Clear Lake

Surface water temperatures are around 60 degrees.  The water level is 28 inches below crest. Use caution when launching and boating near shore.  Walleye – Slow: Some walleye over the 14-inch minimum legal length limit are being caught. Vertical jigging crawlers and minnows in 4-10 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 4-10 feet of water off the state dock area, the rock reefs, and in the little lake continues to work well. The fish are schooled so move around to find active fish. Shore anglers are catching yellow bass in 3-5 feet of water using whole or cut minnows, and crawlers.  Shore anglers fishing from the island and off of the island point have had the most action.

Lake Cornelia

Channel Catfish – Fair: Fishing with cut bait near shore has been effective for channel catfish.  Anglers are also picking up channel catfish while fishing crankbaits in the deeper water.  Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers have been picking up yellow bass using crawlers and minnows fished from shore and drifted in deeper water.

Crystal Lake

Bluegill – Fair: Drift small jigs and crawlers in the dredged area and along aquatic plant beds.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Throw spinner baits and buzz baits along the aquatic plant lines.  Anglers continue to have success using soft plastic baits fished in the same areas.

Bluebill Lake

Yellow Perch – Fair: Fish small jigs and crawlers along the aquatic plant beds and near rocks.

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: Action can be fast. Use twister tails or plastic shad on a lead head, top water may also be good at dawn and dusk.  Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Rock piles continue to shine but don’t overlook nearby weed lines.  Yellow Perch – Slow: Look for active perch in or near the weeds, on the mudflats or on transition areas in between. Use wigglers on a jigging spoon and don’t be surprised to pick up a bluegill or walleye.  Walleye – Slow: Troll crankbaits and spinners near bottom or fishing around the weed lines. Live bait rigs have not been as effective but a few fish may be picked up on Lindy rigs.

East Okoboji Lake

Yellow Bass – Good: Use wigglers or worms on either a jigging spoon or a slip bobber and look for rock piles and drop offs.  Trolling small crankbaits can also prove effective.

West Okoboji Lake

Northern Pike – Fair: Try fishing with buck tails or spoons around weed lines or holes in the weed beds.  Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills around weeds and on rock piles. Use red worms or 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.  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.

Water temperatures have fallen into the 60s.