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
Arrowhead Lake
On Jan. 16th there was 5 inches of ice near the boat ramp.
Bacon Creek Lake
About 1500 rainbow trout will be stocked into Bacon Creek Lake on Jan. 26th at 1:30 p.m.
Black Hawk Lake
On Jan. 16th there was 7-8 inches of ice off the boat ramp of Ice House Point. Be aware of open water near Ice House Point, Denison Beach area, and in the east basin near the outlet. Conditions are improving, but they are still variable throughout the lake; look out for thin areas that may have just recently frozen. Check ice thickness often. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have been picked up through the ice in between the boat ramp of Ice House Point and Gunshot Hill with a small jig tipped with waxworm. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are being picked up near the inlet bridge and through the ice near the Ice House Point boat ramp. Use a small jig tipped with waxworm. Yellow Perch – Fair: A few perch are being picked up in between the Ice House Point boat ramp and Gunshot Hill with jigs tipped with waxworm.
Black Hawk Pits
On Jan. 16th there was 4 inches of ice near the boat ramp.
Brushy Creek Lake
Anglers are fishing near the north boat ramp and in the northeast arm of the lake. There has been some activity near the south ramp and around the big island. All other ice is variable. As of Jan. 16th there was open water near the beach and in the main lake. Be cautious of thin areas that recently froze over. Ice conditions will likely improve over the weekend; check ice thickness often. Float coats and ice picks are always good safety items.
Moorland Pond
The trout stocking and family fishing event at Moorland Pond has been rescheduled for Feb. 9 at 11:30 a.m.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Most of the lake has around 9-13 inches of ice. Be aware of a pressure seam running along the west portion of the lake and an open area near the big island. Use caution if venturing out and check ice thickness often. Walleye – Fair: Use minnows and jigging spoons during low light conditions. Anglers have had better luck on the east side of the lake. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try waxworms in 4-6 feet of water in mornings or evenings.
Ice conditions have improved in the Black Hawk district, but still varies from open water in some areas to 10 inches of ice in others. Use caution and check ice thickness often. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
The DNR stocked trout Jan. 12th.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 8 to 10 inches in the little lake. Use extreme caution if you venture out on the main lake as areas that were open water are starting to freeze over and are now covered with snow. Yellow Bass – Fair: Start shallow using a small jig or jigging spoon tipped with several spikes or a waxworm. You have to keep moving to stay on fish. Yellow Perch – Good: Lots of small fish are being caught. If you’re not going to use the fish you catch, please release them. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head in the early morning. Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught fishing the rock reefs. Best bite is early morning and evening.
Lake Cornelia
Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches. A fair number of 6-7 inch yellow bass and a few 9 inch crappies are being caught off the north shore.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 10 to 11 inches.Yellow Perch – Fair: Best bite is early morning and evening. You have to keep moving to find fish. Walleye – Slow: Dead stick a minnow while you’re jigging for panfish.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 8 to 10 inches. Bluegills are biting on small jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes. Best bite is in the evening.
For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
Ice fishing activity has been concentrated on the south end of the lake. Bluegill – Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish are being caught; sorting is needed with small fish mixed in the catch. Yellow Bass – Good: Move often and drill many holes to stay on the school of active fish; sorting is needed.
Five Island Lake
Yellow Perch – Good: Anglers report limited catches of black crappie and yellow perch; anglers will be pleased by the large size of fish harvested. Yellow Bass – Good: Some activity reported on the lake; you need to search to find active fish.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Recent surveys show good numbers of angler acceptable size bluegill in the lake with large fish over 8 inches not uncommon.
Lost Island Lake
Yellow Perch – Good: Report of fish being caught from the lake with “bonus mixed bag” of bluegill and crappie in the catch. Yellow Bass – Good: Yellow bass activity has picked up with good numbers of fish “on the bite.”
Scharnberg Pond
The trout stocking and family fishing event has been rescheduled for Feb. 2 at noon.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Extreme open water and thin ice conditions exists on the east side of the lake.
Spirit Lake
Walleye – Good: Angler acceptable size fish are being caught; best action is half hour before sunset to half hour after sunset. Yellow Perch – Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish are being caught; sorting is needed as numbers of small fish will also be in the catch.
Trumbull Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch continue to be harvested from the lake; anglers are very pleased with the quality of the fish caught.
Virgin Lake
Walleye – Good: Good opportunities to catch fish averaging 16 inches. Yellow Perch – Good: Fish averaging 8 inches are common.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Action has slowed; anglers will catch good numbers of bluegills from the lake.
Foot or ATV traffic at this time. Cooler temperatures are in the forecast for the Iowa Great Lakes. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
