Brushy Creek Lake

There is around 10 inches of ice in the north end and along the east side of the lake. Bluegill – Fair: There have been some reports of anglers picking up bluegill around the submerged trees.

Bacon Creek Lake

Approximately 1,500 rainbow trout will be stocked into Bacon Creek around 1:30 PM on January 17th. Bluegill – Fair: The bluegill fishing seems to be better in the evening and at night.  Try fishing out in the middle with wax worms.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Storm Lake has around 14 inches of ice.  Walleye – Slow:  Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch are being picked up just about anywhere.  Anglers are catching around 6-8 fish per trip.  Sorting is required as fish are ranging from 6-10 inches.  Try using a small spoon and wax worm.  White Bass – Slow: Some white bass are being picked up fishing out in the deeper dredged areas. Black Crappie – Slow: Most of the crappie are being picked up around the inlet area.

North Twin Lake

North Twin Lake has around 14 inches of ice.

Black Hawk Lake

The winter aeration system is on in the Town Bay.  Ice is 11 inches at the Ice House Point boat ramp. Walleye – Fair: Fair numbers of walleye were caught over the weekend, but fishing seems to have slowed down a bit recently.  Most anglers are targeting the dredge cuts in the Denison Beach area and Provost Point.  The walleye that are being caught are around 14 inches. Yellow Perch – Slow: Decent size yellow perch can be caught after sundown around Ice House Point. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill can be caught after sundown around Ice House Point.  Anglers are keeping bluegills around 8 inches.

Southwood Conservation Area Pond (east)

Bluegill – Slow: A few keeper bluegills have been picked up in 13 feet of water using wax worms. Black Crappie – Slow: A few keeper crappies have been caught while fishing for bluegill.

Pickeral Lake

Ice thickness is around 12 inches at Pickeral Lake.

Arrowhead Lake

Arrowhead Lake has 8.5 inches of ice off the boat ramp. Bluegill – Slow: Anglers have had some success catching bluegill around the stake beds on the east side of the lake.  Bluegills are running 7-9 inches.  Try using real small lures baited with a wiggler.

Black Hawk Pits

There is 11 inches of ice off the boat ramp.

Moorland Pond

Approximately 1,500 rainbow trout will be stocked into Moorland around noon on January 24th.

Lizard Lake

Ice thickness is around 9-10 inches.

For more information on the Black Hawk District call 712-657-2638.

Lower Pine Lake

Lower Pine Lake is becoming iced over with 7-8 inches of ice found west the island.  Crappie – Fair: A few panfish (bluegill and crappie) are being caught with grubs.

Upper Pine Lake

For Upper Pine Lake – Bluegills are being caught through 8+ inches of ice along the rocks on the west shore.

Lake Smith

Ice is 12-14 inches. Anglers have been active and are doing well on bluegills with a few crappies.

Clear Lake

Ice is around 10-12 inches on the main lake, perhaps a little more on the little lake. Most of the fishing activity has been on the little lake around the deeper holes. There are a few permanent shacks on the west end of the main lake and a few anglers have ventured out near the island and Gilmore’s reef. Yellow Bass – Good: Yellows have been caught in 8-10 feet of water on the little lake. Size of the catch is split between 5 inches and 8 inches. Larger yellows seem to be coming from shallower water (8-12 feet) while some anglers have had larger numbers of smaller yellows from deeper water (18-20 feet). Crappie – Good: Anglers are reporting decent numbers of crappies in the deeper water (18-24 feet of water) on the little lake. Most of the crappies being kept are 10-12 inches. Anglers should target that last hour of light for the best bite. Walleye – Slow: Anglers seeking walleye should try their luck on the main lake. An occasional walleye may be caught on the west end or perhaps near the island.

Lake Cornelia

Cornelia has around 11-13 inches of ice. Yellow Bass – Good: Activity has been hit or miss. Fishing success earlier in the winter was in the deeper water. Fish with small jigs tipped with spikes. Bluegill – Slow: Anglers are catching some small bluegills but not much for keepers.

Crystal Lake

Ice is around 12 to 15 inches thick. Good fishing has continued this past week. Bluegill – Good: Anglers are doing best on the dredge cut in 12-14 feet of water. They have been keeping fish in the 7.75-8.25-inch range. Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching 10-11-inch black crappies in 17 feet of water. They are suspended 2-4  feet off the bottom.

Black Pit

Anglers are catching a few crappies.

Blue Pit

There will be a Family Fishing Event (Urban Trout Stocking) at Blue Pit (1059 S Pierce Avenue) on January 17th. Start time will be around 11 a.m. Anglers are reminded to have a valid Iowa fishing license (age 16 and older) and trout stamp. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: 2,500 Rainbow trout will be stocked.

Bluebill Lake

12 inches of ice, limited angler activity at this time.

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 are variable with the snow being on the ice. Vehicle traffic is not advised at this time. Ice reports have the ice being as thick as 11 inches in places with no snow cover, and 4 inches in snow covered spots. Yellow Perch – Good: Some quality perch are being caught on the south end near the pump house, off Big Stoney, and along the north end near Anglers Bay. Size varies from 7-10-inch fish. Walleye – Good: Walleyes are being caught north of the pump house in 25 feet of water, also off Big Stoney many over the slot walleyes are being caught as well. Fishermen are using minnow head tipped jigs.

East Okoboji Lake

Yellow Perch – Good: As the weather warms up perch activity has been increasing. Fish are being seen in the 20-25  feet range in various bays. Gold jigs tipped with wax worms are presenting the most success.

West Okoboji Lake

Yellow Perch – Good: Millers Bay is still presenting a quality bite for those who want to brave the wind and cold. These perch are being caught in 20+ feet of water, size ranging from 7-10 inch. Anglers are having success using small jigs and wax worms. Most bays have been seeing an increase in perch activity with the warm weather coming. Crappie – Fair: Around 12:30 crappie move into the shallows of Millers suspending in about 7 feet of water. Working jigs high in the water column has led to success on multiple occasions for some anglers. Emerson has been seeing few of these crappies but they are beginning to school up in the deeper waters later in the afternoon. Right before dark these fish are beginning to show up in both Emerson and Millers. Bluegill – Good: Gills of nice size are being caught on the weed lines of Emerson and Millers bay. Slow falls and light jigging brings these fish in. Fish weed lines in less than 10 feet of water.

Five Island Lake

Walleye – Excellent: The Walleye bite at Five Island has really picked up and fish are being caught in dredge holes, and in Town Bay. Fish ranging in the 14-20 inch range are being caught. Yellow Perch – Excellent: Yellow perch are being caught in the deeper holes along with the Walleye. Perch are ranging in size from 8-11 inches.

Scharnberg Pond

On January 31st Scharnberg Pond will be stocked with Trout at noon.  Rainbow Trout – Fair: Working jigs right below the ice to catch these schooling trout.