Arrowhead Lake
Unsafe ice conditions. The ice is too thin to walk on and there are open areas in the center of the lake.

Black Hawk Lake
Ice thickness off of Ice House Point boat ramp is around 4 inches. Ice thickness is variable and much thinner in other areas: there are open areas in the main basin of the lake. There is open water fishing at the fish house in Tow Bay – area underneath the structure is kept ice free with a water agitator. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a waxworm or small minnow. Walleye – Good: Early ice anglers have had good luck using wigglers and small minnows. Ice is variable; check thickness often as you move. Most have been fishing around Ice House Point ramp and near Gunshot hill area.

Black Hawk Pits
Unsafe ice conditions.

Storm Lake
The lake is mostly covered with ice. Thickness is 1 to 5 inches. There are some open water areas so conditions are still really variable. Check ice thickness often as you move.

Most area lakes are covered in ice ranging from 1 to 5 inches thick. Conditions are variable with pockets of open water in many lakes. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Blue Pit
Blue Pit is still ice free. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Fair.

Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 5 to 6 inches near shore. Use a spud bar to test the ice conditions before venturing out. Black Crappie – Good: Try near the rushes on the north shore. Bluegill -Slow: Use a small jig tipped with bait near vegetation. Walleye -Slow. Yellow Bass – Fair: Try a jig tipped with bait in 2 to 3 feet of water. Yellow Perch – Fair: Most perch being caught are 4- to 6-inches.

Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 4 to 5 inches near shore. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with bait.

Rice Lake
Ice thickness is highly variable. There are several areas of open water. Check ice thickness often as move. Yellow Perch – Slow. Use a jig tipped with bait near vegetation.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 6 to 7 inches near shore. Bluegill – Slow. Yellow Perch – Slow: Try a jig tipped with bait in 2 to 3 inches of water.
Aeration systems are running at Clear Lake, Rice Lake and Silver Lake. Avoid any open water areas; be cautious of waterfowls holes on these lakes. Check ice thickness often as you move. For information on lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

East Okoboji Lake
Lake level is just below crest. The lake is almost fully ice covered with around 7 inches of ice. There is still a large open hole on the lower basin straight out from Bridges Bay. Black Crappie – Good: Bluegill – Good: Many bluegill seen; easily catchable around functional docks. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Bass are a ways off shore; you can find some around docks and structure. Yellow Perch – Good: Many perch seen; sorting most likely needed.

Ingham Lake
Water is fully ice covered. Walleye – Fair: Morning and afternoon bite is best.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Lake is fully ice covered with around 7.5 inches of ice. Walleye – Good: Bite hit-or-miss, but very good when bite is on.
Spirit Lake
The lake is fully iced over. Some locations have up to 8 inches of ice; there are areas that are thinner on the main basin that froze more recently. Templar lagoon and out from Hales Slough boat ramp have the best ice. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are finding quality-size crappie up to 14-inches. Bluegill – Good. Walleye – Good: The nght shore bite has been good. Evening is best with leech and bobber from shore or crankbaits and slip bobbers by boat. Yellow Perch – Good: Sorting is needed; anglers are finding many of acceptable size.
West Okoboji Lake
Lake level is a few inches below crest. Unsafe ice conditions; the lake is still mostly open. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good.
Most lakes are completely frozen over. Most areas have 7 or less inches of ice; many larger lakes have holes that have just frozen over recently. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.