Black Hawk Lake
Ice thickness is 8 inches near the Ice House Point boat ramp. Ice conditions continue to deteriorate rapidly with the warm weather; use caution. There is open water in Town Bay from the winter aeration system. 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: Use waxworms or crawlers on a jig. Walleye – Fair: Try minnows or crawlers on jigging spoons. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use waxworms or small minnows.
Black Hawk Pits
Ice thickness is 3 to 6 inches. Conditions are deteriorating; many areas are unsafe.
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.
Brushy Creek Lake
Warm weather and runoff have weakened ice; many areas are unsafe. Ice fishing is not recommended. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Moorland Pond
Rainbow trout were stocked on Jan. 25. Ice conditions are deteriorating quickly with the warm weather. Use extreme caution if venturing out. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Storm Lake
Ice thickness is 8 to 12 inches. Ice conditions are variable and continue to deteriorate with the warm weather. Use caution if venturing out; check ice thickness often.
Ice thickness in the district ranges from unsafe conditions to up to 12 inches in other areas. Ice conditions are highly variable and are starting to deteriorate fast. Be cautious of rapidly changing conditions with the warm weather. Many areas along shorelines will soften first. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Rainbow Trout – Good: Rainbow trout were stocked on Jan. 26. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 4 to 10 inches. Ice conditions will change daily. Wear safety gear and check ice thickness as you go. 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. Black Crappie – Slow. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with bait near the edge of the rushes. Use caution near the rushes: ice conditions will deteriorate quickly in these areas. Walleye – Slow: Best bite is after sunset. Yellow Perch – Good: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm. You may have to switch to bigger tackle to avoid the small fish.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 9 to 12 inches. The winter aeration system is operating. Black Crappie – Slow: Bluegill – Slow: Try a small jig tipped with bait. Walleye – Slow.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 9 to 13 inches. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with bait near the edge of vegetation. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 9 to 12 inches. The winter aeration system is operating. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small jig tipped with bait in near vegetation. Best bite is early morning. Yellow Perch – Slow.
With warmer weather forecast for the next ten days, be cautious of changing ice conditions. Access points will deteriorate fast. Foot traffic only 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 fully ice covered. Ice thickness is 7 to 1s inches in most areas. Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows and plastics. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
The lake is completely ice covered. Ice thickness is 9 to 11 inches. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and evening.

Lost Island Lake
Ice thickness is around 10 inches. Black Crappie – Fair. Walleye – Fair.
Minnewashta Lake
Ice thickness is 9 to 11 inches. Black Crappie – Fair. 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 (Dickinson)
The lake is fully ice covered. Ice thickness averages 11 inches. Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
The lake is fully ice covered. Ice thickness is 9 to 12 inches in most areas. Ice can be highly variable. Be aware of large heaves. Black Crappie – Good: Minnows and plastics work well. Many nice-sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Good: Minnows work well. Yellow Perch – Good: Find good numbers; may need to sort for size.
West Okoboji Lake
The lake is fully iced up. Ice conditions are highly variable with 5 to 11 inches. Foot traffic and small ATV use should be possible in most areas. Use caution. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good. Pumpkinseed – Good. Walleye – Good: Minnows and plastics work well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
Area ice conditions are highly variable. All areas are completely ice covered. Ice thickness is 7 to 11 inches in most areas. Ice conditions will start to deteriorate as consistent above freezing temperatures are expected to continue for at least a week. Use extra caution along shorelines and accesses that will deteriorate fastest. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.