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
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Storm Lake has around 13-18 inches of ice. Walleye – Slow: Anglers have been picking up a few walleye along the dredge cuts on the east side in about 13-14 feet of water. They are having the best luck using spoons and minnows. Some walleye are also being caught along the north shore and near the Stony Point area. Yellow Perch – Slow: Some yellow perch are being picked up near the east shore around Kings Point area. Try using a small spoon and wax worm. White Bass – Slow: A few anglers are picking up some white bass in the deeper dredged areas while fishing for walleye.
Big Spirit Lake
Ice conditions are variable with snow on the ice. Vehicle traffic is not advised at this time. Ice reports have the ice being as thick as 17 inches in places with no snow cover, and 9 inches where there was snow cover. Yellow Perch – Slow: Few reports have shown that the perch bite on Spirit Lake has slowed. With only single digit catches coming off Stoney. Walleye – Fair: Walleyes are still being caught off Stoney Point but in fewer numbers than before. None have been creeled but reports from some fishermen have shown that the bite is occurring in the later hours after dark.
East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Perch – Good: As the weather warms up perch activity has been increasing. Fish are being seen in the 20-25 foot range in various bays. Gold jigs tipped with wax worms are presenting the most success.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Thin ice signs have been placed around the open water; ice conditions are variable with bad ice present in places. Ice conditions around the open water are variable with the thickest ice around 15-16 inches. The south end of open water has some ice at only 5 inches.
West Okoboji Lake
Yellow Perch – Good: 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+ feet of water, size ranging from 7-10 inch. Anglers are having success using small jigs and wax worms. Fishermen are using jigging raps when the bite gets slow to bring fish back in. Most bays have been experiencing a quality perch bite once these fish are found. Crappie – Fair: 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 – Good: 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 weed lines in less than 10 feet of water.
