Beeds Lake

There is open water by the silt dam on the northwest end where Canada geese are gathering. It won’t be long before catfish will be feeding in shallow open water. When the current opens up the cuts in the causeway, try for cats, bass, crappies.

Lower Pine Lake

Ice is unsafe on Upper and Lower Pine lakes.

Lake Smith

Ice is still around 15 inches, but very little fishing pressure.  Bluegill – Slow:

Clear Lake

Ice is unsafe on the main lake but anglers may be able to ice fish on the little lake for another weekend if caution is used. Some anglers say thickness is around 14 inches.  Yellow Bass – Good: Yellow bass are scattered. Anglers have been doing well the last few days. Some fish may be moving into 8-9 feet of water.

Lake Cornelia

Warning: In the channel leading to the quiet water area has a lot of variation in ice thickness. Lots of ice left on Cornelia.  Channel Catfish – Fair:  Bluegill – Slow:   Yellow Bass – Good: Yellows are biting well; most are around 7 inches. Anglers catching some of the little bit larger ones on jigging spoons.

Little Wall Lake

There is some open water around the edges.

Crystal Lake

Ice is still around 13 inches thick but anglers should use caution this weekend with warming weather. Fishing success at Crystal has been good. It’s been pretty consistent and should continue to produce good fishing in the next week.  Bluegill – Good:  Fish near the dredged area 9 to 14 feet of water. Anglers are still catching 7-9-inch bluegills on wax worms or spikes.

Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth bass and an occasional walleye or northern pike being caught on minnows.

Rice Lake

Fishing has likely slowed as there has not been much recent activity.  Crappie – Slow: Lots of 5-6 inch crappies and perch; some crappies are 9-14 inches. Fishing has slowed down on Rice. Walleye – Slow: A few walleyes are being caught.

Blue Pit

Rainbow trout were stocked on Jan 19.

Iowa River (Iowa Falls to Marshalltown)

Ice is still in above Steamboat Rock. However, below Steamboat Rock there is some activity for walleye and northern pike.

Shell Rock River (above Greene)

Anglers might try below some of the dams for walleye, northern pike, or catfish.

Winnebago River

Ice is melting. Anglers might have success looking for eddy areas, where the current is slower, and fishing with cutbait or minnows for catfish or northern pike.

East Fork Des Moines (Algona to Humboldt)

The East Fork near Algona is still frozen, but expect areas below the rock dams to open up this weekend.

Be mindful of warming weather and changing ice conditions on area lakes. Ice on many of the area lakes is unsafe. 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.  Bluegill – Fair: A few bluegills and crappies are being caught in Anglers Bay using small jigs tipped with live bait or plastic.

East Okoboji Lake

Walleye season is closed until May 4.

West Okoboji Lake

Walleye season is closed until May 4.  Northern Pike – Slow: Try putting tip-ups around weeds.  Bluegill – Fair: Emerson and Miller bays continue to be the most popular areas to fish for bluegills but better fishing has been day by day.  Crappie – Fair: Action has picked up in a few areas but most are still caught while fishing for bluegills.   Yellow Perch – Slow: A few perch are still being caught out deep as well as in the weeds while fishing for bluegills.

Elk Lake

Yellow Perch – Fair: A few decent perch have been caught in the past few weeks but some sorting may required as there are many smaller fish.

With the sun gaining more power the ice continues to weaken with some areas beginning to honeycomb making all but foot travel unsafe.  For more information contact the Spirit Lake Hatchery at 712-336-1840