Beeds Lake

Anglers are saying the action is slow; a few bluegills.

Maynes Grove Lake

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Briggs Woods Lake

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Lower Pine Lake

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.

Lake Smith

Ice thickness at Smith Lake is 14 inches. Bluegill fishing has been slow.

Clear Lake

Ice depth is 14-18 inches.  Warning: Be cautious around the pressure ridges that have developed on the main lake. Watch the weather and changing ice conditions. Wind can widen the open water near the aerators, so be careful around them. Fishing has slowed some but anglers have had good catches on the warmer days. Some anglers are venturing out on the main lake and having catches comparable to those on the little lake.  Channel Catfish – Slow: Anglers have been catching some 20-24 inch catfish using minnows on the main lake in the deeper water. Try near the island or Baptist Camp. Crappie – Slow: Crappies are mostly being found in 15-20 feet of water, often suspended around 3 to 10 off the bottom. They are being caught on minnows or wax worms. Yellow Perch – Slow: Perch are being caught in low numbers; a few are over 10 inches. Try a small spoon and a minnow or minnow head.  Walleye – Slow: An occasional report of a keeper walleye being caught near the island and a few in the little lake.  Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass are scattered. Move around till you find numbers. Look for 9-14 feet of water. They seem willing to bite whole minnows, cutbait or wax worms.

Lake Cornelia

14 to 16 inches of ice on the main lake. Warning: A lot of variation in ice thickness in the channel. Some areas were open last week in that channel.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers at night are reporting catching catfish. Bluegill – Slow:   Yellow Bass – Slow:

Crystal Lake

Bluegill – Fair:  Fish near the dredged area 8 to 12 feet of water. Anglers are still catching 7-9 inch bluegills.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass and an occasional walleye or northern pike being caught on minnows.

Blue Pit

Rainbow trout were stocked on Jan. 19.

Bluebill Lake

16 inches of ice. Fishing has been slow. Spawning structures were added in the area near the boat ramp, so anglers will need to avoid areas where ice was disturbed.

Be mindful of warming weather and changing ice conditions on area lakes. For ice condition updates and fishing information in the north central area contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

Big Spirit Lake

Walleye season closes Feb. 15.  Northern Pike – Slow: Most pike are being caught by accident on walleye tackle but  setting tip ups with chubs around structure has been producing some fish.  Bluegill – Fair: The action in Angler’s Bay has picked up and a few crappie and perch are also being caught.  Many anglers are sight fishing with small jigs tipped with either live bait or fineness plastics.  Yellow Perch – Slow: Only a handful of perch coming off the lake and most fishermen are tight lipped on the tactics use to catch them. Walleye – Slow: Action seems to be restricted to dawn and dusk without much of a pattern revealing itself. Try spoons and jigging raps tipped with a minnow head.

East Okoboji Lake

Walleye season closes Feb. 15. A few perch and yellow bass are being caught but pinning down their location can be tough so drilling a lot of holes may be in order.

West Okoboji Lake

Walleye season closes Feb. 15.  Northern Pike – Fair: Setting tip-ups in or near weeds is producing a few pike as well as setting them on drop-offs. Bluegill – Slow: Look for bluegills in the bays (Emerson and Millers seem to be the best) in or near standing weeds. Try small jigs tipped with wax worms or wigglers but don’t overlook some of the finesse plastics.  Yellow Perch – Fair: Look for perch in 20 feet plus of water along drop-offs or on mudflats.  Small jigs tipped with either wigglers or plastic seem to produce the best.

Silver Lake (Palo Alto)

Walleye and perch fishing has been slow but persistence is rewarded with some nice fish. Being very quiet and fishing during low light will bring the most fish.

For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at 712-336-1840.