Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Water levels are very low.  Avoid using the Bel Air boat ramp.  White Bass – Fair: Anglers that have been targeting walleye are usually getting into a few white bass.  Walleye – Slow: Walleye fishing continues to be slow.  Cooling water temperatures may help to turn the fall bite on. The dredge machine is still in operation.  Boaters should use caution and stay clear of the dredge barge, pump barge, and pipeline, especially with the low water conditions.

Swan Lake

Fishing is starting to pick up.  Water levels are very low and it may be difficult to get a boat in.  Channel Catfish – Slow: Some channel catfish have been caught from the fish house with stink bait.  Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills are also being caught.  Expect the bluegills to be in the 7 to 7.5-inch size range. Crappie – Fair: The crappie bite is picking up.

Black Hawk Lake

Water levels are about 31 inches below crest.  Boaters should use caution when on the lake as there are several hazards with the low water.

Great Western Park Lake

Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish can be caught on stink bait.  Crappie – Fair: A few large crappies are being picked up.

Black Hawk Pits

Catfish are biting on worms on the bottom and minnows under bobbers.  Largemouth bass are hitting on Shad Raps in the shallows.

Little Sioux River (Linn Grove to Correctionville)

The Little Sioux around Cherokee has been producing some walleye and catfish.  Target the deeper holes in the river and below the Linn Grove Dam.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Catfish have been hitting on floating raps and twisters.  Walleye – Fair: Try casting white or fire tiger twisters.

North Raccoon River (Auburn to Perry)

The Raccoon River is low, but anglers wading the river and finding the deeper holes are catching some catfish.

Clear Lake

The water level is 30 inches below crest. Use caution when launching and boating near shore.  Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up crappies using minnows and a jig fished in the deeper waters of the little lake.  Yellow Bass – Good: Yellow bass are biting on crawlers, cut bait, and minnows. Drifting and vertical jigging in 4-10 feet of water off the island, the rock reefs, and in the little lake is working well. The fish are schooled so move around until you find active fish.  Shore anglers are catching yellow bass in 2-5 feet of water using cut bait, minnows, and crawlers.  Shore anglers fishing with cut bait in mornings and evenings from the island and off shore east of McIntosh Woods Point are doing the best.

Lake Cornelia

Channel Catfish – Fair: Fishing with cut bait near shore has been effective for channel catfish.    Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers have been picking up yellow bass using crawlers and minnows fished from shore and also drifted in the deeper water.

Little Wall Lake

Anglers have reported picking up a few yellow bass and crappies off the north jetty using minnows and crawlers.

Crystal Lake

Bluegill – Fair: Drift small jigs and crawlers in the dredged area and along aquatic plant beds for the best bluegill action.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try throwing spinner baits and buzz baits along the aquatic plant lines for largemouth bass action.  Anglers have had success using soft plastic baits fished in the same areas.

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

Big Spirit Lake

Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Rock piles continue to shine for smallmouth but don’t overlook nearby weed lines when looking for bronze backs. Yellow Perch – Slow: Action has been spotty but active fish can be found it just takes a little leg work.  Try drifting mud flats or weed lines with either wigglers or minnows.  Walleye – Good: Action seems to be picking up especially for wader fishermen in the evening many of the fish being caught are in the 11-14-inch range along with a few slots.  Trolling crankbaits has yielded a few fish over the slot limit, but the action is still hit or miss.

East Okoboji Lake

Walleye – Fair: rock piles and drop offs have been producing a few fish.  Trolling and jigging have been the best producers.   Yellow Bass – Good: Yellow bass action has been good look for rock piles and drop offs.  Wigglers and worms produce well on either a jigging spoon or a slip bobber.  Trolling small crank baits can also prove effective.

West Okoboji Lake

Northern Pike – Fair: Try fishing with buck tails or spoons around weed lines or holes in the weed beds.  Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills around weeds and on rock piles. Try using red worms and wigglers either on a jigging spoon or under a slip bobber. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try fishing on the drop offs and don’t be afraid to move around to locate a school of bigger fish as there are many small ones.  Fishing in 8-15 feet of water using jigging spoons with wigglers has been bringing some results.  Yellow Bass – Good: Try using a jigging spoon tipped with wigglers in 15-25 feet of water just off the weed edge and down the drop a bit.

Lost Island Lake

Yellow bass and bluegill fishing has been decent with good sized yellow bass leading the way.