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
Black Hawk Lake
Surface water temperature was 46 degrees on April 1. 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: Use cut bait or shad fished on the bottom near any rock structure.
Brushy Creek Lake
Water levels remain about 4 feet low. The west ramp is the best option to launch a boat with the low water. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use crawlers or minnows on a jig. Black Crappie – Fair: Try tube jigs and a small minnow fished near structure. Bluegill – Fair.
North Twin Lake
Courtesy docks are in on the south and southeast boat ramps. Black Crappie – Fair: As water temperatures warm, target crappie along shore and along docks using a tube jig or a minnow fished on a small jig under a bobber.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 40’s. Anglers continue to pick up perch, crappie, and walleye in the marina. Expect shore fishing action to pick up as water temperatures warm over the next week. Black Crappie – Good: 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: Use cut bait or gizzard shad fished on the bottom along shore. Walleye – Fair: Walleye bite has been hit or miss in the marina over the last week. Expect the bite to get better better along the shoreline in the main lake as water temperatures start to gradually warm. Throw a twister or fish a minnow under a bobber along shore. Best bite is evenings or low light conditions.
Water temperatures, as of April 1, are in the mid to upper 40’s in most district lakes. Expect shore fishing action to pick up as these water temperatures increase with next week’s warmer weather. 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 water temperature is in the low 40’s. The courtesy docks are in at the city and island boat ramps. 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. Shore anglers are having some success fishing from the jetties.
Lake Cornelia
The docks are in. Channel Catfish – Slow: Try a piece of cut bait fished off the bottom. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use small jigs in the harbor.
Silver Lake (Worth)
The courtesy dock is in at the boat ramp.
Winnebago River
Northern pike are biting; try a chub or crankbait fished in slack water below dams and where smaller creeks enter the river. Northern Pike – Fair.
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. East Okoboji is ice-free. None of the courtesy docks are in place yet.
Spirit Lake
The walleye season is closed. Spirit Lake is ice-free. None of the courtesy docks are in place yet.
West Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is closed. West Okoboji is ice-free. None of the courtesy docks are in place yet.
The walleye season is closed on Spirit, East Okoboji and West Okoboji Lake. The Iowa Great Lakes are ice-free. The extended forecast calls for much warmer temperatures with highs in the 70s. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
