Black Hawk Lake
Ice thickness is around 11 inches off of Ice House Point boat ramp. This is where most of the activity is taking place. There is an open water patch in the east basin of the lake. The aerators in Town Bay are in operation; expect open water and thin ice in this area. Anglers can also fish open water at the fish house in Town Bay; the area directly underneath the structure is kept open with a small water agitator. Black Crappie – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few walleye in the area off of Ice House Point and near Gunshot Hill. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Black Hawk Pits
Ice thickness is around 7-8 inches near the boat ramp.
Brushy Creek Lake
Ice conditions are variable, use caution and check ice thickness often. The thickest ice is around 9 inches near the north boat ramp. Ice on the south end of the lake varies from 0-5 inches. There is open water near the beach. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are catching good numbers of bluegill on the north end of the lake; sorting is needed. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few walleye. Bite is hit-or-miss. Use minnows and a jigging spoon. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Storm Lake
Ice thickness is around 8-14 inches, but there are thinner areas. Conditions are variable and can change quickly from one area to another on this lake; check ice thickness often as you move. There are areas of open water or thin ice near the big island and at a seam that starts at the Casino point area and extends northeast. Walleye – Fair: Most anglers have been on the east side of the lake. The bite is hit-or-miss using minnows and jigging spoons. Best bite is evenings. White Bass – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair: Most fish are around 7- to 8-inches. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow.
Most lakes in the area have anywhere from 7-14 inches of ice. Conditions remain variable. The winter aeration system in Town Bay (westernmost bay) of Black Hawk Lake is in operation. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Rainbow trout will be stocked on Jan 14th. Mason City Parks & Recreation will host a family ice fishing event from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Use a small jig tipped with bait. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 13 inches. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. The daily limit is 3 with no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small minnow near the edge of the reeds. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small jig tipped with waxworms on the outside edge of the reeds. Walleye – Fair: Use a jigging spoon tipped with live bait in 6 to 8 feet of water near vegetation. Best bite is low light periods and after sunset. Yellow Bass – Slow: Stay mobile to find the fish. Yellow Perch – Good: Try live bait and jigs near vegetation. Use a bigger bait to avoid the small fish.
Little Wall Lake
Ice thickness is 8 inches. Black Crappie – Slow.
Lower Pine Lake
Ice thickness is 7 inches. Bluegill – Good: Try a small jig tipped with waxworms or spikes. Best bite is late afternoon to sunset.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 12 inches. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Good: Try a small jig tipped with bait near vegetation.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 0 to 12 inches. Bluegill – Good: Use a small jig tipped with waxworms near vegetation. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Winter aeration systems are running at Clear Lake, Crystal Lake, Rice Lake and Silver Lake. For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
Ice thickness is around 15+ inches in most areas. Deeper snow coverage has made getting around more difficult. Black Crappie – Good: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow or tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Good: Use tube jigs, plastics, or other small jigs. Northern Pike – Good: Tip-ups are working well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Minnows work well; some sorting may be needed.