NORTHWEST IOWA – Here is this week’s Northwest Iowa fishing report from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, as released on Tuesday, November 21, 2023.
East of Lake Okoboji
Water temp in the 30s. Black crappie – Adel: Use minnows and plastic. The gill – Fair: Most of the fish moved to a greater depth; Anglers can find successful fishing from piers or the shore. Use a small hook and a piece of worm. In deeper water, use pelkies with wobblers or a slip rig. The eye is light grey – justice. Yellow perch – Adel: Screening will likely be needed.
Lake Ingham
The eye is light grey – Adel: The fishermen succeeded in the morning and evening.
Lost Island Lake
Water temps in the 30s. Black crappie – justice. The eye is light grey – Adel: Fishermen succeeded in fishing from the beaches in the evening.
Lake Minnewachata
Black crappie – Fair: Trolling slowly over plants using minnows and plastics. The gill – justice. pumpkin seeds – good.
Scharenberg pond
Rainbow trout have been stocked recently. You need a valid fishing license and pay a trout fee to catch or possess trout.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Black bull – good. The eye is light grey – Fair: Expect the walleye bite to improve as water temperatures drop.
Soul Lake
Water temps in the 30s. Wader and shore fishing have been good. Water levels are 9 inches below the crest. Black crappie – Good: Use minnows and plastic. Several nice sized fish have been seen recently. The gill – Good: Fishing is good from the piers; Use a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water, use pelkies with wobblers or a slip rig. The eye is light grey – Good: Minnows work well. Wader fishing offshore has been good. Yellow perch – Good: Good numbers can be found; You may need to sort by size.
Lake West Okoboji
Water temperatures in the low 30s. The current water level is 4 inches below the crest. The bass and crappie bite is improving. Evening fishing for walleye was good. Black crappie – Fair: Try small jigs with minnow heads. The gill – Good: Use the pilkey with the wobblers or with the slider. pumpkin seeds – good. The eye is light grey – Good: Minnows and plastics work well. Yellow perch – Adel: Sorting may be needed.
Most water levels in the area are a few inches below the crest. Water temperatures have begun to reach freezing point in some areas. Sub-zero temperatures are expected at night; We expect many areas to start freezing. Fishing for multiple species of fish on the Iowa Great Lakes has been good. Inshore wader fishing has been good. Some free berths are still in place. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
