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 in the mid 50’s. The cool weather and rains have temporarily slowed the fishing, but expect action to pick up as water temperatures warm throughout the week. Bluegill – Fair: Use crawlers fished under a bobber. Most action has been in Town Bay off the stone piers, the floating dock, and the fish house. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are picking up perch from shore along Ice House Point and the fish house in Town Bay using minnows fished under a bobber. Some have had luck fishing from the inlet bridge. Walleye – Fair: Use a slip bobber with a minnow or leech on a lead head jig along the Ice House Point shore, the east end near the outlet north shore, and around the marina. Anglers have also had luck casting twisters. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up crappie from shore and the fish house in Town Bay using live minnows fished under a bobber. Target areas with wood or rock cover along shore.
Black Hawk Pits
Black Crappie – Fair: Use a live minnow under a bobber near wood and rock cover along shore. Bluegill – Fair.
Brushy Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try a live minnow under a bobber along shore near wood and rock cover. Bluegill – Fair: Use crawlers and small minnows fished under a bobber in 5-10 feet of water near shore and submerged structure. Yellow Perch – Fair.
North Twin Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers have picked up crappie along shore near the south boat ramp and the outlet. Walleye – Fair: Use leeches or minnows fished under a slip bobber. Anglers have had luck fishing the south shore.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Fishing has been productive; recent cold weather and rains may slow the action temporarily, but expect the bite to pick back up once water temperatures warm up throughout the next week. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing is usually best around the middle of May. Try a live minnow under a bobber in areas around docks and along shallow rocky shores. Anglers have picked up crappie in the marina and near the inlet. White Bass – Fair: Use crawlers and twisters fished from shore. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing has been productive this last week. Post-spawn fish are starting to feed more heavily as they regain their energy reserves. Use leeches and minnows fished under a slip bobber or cast twisters in the north shore, east shore, the marina, Casino point and near the outlet. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait, stink bait, minnows or leeches fished near the bottom.
Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50’s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
The water temperature is in the low fifties. Fishing has been slow with the cold, rainy weather. Expect the bite to get better as the water warms up. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are having success slip bobber fishing the rock reefs with jigs and a minnow or leech. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish the edge of the rushes with a small minnow. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use small jigs in 3 to 4 feet of water on warmer days. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish the windswept shore and areas where water is coming into the lake with cut bait fished on the bottom.
Crystal Lake
The water temperature is in the low fifties. No fishing activity reported this week.
Rice Lake
The water temperature is in the low fifties. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use jigs and spinnerbaits.
Silver Lake (Worth)
The water temperature is in the low fifties. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use jigs and spinnerbaits.
Upper Pine Lake
The water temperature is in the mid-fifties. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use jigs and spinnerbaits.
For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Lost Island Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Report of black crappie and yellow bass being caught from the canals.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: Wader fishing is at its prime after dark. Fish slow with a jig and minnow or twister tails on light jig heads. Yellow Perch – Slow: Recent surveys show good numbers of fish approaching 11 inches.
Spirit Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Some crappie action at Buffalo Run; boat anglers also report good numbers caught. Smallmouth Bass – Good: Early spring provides superb action for bass on calm sunny days with a jig and minnow on shallow rock piles.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Some action reported from Triboji Lagoon; sorting is needed. Expect action to improve as water temperatures warm.
Fishing activity has slowed with the cold and wet weather. Look for improvement next week with warmer temperatures in the forecast.
For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
