Black Hawk Lake
The lake is ice-free. Courtesy docks are in. Anglers are picking up fish in Town Bay, along shore near Ice House Point, and in the fish house. The inlet bridge area has also been productive. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up crappie along Ice House Point shoreline and from the fish house using small jigs. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up walleye in Town Bay using crankbaits minnows and twisters. The bite has been good at times. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use minnows and jigs near Ice House Point and from the inlet bridge area.
Black Hawk Pits
The lake is ice-free.
Brushy Creek Lake
The lake is ice-free. Reports will be available as we receive them.
North Twin Lake
The lake is ice-free. Water levels remain low; use caution when loading boats at the ramps.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
The lake is ice-free. Reports will be available as we receive them. Expect shore fishing opportunities as water temperatures warm up over the week. All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; and no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day.
Western Iowa lakes are ice-free. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
The lake is about 30 percent ice-free. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. No more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Channel Catfish – Fair: It’s time to target catfish; use cut bait from the wind-swept shore. Walleye – Slow: Anglers are having some success fishing from the jetties and wader fishing along the east shore after sunset. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Rice Lake
Unsafe ice conditions.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Unsafe ice conditions.
Winnebago River
Water levels are dropping to 6.10 feet. Northern Pike – Slow. Walleye – Slow.
Ice conditions are not safe on area lakes. For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
Ice thickness is around 17+ inches in most areas. The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie – Good: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow or tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Good: Use tube jigs, plastics, or other small jigs. Northern Pike – Good: Tip-ups are working well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Minnows are working well; some sorting may be needed.
Ingham Lake
A large hole is open on the lake, but there is still 15+ inches of ice. Walleye – Fair:
Lost Island Lake
Ice thickness is around 16 inches in most places. Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Good.
Minnewashta Lake
Ice thickness is around 17 inches. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Good.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Ice thickness is around 17+ inches, but conditions around the shorelines are thinner. Walleye – Good: Best bite is at dusk.
Spirit Lake
The lake is entirely iced over with 16+ inches in most places. The best ice is on the south end and Anglers Bay. Most accesses are clear of heaves and snow. The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie – Good. Yellow Perch – Good: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji Lake
West Okoboji is relatively free of any major heaves or hazards. The bluegill bite in Little Emerson Bay and out from Triboji has been slower; fish have been finicky. The walleye season is closed. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Fair: Use tube jigs, plastics, or other small jigs. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.
Most larger lakes have 16 inches of ice or more, but shorelines and accesses have thinner ice due to runoff. Colder weather maintained ice levels. Vehicle use is more limited in certain areas. The walleye season on the Iowa Great Lakes is closed until May 6th. Permanent and non-permanent ice shacks must be removed from the ice when not occupied. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.