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
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Ice thickness varies from about 10-16 inches. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappie fishing has been slow, most being caught are small. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have picked up a few walleye in the dredge cuts towards the east end of the lake using minnows and jigs. Others have had some success fishing the South Cove Park area, the inlet, and Chautauqua Point area using minnows and jigs. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some perch have been picked up near the inlet. The bite is hit or miss.
Clear Lake
Clear Lake has about around 16-17 inches of ice on both the little and main lakes. 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. Yellow Bass – Good: Action is good if anglers move often if not catching fish; fish 8-12 feet of water on the little lake and move until you find schools. The flats in 8-10 feet of water out from the Lynne Lorenzen and in 8-10 feet at Farmers Beach have been good. The bite near the aerator has been hit or miss with the increased angler activity possibly moving yellows around. Walleye – Good: Anglers have had good success on structure (East aerator, HyVee-Reef, Fishermans Reef, Gilmore Reef) on the east end of the lake. An occasional walleye is being caught near the aerator or west to Baptist camp. Use jigging spoons, small lipless cranks, or 1/8 oz. jigs with minnows. 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 early morning (7-9 AM) or evening (3-8 PM). Some better catches on the little lake are towards the south shoreline. The ice is thinner in that area, maybe 12 inches. Yellow Perch – Fair: Occasional larger perch (9.5-10 inches) have been caught on the little lake.
Big Spirit Lake
Ice conditions: 14-16 inches of ice with varied ice thickness. Use caution while on the ice. Yellow Perch – Fair: A few perch have been caught north of Marble beach in 20 feet of water and off Bakers point. Walleye – Fair: Some nice walleyes have been caught north of buffalo run in 16-18 feet of water.
Center Lake
Ice conditions: 15-16 inches of ice with varied ice conditions. The aeration system is in use. Use caution while on the ice. Fishing activity has been minimal. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish have been found in17 feet of water suspended 5 feet or more off the bottom. Early morning and evening is the best bite.
East Okoboji Lake
Ice condition: 14-16 inches of ice with varied ice thickness. Use caution while on the ice. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up some walleyes in the evening out from the marina. Yellow Perch – Fair: A few perch are being caught on the north end of the lake near the hatchery.
Minnewashta Lake
Ice conditions: 15-17 inches of ice. Use caution while on the ice. Yellow Perch – Slow: A few perch have been picked up along the southern shore. Yellow Bass – Fair: Some nice yellow bass have been caught off the point. Keep moving to find active schools of fish.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Ice conditions: 14-16 inches of ice with varied ice thickness. Use extreme caution during ice activities. The aeration system is in use. Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes have been caught in the evening around the island and in the west bay.
West Okoboji Lake
Ice conditions: 14-16 inches of ice with varied ice thickness. Use caution while on the ice. Bluegill – Good: A few bluegills are being caught in Millers and Emerson bays. Haywards bay has also been producing some nice bluegills. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some nice perch are being caught south of Pikes point and on the saddle in Emerson bay. Walleye – Fair: Haywards and Emerson bays have been producing walleyes in the evenings.
