the lake. Black Crappie - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of angler acceptable size fish up to 10 inches in the lake. 

Ocheyedan Pit #1
Channel Catfish - Fair: Recent surveys show good numbers of 17 -23 inch channel catfish. 

Spirit Lake
Walleye - Fair: The walleye bite has slowed, but persistence will be rewarded with good catches of fish. Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers of angler acceptable size yellow perch continue to be caught; start shallow on the outside line of the weed beds. Bluegill - Good: Reports of bluegill, crappie and yellow perch being caught in the Illinois Pondweed in 8 - 10 feet of water. Use a slip bobber and jigs to fish fast and find active fish. 

West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)
Channel Catfish - Good: Reports of fish being caught from the river. Use traditional baits for the best "pole bending" action. Walleye - Good: Report of walleye action picking up on the river. 

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Rock piles in deeper water with stands of aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 70 degrees. Water levels are 6 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 3-6 feet of water in Town Bay from the stone piers along Ice House Point, the dredge cut near Denison Beach and around the rock piles near Gunshot Hill Cottonwood Point and the East Basin. Walleye - Slow: Try leeches or crawler harnesses around Ice House Point, the dredge cut near Denison Beach, and around the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point and the East Basin. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait, cut bait, or crawler fished on the bottom along Ice House Point and in Town Bay, and along shore near the outlet. Yellow Perch - Fair: Use crawlers fished 3-4 feet below a bobber on the lake side of the inlet bridge and from the stone piers in Town Bay.

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and leaches in 15-20 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Fair: Find perch along the vegetation and deeper structure. Largemouth Bass: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegills in 15-20 feet of water. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Troll crankbaits or drift crawler harnesses on the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake in 6-10 feet of water. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits; most action has been from boat while fishing dredge cuts. 

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are around 70 degrees. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Beeds Lake
The park road will be closed Sept. 19th - 21st due to road construction; there will be no access to the boat ramp. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a tube jig or small minnow. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a small jig. Shore anglers should fish a small piece of crawler or cut bait off the bottom. 

Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 70 degrees. Walleye - Slow: Troll crankbaits in 6 to 10 feet of water. Channel Catfish - Good: Fish on the bottom with cut bait or crawlers after sunset. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift a jig and minnow over deeper submerged vegetation. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift or troll a small jig tipped with cut bait or a minnow over the reefs until you find fish.  Muskellunge - Fair: Fish the edge of the vegetation and near docks. 

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small tube jigs or a minnow in the dredge cut or on the edge of vegetation. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits. 

Lake Smith
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll a small jig or minnow in deeper near the outlet. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish being caught. Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Don’t overlook the evening bite from docks as these fish will move shallow at dusk. Walleye - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. 

Five Island Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught trolling. Don’t overlook public areas to fish using traditional "cat" baits which will provide excellent action. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake. 

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
Channel Catfish - Good: Report of angles catching fish from the river. 

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught with black crappie and yellow perch up to 10 inches mixed in the catch. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of fish approaching 7 inches in the lake. Black Crappie - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of angler acceptable size fish up to 10 inches in the lake. 

Ocheyedan Pit #1
Channel Catfish - Fair: Recent surveys show good numbers of 17 -23 inch channel catfish. 

Spirit Lake
Walleye - Fair: The fall walleye bite has begun with action improving. Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers of angler acceptable size yellow perch continue to be caught in the outside line of the weed beds. 

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Rock piles in deeper water with stands of aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 70's. Water levels are 6 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 3-6 feet of water in Town Bay from the stone piers along Ice House Point and near the inlet bridge. Walleye - Slow: Try crawler rigs or crankbaits around Ice House Point, the dredge cut near Denison Beach, and around the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point and the East Basin. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait, cut bait, or crawler fished on the bottom along Ice House Point and in Town Bay, and along shore near the outlet. Yellow Perch - Fair: Use crawlers fished 3-4 feet below a bobber on the lake side of the inlet bridge and from the stone piers in Town Bay.

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky. Walleye - Fair: Drift or troll slowly crawler rigs, minnows or leaches in 15-20 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Fair: Find perch along the vegetation and deeper structure. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. Bluegill - Fair: Try tube jigs tipped with crawlers in 10-15 feet of water. 

North Twin Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 70's. Water clarity is around 1.5 feet. White Crappie - Slow: No Report - A recent survey showed most crappie are 6-10 inches with a few up to 14 inches. Walleye - Slow: Walleye up to 27 inches have been seen in recent netting surveys. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Use crawler rigs and troll crankbaits along the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake in 6-10 feet of water. White Bass - Fair: Troll crankbaits or fish crawlers along the dredge cuts. 

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are in the low 70's. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Beeds Lake
The park road will be closed Sept. 19th - 21st due to road construction; there will be no access to the boat ramp. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a tube jig or small minnow. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a small jig. Shore anglers should fish a small piece of crawler or cut bait off the bottom. 

Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 70 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use crawlers or cut bait in the areas where water is entering the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Drift a jig and minnow over deeper submerged vegetation. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift or troll a small jig tipped with cut bait or a minnow over the reefs until you find fish.  Muskellunge - Fair: Fish the edge of the vegetation and near docks. 

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small tube jigs or a minnow in the dredge cut or on the edge of vegetation. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits. 

Lake Smith
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll a small jig or minnow in deeper near the outlet. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish being caught. Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Don’t overlook the evening bite from docks as these fish will move shallow at dusk. Walleye - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Northern Pike - Fair: Anglers report northern pike action on the lake. 

Five Island Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught trolling. Don’t overlook public areas to fish using traditional "cat" baits which will provide excellent action. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake. 

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
Channel Catfish - Good: Report of angles catching fish from the river. 

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught with black crappie and yellow perch up to 10 inches mixed in the catch. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of fish approaching 7 inches in the lake. Black Crappie - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of angler acceptable size fish up to 10 inches in the lake. 

Ocheyedan Pit #1
Channel Catfish - Fair: Recent surveys show good numbers of 17 -23 inch channel catfish. 

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye - Good: Expect the fall walleye bite to start soon. Troll crankbaits during the day; wader fishing is your best chance to catch trophy size fish. 

Spirit Lake
Walleye - Good: The fall walleye bite has started with action improving. Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers of angler acceptable size yellow perch continue to be caught in the outside line of the weed beds. Bonus bluegill will be mixed in the catch. 

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Rock piles in deeper water with stands of aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 60's. Water levels are 7 inches over the crest of the spillway. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 3-6 feet of water in Town Bay from the stone piers along the north shoreline of Town Bay, along Ice House Point and near the inlet bridge. Walleye - Slow: Try crawler rigs or crankbaits around Ice House Point, the dredge cut near Denison Beach, and around the rock piles near Gunshot Hill, Cottonwood Point and the East Basin. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake.  Channel Catfish - Fair: Use stink bait, cut bait, or crawler fished on the bottom along Ice House Point and in Town Bay, and along shore near the outlet. Yellow Perch - Fair: Use crawlers fished in 2-4 feet below a bobber on the lake side and marsh side
of the inlet bridge.

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky. Walleye - Fair: Drift or troll slowly crawler rigs, minnows or leaches in 15-20 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Fair: Find perch along the vegetation and deeper structure. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. Bluegill - Fair: Try tube jigs tipped with crawlers in 10-15 feet of water. 

North Twin Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid 60's. White Crappie - Slow: No Report - A recent survey showed most crappie are 6-10 inches with a few up to 14 inches. Walleye - Slow: Walleye up to 27 inches have been seen in recent netting surveys. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Use crawler rigs and troll crankbaits along the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake in 6-10 feet of water. White Bass - Fair: Troll crankbaits or fish crawlers along the dredge cuts. Black Crappie - Fair: A recent survey showed crappie up to 10 inches can be found near shore; use a crawler or minnow fished on a small jig below a bobber. 

Water temperatures in Black Hawk District lakes are in the upper 60's. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a tube jig or small minnow. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a small jig. Shore anglers should fish a small piece of crawler or cut bait off the bottom. 

Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 60 degrees. Channel Catfish - Fair: Use crawlers or cut bait in the areas where water is entering the lake. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift or troll a small jig tipped with cut bait or a minnow over the reefs until you find fish.  Muskellunge - Fair: Fish the edge of the vegetation and near docks. 

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small tube jigs or a minnow in the dredge cut or on the edge of vegetation. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits. 

Lake Smith
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll a small jig or minnow in deeper near the outlet. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish being caught. Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Don’t overlook the evening bite from docks as these fish will move shallow at dusk. Walleye - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Northern Pike - Fair: Anglers report northern pike action on the lake; Best area where there is flow into the lake. 

Five Island Lake
Channel Catfish - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught trolling. Don’t overlook public areas to fish using traditional "cat" baits which will provide excellent action. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of large angler size fish in the lake. 

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
Channel Catfish - Good: Report of angles catching fish from the river. 

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught with black crappie and yellow perch up to 10 inches mixed in the catch. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of fish approaching 7 inches in the lake. Black Crappie - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of angler acceptable size fish up to 10 inches in the lake. 

Ocheyedan Pit #1
Channel Catfish - Fair: Recent surveys show good numbers of 17 -23 inch channel catfish. 

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye - Good: Expect the fall walleye bite to start soon. Troll crankbaits during the day; wader fishing is your best chance to catch trophy size fish. 

Spirit Lake
Walleye - Good: The fall walleye bite has started with action improving. Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers of angler acceptable size yellow perch continue to be caught in the outside line of the weed beds. Bonus bluegill will be mixed in the catch. Northern Pike - Good: Angler reports of northern pike action on the lake; best area where there is flow into the lake. 

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Rock piles in deeper water with stands of aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 50 degrees. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig with a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 3-6 feet of water in Town Bay from the stone piers along the north shoreline of Town Bay along Ice House Point and near the inlet bridge. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch largemouth all over the lake using traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Black Hawk Lake. Yellow Perch - Fair: Catch perch up to 12 inches with small powerbaits like crappie nibbles, perch eyes and crawlers fished 2-4 feet below a bobber. 

Brushy Creek Lake
There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake, and a 40 inch minimum length limit for musky. Walleye - Fair: Troll slowly crawler rigs, minnows or leaches in 10-15 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Fair: Find perch along the vegetation. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Catch bass along weed lines near shore just about anywhere with traditional bass lures. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass in Brushy Creek Lake. Bluegill - Fair: Try tube jigs tipped with crawlers in 5-15 feet of water. 

Crawford Creek Impoundment
Black Crappie - Fair: A recent survey showed crappie up to 10 inches along shore. Use minnows or crawlers fished below a bobber in the mornings and evenings. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use traditional bass lures along the shoreline. 

North Twin Lake
Water temperatures are around 50 degrees. White Crappie - Slow: A recent survey showed most crappie are 6-10 inches with a few up to 14 inches. Walleye - Slow: Walleye up to 27 inches have been seen in recent netting surveys. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Walleye - Fair: Use crawler rigs and troll crankbaits along the edges of the dredge cuts around the lake. Try twisters and leaches fished under a bobber from shore. White Bass - Fair: Use crankbaits and crawlers fished from shore. Black Crappie - Fair: A recent survey showed crappie up to 10 inches can be found near shore; use a crawler or minnow fished on a small jig below a bobber. 

Water temperatures around 50 degrees in Black Hawk District lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a tube jig or small minnow. Yellow Bass - Fair: Drift fish or troll with a small jig. Shore anglers should fish a small piece of crawler or cut bait off the bottom. 

Clear Lake
Surface water temperature is 47 degrees. Muskellunge - Fair: Fish the edge of the vegetation and near docks. Walleye - Good: Fish off the jetties after dark. 

Crystal Lake
Black Crappie - Fair: Drift or troll small tube jigs or a minnow in the dredge cut or on the edge of vegetation. Walleye - Fair: Try a jig and minnow in the area near the old road bed. 

Rice Lake
Yellow Perch - Slow: Use a small minnow or a plastic bait in the deeper water. 

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Excellent bite continues with good numbers of fish being caught. Cast mini-jigs or hair-jigs or use small baits tipped with wigglers. Don’t overlook the evening bite from docks as these fish will move shallow at dusk. Walleye - Good: Numbers of fish are being caught with traditional baits; good numbers of yellow bass are mixed in with the catch. Northern Pike - Good: Anglers report northern pike action on the lake; best area is where there is flow into the lake. 

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Good numbers of large angler acceptable size fish being caught. Channel Catfish - Good: Report of a good fall bite with large angler acceptable size fish being caught. 

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of yellow bass being caught with black crappie and yellow perch up to 10 inches mixed in the catch. Use small lures such as a twister tail or hair jigs. Bluegill - Good: Recent surveys show numbers of fish approaching 7 inches in the lake. Black Crappie - Good: Reports of fish being caught from the lake. Look for the bite to continue. Anglers are catching yellow perch and crappie from the shore. Walleye - Good: The fall walleye bite has started. Use traditional baits during "prime time". Yellow Perch  - Fair: Some fish are being caught in the evening from shore with walleyes mixed into the catch.

Ocheyedan Pit #1
Channel Catfish - Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of 17 -23 inch channel catfish. 

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye - Good: The fall walleye bite is on. Troll crankbaits during the day; wader fishing is your best chance to catch trophy size fish. 

Spirit Lake
Walleye - Good: The fall walleye bite has started with action improving. Wader angler action has picked up with the best bite during the evening. Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers of fish are being caught with sorting needed; anglers continue to harvest numbers of angler acceptable size fish. Use mini jigs tipped with wigglers or a minnow. Northern Pike - Good: Angler reports of northern pike action on the lake; best area is where there is flow into the lake. 

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Rock piles in deeper water with stands of aquatic growth will produce good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish. 

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Arrowhead Lake
Ice is around 4-5 inches thick in front of the boat ramp. Anglers are making their way out. Ice conditions have deteriorated since last week; use caution. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegill have been picked up near the east shoreline. Find fish in submerged structure.

Black Hawk Lake
As of Dec. 20, ice thickness near the boat ramp at Ice House Point was 5-6 inches. Most ice fishing activity has been in front of Gunshot Hill, near the rock pile north of Cottonwood Point, and near the inlet bridge. There is open water off Ice House Point and in the east basin. There is a pressure seam with open water across the east basin. Use extreme caution; ice conditions may continue to deteriorate throughout the week. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught from open water under the inlet bridge out front of Gunshot Hill at the rock pile north of Cottonwood Point and from the fishing shelter off of Ice House Point.. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie are being picked up from the open water under the inlet bridge. Yellow Perch - Fair: Catch perch under the inlet bridge and off the shoreline of Gunshot Hill. Walleye – Fair. 

Black Hawk Pits
Ice is around 5 inches thick off of the boat ramp. There are areas of open water and thin ice in some areas near shore. Use caution and test ice thickness often. Bluegill - Fair: Use waxworms; sorting is needed. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try waxworms fished near the bottom.

Brushy Creek Lake
Ice conditions have deteriorated with the recent warmer temperatures and rains. As of Dec. 20, a few anglers have been fishing the northeast arm and in front of the west boat ramp. Some areas near shore and in the main lake have thin ice/pockets of open water and are unsafe. Ice may continue to worsen throughout the week. Use extreme caution and check ice thickness often. Bluegill - Fair: A few bluegill have been picked up through the ice in the northeast arm of the lake with waxworms. Walleye - Fair: Walleye are being picked up near structure in the northeast arm using minnows and jigging spoons. 

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Ice is variable from 5 to 8 inches in most areas. Some areas have deteriorated during the warmer temperatures. Use caution if venturing out and check ice thickness often. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and jigging spoons. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try waxworms and minnows.

Ice conditions in the Black Hawk District are variable and have deteriorated in some areas. There are still pockets of open water; use caution and check ice thickness often. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Beeds Lake
Ice thickness is 6 inches on the east end of the lake. The geese have a hole open on the west end of the lake.

Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 8 to 11 inches. The warm weather has melted all the snow off the ice. Ice cleats are recommended. Yellow Bass - Good: Use a small jig or jigging spoon tipped with several spikes. You have to be mobile to stay on fish. Yellow Perch - Good: Lots of small fish are being caught. Black Crappie - Fair: Try a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head in the early morning. Walleye – Slow: Best bite is early morning and evening.

Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches. Avoid the pressure ridge near the center of the lake and a hole kept open by waterfowl by the east fishing jetty. Bluegill - Good: Use small jigs tipped with waxworms in the evening. Black Crappie - Good: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow in the evening. Yellow Perch - Good: Lots of small fish are being caught.

Lake Smith
Ice thickness is 7 to 9 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Use small ice jig tipped with insect larvae; best bite is early morning and evening.

Lower Pine Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended. Warm temperatures have deteriorated what ice was here and there is still significant open water on the west end of the lake. 

Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 10 to 11 inches.Yellow Perch - Slow: Best bite is early morning and evening. You have to stay mobile to find fish.

Upper Pine Lake
Ice fishing is not advised.  

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
Open areas on the south end of the lake. Some ice fishing activity observed.

Lost Island Lake
Ice conditions are variable; foot traffic only. Open water areas has capped over, but there is extreme thin ice in these areas.

Scharnberg Pond
Rainbow Trout - Good: Next trout stocking will be January 19, 2019 at noon.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Poor ice conditions continue; thin ice conditions on the east side of the lake.

Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers report catching some fish from the lake.

Spirit Lake
Anglers are expanding the areas they are ice fishing on the main lake; ice conditions remain variable. Foot traffic only is advised. Walleye - Good: Angler acceptable size fish are being caught; best action is half hour before sunset to half hour after sunset. Yellow Perch - Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish are being caught; sorting is needed as numbers of small fish will also be in the catch. Bluegill - Good: Report of good numbers of fish being caught from the Anglers Bay area.

Trumbull Lake
Yellow Perch - Fair: Report of fish being caught from the lake; action is slow, but anglers will be pleased by the quality of the fish caught.

Upper Gar Lake
Limited ice condition continue; there are open water areas on the lake due to the flow.

Virgin Lake
Ice conditions are variable on the lake; foot traffic only is advised. Walleye - Good: Good numbers of fish averaging 16 inches are being caught from the lake. Yellow Perch - Good: Fish averaging 8 inches are being caught.

West Okoboji Lake
Ice fishing activity observed at Emerson, Little Emerson and the canals. Very thin ice on the main lake; no fishing activity observed on the main lake.

Ice conditions remain variable on the Iowa’s Great Lakes and area lakes; foot traffic only. Very mild temperatures in the forecast for next week. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Arrowhead Lake
Ice is around 4-5 inches thick in front of the boat ramp. Ice conditions have deteriorated since last week; use caution. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegill have been picked up near the east shoreline. Find fish in submerged structure.

Black Hawk Lake
As of Dec. 27, ice thickness near the boat ramp at Ice House Point was 4 inches of clear ice under 1 inch of cloudy ice. If you venture out, use extreme caution; these conditions can change fast. There are open water areas off Ice House Point, Gunshot Hill and in the east basin. Bluegill - Fair:Over the last several days, bluegills have been picked up from open water under the inlet bridge and through the ice in front of the Ice House Point boat ramp. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie are being picked up from the open water under the inlet bridge. Yellow Perch - Fair. Walleye – Fair. 

Black Hawk Pits
As of Dec. 27th, ice is around 3 inches off the boat ramp; ice fishing is not recommended.

Brushy Creek Lake
Ice conditions have deteriorated; ice fishing in most areas is not recommended.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Ice is variable with 5-6 inches in some areas and soft ice or open water in other areas.  Some areas have deteriorated during the warmer temperatures and rains.  Use caution if venturing out; where float coats, bring picks and check ice thickness often. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and jigging spoons. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try waxworms and minnows.

Ice conditions in the Black Hawk District have deteriorated with the recent above normal temperatures and rains. Ice conditions range from unsafe to 5-6 inches on some lakes.  Most lakes still have pockets of open water throughout; use extreme caution and check ice thickness often.  For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 8 to 11 inches. Use extreme caution on the accesses where water is flowing on the ice after the recent rain. Ice cleats are recommended. Yellow Bass - Fair: Use a small jig or jigging spoon tipped with several spikes. You have to be mobile to stay on fish. Yellow Perch - Fair: Lots of small fish are being caught. Black Crappie - Fair: Try a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head in the early morning. Walleye – Fair: Best bite is early morning and evening.

Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches. Avoid the pressure ridge near the center of the lake and a hole kept open by waterfowl by the east fishing jetty. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with waxworms in the evening. Black Crappie - Slow: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow in the evening. Yellow Perch - Slow: Lots of small fish are being caught.

Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 10 to 11 inches.Yellow Perch - Slow: Best bite is early morning and evening. You have to stay mobile to find fish.

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
Some ice fishing activity observed on the south end of the lake.

Lost Island Lake
Ice conditions remain variable. Black Crappie - Good: Report of fish being caught from the lake.

Scharnberg Pond
Rainbow Trout - Good: Next trout stocking will be January 19, 2019 at noon.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Poor ice conditions continue on the east side of the lake.

Spirit Lake
Anglers are expanding the areas they are ice fishing on the main lake; ice conditions remain variable. Walleye - Good: Angler acceptable size fish are being caught; best action is half hour before sunset to half hour after sunset. Yellow Perch - Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish are being caught; sorting is needed as numbers of small fish will also be in the catch. Bluegill - Good: Report of good numbers of fish being caught from the Anglers Bay area.

Trumbull Lake
Yellow Perch - Fair: Report of fish being caught from the lake; action is slow, but anglers will be pleased by the quality of the fish caught. Northern Pike - Fair: Report of fish being caught; use tip ups for the best action.

Upper Gar Lake
Limited ice condition continue; there are open water areas on the lake due to the flow.

Virgin Lake
Walleye - Good: Good opportunities to catch fish averaging 16 inches. Yellow Perch - Good: Fish averaging 8 inches are common.

West Okoboji Lake
Ice fishing activity observed at Emerson, Little Emerson and the north end of the lake. Ice conditions remain variable on the Iowa’s Great Lakes and area lakes. Majority of anglers continue to walk out at this time.

For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

[Rick]

NORTHWEST  IOWA FISHING REPORTS

Arrowhead Lake
Ice is around 5-6 inches thick in front of the boat ramp. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegill have been picked up near the west shoreline. Find fish in submerged structure. Fish near the bottom with a small jig tipped with waxworm.

Black Hawk Lake
Ice is variable. Most angling activity has been restricted to the area near Ice House Point boat ramp and in the bay near the inlet bridge. As of Jan. 2, ice thickness off the boat ramp of Ice House Point was 7 inches. If you venture out, use caution; these conditions can change fast depending on where you go. There are thin ice/open water areas off Ice House Point, Gunshot Hill and in the east basin. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have been picked up from open water under the inlet bridge and through the ice between the Ice House Point boat ramp and Gunshot Hill. Use a small jig tipped with waxworm. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie are being picked up through the ice in between the Ice House Point boat ramp and Gunshot Hill in about 4-5 feet of water. Use a small jig tipped with waxworm. Yellow Perch - Fair. Walleye – Fair. 

Black Hawk Pits
As of Jan. 2nd, ice was 5-6 inches thick off the boat ramp. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers have picked up some bluegill using a small jig tipped with waxworm fished near the bottom. 

Brushy Creek Lake
Ice conditions are variable. Anglers have been restricted to the north boat ramp and the northeast arm, and the south boat ramp around the island where there are reports of 5-7 inches of ice. Expect areas of open water and unsafe ice near the beach, in the main lake and near inflows. Use extreme caution as mild temperatures over the next week can change these conditions fast.  

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Ice is variable with 6-11 inches. With predicted mild temperatures the next few days, these conditions can change. Expect some areas to have thinner ice or open water near pressure seams. Use caution if venturing out; where float coats, bring picks and check ice thickness often. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and jigging spoons. With water clarity around 5 feet, most action has been during low light conditions in 5-6 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try waxworms in 4-6 feet of water in mornings or evenings.

Ice conditions in the Black Hawk District remain variable; some lakes have thin ice and pockets of open water while others have up to 10 inches in some areas. Use caution and check ice thickness often. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

 

Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 8 to 10 inches. Yellow Bass - Fair: Start shallow using a small jig or jigging spoon tipped with several spikes or a waxworm. You have to be mobile to stay on fish. Yellow Perch - Good: Lots of small fish are being caught. If you’re not going to use the fish you catch, please release them. Black Crappie - Fair: Try a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head in the early morning. Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught fishing the rock reefs. Best bite is early morning and evening.

Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches. Avoid the pressure ridge near the center of the lake and a hole kept open by waterfowl by the east fishing jetty. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with waxworms in the evening. Black Crappie - Slow: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow in the evening. Yellow Perch - Slow: Lots of small fish are being caught.

Lake Cornelia
Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches. Yellow Bass - Good: Lots of 6.5 to 7 inch fish are being caught.

Lower Pine Lake
Significant open water on the west side of the lake. Fishing not recommended.

Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 10 to 11 inches.Yellow Perch - Fair: Best bite is early morning and evening. You have to stay mobile to find fish. Walleye - Fair: Dead stick a minnow while you’re jigging for panfish.

Upper Pine Lake
Ice thickness varies from 1 to 4 inches. A few small bluegills are being caught.

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

 

East Okoboji Lake
Some ice fishing activity observed on the south end of the lake. Bluegill - Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish are being caught; sorting is needed with small fish mixed in the catch. Yellow Bass - Good: Move often and drill many holes to stay on the school of active fish; sorting is needed.

Lake Pahoja
Bluegill - Good: Report of good numbers of angler acceptable size bluegill being caught with large fish over 8 inches not uncommon in the catch.

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Perch - Good: Report of fish being caught from the lake with "bonus mixed bag" of bluegill and crappie in the catch.

Scharnberg Pond
Rainbow Trout - Good: Next trout stocking is Jan. 19 at noon.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Lake aeration system on the east side of the lake is operational as of Jan 3. Use caution; thin ice and open water is common in this area.

Spirit Lake
Walleye - Good: Angler acceptable size fish are being caught; best action is half hour before sunset to half hour after sunset. Yellow Perch - Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish are being caught; sorting is needed as numbers of small fish will also be in the catch. Bluegill - Good: Report of a mixed bag of bluegill and crappie being caught from the Anglers Bay and Hales area.

Trumbull Lake
Yellow Perch - Fair: Report of fish being caught from the lake; anglers are very pleased with the quality of the fish that are caught. Northern Pike - Fair: Report of fish being caught; use tip ups for the best action.

Virgin Lake
Walleye - Good: Good opportunities to catch fish averaging 16 inches. Yellow Perch - Good: Fish averaging 8 inches are common.

West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Report of anglers catching good numbers of bluegills.

Ice conditions have improved on the Iowa Great Lakes and area lakes. Foot or ATV traffic at this time; no vehicles as of Jan. 2 on the lakes. Mild temperatures return and are in the forecast for the upcoming week. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.