Once upon a time, a young man named Jim traveled to the land of Storm Lake. Young Jim was seeking knowledge at Buena Vista College in Storm Lake Iowa. Jim was diligent about his school-work and spent most of his waking hours studying. However, even the most studious young man needs a diversion from the world of higher knowledge. Jim found his one and only diversion on the shores of the body of water that is found in Storm Lake and shares the city’s name. Jim occasionally caught a walleye or two while wading the waters of Storm Lake, then returned to his studying.

Many years later, after receiving an exceptional education at Buena Vista, Jim returns to Storm Lake regularly. Except now, Jim is known far and wide in the world of fishing. He has acquired the title “The Fishing Professor” because of the decades he’s spent teaching youngsters and adults how to be more successful anglers. He returns to Storm Lake because of the exceptional fishing it offers for walleyes. Here is the story of Storm Lake Walleyes.

Because of aggressive efforts to revitalize the ecosystem of Storm Lake and progressive fishing regulations, Storm Lake has become one of the hottest walleye lakes in the Midwest. Storm Lake can be found in western Iowa about an hour east of Sioux City. Ongoing dredging has made the lake deeper and created habitat that is favorable to walleyes. Then, just few years ago, a slot limit was put in place on Storm Lake. The slot limit has created an outstanding population of walleyes, both eaters and big ones.

Fishing season is year ‘round on Storm Lake. The ice typically goes out in mid-April, and the walleye action starts almost right away. Shore anglers and waders have lots of fishing opportunities. After the water has warmed for a few days, boating anglers get in on the action also.

Early in the season, a jig/soft bait combination is a walleye-catcher. Many, many walleyes are taken by wading anglers and dock-fisherman in three feet of water or less. A sixteenth ounce Mimic Minnow jig head or a 3/32nd ounce Slurp! Jig tipped with a two or three inch white Power Grub has accounted for lots of walleyes early in the fishing season on Storm Lake.

As the water warms and the days grow longer, off shore anglers will do better. Try pulling Baitfish Float’n Spins or Baitfish Spinner Harnesses in six to ten feet of water in windblown areas. On Storm Lake anglers can use two lines per angler, so it works well for each angler to drag one line almost directly below the boat and another one farther back.

Another productive technique is to pull crankbaits behind planer boards. Depending on water depth, a #5 or #7 Flicker Shad will be lights out. Use the #5 size in about five feet of water or less, and the larger #7 in ten feet or less. Planer boards will allow an angler to spread their lines and prevent spooking fish. Off Shore planer boards are the best out there: They’re easy to use and easy to read.

A beautiful walking trail borders much of Storm Lake and is very popular. So is King’s Pointe Resort. King’s Pointe is a great place to stay, as are the nearby cabins. King’s Pointe has an indoor/outdoor water park and a great restaurant in addition to clean, spacious, luxurious rooms.