Fishing East & West Okoboji, and Big Spirit

Fishing across northwest Iowa, southern Minnesota and eastern South Dakota has been on the slow side. As the ice thickens and more trucks start driving on area lakes, the fishing usually slacks off through the month of February. There will be some good days, depending on the specie you are after, but do expect some slow days.
West Okoboji is fair on bluegills, with a few perch and crappie mixed in. Try Millers Bay for the most consistant action. If you fish on weekends, prepare yourself for alot of traffic. A small city of ice shaks will be set up by 9:00 AM each day. Little Emerson has a fair bluegill bite with some northern pike activity on tipups and large chubs or suckers. A few big muskies will be cruising around also. Keep in mind that you have a 40-inch size minimum on muskies. There is some walleye activity at the north end and Millers Bay in the evenings.
Big Spirit Lake is fair in the evenings for walleyes off of Reeds Run and Stoney Point. There is some perch activity on the west and north side of Big Spirit. It's also fair for bluegills on Anglers Bay.
Most of the smaller satellite lakes have a slow bite going. The best option is to go fish them yourself. Word does not travel very fast on a hot bite.
Clear Lake has been producing good numbers of yellow bass. They eat good and there is no limit.
Good Fishin! Jim McDonnell is a professional fishing guide, avid hunter, trapper and outdoor writer. 712 933-5532.

Any word on Storm Lake?