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
West Okoboji Lake
Ice conditions: 1-2 inches of snow covered the ice on millers and smiths bay. Use caution while checking for safe ice. Fishing activity has been minimal.
East Okoboji Lake
Ice condition: 3-5 inches of snow covered the ice. Use caution while on the ice. Fishing activity has been minimal.
Big Spirit Lake
Ice conditions: 3-5 inches of snow covered the ice. Use caution while on the ice.
Center Lake
Ice conditions: 2-4 inches of snow covered the ice. The aeration system is in use. Use caution while on the ice. Fishing activity has been minimal.
Minnewashta Lake
Ice conditions: 3-4 Inches of snow covered the ice. Use caution while on the ice. Fishing activity has been minimal.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Reports of 4 inches of ice this week. Ice thickness varied. Use extreme caution during ice activities. The aeration system is in use.
Ingham Lake
Ice conditions: 3-5 inches of snow covered the ice. The aeration system is in use. Use caution while on the ice. Fishing activity has been minimal.
Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
River levels remain high, as of Wednesday, discharge around Linn Grove is 1060 cfs (97th percentile) and around Correctionville is 2900 cfs (98th percentile).
Five Island Lake
Ice conditions: 2-4 inches of snow covered the ice. The geese have kept a small pocket of the lake open. Use caution while on the ice. Fishing activity has been minimal.
Upper Gar Lake
Ice conditions: 3-5 inches of snow covered the ice. Use caution while on the ice. Bluegill – Fair: A few nice bluegills are being caught on the north end of the lake. Yellow Perch – Slow: Some nice perch have been picked up while bluegill fishing.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Several anglers have picked up some crappie in the Marina; little other fishing information is available at this time. Ice is unsafe; anglers continue to wait for suitable ice. 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.
Scharnberg Pond
Scharnberg Pond will be stocked with trout around noon on January 9th.
