Regional – Here is this week’s Northwewst Iowa fishing report as released by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Thursday, March 7.
East Okoboji Lake
The lake is ice-free. The walleye season is closed until May 4. Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows and plastics. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
The lake is ice-free. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and evening.
Lost Island Lake
The lake is ice-free. Black Crappie – Fair. Walleye – Fair.
Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair. Pumpkinseed – Good.
Scharnberg Pond
Trout were stocked recently. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The lake is ice-free. Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
The lake is ice-free. The walleye season is closed until May 4th. Black Crappie – Good: Minnows and plastics work well. Many nice-sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Good: Find good numbers; may need to sort for size.
West Okoboji Lake
The lake is mostly ice-free. The walleye season is closed until May 4th. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
Essentially all lakes are ice-free. Lake temperatures are still low. Most courtesy docks are not in place. The walleye season is closed on the Iowa Great Lakes until May 4th. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
