Moorehead Park Pond

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

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Water levels are very low at Storm Lake.  Boaters must use extreme caution when boating at high speeds.  Channel Catfish – Slow: A few channel cats are being picked up.  White Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching some white bass from the east shore.  The bites come in waves as the schools move through.

Southwood Conservation Area Pond (east)

Largemouth bass are biting on purple and white plastic worms.  The east pond has been producing the best fishing.  Water clarity is poor and water levels are low.  Panfishing is slow.

Johnston Pit

Bluegills have been biting midmorning on nightcrawlers on the bottom.  Softshell turtles have been biting while fishing for bluegills.

Peters Park

Largemouth bass were biting on purple and white plastic worm.  Panfishing is slow.

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 risen slightly compared to last week.  Water levels continue to drop at most lakes.

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 24 inches below crest.  Use caution when launching and boating near shore.  Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up some crappies while drifting and vertically 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: Walleye over the 14-inch minimum legal length limit are starting to be picked up by anglers.  Vertical jigging crawlers and minnows in 6-10 feet of water over the reefs and in the little lake seems to be working the best.  Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers continue to catch yellow bass on crawlers, cut bait, and minnows.  Drifting and vertical jigging in 5-10 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 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. White Bass – Good: If action is what you are looking for then look no further when a school of white bass is located the fishing can be fast and furious.  Try plastics like twister tails and shad on a lead head, top water may also be good at dawn and dusk.  Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Rock piles continue to shine for smallmouth but don’t overlook nearby weed lines.   Yellow Perch – Slow: Once an active school of perch is located the fishing can be good but locating numbers seems to be difficult.  The two main areas are in or near the weeds or on the mudflats but they may be found in transition areas between depending on the day. Try wigglers on a jigging spoon and don’t be surprised to pick up some bonus bluegill or walleye.   Walleye – Slow: With the warm conditions this past week the fishing was slow but a few fish can still be caught.  Try trolling crankbaits and spinners near bottom or fishing around the weed lines. Live bait rigs have not been as effective as they were earlier this year but a few fish may be picked up on Lindy rigs.

West Okoboji Lake

Northern Pike – Fair: Try fishing buck tails or spoons around weed lines or holes in the weed beds.  Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills around weed edges and on rock piles. Use red worms and wigglers either on a jigging spoon or under a slip bobber.  Yellow Perch – Fair: Try fishing on the drop offs and don’t be afraid to move around to locate a school of bigger fish as there are many small ones.  Fishing 8-15 feet of water using jigging spoons with wigglers has been bringing some results.

Lost Island Lake

Yellow bass and bluegill fishing has been decent with good sized yellow bass leading the way.

For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the Spirit Lake Hatchery at 712-336-1840.