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
Water temperatures are around 54 degrees. The sheltered fishing pier in Town Bay is temporarily closed. It is being used as a DNR satellite hatchery to collect walleye eggs for stockings. Local DNR staff have been setting gillnets at Black Hawk Lake during the night to capture adult walleyes and collect eggs. The fish are then returned to the lake. Eggs will be shipped to Rathbun Hatchery and stocked around Iowa after they hatch. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are catching perch in Town Bay. Some sorting is needed, but keepers are 8-10 inches.Black Crappie – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Shore fishing is productive this time of year. Recent gillnet catch numbers suggest a good population of large adult walleyes in Black Hawk Lake.
North Twin Lake
Courtesy docks are in at the south boat ramps.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has a daily limit of 3 walleye and all 17- to 22-inch walleye must be released; and no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair: Use crawlers and minnows on a small jig fished from shore and in the marina. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing has been productive. Anglers have had luck from shore and in the marina. Try along the north and east shores. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are picking up good numbers of perch in the marina. Channel Catfish – Fair. White Bass – Fair.
For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
The boat ramp is open.
Clear Lake
All courtesy docks at the boat ramps are in. The water temperature is in the mid-forties. Channel Catfish – Good: Use chicken liver or cut bait fished on the bottom where water is following into the lake. Walleye – Excellent: The walleye bite is on. Pitch a jig and minnow in 3 to 6 feet of water along the east shore and around the island. Fish are biting throughout the day, but the best bite is early morning and after sunset. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass are being caught from the jetties. Boat anglers should try fishing the edge of the vegetation on the north shore.Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch are being caught from the jetties. Black Crappie – Fair.
Crystal Lake
The courtesy dock at the boat ramp and the fish clean station are in.
Lake Smith
Fishing has been slow.
Winnebago River
The river level is dropping and fishing is picking up. Try a minnow or crankbait fished along current breaks. Northern Pike – Slow. Walleye – Slow.
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 lake is completely ice free.
East Okoboji Lake
The Walleye Season is closed. The lake is ice free. The water temperature is 48 degrees. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Good. Yellow Bass – Fair.
Ingham Lake
The lake is completely ice free.
Lost Island Lake
The lake is completely ice free. Yellow Perch – Fair. Walleye – Fair.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The lake is completely ice free.
Spirit Lake
The Walleye Season is closed. The lake is ice free. The water temperature is 48 degrees. Bluegill – Fair: Black Crappie – Good.
Trumbull Lake
The lake is completely ice free. 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. The lake is ice free. The water temperature is 46 degrees. Bluegill – Fair.
The Walleye Season is closed for the Iowa Great Lakes. All area lakes are 100 percent open. Boat ramps are open for use. Cities, counties, state parks and wildlife bureaus are putting courtesy docks in place. Iowa Great Lake water temperatures range from 45 to 50 degrees. The bite should pick up as temperatures continue to rise. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
