Arrowhead Lake
Ice thickness is 9 inches near the boat ramp. Areas in the middle of the lake may be thinner. Use caution and check ice thickness often as you move around.
Black Hawk Lake
The aeration system in Town Bay is operating. Expect thin ice and open water in Town Bay. Ice thickness is 10 inches off of Ice House Point boat ramp. This is the best ice on the lake – other areas in the middle are much thinner. There are open areas in the main part of the lake, use caution. There is open water fishing at the fish house in Town Bay – area underneath the structure is kept ice free. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a waxworm, small minnow, or jigs. Most luck has been around the fish house in Town Bay and near Ice House Point. Walleye – Fair: Fish can 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 9 inches near the boat ramp.
Brushy Creek Lake
Anglers have been out on the north end. Foot traffic only. Conditions are changing with the warmer weather this week. Expect open areas and weak ice around protruding trees and other structure that absorb heat from the sun. Other areas of the lake are thinner or have pockets of open water. Use caution if venturing out; check ice thickness often as you move around (ice conditions on this lake are variable). Black Crappie – Fair: Pick up crappie by the north boat ramp. Sorting is needed. Bluegill – Fair.
Moorland Pond
Rainbow trout were stocked last week. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10. Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but together, they can only keep one daily limit. Children can pay the trout fee, allowing them to keep their own daily limit.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Ice thickness is 10-12 inches. Conditions are variable, with the usual thin areas/open water around the big island and ice seams. Conditions are changing with the warm weather this week. Use caution; check ice thickness often as you make your way out. Walleye – Slow: Some fish are being picked up along the dredge cuts. Yellow Bass – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair. Most perch being caught are small.
Ice conditions are changing with the warm temperatures this week. Most lakes have ice thickness between 8-10 inches; some lakes have pockets of open water and seams. Use caution if venturing out. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Ice thickness is 9-11 inches. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Use your electronics to find the fish. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 14-16 inches on most of the lake; there are several areas of open water and a few ice heaves. Wear safety gear and check ice thickness as you go. Black Crappie – Good: Use caution when fishing near the rushes on the north shore. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with waxworm in 2 to 3 feet of water near vegetation. Walleye -Fair: Try a minnow near rocky habitat. Best bite is early morning and near 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. Use a bigger bait to target the larger fish.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 16-18 inches with open water on the southeast side. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with minnow near the dredge cut. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye -Slow.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 16-18 inches. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye – Slow. Best bite is around sunset. Yellow Perch – Good. Use a jig tipped with bait near vegetation. You may have to upsize your bait to avoid the smaller fish.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 16-18 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with waxworms near vegetation. Yellow Perch – Good: Try a jig tipped with bait in 2 to 3 feet of water.
Aeration systems are running at 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
Watch for a handful of areas that are open or have just frozen over recently, mainly on the northern most basin. Ice thickness is around 14 inches in most areas. Black Crappie – Good: Bluegill – Good: Largemouth Bass – Fair: Yellow Perch – Good: Many perch seen; sorting most likely needed.
Ingham Lake
Caution: There is a large open hole just north of the island. The lake is fully ice covered with around 14.5 inches. Walleye – Fair: Morning and afternoon bite is best.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Caution: The lake aerator is in operation. Ice thickness is around 15.5 inches. Walleye – Good: Bite hit-or-miss, but very good when bite is on.
Spirit Lake
The lake has ice thick enough for fishing, but also has a large open water section off Big Stoney Point. Ice thickness is up to 14 inches in some location; there are thinner areas 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
Ice thickness is14 inches or more in most areas, 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 have areas of open water or areas that have iced over very recently. Be cautious of seams that have popped up on many lakes. Most area lakes have 14 or more inches of ice. The extended forecast calls for warm temperatures during the day, but below freezing at night. Check ice thickness often when moving around. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.