The latest Iowa DNR fishing report is out with results for the week and some tips for northwest Iowa. Iowans can enjoy free fishing weekend starting Friday the 3rd till Sunday.
Take a friend or family member out without the need of a license; all other regulations must be followed. This week’s forecast calls for temperatures in the 70s. Courtesy docks are in place. Most area lake temperatures are in the 60s. Water clarity is fairly good on most area lakes. Bass and panfish are moving to shallower water from the basins, making shore and dock fishing easier. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
Arrowhead Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 60s. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie along shore near woody structure; use small jigs and minnows. Bluegill – Fair: Expect to start seeing bluegill nests along shore and in areas of 2-6 feet of water with gravel/sand. These can be great areas to target larger bluegill with a small jig fished under a bobber.
Black Hawk Lake
The dredge is working in the east basin of the lake. The floating and submerged portions of pipe is marked with buoys. Dredge barges are marked with buoys; boaters should use caution and stay away from the equipment and pipe. Water levels are about 8 inches below the crest of the spillway. Surface water temperature is around 70 degrees. Water clarity is roughly 2.5 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Most fish are 8- to 11-inches. Use small hair jigs (with or without bait), small live minnows or marabou jigs fished from shore. Areas along the stone pier, the fish house and along Ice House Point are the most popular spots; fish are being seen anywhere along rocky shorelines and dock/boat lift poles. Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegills along shore. Fish are 6- to 7-inches. Areas along shore in Town Bay and near the stone piers may be most productive. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching fish from shore and by boat. Boat anglers are trolling crankbaits with good success. Shore anglers are doing well using twisters or shallow diving crankbaits. Water clarity is 2-3 feet. Also try leaches or crawler fished under a bobber from shore.
Browns Lake
Water is around 70 degrees. Water clarity is about 8 inches. Water levels remain low; use caution when launching boats. Find crappie up to 10 inches near shore. Find channel catfish along shore near rocky areas and downed trees.
Brushy Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near the jetty and along shore in 5-20 feet of water near submerged trees. Use a small jig (with or without bait) or small minnows on a jig. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics and traditional bass lures along submerged woody structure near shore. Walleye – Fair: Cast twisters or fish with minnows or leaches under a bobber. Yellow Perch – Slow.
North Twin Lake
Water levels are about a foot below the crest of the spillway; use caution when launching boats. Water temperatures are around 70 degrees. Water clarity is roughly 1.5 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are near shore. Fish are 7- to 12-inches. Use small jigs and minnows from shore near downed trees in the water and along the docks, by dock and lift poles. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass are close to shore. Most fish are 7- to 8-inches.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Surface water temperatures is around 70 degrees. All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair: Use small live minnows and small jigs along shore docks, lifts and anywhere with rocky structure. Channel Catfish – Fair: Storm Lake has a good population of 4-6 pound catfish. Try cut bait, liver or crawlers fished on the bottom along shore. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing from shore with a lead head with a twister tail. Also try a jig with a crawler or tipped with a minnow. Shallow diving crankbaits can also work well from shore. Boat anglers are having luck with crawler harnesses and trolling crankbaits. Yellow Bass – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try crawlers and minnows fished under a bobber along shore.
Iowa’s free fishing weekend is this Friday the 3rd through Sunday. Iowa residents may fish without a license during these days (all other regulations must be followed). It’s a great chance to take a friend or family member out fishing. Surface water temperatures are around 70 degrees in most area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
East Okoboji Lake
Lake temperature is in the upper 60s. The water level is 5 inches over crest. There has been a fairly good crappie and bluegill bite recently. Fish are moving shallower, making for great shoreline fishing. Trolling has been working very well. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Good. Walleye – Fair: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps. Yellow Bass – Fair.
Lost Island Lake
Many anglers have been successful; some sorting may be needed depending on which species you are targeting. Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Minnewashta Lake
Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good; some sorting may be needed. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Good.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The late afternoon bite has been good. Walleye – Fair: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps.
Spirit Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-60s. The lake is 15 inches below crest, making launching boats more difficult. Courtesy docks are in place. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps. Yellow Perch – Fair.
West Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is in the lower 60s. The water level is 5 inches over crest. The panfish bite has been good around docks and hoists; many species of fish are starting to move in shallower. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Smallmouth Bass – Fair.
