Beeds Lake

Most of the ice is gone from the silt dam to the causeway. It won’t be long before some catfish will be feeding in the shallow open water. When the current opens cuts in the causeway, try for cats, bass and crappies.

Upper Pine Lake

Water temperature is just under 40 degrees; a few northern pike have been caught.

Lake Smith

The ice just went out. Little or no fishing activity.

Humboldt Impoundment

The ice is out.

Rutland Impoundment

Ice is out.

Clear Lake

Lots of rain and wind have melted Clear Lake’s ice this past couple of days. A few anglers have already taken boats out on the east end. The water level has come up 8-10 inches with rain and snowmelt.

Lake Cornelia

The lake has open water in spots and will likely be ice free by the weekend.

Little Wall Lake

Little Wall’s ice has gone out this past week.  Crappie – Excellent: Fishing for Crappie has been excellent on the north end off the lake off the jetty.  Most fish are 6-8 inches.

Crystal Lake

Ice is starting to deteriorate on the shoreline. Anglers should use caution if venturing out this weekend. Fishing success at Crystal has been consistent.  Bluegill – Good: Bluegills were biting in 15 feet of water. Anglers are still catching 7-9 inch bluegills on spikes.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass and an occasional walleye or northern pike being caught on minnows.

Rice Lake

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

Blue Pit

Rainbow trout were stocked on Jan 19.

Iowa River (Iowa Falls to Marshalltown)

Water level in the Iowa River is on the rise from runoff and recent local rains.

There is some activity below Steamboat Rock for walleye and northern pike.

Shell Rock River (above Greene)

The Shell Rock is rising with recent rains. Anglers might try below some of the dams on the Shell Rock for walleye, northern pike, or catfish.  Northern Pike – Slow: A few northern pike are being caught with a chub and bobber, or slow artificial presentations. Between Northwood and Nora Springs below dams, backwater areas and anywhere a creek feeds into the river.  Walleye – Slow: A few small walleye being caught on jig/twister.

Winnebago River

The Winnebago water level is rising with recent rain. Anglers might have success at some of the dams in Mason City, Fertile, or Forest City. Anglers might have success looking for eddy areas, where the current is slower, and fishing with minnows or cutbait for northern pike, walleye, or catfish.  Northern Pike – Slow: Northern pike are being caught in Fertile by the dam and the park point east of the dam.  Anglers are using a slow retrieval with Mepps number 4 and 5 spinner baits or a Rapala 3 in Countdown Minnow. Some pike are also hitting chubs presented below bobbers.  Channel Catfish – Slow: Anglers might have success fishing with minnows or cutbait for northern pike or catfish.

East Fork Des Moines (Algona to Humboldt)

Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching a few walleyes on the river on jigs/twister tails.

Ice is out on many of our area lakes. River temperatures are low and levels are up and down with rain and ice melt. Fishing activity has been limited with the variable weather but should be good with a day or two of warmer stable weather.

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)

Look for some good bluegill, bass, and crappie fishing here this spring and summer.  Good numbers of 7-8-inch bluegills and 9-10-inch crappies were caught during surveys last year as well as many bass in the 14-17-inch range.

Big Spirit Lake

Walleye season is closed until May 4. Bullhead – No Report: As the ice continues to go out and the water starts warming, look toward the grade for some early bullhead action.  Smallmouth Bass – Good: Best angling during calm sunny days fish shallow rock piles and then work deeper.  Crappie – Fair: As the water continues to warm the crappies will move inshore look for them around rock piles and in protected areas.

East Okoboji Lake

Walleye season is closed until May 4.  Channel Catfish – No Report: try night fishing with cut bait for some hot early season action.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)

Walleye – Fair: Fishing near the shorelines in the evening with waders or by boat has produced a few walleye since ice out. Try slow presentations such as jig and minnow or slip bobbers but don’t overlook twister tails.

West Okoboji Lake

Walleye season is closed until May 4.  Once the water starts to warm, look for bluegill and bass to move into the canals.

Five Island Lake

Channel Catfish – No Report: Good numbers channel catfish exist in the lake. Early ice out is an excellent time to catch good numbers from the lake. Try cut bait around structure such as brush piles, points, and drop-offs.

Silver Lake (Palo Alto)

Good numbers of 9-inch bullheads await the serious bullhead angler.  Expect the action to pick up as the water warms.  There are also good numbers of 8-inch yellow perch and with continued good growth will provide an upswing to the fall 2013 season.

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)

Walleye – Fair: Try fishing the deeper holes with twister tails and minnows.

West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)

Walleye – Fair: Fishing with either minnows or twister tails has produces a few walleyes in the past week or so.

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