Regional, Iowa – Here is this week’s Northwest Iowa Fishing Report as released by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Thursday, January 29th.
Spirit Lake Management District
- Contact Person: Jed Siegwarth – 712-330-2542
Most lakes have 15+ inches of fishable ice. Some accesses have become heaved up, making getting on the ice more difficult in some areas. Ice quality and thickness has improved substantially over the last week. Recent cold weather has closed up a few areas where ice conditions were not great; be aware of changing ice conditions as you travel across the lake. The lakes are relatively free of snow. Last updated on 01/29/2026
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is around 13+ inches in most areas. Anglers are catching a variety of quality-sized panfish species. Fishing has slowed in the recent week. Hole hopping may be needed.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers have been successful hole hopping to catch quality-size fish.
- Bluegill – Good: Anglers have been successful hole hopping to catch quality-size fish.
- Pumpkinseed – Good: Anglers have been successful hole hopping to catch quality-size fish.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is around 18 inches.
- Walleye – Fair
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is around 16 inches.
- Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers are catching lots of smaller yellow bass.
Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is around 18 inches.
- Walleye – Good: Anglers are catching 9- to 13-inch walleye.
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 13+ inches in most areas. Fishing and travel is not advised on the north end near Minne-Wakon as a large hole has been open and slowly freezing over. Porta-potty units are available at Marble Beach and Mini-Wakan boat ramps. Ramps at Hales Slough, Marble Beach and the spillway have been good for accessing the lake. Be wary of smaller holes that opened up during recent warm weather and have since capped over.
- Black Crappie – Good: With a little movement, anglers are catching crappie on jigs with minnows or plastics, as well as Berkley PowerBait shiners.
- Yellow Perch – Good: Anglers are catching good amounts of quality-size fish.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 34.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Most bays have over 14 inches of ice, but the main basin still is not recommended for vehicle traffic.
Black Crappie – Fair
KIWA Staff Photo
