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
Expect crappie and walleye fishing to pick back up as water continues to warm. Bluegill – Fair: Use waxworms and crawlers in the marina, inlet, and Town Bay. Action has slowed a bit, but persistent anglers have been picked up a few. Black Crappie – Slow: Use crawlers and minnows fished from shore and the floating dock. Expect the crappie bite to pick up near shore as water temperatures reach 60 degrees. Walleye – Slow: Expect walleye shore fishing action to pick up as water temperatures gradually warm and post-spawn fish increase feeding activity. 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)
Walleye – Fair: Try along the north shore near Chautauqua Park, the east shoreline and the state marina. Look for the bite to pick up offshore near dredge cuts along the east shore and in around 8 feet of water on the west end of the lake. 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.
Clear Lake
Water temperature is 55 degrees. The docks are in at all the boat ramps. Black Crappie – Good: Crappies are biting in the canals and fishing off the jetties. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes are still being caught near the outlet. Best time to fish is after sunset. White Bass – Fair: Use minnows and jigs fished from the jetties.
East Okoboji Lake
Public docks are in on the north end. Channel Catfish – Good: Ice out brings excellent channel catfish fishing as catfish go on a feeding frenzy and provide superb early “pole bending ” action. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers report catching fish from the trestle.
Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Walleye – Fair: Report of large fish being caught during the late evening hours. Cast a white twister for the best action.
Spirit Lake
Marble Beach campground, including the boat ramp, is closed for the season for renovation. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow in shallow rock structures. Action is best during sunny, calm days. Black Crappie – Good: Good numbers of fish are being harvested from the Templar Park lagoon; Buffalo Run has been “hit or miss.”
West Okoboji Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Some fish are being caught from the Triboji lagoon. Bluegill – Good: Numbers of fish are being caught from Lazy Lagoon (Triboji). Sorting is needed; persistence will result in good numbers creeled.
