Black Hawk Lake
Most of the lake is covered with thin ice. Unsafe ice conditions. Warm temperatures forecast and rain will further weaken existing ice; the lake may open up again. The area around the fish house in Town bay is kept ice-free with a water agitator to provide open water fishing opportunities. Black Crappie – Fair: There is open water at the fish house in Town Bay; use a small jig. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try a small jig or a piece of crawler under a bobber.in the fish house in Town Bay.
Blue Lake
The lake is mostly ice-free. Aerators are in operation off-shore near the park visitor center for the winter season; expect open water and thin ice in this area.
Brushy Creek Lake
The lake is ice-free. Courtesy docks are removed for the season.
Storm Lake
Most of Storm Lake is covered with thin ice. Unsafe ice; too thin to walk on. Warmer weather and rain forecast will weaken existing ice.
Shoreline fishing is limited with skim ice on most area lakes. Any ice in the district is too thin to walk on. Some lakes may open up again with the warmer temperatures forecast and rain. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Rainbow Trout – Fair: Use spinnerbaits and small jigs. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Clear Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended. 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.
Crystal Lake
The aeration system is running. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Rice Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended.
Silver Lake (Worth)
The aeration system is running. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Ice fishing is not recommended with above freezing temperatures forecast and rain. 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
Much of the lake is ice covered. Very few areas offer safe ice fishing opportunities. Black Crappie – Fair: Use minnows and plastics. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small hook and piece of worm. In deeper water, use pilkies with wigglers or a slip bobber setup. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting will most likely be needed.
Ingham Lake
The lake is mostly iced up, but has a large open area that waterfowl has kept open. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and evening.
Lost Island Lake
The lake is almost entirely iced up. Black Crappie – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful fishing from shorelines in the evenings.
Minnewashta Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try slowly trolling over vegetation with minnows and plastics. Bluegill – Fair. Pumpkinseed – Good.
Scharnberg Pond
Rainbow trout were stocked recently. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Silver Lake
Black Bullhead – Good. Walleye – Fair: Expect the walleye bite to improve with falling water temperatures.
Spirit Lake
The lake has about 50 percent ice coverage. The current water level is 9 inches below crest. The crappie bite has been good. Black Crappie – Good: Minnows and plastics work well. Many nice-sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill – Good: Try a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water, use pilkies with wigglers or a slip bobber setup. Walleye – Good: Minnows work well. Yellow Perch – Good: Find good numbers; may need to sort for size.
West Okoboji Lake
The lake is mostly open, but ice has started to form in many bays. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Use pilkies with wigglers or a slip bobber setup. Pumpkinseed – Good: Walleye – Good: Minnows and plastics work well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting may be needed.