Brushy Creek Lake

Ice conditions are slowly deteriorating on Brushy Creek.  There is open water between the beach and the dam.  Ice conditions in the north end of the lake are variable, anywhere from 5 to 11 inches thick.  Crappie – Good: Some anglers are catching limits of crappie in 40 to 50 feet of water.

Arrowhead Lake

Some anglers continue to fish Arrowhead focusing on the northern half of the lake, but keeping south of the footbridge.  Use caution as an ATV recently went through the ice at the southern end of the lake.

Ice conditions continue to change drastically and are unpredictable at area lakes.

Beeds Lake

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

Lower Pine Lake

Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills, average size, being caught at sunset with wax worms. Crappie – Fair: A few 12 to 14-inch crappies are being caught.

Lake Smith

Ice thickness is 8-12 inches.  Bluegill – Fair:

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.  Channel Catfish – Slow: Anglers have been catching some 20 to 24-inch catfish using minnows on the main lake in the deeper water. Try near the island or Baptist Camp.  Crappie – Slow: Crappies are mostly being found in 15 to 20 feet of water, suspended 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. Move around till you find numbers. Look for 9 to 14 feet of water. They seem willing to bite whole minnows, cutbait, or wax worms.

Lake Cornelia

14 to 16 inches of ice is on the main lake. Warning: The channel leading to the quiet water area has a lot of variation in ice thickness. There were some areas of open water in the channel last week.  Channel Catfish – Fair: Anglers at night are reporting catching catfish.  Bluegill – Slow:   Yellow Bass – Slow:

Crystal Lake

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

Rice Lake

Crappie – Fair: Lots of 5-6 inches crappies and perch; some crappies are 9-14 inches. Walleye – Slow: A few walleyes are being caught.

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.

Big Spirit Lake

Walleye season is closed until May 4. Northern Pike – Slow: A few have reported seeing pike while sight fishing for bluegills.  Try putting tip-ups in shallower areas and around weeds.  Bluegill – Slow: A few bluegills are being caught in Anglers Bay using small jigs tipped with live bait or plastic.  Yellow Perch – Slow: Perch continue to be finicky but a few are being caught once located.  Try spoons and small jigs with wigglers.

East Okoboji Lake

Walleye season is closed until May 4. Yellow Bass – Fair: Finding a school of yellow bass may be challenging but once located, they can be fairly active.  Try jigs tipped with live bait or plastic.

West Okoboji Lake

Walleye season is closed until May 4. Northern Pike – Slow: Try putting tip-ups around weeds.   Bluegill – Slow: Emerson and Miller bays continue to be the most popular areas to fish for bluegills with Smiths Bay gaining some attention.  Sight fishing with small jigs and light line can be a good way to catch a few fish. Yellow Perch – Slow: A few perch are still being caught deep as well as in the weeds while fishing for bluegills.

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