Arrowhead Lake
Unsafe ice conditions.
Black Hawk Lake
The main part of the lake has open water. Ice thickness off of Ice House Point boat ramp was around 4-5 inches on December 19th. This is the best ice on the lake – other areas are much thinner or open water. There is open water fishing at the fish house in Town Bay – area underneath the structure is kept ice free with a water agitator. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a waxworm or small minnow. Walleye – Fair: Early ice anglers have had good luck using wigglers and small minnows. Ice is variable some areas are open water so check conditions often as you move. Most have been fishing around Ice House Point ramp and near Gunshot hill area.
Black Hawk Pits
Unsafe ice conditions. Only the bays have frozen over with thin ice.
Storm Lake
A few anglers have been making their way out. The lake is mostly covered with ice. Thickness is 1 to 7 inches. There are some open water areas so conditions are still really variable. The best ice is in areas near shore. Recently open areas have just frozen over with thin ice so check ice thickness often as you move. Yellow Bass – Fair.
Most area lakes are covered in ice ranging from 1 to 7 inches thick. Conditions are variable with pockets of open water in the bigger lakes. Check ice often if going out. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638
Blue Pit
You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Fair.
Clear Lake – Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches near shore. Black Crappie – Good: Try near the rushes on the north shore. Bluegill -Slow: Use a small jig tipped with bait near vegetation. Walleye -Slow. Yellow Bass – Fair: Try a jig tipped with bait in 2 to 3 feet of water. Yellow Perch – Fair: Most perch being caught are 4 to 6 inches.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 5 to 7 inches near shore. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with bait.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is highly variable. There are several areas of open water. Check ice thickness often as move. Yellow Perch – Slow. Use a jig tipped with bait near vegetation.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 6 to 7 inches near shore. Bluegill – Slow. Yellow Perch – Slow: Try a jig tipped with bait in 2 to 3 inches of water.
Aeration systems are running at Clear Lake, Crystal Lake, Rice Lake and Silver Lake. Avoid any open water areas; be cautious of waterfowls holes on these lakes. Check ice thickness often as you move. For information on lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
The lake is fully ice covered with around 8 inches of ice in most areas. There is still a large open hole on the lower basin straight out from Bridges Bay as well as an open area on the northern most basin that have frozen over only more recently. Black Crappie – Good: Bluegill – Good: Many bluegill seen; easily catchable around functional docks. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are a ways off shore; you can find some around docks and structure. Yellow Perch – Good: Many perch seen; sorting most likely needed.
Ingham Lake
Water is fully ice covered with around 8 inches of ice. Walleye – Fair: Morning and afternoon bite is best.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Lake is fully ice covered with around 8.5 inches of ice. Walleye – Good: Bite hit-or-miss, but very good when bite is on.

Spirit Lake
The lake is fully iced over. Some locations have up to 8 inches of ice; there are areas that are thinner on the main basin that froze more recently. Templar lagoon and out from Hales Slough boat ramp have the best ice. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are finding quality-size crappie up to 14-inches. Bluegill – Good. Walleye – Good: The night shore bite has been good. Evening is best with leech and bobber from shore or crankbaits and slip bobbers by boat. Yellow Perch – Good: Sorting is needed; anglers are finding many of acceptable size.
West Okoboji Lake
A few of the bays now have fishable ice, but the main basin has only frozen over more recently. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good.
Most lakes are completely frozen over and have good access at ramp location. Most areas have 7 or more inches of ice; many larger lakes have holes that have just frozen over recently. Recent snows have covered some of these recently frozen areas making it difficult to differentiate. Check ice often when going out. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.