Arrowhead Lake
Ice thickness is 3-5 inches near the boat ramp. Areas in the middle of the lake may be thinner. Use caution and check conditions often as you move around.
Black Hawk Lake
Ice thickness is around 6 inches off of Ice House Point boat ramp. This is the best ice on the lake – other areas in the middle are much thinner as they were open and recently froze over. 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: The bite has slowed, but fish can still be picked up around Ice House Point boat ramp, near the Gunshot hill area, and in the inlet bridge bay area. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are picking up some perch with minnows and waxworms. Most are having luck between Denison Beach and Gunshot Hill area.
Black Hawk Pits
Ice thickness is 4-5 inches near the boat ramp. Variable ice conditions with thinner areas near the middle; use caution.
Brushy Creek Lake
It is early for Brushy Creek Lake, but there are reports of 4-5 inches of ice near the north boat ramp where some anglers have been making their way out on foot only. Other areas of the lake are thinner or open water. Use caution if venturing out and check ice often as you move around (conditions on this lake are variable). Black Crappie – Fair: Fish are being picked up by the north boat ramp. Best luck is near trees. Sorting is needed. Bluegill – Fair.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Most ice is between 6-9 inches thick. Conditions are variable, with the usual thin areas/open water around the big island and ice seams. Use caution and check ice thickness often as you make your way out. Walleye – Slow: Some fish are being picked up along the dredge cuts. Bite has been slow this last week. Yellow Bass – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Ice is variable on area lakes. Ice thickness is 3-8 inches; some lakes have pockets of open water and thin areas that recently froze over. Use caution if venturing out. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Rainbow trout will be stocked on Jan 11th. Mason City Parks & Recreation will host a family ice fishing event from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Wearing ice cleats is recommended. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 9-12 inches on most of the lake. There are several open water holes and areas that have frozen over recently with much thinner ice. Wear safety gear and check conditions as you go. Black Crappie – Fair: Use caution when fishing near the rushes on the north shore. Foot traffic only recommended. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with bait near vegetation. Walleye -Fair: 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 – Good: Most perch being caught are 4- to 6-inches.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 10 to 12 inches. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with bait. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye -Slow.
Lake Cornelia
Ice thickness is 7 to 8 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Yellow Perch – Slow:
Lower Pine Lake
Ice thickness is around 5 inches. Use caution around the Island.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is highly variable. There are several areas that have recently froze over. 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 10-12 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with waxworms near vegetation. 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
The lake still has a handful of areas that have just frozen over recently, mainly on the northern most basin. Ice thickness is around 11 inches in most 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 11.5 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 to11 inches of ice, but there are areas that are thinner on the main basin that froze more recently. 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, but there are still many unsafe areas or areas of open water on the main lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good.
Warning: Many larger lakes still have areas of open water or areas that have iced over very recently. Most area lakes have 10 or more inches of ice. The extended forecast calls for continued below freezing temperatures. Check ice often when going out. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.