Northwest Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has released their weekly fishing report for northwest Iowa. This weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys and county and state parks staff. You can check the activity of your favorite lake or stretch of river, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), as well as a hot bait or lure pattern.
NORTHWEST
Arrowhead Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Keeper-sized crappie have been picked up with minnows on a small jig fished under a bobber.
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is around 60 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Bite is starting to pick back up again. Use a small jig with a small minnow in Town Bay around the fish house, along Ice House Point and in the marina. Fish are 8-12 inches. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye – Fair: Fish from shore with a twister or a leach or minnow fished under a bobber. Yellow Perch – Fair: Pick up perch with a small jig and minnow or piece of crawler fished under a bobber. Anglers are having luck fishing around the fish house in Town Bay. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Brushy Creek Lake
Water levels remain about 3 feet low. The west ramp is best option for launching a boat with the low water. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use crawlers or minnows on a jig near shore in 5-10 feet of water. Some sorting is needed. Black Crappie – Good: Fish are starting to stage close to shore. Use a bare tube jig or a small jig and minnow fished under a bobber near shore. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass anglers are doing well along shore and structure.
North Twin Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie have moved in close to shore. Try a tube jig or a minnow fished on a small jig under a bobber along shore and along docks. Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish for catfish along shore with cut bait or crawlers fished on the bottom. Walleye – Fair: Fish from shore using a leech or minnow fished under a bobber.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are around 60 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 8-11 inches. Some sorting is needed. Channel Catfish – Slow: Use cut bait or dipped catfish baits fished on the bottom along shore. Walleye – Good: Fishing in the main lake and from shore has been productive, especially during late evening and low light conditions. Anglers have had luck throwing crankbaits as well as twisters. Also try a minnow or leech fished under a bobber from shore.
Water temperatures are around 60 degrees in most district lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try a small minnow near down trees. Yellow Bass – Fair. Bluegill – Slow.
Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-50’s. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish open pockets in the rushes. The bite will get better as the water warms this week. Walleye – Fair: Try a jig tipped with a minnow or crawler fished near vegetation and rocky habitat. Shore anglers are having some success fishing from docks. Best bite is after sunset. Yellow Bass – Fair: Shore anglers are having some success fishing from the jetties and docks. The bite at the Island is picking up; best time is at first light. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small piece of crawler in open areas of vegetation. White Bass – Slow.
Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try a small minnow fished near woody habitat. Bluegill – Slow.
Rice Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Use a piece of crawler fished near vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use dark colored plastics fished around vegetation. Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of crawler fished near 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 open. Most courtesy docks are in place. The water temperature is 51 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
Lost Island Lake
Anglers have had consistent success with yellow perch and a few other species this spring. Yellow Perch – Good. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair. Walleye – Fair.
Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: A nice crappie bite can be found with a little movement around the lake.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
The walleye season is open. Most courtesy docks are in place. Perch and panfish are slowly making their way in shallower, making shoreline and dock fishing more promising. The water temperature is 50 degrees. Yellow Perch – Fair.
West Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is open. All courtesy docks are in place. The water temperature is 50 degrees. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
The walleye season is open. All courtesy docks should now be in place. The extended forecast calls for varying temperatures with highs in the 50’s to 60’s. Lake levels are currently lower, making navigation and launching more difficult. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
