Black Hawk Lake
The lake is open. Skim ice will likely form throughout the coming week. 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
Aerators are in operation off-shore near the park visitor center for the winter season; expect open water and thin ice in this area when the lake starts to freeze over.
Brushy Creek Lake
The lake is ice-free. Courtesy docks are removed for the season.
North Twin Lake
The lake has been mostly ice-free. Any remaining ice is unsafe.
Storm Lake
Storm Lake has been partially ice-covered. Any remaining ice is unsafe.
Most lakes in the area are completely open. With temperatures falling, expect ice to slowly build but still be too thin to walk on throughout this coming week. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Clear Lake is completely ice-free. Any newly formed ice will be very thin without colder temperatures.
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake is mostly ice-free. Winter aeration system is operating.
Rice Lake
Rice Lake is completely ice-free.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Silver Lake is mostly ice-free. Winter aeration system is operating.
Most all of the northcentral Iowa lakes are ice-free. 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 has started to form ice again. 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 open. Lots of waterfowl are residing at the lake. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and evening.
Lost Island Lake
The lake is essentially ice-free. 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 is essentially ice-free. 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 essentially ice-free. 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.
Most area water levels are a few inches below crest. Most larger lakes are almost completely open. Warmer weather and rain showers has knocked back any ice that has been made. Expect ice to start building this weekend as high temperatures will be at or below freezing. Some bays have thicker ice, but ice fishing access can be hard to find. Check ice thickness often if you attempt to go out on the water. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.