Arrowhead Lake
Ice thickness is around 6 inches at the boat ramp. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Fair
Black Hawk Lake
Ice thickness is around 10 inches off of Ice House Point boat ramp. This is where most of the activity is taking place. The aerators in Town Bay are in operation so expect open water and thin ice in this vicinity. 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: the bigger fish are 10-12 inches. Use minnows and waxworms on a jig. Bluegill – Fair: Most fish are 6-8 inches. 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 6 inches near the boat ramp.
Brushy Creek Lake
Ice conditions are variable, use caution and check ice thickness often. Some areas have lost an inch or two of ice since the last recent rains. Areas right around standing trees are thinner and have opened up in some areas, use caution. The thickest ice is around 9-11 inches near the north boat ramp. Ice on the south end of the lake varies from 0-9 inches. There is open water near the beach and anywhere water is flowing in from shore. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are catching good numbers of bluegill on the north end of the lake; sorting is needed. Most fish are being picked up using spikes fished near the bottom. 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 8-13 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 to Good: Most fish are around 7- to 8-inches. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Black Crappie – Fair: The bite is hit or miss. Most fish are 8-10 incehs with some up to 12 inches. Move around to find the fish. Evenings or low light conditions may be best. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have been picking up 6-8 inch bluegill in 10-20 feet of water using jigs and wax worms. You may need to be mobile to stay on fish. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting is needed but some fish up to 12 inches are being picked up during low light conditions.
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: Fish a small minnow near vegetation in 6 to 8 feet of water. 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.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 12 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish a small jig tipped with bait near the dredge cut. Bluegill – Fair:
Little Wall Lake
Ice thickness is 8 inches. Black Crappie – Slow.
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 – Fair: 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.