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
Most of the lake remains ice-covered. Remaining ice is unsafe.
Black Hawk Lake
The lake has opened up. Anglers are targeting panfish in and around the fish house in Town Bay. Channel Catfish – Fair: After ice-out is a good time to target channel catfish close to shore. Use cut bait or shad sides fished on the bottom. To keep the bait on the hook, use a 1/0 to 3/0 bait holder hook and enough weight (3/8th to ½ ounce) to cast into the wind. Black Hawk Lake has a good population of 2-5 pound channel catfish. Try along the lakeside shoreline of the state marina (Drillings Point) and along Ice House Point.
Brushy Creek Lake
Most of the lake is covered with unsafe ice. The lake will likely open up within the next week.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Crawford Creek is completely ice-free. Open water anglers have started to make their way out. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
North Twin Lake
The lake is partially ice-covered, but will likely open up within the week.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Most of the lake has opened up; there are still some areas covered with unsafe ice. About half of the marina is open; it likely will be ice-free within the week. Some anglers have just started to make their way out in the ice-free areas. All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Channel Catfish – Fair: After ice-out is a good time to target channel catfish close to shore. Use cut bait or shad sides fished on the bottom. To keep the bait on the hook, use a 1/0 to 3/0 bait holder hook and enough weight (3/8th to ½ ounce) to cast into the wind.
Many area lakes have recently opened up. Any remaining ice is unsafe. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Ice conditions are changing fast. Use caution and check ice thickness often if you venture out. Avoid areas where vegetation is sticking through the ice. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. No more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie have been caught in a variety of locations using small spoons and jigs. Best bite is dawn and dusk. Walleye – Good: Use a jigging spoon tipped with minnow heads and live minnows fished below a bobber.
Lake Smith
The lake is about half open. Ice fishing is no longer safe.
Ice conditions are changing fast. Most area lakes are unsafe for ice fishing. For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Center Lake
Ice thickness is around 7 inches. There is a large open hole where the aeration unit had been running throughout the winter.
East Okoboji Lake
Ice conditions have diminished heavily, but are still allowing foot traffic. Try heavy tungsten jigs, plastics and baits. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair: Try jigging with tube jigs or a tungsten jig and live bait. Yellow Bass – Good: With a little movement on the basin, you should be able find a decent bite and also catch a few other species.
Ingham Lake
Ice conditions very heavily around the lake; most areas have 12 inches. There is a large open hole where the lake aeration unit had been running this winter.
Lost Island Lake
Ice conditions vary with an average of around 8 inches. Caution: The aeration system is currently in operation on the east side of the lake out from the nature center. This creates a large open hole in the ice. Yellow Perch – Fair: Lots of sorting may be needed.
Minnewashta Lake
Ice conditions have deteriorated with an average ice thickness of 8 inches. The panfish and crappie bite has been fairly good. Black Crappie – Fair: A nice crappie bite can be found with a little movement around the lake. Bluegill – Fair: Try jigging with tube jigs or a tungsten jig and live bait. Pumpkinseed – Fair.
Scharnberg Pond
Trout were stocked this winter; fish should be biting well. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Brook Trout – Good. 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 has a large open hole along the eastern side; the eastern access is very diminished. Ice thickness still allows foot traffic in most places. Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
The lake is open on the south side and has highly diminished ice conditions throughout the rest of the lake. 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 – Slow: Season is closed until May 7th. Yellow Perch – Fair.
West Okoboji Lake
Ice conditions around the lake have diminished heavily. There are still a few bay areas that are able to be fished by foot. Panfishing on Millers bay has picked up with the warmer weather. Black Crappie – Fair: Try jigging with tube jigs or a tungsten jig and live bait. Bluegill – Fair: Many anglers have been successful off Triboji on the north end of the lake. Try jigging with tube jigs or a tungsten jig and live bait.
The walleye season for the Iowa Great Lake chain is closed. The season opens back up May 7th. Ice conditions on most lakes in the area have deteriorated heavily with the recent warm weather. There are still a handful of areas that allow foot traffic for ice fishing. The quality of the ice has diminished heavily leaving many open holes, seams, and very few good accesses. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
