Brushy Creek Lake

The docks are in place at the west and south boat ramps.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass fishing was decent in the upper ends in shallow water.  Crappie – Fair: Crappie fishing should start to pick up as the water warms.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Water clarity is poor. The east boat ramp and marina boat ramp are usable.  Avoid the Bel Air ramp.  Water levels are approximately 2 feet below crest. Anglers were catching a few walleye earlier in the week.  Channel Catfish – Fair:   Crappie – Fair: Some anglers were catching crappie in the marina earlier in the week.  Walleye – Slow:

Swan Lake

Anglers have started to catch crappie from the piers and fish house at Swan Lake. Crappies are around 9 inches.  Water levels are approximately 3 feet low.

Black Hawk Lake

Water level is 24 inches below crest.  The fishery in Black Hawk Lake was renovated in fall of 2012 so there are no fish to catch at this time.  Bluegills have been restocked and additional species will be stocked over the next several months.

Browns Lake

Anglers are catching catfish with cut up chubs.

Arrowhead Lake

Anglers are catching a few bluegill and yellow bass in the south end. Water levels are approximately two feet low.

Black Hawk Pits

No fishing reports have been received for Black Hawk Pits.  However, anglers might try fishing for catfish with cut bait or shad guts.

For more information on lakes in the Black Hawk District contact the Black Hawk District Office at 712-657-2638.

Beeds Lake

No reports, yet, but catfish should be feeding in the shallower west end. Try fishing along the causeway when the wind is from the south or southwest. Anglers should also try by the cuts for bass or crappies.

Upper Pine Lake

A few northern pike have been caught but fishing is slow due to unstable weather.

Clear Lake

The lake is about 8 inches below crest. Water temperature is 60 degrees.  Channel Catfish – Good: Catfishing is good right now as they are close to pre-spawn mode. If you find the fish, action is fast and aggressive. Try with some cutbait, worms, or stinkbait on a windward shoreline or near some of the water sources coming in. Anglers are picking some catfish up when fishing for yellow bass with cutbait.  Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching walleyes on the east and north shores. A few bigger fish have been caught but most anglers are catching a mix of sublegals and small legal walleyes. Most are caught on jig and a minnow.  Muskellunge – Slow: A few fish have been reported but fishing is slow. Muskies have been showing spawning behavior and swimming close to the shoreline this last week.  Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass fishing has been slow, mostly due to the weather, but anglers are still catching some using bobbers and minnows or a small jig with a piece of crawler on bottom.

Lake Cornelia

Fishing has been good. Lots of fish are being caught. Channel Catfish – Slow: Cats should be biting on cutbait or stinkbait on a warmer day. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are keeper size.   Yellow Bass – Good: Yellow bass are small 7-7.25 inches.

Little Wall Lake

Crappie – Fair: Crappies (6-8 inches) and bluegills have been hitting on the north end off the lake on the jetty.

Crystal Lake

Northern Pike – Good: Northerns up to the mid 30 inches have been caught. Anglers may have success using presentations such as weedless spoons or bobbers with chubs.  Bluegill – Slow: Great population of 7 to 9-inch bluegills. Largemouth Bass – Excellent: Anglers are catching lots of largemouth. Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching some 16 to 17-inch walleyes.

Blue Pit

Rainbow trout were stocked on Jan 19.  Rainbow Trout – Fair:  Crappie – Fair: Anglers have caught a few crappies on minnows this week.

Bluebill Lake

Largemouth Bass – Good: Largemouth bass are biting well along shorelines. Please remember the 15-inch minimum length limit on bass.  Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being reported.

Fin and Feather Lake

There has been some activity for panfish.

Iowa River (Iowa Falls to Marshalltown)

Water level in the Iowa River is on the rise from recent local rains. There is some activity below Steamboat Rock for walleye and northern pike.

Shell Rock River (above Greene)

Water levels are high.  Northern Pike – Slow: A few Northern pike are being caught with a chub and bobber, or slow artificial presentation 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

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 three inch Countdown Minnow. Some pike are also hitting chubs presented below bobbers.  Channel Catfish – Slow: Anglers should try below the dams or in backwater areas using cutbait, stinkbait, or minnows.

East Fork Des Moines (Algona to Humboldt)

The East Fork is running high right now.  Walleye – Fair: Reports are few, but anglers were doing well in the Plum Creek area.

For lake updates and fishing information in the north central area contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

Big Spirit Lake

Water temperature has been in the upper 40s to very low 50s. Bullhead – Good: The grade is providing some good bullhead action and don’t be afraid to fish the north side.  Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Best angling during calm sunny days fish shallow rock piles and then work deeper.   Crappie – Slow: As the water continues to warm the crappies will move inshore look for them around rock piles and in protected areas.  Walleye – Slow: With the clear water fishing has been tough but the night bite seems to be a bit better than during the day. Slip bobbering, trolling crankbaits, spinners, and Lindy rigs all have produced a few fish.

East Okoboji Lake

Crappie – Good: Fishing off the trestle bridge has been good. Try minnows and small jigs near the pillars. A few bluegills are also being caught in the same manner. Walleye – Slow: With the cool water fishing has been slow but a few fish are being caught. Try trolling crankbaits, spinners, or Lindy rigs along drop offs and mudflats.

West Okoboji Lake

Bluegill, crappie, and bass fishing has been good in the canals. Try small jigs under a bobber for the bluegill and crappie.  Walleye – Slow: The clear water has made the fishing tough during the day but the night bite is a bit better.

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