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: Try minnows on a small jig fished under a bobber along shore with structure.
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is around 60 degrees with about 2 feet of water clarity. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie fishing has been productive. Use a small bare jig or a jig with a small minnow or piece of crawler in Town Bay around the fish house, along Ice House Point and in the marina. Fish are 8-12 inches. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye – Fair: A recent survey showed adult walleye in near-shore areas. Fish from shore with a twister or a leach or minnow fished under a bobber along Ice House Point shoreline, the north shore picnic area, or the east end near the outlet structure. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try 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: Crappie are near 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 close to shore. Try a tube jig or a minnow fished on a small jig under a bobber along shore and 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. Water clarity is good. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a tube jig or a jig and small minnow under a bobber near shore. 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 – Fair: Walleye fishing has been fair to good in the main lake and along shore, 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 fished near down trees. Yellow Bass – Fair: Drift fish a tube jig. Bluegill – Slow.
Bluebill Lake
Crappies are biting on minnows fished off the jetty.
Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 50’s. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish open pockets in the rushes. The bite will get better as the water warms. 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 bite 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: Try a piece of crawler fished under a bobber near the vegetation edge. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Lower Pine Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass are biting on a variety of baits. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use dark colored plastics fished around vegetation. Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of crawler fished near vegetation.
Upper Pine Lake
Largemouth Bass – Slow. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a small minnow fished near woody habitat. Bluegill – Slow.
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. The current water temperature is 56 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing close to some docks/hoists. 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. Perch and panfish are slowly making their way in shallower, making shoreline and dock fishing more promising. The water temperature is 530 degrees. Yellow Perch – Fair.
West Okoboji Lake
The walleye season is open. The water temperature is 54 degrees. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
The walleye season is open. All courtesy docks should 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.
