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. Surface water temperature is around 46 degrees. The courtesy docks are in. 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.
Brushy Creek Lake
The lake is ice-free. Water levels remain about 4-5 feet low. The courtesy dock on the south ramp is in. The west ramp is the best option to launch a boat with the low water.
North Raccoon River (above State Highway 175 bridge near Auburn)
Walleye – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair.
North Twin Lake
Courtesy docks are in on the south and southeast boat ramps.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
The lake is ice-free. Anglers have picked up perch, crappie and walleye in the marina. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a tube jig with a small minnow. Most have had good luck in the marina. Yellow Perch – Fair: Catch 8- to 11-inch perch in the marina with minnows fished on a jig. Some sorting is needed. Channel Catfish – Fair: 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. Walleye – Fair: Walleye bite has been hit or miss in the marina over the last week. Expect the bite to get better as water temperatures start to gradually warm.
Lakes in the district are ice-free. Water temperatures are in the mid-40’s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
The lake is ice-free. Courtesy docks are in.
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.
Bluebill Lake
The lake is ice-free. Gates are closed until the access road dries up a bit.
Clear Lake
The lake is ice-free. The courtesy docks are not in yet. Water temperature is in the low 40’s. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish open pockets in the rushes. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a piece of cut bait fished off the bottom. Walleye – Fair: Walleye fishing is picking up as water temperatures rise. Try a jig and minnow fished near the outlet and around the island after sunset.
Lake Cornelia
The lake is ice-free. Channel Catfish – Slow: Try a piece of cut bait fished off the bottom.
Lake Smith
The lake is ice-free. The dock at the boat ramp is not in yet. No fishing activity reported. Channel Catfish – Slow.
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.
Silver Lake (Worth)
The lake is ice-free.
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.
East Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is closed. The lake is completely open and mostly free of ice.
Spirit Lake
The walleye season is closed. Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions. The lake is expected to completely open up this week.
West Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is closed. Ice conditions have deteriorated significantly; unsafe ice conditions. The lake is expected to completely open up this week.
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 50’s and 60’s.
For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
