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
Black Hawk Lake
The lake has opened up with recent warm temperatures and high winds. Any ice that will form this coming week will be unsafe; there are still open water fishing opportunities near the fish house in Town Bay and near the inlet bridge. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers have picked up some fish in the fish house in Town Bay. Yellow Perch – Fair: Pick up fish in the fish house and near the inlet bridge with a minnow fished under a bobber.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Most of the lake has opened up with recent warm temperatures and high winds. Any remaining ice is unsafe.
Most area lakes have opened back up due to high winds; any remaining ice is unsafe. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Rainbow Trout – Fair. Trout were stocked the first week of November. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily bag limit is 5.
Lakes in northcentral Iowa opened up or lost ice thickness with the recent warm weather. Unsafe ice conditions – the ice is too thin for fishing. 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
Large portions of the lake are fully open due to high winds. Areas still iced over have a thickness of 3 inches or less; use best ice safety practices if you plan to go out. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
Minnewashta Lake
The panfish and crappie bite is expected to be fairly decent once ice conditions are safe enough to venture out. Black Crappie – Fair: A nice crappie bite can be found with a little movement around the lake. Bluegill – Fair. Pumpkinseed – Fair.
Scharnberg Pond
Trout were stocked unannounced this fall. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout are biting on a variety of different baits. Try a worm or lure that imitates a minnow.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The lake is fully iced up, but conditions are not yet safe enough to venture out on. Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
The lake is mostly open due to high winds; areas that are iced up have 3 or less inches of ice. Practice best ice safety if you try to venture out. 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. Yellow Perch – Fair.
West Okoboji Lake
The lake is mostly open due to high winds; areas that are iced up have 3 or less inches of ice. Practice best ice safety if you try to venture out. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
The majority of area lakes have opened back up due to high winds or have very poor ice conditions making venturing out very hazardous. If you plan to try to fish the ice, make sure you have flotation, ice picks and check ice thickness often. The forecast calls for highs in the 20’s and 30’s; colder weather and nights should help build ice again this coming week. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
