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
There is around 13 inches of ice and 1-2 feet of snow near the boat ramp. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm fished in 10-15 feet of water near submerged structure on the east side.
Bacon Creek Lake
The DNR stocked rainbow trout at Bacon Creek Lake on Feb. 16th.
Black Hawk Lake
The winter aeration system in Town Bay is in operation; beware of open water and thin ice in Town Bay. There is around 17 inches of ice with 1-2 feet of snow near the boat ramp of Ice House Point. There is open water in the east basin near the outlet. Check ice thickness often. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with waxworm in the rock piles out front of Gunshot Hill and off of Cottonwood Point.
Black Hawk Pits
There is around 12 inches of ice near the boat ramp. Bluegill – Fair: Use waxworms fished near the bottom. Some sorting is needed.
Brushy Creek Lake
Few reports last week due to weather. There is 1-2 feet of snow cover on the ice. Bluegill – Fair: Try waxworms fished on a small jig in 10-15 feet of water near structure in the northeast arm of the lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a minnow and spoon near submerged structure. Try also waxworms on a small jig.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Most ice is 16-20 inches with 1-2 feet of snow. Avoid ice along pressure seams and near the big island. Few reports last week due to weather. Walleye – Fair: Use minnows and jigging spoons in the dredge cuts on the east side of the lake in about 8-12 feet of water and the west side in 6-10 feet of water.
Most ice in the Black Hawk district is 10 to 20 inches with 1-2 feet of snow. Geese are still keeping areas open on some lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
The lake is covered with several inches of snow. Local anglers have plowed a few paths on the lake for access. Please be courteous and don’t park in the middle of the path blocking traffic. Yellow Bass – Fair: Start shallow with a small jig or jigging spoon tipped with several spikes or a waxworm near the Baptist camp. You have to keep moving 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 – Slow: Use a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head in the early morning. Walleye – Slow: Dead stick a minnow early morning or evening near the island.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 20 to 22 inches.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 20 to 22 inches.
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
Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching yellow bass from the basin. Move often to stay on the school of active fish.
Five Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Some activity reported on the lake; you need to search to find active fish. Walleye – Fair: Report of fish being caught during the evening hours with traditional baits.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Good: Recent surveys show good numbers of angler acceptable size bluegill in the lake with large fish over 8 inches not uncommon.
Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass activity has slowed, but persistent anglers can catch good numbers of fish. Black Crappie – Good: Yellow bass anglers report crappie mixed in the catch.
Spirit Lake
Yellow Perch – Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish (8 – 9 inches) continue to be caught from the basin in 18 – 20 feet of water. Sorting is needed with numbers of small fish also in the catch.
Trumbull Lake
Yellow Perch – Good: Yellow perch continue to be harvested from the lake; anglers are very pleased with the quality of the fish caught.
Virgin Lake
Walleye – Good: Good opportunities to catch fish averaging 16 inches; best action is half hour before sunset to half hour after sunset. Yellow Perch – Good: Fish averaging 8 inches are common.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Persistent anglers will catch good numbers of large bluegills from the lake. Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers report catching fish from Smiths Bay in 18 – 24 feet of water; move often to catch numbers. Black Crappie – Good: Report of fish activity in Little Emerson Bay. Look for good pockets of aquatic vegetation where fish will gather.
For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
