NORTHWEST

Brushy Creek Lake

There are areas of open water north of the dam.  Fishing remains fair to good for crappie, bluegill, and perch.  Ice thickness on north end and other shore areas is around 12 inches.

Beeds Lake

Anglers are saying that action is slow; a few bluegills.

Lower Pine Lake

Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills of average size are being caught at sunset with wax worms.

Lake Smith

Ice thickness at Smith Lake is 14 inches. Bluegill fishing has been slow.

Clear Lake

Ice depth is 14-18 inches.  Warning: Be cautious around the pressure ridges that have developed on the main lake. Watch the weather and changing ice conditions. Wind can widen the open water near the aerators, so be careful around them. Fishing has slowed some but anglers have had good catches on the warmer days. Some anglers are venturing out on the main lake and having catches comparable to those on the little lake.  Channel Catfish – Slow: Anglers have been catching some 20-24 inch catfish using minnows on the main lake in the deeper water near the island or Baptist Camp area. Crappie – Slow: Crappies are mostly being found in 15-20 feet water, suspended around 3 to 10 feet off the bottom. They are being caught on minnows or wax worms.  Yellow Perch – Slow: Perch are being caught in low numbers;  a few are over 10 inches. Try a small spoon and a minnow or minnow head.  Walleye – Slow: An occasional report of a keeper walleye being caught near the island on the main lake and a few in the little lake.  Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass are scattered. Keep moving untill you find numbers of them. Look for 9-14 feet of water. They seem willing to bite whole minnows, cutbait, or wax worms.

Lake Cornelia

14 to 16 inches of ice on the main lake. Warning: In the channel leading to our quiet water area we have a lot of variation in ice thickness.  Last week in that channel some areas were open.

Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers at night are reporting catching catfish.  Bluegill – Slow:   Yellow Bass – Slow:

Crystal Lake

Bluegill – Fair:  Fish near the dredged area 8 to 12 feet of water. Anglers are still catching 7-9 inch bluegills.  Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass and an occasional walleye or northern pike being caught on minnows.

Blue Pit

Rainbow trout were stocked on Jan 19.

Bluebill Lake

16 inches of ice. Fishing has been slow. Spawning structures were added in the area near the boat ramp, so anglers will need to avoid areas where ice was disturbed.

Be mindful of warming weather and changing ice conditions on area lakes. Reminder: Shelters must be removed from all state-owned lands and waters by Feb. 20.

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