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)
Parts of the lake are starting to ice over, but the entire lake will likely be ice free with the higher daytime temperatures predicted after this weekend. Very few angler reports are available at this time. Walleye regulations for Storm Lake are three fish per day, all fish between 17 and 22 inches must be released and only one over 22 inches may be kept.
Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
As of Thursday, discharge around Linn Grove is 1890 cfs (97th percentile) and 3060 cfs (98th percentile) around Correctionville. Although late fall can be a great time to target walleyes in rivers, anglers should use caution and be selective as to where they go due to the high river levels.
Big Spirit Lake
The north grade has a thin layer of ice, but the main lake is still open. Ice conditions are unsafe. Walleye – Fair: Wader fishing on the old foot bridge has been producing a few walleyes.
East Okoboji Lake
Ninety percent of the lake is ice covered with a pocket of open water on the main lake and on the north end. Ice travel is not recommended due to unsafe ice conditions. With limited fishable water, fishing activity has been low.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The lake is covered with a thin layer of ice. Fishing activity has been low due to unsafe ice conditions.
West Okoboji Lake
West Lake is mostly open. Fishing activity has been minimal.
