Northwest Iowa — Here is this week’s northwest Iowa fishing report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources……
East Okoboji LakeIce conditions are ok in some areas; access can be hard to find. Expect conditions to diminish. The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie – Good: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow or tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Good: Use tube jigs, plastics, or other small jigs. Northern Pike – Good: Tip-ups are working well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Minnows are working well; some sorting may be needed.
Ingham LakeA large portion of the lake is open. Walleye – Fair.
Lost Island LakeIce conditions are very poor. Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Good.
Minnewashta LakeLarge portions of the lake are starting to open up. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)A large portion of the lake is open; ice conditions should continue to diminish. Walleye – Fair.
Spirit LakeA few areas, like Anglers Bay, can still be fished safely on foot; most lake access is diminished. The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie – Good. Yellow Perch – Good: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji LakeLake access is heavily diminished; if you are able to safely get on the ice, much of the ice is still safe for foot traffic. The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Fair: Use tube jigs, plastics, or other small jigs. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.
Ice conditions are still ok for foot traffic in a few areas; finding a safe way to get on the ice may be difficult as shorelines and some bays are starting to open up. The weather forecast calls for much warmer weather; expect ice conditions to quickly diminish. Open water season is coming soon. The walleye season on the Iowa Great Lakes is closed until May 6th. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
