Lake Smith

Smith Lake is open water.  Channel Catfish – No Report: Channel cats should provide a late afternoon bite near the bridge by the boat ramp during the ice out period. Cats will likely move into the shallow water in the bay. Use cutbait, stinkbait or minnows.

Clear Lake

Open water; surface temp is 42 degrees.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish can be caught on the warmer days with cutbait or minnows. Fish the windy side of the lake.  Walleye – Slow: Some wader fisherman are catching a few walleyes with jigs and minnows.

Lake Cornelia

Open water. Some activity, but no reports.

Little Wall Lake

Fishing activity has been slow.

Crystal Lake

Open water.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are biting along shore in shallower water. Cast a 3/16 ounce lead head jig with a minnow hooked through the lips.

Bluebill Lake

Largemouth Bass – Fair: One report of bass biting on plastic jigs.

Winnebago River

No reports but the river is stable. Try below some of the dams in Mason City, Forest City, or Fertile for pike, catfish, or walleye.

East Fork Des Moines (Algona to Humboldt)

East Fork was pretty good for walleyes last week, might be slower this week with stormier weather.

Most of the area lakes are melting near shore and the ice is unstable. The streams and rivers are ice-free and should provide some action for northerns and walleye and perhaps a smallmouth. Try below some of the dams with a jig and minnow.

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

Smallmouth Bass – No Report: Fish shallow water rock piles early on clear sunny days as these areas warm first, attracting and concentrating fish early. Fish slowly, a jig tipped with a minnow will produce the best action.

East Okoboji Lake

Channel Catfish – No Report: Fish after dark with bait on the bottom will produce excellent angling as channel catfish will typically go on the feedbag after ice out.  Bluegill – No Report: Fish the north end for bluegill and crappie action early.  Fish the wooden docks on the west side of the lake early, as the water warms fish docks located on the east side.  Cast a mini jig to locate panfish, persistence and patience will be rewarded with a mix bag of crappie, bluegill and yellow perch.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)

Walleye – No Report: Wader fisherman angling after dark traditionally produces good catches of walleye. Fish slow early, a jig tipped with a minnow slowly retrieved will produce nice catches. As the water warms cast twister tails and minnow intimating baits for consistent action.

West Okoboji Lake

Crappie – No Report: Fish the canal areas for largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill, best action will occur during sunny warm days.

Ingham Lake

Crappie – No Report: Fish submerged brush piles on warm sunny days. Using a minnow under a slip bobber will produce fish up to 11 inches. Once bullheads become active cast a mini jig and swim it back to the boat to find active fish.

Five Island Lake

Channel Catfish – No Report: Good opportunities exist to catch angler acceptable sized and larger channel catfish. Walleye – No Report: Expect walleye angling to pick up in the next few weeks after the water warms.

Lost Island Lake

Crappie – No Report: Fish the canal s for crappie action, activity will continue to improve as the water warms.

Diamond Lake

Recent fisheries survey completed during April 2014, reflect excellent numbers of northern pike and yellow perch are present within the lake.  Yellow Perch – No Report: Good numbers of yellow perch were sampled averaging 9.0 inches.

All lakes in the Spirit Lake District is ice free.  Gill netting activities started April 14th on Big Spirit Lake.