NORTHWEST
Arrowhead Lake
Ice is 9 inches thick near the boat ramp.
Bacon Creek Lake
Ice thickness is around 9 inches. About 1,500 rainbow trout were stocked on Jan. 13th. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Black Hawk Lake
The winter aeration system in Town Bay is currently operating. Ice thickness is around 10-12 inches near the Ice House Point boat ramp; this is where most of the ice angling has taken place. Use caution – there are pressure seams and areas of thinner ice in the middle portion of the lake. There are still open water fishing opportunities near the fish house in Town Bay. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers have picked up some crappie around the Gunshot Hill area. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Slow. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Black Hawk Pits
Ice thickness is 10 inches near the boat ramp.
Brushy Creek Lake
Ice conditions are variable; the thickest ice is by the big island near the south boat ramp and in the area around the north boat ramp. These areas are where most of the ice fishing is taking place. ATV travel is not recommended in the middle portion of the lake; there is thinner ice and a seam running across the big part of the lake. Use caution and check the ice thickness often when venturing out. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Fair. Walleye – Fair. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Moorland Pond
About 1,500 rainbow trout were stocked on Jan. 27th. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Ice thickness is around 10-14 inches in most areas. Conditions remain variable; there is open water near the big island, and thinner areas of ice near Stoney Point and the King’s Point area. Watch out for seams in the middle of the lake. Use caution when venturing out and check ice thickness often. All walleye between 19 and 25-inches must be immediately released unharmed at Storm Lake; no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up some walleye; best bite is during low-light hours. White Bass – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Lakes throughout the district have roughly 9-14 inches of ice. Watch out for seams and waterfowl holes with open water on the bigger lakes. Use caution and check ice thickness often. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Ice thickness is 8 to 12 inches. Rainbow Trout – Good. Trout were stocked on Jan. 18. 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 0 to 17 inches. Clear Lake has a protected slot on walleye. All walleye between 17 and 22 inches must be immediately released unharmed. No more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Slow. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm near the edge of the rushes or open areas in the vegetation in 2 to 3 feet of water. Walleye – Fair: Use a jigging minnow or try dead sticking a minnow. Best bite is near last light. Yellow Bass – Slow: Try a small jig tipped with bait in 4 to 6 feet of water. You have to stay mobile to find fish. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are biting in the Farmers beach area in 2 to 4 feet of water. Try fishing near vegetation; use a larger bait to get the bigger fish.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 17 inches. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with waxworms near vegetation. Walleye – Slow. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 0 to 17 inches. Bluegill – Slow.
Upper Pine Lake
Ice thickness is 12 to 14 inches. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a small minnow or plastic bait in 12 to 15 feet of water. Best bite is early morning. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm.
Aeration systems are running at Clear Lake, Crystal Lake, Rice Lake and Silver Lake. Avoid any open water areas and be cautious of waterfowl holes that may have recently frozen over. 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: The lake aeration system is currently in operation, creating a large open hole.
East Okoboji Lake
Most of the lake is fully iced with an average of 14+ inches of ice allowing for safe ATV traffic in most areas. Be cautious of the open holes and seams that still persist. Panfishing has been good out from the Ritz; some sorting is needed. Try heavy tungsten jigs, plastics and baits. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Good: Try jigging with tube jigs or a tungsten jig and live bait.
Ingham Lake
Caution: The lake aeration system is currently in operation. Ice conditions very heavily around the lake; most areas have 14+ inches.
Lost Island Lake
Caution: The aeration system is currently in operation on the east side of the lake out from the nature center. This creates a large open hole in the ice. The lake has varying ice conditions with an average of 14+ inches. Yellow Perch – Fair: Lots of sorting may be needed.
Minnewashta Lake
The panfish and crappie bite has been fairly good with the recent onset of ice. The bite is good enough that live bait hasn’t been needed for success. Ice conditions are safe enough to venture with ATVs with an average ice thickness of 14+ inches. Black Crappie – Fair: A nice crappie bite can be found with a little movement around the lake. Bluegill – Good: Try jigging with tube jigs or a tungsten jig and live bait. Pumpkinseed – Fair.
Scharnberg Pond
Trout were stocked in mid-January; fish should be biting well. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout are biting on a variety of different baits. Try a worm or lure that imitates a minnow.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Caution: The lake aeration system is currently in operation. The lake is fully iced, with an average ice thickness of 14+ inches. Be cautious of holes that have frozen over more recently on the main basin. Walleye – Fair.
Spirit Lake
The lake is fully iced, but conditions can vary in areas that had open holes until recently. Ice thickness is 14+ inches in most places. Black Crappie – Fair: Mostly being caught along with perch; use tube jigs with wigglers or pilkies. Bluegill – Fair: Mostly being caught along with perch; use tube jigs with wigglers or pilkies. Yellow Perch – Fair.
West Okoboji Lake
Ice thickness is 14+ inches in most places; there still are a handful of seams usually running from points. Know where trouble areas are before you venture on or off the ice. Panfishing has been good with a little movement on the north end and Little Emerson Bay. Try heavy tungsten jigs, plastics or baits. Black Crappie – Good: Try jigging with tube jigs or a tungsten jig and live bait. Bluegill – Good: Many anglers have been successful off Triboji on the north end of the lake. Try jigging with tube jigs or a tungsten jig and live bait.
All walleye between 19 and 25 inches must be immediately released unharmed at Big Spirit Lake, East and West Okoboji Lakes, Upper Gar Lake, Minnewashta Lake, Lower Gar Lake and Storm Lake; no more than one walleye longer than 25-inches can be taken per day. Most area lakes have 14+ inches of ice. Expect lots of traffic on and off the lakes this weekend with the Okoboji Winter Games. Watch out for iced over holes and seams running across the lakes. Be sure you know a safe route on and off the ice. Bring safety essentials like flotation, ice picks and a friend. Area lakes have 3-6 inches of snow coverage. The forecast calls for continued freezing temperatures. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Ice thickness is about 12 inches. Use caution when crossing areas with flow. Check ice thickness often. Anglers are catching a variety of fish. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Good: Try waxworms and spikes. Walleye – Fair: Use minnows under a slip bobber with enough weight to get your bait near the bottom.
Decorah District Streams
Don’t forget to purchase your trout fee for 2022. A new lifetime trout fishing license is available for mature anglers. Winter trout fishing is a great time to explore new streams and enjoy opportunities with fewer anglers out. Water clarity is excellent. Be prepared to blend into the background for wary fish. Brook Trout – Fair: Use midge, minnow or leach patterns for fish looking to get more bang for their effort. Brown Trout – Fair: Try spinner or crankbaits near or around structure. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Rainbow Trout are coloring up for their spawning season. Hatchery hold overs remain in the stream teasing anglers. Use small spinnerbaits or hair jigs floating past structure.
Lake Hendricks
Areas around the aerator remain open; use caution. Ice thickness is about 15 inches with 4-5 inches of snow. Few anglers have been out this week as weather presented formidable conditions and fish activity slowed. Black Crappie – Slow: Try fishing in the sharp drop-offs. Finicky crappies may bite as you slowly raise the lure. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with waxworm or spike fished near structure.
Lake Meyer
Ice thickness is about 14-15 inches with variable snow depths. Fish activity slowed. Find fish in 12-14 feet of water. Black Crappie – Slow. Bluegill – Fair: Catching mostly small bluegills. Anglers with cameras see lots of fish looking at bait, but not biting.
Volga Lake
Few anglers have been out as conditions were suitable for a few brave souls. Ice thickness is about 10 inches topped with crusted snow. Check ice thickness often. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing around cedar tree clusters. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing around structure. Best bite is mid to late afternoon.
Iowa’s 2021 fishing licenses expired Jan. 10. Get your 2022 license today! Weekend temperatures range from low 20’s to below zero overnight. Ice thickness is 12+ inches on most waterbodies. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Alice Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Locate structure and use electronics to find suspended fish. Use a small ice jig tipped with a waxworm or try a minnow on a dead stick.
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Anglers are catching bluegill. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing in the evening or early morning for best success with small presentations.
George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching some crappie; some sorting may be needed. Black Crappie – Fair: Locate structure and use electronics to find suspended fish. Use a small ice jig tipped with a waxworm or try a minnow on a dead stick.
Heritage Pond
Rainbow Trout – Fair: Trout were stocked in the fall; some of these stocked trout remain in the lake. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Try jigging flashy jigs with a blade to entice rainbow trout to take your lure or jig.
Manchester District Streams
Trout streams are in excellent condition. Very clear water conditions; use subtle presentations and approach fish from downstream. Brown Trout – Fair. Rainbow Trout – Fair.
Martens Lake
Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Locate structure and use electronics to find suspended fish. Try a small ice jig tipped with a waxworm or a minnow on a deadstick. Bluegill – Good: Best bite is evenings or early mornings with small presentations. Use a small ice jig tipped with a waxworm fished just off of the bottom.
North Prairie Lake
Trout were stocked in the fall; some of these stocked trout remain in the lake. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Try jigging flashy jigs with a blade to entice rainbow trout to take your lure or jig.
Silver Lake (Delaware)
High catches of small bluegill. Harvest-size fish are rare, but a good location to catch some fish with the kids. Bluegill – Fair: Best bite is evening or early morning with small presentations. Use a small ice jig tipped with a waxworm fished just off of the bottom. Northern Pike – Fair: Try fishing tip-ups with a large shiner or chub.
South Prairie Lake
Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Locate structure and use electronics to find suspended fish. Use a small ice jig tipped with a waxworm or try a minnow on a deadstick. Bluegill – Fair: Best bite is evenings or early mornings with small presentations. Use a small ice jig tipped with a waxworm fished just off of the bottom.
Ice conditions are generally 6-10 inches on lakes and ponds in east-central Iowa. Remain cautious while ice fishing; avoid areas with water current or discolored ice. Ice fishing has been hit-or-miss around the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Call the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276 for more information.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Lansing water level remains stable near 8 feet. Ice continues to build, but it is extremely variable with snow cover. Use caution and check ice thickness often before crossing sloughs and areas with any current. Notice: Dredging is completed at Lansing Village Creek. The west part of the parking lot remains closed. Black Crappie – Slow: Use jigs tipped with a waxworm a few feet under the ice to mid-depth. Best bite is mid-morning and again later afternoon. Bluegill – Fair: Try a jig tipped with a waxworm about mid-water column to just off the bottom. Anglers are doing a lot of sorting. Release the small ones alive; they will be keepers next year. Northern Pike – Slow: Some northern have been caught in backwaters using shiners on tip-downs. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are hanging out in weed edges on the slopes of backwater cuts. Jig a waxie or minnow a foot or two off the bottom.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Lynxville water level dropped slightly to 613.6 feet. Ice continues to build, but it is extremely variable with snow cover. Use caution and check ice often before crossing sloughs and areas with any current. Anglers are crossing Johnson Slough at Sny Magill. Black Crappie – Slow: Use jigs tipped with a waxworm a few feet under the ice to mid-depth. Best bite is mid-morning and again later afternoon. Bluegill – Fair: Try a jig tipped with a waxworm about mid-water column to just off the bottom. Anglers are doing a lot of sorting. Release the small ones alive; they will be keepers next year. Northern Pike – Fair: Some northern have been caught in backwaters using shiners on tip-downs. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are hanging out in weed edges on the slopes of backwater cuts. Jig a waxie or minnow a foot or two off the bottom.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Guttenberg tailwater dropped slightly to 5.3 feet. Ice continues to build, but it is extremely variable with snow cover. Use caution and check ice often before crossing sloughs and areas with any current. Black Crappie – Slow: Use jigs tipped with a waxworm a few feet under the ice to mid-depth. Best bite is mid-morning and again later afternoon. Bluegill – Fair: Try a jig tipped with a waxworm about mid-water column to just off the bottom. Anglers are doing a lot of sorting. Release the small ones alive; they will be keepers next year. Northern Pike – Fair: Some northern have been caught in backwaters using shiners on tip-downs. Yellow Perch – Fair: Perch are hanging out in weed edges on the slopes of backwater cuts. Jig a waxie or minnow a foot or two off the bottom.
Upper Mississippi River levels remain stable. Fish are not as active mid-winter; move often to find the fish. Ice depth in backwaters is averaging more than 12 inches. Ice on areas with current varies; use caution. Walleye slot length limits now apply on the entire Iowa border of the Mississippi River. All walleyes less than 15 inches long and between 20-27 inches must be immediately released. One walleye over 27 inches may be kept. Combined walleye/sauger daily limit 6/possession 12.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is steady and temperature is near freezing. Water levels are 5.2 feet at the Lock and Dam and 7.9 feet at the railroad bridge. Water clarity is good. Boat ramps are nearly all frozen in. Bluegill – Good: Bluegills are commonly being caught in nearly all the marina areas and deeper backwater lakes. Lots of sorting is needed. Sauger – No Report: The ramps are iced in. Yellow Perch – Fair: Expect to see more yellow perch as winter progresses. We have had excellent reproduction of yellow perch in the past few years.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level at the Bellevue Lock is receding at near 5.3 feet. Water temperature is near freezing in the main channel. Water clarity is good. The Bellevue Boat ramp has refroze with the recent cold snap. The viewing of bald eagles at the Bellevue Lock and Dam is spectacular as they are feeding on dead shad. The city parking lot is an easy location to watch the action. Black Crappie – Fair: Some nice crappie were reported from lower Sabula Lake, but they are not abundant. Bluegill – Good: Ice thickness has been good. Anglers are reporting spotty good catches of gills, usually on waxworms. Rainbow Trout – Good: The kids’ trout pond just north of the DNR station has been stocked with rainbow trout for the winter. You can only keep two trout per child. Sauger – No Report: The Bellevue Ramp is frozen back in again. Yellow Perch – Fair: Lots of small perch are being seen during fish surveys. The future looks bright for decent yellow perch fishing in Pool 13. Some nice catches of yellow perch; fishing has been boom or bust as schools move around under the ice.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level is steady at 4.8 feet at the Fulton Lock and Dam, 9.3 feet at Camanche and 4.6 feet at Le Claire. Water temperature is around 33 degrees in the main channel. Water clarity is good. Most ramps on Pool 14 are frozen in; boat launching is not possible. Bald Eagle viewing in the tailwaters has been very good below the dam. Bluegill – Good: Try the Rock Creek area; some bluegills are being reported. Lots of sorting needed. Sauger – No Report: It remains difficult to launch out of frozen ramps. Yellow Perch – No Report: Lots of small perch are in the system; the future looks bright for yellow perch fishing in Pool 14.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level at Rock Island is 5.4 feet and is dropping. The water temperature is near 33 degrees. Water clarity is good. Bluegill – No Report: Not a lot of backwater bluegill habitat exists on Pool 15 outside of marina areas. Sauger – No Report: Launching is difficult in Pool 15; boat ramps are frozen in.
Lots of ice fishing throughout the district; make sure you have a safety plan as Mississippi River ice can be unpredictable. Be aware of places with flowing water or where ice looks discolored. Most ice is 8 to 10 inches in the backwaters; some thin ice and open water has been reported recently. The main channel water is low and clear; most boat ramps are frozen in. If you have angling questions please call the Bellevue Fisheries Station at 563-880-8781.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 5.35 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and has been fairly steady. The Marquette St. boat ramp is frozen in. Reports of around 8 inches of ice in Sunset Marina. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills are being caught through the ice in Sunset Marina on jigs and waxworms. White Crappie – Fair: Some crappies are being caught through the ice at Sunset Marina on jigs and waxworms.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 4.06 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has been fairly steady. The ramps at Muscatine are inaccessible due to the main channel being frozen up. Big Timber has 9-10 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 jigs and waxworms. Use caution and check ice thickness often as you move.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 4.30 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and has been slowly falling the past few days. The Toolsboro ramp is inaccessible due to the main channel freezing up. We have not received any ice fishing or ice condition reports for this pool this week.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 2.16 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and has been slowly falling the past few days. We have not received any ice fishing or ice condition reports for this pool this week.
The tailwaters are inaccessible due to the main channel freezing up. River stages have been fairly steady the past few days. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
Crusty white ice breaks through to very clear ice. Black Crappie – Fair: The ice is in good condition under the crust; watch out for thinner spots.
Lake Belva Deer
A couple inches of refrozen snow and ice makes a hard crust over top the good clear ice. Bluegill – Fair: Angler numbers remain low; most are in the campground bay and out to the creek channel from there.
Lake Darling
A layer of crusty snow/ice covers the really clear ice. Sub-zero weather the last few mornings have kept angler numbers low. Black Crappie – Fair: Picking up a few crappies over the trees and culverts in 12 to 14 feet of water. Bluegill – Fair: The bite remains sporadic. Most anglers are fishing out in the middle.
Lost Grove Lake
Ice is plenty thick to fish on. Windy subzero weather is keeping angler numbers low. Bluegill – Fair: Most anglers start out in the flooded timber along the old creek channel out from the 230th Avenue access points.
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319- 694-2430.
