Lake Smith

Ice thickness is 12-14 inches. Still catching a few bluegills and crappies but the bite is slow.

Clear Lake

Ice thickness is 10 to 16 inches. Anglers should avoid driving through the channel that runs from the little lake to the big lake as that area can be unsafe; take the highway around instead.  Walleye – Slow: Most of the walleyes being caught are under the 14-inch minimum.  Yellow Bass – Fair: Once you find them the action can be good, but you have to be willing to move. Most yellow bass being caught are around 8 inches.

Lake Cornelia

Ice thickness is 10 to 14 inches. Yellow bass are still biting, use a minnow head or piece of cut bait on a small jig.  Yellow Bass – Good: Most fish being caught are around 8 inches.

Crystal Lake

Ice thickness is 12 to 16 inches. Bluegill fishing has been good using small jigs tipped with wax worms. Crappie fishing has been fair using minnows at dusk.

Bluebill Lake

Ice thickness is 12 to 15 inches. Anglers are catching a few bluegill, crappie and perch but the action is slow.

Reports on ice thickness of most area lakes have been from 10 -16 inches this week. 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

Iowa Great Lakes – Angling for all species on the Iowa Great Lakes continue to be slow.  Look for a major front to improve panfish action.

Scharnberg Pond

1,500 rainbow trout were stocked in mid November. Use jigging spoons or teardrop jigs just under the ice to a few feet down. A trout stamp is needed to fish for or possess trout.  Another 1,500 rainbow will be stocked on January 25.

West Okoboji Lake

Northern Pike – Slow: Tip-ups baited with chubs or small bluegills should bring a few pike.  Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills have been difficult to find but a few are being caught by sight fishing in or near the weeds.

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