Yellow Smoke Park Lake

Yellow Smoke has around 7 inches of good ice.  Water clarity is excellent.  Fishing has been very slow.

Brushy Creek Lake

There is around 7 to 8 inches of ice between shore and 100 yards out from shore.  Avoid the main body of the lake as geese are keeping an area open.  Most anglers are targeting the north end of the lake.  The panfishing has been fairly slow with anglers catching around half a dozen crappies or less per trip.  The fish are in the 9 to 10-inch size range.

Bacon Creek Lake

Bacon Creek has about 6 inches of ices with 2 inches of snow cover.  Trout fishing has been excellent with waxies on a small jig head or a Kastmaster spoon.  A family fishing event and trout stocking is scheduled for Jan. 12.

Black Hawk Lake

Black Hawk Lake was renovated in November 2012 so there is no fishing to be had.  Ice is around 7 inches thick.  Waterfowl are keeping a small area open in the Town Bay.

Arrowhead Lake

Arrowhead Lake has 6 to 7 inches of ice.  Anglers have reported catching some bluegill in the 7.5 to 8.5-inch size range and a few large yellow bass.

Black Hawk Pits

Black Hawk Pit has around 6 to 7 inches of ice.  Anglers have been fishing Black Hawk Pit pretty hard, but are having difficulty locating fish. Keep moving around to locate fish.  The fish are likely stacked into a small area of the pit.

Moorland Pond

Moorland Pond was stocked with trout in mid-November.  Anglers should experience good trout fishing through the ice there right now.  The next stocking is scheduled for January 18.

Most lakes are frozen over around the Black Hawk District, with a few exceptions where waterfowl are still keeping small pockets of water open.  For more information or questions contact the Black Hawk Fish Management Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.

Maynes Grove Lake

6 to 8 inches of ice.

Lower Pine Lake

Pine Lake has 5.5 to 7 inches of ice. Geese are keeping a hole open on the north side to the island.   Bluegill – Good:   Crappie – Good:

Lake Smith

Thickness at Smith Lake near Algona is 8 to 12 inches. A winter aeration system is in use, so anglers need to stay away from that area.  Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are having good luck on bluegills and crappies. A little sorting required for both.

Lake Catherine

Bluegills biting before dark on wax worms at Lake Catherine at Thorpe Park. 10 inches of ice.  Bluegill – Good: Bluegills biting before dark on wax worms.

Clear Lake

Ice is 11 inches thick at McIntosh State Park. Ice by Farmers Access on the main lake is 8-10 inches. Be careful around the aerators.  Crappie – Fair: Some crappies and perch are being caught in the little lake.  Walleye – Fair: Some small walleyes are being reported on the little lake.  Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers are concentrated on the little lake and having success fishing with wax worms or a small jigging spoon tipped with cutbait. Some anglers are doing good by Farmers Access in 6-8 feet. Drill lots of holes and move around in the shallower water.

Crystal Lake

Bluegill – Good: Bluegills biting good on black and white jigs with wax worms. Walleye – Fair: Occasional walleye or pike. Try a jigging spoon with a minnow head.

Bluebill Lake

8.5-11 inches of ice.  Bluegill – Fair:   Yellow Perch – Good: Yellow perch are biting on wax worms in 12-15 feet of water.

Interstate Park Lake

8 inches of ice.

For ice condition updates and fishing information in the north central area contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

Lake Pahoja

Lake Pahoja is open to promiscuous fishing and a few bluegills and bass are being caught.

Mill Creek (Lake)

Bluegills and bass have been a bit on the slow side but a few are being caught yet.

Big Spirit Lake

There is currently 8-10 inches of ice with ATV’s and snowmobiles driving most areas on the lake.  Yellow Perch – Slow: Try a spoon or small jig tipped with wigglers, wax worms, or minnows for perch. Walleye – Slow: Early morning and late afternoon seems to be the best time to fish for walleye. Try a jigging spoon or jigging rap with a dead stick nearby.

Center Lake

The aerator is now on at Center Lake and there is 6-9 inches of ice.

Silver Lake (Dickinson)

Silver Lake currently has 9-11 inches of ice and the aerator is running on the east side of the lake.

West Okoboji Lake

There is currently 5-7 inches of ice and ATV’s are driving on much of the lake. Be aware there are goose holes in a few areas; avoid discolored ice and when in doubt turn back or test the ice with a spud.  Northern Pike – Fair: Setting tip ups with chubs on weed lines or over standing weeds should produce pike.  Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills in the bays (Emerson and Millers seem to be the best) in or near standing weeds. Sight fishing has been the most popular method but a few choose to hole hop.  Try small jigs tipped with wax worms or wigglers but don’t overlook some of the finesse plastics.  Yellow Perch – Fair: Look for perch in 20+ feet of water along drop offs or on mudflats.  Try spoons tipped with live bait such as wigglers, wax worms, or minnow heads.

Alton Roadside Park Pond

A few gills are being caught try using small jigs tipped with live bait.

For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at 712-336-1840.