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-70’s. Water levels are about 6 inches over the crest of the spillway. Water clarity is around 3 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Use crawlers fished under a bobber in 3-6 feet of water in Town Bay off the stone piers, the floating dock, and the fish house. Anglers have had some luck fishing the rock piles off Cottonwood point and near Gunshot Hill. Walleye – Fair: Use leeches or crankbaits near the inlet bridge along Ice House Point shoreline, the east end near the outlet, or rock piles off Cottonwood Point and the east basin. Mornings and evenings are best. Black Crappie – Fair: Good numbers of 10 to 12 inch crappie were picked up in and around the fish house this past week. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a minnow on a small jig under a bobber near the stone piers along Ice House Point shoreline, near the inlet bridge and the rock piles off Shotgun Hill and Cottonwood Point. Focus on rocky areas where catfish may be looking to spawn. Largemouth Bass – Good: Catch fish about anywhere in the lake along shore using traditional bass lures. Try the Ice House point shore, east shore near the outlet, and the inlet bay near the inlet bridge.
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: Fish near submerged structure along the weed lines. Bluegill – Fair: Use crawlers and small minnows fished under a bobber near shore and submerged structure. Yellow Perch – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Catch bass along the shore near weed lines using traditional bass lures.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Water clarity is around 3.5 feet. White Bass – Fair: On calm evenings, look for schools of baitfish breaking the surface; cast around those schools to look for white bass. White colored twisters, shad colored crankbaits and silver colored spinners work well. Walleye – Fair: Try leeches or crankbaits. Most action has been off shore in the dredge cuts. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait, stink bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Target areas with rocky structure near shorelines. Try also drift fishing to cover a lot of water in search of catfish.
For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
The water temperature is in the low 70’s. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are having success slip bobber fishing the rock reefs with a jig and leech. Channel Catfish – Good: Fish the windswept shore and rocky areas with cut bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Yellow Perch – Fair: Fish the edge of vegetation with a small minnow or leech. Yellow Bass – Fair: Fish the edge of vegetation with a small piece of crawler or leech.
Crystal Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Try spinnerbaits fished on the edge of the vegetation. Bluegill – Good: Try a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish a minnow or tube jig in the dredge cut.
Lower Pine Lake
Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are biting on a variety of baits. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are biting on a variety of baits. Bluegill – Good: Use a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water.
Upper Pine Lake
Bass anglers are doing well on a variety of baits.
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
Bluegill – Good: Fish have moved shallow; fish deeper wooden docks for the best action or from docks at dusk for good action.
Five Island Lake
Channel Catfish – Good: Local bait shop reports a good bite with large fish being caught. Walleye – Fair: Some fish are being caught.
Lost Island Lake
Walleye – Fair: Report of 14 – 18 inch fish being caught. Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers report that the yellow bass action has started at the lake. Channel Catfish – Good: Good numbers of large angler acceptable size fish continue to be caught. Use cut bait to provide plenty of pole bending action.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: Boat anglers report that walleye fishing has been hit or miss. Troll crankbaits or other popular walleye baits for the best action. Yellow Perch – No Report: Recent surveys show good numbers of fish approaching 11 inches.
Spirit Lake
Walleye – Good: Good walleye fishing continues with fish caught throughout the day. Use leeches and slip bobbers in weed edges or troll crankbaits. Black Bullhead – Good: Use the traditional worm fished on the bottom in the north grade. Yellow Perch – Fair: Report that yellow perch action has started on the lake. Try a yellow and white mini jig tipped with wigglers fished in the outside edges of the weed beds. Move often to find active fish.
Trumbull Lake
Northern Pike – Good: Cast traditional northern baits below the spillway areas with calm spots.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Bluegill action has picked up; fish the outside weed edges for larger sized bluegill.
For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
