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
Lake level is low. Water temperature is around 52 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: As water temperatures warm, look for crappie fishing to pick up along shore near woody structure. Use small jigs and minnows.
Black Hawk Lake
The dredge is working in the east basin of the lake. The floating and submerged portions of pipe is marked with buoys. Dredge barges are marked with buoys; boaters should use caution and stay away from the equipment and pipe. Water levels are about 12 inches below the crest of the spillway. Water temperatures are in the low 50s. Water clarity is about 10 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Most fish are 8- to 12-inches. Use small live minnows and marabou jigs fished from shore in Town Bay. Areas along the stone Pier floating T dock, the fish house and along Ice House Point are the most popular spots. Walleye – Slow: As water temperatures warm and fish move into shore and start feeding more aggressively, use twisters, jigs tipped with medium-sized minnows or shallow diving crankbaits from shore.
Brushy Creek Lake
Water temperatures remain cooler than normal. Within the next week or two, look for crappie and bass action along shore in 5-10 feet of water near submerged woody structure.
North Twin Lake
Courtesy dock is in on the south ramp. With low water levels, boaters should use caution when launching boats. Black Crappie – Slow: Fishing action has been slow with the cooler water temperatures. Expect a better panfish bite from shore as water temperatures warm up. Use small jigs and minnows from shore and along the docks.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Water temperatures are in the low 50s. Shore fishing has been fair to slow with the recent cool and rainy weather. 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. Black Crappie – Fair: Use small live minnows and small jigs along shore docks and lifts. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or liver fished on the bottom along shore. Walleye – Fair: Walleye have been picked up from shore using a lead head with a twister tail. Also try a jig with a crawler or tipped with a minnow. Shallow diving crankbaits can also work well from shore. Evenings may be most productive.
Water temperatures are in the low 50s in most areas lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
The lake is 3.9 inches above crest. Water temperatures are in the low 50s. 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 – Fair: Try cut bait or crawlers on the wind-swept shore and spots where water is flowing into the lake. Walleye – Fair: Use minnows and jigs in the rock reefs and wind-swept points. Wader angler are catching fish on the east shore and around the island. Best bite is after sunset. White Bass – Slow. Yellow Bass – Slow.
Crystal Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 50s. Black Crappie – Slow.
Lake Cornelia
Channel Catfish – Fair: Fish the wind-swept shore with cut bait or crawlers. Yellow Bass – Slow.
Winnebago River
River levels are dropping. Northern Pike – Slow. Walleye – Slow: Try a jig and minnow in the current breaks below a dam.
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
Lake temperature is in the low 50s. The water level is 2 inches over crest. The walleye season opens May 7. There has been a fairly good crappie bite recently. Anglers using electronics have been fairly successful finding schools of fish. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair.
Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Good.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
Water temperature is in the high 40s. The lake is 20 inches below crest making launching boats more difficult. Courtesy docks are in place. The walleye season opens May 7. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair.
West Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-40s. The water level is 2 inches over crest. The walleye season opens May 7. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
Walleye weekend is May 7-8 in the Iowa Great Lakes. The walleye season opens back up May 7th for Spirit Lake, East Okoboji and West Okoboji. Most courtesy docks are in place. Area water temperatures are lower with the recent cold weather. The Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery currently has walleye and muskellunge eggs in the hatchery. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
