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 lake is ice free.
Black Hawk Lake
The lake is ice free. Water levels are roughly 14 inches below the crest of the spillway. Anglers are targeting panfish along shore in Town Bay primarily from the floating dock, the fish house, and along shore of Ice House Point. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Fair: Channel Catfish – Fair: 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 using cut bait. Yellow Perch – Fair:
Brushy Creek Lake
The lake has recently opened up. Courtesy docks are in at the south, east, and north boat ramps
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
The lake has opened up. Anglers are starting to fish along shore and in the marina. 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 try using a 1/0 to 3/0 bait holder hook and enough weight (3/8th to ½ ounce) to cast into the wind. Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching keeper sized yellow bass in the marina. Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch are being picked up in the marina.
Area lakes are ice free. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
The Lake is about 95 percent ice free. Water temps are in the mid 30s. 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. Channel Catfish – Slow: Fish the wind swept shore with cut bait. Walleye – Slow: Angler success will increase as the water temps rise. Fish a minnow or jig near the outlet on the east shore. Yellow Perch – Slow: Anglers are catching a few fish from the Ventura jetties.
Lake Cornelia
The Lake is ice free. The docks are not in yet. Channel Catfish – Slow: Fish the wind swept shore with cut bait.
Little Wall Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish the wind swept shore with cut bait or liver.
Winnebago River
It’s the time of year to target Northern Pike. Fish a chub in the slack water below a dam or where a smaller stream enters the river. Walleye – Slow:
Most of the area Lakes are ice free. 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 majority of the lake is now open and free of ice. 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 to get on a decent bite as well as catch a few other species while your at it.
Lost Island Lake
The lake is mostly free of ice. Yellow Perch – Fair: Lots of sorting may be needed.
Minnewashta Lake
The majority of the lake is now open and free of ice. Black Crappie – Fair: A nice crappie bite can be found with a little bit of movement around the lake. Bluegill – Fair: Try jigging with tube jigs or a tungsten jig and live bait. Pumpkinseed – Fair.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The majority of the lake is now open and free of ice. Walleye – Fair:
Spirit Lake
The lake is almost entirely free of ice. Black Crappie – Fair: Are mostly being caught along with the perch. Try tube jigs with wigglers or pilkies. Bluegill – Fair: Are mostly being caught along with the perch. Try tube jigs with wigglers or pilkies. Walleye – Slow: Season is currently closed till May 7th. Yellow Perch – Fair:
West Okoboji Lake
There are large portions that are now open and free of ice, but there is still a lot of thin coverage. 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 currently closed. The season opens back up May 7th. Area lakes are almost entirely ice free allowing for open water fishing although no courtesy docks are yet in place. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
