Black Hawk Lake
Courtesy docks are in. Water temperatures are in the low 60s. Anglers are picking up fish in Town Bay, along shore near Ice House Point, and in the fish house. The inlet bridge area has also been productive. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up crappie along Ice House Point shoreline and from the fish house using small jigs. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Fish are being picked up along Ice House Point shoreline and from the Inlet Bridge area.
Brushy Creek Lake
Boat ramp courtesy docks are in at all ramps.
North Twin Lake
Water levels remain low; use caution when loading boats at the ramps.
Storm Lake
Water temperatures are around 60 degrees. All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; and no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappie in the marina. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have picked up a few from shore in the evenings; the bite is slow to fair. Yellow Bass – Fair: Most fish are 5- to 7-inches. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are being picked up in the marina with small jigs and minnows. Bite is hit-or-miss.
Water temperatures have warmed quickly over the last week and are now around 60 degrees in most area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-50s. Lake level is 2.5 inches above crest. The courtesy docks are in at the Island, McIntosh and Ventura boat ramps. 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. Black Crappie – Good: Best bite is in the morning. Channel Catfish – Good: It’s time to target catfish; use cut bait on the bottom from the wind-swept shore. Walleye – Excellent: Anglers are having success fishing from the jetties and wader fishing along the east shore after sunset. The bite will continue to improve as the water temperature rises over the next several days. White Bass – Good. Yellow Perch – Good: Angles are catching perch from the jetties.
Winnebago River
Water levels are dropping to 6.0 feet. Northern Pike – Fair. Walleye – Good: Use a jig head and minnow along current breaks.
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 open; no courtesy docks are in place. The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie – Good: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow or tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Good: Use tube jigs, plastics, or other small jigs. Northern Pike – Good: Tip-ups are working well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Minnows are working well; some sorting may be needed.
Ingham Lake
The lake is ice-free. Walleye – Fair.
Lost Island Lake
Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Good.
Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
Silver Lake Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
A large portion of the lake is still covered with a thin layer of brash ice. The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie – Good. Yellow Perch – Good: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji Lake
Most of the lake is still covered with a thin layer of brash ice. The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Fair: Use tube jigs, plastics, or other small jigs. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.
All lakes are open or starting to open up. Most courtesy docks are not yet in place. The walleye season on the Iowa Great Lakes is closed until May 6th. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.