Okoboji

[Ryan]

I was just wondering if anyone had any information on fishing in Okoboji?? I am going up there for a FFA Fishing contest this weekend and was just wondering if anyone knew what they were catching fish on?? It is on both East and West Lake, so any information on what they are using and where they are catching would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[steve]

I know that the biggest fish were taken on West at night. Guys were longlining Rapalas and stick baits in 11-15 feet of water. Over 80 keeper walleye were caught in Emerson Bay early Saturday morning.

Some keeper walleye coming from the overflow by the Fish Hatchery on the far north end of East Okoboji. Lots of sub-legal fish on East.

[JB]

I fished a NAWA tournament there two years ago at this time of year. The other post is correct in that there are many sub-legal fish on the east side. You will have to weed through lots of smaller fish. However, there are decent fish there if you work for them. Go to the upper end of the lake and troll small crankbait(Strom baby t-sticks work great as well as the smallest wally divers) just above the weed tops.

On the Westside of the lake the water is gin clear and you will be hard pressed to catch numbers of fish during the day especially if it is clear and sunny. The fish are noticably larger on the West side. I'd reccomend slip bobbers on the rock piles with minnows or leeches if the water is warm enough. Get a Hot Spots map and look for the rock humps on the west end.

Good luck.

[Fish-on]

East has been good this spring. Remember, the season is only a week old so people are still just putting it together, but upper Gar and Minnewashta should have some fish in them too. Try the hwy 9 bridge area and the upper end of east lake, Also Stony point and the hump by it. If you are limited to shore I would wade out from the spillway on the north end of East and maybe try the bridge by Trigg's Resort. Good luck.