Spirit Lake, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For more information contact the Spirit Lake fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
NORTHWEST
Clear Lake
Clear Lake has about 12-15 inches of ice on both the little lake and the main lake. There is a little bit of current flowing into the little lake from Ventura Marsh; be aware of possible thin ice on the south side of the little lake. There are a growing number of permanent shacks and people driving out this week. Yellow Bass – Good: Action is good if anglers move often if they are not catching fish; fish in 8-12 feet of water on the little lake and move until you find schools. Anglers will catch a few different year classes but anglers are catching 8.5-9.4 inch fish pretty consistently. The action has been good near the west aerator to Baptist camp. Walleye – Fair: An occasional walleye is being caught near the aerator or west to Baptist camp. Crappie – Good: Crappie have been caught mixed in with some of the yellow bass catches in 8-12 feet of water but the better locations are in the deeper 15-24 feet holes during early morning (7-9 a.m.) or evening (3-8 p.m.). Good numbers of 10-12 inch fish.
Big Spirit Lake
Ice conditions: 12 inches of ice but ice thickness varied. Use caution while on the ice. Yellow Perch – Slow: A few perch have been caught in front of the pump house and off of buffalo run. Black Crappie – Fair: Templar lagoon has been producing some small crappies. Walleye – Slow: A few small walleyes have been picked up north of the foot bridge.
Center Lake
Ice conditions: 12 inches of ice but ice conditions varied. The aeration system is in use. Use caution while on the ice. Fishing activity has been minimal.
East Okoboji Lake
Ice condition: 12 inches of ice but ice thickness varied. Use caution while on the ice. Yellow Perch – Slow: A few perch on the main lake basin. Yellow Bass – Slow: Some yellows are being caught north of the narrows.
Minnewashta Lake
Ice conditions: 9-10 inches of ice. Use caution while on the ice. Fishing activity has been minimal.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Ice conditions: 12 inches of ice but ice thickness varied. Use extreme caution during ice activities. The aeration system is in use. Fishing activity has been minimal.
West Okoboji Lake
Ice conditions: 12 inches of ice but ice thickness varied. Use caution while on the ice. Bluegill – Good: A few bluegills are being caught in Millers and Emerson bay. Spencer beach has also been producing some nice bluegills. Yellow Perch – Good: Some nice perch have been picked up east of Triboji and in Browns bay.
