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
West Okoboji Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are schooled up in the warm water of the canals and harbors as they enter their pre-spawn. Many male bass are already on beds while females are still out swimming the depths. Males are being caught on trick worms, wacky rigs, and drop shots. Females are enjoying jigs and deep diving cranks. Bluegill – Good: The canals are loaded with bluegills. Large and small fish are being caught in good numbers. Crappie – Fair: The trestle is still being reported to be a good bite. The canals are starting to fill up with larger crappies. Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Smallmouth are being caught along the southeast banks of West near Pillsbury Point and Fort Dodge. Fish the drop offs with dropshots and huskyjerks. Northern Pike – Good: Little Emerson and little millers are filled with northerns right now. Throw anything at this time and catch a few.
East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Large numbers of yellow bass are being caught near East Okoboji beach near the boat docks. Fish vary from small to a few larger 8-9 inch fish. Throw soft plastic shad for them. Yellow Perch – Fair: Numbers of smaller yellow perch are being caught while anglers are fishing for yellow bass. Pulling similar baits near the bottom will force more perch into your bucket. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish near the inlet to upper gar along the rocks to find a fast paced bass bite. Anglers are seeing bass bedding up in upper gar then swimming into East Okoboji. Walleye – Fair: Parks Marina and Lone Tree Point are reporting a hot bite for walleye. Anglers are drifting minnows along the bottom before dark. Larger walleye are being caught in 10-12 feet of water.
Big Spirit Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Small bass are in trickles at this time. Larger bass are still out deep. Some bass can be seen along the north banks. Walleye – Slow: Few above the slot walleye are being caught; many in the 10-14inch range are being caught at Marble and Templar on the rock bars.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are schooled up off the jetties. Bluegills are very large with many 7-8 inches. Fish a worm and bobber. Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth are beginning to bed in the shallows along the south banks in shallower water. Throwing spinner baits or soft plastics for the aggressive males will produce bites.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
The city is in the process of getting the dredge machine out on the lake. Boaters should be aware of the dredge barge, booster pump, and pipeline in the water. Walleye regulations for Storm Lake are three fish per day, all fish between 17 and 22 inches must be released and only one over 22 inches may be kept. Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching walleye using plastics, crankbaits, leaches, and minnows fished along the east and south sides of the lake. Anglers are doing well fishing along the dredge cuts between Chautauqua Point and the big island. Fishing the dredge cuts between the big island and Shorty’s Island has also been productive. White Bass – Good: White bass are being caught along the east side of the lake and around the dredge cuts; they are biting on plastics, leaches, and minnows. Yellow Perch – Slow: A few perch have been picked up with minnows along the east side of the lake.
Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Yellows are biting in 8 feet of water on soft plastic shad. Anglers are getting their fill this week.
Five Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers throwing soft plastic minnow baits in 8 feet of water are seeing a steady bite.
Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
As of Thursday, discharge around Linn Grove 435 cfs, which is within the normal range. Discharge around Correctionville is 812 cfs, which is below normal. Recent rains may bring the river up over the weekend.
Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
Channel Catfish – Good: Channel cats are being caught using stink bait. Find a deep hole on the outside bend of the river or fish above a riffle. Fish are ranging from 1lb to 12lb.
West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)
Walleye – Fair: More and more anglers are reporting increased walleye catch along the Hwy 18 bridge. Fish are being caught using twister tails and shad raps. Fish the snags parallel to the bank. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use stink bait upstream of snags or deeper pools. Anglers are catching many fish per outing.
