The latest Iowa fishing report is out for the week. Here’s how things look for Northwest Iowa.
This week’s forecast calls for temperatures in the 70s and 80s which should start to raise water temperatures quicker. Most area lake temperatures are in the upper 60s to 70s. 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 low 70s. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegill nests along shore and in areas of 2-6 feet of water with gravel/sand substrate. 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 in the mid-70s. Water clarity is about 2.5 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish are 8- to 11-inches. Most fish have moved to more off shore areas, but can still be picked up along Ice House Point and around the fish house and stone piers in Town Bay. 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: Boat anglers are trolling crankbaits and picking up fish. 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 temperature is in the mid to upper 70s. 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
Water clarity is good. Water temperature is in the low 70s. 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. Bluegill – Fair: Find fish near shore in 1-5 feet of water guarding nests. Use a small jig fished under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics and traditional bass lures along submerged woody structure and weed lines near shore. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Slow.
North Twin Lake
Water levels are about a foot below the crest of the spillway; use caution when launching boats. Water clarity is about 1.5 feet. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass are close to shore. Most fish are 7- to 8-inches.
Storm Lake (includng Little Storm Lake)
Surface water temperature is in the low 70s. Water clarity is about 12 inches. 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: Shore fishing has been most productive in the evenings; use 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: Find yellow bass close to shore. Fish are 5- to 11-inches long. Use a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber. Yellow Perch – Fair: Find perch along shore. Try crawlers and minnows fished under a bobber near rocky shorelines.
Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Water temperature is in the low 70’s. Water clarity is good. Bluegill – Fair: Find fish along shore guarding nests; most fish are 7- to 8-inches. Try a small jig fished under a bobber drifted over these nesting areas along shore in 1-4 feet of water.
Surface water temperature is in the low to mid-70s in most area lakes. Water temperatures will continue to rise with the predicted warmer weather throughout next week. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
The lake is 4 inches above crest. Water temperature is in the low 70s. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. No more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Slow. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or crawlers on the wind-swept shore and spots where water is flowing into the lake. Best bite is after sunset. Walleye – Good: Try crankbaits trolled over the top of aquatic vegetation in the western basin. Spinner rigs and slip bobbers with live bait are also providing good action. Yellow Bass – Slow.
Little Wall Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or crawlers on the wind-swept shore. Best bite is after sunset.
Rice Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a piece of nightcrawler. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast crankbaits, spinnerbaits and jigs.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are on their spawning beds. Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are biting on a variety of baits; try fishing near the edge of the vegetation.
For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
Lake temperature is in the upper 60s. The water level is 6 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. Find crappie and yellow bass in 10-16 feet of water. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Good. Walleye – Fair: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps. Yellow Bass – Good.
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. Many anglers are targeting fish schools during the day. Walleye – Fair: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps.
Spirit Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 60s. The lake is 12 inches below crest, making launching boats more difficult. Courtesy docks are in place. The walleye season is open. Black Bullhead – Good: Try fishing the northern grade of Spirit Lake. 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 upper 60s. The water level is 6 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.
