NORTHWEST IOWA
East Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Some fish remain in deeper water; schools of fish have started to migrate to shallower water. Be mobile to find active fish using traditional bluegill baits. Yellow Bass – Good: Action remains good with 8 – 9 inch fish being caught. Find fish in 10 feet of water; move often to find active fish. Channel Catfish – Good: Action has picked up with the cooler water temperature. Use traditional baits fished after dark.
Five Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers report good numbers of fish being caught; sorting is needed.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – No Report: Recent surveys show good numbers of angler-acceptable size and larger bluegill in the lake.
Lost Island Lake
Walleye – Fair: Report of 14 – 18 inch fish being caught. Yellow Bass – Good: Cast mini-jigs tipped with wigglers in shallow water during the morning and evening. Boat anglers – troll crankbaits to find active fish then anchor and cast small plastics and prepare for plenty of pole bending action. Channel Catfish – Good: Good numbers of large angler-acceptable size fish continue to be caught. Use cut bait to provide plenty of pole bending action. Bluegill – Good: Action continues for bluegill, black crappie and yellow perch. Use plastics on light jigs fished in shallow water in the evening.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Yellow Perch – No Report: Recent surveys show good numbers of fish approaching 11 inches. Channel Catfish – No Report: Recent surveys show good numbers of 16 – 23.9 inch fish in the lake.
Spirit Lake
Walleye – Fair: Walleyes action has improved with the drop in water temperatures. Fish the basin; don’t overlook the weed edges. Use crawlers and bottom bouncers or troll crankbaits. Yellow Perch – Good: Good numbers of 8.5 inch fish are being caught. Persistence and patience will be rewarded with larger fish caught.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Good: Fish the outside weed edges for larger sized bluegill; do not overlook deeper rock piles in 20 – 25 feet of water with aquatic plants.
For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.