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
Black Crappie – Fair: Pick up keeper-sized crappie with minnows on a small jig fished under a bobber.
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is around 51 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig with a small minnow in Town Bay, along Ice House Point and in the marina. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are picking up bluegill along shore. Most fish are smaller; sorting is needed. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or shad fished on the bottom near any rock structure. Walleye – Fair: Walleye bite has slowed with cooler water this week. Use a twister or a leach or minnow fished under a bobber. Walleye fishing on Black Hawk Lake usually starts to pick up the end of April and into May.
Brushy Creek Lake
Water levels remain about 3-4 feet low. The west ramp is the best option to launch a boat with the low water. The docks are in at the north, east, south, and west boat ramps. 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. Walleye – Fair.
North Twin Lake
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 have cooled back into the low 50’s. 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: Throw a twister or fish a minnow or leach under a bobber along shore. Best bite is evenings or low light conditions. Expect shore fishing for walleye to pick up as water temperatures warm over the next few weeks.
Water temperatures have cooled and are in the low 50’s in most district lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Cooler weather this week has slowed the bite. Water temperature is in the upper 40’s. The courtesy docks are in at all the boat ramps and the fish cleaning station is open. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish open pockets in the rushes. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try a piece of cut bait fished off the bottom. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are biting. Try a jig and minnow or crankbaits fished near the outlet and around the island after sunset. Shore anglers are having some success fishing from the jetties. Yellow Bass – Fair: Shore anglers are having some success fishing from the jetties and docks.
Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try dark colored plastics fished around vegetation.
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. Many of the courtesy docks are not yet in place.
Lost Island Lake
Bluegill – Fair.
Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: A nice crappie bite can be found with a little bit of movement around the lake.
Spirit Lake
The walleye season is closed. Many of the courtesy docks are not yet in place.
West Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is closed. Many of the courtesy docks are not yet in place.
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 cooler temperatures with highs in the 40’s to 50’s. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
