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
Arrowhead Lake
Ice thickness was 6 inches near the boat ramp on Feb. 27th. Conditions are variable, and will likely worsen with warm weekend temperatures. Use waxworms and minnows near structure to target bluegill, crappie and perch.
Bacon Creek Lake
Rainbow Trout – Fair: Use a piece of worm, small minnow, or power bait fished under a bobber. Put the bait on a small hook or small and shiny jig. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Black Hawk Lake
On Feb. 27, there was 11 inches of ice off of Ice House Point boat ramp; this area of the lake has the thickest ice. Conditions are more variable in the east basin of the lake. Ice has started to pull away from the shoreline is some areas. Expect conditions to worsen over the weekend with warm temperatures. Use caution. The winter aeration system in Town Bay is in operation; expect open water and thin ice in Town Bay. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are catching perch around Gunshot Hill in the marina and near Provost Point. Keeper-size perch are 8 to 10 inches; sorting is needed. Use waxworms and small minnows. Bluegill – Fair: Most anglers are using waxworms fished near the Ice House Point boat ramp and the rock piles off Gunshot Hill and Cottonwood Point. Most fish are 7-8 inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers have picked up catfish off the rock pile north of Cottonwood Point and in the east basin; use waxworms. Black Crappie – Fair: Try minnows and waxworms fished in the marina and off the rock pile near Gunshot Hill. Most fish are 8-10 inches; sorting is needed.
Black Hawk Pits
Ice thickness was 4 inches on Feb. 27th. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Brushy Creek Lake
Avoid thin and open areas in the middle of the lake out from the west ramp and near inflows and under bridges. Anglers are still fishing in the north part of the lake and around Taylor’s Island. Expect ice to deteriorate some with the warm weekend temperatures. Yellow Perch – Good: Use waxworms and small minnows. Some sorting is needed. Walleye – Fair. Bluegill – Fair: Use a waxworm or small minnow on a jig fished near structure. Reports of 9 inch keepers.
Moorland Pond
Rainbow Trout – Fair: Use a piece of worm, small minnow, or power bait fished under a bobber. Put the bait on a small hook or small and shiny jig. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
North Twin Lake
Ice thickness is 12 to 14 inches in most areas. Expect small pockets of open water on the west side in the southern portion of the lake and near the outlet.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Ice thickness varies anywhere from about 12-20 inches on most areas of the lake. There may be open water near the pressure ridges that extend from Chautauqua Park through the east dredge area to the big island. Another seam runs from the big island to the south shoreline. Expect some degrading ice right along shorelines and heavily used access points with the warmer weekend temperatures. There is open water and thin ice in the marina bay, avoid this area. Walleye – Good: The late winter walleye bite has picked up. Anglers are catching fish throughout the day, but low light hours may be more productive. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use waxworms and small minnows. White Bass – Fair.
Ice conditions in west central Iowa have deteriorated some, but most conditions remain fair. However, some ice in the southern part of the district is poor. With warm temperatures this weekend, expect ice to pull away from shorelines and near inflows on some lakes. Use caution and check ice often. There is open water and thin ice in Town Bay of Black Hawk Lake from the aeration system. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Ice conditions in west central Iowa have deteriorated some, but most conditions remain fair. However, some ice in the southern part of the district is poor. With warm temperatures this weekend, expect ice to pull away from shorelines and near inflows on some lakes. Use caution and check ice often. There is open water and thin ice in Town Bay of Black Hawk Lake from the aeration system. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 14 to 16 inches. Use caution near the aeration systems. Yellow Perch – Good: Yellow perch are biting on a variety of baits. Use larger baits and change location to find bigger fish. Walleye – Slow: Try a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head near the edge of vegetation. Best bite is during low light periods. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a jig tipped with a waxworm on the edge of vegetation. Yellow Bass – Fair: Try a small spoon tipped with cut bait or several waxworms. You have to move around to find fish.
Best bite is late afternoon.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 13 to 15 inches.
Lower Pine Lake
A few reports of anglers catching keeper-size perch and crappie, but most are only catching small bluegill. Bluegill – Fair.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 13 to 15 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a waxworm. Best bite is late afternoon. Yellow Perch – Slow: Try a small jigging spoon tipped with a waxworm. Walleye – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 13 to 15 inches. Bluegill – Fair. Best bite is early morning and late afternoon.
For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Center Lake
The aeration system has been started. Use caution on the west side of the lake, north of the boat ramp. Signs are up around the aerator hole.
East Okoboji Lake
Ice thickness is 14 to 15 inches. The walleye fishing season on Spirit, East and West Okoboji lakes is closed and will reopen on May 2. Bluegill – Good: Sorting is needed, but the bite has been good in the southern section of the lake along the weed line. Try near the trestle and the Hattie Elston Boat Ramp. Use small jigs and wigglers. Yellow Perch – Fair. Black Crappie – Good. Yellow Bass – Fair.
Ingham Lake
Ice thickness is 15 to 19 inches. The aeration system has been started. Use caution on the southeast side of the lake and off the northern boat ramp. Signs are up around the aerator hole.
Lost Island Lake
Ice thickness is around 16 to 20 inches. Yellow Perch – Fair. Walleye – Fair.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Ice thickness is 14 to 17 inches. The aeration system has been started. Use caution on the east side of the lake. Signs are up around the aeration holes.
Spirit Lake
Ice thickness is 18 to 23 inches. The walleye fishing season on Spirit, East and West Okoboji lakes is closed and will reopen on May 2. Bluegill – Fair: Use wigglers and small jigs in Anglers Bay and Trickles Slough. Yellow Perch – Good: Try minnows and small jigs in Anglers Bay and near Minniwaukon. Best bite is early and late. Be prepared to move around until you get on top of them. Black Crappie – Fair.
Trumbull Lake
Ice thickness is 18 to 22 inches. Yellow Perch – Fair: Size quality is outstanding with some sorting. Use jigs and minnows or wigglers in the main lake.
West Okoboji Lake
Ice conditions are variable. Beware of heaves at Atwell and Gull Point; don’t drive over heaves/seams. Ice thickness has been up to 14 inches in small bays and thinner on the main lake. The walleye fishing season on Spirit, East and West Okoboji lakes is closed and will reopen on May 2. Bluegill – Good: Little Emerson Bay is producing a few nice bluegills. Sorting is needed.
Willow Creek
February 21st Willow Creek was stocked with trout for Osceola County Trout Fest. Rainbow Trout – Fair. The Walleye season is currently closed for the Iowa Great Lakes.
Ice thickness is 13 to 18 inches on area lakes. Ice conditions are generally good; be weary of holes caused by springs/methane release. Do not travel under bridges and other areas of flow; most of these areas have little to no ice. Aeration systems at Center Lake, Silver Lake (near Lake Park), and Ingham Lake have been started and signs are up; stay clear of these systems. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
