This Week’s Iowa DNR Fishing Report For Northwest Iowa

Northwest Iowa — Here is this week’s northwest Iowa Fishing Report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

East Okoboji Lake
The lake has around 15+ inches in most areas. Deeper snow coverage had made getting around more difficult. Black Crappie – Good: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow or tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Good: Try tube jigs plastics or other small jigs. Northern Pike – Good: Tip ups have been working well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Minnows have been working well some sorting may be needed

Ingham Lake
Use caution; there is an open hole in the lake with the aerator in use. Ice thickness is 13+ inches. Walleye – Fair:

Lost Island Lake
Ice thickness is around 18+ inches in most places. Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Good.

Minnewashta Lake
Ice thickness is 16.5+ inches. The bluegill and crappie fishing has been good lately. Black Crappie – Good.  Bluegill – Good.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Ice thickness is around 15+ inches. Use caution; the lake aerator is in use. This creates an open hole on the east side of the lake.  Walleye – Good: Best bite is at dusk.

Spirit Lake
The lake is entirely iced over with 17+ inches in most places. The best ice is on the south end and Anglers Bay. Most accesses are clear of heaves and snow. Black Crappie – Good:  Walleye – Good: Best bite is around dusk. Yellow Perch – Good: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.

West Okoboji Lake
Most bays have safe ice for small machines. Ice thickness is about 16+ inches at Emerson Bay and Haywards Bay, and 13 inches at Triboji. The bluegill bite in Little Emerson Bay and out from Triboji has been very good.  Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Use tube jigs, plastics, or other small jigs. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.

Most lakes have 15+ inches of ice. Larger lakes may have areas with thinner ice; use caution when going out, especially if using a heavier vehicle. Snow cover on the ice has made getting around more difficult to the point where some less capable vehicles have gotten stuck. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.