Arrowhead Lake
The lake is covered with skim ice; too thin for ice fishing.
Black Hawk Lake
The lake has frozen over; there are a few small open areas. Ice thickness is 1 to 2 inches; unsafe to walk on. Ice will continue to build throughout the week. The area around the fish house in Town bay is kept ice-free with a water agitator to provide open water fishing opportunities. Black Crappie – Fair: There is open water at the fish house in Town Bay; use a small jig. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try a small jig or a piece of crawler under a bobber.in the fish house in Town Bay.
Black Hawk Pits
Skim ice; too thin and unsafe for walking at this time.
Blue Lake
Aerators are in operation off-shore near the park visitor center for the winter season; expect open water and thin ice in this area when the lake starts to freeze over.
Brushy Creek Lake
Skim ice is forming in the bays; other area remain open. Unsafe ice conditions.
North Twin Lake
The lake has iced over. Ice thickness is 1 to 2 inches; unsafe to walk on.
Storm Lake
The lake has iced over. Ice thickness is 0 to 2 inches. Unsafe ice conditions. Ice will continue to build throughout the week.
Most lakes in the area are covered with thin ice. All ice in the district is too thin to walk on. Ice will continue to build throughout the week. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
The lake has started to form ice again. 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.
Crystal Lake
Winter aeration system is operating.
Rice Lake
The lake has started to form ice again.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Winter aeration system is operating.
There is no fishable ice in the district. 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 about 80 percent ice covered. Expect safe ice conditions in some areas within the next week. 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 a slip bobber setup. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
The lake is mostly covered. Lots of waterfowl are residing on the lake. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and evening.
Lost Island Lake
The lake is almost completely ice covered. 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
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
The lake is 80 percent ice covered. Expect safe ice conditions within the next week. 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 about 10 percent ice covered. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Use 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 larger lakes have started to freeze over again. Very few areas have safe ice fishing conditions. Some bays have thicker ice; ice fishing access can be hard to find. The extended forecast shows highs below freezing; expect ice formation to pick up in the coming week. Check ice thickness often if you attempt to go out on the water. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.