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)
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: Some anglers have picked up walleye in the east part of the lake from boat and from shore. White Bass – Fair: Some white bass are being picked up from shore with crawlers and while fishing for walleye. Anglers have had success fishing near the inlet.
Clear Lake
The lake is still ice free; other area lakes are starting to ice over. No fisherman activity this week to report. Yellow Bass – No Report. Walleye – No Report.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Fair: Try ice fishing tackle tipped with maggots to find active fish.
Big Spirit Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few perch in 18-20 feet of water on the south end of the lake. Silver and blue has been the hot color. Small minnows have been producing some larger fish. Walleye – Fair: Wader fishing in the evenings with live bait has been producing a few walleyes.
East Okoboji Lake
Walleye – Fair: Evening and after dark by the bridges has been producing a few walleyes. Try slower retrieves with the dropping water temperatures.
Minnewashta Lake
Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers are finding a few yellow bass at the Sawmill bridge. Use smaller presentations with the cooling water as the fish will become less aggressive.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Slow: Anglers have been catching a few small walleyes fishing from shore.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching average sized bluegills on the northwest corner of Smiths bay along the weed lines. Yellow Bass – Fair: Some nice yellow bass have been caught in Smiths bay on top of the weeds.
