Black Hawk Lake
Water levels are about 7 inches below the crest of the spillway. Water clarity is roughly 12 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish are 8- to 11-inches. Try along Ice House Point and around the fish house and stone piers in Town Bay. Bluegill – Slow: Find bluegills along shore near Ice House Point and the rock pile by Gunshot Hill. Fish are 6- to 7-inches. Channel Catfish – Fair: Look for cats around the deeper rock piles or try drifting in the evening and at night. Use cut bait, crawdads or dip bait. Catfish average 4 to 7 pounds.
Browns Lake
Water levels remain low; use caution when launching boats.
Brushy Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near submerged woody structure in 5-10 feet of water. Use a small jig tipped with a crawler or small minnow. Bluegill – Fair: Drift jigs tipped with crawlers in 5-15 feet of water anywhere along weed lines or near submerged trees. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics and traditional bass lures along submerged woody structure and weed lines near shore.
Storm Lake
Surface water temperature is in the upper 70s. Water clarity is variable, up to 20 inches depending on location. 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. Channel Catfish – Fair: Storm Lake has a good population of 4-6 pound catfish. Try cut bait, liver or crawlers fished on the bottom along shore. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are trolling crankbaits, using crawler harnesses and drifting leeches and near the edges of the dredge cuts. Yellow Bass – Fair: Fish are 5- to 11-inches long. Use a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber.
Most area lake temps are in the mid to upper 70’s.For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish or troll a tube jig along the north shore. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs from the causeway. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair.
Clear Lake
The lake is 1.5 inch below crest. Water temperature is in the low 70s. Water clarity is about 25 inches. 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 chicken liver from the wind-swept shore. Best bite is after sunset. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing weedless baits near the vegetation edge. Walleye – Slow: Troll crankbaits or cast a jig near the vegetation edge. Yellow Bass – Slow.
Rice Lake
Any water west of the North boat ramp is a waterfowl refuge and is closed to all activity from Sept. 1st through the final day of the duck season. Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Cast plastic baits near woody structure. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a piece of worm.
Silver Lake (Worth)
The lake still has a lot of aquatic vegetation. Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of worm under a bobber in the open pockets in the vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are biting on topwater baits.
Upper Pine Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs or minnows. Best bite is early morning. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are biting on a variety of baits fished near woody structure.
Winnebago River
Water levels are perfect for a float trip. Walleye – Fair: Cast a jig head tipped with a piece of crawler.
For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Lost Island Lake
Fishing/trolling is getting more difficult as aquatic vegetation reaches the surface in many places. There has been a decent-sized algae bloom lately. Black Crappie – Fair. Walleye – Slow: Try trolling crankbaits or with lindy rigs off weed lines. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Minnewashta Lake
Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good; some sorting may be needed. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Good.