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
Arrowhead Lake
The courtesy dock is in at the boat ramp.
Black Hawk Lake
The lake is ice-free. The courtesy dock is in at the Ice House Point boat ramp. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig with a small minnow in Town Bay and along Ice House Point. Bluegill – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair: After ice-out can be a good time to target channel catfish. Use cut bait or shad fished on the bottom along any windblown shoreline where catfish may be aggressively feeding.
Black Hawk Pit
Black Hawk Pits are ice-free.
Brushy Creek Lake
The lake is ice-free. Water levels remain about 4-5 feet low. Courtesy docks are not in at this time. The west ramp is the best option to launch a boat with the low water. Reports of anglers catching perch with crawlers. Shortly after ice-out can be a good time to target crappie, perch, or channel catfish. More open water angling reports will be available as we receive them.
Des Moines River (Humboldt to Stratford)
Anglers are picking up walleye and channel catfish.
North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 bridge near Auburn)
Walleye – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
The lake is ice-free. Anglers have picked up perch and crappie in the marina. More reports will be available as we receive them. Black Crappie – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair: Right after ice-out is a great time to target the abundant channel catfish population that Storm Lake has to offer. Use cut bait or gizzard shad fished on the bottom along any windblown shoreline.
Lakes in the district are ice-free. Open water anglers are starting to make their way out. River fishing for walleye and channel catfish has been productive. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Trout are biting on a variety of baits. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily bag limit is 5.
Clear Lake
The lake is about 75 percent open. Black Crappie – Fair: Wader fish open pockets in the rushes. Bluegill – Fair: Wader fish open pockets in the rushes. Channel Catfish – Slow: Try a piece of cut bait fished off the bottom.
Lake Cornelia
The lake is ice-free. Channel Catfish – Slow: Try a piece of cut bait fished off the bottom.
Lower Pine Lake
The lake is ice-free. The courtesy dock is in at the boat ramp. Channel Catfish – Slow: Try a piece of cut bait fished on the bottom.
Upper Pine Lake
The lake is mostly ice-free.
Winnebago River
The northern pike bite should pick up; try fishing a chub in slack water below dams and where smaller creeks enter the river.
For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Center Lake
Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions.
East Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is closed. Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions.
Ingham Lake
Ice conditions have deteriorated; unsafe ice conditions.
Lost Island Lake
Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions.
Minnewashta Lake
Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions.
Spirit Lake
The walleye season is closed. Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions. Yellow Perch – Fair.
West Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is closed. Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions.
The walleye season is closed on Spirit, East Okoboji and West Okoboji Lake. Ice fishing is not recommended. Most of the area ice has deteriorated significantly with total ice-out expected in the next week or so. The extended forecast calls for continued warm temperatures with highs in the 40’s and 50’s.
For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
