Arrowhead Lake
Unsafe ice conditions. Ice thickness is 3 inches off the boat ramp, with thinner spots out the middle.
Black Hawk Lake
Ice thickness is around 5-6 inches off of Ice House Point boat ramp. This is the best ice on the lake – other areas are much thinner or open water. There are large areas in the main basins that are thin or open. 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 and in the inlet bridge bay area.
Black Hawk Pits
Ice thickness is 3 inches near the boat ramp. Expect conditions to deteriorate by the weekend with warmer temperatures expected.
Brushy Creek Lake
Unsafe ice conditions. Only the bays have frozen over with thin ice.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
A few anglers are making their way out. The lake is mostly covered with ice. Thickness is 1 to 8 inches. Conditions are still really variable with some open water area. The best ice is in areas near shore. Recently open areas have just frozen over with thin ice; check ice thickness often as you move. Yellow Bass – Fair.
Most area lakes are covered in 1 to 8 inches of ice. Expect ice thickness to lessen throughout the week with warmer weather predicted for the next few days. Some lakes have pockets of open water. Check ice thickness often. 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. Black Crappie – Good: Try near the rushes on the north shore. Bluegill – Good: 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. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with bait.
Lake Smith
Ice thickness is 6 to 7 inches. Avoid areas around the aerator hole. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a jig tipped with waxworms. Bluegill – Fair.
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 covered with around 9 inches of ice in most areas. 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 covered with around 9.5 inches of ice. Walleye – Fair: Morning and afternoon bite is best.
Silver Lake
Lake is fully 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 9 inches of ice; there are thinner areas 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
Most areas are now fishable by foot; there are still many unsafe areas out on the main lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good.
Most area lakes have 8.5 or more inches of ice; many larger lakes have thinner areas that have frozen over more recently. Recent snows have covered some of these recently frozen areas, making it difficult to differentiate. Check ice thickness often when going out. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.