Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake):
The dredge machine is in operation on Storm Lake. Boaters should use caution and stay clear of the dredge machine, booster pump barge and pipeline. Walleye: Fair. Anglers have picked up some slot fish and a few over the slot throwing blue and silver Kastmasters from shore. Channel catfish: Fair. Catfish are being picked up using small to medium sized chubs.
North Twin Lake
Yellow Bass: Fair. Yellow bass are being caught in decent numbers around the docks. The fish are small and it will be tough to find one over 7.5 inches. Walleye: Fair. Try jigging for walleye close around the docks.
Swan Lake
Black Crappie: Good. Fish in the early mornings and evenings around the fish house with a small jig tipped with a wax worm. Crappies are running around 8.5-9.5 inches.
Bluegill: Fair. Fish in the early mornings and evenings around the fish house with a small jig tipped with a wax worm. Bluegills are around 7-7.5 inches.
Black Hawk Lake
Largemouth Bass: Fair. Anglers have reported decent action for largemouth. Most fish are in the sub legal size range. Bluegill: Good. Anglers have been catching 7.5-8-inch bluegill. Try fishing from the west stone pier, around docks, and around emergent vegetation. Yellow Perch: Slow. A few larger yellow perch have been picked up while fishing for bluegill. Walleye: Fair. Fair numbers of walleye can be caught throwing twisters or hair jigs in the evenings. Most walleye are sublegal, around 12-13 inches.
Channel Catfish: Fair. Anglers have been picking up targeting bluegill off the stone pier. The catfish are around 15 inches.
Snyder Bend Lake:
Snyder Bend is currently an inviolate refuge and boats are not allowed.
Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville):
As of Thursday discharge in the Little Sioux River near Correctionville is 423 CFS. The river is well below flood stage. Channel Catfish: Good. Channel catfishing continues to be good with anglers reporting catches of 4-6 pound fish. Walleye: Good. Reports are coming in of anglers catching good numbers of walleye around the Linn Grove Dam. Northern Pike: Fair. Some northerns are being picked up around the Linn Grove Dam.
North Raccoon River (Auburn to Perry):
As of Thursday discharge in the North Raccoon River near Sac City is 851 CFS, which is above the 90th percentile. Water temperature is around 62 degrees.
Des Moines River (Humboldt to Stratford):
As of Thursday discharge on the Des Moines River near Fort Dodge was 1990 CFS. The river is below flood stage.
For more information on fishing in this area contact the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Water is around 58-61 degrees. Channel Catfish – Fair: Target edges of reeds or rocks with Sonny’s or similar bait. Other spots include the Ventura jetties, state dock area on north shore, the outlet, the city seawall or Farmers Beach. Walleye – Fair: Boat anglers are trolling with crankbaits and picking up some walleyes. Shore fishing is picking up some and anglers have caught a few nice fish during the middle of the day from shoreline spots like north shore docks, Ventura jetties and the weed lines around the little lake. Muskellunge – Fair: Get out on some of those stable weather or humid days and you have a good chance of catching one. Anglers are still catching some. Yellow Bass – Good: Wader fisherman are getting some good action on the little lake near the edges of the reeds. Boat fishermen are getting action near the channel, off the shallow south point on the west end of the little lake or in the boat ramp dredge cuts.
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 – Fair: Anglers are starting to get into a bunch of small perch. Folks willing to sort through a considerable amount of small ones will find enough keepers to take home for a meal. Pilkis tipped with wigglers worked near the bulrush beds of Anglers Bay and off the north grade pier are producing the best action this week. Walleye – Fair: Cooler daytime and overnight temperatures have dropped the water temperature on Big Spirit. This shift has started to get fish more active. Recent anglers pulling crankbaits near weed lines and across rocky points have been pulling a number of nice walleyes. The catch is still dominated by slot fish but a few keepers and lots of fun fishing is in store for folks hitting the water.
East Okoboji Lake
Yellow Perch – Fair: Pilkies tipped with red worms worked near rocky points have been producing a few nice perch. Be prepared to sort some small ones, but anglers can count on keeping some for the freezer. Shore anglers – Anglers report yellow perch activity at the trestle between East and West Okoboji. Action reported best in the morning and evening. Yellow Bass – Good: Excellent action for this species exist this fall at the ample public access areas on East Okoboji Lake. Use a worm with a spit shot fished on the bottom has produced the best action.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Walleye – Good: With the drop in water temperature wader fishing action will increase with good numbers of fish harvested this fall. Excellent opportunities exist to catch that trophy walleye as reports of 10 plus pound walleye is common from this lake in the fall. With the clear water action will be best after dark.
