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 50 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are still picking up crappie in Town Bay, along Ice House Point and in the marina, but the cool water has slowed the bite. Use a small jig with a small minnow. Bluegill – Slow: Sorting is needed. Channel Catfish – Slow: 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. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or crawlers fished on the bottom along shore.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are around 50 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a tube jig with a small minnow. Yellow Perch – Fair: Look for perch along shore using minnows fished on a jig. Fish are 8- to 11-inches. Some sorting is needed. Channel Catfish – Slow: Use cut bait or or dipped catfish baits 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 are around 50 degrees in most district lakes. The cool water has slowed the bite in some areas. 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 mid-40’s. The State dock on the north shore is in. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish open pockets in the rushes. Channel Catfish – Slow: Try a piece of cut bait fished off the bottom on the wind swept shore. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are biting. Try a jig tipped with a minnow or leech fished near vegetation and rocky habitat. Shore anglers are having some success fishing from the jetties and docks. Yellow Bass – Slow: Shore anglers are having some success fishing from the jetties and docks.
Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Slow.
Lake Cornelia
Yellow bass are biting on cut bait. Try fishing around the docks in the marina.
Lower Pine Lake
The courtesy docks are in.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try dark colored plastics fished around vegetation.
Upper Pine Lake
The courtesy docks are in.
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. The water temperature is 45 degrees.
Lost Island Lake
Anglers have been successful with yellow perch and a few other species this spring. Yellow Perch – Good. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – 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. The water temperature is 44 degrees.
West Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is closed. Many of the courtesy docks are not yet in place. The water temperature is 44 degrees.
The walleye season is closed on Spirit, East Okoboji and West Okoboji Lake. The extended forecast calls for varying temperatures with highs in the 50’s to 70’s. Many of the courtesy docks are now in place. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
