Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

The dredge machine on Storm Lake is in operation.  Stay clear of the dredge, booster pump, and pipeline that runs from the dredge to the east shore.  Recent sampling has indicated a fair amount of walleye (less than 17 inches) are in the state marina complex.

Swan Lake

Panfishing has slowed down some.  Anglers were catching decent sized bluegill and crappie, but catch rates have dropped with the dropping water temperature.

Black Hawk Lake

Black Hawk Lake is approximately 10 inches below crest.  Black Hawk Lake’s fishery was renovated last fall. Although we have been restocking the lake with sport fish, there are not a lot of harvestable size fish in the lake yet.

Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)

Anglers are catching lots of walleye in the Little Sioux River from Cherokee to the Correctionville/Anthon area. Large white twisters are working great.  Live chubs have been producing good walleye as well.  Focus efforts on deeper pools, such as below rock riffles, near bridges, and around snags.

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

Upper Pine Lake

A few visitors fishing for crappies on both lakes.  Some very nice bass being caught on Upper Pine Lake with deep diving crankbait.

Lake Smith

No reports from anglers but the DNR sampled some nice thick 9-10-inch crappies in shore nets this fall. Try drifting with minnows or anchoring near the rocks.

Clear Lake

Channel Catfish – Slow:   Bluegill – Slow: Some bluegills are still biting near the rocks by the Ventura Grade. You might catch a half dozen if they’re biting.  Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught near the Harborage (jig and minnow) or from boats. Anglers might try wading near the channel to the little lake or near the Ventura Grade after dark. Some walleyes are starting to bite better by the little lake reed edges.  Muskellunge – No Report:   Yellow Bass – Good: Shore fisherman are having luck by the Ventura Grade and near the harborage outlet. Boat fisherman are doing well in 4-5 feet of water on the west end of the main lake (Farmer’s Beach and Baptist camp) and in the little lake near reeds. Find the windward side. Some anglers are also doing well north of the island in 8 feet of water with cutbait.

Crystal Lake

No Reports.

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

Yellow Perch – Slow: Only a handful of perch are being caught and the few that are mostly small fish in the 4-7-inch range with keepers being rare. Walleye – Slow: Fishing during the day has been spotty at best with the best bite coming around sunset and into the night.  The water has cooled into the 40s and a slow presentation has been the best.

East Okoboji Lake

Yellow Bass – Fair: Try a pilkie tipped with wigglers over rock piles.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)

Wader fishing should be picking up try fishing the late evening with twister tails or a jig and minnow.

West Okoboji Lake

Bluegill – Slow: bluegills should start to move shallower as the water cools. Continue to fish around weed edges and open pockets.  Yellow Perch – Fair: Try using a pilkie tipped with wigglers for perch around some sort of structure be it weeds, rocks, drop-offs, or a combination.  Most are reporting many small fish with a few nice ones mixed in.

Little Sioux River (state line to Linn Grove)

Try white twister tails in the deeper holes for walleye.

West Fork Des Moines (state line to Emmetsburg)

Throw white twister tails into deeper holes for some walleye action.

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