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 41 degrees. Bluegill – Fair: Use waxworms and crawlers in Town Bay. Most action has been in Town Bay and along Ice House Point, the floating dock, and from the inlet bridge. Yellow Perch – Slow: A few perch have been picked up from the floating dock in Town Bay and from the inlet bridge. Black Crappie – Fair: Use crawlers and minnows fished from shore and from the floating dock. Walleye – Slow: Expect walleye shore fishing action to pick up as water temperatures gradually warm. Fish a minnow or leech under a bobber or throw a twister along the Ice House Point shoreline, North Shore, and East Shore near the outlet.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water temperature is around 40 degrees. Walleye – Fair: Throw twisters or fish minnows under a bobber from the state marina. Expect good walleye action along the east and north shores as water temperatures continue to climb.White Bass – Fair: Anglers are having luck fishing from shore on the east side and from the marina. Black Crappie – Fair: Catch crappie from the marina using minnows and a twister.
Some western Iowa lakes are providing good shore fishing action. Water temperatures are in the low 40’s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Beeds Lake is ice free.
Clear Lake
Clear Lake is about 75 percent ice free. The boat ramp at city beach is accessible.
Lake Cornelia
Lake Cornelia is ice free. The docks at the boat ramp are in.
Lower Pine Lake
The docks at the boat ramp are in.
Shell Rock River (above Greene)
River levels are up. Try fishing the slack water areas below a dam with live bait.
Upper Pine Lake
The docks at the boat ramp are in.
Winnebago River
River levels are rising with the melting snow.
East Okoboji Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Ice out brings excellent channel catfish fishing as catfish go on a feeding frenzy. There is open water at the spillway and bridges; Lower Gar Lake has extensive open water. Fish these areas for some early “pole bending” action.
Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Walleye – Fair: Numbers of fish are reported caught.
Lakes remain ice covered. Very limited fishing activity on the Iowa Great Lakes. Forecasted warmer temperatures will help melt the ice. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
