Northwest Iowa — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has released their weekly fishing report for northwest Iowa. This weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys and county and state parks staff. You can check the activity of your favorite lake or stretch of river, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), as well as a hot bait or lure pattern.
NORTHWEST
Arrowhead Lake
Ice is 7 inches thick near the boat ramp.
Black Hawk Lake
Ice is up to 8 inches near the Ice House Point boat ramp; this is where most of the ice angling has taken place so far. Ice is variable, especially in the middle and east end. There are multiple pressure seams in the middle portion of the lake. There are still open water fishing opportunities near the fish house in Town Bay. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers have picked up a few bluegills; the bite is hit-or-miss. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Black Hawk Pits
Ice is 7 inches thick near the boat ramp. Ice is variable; use caution and check thickness often.
Brushy Creek Lake
Anglers are out on foot only. Ice conditions are variable and unsafe in some areas; use caution and check the ice thickness often if venturing out. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair: Reports of keeper-sized bluegills being caught. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake)
Conditions remain variable, with reports of up to 6-9 inches of ice in some areas and thinner ice or even open patches near the big island and Stoney Point. Use caution when venturing out and check ice thickness often. Bluegill – Fair. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Lakes throughout the district have 5-10 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 5 to 7 inches. Rainbow Trout – Fair. Trout were stocked the first week of November. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily bag limit is 5.
Bluebill Lake
Ice thickness is 8 to 10 inches.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 10 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. Bluegill – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm in open areas in the vegetation in 2 to 3 feet of water. Walleye – Slow: Try dead sticking a minnow. Best bite is near last light. Yellow Bass – Slow: Try a small jig tipped with bait in 5 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.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 10 inches. Be cautious of a few open water areas outside of the aeration boundary.
Fin and Feather Lake
Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches.
Lake Cornelia
Ice thickness is 8 to 10 inches.
Lake Smith
Ice thickness is 0 to 9 inches. Use caution near the aeration hole. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm.
Lower Pine Lake
Ice thickness is 2 to 6 inches.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 0 to 10 inches. Bluegill – Slow. Walleye – Slow. Yellow Perch – Slow.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 0 to 10 inches. Bluegill – Slow.
Upper Pine Lake
Ice thickness is 6 inches.
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 on these lakes that may have recently frozen over. Check ice thickness often as you go. 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
The lake is fully iced with an average of 10+ inches of ice allowing for safe ATV traffic in most areas Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
Ingham Lake
Caution: The lake aeration system is currently in operation. Ice conditions very heavily around the lake; most areas have 10+ 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 10+ 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 to be successful. Ice conditions are safe enough to venture with ATVs with an average ice thickness of 12+ inches. Black Crappie – Fair: A nice crappie bite can be found with a little movement around the lake. Bluegill – Fair. Pumpkinseed – Fair.
Scharnberg Pond
Trout were stocked unannounced this fall. 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 up, with an average ice thickness of 11+ inches. Be weary 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 10+ 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
The lake is fully iced up, but has had many seams and holes that have more recently frozen up. Bays and areas that have been iced up the longest have around 10+ inches of ice. Practice best ice safety if you try to venture out. Black Crappie – Fair. Bluegill – Fair.
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. The majority of area lakes have 10+ inches of ice allowing for safe ice fishing. ATV traffic has been prevalent in areas with thicker ice. Watch out for holes and seams on bigger lake basins. Make sure you have flotation, ice picks and check ice thickness often. The forecast through the weekend calls for continued colder temperatures which should help create even better ice conditions. For current conditions, call the Spirit Lake District Office at 712-336-1840.
