Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 70s. Water levels are about 4 inches above the spillway. Water clarity is about 4-5 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Pick up crappie around the fish house in Town Bay and along Ice House Point shoreline. Crappie are up to 10- to 12-inches. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill fishing from shore is productive ; bluegill are on beds. 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. Try crawlers fished from shore. Lots of 10-inch fish to sort through, but keepers are being caught.
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 – Good: Pick up bluegill near shore with a piece of crawler under a bobber. Fish are on beds. Largemouth Bass – Good: Pick up bass along shore near weed lines with traditional bass baits. Walleye – Fair: Pick up walleye in 5-10 feet of water near rock and woody structure Yellow Perch – Slow.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Water temperatures are in the low 70s. Water clarity is about 5 feet. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are guarding nests along shore; use a small jig with a piece of crawler under a bobber. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Find bass along shore near weed lines and can be picked up with a variety of traditional bass baits.
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 around 70 degrees. 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 in the low 70s in many area lakes. Bluegills can be seen on nests in many area lakes. River levels are still above normal, but continue to recede. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Good: Try a small jig or minnow off the causeway or drift fish the north shore. Bluegill – Fair.
Clear Lake
Water level is 2.7 inches over crest. Water temperature is in the low 70s. Water clarity is 34 inches. The fish cleaning station at the McIntosh access is open. 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 and vegetation with jigs and live bait. Evening bite is best. Yellow Bass – Fair: Try small jigs or cut bait around the Island and Dodges point. Best bite is early morning.
Crystal Lake
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
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are on beds near shore. Largemouth Bass – Good: Try fishing the edge of vegetation and near woody habitat. Walleye – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Good: 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 7.13 feet. Smallmouth Bass – Fair.
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 1.6 feet above crest. The walleye season is open. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good: Lots of fish have been observed in shallower waters; many fish are on beds. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are a little ways off shore; you can still find some around docks and other structure. Yellow Perch – Good: Many fish have been observed; sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and afternoon.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Lake level is 8 inches over crest. Walleye – Good: Bite has been hit-or-miss, but has been very good when the bite is on.
Spirit Lake
Lake level is 1.3 feet 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
Lake level is 1.7 feet 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 in the upper 60s and low 70s. Water levels are above crest and have flooded some lower level areas. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
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