Brushy Creek Lake

Ice conditions are slowly deteriorating.  There is open water between the beach and the dam.

Bacon Creek Lake

Anglers are still catching rainbow trout.  Use caution when venturing out on the ice and check ice conditions often.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

There is open water along the north side of the lake from the Chataqua Jetty on westward.

North Twin Lake

There are several open pockets of water on North Twin.

Arrowhead Lake

Some anglers continue to fish Arrowhead focusing on the northern half of the lake, but staying south of the footbridge.  Use caution as an ATV recently went through the ice at the southern end of the lake.

Ice conditions continue to change drastically and are unpredictable at area lakes.

Beeds Lake

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

Lower Pine Lake

Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills, average size, being caught at sunset with wax worms.  Crappie – Fair: A few 12 to 14-inch crappies are being caught.

Lake Smith

Ice thickness is 8-12 inches.  Bluegill – Fair:

Clear Lake

Ice depth on the little lake is 14-17 inches; ice on the main lake is highly variable. 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. Channel Catfish – Slow: Anglers have been catching 20 to 24-inch catfish using minnows on the main lake in the deeper water. Try near the island or Baptist Camp.  Crappie – Slow: Crappies are being caught on minnows or wax worms in 15-20 feet of water, suspended 3 to 10 feet off the bottom. Yellow Perch – Slow: Perch are being caught in low numbers; a few of them 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 on the main lake and a few in the little lake. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass are scattered. Move around till you find numbers of them. Look for 9-14 feet of water. They seem willing to bite whole minnows, cutbait, or wax worms.

Lake Cornelia

There is 14 to 16 inches of ice on the main lake. Warning: In the channel leading to our quiet water area is a lot of variation in ice thickness.  Last week in that channel some areas were open.  Channel Catfish – Fair:  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 to 9-inch bluegills.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass and an occasional walleye or northern pike being caught on minnows.

Rice Lake

Crappie – Fair: Lots of 5 to 6-inch crappies and perch; some crappies are 9-14 inches.  Walleye – Slow: A few walleyes are being caught.

Blue Pit

Rainbow trout were stocked on Jan 19.  Rainbow Trout – Fair: Trout are still being caught in the morning or evening.

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.

Mill Creek (Lake)

Bluegill fishing has been decent and a few bass are being caught.  Try small jigs and hang on – a big bass may hit at any time.

Big Spirit Lake

Walleye season is closed until May 4. Northern Pike – Slow: A few have reported seeing pike while sight fishing for bluegills.  Try putting tip ups out in shallow areas and around weeds.  Bluegill – Slow: A few gills are being caught in Anglers Bay using small jigs tipped with live bait or plastic.  Yellow Perch – Slow: The perch continue to be finicky but a few are being caught once located.  Try spoons and small jigs with wigglers.

East Okoboji Lake

Walleye season is closed until May 4. Yellow Bass – Fair: Finding a school of yellow bass may be a bit of a challenge but once located they can be fairly active.  Try jigs tipped with live bait or plastic.

West Okoboji Lake

Walleye season is closed until May 4. Northern Pike – Slow: Try putting out tip-ups around weeds.  Bluegill – Slow: Emerson and Miller bays continue to be the most popular areas to fish for bluegills with Smiths Bay gaining some attention.  Sight fishing with small jigs and light line can be a good way to catch a few fish.  Yellow Perch – Slow: A few perch are still being caught out deep as well as in the weeds while fishing for bluegills.

Lost Island Lake

Walleye – Slow: A few walleye are being caught in the early morning hours. Try jigging spoons and jigging Rapalas tipped with minnow heads along with a dead stick or tip-up set nearby.

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