NORTHWEST

Arrowhead Lake
As of Dec. 28, ice was about 2-4 inches thick, but highly variable. Use extreme caution if venturing out and check ice often. Cold temperatures over the weekend will build more ice.

Black Hawk Lake
As of Dec. 28, ice thickness near Ice House boat ramp was 4-6 inches, with less ice right off of Ice House point and in Town Bay. There was a small pocket of open water in the northeast part of the lake near the state marina. Expect more ice as temperatures drop throughout the week. Bluegill – Good: Catch 7-8 inch gills with a teardrop jig and waxworm fished off the bottom around 6 feet of water in the channel between Ice House boat ramp and Gunshot Hill. The rock pile off of Gunshot Hill has also been productive. Yellow Perch – Fair: A few larger fish are being picked up while targeting bluegill. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are picking up crappie while targeting bluegill. Walleye – Fair: Use a spoon and minnow fished on the dredge cuts near Denison Beach and Lake wood point, and near the rock pile off of Cottonwood Point.

Black Hawk Pits
As of Dec. 28, ice was about 2-4 inches thick, but highly variable. Use extreme caution if venturing out and check ice often. Cold temperatures over the weekend will build more ice.

Brushy Creek Lake
A few anglers have been out on the north end. As of Dec. 28, ice thickness on the north end was reported at 4-5 inches. Ice near shore, in the main part of the lake, and in the south end is likely thinner and unsafe at this time. Expect ice conditions to improve over the next week. More reports will be available as more anglers make their way out.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Anglers are making their way out onto the ice; use extreme caution and check ice often due to the highly variable conditions. As of Dec. 28, most ice is around 5-7 inches, but there are some small pockets of open water and thinner ice. Walleye – Good: Use a minnow and spoon fished in the dredge cuts; best luck during low light conditions.

 Ice fishing is underway in Western Iowa. As of Dec. 28, ice thickness varies from a few pockets of open water to areas with up to 7 inches of ice. Use extreme caution when venturing out and check ice often. Cold temperatures throughout the week will build more ice. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.

Bluebill Lake
Ice thickness is 8 to 10 inches. Bluegill – Slow: Best bite is in the early morning.

Clear Lake
Avoid areas near the aerators. The current ice thickness varies from 6 to 10 inches. Yellow Bass – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with live bait at the edge of the vegetation. The best bite is at dawn and dusk. Walleye – Slow: Dead stick a minnow while your jigging with another rod. The best bite is at dawn and dusk. Yellow Perch – Slow: Use small jigs tipped with live bait. Black Crappie – Slow: Best bite is at first light.

Crystal Lake
Avoid areas near the aerator. Ice thickness is 6 to 9 inches. Black Crappie – Good: Use a small jig tipped with spikes near the edge of the dredge cut. Walleye – Slow: Best bite is early morning fishing with a minnow.

Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 8 to 10 inches. Walleye – Slow: The best bite is at dawn and dusk fishing with minnows.

Silver Lake (Worth)
Avoid areas near the aerator. Ice thickness is 8 to 10 inches. Yellow Perch – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm or spike at the edge of vegetation. Bluegill – Slow: Try a small jig tipped with a waxworm or spike at the edge of vegetation.

For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. 

East Okoboji Lake
No fishing activity observed on the lake.

Five Island Lake
Channel Catfish – Fair: Good ice fishing action reported. Walleye – Fair: Ice anglers have had good pole bending activity with numbers of fish harvested. Yellow Bass – Good: Good numbers of fish have been harvested; fish the dredge cuts for the best action.

Ingham Lake
Walleye – Fair: Good bite reported during the early evening hours.

Lost Island Lake
Yellow Bass – Fair: Good numbers of fish are being caught; fish the Stoney Point area for the best action. Walleye – Fair: Numbers of fish are reported from Lost Island Lake.

Silver Lake (Palo Alto)
Walleye – Fair: Ice anglers report harvesting walleye. Yellow Perch – Fair: Ice anglers are catching yellow perch.

Spirit Lake
Ice conditions have improved. Anglers have branched out on the main basin of the lake. Bluegill – Fair: Good numbers of bluegill are being reported at Templar Park lagoon, but fish are very finicky. Black Crappie – Fair: Black crappie action has slowed at the Templar Park lagoon. Yellow Perch – Fair: Numbers of fish are being caught off of Marble Beach; sorting is needed as numbers of small fish are being reported.

West Okoboji Lake
With improved ice conditions, anglers are fishing on the north end of the lake, Little Emerson, Little Millers Bay and Smith Bay.  Bluegill – Fair: Some bluegills have been caught; a camera is needed to find fish as site fishing is limited. Black Crappie – Fair: Action has been reported after sunset in Little Millers Bay.

Ice conditions have improved on the Iowa Great Lakes. Single or negative temperatures are in the forecast for the upcoming week. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. 

NORTHEAST

Cedar River (above Nashua)
Ice conditions are improving, but use caution. Check ice depths often, especially in areas with current. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with a waxworm or spikes in 10 feet of water. Black Crappie – Fair: Use bright colored jigs or small spoons tipped with minnow heads in backwaters.

Decorah District Streams
Parking lots are not plowed this time of year. Many streams run through wildlife management areas where hunting is allowed. Wear bright clothing and make noise when not stalking a trout. Brook Trout – Good: Use a dry fly for insects hatching off the water surface. Use a nymph or scud dropper for subsurface critters. Brown Trout – Good: Use patterns imitating small fish, eggs, and scuds. Light hatches still occur on warmer afternoons. Rainbow Trout – Good: Drift a feathered spinner or a hook tipped with worm along an undercut bank. Always leave gates and fences as you find them.

Lake Hendricks
No motorized vehicles are allowed on the ice. Ice conditions are improving. Aerator is on and open water is visible around it. Geese are keeping this area open.  Black Crappie – Slow: Water is stained. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are fishing near the point in the deeper channel. Use small jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes.

Lake Meyer
Lake Meyer is completely covered with ice. Use caution around the dam. Check ice depths often. Ice depths are about 8.5 inches. A few anglers were out this week. Clarity is excellent. Bluegill – Fair: Use small bright colored jigs tipped with waxworms. A slow jig works best. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers need to work for the fish and may have to move once the easy ones are caught.

Volga Lake
Ice depths are variable, but no open water. Check ice depths often and use the buddy system. Black Crappie – Slow: Fish over cedar trees. Drop your lure about 3 feet above structure and watch them swim up to the bait. Use small jigs tipped with spikes or waxworms.

Temperatures will be in the single digits through the weekend. Ice conditions are improving, with many water bodies completely covered. Iowa residents may now buy fishing licenses for the upcoming season. Thanks to all our anglers this year. May your angling in 2018 be the best yet. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Some good reports of anglers catching bluegill on Casey Lake. Concentrate efforts near the deeper area of water near the dam close to brush pile structures. Bluegill – Fair: Fish a waxworm just off of the bottom near the deeper portions of the lake.

Plainfield
Reports are fairly slow on Plainfield, but bluegill are good size in this lake. Bluegill – Slow: Fish a waxworm just off of the bottom near the deeper portions of the lake.

Silver Lake (Delaware)
Reports have been slow on Silver Lake. Anglers are setting tip-ups for pike without much success. Bluegill – Slow: Try fishing a waxworm just off of the bottom in the deeper part of the lake near the outlet structure for 6 to 7 inch bluegills.

Interior river water levels remain excellent and reports have been very limited with frozen conditions. Bitter cold weather conditions have made for good ice thickness on most areas; use extreme caution when venturing onto ice. Anglers are just beginning to get out, but reports have been limited. Northeast Iowa trout streams remain in excellent condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9
River level has been fluctuating slightly and current level is 7.8 feet at Lansing. Water clarity is excellent. Water temperature is near 32 degrees. Subzero temperatures have ice building; continue to use caution accessing the ice as shorelines and sloughs may be unsafe. Walleye – Slow: Try slow trolling crankbaits on a 3-way rig or minnow tipped jigs in tailwater areas and side channel rock structures. Yellow Perch – Fair:  Some reports of yellow perch being caught on minnows or small jigging spoons through the ice. Sauger – Slow: Use jig and minnows fished off the bottom in the tailwater areas and deeper side channels. Bluegill – Good: Ice anglers are catching bluegill. Use small teardrop jigs tipped with waxies in 4-5 feet of water with no current.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Water level is 15.1 feet at Lynxville. The Slough at Sny Magill ramp is forming ice, but crossing is not yet recommended. Anglers are catching bluegill on the upper end of Bussey Lake in the cut. Avoid the lower end of lake as ice is not stable. Park along the south side of causeway road and walk down from the upper end of Bussey. Walleye – Slow: Try slow trolling crankbaits on a 3-way rig or minnow tipped jigs in the tailwater areas and side channel rock structures. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some reports of yellow perch being caught on minnows or small jigging spoons through the ice. Sauger – Slow: Use jig and minnows fished off the bottom in the tailwater areas and deeper side channels. Bluegill – Good: Ice anglers are catching bluegill.  Use small teardrop jigs tipped with waxies in 4-5 feet of water with no current.

Mississippi River Pool 11
Water level at Guttenberg tail-water has leveled off near 6 feet. Water temperature is 32 degrees. Backwaters are building ice this week. Anglers are picking up panfish through the ice at Bertom and at Zollicoffers in Mud Lake. Avoid walking near the creek area at Zollicoffer. Walleye – Slow: Try slow trolling crankbaits on a 3-way rig or minnow tipped jigs in the tailwater areas and side channel rock structures. Yellow Perch – Fair: Some reports of yellow perch being caught on minnows or small jigging spoons through the ice. Sauger – Slow: Use crankbaits or a jig tipped with minnows fished off the bottom in the tailwater areas and deeper side channels. Bluegill – Good: Ice anglers are catching bluegill. Use small teardrop jigs tipped with waxies in 4-5 feet of water with no current.

Upper Mississippi River levels are at normal winter levels after a slight bump this week. Look for panfish to be in the deeper warmer backwaters with no current. Water temperature is 32 degrees. Backwater areas are building ice this week. Use caution near flowing sloughs and creeks or spring areas. 

Mississippi River Pool 12
Water levels rose all week and is 6.7 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 9.2 feet at the RR bridge. Expect water levels to start to recede this week. Water clarity is good. Water temperature is near 33 degrees in the main channel. Expect ice flows this week.  Walleye – Slow: This fall was a good season for walleyes on Pool 12, but it has been slow lately. Sauger – Slow: Sauger fishing was slow this week, but it has been an excellent year for sauger fishing at Dubuque. Lots of nice fish were reported this fall and good fishing could return anytime. Yellow Perch – No Report: Yellow perch fishing was strong in the tailwaters and some should be found ice fishing this winter.

Mississippi River Pool 13
Water levels have crested from a minor bump this past week and Bellevue Lock and Dam is currently around 7 feet. Expect water to recede slowly all next week. Water clarity is good. Water temperature is 33 degrees in the main channel. As of Saturday, both the DNR ramp and the City ramp are ice free, but expect significant ice flows when cold temperatures hit. Sauger – Fair: Sauger fishing was very good this fall. Lots of nice fish were reported and fishing pressure was intense at times. Lately a few flurries of good fishing were reported, but in general fishing was slow. Yellow Perch – Fair: Yellow perch fishing was very good in the tailwaters this fall and a few nice fish were still reported this week but it has tailed off.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Water levels are nearing the peak from a minor water level bump. Gauge readings are 6.4 feet at Fulton, 10.4 feet at Camanche and 5.1 feet at LeClaire.  Water clarity is good. Water temperature is 33 degrees in the main channel. Sauger – No Report: Lots of angling for sauger was reported, but no word on if the fish were biting.

Mississippi River Pool 15
Water levels have risen all week and are 6.7 feet at Rock Island. Water will continue to rise for a day or two and then start to recede. Water clarity is good. Water temperature is near 33 degrees in the main channel. Sauger – No Report: Some angling was reported this week, but no indication on if they were successful or not.

The water is at normal winter lows and levels are peaking out from a minor bump this past week. The water temperature is around 33 degrees in the main channel. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. 

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 6.06 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and has been rising the past few days. The Marquette St. boat ramp is frozen in. Unsafe ice conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 4.33 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has been rising slightly the past few days. The boat ramp in Muscatine is frozen in. Unsafe ice conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 4.65 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and has been rising the past few days. Reports of flow ice coming down the channel. Unsafe ice conditions.

Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 1.93 feet at Lock and Dam 18 and has been falling the past few days. Unsafe ice conditions.

Main channel water temperature is around 32 degrees and water clarity has been fair. The main channel is locking up with ice and boat ramps are freezing in. 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
The ice on the lake was between 2 and 3 inches Wednesday afternoon. No fishing activity on the lake. On the ponds in the park, anglers were finding between 4 and 5 inches of ice.

Lake Belva Deer
The cold weather the last couple of days put some ice on the lake; about 5 inches as of Wednesday afternoon.

Lake Darling
The lake was pretty much wide open over the weekend. It Froze over on Monday;  between 2 and 3 inches on Tuesday. After cold weather on Tuesday night and Wednesday, ice should be 4+ inches. One person was out on Tuesday, none on Wednesday.

Lake Geode
The lake is drained for renovation.

Lost Grove Lake
The last three days have been building up the ice. Ice thickness is around 5 inches, but drill some test holes to be safe especially down around the dam.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.

Coralville Reservoir
As of Dec. 28, the lake is ice covered.There were still a few seams of open water on Dec. 26th out in the channel, most notably, from the Macbride ramp upstream to Bobbers Marina, as well as under Mehaffey Bridge. The lake level as is 683.6′ and falling. It is predicted to reach winter pool of 683.4′ by the weekend. This falling water has increased current and made ice more variable in the channel.

Lake Macbride
As of Dec. 28, the entire lake is ice covered. There was considerable open water as of the 26th. Much of the shoreline has 4-6 inches of ice, but areas of deeper water may have considerably less ice. The area out from the main ramp in the park, east to the beach, north to the powerlines, and north of there has the least amount of ice. As of Dec. 28, these areas are not safe. Use caution when venturing out over deeper water.

Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is still 10 feet low from the restoration project. The lake is reported as having 5 to 8 inches of ice. A lot of people have been out here fishing. Walleye – Fair: Try minnows or spoons tipped with minnow heads. Many fish are being caught in deep water. Remember that fish caught from as little as 20 can have their air bladders expand out of their mouth if brought up too quickly. There are lots of small walleyes in the system that may not survive releasing if their air bladder is compromised. Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs and waxies along the dam. White Bass – Slow: A few fish are being caught suspended in deeper water with spoons.

As of Dec. 28 most lakes have ice. The smaller bodies of water have fishable ice for the most part, and the larger lakes have areas of fishable ice. Use caution when heading out on the ice, especially for the first time. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615