Northwest Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has released their weekly fishing report for northwest Iowa. This weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys and county and state parks staff. You can check the activity of your favorite lake or stretch of river, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), as well as a hot bait or lure pattern.
NORTHWEST
Arrowhead Lake
The courtesy dock at the boat ramp has been removed for the season.
Black Hawk Lake
The fish cleaning station is closed for the season. Courtesy docks at Ice House Point boat ramp and the ramp near Black Hawk State Park Campground are removed for the season. The courtesy dock at the State Marina will remain in place year-round. Water temperature has dropped to the mid-40’s. Water level is about 9 inches below the crest of the spillway. Water clarity is about one foot. Black Crappie – Fair: Try along Ice House Point shore and in or on the fish house in Town Bay. Keeper-size fish are 8- to 10-inches. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye – Slow.
Brushy Creek Lake
The fish cleaning station is closed and the courtesy docks have been removed for the season. Water temperature is in the upper 40’s. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a small jig and minnow in 15 feet of water near woody structure. Bluegill – Fair: Vertical jig for in 5-15 feet of water near submerged trees and logs. Walleye – Slow: Walleye have moved off shore to deeper water with cooling water temperatures. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with crawler or minnows fished in areas of 10-15 feet of water.
North Twin Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Shore fishing for crappie has been productive. Sorting is needed. Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers are picking up yellow bass fishing from shore.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
The courtesy dock at the Bel-Air boat ramp has been removed for the season. Courtesy docks at the ramp in the DNR marina will remain in place throughout the season. Water temperature is around 50 degrees. Most of the lake is free of vegetation. Water clarity is less than one foot. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use cut bait or dip baits fished on the bottom in areas along shore with rocks. Walleye – Fair: Water temperatures are cooling down. Cast twisters or crankbaits from shore. Also try live bait like minnows or leeches fished under a bobber along shore during evenings or mornings. White Bass – Fair: Cast twisters along shore or use crawlers fished under a bobber in areas along shore.
Water temperatures in most district lakes are in the mid-40’s. Most boat ramp courtesy docks have been removed for the season. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift or slow troll small jigs. Stay mobile and try various locations around the lake until you find active fish. Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching some nice-sized yellow bass while fishing for crappie.
Clear Lake
Courtesy docks have been removed for the season at McIntosh Woods State Park and Ventura Access. Walleye – Fair: A few fish are being caught in the evenings along the north shore and the Ventura Grade jetties. Use slip bobbers with minnows or a slow retrieve with a jig and minnow.
Water temperatures have cooled into the 40’s across northern Iowa lakes. For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
The water temperature is 49 degrees. Many anglers have had success with slip bobbers/spoons and vertical jigging and drop shot fishing. Many anglers are observing higher catch rates with sorting needed to limit out on various fish. Black Crappie – Good: Catch is picking up; crappie are moving in shallower and hanging out around pockets of vegetation. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are biting like crazy. Leeches or worms and a simple bobber setup work well. Pumpkinseed – Good: Fun and easier to catch from most docks. Use a small hook, bobber and piece of worm.
Lost Island Lake
The walleye bite from shore has been very good with many anglers fishing off the southern stony point and eastern shore. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Good catch rate with some sorting needed.
Minnewashta Lake
Panfishing has been good for anglers trolling weed lines. Vertical jigging is improving. Black Crappie – Good: A nice crappie bite can be found with a little movement around the lake. Bluegill – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Fair: Try using slip bobbers and finding weed lines.
Spirit Lake
The water temperature is 45 degrees. Fish are moving in shallower. Use lead core and tadpole baits. The walleye bite is very good in the evening; try fishing from shore or with waders. The perch bite continues to slowly pick up as water temperatures fall. Black Crappie – Fair: Mostly being caught along with perch; use tube jigs with wigglers or pilkies. Bluegill – Fair: Mostly being caught along with perch; use tube jigs with wigglers or pilkies. Walleye – Good: 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. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are moving in shallower allowing for great catch with some sorting. Try mini jigs and minnows; bring plenty of minnows as smaller fish will strip you of your bait.
West Okoboji Lake
The water temperature is 49 degrees. Anglers have been successful fishing for bluegill and crappie in 10-15 feet of water. Most any bait has been working. Use lead core or tadpole baits. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie have been very picky lately, but can be easily caught if you aren’t afraid to switch things up. Can also be caught frequently while picking through other panfish or have been found around weed edges. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill are biting like crazy with fish up to 10-inches seen. Try a shucks jigger and bobber fished in 10-15 feet of water. Jigging, casting, and slip bobbers work well. Try trolling with twister tails and ripple shads or shucks jiggers with a bobber. Walleye – Fair: Walleye have been hard to target, but many anglers are catching them while fishing for other species.
The panfish/perch bite has been consistent. Most boat ramp docks have been pulled for the season. The evening walleye bite from shore is good. The forecast calls for temperatures in the 40’s to 50’s. Lake temperatures are dropping fast with most lake temperatures in the upper 40’s and 50’s.
For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
