Northwest, Iowa – Here is this week’s Northwest Iowa Fishing Report as released by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Thursday, December 11th.
Spirit Lake Management District
- Contact Person: Jed Siegwarth – 712-330-2542
The extended forecast calls for highs below freezing. Most lakes are completely frozen over, with 5-7 inches of fishable ice. Ice is building quicker now that rains melted all the surface snow. Ice thickness close to shore has been poor in some areas due to snow accumulation. Remain cautious and take extra precautions with early season ice. Last updated on 12/11/2025
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Most areas close to shore have poor ice due to accumulated snow. Many areas have around 6 inches of ice or more.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is around 7.5 inches of ice.
Walleye – Fair
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is around 8 inches.
Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is up to 7 inches in some areas.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 6+ inches in most areas. Porta-potty units are available at Marble Beach and Mini-Wakan boat ramps.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers are catching crappie on jigs with minnows or plastics, as well as Berkley PowerBait shiners.
- Yellow Perch – Fair
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 34.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
A few bays have frozen over; most of the lake is still open. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Black Crappie – Fair
KIWA Staff Photo
