Conditions are changing on Spirit Lake. Throughout the week the water has cleared considerably adding nearly 3 feet of visibility and the daytime water temps are climbing into the 60's. Weedbeds are starting to grow. The bass are looking to spawn. Walleye are moving deeper and also into areas with new weedbeds.
Paul joined me tonight and the Walleye were cooperative but spread out. It was a couple here, a couple there. The key was rocks near the basin and the fish were holding in the 15 foot range. We caught fish on spinners and leeches, 1/4 ounce jigs tipped with a 4 inch Berkley Gulp smelt, but the best bite came on a live shiner fished on a 3 foot snell and a bare hook. I have been catching some Walleye in Anglers Bay over the new weedgrowth trolling Flicker Shads and Shad Raps in 8 to 12 feet. There are a lot of northern pike in this area also.
The smallmouth bass fishing remains steady on jerkbaits but it is mostly smaller males upto 18 inches. The larger females are looking to spawn and get very finicky this time of year. I haven't been targeting the largemouth bass, so I have no report there.
The panfish both bluegill and crappie are heating up in Anglers Bay. Small minnows under a small bobber or leeches will catch both species. Mini jigs and small beetle spins are also effective.
About The Iowa Guide
The Iowa Guide service caters to both families on vacation and the serious angler. Your guide trip, whether it's a half day 5 hour trip or a full eight hours, will be filled with fun and a chance to catch big bass, walleye, pike, and panfish, maybe even a giant muskie. The Iowa Great Lakes offer outstanding fishing opportunites on a series of lakes. Doug knows every rock reef, sandbar and weedbed in Spirit Lake, West/East Okoboji and the other small connected lakes of the area. The Iowa Guide is on the water nearly everyday ensuring your group the hottest bite in the area.
The Iowa Guide has been helping people enjoy the outstanding fishing on the Okobojis and Spirit Lake since 1999. Born and raised just a short distance from the Iowa Great Lakes, Doug has been fishing and hunting in NW Iowa most of his life. He also spent numerous years on competitive walleye circuits. During his career Doug won three tournaments. He also finished 17th one year in the prestigous In-Fisherman Professional Walleye Trail Angler of the Year race. A professional guide since 1986 Doug has the experience to make your trip successful and enjoyable.
In 2010 a new service was added, the Fish n Fun Family Pac. This package has proven popular and includes a half day of fishing, a picnic lunch and a half day of tubing, skiing and wakeboarding.
The Iowa Guide.712-209-4286
Bass, Berkley, Bluegill, Bobber, Crappie, Hook, Iowa, Jerkbait, Jig, Largemouth Bass, Minnow, Northern Pike, Panfish, Pike, Shad, Shiner, Smallmouth Bass, Smelt, Spinner, Spirit Lake, Trolling, Walleye
