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
Water levels are about 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 the stone piers. Black Crappie – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Brushy Creek Lake
The lake is ice free. Courtesy docks are in.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
The lake is ice free. Water temperatures are in the low 40s. Anglers are fishing 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: Use cut bait along shore. Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching keeper-sized yellow bass; bite is hit-or-miss. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use small minnows in the marina.
Area lakes are ice free. Water temperatures in the low 40s. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
The lake is ice free. Water temperatures 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: Try minnows and jigs fished off the Ventura jetties and in the cannels. Angler success will increase as the water temperatures rise. 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.
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 lake is ice free. Courtesy docks are not in place yet. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Fair: Try jigging with tube jigs or a tungsten jig and live bait. Yellow Bass – Fair: With a little movement on the basin you should be able to get on a decent bite and also catch a few other species.
Lost Island Lake
The lake is ice free. Yellow Perch – Fair: Lots of sorting may be needed.
Minnewashta Lake
The lake is ice free. 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 open and free of ice. Walleye – Fair:
Spirit Lake
The lake is ice free. Launching boats is difficult with low water levels. The only courtesy dock in place is at Templar ramp; conditions are very shallow. Black Crappie – Fair: Mostly being caught along with the perch; use tube jigs with wigglers or pilkies. Bluegill – Fair: Mostly being caught along with the perch; use tube jigs with wigglers or pilkies. Walleye – Slow: Season is closed until May 7th. Yellow Perch – Fair.
West Okoboji Lake
The lake is ice free. The only courtesy dock in place is at Triboji ramp. 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. Most area lakes are ice free allowing for open water fishing; courtesy docks are not in place yet. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
