Black Hawk Lake
Water temperature is in the upper 50s. Water levels are 12 inches below the crest of the spillway. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are starting to pick up more crappie. Try in and around the fish house in Town Bay and along Ice House Point shoreline. Fish are up to 10- to 12iinches. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye – Fair: Shore fishing action has picked up. Throw twisters from shore or use live bait under a bobber.
Browns Lake
Walleye – Fair: Walleye are close to shore this time of year. Try twisters and live bait from the docks, jetty or along shore.
Brushy Creek Lake
Water temperatures are in the mid to upper 50s. Black Crappie – Fair: Pick up crappie along shore and near submerged structure; fish are anywhere from 5-inches up to 13-inches. Crappie action will pick up as water temperatures continue to climb. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Walleye will start to feed more heavily as they recover from spring spawning; use twisters or live bait. Yellow Perch – Slow.
North Twin Lake
Water levels are 2-3 feet low. The courtesy dock on the South ramp is installed.
Storm Lake
Water clarity is about 12 inches. Water temperatures are in the upper 50s. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are starting to pick up a few perch in the marina. More fish should move in as water temperatures continue to warm. Walleye – Fair: Walleye are being picked up along the east shore near the inlet and a few in the marina. White Bass – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair. Yellow Perch – Slow: Anglers have picked up some perch in the marina.
Water temperatures are in the upper 50s in many area lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Water temperatures are in the low 50s. Water level is 9.1 inches below crest. Courtesy docks are in at the City, South shore and Ritz boat ramps. The new docks at McIntosh are being installed on April 25th; Ventura access dock will be installed next week. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. Black Crappie – Slow: The bite will improve as water temperatures rise. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try cut bait or a crawler from the wind-swept shore. Best bite is early morning or after sunset. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are having success fishing the East shore, around the Island and near the rock reefs. Best bite is after sunset.
Crystal Lake
The courtesy dock is in. Black Crappie- Slow: The bite will improve as water temperatures rise. Walleye – Slow: Try live bait near the old roadbed.
Rice Lake
Largemouth Bass– Fair. Walleye – Slow. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
A new dock has been ordered and will be installed before Memorial Day. Largemouth Bass – Fair. Yellow Perch – Slow: Drift fish a piece of crawler.
Winnebago River
Water level is 5.97 feet. Northern Pike – Slow. Smallmouth Bass – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Try a jig head tipped with a minnow along current breaks.
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 level is 4 inches above crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and afternoon.
Silver Lake
Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
The lake is 6 inches below crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4th. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are finding quality-size fish. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Good: Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji Lake
The lake level is 4 inches above crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4th. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Area water temperatures are slowly rising to the low to mid-50s. Most area lakes are at or above crest and should continue to rise with forecast rains. Most courtesy docks are in place. The walleye season is closed on the Iowa Great Lakes until May 4th. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.