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
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Fair: Try ice fishing tackle tipped with maggots to find active fish.
Big Spirit Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few perch in 18-20 feet of water on the south end of the lake. Silver and blue has been the hot color. Small minnows have been producing some larger fish. Walleye – Fair: Wader fishing in the evenings with live bait has been producing a few walleyes.
East Okoboji Lake
Walleye – Fair: Wader fishing has been getting a few nice walleyes in the evening and after dark. Try slower retrieves with dropping water temperatures.
Minnewashta Lake
Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers are finding a few yellow bass along the northeast shore in 8-10 feet of water. Use smaller presentations with the cooling water as the fish will become less aggressive.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Slow: Anglers have been catching a few small walleyes fishing from shore. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are still finding a few perch on the northeast side of the lake in 8 feet of water
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching average sized bluegills on the northwest corner of Smiths Bay along the weed lines. Yellow Bass – Fair: Some nice yellow bass have been caught in Smiths Bay on top of the weeds. Yellow Perch – Fair: A few perch have been reported by anglers after bluegills in Smiths Bay.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
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. Walleye – Fair: Fish the shallower areas near east shore. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish near shore. White Bass – Fair: White bass are being caught on shad, crawlers, and crankbaits.
