NORTHWEST
Brushy Creek Lake
Ice varies from about 12 -16 inches. Bluegill – Slow: Some bluegills are being picked up in 20-25 feet of water with a small jig and wax worm. Yellow Perch – Slow: Yellow perch 6-10 inches have been picked up in 20-25 feet of water on small jigs with wax worms and also spoons with minnows. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are being caught in 20-30 feet of water on submerged structure. Try using a minnow and spoon or wax worms on a small jig.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Most of Storm Lake has around 16 -21 inches of ice; there are reports of several small areas of open water: one near College Island, one just north of the big island, and one just off of the Chautauqua Park jetty. Yellow Perch – Slow: Yellow perch 6-7 inches are being picked up near Kings Point using a small spoon or jig tipped with a wax worm. White Bass – Slow: Anglers are picking up some white bass near the Kings Point area and in the deeper dredged areas while fishing for walleye. Walleye – Slow: A few walleye are being picked up near Stony Point and in the dredge cuts on the east side in about 13-14 feet of water. Spoons and minnows are working the best.
Black Hawk Lake
The winter aeration system is on in the Town Bay. Ice thickness is 15-16 inches off Ice House Point boat ramp. Walleye – Slow: Anglers have picked up some walleye in 4-7 feet of water between the Ice House Point boat ramp and Ice House Point. Fish have been caught on jigs tipped with either minnow heads or wax worms. Bluegill – Slow: Anglers are picking up a few bluegills around Ice House Point and Shotgun Point using small jigs and wax worms. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Some largemouth bass are being caught on small jigs and wax worms while fishing for bluegill.
Southwood Conservation Area Pond (east)
Bluegill – Slow: Anglers have picked up some bluegills in the deeper water (15-20 feet) using wax worms on a jig.
Arrowhead Lake
Ice is about 10 inches off the boat ramp. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have had luck catching 7-8 inch bluegill in about 18 feet of water on a small jig and wax worm. Yellow Perch – Slow: Yellow perch can be picked up in about 15-20 feet of water using a jig and wax worm.
Black Hawk Pits
There is about 10 inches of ice off the boat ramp. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have been catching bluegill using small jigs tipped with wax worms. Yellow Perch – Slow: Some yellow perch have been picked up while fishing for bluegill. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Anglers are catching largemouth bass while fishing for bluegill.
Moorland Pond
Rainbow Trout – Slow: Rainbow trout are being caught while anglers are targeting perch. Yellow Perch – Slow: Anglers are catching yellow perch on jigs with wax worms. Fish are being caught in 10-12 feet of water.
Lizard Lake
Ice depth is 12-14 inches.
Ice thickness on lakes in the Black Hawk District varies from about 10 to 20 inches. For more information on the Black Hawk District, call 712-657-2638.
Lake Smith
Ice depth is 18 inches. Bluegill fishing is slow.
Clear Lake
Ice depth is 18-24 inches. Dissolved oxygen is low in the deep water of the little lake. Try fishing shallower or on the main lake where the oxygen is better.
Angler activity has slowed but the warmer weather should increase the fish activity this weekend. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellows have been caught in 8-10 feet of water on the little lake and in the Baptist Camp area. Anglers have reported bigger yellows and less sorting on the main lake around the island in about 12 feet of water. Walleye – Fair: Try near the island or the west aerator. Channel Catfish – Slow: An occasional catfish has been caught. Try Farmers Beach to the Baptist camp area. Crappie – Slow.
Crystal Lake
Ice depth is 24 inches. Bluegill – No Report: Action has been hit or miss depending on the day, but anglers should be able to continue to catch 5-15 bluegills a trip. Anglers are doing best on the dredge cut in 12 to 14 feet of water. They have been keeping fish in the 7.75 to 8.25 inch range. Crappie – No Report.
Blue Pit
Rainbow Trout – No Report: 2,500 Rainbow trout were stocked on January 17th. Anglers should be able to catch them swimming along the shallower water along the edges. Try a small teardrop jig and a wax worm or a small jigging spoon.
Bluebill Lake
Ice depth is 14 inches. Angler activity has picked up. The bite is a little bit better, though reports are few.
For lake updates and fishing information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Mill Creek (Lake)
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are reporting quality bluegills are being caught. Anglers are using small jigs tipped with spikes or wax worms. Reports say they are connecting with either bait.
Big Spirit Lake
Northern Pike – Fair: Anglers are beginning to have success using tip-ups on the north end of Spirit, Anglers Bay, Hales Slough, and along the grade. Yellow Perch – Slow: Few yellow perch are being caught during the day. The only perch being caught are coming from anglers who are staying out on the ice past sunset.
Minnewashta Lake
Bluegill – Good: Fishermen are reporting an increase in activity for quality bluegill. Fish size ranges from 6-10 inches. Anglers are using similar presentations everywhere, using small jigs varying in color and size tipped with wax worms. Keep the jig about a foot off the bottom. Black Crappie – Fair: Some quality crappie have been caught the past couple weeks. Anglers are reporting an increase in crappie bites as the sun tops the trees in the morning Fish size ranges from 11-14 inches. Fish are being caught regularly throughout the lake.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are noticing an increase in perch activity around the lake. Fish are schooling in the deeper holes and staying for longer periods of time, allowing anglers to harvest good numbers. Small spoons and jigging raps produce the most success.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill are still being caught in the 10-12 feet in bays with distinct weed lines. These fish are reported to be biting on small gold and yellow jigs. Bays with these weed lines include: Emerson, Miller, Triboji, Echo, and Browns. Yellow Perch – Fair: The perch bite has consolidated into a select few bays including Emerson and Haywards. These bays have been reporting consistent 9 inch perch. Fishermen are moving around following these schools rather than holding in one place. Fish are being caught on jigging rapalas, Acme sidewinder, Lindy little joes, and kastmasters.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Volga Lake hasn’t seen a lot of action this week. Volga Lake has about 20 inches of ice under about 4 inches of snow. Use caution when venturing on the ice. Crappie – No Report. Bluegill – No Report.
Lake Hendricks
There is about 23 inches of ice covered by 6 inches of snow. Use caution when venturing out on ice and check depths often. No ATV’s or motorized vehicles are allowed on the lake. There is open water around the aerator. Bluegill – No Report: Anglers are marking fish but not many are taking the bait. Crappie – No Report.
Lake Meyer
The lake has about 20 inches of ice and about 4 inches of snow. Use caution when going out on the ice. Few anglers have been venturing out. Anglers may have to move often to find fish. Bluegill – Slow: Anglers are catching bluegills, but the bite remains spotty. If you don’t get bites, move to another location. Fish have been found at varying depths. Crappie – Slow: A few anglers have found crappie, but the bite is really slow. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Schools of small largemouth bass have been found in the lake. Anglers happening on a school can catch quite a few but if they’re less than 15 inches, they must be released.
Airport Lake
There is about 20 inches of ice under about 6 inches of snow, with open water near the aerator. Few anglers have been out. Use caution when venturing out on ice and check depths often. Bluegill – No Report: Anglers can find fish near structure or along sharp depth profile changes. Move often if fish don’t bite right away.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body. Rock bass – No Report.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body. Bluegill – No Report: Fish have been caught off the bottom in about 5 feet of water.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body. Crappie – No Report. Bluegill – No Report: Jigs tipped with wax worms are your best bet.
Decorah District Streams
Take care when parking as lots won’t be plowed. You will have to park on the side of the road to get to your favorite stream. There could be some nice hatches of light black stoneflies if weekend temperatures warm our area. Anglers have also been taking trout on light spruce flies, small #20 caddis fly nymphs, and streamers. Spin fishers using worms fished through riffles are taking nice catches. Brook Trout – Good: The scientific name for brook trout is “Salvenlinus fontinalis.” “Salvenlinus” is an old name for char or type of trout and “fontinalis” means living in springs or fountains. Brown Trout – Good: Angling strategies should change during the winter months. Angling should take place in the riffles; especially concentrate your lure/fly along the deeper channels running along a cut bank. Rainbow Trout – Good: Traditionally now is a good time to find rainbow heading upstream to spawn. If you do land a spawning fish, please practice CPR (Catch, Photograph, and Release).
Weekend temperatures might make it above the freezing mark. Fish continue to turn their noses up to bait or other lures on area waters. Use caution when venturing out on any ice. Snow covering ice may hide weak spots on the ice. Urban lake catchable trout stockings are taking place statewide. See our website for dates, times and locations. For local information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Big Woods Lake
Big Woods Lake has been providing catches of nice sized bluegill, eight inch plus, where anglers can locate structure. Bluegill – Good: A jig tipped with a wax worm has been best. Continue to move to locate structure for active fish.
Brinker Lake
There have been reports of crappie being caught near the island in 8-12 feet. Crappie – Good: Try fishing wax worms or spikes on a jig near structure. Electronic fish finders are a bonus in locating fish.
George Wyth Lake
There have been some reports of anglers catching northern pike and bluegill. Northern Pike – Fair: Try fishing tip-ups under the ice closer to the shorelines using live chubs as bait. ,Bluegill – Fair: A jig tipped with a wax worm has been best.
South Prairie Lake
Anglers have been catching both bluegill and crappie. Crappies have been running in the 8-9 inch range. Crappie – Fair: Try using wax worms or spikes tipped on a jig. Bluegill – Fair: A jig tipped with a wax worm has been best.
Martens Lake
Reports have been slow. Anglers have been driving off of the boat ramp onto the lake. Access is also available from the northwest corner by walking across the reservoir and over the dike. Bluegill – Fair: A jig tipped with a wax worm has been best. Sight fishing is generally best if water is clear. Crappie – Fair: A jig tipped with a wax worm or crappie minnow is best. Sight fishing is generally best if water is clear.
Ice conditions remain good across most Black Hawk County area lakes, but always take precautions when venturing onto ice. Angling reports have improved and should continue to improve as we head into late winter with more seasonable temperatures ahead. 2015 trout stream stocking calendars are now available online under the following link: http://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/TroutFishing.aspx. For more information, call the Manchester District Office at 563-927-3276.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level at Lansing has remained stable at around 8 feet. Many anglers continue to concentrate fishing on the Shore Slough and Village Creek areas. Yellow Perch – Fair: Nice perch continue to caught, but the bite has slowed. Bluegill – Fair: The bite has been variable, but fish are being caught early morning and later afternoon, using jigs and wax worms. Northern Pike – Fair: Some nicer size pike are being caught. Try tip-up fishing using shiners in backwater areas. Crappie – Fair: Not a lot of crappies are being caught through the ice, but the ones biting are nice size. Wax worms and minnows fished in submersed trees work well. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Tip-ups baited with a minnow can produce larger bass.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville has remained stable at 14.2 feet. The boat ramp at Lynxville remains closed. Sny Magill continues to be popular for panfish and northern pike. Bluegill – Fair: Many bluegills up to 8 inches are being caught using jigs and wax worms, although recent results have been mixed. Crappie – Fair: Nice crappie still being caught through the ice, although success has slowed. Northern Pike – Fair: Some nicer size pike are being caught. Try tip-up fishing using shiners in backwater areas. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Largemouth fishing has been good using tip-ups baited with a minnow suspended at mid-depth under the ice. Yellow Perch – Good: Occasional nice sized perch are being reported from the Greymore Lake area.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has remained stable at 5.5 feet. The city ramp in Guttenberg and the DNR ramp are blocked with ice. Ice has formed up to the upper lock wall. Anglers have not ventured out in the tail waters. Sauger – No Report. Walleye – No Report. Bluegill – Fair: The bite has been variable, but fish are being caught early morning and later afternoon, using jigs and wax worms. Anglers are reporting 8-9 inch bluegills. Yellow Perch – Fair: Nice sized perch continue to be caught in the Zollicoffer Slough area at Sunfish Lake, but the bite has slowed. Largemouth Bass – Fair: The bass population is excellent in Mud Lake and Sunfish Lakes. Tip-ups baited with a minnow can produce larger bass. Northern Pike – Fair: Some nicer size pike are being caught. Try tip-up fishing using shiners in backwater areas.
Ice thickness is better than 15 inches in many areas. Recent cold weather has decreased the bite and angler numbers; however, a warm-up may bring more fish activity this week. Use caution on the ice due to changing conditions.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is 5.4 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 7.8 feet at the Dubuque RR bridge. Water is expected to be stable this week. All ramps remain frozen in. Bluegill – Fair: Backwater ice conditions are excellent in nearly all your favorite backwaters in Pool 12. Bluegill populations are very good in the Mississippi River, not many reports as weather has been extremely cold. Northern Pike – Fair: Pike populations are robust in the river right now and fishing with tip-ups have been reported at various locations. Both bass and pike were being caught on tip-ups. Yellow Perch – Good: Lots of yellow perch have been reported throughout the district. It has been the dominant species caught in some places. At least three size classes of ring perch are biting, with the small ones the most common to hit the wax worms.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level at Bellevue is 5.7 feet and stable. The paddlefish season has begun, but all ramps still remain frozen in and no boats can launch. We will see what the projected warmer temperatures do to open up the ramps. Paddlefish rules are fairly complicated, so now is a good time to review them. Anglers must know if they are fishing on the Iowa or Illinois side of the river. Bluegill – Fair: Consistent ice is available, but the bite for large fish has been slow. Numerous small bluegills have been hitting in some spots. Yellow Perch – Good: The number of yellow perch caught this year has been a pleasant surprise for anglers. It has been the dominant species caught in some. At least three size classes of ring perch are biting, with the small ones the most common to hit the wax worms. Crappie – Fair: Some Crappie are being reported out of the deeper water pockets in the Sabula area lakes. Some crappie are also being reported out of Browns Lake.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is 5.1 feet at Fulton, 9.5 feet at Camanche, and 4.5 feet above the dam at LeClaire, all fairly stable. Water levels are expected to be stable. Paddlefish snagging season has started, but most ramp are not yet ice free. Paddlefish rules are fairly complicated, so now is a good time to review them. Anglers must know if they are fishing on the Iowa or Illinois side of the river. Bluegill – Slow: Fishing for bluegills has been slow, with few anglers venturing out in the cold. Yellow Perch – Fair: Small yellow perch are also being reported at most backwater locations in Pool 14.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level at Rock Island is 4.6 feet and stable. Water temperature is 33 degrees and water clarity is good. No fishing was reported to us on Pool 15 this week. Bluegill – No Report: Most panfish have moved into their overwintering homes for the winter. Marinas often offer over wintering areas on Pool 15, but ice fishing conditions were poor most of this season. Fishing may pick up now that we have some good conditions.
Conditions remain very cold for ice anglers, but that leaves plenty of ice remaining late into the ice fishing season. Fishing reports have been hot and cold all winter. Some veteran ice anglers are skunked one day and smoking them the next. We are expecting one more good ice fishing run as the weather is expected to get much nicer next week.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities is 4.57 feet. The Marquette St. boat ramp is still frozen in. Bluegill – Slow: Anglers are still catching some bluegills through the ice at Sunset Marina. Fishing is being reported as hit or miss. We have not received any reports on how thick the ice is in Sunset Marina.
Mississippi River Pool 17
The main channel and boat ramps at Muscatine are still frozen in. The ramp at Muscatine is still snow and ice covered. The gate at Big Timber is closed due to the access road being covered in ice. Ice conditions in Big Timber were 5-7 inches, with some thinner ice conditions in spots. Big Timber has some flow and groundwater that seeps in that can create variable ice conditions, so use caution. Bluegill – Fair: Look for bluegills in the deeper dredge cuts. Try fishing with small jigs and wax worms. Crappie – Fair: Look for crappies in the deeper dredge cuts. Try fishing with smaller jigs and wax worms. Look for crappies around brush piles.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 above New Boston is 4.44 feet. Earlier this week, the Toolsboro ramp was still frozen in and the main channel was frozen 3/4 of the way to the dam. We have not received any ice fishing information for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington is 2.17 feet. We have not received any fishing information for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19. Tail waters are still inaccessible due to the main channel and boat ramps being frozen in. We have not received much for ice fishing reports this week. If venturing out on the ice, check ice thickness often as you move. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Geode
The ice is in pretty good shape today. But with the warm 40-50 degree weather forecasted to start tomorrow, I won’t try it after today. Bluegill – No Report.
Lake Belva Deer
The ice is still pretty good, but don’t expect that to last through the weekend – 40 to 50 degrees and the high sun will quickly melt the ice.
Lake of the Hills
Use extreme caution if you plan to go out on the ice this weekend. Don’t expect the ice to be in good condition if the weather forecast is right. Lake of the Hills is the only lake in West Lake Park where the use of live minnows as bait is allowed. Bluegill – No Report.
Lake Darling
The sun is strong enough right now that even with the cold temperatures, the shallow water over the rocks is open. With the warm temps forecasted, anything near the riprap will be unsafe by the end of the weekend. Bluegill – No Report:
For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Lake Macbride
Most of the lake has about 15 inches of ice. There is open water under the causeway bridge and it extends to the southeast. Bluegill – Good: Size is poor, but numbers are usually good. Get around rock, stumps, or brush and use a jig and waxie. Crappie – Fair: Some anglers are having success around and over structure in 15-30 feet. Small spoons or jigs tipped with waxies are working best. Sunrise and sunset are most productive. Channel Catfish – Slow: Look in 20+ feet of water. They may be from the bottom to half way up the water column. Spoons or minnows are working. Walleye – Slow: A few walleyes, mostly smaller, are being caught early and late in the day. Fish around rock in deeper water.
Diamond Lake
Ice conditions are very good. No minnows are allowed here. Bluegill – Fair: Fish near the bottom around brush with a jig and waxie. Crappie – Fair: Fish around brush or suspended over deeper water with a jig and waxie.
Coralville Reservoir
Ice conditions are variable. Some areas have 15 inches, but there are seams of poor ice as well. There has not been much fishing activity and fishing has been reported as poor. On March 10th, the Corps of Engineers will begin the drawdown to normal spring pool, which results in a 4 foot drop. They plan to complete this by March 20th.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Outflow from Coralville Reservoir is 700 Cubic feet per second. Beginning March 10, outflows will begin to increase as the Corps of Engineers begin lowering the reservoir to spring pool. Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being caught through the ice at Tailwater West. Walleye – Fair: Some walleyes are being caught through the ice at Tailwater West.
Terry Trueblood Lake
Rainbow Trout – Slow: Use small jigs or spoons and tip them with waxies or minnows. You must have a trout stamp to fish for or possess trout.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Wapello
Fishing activity has been slow and very few anglers have been out. Use caution when venturing onto the ice – thickness has been variable. There is open water out from the beach.
Red Haw Lake
Ice thickness varies by area, so use caution when venturing onto the ice and drill a lot of test holes. The ice in front of the dam remains questionable. Bluegill – Slow: Anglers have been catching a few bluegills using small jigs and a wax worm.
Lake Miami
Lake Miami is currently undergoing a lake renovation and is 6-8 feet below normal. Cedar tree piles have been installed and fishing jetties have been built.
Lake Sugema
Ice thickness varies by area, so use caution when venturing onto the ice and drill a lot of test holes. Fishing activity has been slow.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.34. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels, so make sure to clean, drain, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. The entrance to Southfork marina is closed for the season. Ice thickness varies across the lake, so use caution if venturing onto the ice and drill a lot of test holes. Fishing activity is slow and very few anglers have been out.
Take your trash with you so your favorite fishing spot is clean and litter free. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions regarding angling in south central Iowa. Use caution in south central Iowa as the lakes and ponds have varying thicknesses of ice.
SOUTHWEST
Beaver Lake
Crappie – Fair: A good crappie population of 9 to 10 inch fish exists. Sunset and just after is a good time to try using glow jigs with wax worms or minnows. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are being caught near the tree tops in the center of the lake and near the drop-off to the deepest portion of the lake.
Jacob Krumm Nature Preserve Lake (west)
Bluegill – Good: Good size bluegills are being caught during the day throughout the lake. A good area to start is the west half of the lake from the dam up to where the flooded trees start. Crappie – Fair: Crappie from 8 to 12 inches are being caught moving from hole to hole in the flooded trees on the upper half of the lake.
Big Creek Lake
Ice thickness is 9 to 14 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegill fishing has been fair to slow. Anglers moving around fishing habitat in 10 to 25 feet of water are picking up good size bluegills using very small ice jigs with spikes or partial wax worms. Walleye – Fair: The walleye bite is fair to good in the evenings fishing the sharp drops to the creek channel from mid-lake on to the south. Use glowing jigging spoons or jigging crank baits with live minnows or minnow heads.
Dale Maffitt Reservoir
Due to the lowering of water levels and the potential for unsafe gaps under the ice, ice fishing is prohibited for the remainder of the 2015 ice season.
Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are being caught on the pallet and brush piles at depths of 15 feet or deeper. Fish early in the morning or at sunset. Crappie – Fair: Anglers catching the most crappie are finding them over brush piles more so than the pallets. Use glow jigs and wax worms or glowing jigging spoons with minnow during the evening and past dark.
Lake Ahquabi
Thin ice and open water are occurring around the fish house and beach area. Avoid accessing the lake in this area. Best access is the campground boat ramp. Ice thickness, away from the open water, is around 12 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are doing well catching good size bluegills over the habitat out from the northwest shoreline across from the beach.
Lake Petoka
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout were stocked on January 30th. Anglers are catching them as they school throughout the lake using jigging spoons with wax worms, live minnows, or artificial trout baits.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout – Good: 2,200 rainbow trout were stocked February 7. They are being caught mostly 15 to 40 yards off shore using jigs tipped with wax worms or prepared trout baits and small live minnows.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock)
Open water fishing from the Hwy 65 bypass to Scott Avenue Dam has been good. Walleye – Good: Walleye are being caught from Scott Avenue dam to the Hwy 65 bypass. Anglers should practice slow retrieval of jigs and minnows.
Ice conditions are good for another week on most central Iowa lakes. Ice thickness varies from 7 to 14 inches. For information on central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.
Nodaway Lake
Anglers can expect to catch 8 inch bluegills and 9 inch crappie. Ice condition varies up to 8 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Reports indicate bluegills were in 10 to 12 feet of water around tree piles. Crappie – Slow: A few crappies are being picked up around the tree piles using minnows.
Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has variable ice thickness up to 7 inches. Access is from the north parking lot only. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill up to 9 inches are being caught around cedar tree piles. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish minnows or wax worms around cedar tree piles to catch crappie up to 12 inches.
Cold Springs Lake
Ice thickness ranges from 4 to 6 inches. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegills up to 7 inches can be caught in the southwest corner of the lake.
Farm Creek Lake
Ice is variable, up to 7 inches with open water along the dam and east side. Caution is advised when venturing out. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills up to 9 inches can be caught on wax worms. Early morning and late afternoon fishing is best. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies will average 9 inches, although an occasional 12 inch can be caught. Late morning or early afternoon fishing is best.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Ice conditions on the farm ponds are variable. Some ponds have 4 to 6 inches of ice and are supporting late season fishing, while others are unsafe to access. Bluegill – Fair: Fish with small jigs tipped with a wax worm in deeper water. Crappie – Fair: Fish crappies early in the morning or later in the afternoon for best success.
Ice conditions in the southwest district are variable from open water to 8 inches. With forecasted temperatures, ice may not last through the weekend. Extreme caution is advised. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587
West Lake (Osceola)
Anglers report 10 inches of ice. Crappie – Good: Crappie up to 9 inches have been caught on jigs and minnows fished near the channel.
Green Valley Lake
Anglers report 12 inches of ice. Geese have kept a hole open near the boat ramp in the northeast arm. Open water now extends past the fishing pier. Little fishing activity has been observed.
Three Mile Lake
Anglers report 12 inches of ice. Open water is reported at the main boat ramp and along the dam. Crappie – Good: Crappies up to 10 inches have been caught on jigs and minnows near the roadbed during early morning and late afternoon. Walleye – Slow: Walleye up to 28 inches have been caught on minnows fished near the roadbed during early morning and late afternoon.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Anglers report 13 inches of ice. Geese have kept a hole open on the south end of the lake. Crappie – Slow: Crappies up to 11 inches have been caught on minnows near the roadbed. Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch up to 11 inches have been caught on wax worms fished near the roadbed during early morning. Bluegill – Slow: Bluegill up to 9 inches have been caught on wax worms fished near the roadbed during early morning.
West Lake (Lenox)
Anglers report 5 inches of ice. Bluegill – Good: Bluegill up to 9 inches have been caught on wax worms fished near the brush pile.
Variable ice thickness has been reported by anglers this week on Mount Ayr district lakes. Areas of open water have been reported on several district lakes. The district includes Page, Taylor, Adams, Union, Ringgold, Decatur, Clarke and Madison counties. For more information, call 641-464-3108.
