Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is in the low 60s. Water levels are 12 inches below the crest of the spillway. Black Crappie – Fair: Try in and around the fish house in Town Bay and along Ice House Point shoreline. Fish are up to 10-12 inches. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye – Fair: Shore fishing action has picked up from last week. Throw twisters from shore or use live bait under a bobber.
Browns Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few fish. Use cut bait or dip baits fished on or near the bottom near shore or from the jetty. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are close to shore this time of year. Try twisters and live bait from the docks, jetty or along shore.
Brushy Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: A few crappie are being picked up along shore and near submerged structure. Crappie action will pick up as water temperatures continue to climb. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Walleye will start to feed more heavily as they recover from spring spawning activity; use twisters or live bait. Yellow Perch – Slow.
North Twin Lake
Water levels are 2-3 feet low. No courtesy docks are installed at the south boat ramps due to low water levels. A courtesy dock is in at the west boat ramp at Featherstone County Park.
Storm Lake
Water clarity is about 12 inches. Water temperatures are around 60 degrees. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are starting to pick up a few perch in the marina. More fish should move in as water temperatures continue to warm. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are being picked up along the east shore near the inlet and a few in the marina. The bite in the marina should improve as water temperatures continue to warm. White Bass – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair. Yellow Perch – Slow: Anglers have picked up some perch in the marina.
Water temperatures are around 60 degrees in many area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 50s. Water level is 9.1 inches below crest. Courtesy docks are in at the City and Ritz boat ramps. A temporary courtesy dock is in at McIntosh until new docks are installed. DNR staff will start netting walleyes soon. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. Black Crappie – Slow. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or a crawler from the wind-swept shore. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are having some success wader fishing the East shore and around the Island. Best bite is after sunset. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try a small jig in the rushes.
Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Slow. Walleye – Slow.
Rice Lake
Walleye – Slow. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Yellow Perch – Slow.
Winnebago River
Water level is 6.97 feet. Northern Pike – Slow. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Slow: Try a jig head tipped with a 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 level is a couple inches above crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and afternoon.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
The lake is 7 inches below crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4th. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are finding quality-size fish. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Good: Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji Lake
The lake level is a couple inches above crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4th. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Area water temperatures have started to slowly rise and are in the low to mid-50s. Most area lakes are at or above crest. Most courtesy docks are in place. The walleye season is closed on the Iowa Great Lakes until May 4th. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.