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
Black Hawk Lake
Ice is deteriorating fast and will open up soon. Any remaining ice is unsafe. Yellow Perch – Fair: As of March 5th, there are open water fishing opportunities in Town Bay Inlet Bay.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Ice is deteriorating fast with warm temperatures and windy conditions. Any remaining ice is unsafe. There are open water angling opportunities near the inlet and in Marina Bay.
Many lakes are starting to open up with warm temperatures and windy conditions; any remaining ice is unsafe. 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 and near the rushes. 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 your electronics to find suspended fish in the deeper dredge cuts in the little lake. Best bite is early morning. 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.
Lower Pine Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended on upper or lower pine lakes.
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
Ice thickness is 11 to 14 inches. 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
The Walleye Season is closed. Ice thickness is 14 to 15 inches. 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. 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
The Walleye Season is closed. Ice thickness is 16 to 20 inches. 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 14 to 20 inches. Yellow Perch – Fair: Size quality is outstanding with some sorting. Use jigs and minnows or wigglers in the main lake.
West Okoboji Lake
The Walleye Season is closed. 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. Bluegill – Good: Little Emerson Bay is producing a few nice bluegills. Sorting is needed.
Willow Creek
Willow Creek was stocked on Feb. 21st for the Osceola County Trout Fest. You need a valid fishing license (age 16 and older) and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Fair.
The Walleye Season is closed for the Iowa Great Lakes. Ice thickness is 14 to 20 inches on area lakes. Ice thickness on area lakes is ranging from 14-20 inches. Ice conditions are deteriorating due to warm weather making accessing the lakes harder, but once on the lake ice is 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 are active at Center Lake, Silver Lake (near Lake Park), and Ingham Lake. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
