Crawford Creek Impoundment

Fishing for catfish has been good using stinkbait and fishing from a boat at night.  Bluegill and crappie fishing has been fair and few largemouth bass are being caught.

Moorehead Park Pond

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

Brushy Creek Lake

Fishing has been fairly slow with some bluegill and bass being caught on small minnows.

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.  Walleye – Slow: A few walleye have been caught.  The ones that have been caught were mostly slot fish or just under the slot.

Browns Lake

Catfish and bullheads are being caught on shrimp and stinkbait.

Southwood Conservation Area Pond (east)

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

North Raccoon River (Auburn to Perry)

Anglers have been doing well wading the river and catching catfish out of the deeper holes.

Water temperatures have cooled over the week.  Some rain has fallen but water levels are still low at most lakes.

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 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 – Fair: Walleye over the 14-inch minimum legal length limit are starting to be picked up. Vertical jigging crawlers and minnows in 6-10 feet of water over the reefs and in the little lake seems to be working 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.

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 – Good:

Bluebill Lake

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

For more fishing information in the north central 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: When a school of white bass is located, the fishing can be fast and furious.  Use plastics like twister tails and shad on a lead head. Top water baits 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. Look in or near the weeds or on the mudflats, and the transition areas in between. Try wigglers on a jigging spoon and don’t be surprised to pick up a bluegill or walleye.  Walleye – Slow: With the warm conditions this past week fishing was slow but a few fish can still be caught. Troll crankbaits and spinners near bottom or fish 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: Use buck tails or spoons around weed lines or holes in the weed beds.    Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills around weeds and on rock piles and use red worms and wigglers either on a jigging spoon or under a slip bobber. Yellow Perch – Fair: Fish 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.  Yellow Bass – Good: Use a jigging spoon tipped with wigglers in 15-25 feet of water just off the weed edge and down the drop a bit.

Lost Island Lake

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