Latest Northwest Iowa Fishing Report Out 6/7/12

Date posted - June 7, 2012

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Channel Catfish – Good: White Bass – Good: White bass fishing has picked up. Try casting white twisters or shad raps. White bass are being picked up while fishing for walleye. Walleye fishing picked up some at Storm Lake on Wednesday. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing has improved from both boat and shore. Anglers are having the best luck using leeches, crawlers, minnows, or trolling crankbaits. 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

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 for walleye around 10 feet of water. 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 have are being caught off rock piles. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Green vegetation still seems to be the key but as the water keeps warming the fish are becoming more active. Slow presentations are still bringing fish to the boat but the top water bite is also shining when conditions allow. Yellow Perch – Slow: Fishing has been slow but a few are being caught while fishing for walleye. Walleye – Fair: Leeches and night crawlers seemed to be the choice bait by most fishermen with minnows bringing some success as well. Trolling crankbaits in 10-20 feet of water has been another good tactic. With recent rains and warm temperatures the water has become dirtier but the spillway is now running.

 East Okoboji Lake

Bullhead – Fair: Try using worms on bottom. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing near bottom with crawlers and leeches or trolling crank baits. 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. With the spillway now running many fishermen are targeting the north end of the lake.

 West Okoboji Lake

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 as well as live bait rigs with crawlers and leeches. 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.

Lost Island Lake

Walleye – Fair: The water temperature is still holding in the mid 60s and the bite hasn’t slowed. Good results have come in 10-15 ft of water with many small fish being caught. Try trolling crawler harnesses or drifting with either live bait or jigging with specialty plastics designed for walleye. 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. With the summer season upon us remember to be courteous to fellow lake users. For more information, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.