Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 70s. Anglers are picking up fish in Town Bay, along shore near Ice House Point, the inlet bridge, and near the outlet. Black Crappie – Fair: Much of the crappie action has moved off shore. Some are still being picked up from shore. Some sorting is needed. Try fishing along Ice House point shoreline and from boat in 2-6 feet of water. Channel Catfish – Fair. Muskellunge – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Most fish being caught are 12- to 18-inches. Fish are being picked up along shore and from boat. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Brushy Creek Lake
Surface water temperatures are in the upper 60s. Black Crappie – Fair: Fishing for crappie in the shallows has been productive. Try a small jig under a bobber or a minnow under a bobber near shore in 2-6 feet of water along weed lines. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing along the weed lines in 2-6 feet of water. . Muskellunge – Fair. Walleye – Fair.
North Twin Lake
Water temperatures are around 70 degrees. Water levels remain low; use caution when loading boats at the ramps. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig or a minnow and jig under a bobber along the shore and docks. Walleye – Fair: Boat anglers have had luck using planer boards and crankbaits.
Storm Lake
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: Try a jig or a jig and minnow under a bobber along docks, rocky shorelines and in the marina. Walleye – Slow: Use live bait and twisters from shore in the evenings. Try the edges of the dredge cuts with crawler harnesses or crankbaits. Yellow Bass – Fair: Most fish are 5- to 7-inches.Yellow Perch – Slow.
Swan Lake
Water temperatures are around 70 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Most crappies have moved off shore; a few are still being picked up. Bluegill – Good: Anglers have had luck with bluegill from shore. Most fish are 7-inches.
Water temperatures are around 70 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 upper 60s. Lake level is 2.2 inches above crest. Water clarity is 6 feet. 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: Anglers are catching crappies around the rush beds and from the jetties. Best bite is in the morning. Channel Catfish – Fair: Use a piece of cut bait fished on the bottom from the wind-swept shore. Common Carp – No Report: Carp are spawning. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Good: Anglers are having success fishing a jig and minnow near vegetation or trolling crankbaits in 8 to10 feet of water. White Bass – Fair. Yellow Bass – Good: Try a small jig near vegetation and around the island. Best bite is early morning.
Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Use a minnow or jig near woody habitat. Bluegill – Fair.
Rice Lake
Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Best bite is after sunset. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber in 3 to 4 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Winnebago River
Water level is 6.2 feet. Northern Pike – Slow. Walleye – Slow: 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 water temperature is in the upper 60s. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small hook and piece of worm. Walleye – Good. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair.
Lost Island Lake
Water temperatures are in the lower 60s. Check out the Iowa Walleye Challenge being held May 1 – June 30 for prizes given to anglers catching the most walleye. Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Good.
Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.