NORTHWEST
9Arrowhead Lake
Ice thickness is around 8 inches at the boat ramp. Snow cover is 5-8 inches. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
Bacon Creek Lake
Rainbow trout were recently stocked. Use a small hook with a minnow or a small piece of crawler or powerbait fished under a bobber. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Black Hawk Lake
Ice thickness is around 13 inches off of Ice House Point boat ramp with around 5 inches of snow cover. The aerators in Town Bay are in operation; expect open water and thin ice in this area. Anglers can also fish open water at the fish house in Town Bay; the area directly underneath the structure is kept open with a small water agitator. Black Crappie – Fair: Bigger fish are 10- to 12-inches. Use minnows and waxworms on a jig. Bluegill – Fair: Bite is slow to fair; catch fish up to 6- to 8-inches. Use waxworms. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few walleye in the area off of Ice House Point and near Gunshot Hill. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting is needed; fish up to 12 inches are being picked up on waxworms and small minnows fished in 4-6 feet of water between Gunshot Hill and Denison Beach area.
Brushy Creek Lake
Ice conditions are variable; most areas are around 10-12 inches. Use caution and check ice thickness often. There are still thinner areas around standing trees and some areas near shore. The thickest ice is around 10-12 inches near the north boat ramp. Ice on the south end of the lake is thinner and more variable. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappie in 20-30 feet of water with minnows and spoons. A few fish are also being picked up using waxworms on various colored jigs. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are having luck on the north end of the lake; sorting is needed. Most fish are being picked up using spikes fished near the bottom. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few walleye. Bite is hit-or-miss. Use minnows and a jigging spoon. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Black Crappie – Fair: Most fish are 8- to 10-inches with some up to 12-inches. Move around to find fish. Evenings or low light conditions may be best. Bluegill – Fair: Catch 6- to 8-inch bluegill in 10-20 feet of water using jigs and waxworms. Stay mobile to find fish. Yellow Perch – Fair: Sorting is needed; some fish up to 12-inches are being picked up during low light conditions.
Moorland Pond
Rainbow trout were stocked recently. Use a small hook or jig tipped with either a minnow, a piece of crawler, or small powerbaits fished under a bobber. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Watch for open areas. Conditions are variable and can change quickly from one area to another on this lake; check ice thickness often as you move. There are areas of open water or thin ice near the big island and at a seam that starts at the Casino point area and extends northeast. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few walleye along the dredge cuts on the east side in about 10-14 feet of water using spoons and minnows. Some have had luck in 5-6 feet of water during low light hours. White Bass – Fair. Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers are getting the numbers, but sorting is needed. Keepers are 8- to 9-inches. Try a small jig and waxworm. Yellow Perch – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Anglers are picking up good numbers along dredge cuts; sorting is needed.
Most lakes in the area have 8-16 inches of ice. The winter aeration system in Town Bay (westernmost bay) of Black Hawk Lake is in operation. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit
Rainbow Trout – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with bait. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
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. The daily limit is 3 with no more than one walleye longer than 22 inches may be taken per day. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small minnow near vegetation in 6 to 8 feet of water. Bluegill – Slow: Try a small jig tipped with spikes in 2 to 4 feet of water. Best bite is early morning and near sunset. Walleye – Slow: Use a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head in 6 to 8 feet of water near vegetation. Best bite is low light periods and after sunset. Yellow Bass – Slow: Stay mobile to find fish. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try live bait and jigs near vegetation. Use a bigger bait to avoid the small fish.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 17 inches. Black Crappie – Slow: Try a small jig tipped with bait near the dredge cut. Bluegill – Fair:
Lake Smith
Ice thickness is 16 inches. Black Crappie – Slow. Bluegill – Slow: Best bite is late afternoon.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 16 inches. Bluegill – Slow. Yellow Perch – Slow: Try a small jig tipped with bait near vegetation.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 0 to 16 inches. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with waxworms near vegetation. Best bite is early morning and sunset. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Winter aeration systems are running at Clear Lake, Crystal Lake, Rice Lake and Silver Lake. For information on the lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
East Okoboji Lake
Ice thickness is around 19+ inches in most areas. Deeper snow coverage has made getting around more difficult. Black Crappie – Good: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow or tube jig and bobber. Bluegill – Good: Use tube jigs, plastics, or other small jigs. Northern Pike – Good: Tip-ups are working well. Yellow Perch – Fair: Minnows are working well; some sorting may be needed.
Five Island Lake
Use caution; the lake aerator has been started up in Town Bay. Yellow Bass – Good.
Ingham Lake
Ice thickness is 19+ inches. Use caution; there is an open hole in the lake with the aerator in use. Walleye – Fair:
Lost Island Lake
Ice thickness is around 20+ inches in most places. Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Good.
Minnewashta Lake
Ice thickness is 20+ inches. Black Crappie – Good. Bluegill – Good.
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
Ice thickness is around 19+ inches. Use caution; the lake aerator is in use. This creates an open hole on the east side of the lake. Walleye – Good: Best bite is at dusk.
Spirit Lake
The lake is entirely iced over with 20+ inches in most places. The best ice is on the south end and Anglers Bay. Most accesses are clear of heaves and snow. Black Crappie – Good. Walleye – Good: Best bite is around dusk. Yellow Perch – Good: Use small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.
West Okoboji Lake
Ice thickness is about 19+ inches at Emerson Bay and Haywards Bay, and 17+ inches at Triboji. The bluegill bite in Little Emerson Bay and out from Triboji has been very good. Black Crappie – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill – Good: Use tube jigs, plastics, or other small jigs. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Sorting may be needed.
Most lakes have 17+ inches of ice. There is heavy snow cover on most areas, making getting around in less capable vehicles very difficult. The forecast calls for colder temperatures, snow, and increased winds. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Cedar River (above Nashua)
About 18-30 inches of ice is covering windblown snow on the impoundment. Use caution in areas with current. Check ice thickness often. Most activity is around Carvel, Howards Woods and the beach area around the campground. Black Crappie – Slow: Use small jigs tipped with minnows, spikes and waxworms; find deeper water with little current. Bluegill – Slow: Find bluegills in backwaters. Use a small jig tipped with waxworm or spike. Walleye – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with minnows near evening.
Decorah District Streams
Don’t forget to buy your 2023 trout fee. Brook Trout – Fair: Use midge minnow or leech patterns for fish looking to get more bang for their effort. Brown Trout – Good: Try fishing around an undercut bank or similar structure. Cloudy days and off-color water are a perfect mix for catching brown trout. Rainbow Trout – Good: Rainbow trout spawn is on. Their colors are becoming brighter. Hatchery holdovers remain in the stream teasing anglers. Use small spinnerbaits or hair jigs floating past structure.
Lake Hendricks
Ice thickness is about 12 inches with snow on top. Fish activity has slowed. Bluegill – Fair: Find gills around rock reefs and drop-offs. Use a spike or waxworm about a foot off the bottom.
Lake Meyer
Ice thickness is about 12+ inches with snow on top. Best bite is evening to just past dusk. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing about 4 to 5 feet off the bottom near dark. Bluegill – Fair: Lots of lookers, but some will take a small jig tipped with a spike or waxie. Find fish around brush piles.
Volga Lake
Ice thickness is about 8-10 inches with about 2 inches of snow on top. Bluegill – Fair: Find gills around pallet beds or brush piles. Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm or spike.
Dangerously cold temperatures through Friday warming to the mid-30s by weeks end. Parking lots on wildlife management areas aren’t plowed; use care when parking on roadsides. For current fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Reports of anglers catching a few walleye on the Cedar River. Walleye – Fair: Most anglers are having good success fishing plastics tipped with a minnow.
George Wyth Lake
Anglers are catching panfish; some sorting may be needed. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a waxworm tipped on an ice fishing jig or use a dead stick tipped with a live crappie minnow; try to find structure for best success Bluegill – Fair: Use a waxworm tipped on an ice fishing jig; try to find structure for best success.
Lake Delhi
Reports of anglers catching crappie. Black Crappie – Fair: Try a waxworm tipped on an ice fishing jig or use a dead stick tipped with a live crappie minnow; try to find structure for best success.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
No reports on the Maquoketa River at this time. The river is falling and is dirty. Walleye – No Report: Most anglers are having good success fishing plastics tipped with a minnow.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Reports of anglers catching a few walleye. Walleye – Fair: Most anglers are having good success fishing plastics tipped with a minnow.
South Prairie Lake
No reports; decent sized bluegill are available. Bluegill – No Report: Use a waxworm tipped on an ice fishing jig; try to find structure for best success.
Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Reports of anglers catching a few walleye. Walleye – Fair: Most anglers are having good success fishing plastics tipped with a minnow.
Interior river water levels have fallen; anglers are catching some walleye. Lakes in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area have been slow to fair for panfish. Ice averages are around 6 inches; use caution and check ice thickness often. Trout streams are in excellent condition. For further information contact your local bait shop for the most recent up-to-date information. For more information, contact the Manchester Hatchery at 563-927-3276.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Water level is 8.1 feet at Lansing and is steady. Use caution with the snow cover around the ice edges; avoid crossing areas with current. The early and late afternoon bite has been better at Shore Slough. Black Crappie– Fair: Reports of anglers catching crappie. Try live minnows to entice the bite. Bluegill – Fair: Ice anglers are doing some sorting for larger gills. Try ice jigs tipped with waxworms. Sauger – No report: Try vertical jigging with a minnow in the Lock and Dam tailwaters. Walleye – No report: Bottom bounce a jig with twister tails in the Lock and Dam tailwaters. Yellow Perch – Good: Try Shore Slough near Lansing or Village Creek ramp area to catch perch in the dredge cuts.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is down slightly at 613.7 feet at Lynxville. The late afternoon bite has been better. Use caution with the snow cover around the edges; avoid crossing ice in areas with current. Crossing Johnson Slough at Sny Magill is not recommended. Avoid the ramp area at Bussey Lake; enter at the upper end on the island road. Black Crappie – Fair: Reports of anglers catching crappie. Try live minnows to entice the bite. Bluegill – Fair: Ice anglers are doing some sorting for the larger gills. Try ice jigs tipped with waxworms. Northern Pike – Fair: Reports of nice pike near the Greymore area. Yellow Perch – Good: Try a small jig tipped with a waxworm in the vegetation along deeper backwater dredge cuts.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level is near 5.5 feet at Guttenberg. Water temperature is 33 degrees in the channel. Mud Lake has been fair in the marina area. A further walk, but reports are picking up at Zollis. Avoid thin ice in the creek area leading to Zollicoffers. Black Crappie – Fair: Reports of anglers catching crappie. Try live minnows to entice the bite. Bluegill – Fair: Varied reports at Mud Lake and Bertrum Lakes. Anglers are moving often and sorting. Northern Pike – Fair: Reports of anglers catching northern pike on tip-ups/tip-downs in marina areas. Sauger – Fair. Walleye – Slow. Yellow Perch – Fair: Ice anglers are picking up some nicer perch.
Upper Mississippi River levels are down slightly. Ice has been building with last week’s colder temperatures. Check ice conditions before you go, especially with added snow cover. Anglers are moving often to find fish. 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. Walleye/sauger combined daily limit 6/possession 12.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is receding at 5.5 feet at Lock and Dam 11 and 8.2 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature is around 33 degrees; the water is clear. Ice fishing is occurring in most marina areas; ice conditions are variable and can be sketchy. Bluegill – Fair: Nearly all panfish are in backwater areas for the winter which are lakes with no flowing water and hopefully deep enough to not freeze to the bottom. The edges of the ice in backwaters are poor; use caution, the ice is sketchy. Sauger – Good: If you can get out from the Olearys side, some sauger are being caught. Yellow Perch – Good: Small yellow perch are being reported with an occasional keeper. Some anglers are using minnows on tip-down rigs.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is 6.1 feet at Lock and Dam 12 at Bellevue and is receding. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is around 33 degrees. The City of Bellevue Ramp is open, but ice flows may occur. Ice fishing has been reported on Pool 13, but ice conditions are variable to poor and snow may make for dangerous conditions; use caution. Bluegill – No Report: Ice is reported as sketchy; some fishing is occurring. Nearly all panfish are in backwater areas for the winter which are lakes with no flowing water and hopefully deep enough to not freeze to the bottom. Snow covered ice is dangerous; it does not always allow solid freezing of the ice. Use caution. Rainbow Trout – Excellent: The Bellevue kids trout pond is open and vegetation free. It is a nice safe place to fish with kids on warmer winter days. If you plan on keeping fish please only keep two fish per child. Sauger – Good: The tailwater has opened up at Bellevue, but can be subject to ice flows. Small sauger are being reported on jig and minnow rigs. Ice flows at times have been in front of the ramp, making launching difficult. Yellow Perch – Good: Small yellow perch are being reported with an occasional keeper. Some anglers are using minnows on tip-down rigs.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The water level at Fulton is receding at 4.9 feet,9.4 feet at Camanche, and 4.5 feet at LeClaire. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is near 33 degrees. Ice flows were reported at some ramps; they might not always be usable. Ice fishing conditions are reported a sketchy. Bluegill – No Report: Ice is reported as sketchy; some fishing is occurring. Nearly all panfish are in backwater areas for the winter which are lakes with no flowing water and hopefully deep enough to not freeze to the bottom. Snow covered ice is dangerous; it does not always allow solid freezing of the ice. Use caution.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 7.6 feet at Rock Island. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is 33 degrees. Bluegill – No Report: Not a lot of ice angling goes on in Pool 15 as true backwater areas are not present in this pool. Some fishing can occur in the marinas and above the dam at LeClaire; we have received no reports. The ice is in poor condition.
Ice fishing is occurring; ice is covered with snow and can be sketchy at times. Many district ramps are open, but ice flows are present near ramps at times. If you have angling questions, please call the Bellevue Fisheries Management Station at 563-880-8781.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 8.13 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and is rising. As of Feb. 1st, the Marquette St. boat ramp was frozen in. With the rising river levels there will be unsafe ice conditions, especially along the shoreline.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 4.38 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and is forecast to stay fairly steady over the weekend. The boat ramps at Muscatine were frozen in as of Feb. 1st. Big Timber has frozen back over, but was mostly open water last week. We have not received any reports on how thick the ice is. Unsafe ice conditions. Sauger – Slow: Look for saugers below the dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling stickbaits.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 5.34 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and has risen close to 1.5 feet the past couple of days. We have not received any reports on boat ramp conditions at Toolsboro. Unsafe ice conditions.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 2.53 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and has risen a little over a foot the past couple days. We have not received any tailwater fishing reports or ramp condition reports for this pool this week. Unsafe ice conditions.
Tailwater stages have been on the rise the past few days. Boat ramps have frozen back in with the cold temperatures. Many of the backwater areas had open water last week and froze back up the past few days. Unsafe ice conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Big Hollow Lake
Unsafe ice; ice fishing is not recommended. Ice thickness is around 1 1/2 inches on most of the lake; a little thicker in the boat ramp bay, but not by much. Bluegill – Slow: A few anglers were fishing the park ponds. The pond ice thickness is about 4 inches.
Lake Belva Deer
Ice thickness in the campground bay is about 6 inches; expect ice conditions to deteriorate by the end of the weekend. Bluegill – Slow: The few anglers that have been out have kept confined to the campground bay; no activity out further than that.
Lake Darling
Unsafe ice; ice fishing is not recommended. There are still areas of open water. Ice thickness is a little over 3 inches at the ramps. Expect melting ice with the forecasted weather.
Lost Grove Lake
The ice around the edges has firmed up with the cold weather. Bluegill – Slow: Entering the late ice part of the ice fishing season. The bite is slowing down. Try waxworms fished near the bottom in 16 to 18 feet of water.
For more information on the above lakes and rivers call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319- 694-2430.
Central Park Lake
Ice thickness is about 8 inches on most of the lake. Bluegill – Slow: Most fish have been smaller. Best bite is mornings and evenings.
Coralville Reservoir
The ice is variable; areas with higher current are unsafe.
Diamond Lake
Black Crappie – Fair: Most fish are 8- to 9-inches with a few larger ones mixed in. Bluegill – Fair.
Diamond Lake Pond
The pond on the east side of Diamond Lake has had a fair amount of pressure. Bluegill – Fair.
Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.)
Ice thickness is 6-7 inches on most of the lake. Remember, no ice is safe ice. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
Lake Macbride
Use caution; Macbride has variable ice, soft shorelines and seams. Most commonly used areas have 4-7 inches of ice; little fishing activity the past week. Black Crappie – Fair: Try fishing over deeper brush or look for fish suspended 15-25 feet down over open water. Bluegill – Fair: Try fishing rock piles in 10-20 feet of water; size is marginal.
