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)
Remaining ice on Storm Lake should be considered unsafe. There are already areas of open water near shore, near the islands, and the inlet. More reports will be added once open water fishing begins.
Big Spirit Lake
Ice conditions: 12-16 inches of ice but thickness varied. Use caution while on the ice. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are picking up some nice perch off of Bakers point and north of the pump house in 20 feet of water. Try small silver spoons or gold tear drops tipped with maggots or wax worms.
Center Lake
Ice conditions: 12-14 inches of ice but conditions varied. The aeration system is in use. Use caution while on the ice. Fishing activity was minimal the past week.
East Okoboji Lake
Ice condition: 12-14 inches of ice but thickness varied. Use caution while on the ice. Yellow Bass – Good: Some nice yellow bass have been caught out in front of Parks Marina. Tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms work well. Keep moving to find active schools of fish. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers have been picking up some nice perch on Peppermint point and in front of Parks Marina. Pilkie type lures or tungsten jigs tipped with maggots or wax work well.
Minnewashta Lake
Ice conditions:15-17 inches of ice. Use caution while on the ice. Yellow Bass – Slow: A few yellows have been picked up on the southeast shoreline in 10-12 feet of water. Try small tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms or maggots.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Ice conditions: 12-15 inches of ice but thickness varied. Use extreme caution during ice activities. The aeration system is in use. Walleye – Slow: A few walleyes have been caught in the northwest bay. Evenings are the best bite. Try glow spoons tipped with minnow heads.
West Okoboji Lake
Ice conditions: 12-16 inches of ice but ice varied. Use caution while on the ice. Bluegill – Good: The southwestern shoreline in Millers bay has been producing some nice bluegills in 8-10 feet of water. The north end of Haywards bay has also been producing some nice bluegills along with some nice crappies. Gold tear drops or small tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms work well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are finding some nice perch on Haywards bay in 16-18 feet or water. Mornings are the best bite.
Ingham Lake
Ice conditions: 12-13 inches of ice but conditions varied. The aeration system is in use. Use caution while on the ice. No reports from the last week.
Five Island Lake
Ice conditions: 12-13 inches of ice but conditions varied. Use caution while on the ice. The aeration system is in use. Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers are catching good numbers of yellow bass. Keep moving until you find active fish. Use tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms.
Lost Island Lake
Ice condition: 12-13 inches of ice. Ice conditions can vary. Use caution while on the ice. Yellow Bass – Good: Multiple reports of a hot yellow bite. Keep moving until you find the schools of fish. Small tungsten jigs tipped with wax worms work well. Early morning and evenings are the best bites.
Upper Gar Lake
Ice conditions: 10-13 inches of ice. Use caution while on the ice. No reports from the last week.
Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Ice Conditions: 12-13 inches of ice. Ice conditions varied. Use caution while on the ice. No reports from the past week.
Area lakes have some slush pockets near shore. Walleye season is closed on Big Spirit, West and East lakes.
