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
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Boaters should use caution around the dredge barge, booster pump barge, and pipeline. 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: Walleye are still biting fairly well for this time of year; successful anglers are trolling crankbaits in the dredge cuts and the shallower areas near east shore. Shad-colored crankbaits have been productive. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish using dip baits, cut bait, and chicken liver from boat and shore. White Bass – Good: Use shad, crawlers, or crankbaits. Anglers fishing from shore using shad are having the best luck.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are schooled up off the jetties. Bluegills are very large with many 7-8 inch fish. Fish a worm and bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Throwing spinner baits or soft plastics for the aggressive males will produce bites.
Big Spirit Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish are being caught under boat hoists anywhere around the lake using jigs, wacky worms, spinner baits. Fish the inside and outside edge of weed lines with Texas rigs, drop shots, swimbaits, or crankbaits in 8-9 feet of water. Smallmouths are hitting top-water along the west shore in the evening.
Center Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Smaller crappies are being caught on the north and east sides of Center Lake using jigs tipped with wax worms.
East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Large numbers of yellow bass are being caught near East Okoboji beach near the boat docks. Fish vary from small to a few larger 8-9 inch fish. Throw soft plastic shad for them. Anglers fishing under the Highway 9 bridge are catching fair numbers of yellows using small plastic minnows. Walleye – Good: Anglers fishing the south end are reporting a hot bite for walleye. Anglers are drifting minnows along the bottom before dark. Larger walleye are being caught in 10-12 feet of water.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: A new walleye bite is going at Silver Lake. Anglers are catching many smaller 15-18 inch fish.
West Okoboji Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish jigs, crankbaits, or Texas rigs under boat hoists, near weed lines, and on the drop offs. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Smallmouth have moved off beds and are headed towards the rocky drop offs. Fish the rock points that shoot out into the main basin of West Lake, Pillsbury, Fort Dodge, or Gull Point. Use jerk baits, football jigs, or swimbaits. Yellow Bass – Good: In Smiths bay just north of the amusement park anglers are reporting a high catch rate of large yellow bass. Anglers using orange twister tails or plain hook with worm and split shot are catching yellows on every cast.
Lost Island Lake
Northern Pike – Good: Northern pike are biting on spinner baits in Millers bay. Fish the north bank of Millers with a black spinner bait in 7 feet of water. Fish range from mid-20s to 30 inches. Also try top-water for these fish. Black Bullhead – Excellent: A large number of bullhead are being seen at the mouth of little lake just west of the bridge while crews are electrofishing on Lost Island.
