Northwest Iowa — Here is this week’s Northwest Iowa Fishing Report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
East Okoboji LakeLake temperature is in the mid-50s. The water level is 7 inches below crest. There has been a fairly good crappie, bluegill and yellow perch bite recently. Walleye fishing is picking up. Trolling is working fairly well for multiple species. Try fishing under structure or over the top of vegetation. Black Crappie – Good: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow or tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Fair: Use tube jigs, plastics or other small jigs. Walleye – Fair: Try crawler harnesses, crank baits and minnows. Yellow Perch – Fair: Minnows work well; some sorting may be needed.
Lost Island LakeWalleye – Good: Try spinners, crankbaits and shallow shad raps. Evening bite is improving as the water cools.
Minnewashta LakeBluegill and crappie fishing has been good; some sorting may be needed.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)This summer’s algae bloom is subsiding with the cooler water temperatures. Walleye – Good: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps.
Spirit LakeThe lake is 9 inches below crest. The walleye season is open. The water temperature is in the mid-50s. Find structure to fish over or docks and hoists to fish under. Black Bullhead – Fair: Try fishing the northern grade of Spirit Lake. Muskellunge – Good: Try crank baits, buck tails and rubber baits. Walleye – Good: The bite is hit-or-miss at dusk, but the day bite is improving. Many anglers have started to fish in shallower with slip bobbers along weed edges. Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps; look for weed lines to troll or jig off of. Yellow Perch – Good: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji LakeWater temperature is in the mid-50s. The water level is 7 inches below crest. A lot of fish are being caught in shallower water under structure or over weed lines. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Use tube jigs, plastics or other small jigs. Muskellunge – Fair: Try crankbaits, buck tails and rubber lures. Walleye – Fair: Crawler harnesses, crankbaits and minnows work well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.
Area lake temperatures are dropping consistently lately with many in the mid-50s. The walleye bite around the area is picking up. Fishing around hoists and docks has been good, but a large amount of them have been pulled out for the season. Lake levels are low, making points and shallow boat ramps more hazardous. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
