Okoboji Lake, IA Fishing Report

Bluegill - Slow: The bluegill action has slowed in the canals but may still be found in the bays.  Try in back corners and look for beds.  Largemouth Bass - Fair: Look for bass in the canals and other shallow areas. 

For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at (712) 336-1840.
    Walleye - Slow: With the cool water fishing has been slow but a few fish are being caught. Try trolling crankbaits, spinners, or Lindy rigs along drop offs and mudflats.

The panfish, especially big bluegill, are on a terrific bite in the canals. Waxworms, wigglers, and redworms are all taking 'gills up to 10 inches. Largemouth bass are hitting flipping techniques in the canals also.

For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at (712) 336-1840.
    Channel Catfish - No Report: Good numbers channel catfish exist in the lake. Early ice out is an excellent time to catch good numbers from the lake. Try cut bait around structure such as brush piles, points, and drop-offs.

Walleye season is closed until May 4.  Channel Catfish - No Report: East Okoboji has good numbers of channel catfish and soon after ice out is an excellent time to catch good numbers. Try cut bait around structure, like brush piles, points and drop-offs. Crappie - Good: Fishing off the trestle bridge has been good near the pillars with minnows and small jigs.  A few bluegills are also being caught in the same manner.

The ice is all gone, personal docks are going in, but the DNR hasn't roled the docks in at the ramps yet. That is as much as I know as I haven't been on Okoboji yet.

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

Most of the ice is gone, but I haven't been to any ramps or on the lake to give a full report.

With the sun gaining more power the ice continues to weaken with some areas beginning to honeycomb making all but foot travel unsafe.. For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at (712) 336-1840
    Walleye season is closed until May 4th
    Channel Catfish - No Report: Once the ice has all melted look for some early season cat action on a few of the drop offs and rock piles in the lake.

The Iowa Great lakes are still frozen, but the ice is turning black. Hopefully ice out in 7-10 days and then I will have a report.

With the sun gaining more power the ice continues to weaken with some areas beginning to honeycomb making all but foot travel unsafe.. For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at (712) 336-1840
    Walleye season is closed until May 4th

With the than colder average weather there hasn't been much if any ice melt. Most lakes still have around 18-20 inches but it is weakened from last weeks rain. For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at (712) 336-1840
    Walleye season is closed until May 4th

The rain last week has deteriorated some of the shorelines and dirtied water in some areas use caution as the late ice season continues. For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at (712) 336-1840
    Walleye season is closed until May 4th

For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at (712) 336-1840
    Walleye season is closed until May 4th
    Yellow Bass - Fair: Finding a school of yellow bass may be a bit of a challenge but once located they can be fairly active. Try using jigs tipped with live bait or plastic.

For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at (712) 336-1840
    Walleye season is closed until May 4th
    Yellow Bass - Fair: Finding a school of yellow bass may be a bit of a challenge but once located they can be fairly active. Try using jigs tipped with live bait or plastic.

For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
    Walleye season closes Feb. 15th A few perch and yellow bass are being caught but pinning down their location can be tough so drilling a lot of holes may be in order.

For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
    There is roughly 5-7 inches of ice on the lake but there may be thinner areas toward the south end.

For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
    East Okoboji is frozen over but ice conditions are still to unstable for fishing.

For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
    East Okoboji is froze over in all but a few places but ice conditions are still to unstable for fishing.

The Iowa Guide is off the water until next spring.