Arrowhead Lake
Unsafe ice conditions.

Black Hawk Lake
Ice thickness is around 5 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 thin ice areas in the main basins that are now covered in several inches of snow; use caution. 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 or jigs. Most luck has been around the fish house in Town Bay and near Ice House Point. Walleye – Fair: 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.

Brushy Creek Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
The lake is mostly covered with ice, but there are pockets of open water. Conditions are more uncertain with the recent snow cover. Use caution if venturing out. The best ice is in areas near shore. Recently open areas may have just frozen over with thin ice.
Ice is variable on area lakes. Some lakes have pockets of open water and thin areas that are now covered in several inches of snow. Use caution if venturing out. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 7 to 9 inches. There are areas that have frozen over recently with much thinner ice. Wear safety gear and check conditions as you go. Black Crappie – Good: Use caution when fishing near the rushes. Bluegill – Good: Use a small jig tipped with bait near vegetation. Walleye -Slow. Try a minnow near rocky habitat. Best bite is after sunset. Yellow Bass – Slow: Use 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 6 to 8 inches. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with bait. Bluegill – Slow.

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. If you do venture out, check ice conditions as you go. Walleye – Slow. Yellow Perch – Slow. Use a jig tipped with bait near vegetation.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches. Bluegill – Slow. Northern Pike – Slow. Yellow Perch – Fair: 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
Ice thickness is around 9 inches in most areas; there are a handful of open areas. Black Crappie – Good: Bluegill – Good: Largemouth Bass – Fair: 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 (Dickinson)
Ice thickness is around 8.5 inches. Walleye – Good: Bite hit-or-miss, but very good when bite is on.
Spirit Lake
The lake has safe ice for ice fishing, but also has a large open water section off Big Stoney Point. Some locations have up to 9 inches of ice, but 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: 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 or areas of open water on the main lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good.
Most area lakes have 8.5 or more inches of ice; many larger lakes have areas of open water. Check ice thickness often when going out. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.