Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are around 70 degrees. Water levels are about 6 inches above the spillway. Water clarity is about 4-5 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie spawn is done; you can still pick up fish around the fish house in Town Bay and along Ice House Point shoreline. Crappie are up to 10- to 12-inches. Bluegill – Fair: Catch keeper-sized bluegill from shore with nightcrawlers. Largemouth Bass – Good: Pick up bass along shore with a variety of bass baits. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up walleye along the east shore, Ice House Point shore, and in the inlet bay. Cast twisters and use a nightcrawler under a bobber.
Brushy Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near submerged structure in 5-10 feet of water. Fish are 5-inches up to 13-inches. Bluegill – Fair: Pick up bluegill near shore with a piece of crawler under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Use twisters, crankbaits, or live bait. Yellow Perch – Slow.
North Twin Lake
Water levels are about 1 foot below the crest of the spillway. Courtesy docks are installed. Black Bullhead – Good: Try a nightcrawler on the bottom from shore on windy shorelines. Bullheads are 10- to 11-inches.
Storm Lake
Water temperatures are in the upper 60s. Water clarity is about 2 feet. Black Crappie – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass close to shore near rocky structure and overhanging trees. Walleye – Fair: Pick up walleye along the east shore near the inlet and in the marina. White Bass – Fair: White bass are close to shore. Use a nightcrawler under a bobber. Yellow Bass – Fair.
Water temperatures are around 70 degrees in many area lakes. Bluegills can be seen on nests in many area lakes. River levels are still above normal, but are slowly starting to recede. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Water level is 3.12 inches over crest. Water temperature is in the mid-60s. Black Crappie – Slow. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try crawlers or cut bait from the wind-swept shore or spots where water is running into the lake. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing near the edge of vegetation. Walleye – Fair: Anglers continue to catch walleye near shallow rocky habitat with jigs and live bait. Evening bite is best. Yellow Bass – Good: Try small jigs or cut bait around the Island and Dodges point. Best bite is early morning.
Crystal Lake
Lake level is several inches over crest. Water temperature is in the upper 60s. Black Crappie- Fair: Drift fish small jigs or live bait near the dredge cut. Bluegill – Good: Use a piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good. Walleye – Slow.
Rice Lake
Lake level is a few inches over crest. Water temperature is in the mid-60s. Water clarity is over 10 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are starting to make beds near shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing the edge of vegetation and near woody habitat. Walleye – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
The new dock is being put in this week. Bluegill – Fair: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Bass are biting on a variety of baits.
Winnebago River
River level is 7.36 feet.
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
Lake level is 8 inches above crest. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Fair. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish are starting to be in and around the docks. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and afternoon.
Silver Lake
Walleye – Good: Bite has been hit-or-miss, but has been very good when the bite is on.
Spirit Lake
Lake level is 7 inches over crest. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are finding quality-size fish; they are biting on almost anything. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching quality-sized fish. Evening bite is best with leech and bobber from shore or crankbaits and slip bobbers by boat. Yellow Perch – Good: Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji Lake
The lake level is 8 inches above crest. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
Area water temperatures are slowly rising to the mid to upper 60s. Area lakes are above crest. Courtesy docks are in place. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.