The Iowa DNR is out with the latest fishing report for northwest Iowa.
This week’s forecast calls for temperatures in the 80s and 90s which should start to raise water temperatures quicker. Most area lake temperatures are in the 70s. Water clarity is fairly good on most area lakes. Bass and panfishing has been great on most lakes closer to shore and along weed lines. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
Arrowhead Lake
Water temperature is in the mid to upper 70s. Water clarity is good. Some bluegills are still on nests. 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 upper 70s. Water clarity is about 1.5 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. Using twisters or shallow diving crankbaits if fishing from shore. Water clarity is about 1.5 feet.
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. Surface water temperature is in the mid to upper 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 (incl Little Storm Lake)
Surface water temperature is in the mid to upper 70s. 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. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching fish from shore. 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: Best bite is the evening; use a lead head with a twister tail from shore. 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.
Surface water temperature is in the upper 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 5 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 – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or crawlers on the bottom in wind-swept shore and spots where water is flowing into the lake. Best bite is after sunset. Walleye – Good: Try fishing a slip bobber with live bait on the rock reefs and near wind-swept points. Yellow Bass – Slow.
Little Wall Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or crawlers on the wind-swept shore. Best bite is after sunset.
Lower Pine Lake
Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Rice Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of nightcrawler under a bobber near shore. 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.
Upper Pine Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Drift fish or troll small jigs or minnows. Best bite is early morning. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber near shore. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
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 in the main basins. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. 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: Try trolling crankbaits or with lindy rigs off weed lines. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. 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 low 70s. The lake is 7 inches below crest. 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: Use surface baits or jerk baits. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing off points by trolling crank baits or with lindy rigs. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset.
