Many baits and techniques will catch walleye. A sensitive 6 or 6½ foot medium or medium-light graphite spinning rod with 6 to 8 pound-test monofilament or braided line is a must to find light biting walleyes. Des Moines – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is accepting comments on proposed changes to walleye length limits on the Mississippi River, through March 5. Use caution near the access and avoid the seams. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Follow the size limits and slots limits imposed by the Iowa DNR and practice CPR, (Catch, Photo, and Release). Temperatures low 20's to single digits at night. This great specimen was caught by Gloria Eoriatti, from Ankeny Iowa and weighed 14 pounds, 8 ounces. Walleye from 19.5 through 28 … Combined walleye/sauger daily limit 6 No size limit will apply. Continuous except for West Okoboji Lake, East Okoboji Lake, Spirit Lake (Dickinson). Use hair jigs, spinner baits, small shallow water crankbaits for aggressive fish. Fish on overcast days with excellent water clarity. |, Chasing Those Late Season Bluegills In Clean Water. Be prepared to find the cedar tree piles in the lake for best success through the ice. All Rights Reserved. Combined walleye/sauger daily limit 6 Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Mississippi River. SPIRIT LAKE & WEST OKOBOJI LAKE 3. Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston is 5.19 feet and forecasted to stay fairly steady. Area rivers partially frozen. Lynxville water level is 14.8 feet. Anglers are catching lots of 3 to 7 inch fish. Ice is thinner in the inlet bridge bay. The ice won't hold. 2021 licenses available now. Lake has about 3 to 6 inches of ice capped with 6 inches of snow. The fry carry the lake throughout the coming years. A COUPLE MORE OPTOINS There is no daily limit for either in private water. “Brushy Creek definitely has some really nice walleye in there”, said Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Biologist Ben Wallace. Some areas may have recently frozen over with thin ice that are now hidden with snow. Located in Buena Vista County, Storm Lake covers 3,097 acres and has a max depth of 20 feet. The walleye season on Spirit Lake is open from the beginning of May to the following February of each year. There are several other lakes and rivers as well that offer some great opportunities to pursue these fish. More specifically, the Okoboji’s abundance and size structure of adult walleyes was impressive.” This year the Spirit Lake fish hatchery met its egg quota and many lakes across Iowa were stocked with fry. Fish jigging spoons or jig tipped with a minnow in tailwaters of lock and dams. This is a good place to target bluegill, crappie, and yellow perch through the ice. Located in Cerro Gordo County this lake totals 3,684 acres and has a maximum depth of 19 feet. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches long must be released immediately. Ice thickness was 6 inches in front of the Ice House Point boat ramp. Most walleye and sauger angling is now taking place near the lock and dam in 15 to 30 feet of water. It is important that boaters remain aware of the dredge operation and remain at least 100 feet away from the dredge, booster pump and dredge piping at all times. Many Bluegill can easily be caught, but a lot of sorting may be needed with many fish being 7.5-9 inches. Those fish will reach the 15 inch minimum length limit by this fall or next spring.” Dodd also noted that the ice fishing season this winter could see some of those sublegal fish come in. There are still many spots in the main basins that are somewhat freshly covered so use caution when going out. Ice thickness near the boat ramp was 5-6 inches. The daily limit is three walleyes with a possession limit of six. Ice is snow covered and variable, use caution if venturing out. Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm or spike. Farther south yet still considered Northeast Iowa, Brushy Creek Lake is a hidden gem among walleye lakes in Iowa. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. “We had a great gillnetting season in 2014”, said Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Research Biologist Jonathan Meerbeek. This had to be one of the best days for fishing of the year. Ice thickness is 3 to 8 inches. The subsequent data and information will help us improve other impoundments throughout Iowa,” said Dodd. Regulations from the guide are categorized below. These replicas will last a life time versus real mounts that may last up to 15 years. The daily catch may not exceed the possession limit. Ice thickness ranges from 2-4 inches across Pools 9-11. On the Lake Winnebago System, the daily bag limit for walleye and sauger will decrease to three in total, with only one being a sauger. Unsafe ice conditions. Viking has a very good crappie population that will provide good fishing this winter. Ice thickness at the boat ramp was 4-5 inches. “Based on our first try, we know more and will be prepared to conduct surveys next year”, said Wallace. There is a protected slot limit on walleyes from 17- to 22-inches, with only one walleye over 22-inches allowed per day on Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji Lake, Upper and Lower Gar Lake and Minnewashta Lake. Use caution on heavy snow cover as ice conditions vary. The hook and line regulations also contain regulations for the harvest of crayfish, frogs, turtles and minnows. The lake has a good population of 8 inch bluegill and 9 inch black crappie. We have not received any tailwater reports or reports on boat ramp conditions for this pool. At the time of this writing the water levels were quite high and warnings for floating debris were issued, boating was not recommended. Walleye, Sauger & Saugeye. Ice does not freeze well when covered with snow. UNSAFE Ice. Be wary out on the main basin as there are areas that have more recently frozen over so venturing far out is not recommended. The lake is frozen over but should be considered unsafe at this time. ©2019 The Iowa Sportsman. Caution should be used if venturing out. Remember to bring a form of ice picks, a form of flotation, a friend, and to be smart out on the ice! Silver Lake (Worth) - Last Updated: 12/31/2020, Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) - Last Updated: 12/31/2020, Black Hawk Lake - Last Updated: 12/31/2020. One of the main reasons these walleye fisheries remain so viable is due to the efforts of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Management Team. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Mississippi River. Check depths often. Colder temperatures have increased ice thickness across Pools 9-11. The Iowa Great Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors feel it is in the best interest of the community to cancel the main portion of the 2020 Walleye Weekend fishing tournament. The protected areas of the west end may have a little better ice. Use caution and check thickness as you go. This reservoir is the second largest lake in Iowa covering 11,000 acres with a maximum dept of 50 ft. “Lake Rathbun is doing well and we have a great 2010 year class of walleye coming on,” said Iowa Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Biologist Mark Flammang. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615. A small jig under a bobber choice for walleye anglers think the time of year you find,... 3 inches iowa walleye limit 2020 thinner spots on the ramp is not accessible due to.! 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