Crawford Creek Impoundment

Channel Catfish – Good: Anglers have been doing well for catfish using stink bait and fishing from shore.  Evenings have been the best.  Bluegill – Fair: Decent size bluegill are being caught, but not large numbers of them.  Drift across the lake with a small jig with a small piece of bait.  Crappie – Fair: Fish for crappie the same way as bluegill.

Moorehead Park Pond

Bluegills are biting well.  The fish aren’t huge, but they make for fun fishing.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Fishing is pretty slow.  Focus efforts around the return pipe from the dredge spoil site on the east side of the lake.

Blue Lake

Bass fishing with top water lures has been good in the late evenings.

Little Sioux River (Correctionville to Missouri River)

The Little Sioux River has low water. Fishing is slow, but some smaller channel catfish are being picked up using nightcrawlers.

Water temperatures have cooled down over the area, but water levels continue to be low at most lakes.

Lower Pine Lake

A few crappies are being picked up with minnows on a jig fished near the rocks in deep water.

Lake Smith

Fishing is slow for bluegills and crappies, but fair for largemouth bass.  Anglers continue to have the best luck throwing top water and buzz baits in the evening.

Lake Catherine

Bluegill – Fair: Drift small jigs or crawlers along the rocks and along the aquatic vegetation lines.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Spinner baits worked along the aquatic plant beds seems to be working the best.

Clear Lake

The water level is 23 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 off the Ventura jetties at nights.  Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappies while drifting and vertical jigging minnows and crawlers in 6-10 feet of water in the little lake, around the reefs, and between the state dock area and the island.  Walleye – Slow: A few walleye are starting to be picked up vertically jigging crawlers and minnows in 6-10 feet of water over the reefs and in the little lake.  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, the rock reefs, and in the little lake has been good.  The fish are schooled so move around until you find active fish.

Little Wall Lake

Channel Catfish – Fair: A few catfish are still being picked up while drifting fish guts and cut bait.

Crystal Lake

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

Bluebill Lake

Yellow Perch – Fair: Fish small jigs and crawlers along the aquatic plant beds and near rocks for the best yellow perch action.

Shell Rock River (above Greene)

Anglers are catching smallmouth bass on artificial baits fished in the remaining deeper pools.

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

Fishing has been slow with the best action coming early in the morning and late in the evening.  Walleye and perch fishing has been hit or miss. Try trolling crankbaits and spinners for walleye, and drifting with wigglers for perch.

West Okoboji Lake

Perch and bluegill action has been decent with most fish coming in 8-15 feet of water around the weed lines and rock piles. Try using wigglers or worms for both on a jigging spoon or under a slip bobber.