Black Hawk Lake
The lake has had skim ice throughout last week. With warmer weather this week, the lake will likely be ice-free along most shoreline areas this weekend. The area around the fish house in Town bay is kept ice-free throughout the winter. Black Crappie – Fair: There is open water at the fish house in Town Bay; use a small jig to pick up crappie. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try a small jig or a piece of crawler under a bobber.in the fish house in Town Bay. If the shoreline is ice-free, try along the inlet bridge or Ice House Point.
Brushy Creek Lake
Courtesy docks are removed for the season.
Most lakes in the district have been covered in skim ice, but are opening up with the warmer weather. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Rainbow Trout – Good: Use spinnerbaits and small jigs. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 4 inches. Ice fishing is not recommended. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. No more than one walleye longer than 22-inches may be taken per day. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Crystal Lake
The aeration system is running. Ice thickness is 0 to 4 inches. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 4 inches. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Silver Lake (Worth)
The aeration system is running. Ice thickness is 0 to 4 inches. Ice fishing is not recommended.
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
The lake is almost entirely covered in a thin layer of ice. Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows and plastics. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small hook and piece of worm. In deeper water, use pilkies with wigglers or slip bobber setup. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and evening.
Lost Island Lake
Most of the lake has begun to ice up. Black Crappie – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful fishing from shorelines in the evenings.
Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try slowly trolling over vegetation with minnows and plastics. Bluegill – Fair. Pumpkinseed – Good.:
Scharnberg Pond
Rainbow trout were stocked recently. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Silver Lake
Black Bullhead – Good. Walleye – Fair: Expect the walleye bite to improve with falling water temperatures.
Spirit Lake
Most of the lake is ice-free. The current water level is 9 inches below crest. The crappie bite has been good. Black Crappie – Good: Minnows and plastics work well. Many nice-sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill – Good: Try a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water, use pilkies with wigglers or a slip bobber setup. Walleye – Good: Minnows work well. Yellow Perch – Good: Find good numbers; may need to sort for size.
West Okoboji Lake
The lake is mostly open, but ice has begun to form in many bays. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: TryUse pilkies with wigglers or a slip bobber setup. Pumpkinseed – Good: Walleye – Good: Minnows and plastics work well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
Most area water levels are a few inches below crest. Most smaller lakes are covered in a thin layer of ice. Warm conditions have deteriorated any ice that has set up. Until the ice thickens more, fishing access is hard to find. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.