Black Hawk Lake
The lake is covered in skim ice. The only fishing activity has been at the fish house in Town Bay – where the area under the structure is kept ice-free with a small water agitator. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish are 8- to 11-inches. Try from the fish house in Town Bay.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Most of the lake has been frozen over for the past week. All ice is unsafe for ice fishing.
Area Lakes are covered in thin ice. All ice is unsafe for ice fishing. With windy and warm days this next week, some areas may open up again. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Blue Pit was recently stocked with rainbow trout. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Use spinnerbaits and small jigs.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 4 inches. Ice fishing is not recommended. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. The daily limit is 3 with no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Yellow Perch – No Report: Try live bait and small jigs near vegetation beds.
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.
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 is essentially completely iced over, but with only 1-2 inches. The water level is 10 inches below crest. Black Crappie – Good: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow or tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Fair: Use tube jigs, plastics, or other small jigs. Walleye – Fair: Try crawler harnesses, crankbaits, and minnows. Yellow Perch – Fair: Minnows work well; some sorting may be needed.
Lost Island Lake
Walleye – Good: Try spinners, crankbaits, and shallow shad raps. Evening bite is improving as the water cools.
Minnewashta Lake
Bluegill and crappie fishing has been good; some sorting may be needed.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The walleye bite has picked up as water temperatures cool. Walleye – Good: Use spinners, crankbaits, and long and shallow shad raps.
Spirit Lake
The lake is currently 14 inches below crest. The lake is almost entirely iced over, but with only an inch or two. The walleye season is open. Muskellunge – Good: Try crankbaits, buck tails, and rubber baits. Walleye – Good: The bite is hit-or-miss at dusk, but the day bite is improving. Many anglers have started to fish in shallower with slip bobbers along weed edges. Try spinners, crankbaits, and long and shallow shad raps; look for weed lines to troll or jig off of. Yellow Perch – Good: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji Lake
Water temperature is in the mid-30s. A few bays are starting to form ice. The water level is 10 inches below crest. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Use tube jigs, plastics, or other small jigs. Walleye – Fair: Crawler harnesses, crankbaits, and minnows work well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.
Most small to medium area lakes are completely frozen over. Most large lakes are at least partially frozen over. No lakes currently offer safe ice for ice fishing. Area lake levels are currently low. The extended forecast calls for cooler temperatures, which should steadily form ice. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.