NORTHWEST
Arrowhead Lake
Ice thickness was 10 inches on Thursday, Jan. 19th. Ice may be more variable next to shore and near inflows. Bluegill – Good: Use a wax worm on a small jig fished in about 15 feet of water. Fish are up to 8-9 inches. Sorting is required. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a jig tipped with a wax worm fished in about 15-20 feet of water. Fish up to 10.5 inches have been caught.
Black Hawk Lake
Ice thickness off Ice House Point boat ramp was 14 inches on Thursday, Jan. 19th. Ice may be more variable next to shore and near inflows; there is a small area of open water in the middle of the east basin. The winter aeration system is in operation so expect thin ice and open water in Town Bay. Bluegill – Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches around the Gunshot Hill and Ice House Point areas with a small jig tipped with a wax worm. Anglers are marking lots of fish. Walleye – Fair: Try fishing a minnow head on a jigging spoon around Ice House Point and out from Gunshot Hill. Other areas to target walleye are the dredge cuts by Denison Beach and Lakewood Point areas.
Black Hawk Pits
Ice is around 8 inches, but is more variable along shore in some areas so use caution. Catch bluegills with a wax worm or small minnow on a jig during afternoon to evening. Try near contour and structure in 5-10 feet of water.
Brushy Creek Lake
Ice is around 12 inches on the north end of the lake; there are some areas of 8 inch ice at the south end. Ice conditions are more variable near shore with a few small areas of open water near inflows. Use caution and test ice thickness often when venturing out. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a wax worm. Anglers fishing the north end have been doing well. Black Crappie – Fair: Try wax worms and minnows fished on a small jig.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Anglers have reported ice around 7-10 inches, with more variability near shore and inflows. Use caution and drill test holes often as you venture out. Anglers have had luck picking up some perch with minnows as well as wax worms fished on a jig.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Ice thickness is around 15-16 inches. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use wax worms and minnows fished on a jig in 5-8 feet of water. White Bass – Fair: Use minnow heads on a jigging spoon. Walleye – Good: Try minnow heads or whole minnows on jigging spoons, jigging raps and rattle spoons. Anglers are catching the most fish before 9 a.m. and also from about 4-10 p.m. Try in areas 5-10 feet deep. If no luck at that depth, try in the lower light conditions of the dredge cuts. Black Crappie – Fair: Fish are suspended, use a jig tipped with a wax worm or a minnow. Most are having luck out from the Frank Starr Park area. The bite is better late evening and after dark.
Most lakes in the district are covered with 8 to 15 inches of ice. Use caution and test ice depths often. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Rainbow Trout – Good: Use small jigs tipped with bait or small jigging spoons. You may need to try several locations; the action is fast once the fish are found.
Bluebill Lake
Ice thickness is 16-18 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Use wax worms. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Try minnows fished in 12-16 feet of water.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 18-20 inches on most of the little lake and 17-19 inches on the main lake. With warmer weather the next several days, the accesses are constantly changing; be cautious of ice heaves any areas near vegetation and near the aeration systems. The best bite is still early morning and around 4:00 p.m. to dark. Catch bluegills and crappies near the rushes by the west aeration system. Yellow Bass – Good: Use wax worms and spikes fished near the bottom in 8-10 feet of water. Try near the Farmers Beach area. Walleye – Fair: Try jigs tipped with minnows or jigging raps. Most are less than 14 inches, but a few keepers are being caught. Black Crappie – Fair: The best crappie bite is at first light. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 16 to 18 inches. Catch bluegills and crappies near the dredge cut. Bluegill – Good: Catch 6.5 to 7.5 inch bluegills on small jigs tipped with wax worm or spikes. Black Crappie – Good: Catch 8 to 9.5 inch crappies on small jigging spoons.
Elm Lake
Ice thickness is 16 inches. Yellow Perch – Good: Perch are biting; lots of smaller fish being caught with a few keepers.
Lake Smith
Ice thickness is 16-20 inches. Bluegill – Good: Use wax worms.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 18-20 inches. With the clear water, the best bite is the last hour of light. Walleye – Fair: Use jigging spoons tipped with a minnow head. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 18-20 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with spikes. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try small jigging spoons and jigs tipped with bait.
For information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Big Spirit Lake
The ice on Big Spirit is sturdy with people driving on at most locations. Fishing has slowed with little numbers of perch and walleye coming off. Yellow Perch – Slow: Perch are hard to find right now; you may need to move around. Walleye – Fair: Dusk is the best time to find walleye. Try on the north end and on the rock beds on the east side of the lake.
Center Lake
Aerators are currently in use so avoid areas with open water. Thin ice signs are out; stay outside of the signed in areas
East Okoboji Lake
Reports of good walleye activity near the south basin. Walleye – Fair: Try to get on the edge of the weed lines in about 10-12 feet of water. Yellow Bass – Good: Catch yellow bass on the south basin of the lake.
Five Island Lake
Aerators are currently in use so avoid areas with open water. Thin ice signs are out; stay outside of the signed in areas. Fishing is good near the north boat ramp. Black Crappie – Fair: A few black crappies have been reported, but they are not eager to bite. Channel Catfish – Good: Reports of channel catfish being caught. Yellow Bass – Good: Catch lots of yellow bass on Five Island Lake.
Ingham Lake
Aerators are currently in use so avoid areas with open water. Thin ice signs are out; stay outside of the signed in areas.
Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Good: Try fishing in the Stony Point area on Lost Island Lake. Bluegill – Fair: Reports of a few bluegill being caught. Black Crappie – Fair: Reports of a few crappie being caught.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Aerators are currently in use so avoid areas with open water. Thin ice signs are out; stay outside of the signed in areas.
Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
The fish have been very active on Silver Lake. Yellow Perch – Good: Catch lots of 12 inch perch. Black Crappie – Good: Catch lots of large crappies all over the lake.
West Okoboji Lake
Perch, crappies and bluegill fishing continues to be good. The fish are hanging out in about 12-15 feet of water right outside of the weed beds. Bluegill – Excellent: Bluegills continue to show a lot of activity in Little Millers Bay. Yellow Perch – Excellent: Perch are active in about 12 feet of water. They are hanging tight to the weed edges. Black Crappie – Excellent: Crappies have shown good activity in Little Millers Bay.
Fishing has slowed due to high pressure fronts throughout the area. Hopefully this warm consistent weather for the weekend will cause the fish to be more active throughout this next week. Use caution when venturing out on the ice as there may be some weaker areas.For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
A few anglers have braved the backwaters and impoundments. Use extreme caution when going on river ice. With recent rainfall events, water levels are jumping around causing pockets in the ice; check ice depths often. Eight to 12 inches of ice have been reported in the backwaters. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with a spike or wax worm. Black Crappie – Slow: Find crappies around submersed trees or logs. Use small jigs tipped with a minnow head. Walleye – Slow.
Decorah District Streams
Urban catchable trout stockings are in full swing. Check our webpage for dates and locations. Streams are in good condition but flows are up. Gravel roads in our area are in poor condition due to continued rain and fluctuating temperatures. There is about 3 to 4 inches of crunchy, granular snow on the ground. Brook Trout – Good: Use flies or lures that look like sculpins, dace or suckers. Brown Trout – Good: Anglers have had success using a nymph rig with a scud dropper, but most fish were hitting wet flies. Rainbow Trout – Good: Use black fly midge or hares ear wet flies in the riffles. Slowly pull a black bead head fly with a yellow scud dropper through the upper and lower ends of pools for trout in deeper water.
Lake Hendricks
All parking lots are now open. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the ice. The aerator is on so be careful; there is open water around it. Ice depths are 8-10 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Use small brightly colored jigs tipped with a spike. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Try a small spinner tipped with a wax worm. Black Crappie – Fair: Use small brightly colored jig tipped with a wax worm near the bottom.
Lake Meyer
Lake Meyer currently has 12 inches of ice, but it may decrease with predicted rain and warm temperatures. The edges may get soft. Water clarity has decreased with visibility of about 5 feet. Fish activity has been variable. Anglers need to move around to find fish. Midday bite has been best. Bluegill – Fair: Use a wax worm or red or white spike. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are seeing fish on cameras; use a jig tipped with wax worms. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are sitting higher off the bottom and are being more finicky.
Turkey River (above Clermont)
Use extreme caution when going out on Vernon Spring impoundment. River water levels are fluctuating due to recent rainfall events. Check ice depths often. Ice depths vary greatly in areas with varying flows. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappies around downed trees and submerged logs out of the current. Use a jig tipped with a wax worm. Walleye – Slow: Find walleye in the deeper holes around current breaks.
Volga Lake
Volga Lake is reporting 8 inches of ice. Ice is getting a bit poky with freeze thaw cycles. Fish activity is best early to mid-morning. Bluegill – Fair: Use small brightly colored jigs tipped with a wax worm along the dam and universal access dock. Black Crappie – Fair: Find crappies around brush piles early season.
Be ready for a soggy, foggy weekend in Northeast Iowa. Daytime high temperatures will be in the low 40’s with rainfall predictions less than 1 inch over the weekend. Rain will weaken the ice as well as cause rising water levels. Use extreme caution when going out on the ice. Check ice depths often especially where there is current or springs. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level is 8.9 feet at Lansing and is expected to rise slowly over the next week. While 10 – 12 inches exist in most quiet back waters, the forecast for rain and above freezing temperatures at night over the next few days, along with the rising water can deteriorate ice. Use caution along shorelines and any areas that may have current. Bluegill – Good: Fishing for bluegills is good, but it can be hit or miss at times with sorting of smaller fish. Shore Slough, Phillippi and Village Creeks remain popular areas. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try along vegetation beds in deeper backwater cuts. Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish minnows under tip-ups in backwater areas and marina areas with no current.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level is 17.1 feet at Lynxville and is expected to rise over the next week. While 10 – 12 inches exist in most quiet back waters, the forecast for rain and above freezing temperatures at night over the next few days, along with the rising water can deteriorate ice. Use caution along shorelines and any areas that may have current. Bluegill – Good: Fishing for bluegills is good, but can be hit or miss at times with sorting of smaller fish. Norwegian Lake in Sny Magill and Greymore Lake by Prairie Du Chien are popular areas for ice anglers. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try along vegetation beds in deeper backwater cuts. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Fish minnows under tip-ups in backwater areas and marina areas with no current.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level is 9 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to rise over the next week. While 10 – 12 inches exist in most quiet back waters, the forecast for rain and above freezing temperatures at night over the next few days, along with the rising water can deteriorate ice. Use caution along shorelines and any areas that may have current. The boat ramps in Guttenberg are blocked with ice. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try along vegetation beds in deeper backwater cuts. Bluegill – Good: Fishing for bluegills remains good, but can be hit or miss at times with sorting of smaller fish. Fishing remains popular in the Sunfish Lake and Zollikoffer Slough at Mud Lake. Largemouth Bass – Good: Fish minnows under tip-ups in backwater areas and marina areas with no current.
Upper Mississippi River levels are on the rise again in the Upper Mississippi Pools 9-11. While 10 – 12 inches exist in most quiet back waters, the forecast for rain and above freezing temperatures at night over the next few days, along with the rising water can deteriorate ice. Use caution along shorelines and any areas that may have current. Ice conditions are very slick with standing water on the ice; ice cleats are strongly recommended.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is near 8.0 feet at Dubuque tailwater near 10.4 feet at the RR bridge. These levels are going back up this week. Edge ice is bad; ice quality has been deteriorating but good ice can be found. Be careful and know your ice fishing safety rules. Bluegill – Good: Expect to see a number of medium sized gills this ice fishing season with some nice ones thrown in. You may need to sort, but bluegill numbers are high. People are fishing at nearly all the Marinas and deeper backwaters in Pool 12. Yellow Perch – Good: Looks to be another excellent perch year with another strong year class. Most ring perch have been caught by anglers targeting bluegills. Some anglers report using minnow heads for the best results. Largemouth Bass – Good: Lots of bass are being reported from most backwaters. Bass bite has been aggressive in some areas and sometimes it is dominating the catch.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is near 10.5 feet at Bellevue. This up from last week and water level is raising. The tailwater is still mostly open, but the access to Bellevue city ramp could ice flow in at any time. As of now the ramp is open with lots of anglers. Walleye – Good: Good walleye and sauger angling was reported. Anglers are mostly using some sort of minnow rig. Sauger – Good: Use jig and minnow. Yellow Perch – Good: Some nice ringed perch are being reported, but the anglers are trying to keep locations a secret.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is near 7.4 feet at Fulton, 11.3 feet at Camanche and 5.7 feet at Le Claire. Water levels are on the rise again this week. Poor ice conditions were reported throughout Pool 14, but some ice fishing could be taking place.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 8.7 feet at Rock Island, which is up from last week. Water will be rising again this week. No fishing was reported in Pool 15. Ice fishing in Pool 15 is limited and takes place in Marina areas, but there are poor ice conditions in most locations.
Ice fishing continues but some people are getting their feet wet. Safer ice can be found, but water level variations and rain caused some ponding of water on the ice. The Mississippi River is still unusually high for this time of year, making for some bad ice on the edges. The River is rising substantially this week. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 8.67 feet and rising at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities. The Marquette St. ramp is open. Walleye and sauger fishing is being reported as slow. There are unsafe ice conditions with the recent rains, warm weather and rising river levels.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 8.03 feet and rising at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine. River stage has risen close to a foot in the past few days. The lower ramps in Muscatine are open to launch boats. The upper ramps are open, but there is some chunk ice at the bottom of the ramp that could make launching difficult. We have not received any reports for tailwater fishing for walleye and sauger. There are unsafe ice conditions with the warmer weather, recent rains and rising river levels.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 10.95 feet and rising at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. River levels are forecasted to reach 11.9 feet by the middle of next week. We have not received any reports on whether or not the Toolsboro ramp is ice free. There are unsafe ice conditions with the warmer weather, recent rains and rising river levels.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 13.00 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Flood stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 18.08 feet and flood stage is 15 feet. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week with the high water conditions. There are unsafe ice conditions with the recent high water and warmer weather.
Tailwater stages have been rising the past few days. Pool 19 is above flood stage at Burlington. There are unsafe ice conditions with the recent rains, warm weather and rising river levels. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
The ice is gone around the edges, open water to about two feet out. The rest of the ice is honeycombed. Highly advised that people stay off the ice. UNSAFE.
Lake Belva Deer
The ice really took a hit this last week. The first couple of feet from the shore will probably not hold you. The ice on north side of the lake is extremely dangerous as well as the ice down by the dam. The rain has eaten most of the ice around the trees as it looked for a way through the ice.
Lake Darling
The middle of the lake is open from shoreline to shoreline. The first couple of feet of ice anywhere out of the shade will not hold you and the rest of the ice is completely honeycombed.
Lake Geode
The ice wasn’t safe last week and it still is not safe. Lots more open water and the ice is pretty rotten.
Lost Grove Lake
The ice condition deteriorated with the rain; drill lots of test holes and use caution around the edges and the thicker stands of trees. This is before the forecasted rains on Thursday. Black Crappie – Good: The flooded trees in the deeper water is the place to go; about 12 to 15 feet down. Bluegill – Good: Look for bluegills to be out in the trees.
For more information on the above lakes, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Coralville Reservoir
The lake is holding at normal winter pool, but inflows and outflows will reach 7000 CFS this weekend. This will damage the ice and dirty the water.
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
Some backwaters are OK and some have poor ice. Use caution if venturing out.
Diamond Lake
There is a lot of water on the shorelines, and main lake ice will continue to deteriorate through the weekend. Use caution if going out. There will be an ice fishing derby here on Jan. 28th if ice conditions allow. Call the Diamond Lake Park Office at 641-623-3191 for more information.
Hannen Lake
The ice is reported as being poor, with lots of water on the surface.
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
The lake has about 9 inches of ice, with 7 inches of good ice. Morning bite has been best. Bluegill – Good: There has been a whole range of fish sizes caught here. Use jigs/waxies around brush. Redear Sunfish – Fair. Black Crappie – Slow.
Kent Park Lake
The lake has about 8 inches of ice. Bluegill – Fair: Use jigs/waxies around brush piles. Morning bite has been best. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Lake Macbride
The ice is extremely variable. Some areas have close to 10 inches, while there are some open holes in other areas. Avoid down towards the dam, the Opie Ave boat ramp vicinity, the causeway bridge and east, the jetty by Anglers Point boat ramp and the area north of the highlines before the lake turns east. Shorelines are beginning to deteriorate as well. Use extreme caution if venturing out. Bluegill – Good: Size is small. They are near the bottom around almost any type of structure. Black Crappie – Slow: Some brush is holding nice crappies while others have small crappies or none at all. Walleye – Slow: Try spoons, jigging raps or minnows around rock or stumps.
Otter Creek Lake
The lake has about 12 inches of ice. Yellow Bass – Good: Try jigs/waxies in about 9 feet of water. Bluegill – Slow: Use jigs/waxies around brush piles.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is currently down 13′ for the restoration project. Most of the lake has 8 inches of ice, but be careful around shorelines. Bluegill – Fair: Quite a few bluegills are being caught along the dam on waxies. Size has been marginal, but you can sort some keepers out. Yellow Perch – Slow: Use a jig/waxie and small spoon/minnow head. Walleye – Fair: Most fish are small. Try a spoon or jigging rap tipped with a minnow head in 20-25 feet of water. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a jig/waxie around deeper brush. White Bass – Slow: Try spoons or jigging raps tipped with minnows.
Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
The backwaters are unsafe at this time.
The recent rains and warm weather has made ice conditions in many areas variable or unsafe. Use caution and check ice often if venturing out. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Keomah
The warmer temperatures last week deteriorated the ice; use caution if venturing out as ice thickness varies. There is water on the ice and the ice has started to deteriorate along the shorelines. Geese keep some areas open so use caution and drill test holes often.
Lake Miss (Tug Fork W)
The ice has deteriorated since last week and there is water on top of the ice. Ice thickness varies so use caution. Use caution along the shorelines as this week’s rain and warm up melted some of the ice.
Lake Sugema
Ice conditions have deteriorated since last week. The lake has open water due to geese keeping some areas open and water on top of the ice. Ice conditions are variable so use caution.
Lake Wapello
The ice has deteriorated since last week and the lake still has open water in front of the lodge and the beach area. There is water on top of the ice.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.46 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. The lake still has open water in the main lake. There is water on the ice from the rain and warm temperatures and the ice is melting along the shoreline so use caution. Conditions have deteriorated since last week. The coves and bays should have thicker ice but use caution.
Red Haw Lake
Ice conditions have deteriorated since last week. The lake still has open water by the dam and beach area. There is water on top of the ice and the ice thickness is variable. Use caution if venturing out and drill test holes as you go. Anglers have been fishing in the campground bay which is on the western side of the lake. The ice is reported at 6 inches but has been changing everyday so test thickness often.
Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.
SOUTHWEST
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout – Fair: The next trout stocking will be Saturday, Feb. 4th at noon pending on good ice conditions. Use spoons or jigs tipped with wax worms. Trout tend to swim the perimeter in schools, so fish depths of 5 to 15 feet deep just out from shore.
Beaver Lake
Bluegill – Good: Start in the standing trees mid lake or on the edge of the deepest water on the northeast part of the lake. Black Cr
