Regional, Iowa – Here is this week’s Northwest Iowa Fishing Report as released by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Thursday, Janurary 8th.
Spirit Lake Management District
- Contact Person: Jed Siegwarth – 712-330-2542
Most lakes have 10+ inches of fishable ice. Some accesses have periodically become heaved up making getting on the ice more difficult in some areas. Ice quality should hold strong looking at next week’s forecast. Most lakes are free of snow. Last updated on 01/08/2026
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Most areas have around 10-12 inches of ice. Reports of anglers catching quality-sized panfish species. Hole hopping may be needed.
- Black Crappie – Fair
- Bluegill – Good
- Pumpkinseed – Good
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is around 11 inches.
- Walleye – Fair
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is around 9 inches.
Yellow Bass – Good: Reports of anglers catching lots of smaller yellow bass.
Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is variable at 9-12 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 10+ inches in most areas. Porta-potty units are available at Marble Beach and Mini-Wakan boat ramps.
- Black Crappie – Good: Anglers are catching crappie on jigs with minnows or plastics, as well as Berkley PowerBait shiners.
- Yellow Perch – Good: Reports of anglers catching 9+ inch perch.
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 34.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake has entirely frozen over. Some bays permit fishing, but the main lake is still not recommended.
Black Crappie – Fair
