Arrowhead Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegill along shore in 2-6 feet of water on nests. Use a small jig under a bobber.
Black Hawk Lake
Water temperatures are in the low to mid-70s. Water clarity is 1.5 feet. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing over the rock piles and from boat in 2-6 feet of water Bluegill – Fair: Pick up 7- to 8-inches fish along shore with crawlers or small jigs under a bobber. Channel Catfish – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing in 3-6 feet of water and on the rock piles by boat. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Brushy Creek Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try a small jig or minnow along weed edges in 5-10 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing the edges of the vegetation along shore in 2-6 feet of water to find fish on spawning beds. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing along the weed lines in 2-6 feet of water. Walleye – Fair.
North Twin Lake
Water clarity is about 3 feet. Water levels are 2 feet below the crest of the spillway; use caution when launching boats at the ramps. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are off shore. Try fishing in 3-6 feet of water near rock or structure.. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing off shore; boat anglers are using planer boards and crankbaits.
Storm Lake
Water temperatures are in the low to mid-70s. All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; and no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Channel Catfish – Fair: There is a good population of 3-6 pound catfish. Try cut bait or dip baits fished in the bottoms from shore. Walleye – Fair: Boat anglers fishing the cuts has been productive. Use crawler harnesses and crankbaits. Yellow Bass – Fair: Most fish are 5- to 7-inches.Yellow Perch – Slow.
Swan Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have had luck with bluegill from shore. Most fish are 7-inches. Try fishing near shore and under overhanging trees to find bluegills on nests.
Water temperatures are in the mid-70s in most area lakes. Find bluegills on nests along shore in many area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish a small jig along the north shore. Bluegill – Fair.
Clear Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 70s. Lake level is 1.5 inches below crest. Water clarity is 6 feet. 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. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching crappies around the rush beds. Early morning bite is best. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or crawlers near rocky areas. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Good: Anglers are having success fishing a jig and live bait near vegetation or slip bobber fishing the rock reefs. Yellow Bass – Fair: Try a small jig near vegetation. Best bite is early morning.
Crystal Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish or troll a tube jig in the dredge cut. Bluegill – Good: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 4 feet of water.
Lower Pine Lake
Bluegill – Good: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 4 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Good: Cast a topwater bait close to woody habitat and vegetation near shore.
Rice Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber in 3 to 4 feet of water. With the clear water, you may have to cast further to avoid spooking the fish. Largemouth Bass – Good. Walleye – Slow: Best bite is after sunset. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Bluegill – Fair: Try a small piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 3 feet of water. . With the clear water, you may have to cast further to avoid spooking the fish. Largemouth Bass – Good: Use topwater baits. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Upper Pine Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Drift fish a tube jig in 10 to 12 feet of water. Bluegill – Good: Try a piece of crawler under a bobber in 2 to 4 feet of water. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Cast plastic baits near woody habitat.
Winnebago River
Water level is 5.1 feet.
For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.