Black Hawk Lake
The lake has had skim ice throughout the last week. With the highs in the 40s this week the lake will likely open up again. There are open water fishing opportunities at the fish house in Town Bay. Black Crappie – Fair: There is open water at the fish house in Town Bay crappie can be picked up with small jig. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try in the fish house in Town Bay. Use a small jig or a piece of crawler under a bobber.
Brushy Creek Lake
Courtesy docks are removed for the season.
Most lakes in the district have been covered in skim ice. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Rainbow trout were stocked on Nov. 21. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Good: Use spinnerbaits and small jigs.
Clear Lake
The lake is covered with ice. Conditions are still unsafe for ice fishing. 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. Yellow Bass – No Report
Rice Lake
Any water west of the north boat ramp is a waterfowl refuge and is closed to all activity from Sept. 1st through the final day of the duck season. Yellow Perch – No Report:
Winnebago River
Water level is 4.38 feet. Walleye – Fair:
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
The lake almost entirely covered in a thin layer of ice. Black Crappie – Fair: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Bluegill – Fair: Try using a small hook and piece of worm. In deeper water try using pilkies with wigglers or slip bobber setup. Walleye – Fair: Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and evening.
Lost Island Lake
Most of the lake has begun to ice up. Black Crappie – Fair: Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful fishing from shorelines in the evenings.
Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Slowly trolling over vegetation and using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers Bluegill – Fair: Pumpkinseed – Good:
Scharnberg Pond
Trout were stocked Nov. 8 as a part of the Urban Lakes Trout Program. Be sure to have a valid fishing license and trout stamp.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Black Bullhead – Good: Walleye – Fair: Expect the walleye bite to improve this week with falling water temperatures.
Spirit Lake
Large portions of the lake have begun to freeze over. The current water level is nine inches below crest. The crappie bite has been good. Black Crappie – Good: Minnows and plastics has been working well. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill – Good: Try a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water, try pilkies with wigglers or slip bobber setup. Walleye – Good: Minnows have been working well. Yellow Perch – Good: Good numbers can be found but may need to be sorted for size.
West Okoboji Lake
The lake is mostly open, but ice has begun to form in many of bays. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Try pilkies with wigglers or slip bobber setup. Pumpkinseed – Good: Walleye – Good: Minnows and plastics have been working well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.
Most area water levels are a few inches below crest. Most smaller lakes are covered in a thin layer of ice. Until the ice thickens more, fishing access is hard to find. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.