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
Bacon Creek Lake
The DNR will stock trout at Bacon Creek Lake on Nov. 8 at 1:30 p.m. Use small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons, and live minnows under a bobber. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 40’s. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have picked up some walleye from Ice House Point and along the east shore near the outlet. Use twisters, crawlers or plastics on a jig head. Channel Catfish – Slow: Use crawlers and cut bait fished on the bottom from the East Shore near the outlet off the inlet bridge and from shore in Town Bay. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use traditional bass lures anywhere along shore. Yellow Perch – Good: Catch perch from shore along the east end of the lake near the outlet Ice House Point and the inlet bridge; use crawlers or small minnows on a jig fished under a bobber. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are having most luck fishing from the fish house and near the inlet bridge. Fish are 6-11 inches. Use a small piece of crawler or power bait on a small jig fished under a bobber.
Brushy Creek Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Catch bluegill near structure using a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler. Yellow Perch – Fair: Find perch near structure in 5-10 feet of water. Use a small jig with a minnow or crawler.
Moorland Pond
The DNR will stock trout at Moorland Pond tomorrow, Nov. 1 at noon. Use small tube and twister jigs, in-line spinners, casting spoons, and minnows or crawlers fished under a bobber. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
North Twin Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Use crawlers or cut bait fished on the bottom from shore. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing next to shore with twisters or live bait. Fish range from 11 up to mid-20 inches long. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near shore; use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler or small power bait.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
White Bass – Fair: Use crankbaits, crawlers and twisters fished from shore and near the inlet. Walleye – Fair: Use crankbaits, live bait and twisters near shore on the east shore, north shore and near the inlet. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try crawlers or cut bait fished on the bottom from shore. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near shore, along docks and in the marina; use a small jig tipped with a piece of crawler or power bait fished under a bobber. Yellow Perch – Fair: Catch perch from shore docks and in the marina using crawlers or small minnows.
For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
The water temperature is in the low 40’s. Most of the courtesy docks have been removed for the season. Walleye – Fair: Shore anglers are catching walleyes fishing at night. Yellow Bass – Fair: Drift fish a small jig tipped with a small piece of crawler in 4 to 6 feet of water. Best bite is mid-morning.
Crystal Lake
The boat ramp will open Nov. 4th. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching bass from shore.
Rice Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a small minnow or piece of crawler along the north shore near the boat ramp; also try the deeper water on the south shore by the homes or by the outlet. Best bite is early morning and late evening. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are biting 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 – Fair: Bluegills are being caught along the weed line and around remaining docks; use small jigs tipped with a worm. Yellow Bass – Good: Yellow bass size quality has been fairly good; fish are being caught in 9-10 feet of water and from docks in the evening. Use small jigs or crankbaits. Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing around some of the bridges has picked up. Try in the evening with crankbaits and a jig and minnow.
Lost Island Lake
Reports have been sporadic, but recent sampling shows plenty of gamefish in shallow feeding and getting ready for winter. Walleye numbers continue to be good. Walleye – No Report: Use crankbaits or a jig and minnow fished in the evening or after dark. Try wader fishing with swim baits or a jig and minnow just before dark.
Scharnberg Pond
The DNR stocked 1500 rainbow trout on Oct. 26th. Ice formation may put a pause on fishing. Contact the Clay County Conservation Board to get an update on water conditions. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Use small spinners, cast small jigs or fish jigs under a bobber. This is a great time to take a kid fishing.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Some reports of good walleye fishing. Fall sampling shows great numbers of nice sized walleyes in the lake. Walleye – Good: Try plastic baits and/or jig and minnow fished from shore in the evening.
Spirit Lake
Water temperature is 40 degrees and is falling. Walleye – Good: Fishing in the evening and early morning near shore or with waders has been the most productive. Numerous wader anglers have been out in the evening. Yellow Perch – Good: Perch are being caught in and around the aquatic plants in 8-10 feet of water. Some yellow perch are being caught in deeper water on the basin, but are harder to find. Use minnows or tube jigs. Size quality continues to be good with some sorting. Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Smallmouth bass fishing reports have been sporadic. Smallmouth will be hunting over the weeds and points. Try casting plugs.
Trumbull Lake
Trumbull Lake was renovated in 2012 and restocked with yellow perch and northern pike. Those efforts have yielded better water quality and habitat. Perch growth has been excellent. Anglers are catching several year classes of perch with the largest fish topping 13 inches. Access is best with smaller boats on this shallow natural lake. Yellow Perch – Good: Fishing has been tough in the recent weather pattern. Larger perch are being caught sporadically with some sorting. Northern Pike – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few nice northern pike.
Tuttle Lake
Walleye – Good: Walleye fishing has picked up along shore in the evenings.
Virgin Lake
This shallow natural lake was renovated and restocked with perch, walleye, and northern pike a few years ago. Fish are now good size. The lake is best accessed with smaller boats and kayaks/canoes. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Good: Use minnows on a jig and slip bobber.
West Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is 45 degrees and is falling fast. Fall turnover occurred during the week of Oct. 7th – fish can now access all parts of the lake. Water clarity is over 20 feet. Walleye – Good: Fish are being caught in the evening and after dark. Anglers are pulling plugs or casting shallow. Wader fishing has been good.
Water temperatures on the big natural lakes has dipped into the low 40’s. Some of the shallow lakes being reported this week are starting to form ice. The larger lakes should provide a little more time for open water fishing. Walleye fishing around the district has been reported as good. A flurry of activity has hit right at the end of the open water season. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
