West Okoboji

Area water temperatures have started to slowly rise and are in the low to mid 50s. Most area lakes are at or above crest and should continue to come up with forecasted rains. Courtesy docks are now in place. The walleye season on the Iowa Great Lakes opens on Saturday May 4th. Expect heavier traffic at some ramps.

Black Crappie - Fair:

Bluegill - Good:

Pumpkinseed - Good:

The lake is currently 4 inches above crest. The walleye season opens Saturday May 4th.

Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Source: Iowa DNR

Area water temperatures have started to slowly rise and are in the low to mid 50s. Most area lakes are at or above crest and should continue to come up with the forecasted rains. Most courtesy docks are now in place. The walleye season is currently closed on the IGL's until May 4th.

The lake is currently 4 inches above crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4th.

Bluegill - Good:

Black Crappie - Fair:

Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Pumpkinseed - Good:

Source: Iowa DNR

Area water temperatures have started to slowly rise and are in the low to mid 50s. Most area lakes are at or above crest with the recent rains. Most courtesy docks are now in place. The walleye season is currently closed on the IGL's until May 4th.

The lake is currently a couple inches above crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4th.

Black Crappie - Fair:

Bluegill - Good:

Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Pumpkinseed - Good:

Source: Iowa DNR

Area water temperatures have continued to be low due to cold weather conditions. Most area lakes are at or above crest. Most courtesy docks are not in place. The walleye season is now closed on the IGL's until May 4th.

The lake is currently at crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4th.

Bluegill - Good:

Black Crappie - Fair:

Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Pumpkinseed - Good:

Source: Iowa DNR

Many smaller and shallower lakes are now open. The conditions on the lakes that still have ice do not allow for safe fishing. Continued warm weather should open up most covered lakes in the coming week. The walleye season is now close on the IGL's until May 4th.

Currently no safe ice for ice fishing. The walleye season is closed until May 4th.

Bluegill - Good:

Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow.

Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Pumpkinseed - Good:

Bluegill - Good:

Currently no safe ice for ice fishing. The walleye season is closed until May 4th.

Many smaller and shallower lakes are now open. The conditions on the lakes that still have ice do not allow for safe fishing. Continued warm weather should open up most covered lakes in the coming week. The walleye season is now close on the IGL's until May 4th.

Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow.

Pumpkinseed - Good:

Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Source: Iowa DNR

Area ice conditions have deteriorated extensively making ice fishing essentially impossible. Many shallower lakes have begun to open up in areas and shorelines are receding. The walleye season is now close on the IGL's until May 4th.

Currently no safe ice for ice fishing. The walleye season is closed until May 4th.

Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow.

Bluegill - Good:

Pumpkinseed - Good:

Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Source: Iowa DNR

Area ice conditions have been highly variable. Most areas are still completely ice covered. Most areas range from 6-10 inches. Ice conditions deteriorated extensively as consistent above freezing temperatures have been experienced for the last couple weeks. Use extra caution along shorelines and accesses that have deteriorated the most. The walleye season closes on the IGL's February 14th.

The lake is fully iced up but ice conditions are highly variable with anywhere from 4-10 inches. Foot traffic should be possible in most areas. Shoreline access will be the biggest issue for anglers. Use caution.The walleye season closes February 14th.

Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow.

Bluegill - Good:

Pumpkinseed - Good:

Walleye - Good: Minnows and plastics have been working well.

Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Area ice conditions have been highly variable. Most areas are still completely ice covered. Most areas range from 6-10 inches. Ice conditions deteriorated extensively as consistent above freezing temperatures have been experienced for the last couple weeks. Use extra caution along shorelines and accesses that have deteriorated the most. The walleye season closes on the IGL's February 14th.

Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow.

Bluegill - Good:

The lake is fully iced up but ice conditions are highly variable with anywhere from 4-10 inches. Foot traffic should be possible in most areas. Shoreline access will be the biggest issue for anglers. Use caution.The walleye season closes February 14th.

Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Pumpkinseed - Good:

Walleye - Good: Minnows and plastics have been working well.

Source: Iowa DNR

All area lakes are completely ice covered. Area ice conditions range from 8-12 inches. Ice conditions should continue to improve as the forecast calls for continued below freezing temps. The largest lakes have been the last to freeze.

The lake is fully iced up. West Okoboji One of the last lakes to completely ice up so it has some of the thinner ice in the area. Foot traffic and small ATV use should be possible in most areas. Use caution.

Bluegill - Good: Try using pilkie's with wigglers or slip bobber setup.

Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow.

Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Pumpkinseed - Good:

Walleye - Good: Minnows and plastics have been working well.

Area ice conditions have been highly variable. All areas are completely ice covered. Most areas range from 8-12 inches. Ice conditions will unfortunately begin to deteriorate as consistent above freezing temperatures are expected to continue for at least a week. Use extra caution along shorelines and accesses that will deteriorate fastest.

The lake is fully iced up but ice conditions are highly variable with anywhere from 6-12 inches. Foot traffic and small ATV use should be possible in most areas. Use caution.

Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow.

Bluegill - Good: Try using pilkie's with wigglers or slip bobber setup.

Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Pumpkinseed - Good:

Walleye - Good: Minnows and plastics have been working well.

Source: Iowa DNR

All area lakes are completely ice covered. Area ice conditions range from 8-12 inches. Ice conditions should continue to improve as the forecast calls for continued below freezing temps. The largest lakes have been the last to freeze.

The lake is fully iced up. West Okoboji One of the last lakes to completely ice up so it has some of the thinner ice in the area. Foot traffic and small ATV use should be possible in most areas. Use caution.

Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow.

Bluegill - Good: Try using pilkie's with wigglers or slip bobber setup.

Pumpkinseed - Good:

Walleye - Good: Minnows and plastics have been working well.

Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Source: Iowa DNR

Most area water levels are a few inches below crest. Most larger lakes are almost completely open. Warmer weather and rain showers has knocked back any ice that has been made. Expect ice to start building this weekend as high temperatures will finally be at or below freezing. Some bays have thicker ice, but otherwise ice fishing access can be hard to find. Check ice often if attempting to go out.

Black Crappie - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow.

Bluegill - Good: Try using pilkie's with wigglers or slip bobber setup.

The lake is essentially ice free.

Pumpkinseed - Good:

Walleye - Good: Minnows and plastics have been working well.

Yellow Perch - Fair: Sorting may be needed.

Source: Iowa DNR