Northwest Iowa — Here is this week’s Northwest Iowa Fishing Report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, as released Thursday, November 30, 2023.
East Okoboji Lake
The lake almost entirely covered in a thin layer of ice. Black Crappie – Fair: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Bluegill – Fair: Try using a small hook and piece of worm. In deeper water try using pilkies with wigglers or slip bobber setup. Walleye – Fair: Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and evening.
Lost Island Lake
Most of the lake has begun to ice up. Black Crappie – Fair: Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful fishing from shorelines in the evenings.
Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Slowly trolling over vegetation and using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers Bluegill – Fair: Pumpkinseed – Good:
Scharnberg Pond
Trout were stocked Nov. 8 as a part of the Urban Lakes Trout Program. Be sure to have a valid fishing license and trout stamp.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Black Bullhead – Good: Walleye – Fair: Expect the walleye bite to improve this week with falling water temperatures.
Spirit Lake
Large portions of the lake have begun to freeze over. The current water level is nine inches below crest. The crappie bite has been good. Black Crappie – Good: Minnows and plastics has been working well. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill – Good: Try a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water, try pilkies with wigglers or slip bobber setup. Walleye – Good: Minnows have been working well. Yellow Perch – Good: Good numbers can be found but may need to be sorted for size.
West Okoboji Lake
The lake is mostly open, but ice has begun to form in many of bays. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Try pilkies with wigglers or slip bobber setup. Pumpkinseed – Good: Walleye – Good: Minnows and plastics have been working well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
Most area water levels are a few inches below crest. Most smaller lakes are covered in a thin layer of ice. Until the ice thickens more, fishing access is hard to find. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
