Clear Lake
Water level is 8.4 inches below crest. Water temperature is in the low 40s .All courtesy docks have been taken out for the season. Walleye – Fair: Try live bait and jigs. Best bite is after sun set. Yellow Bass – Slow: Anglers are catching a few yellow bass while targeting walleye.
Crystal Lake
The courtesy docks have been removed for the season. Black Crappie- Fair: Drift fish or troll small jigs in the dredge cut. Bluegill – Slow: Use a jig tipped with a piece of crawler near shore. Walleye – Slow: Try fishing near vegetation edge and along the old roadbed.
Rice Lake
Any water west of the north boat ramp is a waterfowl refuge and is closed to all activity from Sept. 1st through the final day of the duck season. Signs across the lake mark this area. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye – slow. Yellow Perch – Fair. Use a jig and a piece of crawler near vegetation.
Silver Lake (Worth)
The courtesy dock has been taken out for the season. Bluegill – Slow. Yellow Perch – slow: Try a jig head tipped with a piece of crawler.
Winnebago River
River level is 5.31 feet. Smallmouth Bass – No report. Try fishing in the deeper pools. Walleye – Fair.
For information on lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
Lake level is just below crest. The ramp/dock at upper gar can be used for the remainder of the open water season. Black Crappie – Good: Bluegill – Good: Many bluegill seen; easily catchable around functional docks. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are a ways off shore; you can find some around docks and structure. Yellow Perch – Good: Many perch seen; sorting most likely needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Morning and afternoon bite is best.
Silver Lake
Lake level is below crest. The algae bloom is dying back as water cools. Walleye – Good: Bite hit-or-miss, but very good when bite is on.
Spirit Lake
Lake level is a few inches below crest. The ramp/dock at Templar can be used for the remainder of the season. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are finding quality-size crappie up to 14-inches. Bluegill – Good. Walleye – Good: Evening bite is best with leech and bobber from shore or crankbaits and slip bobbers by boat. Yellow Perch – Good: Sorting is needed; anglers are finding many of acceptable size.
West Okoboji Lake
Lake level is a few inches below crest. Triboji dock is in. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good. Largemouth Bass – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good.
Area buoys have been pulled for the season. The bite for most species has been good. Most fish have moved closer to shore as temperatures drop; catch has fallen off a bit for most species. Most ramp docks have been pulled for the season. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
Lake Petocka
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked at on Oct. 31. Cast spinners, spoons, blade baits, live minnows, wax worms, or floating flies. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Terra Lake
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Oct. 28. Cast spinners, spoons, blade baits, live minnows, wax worms, or floating flies. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Triumph Park West
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on Oct. 28 in Triumph West and East. Cast spinners, spoons, blade baits, live minnows, wax worms, or floating flies. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.