Arrowhead Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended.

Black Hawk Lake
Most remaining ice is unsafe. There are open water fishing opportunities at the fish house in Town Bay. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a waxworm small minnow or jigs. Fish around the fish house in Town Bay.

Black Hawk Pits
Ice fishing is not recommended

Brushy Creek Lake
Ice is deteriorating quickly with the warm weather. Conditions are unknown as they are changing daily this week. Much of the remaining ice is honeycombed and starting to rot. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish are being picked up on the north end in 20 plus feet of water. Yellow Perch – Fair:

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Ice is deteriorating quickly. Many areas are unsafe. There are open areas and seams. Use extreme caution if venturing out on any remaining ice. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow Perch – Fair:

Ice has deteriorated during the week. Ice fishing is not recommended in many of the lakes in the southern part of the district. Some lakes have 7-plus inches of ice still but it is rotten ice. Use extreme caution if venturing out. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 14 to 16 inches on most of the lake. Watch out for bad ice conditions in the Channel, from Dodge’s Point to the Island, and the east shore south of Outlet to Billy’s Reef. The access points are still good but will start to deteriorate with the forecasted warm weather. Black Crappie – Good: Fish a small jig tipped with bait near the rushes. Use caution in this area as the warm weather will change ice conditions rapidly. Walleye – Fair: Use jigging spoons tipped with a minnow. Best bite is near sunset and after dark. White Bass – Good: Fish a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head in the little lake. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass are being caught on small spoons and jigs especially near sunset.
Crystal Lake
Aeration system is operating near the boat ramp. Use caution if fishing in that area. Black Crappie – Fair: Use small spoons and minnows in 10 to 16 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: Try small jigs with insect larvae in the deeper dredge cuts.
Rice Lake
Winter aeration system is operating. Use caution if fishing in that area. Bluegill – Fair: Fish a small jig tipped with insect larvae near submersed vegetation. Yellow Perch – Good: Try small minnows, jigs and spoons in 4 to 6 feet of water. A lot of sorting is needed for larger fish.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Aeration system is operating near the boat ramp area. Use caution if fishing in that area. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with waxworms. Yellow Perch – Fair: Fish a small jig or minnow near submersed vegetation.
Ice conditions are variable across north central Iowa lakes. Avoid areas around pressure cracks, points, and reefs. Use caution if venturing out. 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 are open or have just frozen over recently, most of which are on the northern most basin. There is around 16 inches of ice or more in most areas. The walleye season is currently closed. Black Crappie – Good: Bluegill – Good: Largemouth Bass – Fair: Yellow Perch – Good: Many fish have been observed but sorting will most likely be needed.

Ingham Lake
The lake is fully ice covered with around 17 inches of ice. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have had some success in the morning and afternoon.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Caution: The lake aerator is currently in operation. The lake has over 15 inches of ice. Walleye – Fair: The bite has been hit or miss.

Spirit Lake
The lake has safe ice for ice fishing but also has a large open water section off Big Stoney Point. Most areas have over 17 inches of ice. The walleye season is currently closed. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers have been finding fish of quality size up to 14 inches. Bluegill – Good: Yellow Perch – Good: Sorting is needed but anglers have been finding many of acceptable size.

West Okoboji Lake
Most places have 16 inches of ice or more, but there are still many unsafe areas or areas of open water out on the main lake. The walleye season is currently closed. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good:
Most area lakes still have plenty of good ice. Many of which have 14 or more inches. Some areas have started to open up due to warm weather. Standing water has also started to pool on the surface in some areas. Permanent Ice shelters must be removed from lakes and state property unless occupied. The walleye season on the IGL’s is closed until May 3rd. For current conditions, call 712-330-2542.