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
Beeds Lake
Not much angler activity this week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Channel catfishing is usually good after ice-out on the causeway near the bridges. Use cut bait or worms.
Lake Smith
Not much angler activity this week. Channel Catfish – No Report: Fish in the shallower water or bays on the warmer days or on the windward shorelines where bait is pushed.
Clear Lake
Water temperature is around 44 degrees. Walleye – Good: Shore fisherman near the Ventura grade have caught some walleyes during the day and at dark on minnows and twisters. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish action has been good this past week. Use cut bait, worms or minnows near inlets and windblown shorelines in the early season. The water is still very clear in the shallows, so fish a little deeper on calm days. Bluegill – Fair: A few bluegills have been caught in the canals. Fish with small ice jigs under a bobber or add a split shot or two and vertical jig near structure. Muskellunge – Fair: Target shallow flats along the shoreline on the east end of the lake. Use a jig and a minnow or a slow moving artificial. Walleye anglers have caught a few near the outlet on the east end and also by the Marsh inlet by the Ventura grade. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies have been caught in the canals. Use small ice jigs under a bobber or add a split shot or two and vertical jig near structure. Check out the edges or inside the rushes around the lake as crappies will likely be found near them as well. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass have been caught in low numbers off the Grade. Farmer’s beach and Baptist camp shorelines can be good spots in the early season.
Crystal Lake
The fish cleaning station, boat launch dock, and the courtesy dock are in at Crystal Lake.
Blue Pit
Rainbow Trout – No Report: Trout stocked in winter should still be able to be caught throughout spring. Try using a quick searching lure like an inline spinner.
Bluebill Lake
The access gates to the boat ramp are now open and the courtesy dock has been installed. Minimal fishing activity has been observed to date. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass.
