Arrowhead Lake
Ice thickness is 7 inches at the boat ramp.
Black Hawk Lake
Ice thickness is around 12 inches off of Ice House Point boat ramp with several inches of snow/slush. The aerators in Town Bay are in operation; expect open water and thin ice in this area. Anglers can also fish open water at the fish house in Town Bay; the area directly underneath the structure is kept open with a small water agitator. Black Crappie – Fair: Bigger fish are 10- to 12-inches. Use minnows and waxworms on a jig. Bluegill – Fair: Bite is slow to fair; catch fish up to 6- to 8-inches. Use waxworms. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up a walleye with minnows and leeches. Best bit is morning and around sunset. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting is needed; fish up to 12 inches are being picked up on waxworms and small minnows fished in 4-6 feet of water between Gunshot Hill and Denison Beach area.
Black Hawk Pits
Ice thickness is 10 inches off the boat ramp.
Brushy Creek Lake
Ice conditions are variable. Use caution and check ice thickness often. There are still thinner areas around standing trees and some areas near shore. The thickest ice is around 10-12 inches near the north boat ramp. Ice on the south end of the lake is thinner and more variable. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappie in 20-30 feet of water with minnows and spoons. A few fish are also being picked up using waxworms on various colored jigs. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are having luck on the north end of the lake; sorting is needed. Most fish are being picked up using spikes fished near the bottom. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few walleye. Bite is hit-or-miss. Use minnows and a jigging spoon. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Moorland Pond
Rainbow trout were stocked recently. Use a small hook or jig tipped with either a minnow, a piece of crawler, or small powerbaits fished under a bobber. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Storm Lake
The thickest ice is up to 15 inches. Conditions are variable and can change quickly from one area to another on this lake; check ice thickness often as you move. There are areas of thin ice near the big island and at a several seams. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few walleye along the dredge cuts on the east side in about 10-14 feet of water using spoons and minnows. Some have had luck in 5-6 feet of water during low light hours. White Bass – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers are getting the numbers, but sorting is needed. Keepers are 8- to 9-inches. Try a small jig and waxworm. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Anglers are picking up good numbers along dredge cuts; sorting is needed.
Most lakes in the area have 6-15 inches of ice. The winter aeration system in Town Bay (westernmost bay) of Black Hawk Lake is in operation. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 18 inches. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. The daily limit is 3 with no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small minnow near vegetation in 6 to 8 feet of water. Bluegill – Slow: Try a small jig tipped with spikes in 2 to 4 feet of water. Best bite is early morning and near sunset. Walleye – Slow: Use a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head in 6 to 8 feet of water near vegetation. Best bite is low light periods and after sunset. Yellow Bass – Slow: Stay mobile to find fish. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try live bait and jigs near vegetation. Use a bigger bait to avoid the small fish.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 18 inches. Black Crappie – Slow: Try a small jig tipped with bait near the dredge cut. Bluegill – Fair:
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 18 inches. Bluegill – Slow. Yellow Perch – Slow: Try a small jig tipped with bait near vegetation.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 0 to 18 inches. Bluegill – Good: Use a small jig tipped with waxworms near vegetation. Best bite is early morning and sunset. Yellow Perch – Fair.