Arrowhead Lake
Ice thickness is 6-7 inches near the boat ramp. Areas in the middle of the lake may be thinner. Use caution and check ice thickness often as you move around.
Bacon Creek Lake
Rainbow trout were stocked this winter. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Daily limit is 5 trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10. Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but together, they can only keep one daily limit. Children can pay the trout fee, allowing them to keep their own daily limit. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Use a small hook with a nightcrawler, corn, or powerbait trout bites under a small bobber. A small and shiny jig or spoon tipped with bait also works well.
Black Hawk Lake
The aeration system in Town Bay is operating. Expect thin ice and open water in Town Bay. Ice thickness is 7 inches off of Ice House Point boat ramp with 4 inches of snow cover. This is the best ice on the lake – other areas in the middle may be thinner or have large pockets of open water. There is open water fishing at the fish house in Town Bay. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a waxworm, small minnow, or jigs. Most luck has been around the fish house in Town Bay and near Ice House Point. Walleye – Fair: Pick up walleye around Ice House Point boat ramp, near the Gunshot hill area, and in the inlet bridge bay area. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are picking up some perch with minnows and waxworms. Most are having luck between Denison Beach and Gunshot Hill area.
Black Hawk Pits
Ice thickness is 6 inches near the boat ramp. Conditions are variable.
Brushy Creek Lake
Anglers have been out on the north end where ice thickness is 7-9 inches. Conditions are more variable elsewhere on the lake. Expect open areas and weak ice around protruding trees and other structure. Other areas of the lake are thinner or have pockets of open water. Use caution if venturing out; check ice thickness often as you move around. Black Crappie – Fair: Pick up crappie on the north end in 20 plus feet of water. Bluegill – Slow. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Moorland Pond
Rainbow trout were stocked this winter. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10. Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but together, they can only keep one daily limit. Children can pay the trout fee, allowing them to keep their own daily limit. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Try a small hook with a nightcrawler, corn, or powerbait trout bites under a small bobber. A small shiny jig or spoon tipped with bait also works well.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Ice thickness is around 8-10 inches. Conditions are becoming more variable with open area and seams to watch out for. Use caution; check ice thickness often as you make your way out. Walleye – Slow: Some fish are being picked up along the dredge cuts. Yellow Bass – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair.
ice thickness is 6-9 inches and covered with several inches of recent snow on most district lakes. Ice is becoming more variable with more open areas showing up. Use caution if venturing out. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 12-16 inches on most of the lake. Use extreme caution if driving on the lake. Areas that were open water a few days ago are now frozen over and covered with snow. Wear safety gear and check ice thickness as you go. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with waxworm in 2 to 3 feet of water near vegetation. Walleye – Fair: Try a minnow near rocky habitat. Best bite is early morning and near sunset. Yellow Bass – Slow: Use a jig tipped with bait in 2 to 3 feet of water. Yellow Perch – Good: Most perch being caught are 4 to 6 inches. Use a bigger bait to target the larger fish.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 16-18 inches with open water on the southeast side. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with minnow near the dredge cut. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye -Slow.
Lower Pine Lake
Ice thickness is 8 to 10 inches. Black Crappie – Good: Bluegill – Good: Try a small jig tipped with a waxworm around the island.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 16-18 inches. Bluegill – Good: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm near vegetation. Best bike is early morning. Walleye – Slow. Best bike is around sunset. Yellow Perch – Excellent: Try a jig tipped with bait near vegetation. You may have to upsize your bait to avoid the small fish.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 16-18 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with waxworms near vegetation. Yellow Perch – Good: Try a jig tipped with bait in 2 to 3 feet of water.
Aeration systems are running at Crystal Lake, Rice Lake and Silver Lake. Use extreme caution if driving on any of the area lakes. Many had open water areas a few days ago that are now frozen over and covered with snow. 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
Watch for a handful of areas that are open or have just frozen over recently, mainly on the northern most basin. Ice thickness is around 14 inches or more in most areas. Black Crappie – Good: Bluegill – Good: Largemouth Bass – Fair: Yellow Perch – Good: Many perch seen; sorting most likely needed.
Ingham Lake
The lake is fully ice covered with around 15 inches. Walleye – Fair: Morning and afternoon bite is best.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Caution: The lake aerator is in operation. Ice thickness is more than 13 inches. Walleye -Fair: Bite hit-or-miss.
Spirit Lake
The lake has ice thick enough for fishing, but also has a large open water section off Big Stoney Point. Ice thickness is more than 15 inches. Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are finding quality-size crappie up to 14-inches. Bluegill – Good. Walleye – Good: Yellow Perch – Good: Sorting is needed; anglers are finding many of acceptable size.
West Okoboji Lake
Ice thickness is 14 inches or more in most areas, but there are still many unsafe areas or areas of open water on the main lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Bluegill – Good.
Most area lakes have 12 or more inches of ice, but many lakes have areas of open water that have persisted throughout the winter. Ice conditions should continue to improve with forecasted temperatures well below freezing. Recent precipitation has left 2 inches of snow covering on the lakes. The Walleye season on the IGL’s closes February 15th. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.