Arrowhead Lake
Ice conditions are thin and variable. It is difficult to see the variability with the snow cover; unsafe ice conditions.
Black Hawk Lake
Ice conditions are variable and difficult to see due to snow cover. Ice thickness near the Ice House Point boat ramp is 3 inches, with several inches of snow cover. Ice fishing is not recommended. 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.
Black Hawk Pits
Ice is too thin and variable; unsafe ice conditions.
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.
Brushy Creek Lake
Unsafe ice conditions.
North Twin Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended.
Storm Lake
Ice conditions are variable. The variability is difficult to see with the recent snow cover. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Ice thickness is 0 to 4 inches in the district. The ice variability is difficult to see with snow cover. Unsafe ice conditions on many lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is postponing the trout stocking scheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 13 due to unsafe ice conditions. The family fishing event also scheduled for this Saturday has been canceled and will not be rescheduled.
Clear Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended. Ice thickness varies greatly. Ice conditions should improve with colder temperatures forecast for the next several days. 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
Ice fishing is not recommended. Ice thickness varies greatly. Winter aeration system is operating.
Rice Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended. Ice thickness varies greatly. Winter aeration system is operating.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice fishing is not recommended. Ice thickness varies greatly. Winter aeration system is operating.
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 is fully ice covered, but be weary of holes that have closed up more recently. Ice thickness is 4 inches or less in most areas. 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 ice covered. Ice thickness is around 5 inches. Lots of waterfowl are residing on an open hole on the lake. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful morning and evening.
Lost Island Lake
Ice thickness is around 5 inches. There is a large open hole in the center of the lake. Black Crappie – Fair. Walleye – Fair: Anglers have been successful fishing from shorelines in the evenings.
Minnewashta Lake
Ice thickness is 4 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Try slowly trolling over vegetation with minnows and plastics. Bluegill – Fair. Pumpkinseed – Good.
Scharnberg Pond
You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The lake is fully ice covered, but still has relatively thin ice. Average ice thickness is 3 inches. Black Bullhead – Good. Walleye – Fair: Expect the walleye bite to improve with falling water temperatures.
Spirit Lake
The lake is fully ice covered, but only the northeast bay and closer up shore has ok ice. Ice thickness is 5 inches or less in most areas. 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
Large portions of the the lake are ice covered. Only a few bays have safe ice for for travel; use caution. 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.

Ice thickness is 5 inches or less on most area lakes. Current temperatures are below freezing and should continue to get colder over the next week. Expect ice conditions to improve each day. The largest lakes have been the last to freeze. Bays and smaller lakes are best for safe ice fishing access. Check ice thickness frequently; there are many open areas that have frozen more recently. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.