(KIWA Staff Photo)
Regional, Iowa — Here is this week’s Northwest Iowa Fishing Report as released by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Thursday, June 25th.
Spirit Lake Management District
- Contact Person: Jed Siegwarth – 712-330-2542
Lake temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s. Water temperatures have stayed lower due to cooler nights. Water levels are a couple inches above crest. The bite is fairly good for most species. Last updated on 06/25/2026
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The bass and panfish bite has been good. The northern most basin has a large stand of curly-leaf pondweed, making navigation difficult.
- Black Crappie – Good: Crappie are hanging out in 12-15 feet of water. Anglers are using electronics to stay on top of fish. Try 1/16th and 1/32nd ounce jigs with a minnow or plastic.
- Bluegill – Fair: Many anglers have been successfully fishing from shore or from docks. A simple hook, worm and bobber setup is working for many. An ultralight rod with light monofilament line works best for finicky fish.
- Pumpkinseed – Good
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake has been very clear this spring with a good amount of plant structure to fish around.
- Water Temperature (°F): 73.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Black Bullhead – Good
- Yellow Perch – Good
- Water Temperature (°F): 78.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is currently experiencing an algae bloom.
- Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching many fish around 7-8 inches.
- Water Temperature (°F): 75.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake has started to green up significantly. Anglers are catching quality-size bullheads.
- Black Bullhead – Excellent: Anglers are catching larger bullhead.
- Walleye – Fair
- Water Temperature (°F): 76.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake was very clear this spring, but has started to algae up considerably.
- Bluegill – Good: Anglers have been successfully fishing from shore or from docks. A simple hook, worm and bobber setup is working for many. An ultralight rod with light monofilament line works best for finicky fish.
- Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers are catching 20-inch bass.
- Walleye – Good: Walleye can be finicky; leaches work best. Try fishing out deeper along weed lines in 18 feet of water with jig and crawler or twister tail; 1/8 to 1/4 oz jig head works well, but drop down to 1/16 oz if fishing shallow.
- Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are catching 9- to 13-inch fish. Small jigging spoons or Shucks Pilkies/Jigger Minnows tipped with a minnow head or wax worms work well.
- Water Temperature (°F): 72.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water clarity has been down slightly this summer.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are hanging out in 12-15 feet of water.
- Bluegill – Good: Large bluegill have been seen on beds.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are fishing just off the end of docks. Most are using crank or chatter baits.
