Fishing Storm Lake

AKA: Big Storm Lake

Popular Fish Species
Storm Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Storm Lake, IA

Popular Fish Species Storm Lake, IA

Black Crappie Fishing

A nice population of black crappie resides in Storm Lake. Crappie tend to run in schools, and once a school is located, there is a good chance for catching significant numbers. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Virtually any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a nice bunch of slabs. Because crappie prefer cover and structure, locate brush and vegetation in appropriate water depths. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Walleye Fishing

Walleye are thriving in Storm Lake again this year thanks to a plenty of forage in the lake. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower, closer to shore and begin spawning. Rocky and gravel are preferred areas for the spawn. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. Walleye have excellent, low-light vision which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water during low light conditions. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very rewarding. Use GPS to locate fishing spots you normally fish during other times of the year.

White Bass Fishing

White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. Numerous successful spawn years have increased the population of white bass in Storm Lake, and anglers can expect some great fishing this year. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. Fish near the bottom at night with live bait. When the lake freezes over, try your luck at ice fishing for white bass. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. When white bass chase schools of bait near the surface, spinners, spoons and small crank baits work well. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.

Storm Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, white bass and yellow perch at Storm Lake in Iowa.

The town of Storm Lake wraps around the northern shores of Storm Lake, a 3,200-acre lake in northwest Iowa. Visitors will find over eight miles of shoreline to explore from a boat or from shore.

There is a fishing jetty and pier, boat launching, rental boats, camping and plenty of places with easy access for fishing from the bank. Anglers favorite species here are walleye, perch and crappie. There is good fishing for catfish and white bass as well.

Primary fish species residing in Storm Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Storm Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Lakeside Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Lakeshore Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.

South Side Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Mallard Avenue, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Storm Lake Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off W Marina Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and lots of paved parking.