NORTHWEST
Brushy Creek Lake
Ice conditions throughout the lake are deteriorating quickly and are unsafe. Ice fishing is not recommended. For those seeking open water opportunity, below the spillway at Brushy is open.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Ice is deteriorating quickly; several areas of open water are present. With continued warm temperatures and forecasted winds, anglers are discouraged from venturing onto the ice.
Black Hawk Lake
Much of Town Bay is open water. Ice conditions throughout the lake are deteriorating quickly. With continued warm temperatures and forecasted winds, conditions will only worsen. Anglers are discouraged from venturing onto the ice.
Arrowhead Lake
Ice conditions have deteriorated to the point where ice fishing is unsafe and not recommended.
Black Hawk Pits
Ice conditions have deteriorated to the point where ice fishing is unsafe and not recommended.
Ice Conditions in the Black Hawk District are deteriorating quickly. Ice fishing is not recommended. Anglers should use extreme caution if venturing out onto any remaining ice. Continued warm temperatures combined with forecasted winds will likely bring the ice fishing season to an end by the weekend for most lakes in our area. For more information on the Black Hawk District, call 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Ice depth is variable, around 18 inches on the main lake. Ice is honeycombed and anglers should use caution from now until ice out. Yellow Bass – Good: 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. Fish the last 45 minutes of sunlight. Walleye – Good: Walleyes have been caught northwest of the island in about 13 feet of water using spoons and cut bait. Channel Catfish – Good: Catfish have been caught in 13 feet of water near the island using a small jig and cut bait fished near or on bottom. Crappie – No Report:
Crystal Lake
Anglers may be able, if using caution, to fish yet this weekend. Bluegill – No Report: Action has been slower. Crappie – No Report.
Area lakes north of highway 18 have 14+ inches of ice, but it is getting honeycombed. This weekend will likely be the last weekend for ice fishing. Anglers should use extreme caution.
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 bluegill 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: Very 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 – 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 are being 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 said to be 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 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. Perch are reported in Smiths Bay into East Lake in 10-12 feet. Crappie – Fair: Anglers are having good success catching crappie in 10 feet of water in Smiths Bay leading into East Lake. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellow bass are being caught in Smiths Bay into East Lake in 10 feet.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended at this time. Warmer weather is melting ice along the edges. Crappie – No Report. Bluegill – No Report.
Lake Hendricks
Ice fishing is not recommended at this time. Wave action from wind around the aerator is opening the ice up around the aerator. Bluegill – No Report. Crappie – No Report.
Lake Meyer
There is a lot of slush on top of about 10 inches of quickly melting ice. Ice fishing is not recommended. Bluegill – No Report. Crappie – No Report. Largemouth Bass – No Report.
Airport Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended. Bluegill – No Report.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
The Upper Iowa is up about 2 feet and off color with snow melt. Rock bass – No Report:
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Water levels are up about 2 feet and water is very turbid. There is still ice on the mill pond but ice fishing is not recommended. Bluegill – No Report.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Water levels were up about 3 feet, but are now falling. Water is turbid with snow melt runoff. Crappie – No Report. Bluegill – No Report.
Decorah District Streams
Take care when accessing parking areas as frost is coming out of ground and there may be soft spots. Insect hatches are beginning to take off with warmer temperatures. With snow melt, some streams may be off color. Anglers have 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: This time of year lends itself to great brown trout fishing. Off colored water and top water insect hatches in the afternoon can really spur a feeding frenzy. 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).
Warmer weather has weakened most ice on area lakes. Ice fishing is not recommended. Area rivers are beginning to swell from snow melt and most are turbid. For local information, call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Martens Lake
Reports have been slow. Driving vehicles on Martens Lake is no longer recommended. 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.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Most of the Cedar River is still locked up in places, but by next week conditions could be good for the pre-spawn walleye run.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
There are some reports of open water and quite a bit of ice yet. By next week things could set up nicely for some pre-spawn walleye fishing.
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
The Wapsipinicon is currently rising and up about a foot higher than normal winter flows at this time. Anglers should prepare their walleye rods and tackle for the upcoming pre-spawn walleye run as spring approaches.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Maquoketa River is currently high and muddy through Delaware, Jones and Jackson counties.
Ice is quickly deteriorating across most Black Hawk County lakes and fishing is not recommended. Use extreme caution if venturing onto any remaining ice this season. Anglers are preparing for the upcoming open interior river walleye fishing with the recent onset of spring like temps. 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 risen a half foot to 8.5 over the past few days. Due to deteriorating ice and warm weather forecast, ice fishing is not recommended.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level at Lynxville has risen almost 2 feet to 15.8 over the past few days. The Lynxville boat ramp is still closed in ice, but that may change over the next week. Due to deteriorating ice and warm weather forecast, ice fishing is not recommended.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level at Guttenberg has risen almost 2 feet to 7.4 over the past few days. The Guttenberg City ramp and DNR ramp are still blocked in ice, but that may change over the next week. Due to deteriorating ice and warm weather forecast, ice fishing is not recommended. 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 nicer size 8-9 inch bluegills. Yellow Perch – Fair: Nice sized perch continue to be caught in 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.
Although thick ice remains out in backwater lakes, the ice is deteriorating rapidly. With snow melt the river is on the rise and shoreline ice is in poor shape. Due to the continued warm weather forecast, ice fishing is not recommended. The Lynxville and Guttenberg ramps are currently closed in ice, but that may change over the next week.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is 7.0 feet at Dubuque Lock and Dam and 9.5 feet at the Dubuque RR bridge. Water is expected to rise this week. All ramps remain frozen in, but that is subject to change. Backwater ice fishing is going on, but use caution as ice conditions are changing rapidly.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is 7.7 feet at Bellevue and rising. Ramp conditions will change this week, but as of Thursday morning the Bellevue ramp was still frozen in. Parking will be limited at Bellevue with construction equipment and large snow piles. Paddlefish season is underway. 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.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is 6.1 feet at Fulton, 9.9 feet at Camanche, and 4.7 feet above the dam at LeClaire. Levels are rising in all locations. Paddlefish snagging season has started, but as of Wednesday night the ramp are not yet ice free – that will change this week. 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.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level at Rock Island is 5.9 feet and rising. No fishing was reported to us on Pool 15 this week.
We are receiving lots of questions concerning if the Mississippi River will open up this week. The tail waters are not open, but that could change very rapidly. Backwater ice conditions are variable for ice anglers. Many anglers are reporting the edges of the ice in poor shape. Be careful on the ice and have a safely plan.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities is 5.99 feet. Tail water stage has raised over a foot the past couple of days and is forecasted to continue to rise. Ice conditions are not safe. Walleye – Slow: A few walleyes are being caught up by the dam in Davenport. Try vertical jigging with minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine is 4.63 feet and has raised close to a foot the past couple of days. Tail water stage is forecasted to continue to rise. The ramps at Muscatine are open and there is a dock in the water at the upper ramps. Ice conditions in Big Timber are not safe. Sauger – Slow: Try vertical jigging in the tail waters with a jig and minnow or pulling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – Slow: Try vertical jigging in the tail waters with a jig and minnow or pulling three-way rigs with minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston is 6.39 feet and has raised over a foot the past couple of days. The main channel is open and the Toolsboro ramp is accessible. The road into Toolsboro is muddy. Ice conditions are not safe. Paddlefish – Fair: Some Paddlefish are being caught below Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Fishing had been good a few days ago until the river bumped up a little and slowed fishing. Make sure to look over the regulations on snagging paddlefish on the Mississippi River. Sauger – Slow: Fishing for saugers below the dam is reported as slow. Try vertical jigging with jigs and minnows or pulling three-way rigs with minnows. Walleye – Slow: Fishing for walleyes below the dam has been slow.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington is 3.73 feet. We have not received any fishing information for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19. Tail waters are accessible by boat at Davenport, Muscatine, and at New Boston. We have not received any reports on tail water conditions below Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Main channel water temperature is 34-36 degrees. Ice conditions are not safe throughout the Pools. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Geode
UNSAFE ICE. Bluegill – No Report.
Lake Belva Deer
UNSAFE ICE
Lake Darling
UNSAFE ICE. Bluegill – No Report:
Big Hollow Lake
UNSAFE ICE.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Kent Park Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended.
Lake Macbride
On March 12, most of the lake had 12-14 inch of ice on the main lake. The top has become slushy and the edges are soft or melted. Ice conditions will not hold up much longer in these temperatures. Use caution, especially around the edges, if venturing out. 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 over structure in 10-20 feet. Small spoons or jigs tipped with waxies are working best. Sunrise and sunset are most productive. Walleye – Slow: A few walleyes, mostly smaller, are being caught early and late in the day. Fish around rock in deeper water.
Pleasant Creek Lake
On Tuesday, there was about 15 inches of ice. The ice surface was getting slushy and some of the shorelines were softer and wet. Conditions will not hold up long in these temperatures. Use caution, especially around the edges, if venturing out. Walleye – Slow: Fish along the dam with a spoon/minnow head. The majority of the fish are smaller, but some keepers had been caught. Bluegill – Fair: Fish around brush or the dam with a small jig/waxie.
Diamond Lake
Ice conditions and fishing had been good over the past weekend and earlier this week. Ice fishing is now not recommended.
Otter Creek Lake
Conditions are deteriorating rapidly and park workers say those that intend to ice fish are doing so at their own risk. The edges are getting very slushy and main lake ice thickness is unknown. Fishing reports are from the week prior to the 10th. Yellow Bass – Good. Bluegill – Fair. Crappie – Fair.
Union Grove Lake
Ice fishing had been reported as poor, and now ice fishing is not recommended.
Coralville Reservoir
Ice conditions are poor. On March 10th, the Corps of Engineers began 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 on March 12 is 4700 cubic feet per second. Flows are predicted to decrease each day until the Reservoir drawdown to spring pool is complete. The ice is gone from Tailwater West.
For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Wapello
Ice thickness has deteriorated due to the warmer weather. Use caution. Fishing activity has been slow and very few anglers have been out. There is open water out from the beach and along the lake edge.
Red Haw Lake
Ice thickness has deteriorated due to the warm weather. Use caution.
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 has deteriorated with the warm weather. Use caution. Fishing activity has been slow.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.62. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels, so make sure to clean, drain, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Ice thickness has deteriorated with the warmer weather. 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
Big Creek Lake
Ice conditions are becoming poor, especially around the edges.
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 deteriorating quickly in central Iowa. Ice fishing is not recommended, especially on small water bodies. For information on central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.
Greenfield Lake
Fish surveys indicate a large crappie population in Greenfield. Fish will average 9 inches. Bluegill – No Report. Crappie – No Report. Largemouth Bass – No Report.
Nodaway Lake
Anglers can expect to catch 8 inch bluegills and 9 inch crappie this spring. Bluegill – No Report. Crappie – No Report.
Littlefield Lake
Littlefield has a good panfish population. Bluegill – No Report. Black Crappie – No Report.
Lake Anita
Lake Anita has quality size panfish and a good largemouth bass population. Crappies will move up into the pontoon arm of the lake soon after ice out as the water warms. Black Crappie – No Report. Bluegill – No Report. Largemouth Bass – No Report.
Farm Creek Lake
Farm Creek will provide good fishing this spring for all fish species. Bluegill – No Report. Black Crappie – No Report. Largemouth Bass – No Report.
Ice conditions are unsafe in the southwest district. Anglers should be gearing up for the open water season. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587
