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
Arrowhead Lake
Ice is around 5-6 inches thick in front of the boat ramp. Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegill have been picked up near the west shoreline. Find fish in submerged structure. Fish near the bottom with a small jig tipped with waxworm.
Black Hawk Lake
Ice is variable. Most angling activity has been restricted to the area near Ice House Point boat ramp and in the bay near the inlet bridge. As of Jan. 2, ice thickness off the boat ramp of Ice House Point was 7 inches. If you venture out, use caution; these conditions can change fast depending on where you go. There are thin ice/open water areas off Ice House Point, Gunshot Hill and in the east basin. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have been picked up from open water under the inlet bridge and through the ice between the Ice House Point boat ramp and Gunshot Hill. Use a small jig tipped with waxworm. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are being picked up through the ice in between the Ice House Point boat ramp and Gunshot Hill in about 4-5 feet of water. Use a small jig tipped with waxworm. Yellow Perch – Fair. Walleye – Fair.
Black Hawk Pits
As of Jan. 2nd, ice was 5-6 inches thick off the boat ramp. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have picked up some bluegill using a small jig tipped with waxworm fished near the bottom.
Brushy Creek Lake
Ice conditions are variable. Anglers have been restricted to the north boat ramp and the northeast arm, and the south boat ramp around the island where there are reports of 5-7 inches of ice. Expect areas of open water and unsafe ice near the beach, in the main lake and near inflows. Use extreme caution as mild temperatures over the next week can change these conditions fast.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Ice is variable with 6-11 inches. With predicted mild temperatures the next few days, these conditions can change. Expect some areas to have thinner ice or open water near pressure seams. Use caution if venturing out; where float coats, bring picks and check ice thickness often. Walleye – Fair: Use minnows and jigging spoons. With water clarity around 5 feet, most action has been during low light conditions in 5-6 feet of water. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try waxworms in 4-6 feet of water in mornings or evenings.
Ice conditions in the Black Hawk District remain variable; some lakes have thin ice and pockets of open water while others have up to 10 inches in some areas. Use caution and check ice thickness often. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 8 to 10 inches. Yellow Bass – Fair: Start shallow using a small jig or jigging spoon tipped with several spikes or a waxworm. You have to be mobile to stay on fish. Yellow Perch – Good: Lots of small fish are being caught. If you’re not going to use the fish you catch, please release them. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head in the early morning. Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught fishing the rock reefs. Best bite is early morning and evening.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches. Avoid the pressure ridge near the center of the lake and a hole kept open by waterfowl by the east fishing jetty. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with waxworms in the evening. Black Crappie – Slow: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow in the evening. Yellow Perch – Slow: Lots of small fish are being caught.
Lake Cornelia
Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches. Yellow Bass – Good: Lots of 6.5 to 7 inch fish are being caught.
Lower Pine Lake
Significant open water on the west side of the lake. Fishing not recommended.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 10 to 11 inches.Yellow Perch – Fair: Best bite is early morning and evening. You have to stay mobile to find fish. Walleye – Fair: Dead stick a minnow while you’re jigging for panfish.
Upper Pine Lake
Ice thickness varies from 1 to 4 inches. A few small bluegills are being caught.
For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
Some ice fishing activity observed on the south end of the lake. Bluegill – Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish are being caught; sorting is needed with small fish mixed in the catch. Yellow Bass – Good: Move often and drill many holes to stay on the school of active fish; sorting is needed.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Good: Report of good numbers of angler acceptable size bluegill being caught with large fish over 8 inches not uncommon in the catch.
Lost Island Lake
Yellow Perch – Good: Report of fish being caught from the lake with “bonus mixed bag” of bluegill and crappie in the catch.
Scharnberg Pond
Rainbow Trout – Good: Next trout stocking is Jan. 19 at noon.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Lake aeration system on the east side of the lake is operational as of Jan 3. Use caution; thin ice and open water is common in this area.
Spirit Lake
Walleye – Good: Angler acceptable size fish are being caught; best action is half hour before sunset to half hour after sunset. Yellow Perch – Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish are being caught; sorting is needed as numbers of small fish will also be in the catch. Bluegill – Good: Report of a mixed bag of bluegill and crappie being caught from the Anglers Bay and Hales area.
Trumbull Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair: Report of fish being caught from the lake; anglers are very pleased with the quality of the fish that are caught. Northern Pike – Fair: Report of fish being caught; use tip ups for the best action.
Virgin Lake
Walleye – Good: Good opportunities to catch fish averaging 16 inches. Yellow Perch – Good: Fish averaging 8 inches are common.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Report of anglers catching good numbers of bluegills.
Ice conditions have improved on the Iowa Great Lakes and area lakes. Foot or ATV traffic at this time; no vehicles as of Jan. 2 on the lakes. Mild temperatures return and are in the forecast for the upcoming week. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
