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
West Okoboji Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair: Millers bay is still presenting a quality bite for those who want to brave the wind and cold. These perch are being caught in 20-plus feet of water, size ranging from 7-10 inches. Anglers are having success using small jigs and wax worms. Crappie – Slow: Around 12:30 crappie move into the shallows of Millers suspending in about 7 foot of water. Working jigs high in the water column has led to success on multiple occasions for some anglers. Emerson has been seeing few of these crappies but they are beginning to school up in the deeper waters later in the afternoon. Right before dark these fish are beginning to show up in both Emerson and Millers. Bluegill – Slow: Gills of nice size are being caught on the weed lines of Emerson and Millers bay. Slow falls and light jigging brings these fish in. Fish weedlines in less than 10 feet of water.
Big Spirit Lake
Ice Conditions are variable with the snow being on the ice. Vehicle traffic is not advised at this time. Ice reports have the ice being as thick as 11 inches in places with no snow cover, and 4 inches in snow covered spots. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some quality Perch are being caught on the south end near the pump house 200 yards off the bank. Seven to 9.5 inch fish have been creeled. Walleye – Slow:
Five Island Lake
Yellow Perch – Excellent: Yellow perch are being caught in the deeper holes along with walleye. Perch are ranging in size from 8 to 11 inches. Walleye – Excellent: The Walleye bite at 5 Island has really picked up and fish are being caught in dredge holes and in Townbay. Fish ranging in the 14 to 20-inch range are being caught.
Scharnberg Pond
On Jan. 31 Scharnberg Pond will be stocked with trout at noon. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Working jigs right below the ice to catch these schooling trout.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has 7 to 10 inches of ice depending on location. There is a lot of snow on the ice in the east part of the lake. White Bass – Slow: Some white bass are being picked up fishing out in the deeper dredged areas. Yellow Perch – Slow: Some yellow perch are being picked up fishing out in the deeper dredged areas. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing has been hit and miss. Anglers catching the walleye are fishing in 5 to 6 feet of water with the early mornings and late evenings being the best.
