Black Hawk Lake
Water levels are about 9 inches below the crest of the spillway. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish are 8- to 11-inches. Try along Ice House Point and around the fish house and stone piers in Town Bay. Bluegill – Slow: Find bluegills along shore near Ice House Point and the rock pile by Gunshot Hill. Fish are 6- to 7-inches. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Browns Lake
Water levels remain low; use caution when launching boats.
Brushy Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappie near submerged woody structure in 5-10 feet of water. Use a small jig tipped with a crawler or small minnow. Bluegill – Fair: Drift jigs tipped with crawlers in 5-15 feet of water anywhere along weed lines or near submerged trees. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try plastics and traditional bass lures along submerged woody structure and weed lines near shore.
Storm Lake
Surface water temperature is around 70 degrees. All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair. Channel Catfish – Fair: Storm Lake has a good population of 4-6 pound catfish. Try cut bait, liver or crawlers fished on the bottom along shore. Walleye – Fair: Try trolling crankbaits, using crawler harnesses or drifting leeches and near the edges of the dredge cuts. Use live bait or crankbaits along shore in mornings or evenings. Yellow Bass – Fair: Fish are 5- to 11-inches long. Use a small piece of crawler fished under a bobber.
Most area lake temps are around 70 degress. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
White Crappie – Good: Troll or drift small crappie jigs in the water column.
Clear Lake
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. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try jigs and spinnerbaits near the vegetation edge. Muskellunge – Good: September is an excellent time to target muskies. Cast baits near docks vegetation beds and reef areas. Walleye – Fair: Use jigs and live bait near vegetation or rock reefs. Walleye are scattered; look for active fish in multiple locations. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with crawler or minnows. Stay mobile and search for the schools of yellow bass.
Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Troll or drift small crappie jigs. Catch crappie up to 10-inches.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Good: Catch nice-sized bluegill with small jigs. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use spinnerbaits and jigs fished near vegetation. Yellow Perch – Good: Try small jigs tipped with a crawler or minnows.
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 temperature is in the mid-70s. The water level is 3 inches below crest. Bigger fish are out deeper in 12-17 feet of water; smaller fish are closer to shore. Trolling has been working fairly well. Black Crappie – Good: Best bite is in 10-15 feet of water along weed lines. Bluegill – Good: Try tube jigs, plastics or other small jigs. Live bait such as wax worms, wigglers and red worms work well. Walleye – Fair: Try spinners, crankbaits and long and shallow shad raps in the main basins. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. Yellow Bass – Good.
Lost Island Lake
Fishing/trolling is getting more difficult as aquatic vegetation reaches the surface in many areas, but will begin to subside once water temperatures start to fall. Black Crappie – Fair. Walleye – Slow: Try trolling crankbaits or with lindy rigs off weed lines. Best bite is an hour before and after sunset. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Minnewashta Lake
Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good; some sorting may be needed. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Good.