okoboji info

[Starcraft]

live in Allison, IA, fish Canada regularly several times each year for walleye, northern, and muskie, but want to start fishing the Iowa great lakes as well, but havent had any exposure to them. would love to get info on when the best times to hit them for walleye and also muskie are because its only about 3 hour drive, would be great if I had some ideas when to go!!!

[Bill Leonard]

Starcraft
Opening week end is usually very good for walleyes, the Ia. Great Lks. are similar to most areas as far as best fishing time (spring and fall). One problem we have here in the summer months is the boat traffic, especially on west lake. E-mail me if I can be of further help.
Good Luck

[Ted in DSM]

I got an entry form for a walleye tourney in Okoboji. I have lived in Ia all my life; I have never known the Ia Grt Lks to be a 'walleye' spot. The only thing I hear about is rec boating and muskie. What is the fishery like? Size, locale, better spots, dead areas? Any info is appreciated. Is it worth $200 to enter?

Ted in Des Moines.
ted@jdcpa.com

["COMA]

All them lakes up there are teaming with walleye!. I'm in the tourny for 200.00 dollar , No hollar. See ya at Arnolds for the weigh in Ted!. :-)

[Mike]

Try Big Spirit Lake. I am from Minneapolis and have fished the lake 4 times. I have limited out 3 of those times with walleyes. The last time I was there I had 20", 24" and 26 1/2". Note that you can only keep one over 20" (if I remember correct) All 3 times were either in June or July and twicw it was dead calm. Go figure!

[beaks]

Not a better place to troll crankbaits in June than Spirit Lake.As soon as you see a bunch of boats together, troll on the outside(I like to use leadcore line-blk/silver shadraps and Jr. T-sticks)I had my best luck last year in 17'-20' of water.Buffalo Run is a good place to start.

Good Luck

[TNT]

Ive fished okoboji a few times if you go in the spring stick to east or the small waters conected to them they warm much faster and the walleye will be thick ,in fall stick to west BIG FISH will be found in deep water last sept oct we were still useing 9shad raps and it was snowing. also did well on weed edges in smiths bay in fall on whistlers .in the spring we caught a limit in 45min on bottom bouncers and worm on bright colored bladed spinner harnesses on the far north pool of east

[Mikea]

I live in Cedar Falls and,also, would like to know more about Spirit Lake area. Wouldn't mind getting a trip together to go there. Have boat, will travel.