Latest Iowa Fishing Report Out 5/25/12

Date posted - May 25, 2012

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Walleye fishing at Storm continues to be slow this week. Crappie – Fair: Fish the marina for crappie. Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing has slowed down since last week. Shore anglers are still picking up a few with minnows. Boat anglers report marking a lot of fish around the dredge cuts, but unable to get anything to bite. Boaters should use caution on Storm Lake. The hydraulic dredge is in operation in the east basin of the lake. There is a pipeline running from the dredge to the shoreline and may rise to the surface at times.

Big Spirit Lake

Bluegills and crappies are in the spawning areas try using small presentations while sight fishing. Bullhead – Good: There were lots of bullheads being caught off the north grade as well as a few at Templar Park. Most were coming on worms but minnows and leaches also caught a few. Northern Pike – Fair: Try using spoons, and spinner baits around vegetation. Some pike are being caught trolling crankbaits at 10 feet for walleyes. White Bass – Fair: Locating an active school of white bass is the hard part; once found something resembling a minnow should get good results. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Most smallmouth bass are being caught off rock piles. Largemouth Bass – Fair: look for green weeds and bass should be nearby try using a slow presentation and long casts. Yellow Perch – Slow: Fishing has been slow but a few are being caught while fishing for walleye. Walleye – Fair: Leaches and night crawlers seemed to be the choice by most fishermen with minnows bringing some success as well. Trolling crankbaits in the 10-20 feet range has been another good tactic.

 East Okoboji Lake

Bullhead – Fair: Try using worms on bottom. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing near bottom with crawlers and leaches or trolling crankbaits. Twister tails can also be productive. Yellow Bass – Good: Many yellow bass are being caught try looking for rocks and wood and use small baits.

West Okoboji Lake

The canals seem to be where the most action is taking place with bluegills and largemouth bass gaining the most attention but many of the fish are small. Northern Pike – Fair: Find weed beds and you have found the pike try using spoons or most anything resembling a minnow and don’t forget the steel leader. Bluegill – Good: Action is picking up in the main lake around docks but there are still a good number of fish in the canals. Try using small jigs coupled with light line and a small bobber. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: A few smallies have been caught off rock piles but with the clear water most fish are spooky. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish are still in the canals but there are a few being caught in the bays around the weed beds. Walleye – Fair: A few fish were caught trolling crankbaits and live bait rigs with crawlers and leaches.

Lost Island Lake

Walleye – Fair: Fishing is picking up as the water has reached the mid 60s. Try drifting live bait either on a jig or a live bait rig. A few good sized yellow bass may also be picked up with these methods. Yellow Bass – Good: There are some good sized yellow bass in the lake and they can be caught using crappie sized baits. Try using twister tails, crappie tubes, and live bait to catch a batch of these tasty fish.

A reminder to bow fishermen please dispose of your fish properly and it is unlawful to sell fish. For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the Spirit Lake fish hatchery at 712-336-1840.