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)
Boaters should use caution around the dredge barge, booster pump barge, and pipeline. Walleye regulations for Storm Lake are three fish per day, all fish between 17 and 22 inches must be released and only one over 22 inches may be kept. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are having success in the shallower areas near east shore. Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are catching catfish near shore. White Bass – Fair: White bass are being caught on shad, crawlers, and crankbaits.
East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers have been catching a few perch on the on the south end of the lake near Triggs resort. Mini tube jigs tipped with maggots has been the hot bait. Yellow Bass – Good: Large numbers of yellow bass are being caught near East Okoboji beach near the boat docks. Fish vary in size. Throw soft plastic shad for them. Anglers fishing under the Highway 9 bridge and the narrows are also catching numbers of yellows using small jigs tipped with soft plastics. Walleye – Good: Fishing near the bridges in late evening/night with jigs tipped with plastic or minnows has been producing walleyes above and below the slot. Casting crankbaits has also been producing fish.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Anglers have been catching decent numbers of fish in Smiths and Haywards bay along the weed line. Pilkie style lures tipped with Belgium worms or maggots work best. Yellow Perch – Good: 9-10 inch perch have been caught in Smiths bay in the weeds. Move around to find active schools.
Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been catching a few walleyes using minnows fished on jigs or lindy rigs.
Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)
As of Thursday, discharge around Linn Grove is 137 cfs (43rd percentile) and around Correctionville is 664 cfs (79th percentile). A few walleye are being caught around the Correctionville area.
Big Spirit Lake
Yellow Perch – Good: Perch bite has slowed the past week. Successful anglers are moving around to find active schools on the west side of the lake in 17-19 feet of water. More fish are starting to reach the 10 inch mark. Successful anglers are using pilkies and mini tube jigs tipped with maggots. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Top water bite on the west side of the lake has been reported in 8-10 feet of water. Anglers casting suspending crankbaits have also been having some success. Walleye – Good: Evening bite from shore has been producing fish above and below the slot. Use jigs tipped with plastics or minnows. Casting small crankbaits has also been producing.
