NORTHWEST
Arrowhead Lake
Ice thickness is 11 inches.in front of the boat ramp.
Black Hawk Lake
Ice thickness is 13 inches in front of the Ice House Point boat ramp. There is open water in Town Bay from the winter aeration system. Ice in the east basin may have thinner areas. Most angling activity has been near the Ice House Point boat ramp and near the Gunshot Hill shoreline. Ice is thinner in the inlet bridge bay; avoid ice near the bridge. Black Crappie – Fair: Try waxworms and small live minnows. Sorting is needed; 8- to 10-inch fish reported. Bite has been hit or miss. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use waxworms or live minnows on a small jig in the southwest portion of the lake between Provost Point Denison Beach and Ice House Point. You may have to move to find fish; fish are 6- to 12-inches. Walleye – Slow. Bluegill – Fair: Try a waxworm on a small jig fished in 3-6 feet of water. Sorting is needed with some fish up to 8-inches.
Black Hawk Pit
Ice thickness is 11 inches at the boat ramp.
Brushy Creek Lake
Beware of thinner ice from a pressure ridge in the middle of the lake that starts near the fishing jetty just south of the east boat ramp. There is thinner ice near the swimming beach. The best ice conditions (around 12 inches) are at the north end and near the big island by the southeast boat ramp. Drill test holes often and use caution. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try minnows and waxworms fished in 10-20 feet of water; 10- to 12-inch keepers with lots of sorting. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers have had luck in 10-20 feet of water. Walleye – Fair: Try a jigging spoon with a small minnow or minnow head fished in areas with up to 25 feet of depth. Bluegill – Fair: Use waxworms in 20 feet of water.
Moorland Pond
Rainbow Trout – Fair: Anglers continue to pick up trout. Try a small hook with a piece of nightcrawler or corn fished under a bobber, tube jigs or a small spinner. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Most ice is reported to be around 15 inches. Ice is covered with snow and drifts. There are thinner areas from a pressure seam extending from Casino Point to the northeast. Ice near the big island and near Chautauqua Point may by thinner and unsafe. Avoid these areas; use caution and check ice thickness often as you move around. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use waxworms, mealworms and minnows near the dredge cuts along the west and north portions of the lake. Move around to find fish. Larger fish are 10- to 13- inches. Walleye – Fair: The bite is picking up. Try a small minnow on a jigging spoon in the dredge cuts and flats. Morning bite is best. You may have to move around to find groups of fish. Anglers have had luck in the north end and western portions of the lake. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a waxworm on a jig or minnow on a small jigging spoon. You may need to move to find fish near the dredge cuts.
Ice thickness in district lakes and ponds is around 11-18 inches with the occasional seam or thin ice in the main basins. Ice is covered with snow. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Rainbow Trout – Excellent: Trout are biting on a variety of baits. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily bag limit is 5.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 14-18 inches. Avoid the channel between the little lake and the main lake; use extreme caution if you fish within the aeration holes boundary. Yellow Bass – Fair: Yellows are biting on a variety of baits. Use your electronics to find fish; stay mobile. Best bite is a half hour before sunset. Yellow Perch – Excellent: Try near vegetation in 2 to 6 feet of water. Use bigger bait to catch keeper-sized fish. Walleye – Fair: Try dead sticking a minnow while you fish with another rod. Best bite is near sunrise and sunset. Black Crappie – Slow: Look for suspended fish along the dredge cuts. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small jig in the open areas near the rushes.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 14-18 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a jig and small minnow fished along the edge of the dredge cut. Yellow Perch – Slow. Northern Pike – Slow.
Lake Cornelia
Ice thickness is 14-16 inches. Yellow Bass – Fair.
Lower Pine Lake
Ice thickness is 11 inches off the boat ramp. Very little fishing activity with heavy snow and bitter cold temperatures.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 14-18 inches. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try near vegetation in 4 to 5 feet of water on the west side of the lake. Walleye – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 14-18 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Try a small jig tipped with spikes near vegetation. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Upper Pine Lake
Ice thickness is 11 inches off the boat ramp. Very little fishing activity with heavy snow and bitter cold temperatures.
Permanent ice fishing shelters must be removed from all state-owned lands and waters by Feb. 20. For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Center Lake
Caution: Winter aeration system is currently in use. Ice thickness is around 16.5 inches.
Dog Creek (Lake)
Fishing has been fair to good.
East Okoboji Lake
Ice conditions vary across the lake with averages around 18 inches or more. Bluegill – Good: Easily catch lots of bluegill; a lot of sorting may be needed with many 7.5- to 9-inch fish. Yellow Perch – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Ingham Lake
Caution: Winter aeration system is currently in use. Ice thickness is around 16 inches or more with a major open hole from the lake aeration unit. Yellow Perch – Fair: Anglers are catching larger yellow perch, but with low frequency. Some good sized perch have been seen recently.
Lake Pahoja
Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with waxworms. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with waxworms.
Lost Island Lake
Caution: Winter aeration system is currently running on the north east side near the nature center. Ice thickness is 18-20 inches. A good amount of fishing pressure has been seen recently. Yellow Perch – Good. Walleye – Fair.
Minnewashta Lake
Ice thickness varies around 19 inches. Bluegill – Good: Lots of 4- to 6-inch fish are being caught. Black Crappie – Good.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Caution: Winter aeration system is currently in use. Ice conditions are around 18-22 inches, but can be variable. Use caution; a side-by-side went through the ice the last week of December. Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
Ice thickness across the lake is around 19 inches or more. Caution: Holes created by small springs have developed or iced over recently. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch fishing has been tough, but once you find them, many quality 9- to 10.5-inchers have been caught. Walleye – Fair: Walleye bite has been tough.
Trumbull Lake
Ice thickness is around 11 inches with an open hole on the north end caused by geese.
West Okoboji Lake
Ice thickness varies, starting around 19 inches. Caution: there are many seams across the lake. Panfishing has been spotty in many of the bays where many anglers have been able to sight fish in around 10 feet of water along weed lines. Many fish are headed to the basins with the latest cold front. Yellow Perch – Fair. Bluegill – Good.
Iowa Great Lakes are fully iced up with thickness ranging from 18-22 inches. Recent temperatures have created safer ice conditions, allowing the use of some full-sized vehicles; use caution and check conditions before driving out. Caution: there are still many seams throughout area lakes, as well as a few holes that have been kept open due to geese activity. The extended forecast calls for warmer temperatures again, so fishing should pick up. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Backwaters have 6-10 inches ice. Ice depth varies in areas with current. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are finding nice sized crappie in the deeper holes out of current. Use minnows for best luck. Bluegill – Slow: A few gills are being caught while fishing for crappie. Try small pieces of bait and lures; bluegills have very small mouths. Walleye – Slow: Use live bait for best luck. Find an eddy or deeper pool.
Decorah District Streams
Streams are very clear with about 6-8 inches of snow in places. Don’t forget to buy a 2021 trout fee and license. Iowa’s trout season is open all year. Many streams maintain excellent populations of brown trout and stocked catchable-size rainbow trout. Many trout streams flow through wildlife management areas. Use care when parking along road if a parking area isn’t plowed. Rainbow Trout – Good: Get tackle in front of fish and imitate prey movements. Minnow midge and caddis flies work well this time of year. Brown Trout – Good: Use tackle imitating forage fish; fish the edge of a weed bed or large rock. Brook Trout – Good: Try flies imitating prey drifting down in pool edges and heads. Fish the hatch on sunny afternoons.
Lake Hendricks
Ice thickness is 12 inches with about 6 inches of snow. Open water around the aerator; use caution around this area. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the ice. Bluegill – Fair: Use a waxworm or spike on a small jig under a bobber; find brush piles. Black Crappie – Fair: Minnows work best; fish deeper water. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Concentrate your effort along the rock reefs or brush piles.
Lake Meyer
Ice thickness is 12 inches with 8 inches of snow. Excellent clarity with 15 feet visibility. Use caution when walking to your favorite ice fishing hole; check ice thickness often. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm or spike on overcast days. Activity is picking up some. Look for fish in 12-15 feet of water. Black Crappie – Slow.
Volga Lake
Volga Lake has about 12 inches of ice capped with 6 inches of snow. Use caution when going on ice; check ice thickness often. Best bite is morning and dusk. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small brightly colored jig tipped with a waxworm or spike under a bobber. Keep your lure 1 to 2 feet off the bottom; a little wiggle goes a long way.
Take advantage of this weekend’s heat wave. Temperatures may reach 30 degrees. Chance of snow Saturday. Ice depths vary on area rivers especially areas with current. Check ice thickness often. Ice thickness on area lakes is greater than 10 inches with 8 plus inches of snow. 2021 licenses are available now. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Alice Wyth Lake
Good reports of anglers catching crappie on Alice Wyth Lake in George Wyth State Park. Anglers are also catching a few pike on tip-ups. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing a dead stick with a minnow on one rod and jigging an ice jig tipped with a waxworm or spike. Electronics are very helpful to find suspended crappie. Bluegill – Fair: Use an ice jig tipped with a waxworm fished just off of the bottom. Northern Pike – Fair: Try using tip-up devices or rigs under the ice with a live shiner or chub.
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Ice thickness is around 8 inches or more over most of the lake. Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie. Bluegill – Good: Try an ice jig tipped with a waxworm fished just off of the bottom. Black Crappie – Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow around sunken structure.
George Wyth Lake
Use extreme caution; reports of thin ice on areas of the lake. Reports of anglers catching panfish and northern pike. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing a dead stick with a minnow on one rod and jigging an ice jig tipped with a waxworm or spike. Electronics are very helpful to find suspended crappie. Bluegill – Fair: Use an ice jig tipped with a waxworm fished just off of the bottom. Northern Pike – Good: Anglers are catching quality northern pike on tip-ups. Try a live chub or shiner fished just off of the bottom.
Manchester District Streams
All area Manchester trout streams are in excellent condition and hold vast populations of brown trout. Brown Trout – Good: Spring Branch Creek is a favorite amongst anglers for quality and trophy-sized brown trout.
Martens Lake
Anglers are catching panfish; most activity is on the north end of the marsh as anglers cross the reservoir for access. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a jig tipped with a minnow fished around sunken structure.
North Prairie Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing a dead stick with a minnow on one rod and jigging an ice jig tipped with a waxworm or spike. Electronics are very helpful to find suspended crappie. Bluegill – Fair: Reports of anglers catching bluegill. Use an ice jig tipped with a waxworm fished just off of the bottom.
Plainfield Lake
Anglers are catching a few panfish; catching fewer fish, but of quality size. Bluegill – Fair: Use an ice jig tipped with a waxworm fished just off of the bottom. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a jig tipped with a minnow fished around sunken structure.
South Prairie Lake
Reports of anglers catching bluegill. Bluegill – Fair: Try an ice jig tipped with a waxworm fished just off of the bottom.
Ice thickness on most area lakes is most likely safe with recent arctic weather; use extreme caution with accumulating snow on the ice. Lakes in and around the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area are producing catches of bluegill and crappie. For further information contact your area bait and tackle shops. All field stations and fish hatcheries remain closed. Call the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276 for more information.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level at Lansing dropped to 7.4 feet. Use caution on snow covered ice and shoreline edges. Fish are suspending just below the ice surface. Yellow Perch – Fair: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4-12 feet of water with a jig and minnow. Bluegill – Fair: Use jigs tipped with mousies in shallow backwaters. Northern Pike – No Report: Try tip-ups baited with a minnow or shiners in shallow backwater lakes. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use tip-ups baited with minnows in backwaters. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappie bite is best in shallow backwaters fishing just below the ice surface.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Lynxville water level is 614.2 feet. Use caution on snow covered ice in areas with current. Johnson Slough at Sny Magill ramp is frozen and accessible. Sauger – Slow: Try vertical jigging with jigs in tailwaters of the Lock and Dam. Walleye – Slow: Use jigging spoons or a jig tipped with a minnow in tailwaters of Lock and Dams. Yellow Perch – Slow: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4-12 feet of water with a jig and minnow. Bluegill – Fair: Use jigs tipped with mousies in shallow backwaters. Northern Pike – No Report: Try tip-ups baited with a minnow or shiners in shallow backwater lakes. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Use tip-ups baited with minnows in backwaters. Black Crappie – Slow: Crappie bite is best in shallow backwaters fishing just below the ice surface.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is 6.0 feet at Guttenberg . Use caution on snow covered ice in areas with current and edges. Ice anglers are catching panfish at Mud Lake and Zollicoffers. Use caution and avoid the creek area. Sauger – Slow: Try vertical jigging with jigs in tailwaters of the Lock and Dam. Walleye – Slow: Use jigging spoons or a jig tipped with a minnow in tailwaters of Lock and Dams. Yellow Perch – Fair: Look for perch hanging above vegetation from 4-12 feet of water with a jig and minnow. Bluegill – Fair: Use jigs tipped with waxworms in shallow backwaters. Northern Pike – Slow: Try tip-ups baited with a minnow or shiners in shallow backwater lakes. Largemouth Bass – Fair: Use tip-ups baited with minnows in backwaters. Black Crappie – Good: Crappie bite is best in shallow backwaters fishing just below the ice surface.
Heavy snow cover has made access to ice fishing difficult and oxygen levels poor. Fish are suspending just under the surface. Ice thickness is 12-18 inches. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches long must be released immediately. Only one walleye greater than 27 inches can be kept. Combined walleye/sauger daily harvest limit of 6 and possession of 12.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Water level is expected to hold steady this week. Water levels are 5.6 feet at the Lock and Dam and 8.2 feet at the RR bridge. The water temperature is around 33 degrees. Water clarity is good. Ice conditions are decent, but no ice is 100 percent safe. Little ice fishing activity this week with extreme cold temperatures. Bluegill – Fair: Most anglers report poor to fair catch rates. Use waxworms and tungsten jigs. Northern Pike – Good: Some nice pike were reported earlier this ice fishing season by anglers using minnows on tip-ups.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is 6.1 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam and is holding steady. Water temperature is around 33 degrees. Water clarity is good. The Bellevue City ramp is iced in with the recent cold snap. Ice conditions are decent, but no ice is 100 percent safe. Little ice fishing activity this week with extreme cold temperatures. Bluegill – Fair: Most anglers report poor to fair catch rates. Use waxworms and tungsten jigs. Most Pool 13 ice fishing is taking place near the Sabula area backwaters. Largemouth Bass – Good: Anglers are catching lots of bass with tip-ups and minnows. Most ice fishing pressure is around the Sabula backwaters. Ice conditions in Browns Lake were reported as marginal in a few locations a few weeks ago. but may have improved; use caution.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Water level at the Fulton Lock and Dam is holding steady at 5.4 feet, 9.5 feet at Camanche and 4.9 feet at LeClaire. Water temperature is around 33 degrees. Water clarity is good. Ice conditions are decent, but no ice is 100 percent safe. Little ice fishing activity this week with extreme cold temperatures. Bluegill – Fair: Most anglers report poor to fair catch rates. Use waxworms and tungsten jigs. Most anglers are fishing at Rock Creek and Cattail Slough backwaters.
Mississippi River Pool 15
Water level is 6.6 feet at Rock Island and is receding. The water temperature is near 33 degrees. Water clarity is good.
Water temperature in the main channel is near freezing. Water level is stable throughout the district. Tailwater ramps are iced in throughout the district. If you have any fishing questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-880-8781.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 6.64 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities. The Marquette Street boat ramp is frozen in. Reports of 10 inches of ice in Sunset Marina. Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills are being caught through the ice in Sunset Marina on small jigs and waxworms. Some sorting is needed; keeper-sized bluegills are being caught. Black Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being caught in Sunset Marina on jigs and waxworms.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 5.36 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is forecast to stay fairly steady. The boat ramps at Muscatine are frozen in. Last week, Big Timber had around 9 inches of ice out from the parking lot. Ice conditions can be variable in Big Timber; check ice thickness often as you move. Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills are being caught in Big Timber through the ice on ice jigs and waxworms. Mostly smaller bluegills with some keeper-sized bluegills mixed in.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 6.41 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. The main channel is frozen in. The Toolsboro road is ice and snow covered. We have not received any ice fishing or ice conditions reports for this pool.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 3.11 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and has been fairly steady. We have not received any ice fishing reports for this pool.
Tailwater stages have been fairly steady the past few days. The main channel has frozen up. There has been some ice fishing in the backwaters. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
Ice is in good shape. Black Crappie – Fair: Best bite is early morning and after about 4 pm when the sun starts to set. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing closer to the bottom.
Lake Belva Deer
Little angler activity out on the lake; should change with the warmer forecast. Black Crappie – Fair: Evening bite is best; crappies will fol
