Clear Lake

The water level is 21 inches below crest.  Use caution when launching and boating near shore.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Stink bait, cut bait, and crawlers are working in the evenings and mornings near reefs and vegetation beds.  Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers are catching yellow bass on crawlers, cut bait, and minnows.  Drifting and vertical jigging in 6-10 feet of water off the State Dock area has been good.  The fish are schooled so move around until you find active fish.

Little Wall Lake

Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers are drifting fish guts and cut bait.

Crystal Lake

Bluegill – Fair: Drift small jigs and crawlers in the dredged area for the best bluegill action.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Spinner baits and top water baits worked along the aquatic plant beds are catching bass.

For more fishing information in the north central Iowa area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

Big Spirit Lake

Bullhead – Fair: Action has slowed on the grade but a few fish are being caught on the main lake around weeds. Traditional presentations, such as a worm on the bottom, should be used.    White Bass – Fair: Look for schools of white bass breaking the surface in the morning and afternoon, once located a popper or minnow bait should get some action.  A few smallmouth bass should also be expected while fishing a school of white bass.  Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Some of the bigger smallmouth are being caught  on weed edges but the rock piles are still producing a few.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth are still being found near weeds but are starting to disperse to other areas in the lake.  Yellow Perch – Fair: Action is picking up look for schools of perch on the mudflats in the 18 foot plus range. Try drifting crawlers on bottom bouncers or with slip bobbers.  A GPS or marker buoy could prove to be very useful once a school is located. A few perch are also being caught in or near the weeds while targeting walleye or other species.  Walleye – Slow: With the warm water, fishing has slowed a bit but a few are still being caught.  Best results have been coming in early morning, at dusk, and after dark using slow presentations.

East Okoboji Lake

Bullhead – Fair: Try using worms on bottom. Channel Catfish – Fair: Try using cut bait around rocks and wood during low light conditions. Bluegill – Fair: Action has picked up a bit but can still be sporadic.  Try fishing around weed edges with worms. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing near bottom with crawlers and leeches or trolling crank baits.  Twister tails can also be productive.   Yellow Bass – Good: Many yellow bass are being caught using small baits near rocks and wood.

West Okoboji Lake

Fish early in the morning to avoid boat traffic. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills around weed edges and try fishing in the early morning or later afternoon.  A small jig on a slip bobber or a plain hook with live bait should bring results. Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Try fishing for smallmouth around deep rock piles with crayfish and minnow imitations.  Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are being caught in 12-18 feet of water within the weed beds. Try using a pilkie or crappie tube with wigglers. Walleye – Fair: A few fish were caught trolling crankbaits as well as live bait rigs with crawlers and leeches.

Five Island Lake

During a recent netting survey many catfish were sampled in the lake with an average size of 16-22 inches. Good numbers of fish over 24 inches were also found. Try using cutbait or stinkbait in the afternoon and into the night.

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)

With low water levels look for deep holes near snags and bends in the river.  Try using worms on a bottom rig for multiple species action.

For more information contact Mike Hawkins at the Spirit Lake office at 712-336-1840.