Gustafson Lake

Gustafson Pond has around five inches of ice. Bluegill – Fair: Some nice bluegill have been caught using tungsten tear drops and plastics, such as the Trigger X Mustache Worm.  Yellow Perch – Slow: The yellow perch that are being caught are on the small side.

Brushy Creek Lake

Ice is starting to form in the north end of the lake.  Channel Catfish – No Report:

Bacon Creek Lake

1,500 rainbow trout were stocked in November.  Fishing for trout should remain good throughout the season.  The next stocking will occur in January.  Rainbow Trout – Good:

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Anglers are getting out on the east and north parts of the lake.  There is a large pocket of open water from Boy Scout Island running down to the Casino Point area.  Yellow Perch – Slow: Some yellow perch have been caught while targeting walleye.  The perch are running 8-10 inches. Walleye – Fair: Some walleye are being picked up around the King’s Pointe and Chautauqua areas.  Try using buckshot spoons or JB Weasels.  Black Crappie – Slow:

North Twin Lake

Ice thickness is ranging from 1-5 inches.  As of Dec. 10, there were some open areas along the east side.  Channel Catfish – No Report:

Swan Lake

The aerators have been turned on.  Some anglers have been on the ice, but no reports have been received.  Channel Catfish – No Report:

Black Hawk Lake

The aeration system is in operation in the Town Bay area of Black Hawk Lake.  There are large pockets of open water in the central portion and the southeast part of the lake.  Channel Catfish – No Report:

Arrowhead Lake

Arrowhead now has ice across most of the lake.  However, the east side recently froze and is not as thick as the west side.  Channel Catfish – No Report:

Moorland Pond

1,500 rainbow trout were stocked in November.  Trout fishing should remain good throughout the season.  The next stocking will occur in January.  Rainbow Trout – Good:

Lakes are starting to freeze.  Some of the larger lakes still have pockets of open water.

Lower Pine Lake

No activity on the Pine Lakes because of open water. Crappie – No Report:

Lake Smith

Smith Lake has five inches plus of ice and anglers have been catching bluegills and crappies.  Bluegill – Good: Bluegill fishing has been good.  Crappie – Good: Anglers have been catching crappie.

Lake Catherine

Lake Catherine ice depth is 4-5 inches. Bluegill – Good: 9 1/2-inch bluegills were being caught at Lake Catherine on Dec 5th.

Clear Lake

Ice is 5-8 inches on the little lake and around 4-5 inches on the north shore of the main lake. Warmer weather and some possible rain will make some ice safety a concern. There are a few areas of open water on the main lake, so be cautious. Aerators have also been started. The DNR recommends a minimum of four inches of ice for fishing and a minimum of five inches of ice for ATVs or snowmobiles.  Crappie – Slow: Anglers are reporting decent catches of crappies (12-18) in 15-22 feet of water in the little lake. Crappies range from 10-12 inches.  Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers reporting shallower water is better for yellows. Bite has been tedious, though. Size of the catch is split between 5 inches and 8 inches.

Lake Cornelia

Cornelia has between 4-5 inches of ice.  Bluegill – Fair:  Yellow Bass – Good: Yellows biting in 15-17 feet of water with small jigs with cutbait or waxies.

Little Wall Lake

Ice was 5-6 inches on Dec 9. Fishing has been very slow, water clarity is bad. The aerator is in operation, so beware of thin ice around the aerator on the southeast end of the lake.  Crappie – No Report:

Crystal Lake

Ice was 6.5 inches on Nov 30. Bluegill – Fair: Variable catch with some anglers reporting 8-15 bluegills on a black jig with flecking. Anglers have been keeping fish in the 7.75 to 8.25 inch range.

Blue Pit

An urban trout stocking took place at Blue Pit in Mason City (S Pierce Avenue) on Nov. 26. Anglers are reminded to have a 2014 fishing license (age 16 and older) and trout stamp. Lake is mostly iced in; there may be some spots by the pier or aerator to drop a line in, yet. Rainbow Trout – Good: 1,500 rainbows were stocked.

Bluebill Lake

Bluebill Lake has 7-8 inches of ice.  Bluegill – Good: Anglers are having some success fishing for bluegill and crappie near submerged tree clumps.

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

Big Spirit Lake

Ice conditions- Foot traffic advised due to variable ice conditions throughout the lake. Yellow Perch – Good: Anglers Bay- fisherman doing well with small jigs and wax worms; 7-11-inch fish are being creeled.  Walleye – Fair: walleyes are being caught during the early morning bite, and later at Stoney Point, Marble access, and Templar; 14-22-inch fish are being creeled.

East Okoboji Lake

Bluegill – Fair: Windy days present an increase in catch rates; 6-9-inch fish have been reported.

Center Lake

Aeration system is active on northwest corner, caution is advised as thin ice and open areas exist in this area. Channel Catfish – No Report:

Minnewashta Lake

Good panfish action (bluegill and crappie) was reported this week.  Sorting is in order as numbers of small fish are being caught; however, persistence and patience will be rewarded with good numbers of angler acceptable size fish in the bag.  Crappie – Good:

Silver Lake (Dickinson)

Some fishing activity on Silver Lake with ice measured at six inches at the west boat ramp.  The aeration system is active on the east side of the lake.  Caution is in order as thin ice and open water exists in this area. Due to the high winds the open water area to the south of the aeration system has expanded greatly in size and caution will be in order in this area when colder temps results in freeze up of this currently open water area. Crappie – No Report:

Ingham Lake

Aeration system located on the south west corner is active with open water and thin ice exists in this area.  Crappie – No Report:

Five Island Lake

Aeration system is active in Town Bay.  Caution is advised as open water and thin ice exists in this area.  Bluegill – No Report:

Limited ice fishing activity in the Spirit Lake District.  Lakes are ice covered and ice conditions have improved, with 6 inches measured on area lakes.