- Joined
- Jun 16, 2010
- Location
- North Liberty, Iowa
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report on Thursdays in an effort to provide the latest information heading into the weekend. The weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report.
NORTHWEST
Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Yellow Smoke has about 9 inches of good, clear ice. Use caution when near the handicapped accessible dock because slush pockets have formed near it. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers can expect to catch about a half dozen jumbo bluegill on a fishing trip to Yellow Smoke. Target the submerged trees in 18 to 22 feet of water. The water is extremely clear and the bluegills are very finicky. Anglers have been using a camera to fish because the bite is so light. Use the smallest tackle and lightest line possible. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers report a lot of bass around the submerged trees, but very few of them bite.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
There is about 10 inches of ice on Crawford Creek. Fishing has slowed some at Crawford Creek since last week. All fish are biting on wax worms. Target the area southwest of the fishing pier in about 17 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: Nice sized bluegill are being caught. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies around 10 inches are being caught while fishing for bluegill. Yellow Perch - Slow: A few yellow perch around 10 inches are also being caught.
Badger Lake
Fishing has been fair for bluegill and crappie. Ice is 15 inches thick.
Brushy Creek Lake
There's good ice over most of the lake, but stay clear of the dam. Anglers are catching bluegill, crappie, and perch, but most of them are small.
Bacon Creek Lake
The DNR stocked 1,500 rainbow trout on January 8. Ice is at least 12 inches thick. Anglers need a trout stamp in addition to their regular fishing license to fish for or keep trout. Daily limit of trout is 5. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Anglers are still catching a lot of rainbow trout. Fish 5 to 10 feet down and use small flashy lures baited with wax worms, a piece of night crawler, or a small minnow.
North Twin Lake
Yellow bass fishing has been good the last couple of weeks, but there is little information on fishing there this week. Anglers were targeting the north cluster of habitat structures in the southwest corner of the lake.
Swan Lake
Ice at Swan Lake is anywhere from 8 to 10 inches thick. The aeration system has been turned on so there is open water and weak ice around the fish house, the fish cleaning station, and east of the fish house. Fishing is slow.
Black Hawk Lake
There is about 13 inches of good, clear ice on Black Hawk Lake. The winter aeration system has been started and there is now open water and weak ice in the town bay area. Walleye - Slow: Anglers are still catching a few walleye, but most are sublegal fish. Try fishing the rock pile off of Crescent Park, the deep hole of Ice House Point, or the dredge cuts near Denison Beach. On Black Hawk Lake walleye must be at least 15 inches in length to keep and only three per day may be kept.
Great Western Park Lake
Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie with an occasional bass.
Arrowhead Lake
Arrowhead Lake has about 10 inches of good ice. There are a lot fish using the new habitat structures on the west side of the lake. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill are averaging 8.5 inches. Yellow Perch - Fair: Most of the yellow perch that have been caught are small.
For more information on the lakes and rivers in this area contact Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk Fish Management Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.
Briggs Woods Lake
Ice thickness is 10 to 12 inches. Bluegills are biting on small jigs tipped with wax worms. A few crappies are being caught on minnows. The best bite is from 4 p.m. until dark
Lower Pine Lake
Ice thickness is 9 to 12 inches. Bluegills and crappies are biting on small jigs tipped with a wax worm.
Lake Smith
Ice thickness is 15 to 17 inches. Bluegills are biting in the late afternoon on wax worms.
Lake Catherine
Ice thickness is 14 to 19 inches. Bluegills are biting on wax worms at dusk.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 17 to 20 inches. Yellow bass fishing is fair, fishing in 6 to 10 feet of water using a small jig tipped with a spike or small minnow. The best bite is from 4 p.m. until dark. A few walleye, crappie and perch are being caught using the same technique.
Lake Cornelia
Ice thickness is 18 to 20 inches. Small yellow bass are biting wax worms.
Little Wall Lake
Ice thickness is 12 to 13 inches. Bluegills and crappies are biting on wax worms in 10 to 12 feet of water.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 18 to 20 inches. Yellow perch are biting on wax worms; it’s going to take some sorting to get a limit of keepers.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 15 to 19 inches. No fishing activity reported
Bluebill Lake
Ice thickness is 17 to 19 inches. Bluegill and a few perch are biting on wax worms. The best bite is a first light.
Interstate Park Lake
Ice thickness is 15 to 17 inches. A few bluegill and crappie are biting at dusk.
For more information on fishing in area lakes and rivers, call the Clear Lake fisheries office at 641-357-3517.
Big Spirit Lake
Fishing has slowed down the past week with current weather conditions. Some anglers are still getting limits of walleye and perch. Yellow Perch - Good: Fishing has slowed for this species however fish are being caught on the main lake basin using small ice jigs tipped with wigglers or wax worms. Most action is taking place at Buffalo Run, Big Stoney and Cottonwood points. Walleye - Good: Fish rock bars or weed lines at sunrise or sunset with jigging lures tipped with a minnow head and dead sticking with a minnow on a small hook below a split shot.
East Okoboji Lake
Walleye - Good: Use jigging lures tipped with a minnow head near Parks Marina.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Fish in the bays with small ice jigs tipped with wax worms/wigglers or plastics.
Scharnberg Pond
The DNR plans a second trout stocking for around January 22. Please refer to the Iowa Fishing Regulations Booklet or the Iowa DNR website for trout stamp requirements. Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout anglers at other lakes in Iowa have reported great success using jigging spoons tipped with wax worms or synthetic trout baits. The first trout stocking was on December 18.
Ice conditions are good on area lakes; however extreme caution should be used when ever going out onto the ice. For more fishing information on the Spirit Lake area call 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Much of the fishing activity is taking place in the afternoon. Volga Lake has about 18 inches of ice. Bluegill - Good: Yellow Perch - Fair:
Lake Hendricks
Most of the fish activity has been happening between mid afternoon and dusk. There's about 18 inches of ice on the lake. Bluegill - Good: Crappie - Fair:
Lake Meyer
Early afternoon continues to be the best time to fish Lake Meyer. Anglers are catching a variety of fish using wax worms and a jig. The majority of fish are suspended in 7 feet of water but there are some fish still sitting on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Largemouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - Slow: Crappies are small. Yellow Perch - No Report:
Decorah District Streams
Anglers are doing well on area streams. Trout have been taken on northeast Iowa streams with traditional streamer patterns such as the Light Spruce, soft-hackle patterns including #14 Orange & Partridge and #18 Purple & Starling, and #16 and #18 Beadhead Prince Nymphs. Dry fly action has been minimal. For folks who spin fish, try using 1/32 or 1/64 ounce natural hair jigs. Urban ponds are now being stocked, weather permitting. For information on when and where, please call the trout stocking number
Ice depths vary from lake to lake but are ranging from 14 to 18 inches. This is the time of year when fish are suspended in the water column. Trout streams continue to provide good action. A good trout stream will remain open even during periods of cold weather. For more information on a particular river or stream, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Ice depth generally 8 to 12 inches but caution should be used in areas that have current or are insulated by deep snow. More open water exists than usual for the winter period due to the higher water levels we are experiencing on the Mississippi River. Northern Pike - Fair: A few reports of pike taken on tip ups in the Minnesota Slough area. The northern pike population is very robust and many pike are present in most backwater systems. Bluegill - Good: Good catches in Minnesota Slough and Indian Lake by New Albin. Near Lansing fishing in the Marina and in Phillippi Lake has been good at times. DeSoto bay on the Wisconsin side of the River is also seeing lots of fishing pressure. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice perch reported from Shore Slough and Minnesota Slough although fishing pressure appears to be lower. The Yellow perch bit can get better later in the winter and some jumbo yellow perch are being reported in Pool 9.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Ice depth generally 10 to 12 inches but caution should be used in areas that have current or are insulated by deep snow. In the Sny Magill area near Effigy Mounds Park it is safe to cross over into Norwegian Lake but do practice caution when crossing over Wyalusing Slough to Methodist Lake. Northern Pike - Fair: Some smaller northern pike were being caught on tip-ups using larger shiners as bait. Bluegill - Fair: Good catches of bluegills reported near Ambrough Slough by Prairie Du Chien and in the Sny Magill area decent catches reported in Ice Lake, Sandbar Slough and Methodist Lake. Bussey Lake has slowed a bit but still is cranking out some bluegills. Bite seems to be best in late afternoons. Crappie - Fair: A few nice crappies in Bussey but fishing has slowed. A few nice crappies in Sny Magill area of Ice and Methodist lakes. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some nice perch reported from sloughs in the Prairie Du Chien area and a few in Bussey Lake. Yellow perch fishing can get better later in the winter and some jumbo yellow perch exist in many of the backwaters of Pool 10. Sauger - Slow: The tail waters still have a lot of current due to the high water going into the winter. This has made fishing for sauger difficult as they do not appear to be in their normal winter locations.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Ice depth generally 10 to 12 inches or more but caution should be used in areas that have current or are insulated by deep snow. You can still launch a boat off the Guttenberg City ramp to access the tail waters but the lip of ice at the waters edge of the ramp may cause problems. Bluegill - Good: Some bluegills are being caught marina at Mud Lake and in Zollicoffers in lower Pool 11 but it is often “hit or miss.” Generally small bluegills are being reported from the Marina. The bite at times has been a day bite with late afternoon producing the most fish. Generally most anglers say the bite is slowing down but it can quickly turn on. Crappie - Slow: A few nice crappies in Zollicoffers Lake by Dubuque and Swift Slough by Guttenberg. Yellow Perch - Good: Yellow perch fishing can often get better in the later in the ice fishing season. Perch can withstand a slight bit of current and sometimes are found in backwater areas with minimal flow. Bluegills typically avoid such areas. Some very large yellow perch - up to 14 inches - are being reported. Sauger - No Report: Anglers can access the tail waters of lock and dam 10 through the city ramp in Guttenberg. Winter water levels are very high and current is stronger than many winter anglers are accustomed to. The DNR fish hatchery ramp is completely covered with ice and anglers will have to push boat over ice to launch. Not much activity was reported this week. Walleye - Slow: Although anglers can access the tail waters of lock and dam 10 through the city ramp in Guttenberg, fishing reports have been slow.
Generally good ice conditions but avoid flowing sloughs and large snow covered areas as snow insulates the ice preventing complete freezing. Ice thickness in many areas is 8 to 12 inches, but caution should be used. The river is currently very high for winter conditions and open pockets of water exist in many places that have current flow.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 7.66 feet. The Marquette St. ramp is being reported as frozen in. Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Sauger - No Report:
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 7.66 feet. Tail water stage has risen close to one foot since last week. The rise in river levels has made for some unsafe ice conditions in the backwaters especially along the edges. Ice fishing is not advisable in Big Timber at this time. Most ice fishing reports are coming from area ponds. Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Sauger - No Report: We have received no information on tail water fishing for saugers.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 12.09 feet. Tail water stage has risen close to two feet since last week. Boats are not able to launch at Toolesboro due to the ramp freezing in. No ice fishing information for this pool has been received. Most ice fishing reports are coming from area ponds. Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Sauger - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 5.89 feet. Boat ramps are being reported as frozen in. Most ice fishing reports are coming from area ponds.
Pools 16-19: Boat ramps throughout Pools 16-19 are being reported as frozen in. There has been a rise in river levels that has made for some poor ice conditions in the backwaters, especially along the shoreline. Ice fishing in the backwaters is not advisable at this time. For more fishing information on Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Geode
Ice conditions are improving. Across from the beach there has been a few anglers out with about 4 inches of ice there. From the middle of the lake and on down to the dam the ice remains unsafe as the geese have just left this area. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers are fishing some of the coves at the upper end of the lake without much luck.
Lake Belva Deer
The county conservation board has the roads cleared and sanded around the south ramp. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are still catching fish in the early morning but they are doing some sorting.
Lake of the Hills
Angling pressure is increasing. As always stay away from the boathouse where there is an aerator to protect the docks from ice damage. Bluegill - Good: Work the brush piles in the deeper water. The catch rate is improving. Crappie - Good: Anglers are picking up crappies in the same places they are catching the bluegills. Look for the crappies to be suspended above the bluegills.
Lambach Lake
Bluegill - Good: Work the habitat and the drop offs along the old creek bottom that runs down the middle of the lake.
Lake Darling District Farm Ponds
Good ice conditions. Unfortunately that includes the 1/2 of ice snow mix on the ground around the ponds after last Monday's rains. Bluegill - Good: The bluegills remain near the bottom around the structure. Crappie - Good: Crappies are normally anywhere between 1 to 3 feet off the bottom.
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.
Iowa Lake
Bluegill - Slow:
Kent Park Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Fish around brush. Size has been good.
Lake Macbride
Fishing pressure and success has decreased. Bluegill - Fair: Fish around almost any structure in 10 to 20 feet of water. Size is generally small. Crappie - Slow: There are still a few nice sized fish being taken off brush piles in about 15 feet of water. Keep moving until you find fish. Find areas that have not had much pressure. Walleye - Slow: Walleyes have become very tough to catch now. Once again, look for areas that have not had fishing pressure.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Try around brush piles in the mornings and evenings. Crappie - No Report: Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish deep water with a jig and waxie. Fish have been ranging from 4 to 11 inches with most around 7 inches.
Diamond Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Fish around brush. Size has been mediocre. Crappie - Fair: Evenings have been best. Size has been small.
Union Grove Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Fish around brush. The area west of the east ramp has been most popular. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being picked up along with the bluegills. Dusk has been the most productive time.
Coralville Reservoir
Use caution if venturing on or around areas of current. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being taken off brush piles in coves.
Sand Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Crappie - Slow:
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
The following is based off a report for the stretch between Palo and Cedar Rapids. Crappie - Fair:
Central Park Lake
Bluegill fishing the Hale Wildlife ponds has been good as well. Bluegill - Fair:
Lake Macbride District Farm Ponds
Bluegill - Good:
For more information contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Red Haw Lake
Ice depths have been reported to be around 6 inches. Use caution when venturing out because there have been some variation in ice thickness. The geese had been keeping an area open by the dam and the beach so avoid that area. Bluegill - Fair: Use teardrop jigs tipped with a wax worm.
Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
The lake has been drained for renovation and new fish habitat areas are being built along with some new jetties.
Albia (lower)
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs and fish around the structure that was added the last few years.
Lake Sugema
Use caution when venturing out onto the ice. The standing timber can impede the formation of good ice. There is open water along the north shore and around the north boat ramp. There is about 5 inches of ice uplake where most of the fishing is taking place. Angling is also occurring on Tug Forks West with some bluegill being caught. Tug Forks East still has some areas of open water so use caution. Bluegill - Slow: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm. Try fishing within a foot of the lake bottom.
Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is at 902.66 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. The main lake has frozen over. Ice thickness reports are as follows: Island View Dedication site boat ramp, 10 inches; Glenwood ramp, 10 inches; and Atwell's Landing, 10.5 inches. Use caution because ice thickness has been variable. Crappie - Slow: Use teardrops jigs tipped with a wax worm or a minnow. Find areas with submerged structure and fish over them. Look for structure in the Honey Creek cove or in Buck Creek.
For further fishing reports in south central Iowa call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406
SOUTHWEST
Rock Creek Lake
Bluegill - Good: Panfishing is remaining consistent. Both bluegill and crappie are being caught in good numbers fishing with wax worms in 8 to 12 feet of water. Morning and late afternoon have been the best times.
Big Creek Lake
Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are biting well. The brush piles on the west side of the lake south of the west ramp have been good. The best time seems to be late afternoon, especially the hour before dark. Waxies are the preferred bait. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught after dark. The fish that are being caught are coming from the roadbed and the 30 to 35 feet deep creek channel running between the east ramp and Ensign shelter. Use glowing tackle with wax worms, small live minnows, or just minnow heads. Walleye - Fair: Crappie anglers are picking up many walleyes with most being short fish that were just stocked in October. Check any LEGAL sized walleye for tags near the tail. If one is caught, follow the instructions on the signs near the boat ramps to collect a cash reward.
Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill fishing is excellent. The best bite is the hour before dark. They are being caught over sunken habitat in depths of 15 feet or deeper water. There is plenty of good habitat to search for in the coves, out from many of the points, and southeast of the island. The habitat in the lower half of the lake has been producing the best. Crappie - Good: Crappie are being caught. For better success stay out the hour or two past sunset. They are coming off some of the same habitat as the bluegills. However, better crappie success is coming from more main lake habitat than back in the coves. Glow jigs with wax worms or minnows are working.
Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Fair: Anglers continue to pick up some decent bluegill with wax worms. The most productive areas are the large sunken cedars in 16 to 20 feet of water, out from the steep, west bank across from the beach area.
Ankeny Lake (DMACC)
Rainbow Trout - Good: The next trout stocking will be January 29 at noon, as part of a family fishing event. Rainbow trout from the previous stocking are still being caught through the ice by tipping ice jigs or jigging spoons with wax worms or minnows. If targeting just trout and don't want bluegills, stick with small minnows and fish in a little shallower water. Bluegill - Good: Decent sized bluegills are being pulled through the ice. Concentrate on the south central portion of the lake.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Good: 2,200 trout were stocked January 14. They like to travel in schools around the perimeter. Try staying in the 5 to 10 feet contour interval. They can be caught on most ice fishing jigs or jigging spoons tipped with wax worms or fish with a small live minnow on a hook. They are confined to the north pit. Crappie - Fair: Some good size crappie are being caught near the steep north shore of the south pit. The best bite is in the evening.
Fishing success remains similar to last week. Ice conditions are excellent. Most bodies of water are still gaining ice and currently have 12 plus inches. In general, the best bites have been happening after 4 p.m. For questions on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.
Nodaway Lake
Nodaway Lake is two miles south of the city of Greenfield. Ice is 10 inches thick. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are averaging 7.5 inches and can be caught on teardrops tipped with wax worms. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught with wax worms around cedar tree piles. Fish are 9 to 10 inches.
Littlefield Lake
Littlefield is reported to have 8 to 10 inches of ice. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills can be caught with wax worms in 10 to 13 feet of water. Fish average 8 inches. Crappie - Slow: Crappies are scattered with a few are being caught in the evenings using minnows. Fish average 9 inches.
Lake Anita
Lake Anita was reported to have 10 inches of ice. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught on jigs tipped with wax worms in 18 to 20 feet of water. Bluegills are averaging 8 inches with fish up to 9.5 inches being caught.
Willow Lake
Willow Lake has 10-plus inches of good ice and extremely good water clarity. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching 8-inch bluegills with wax worms in 20 feet of water close to structure. Crappie - Slow: An angler reported to have caught a few 10-inch crappies in 15 to 20 feet of water in the late afternoon.
Lake Manawa
Manawa ice is variable, anywhere from 7 to 10 inches. Most fishing has taken place around Tin Can Alley or the new and old beach. Crappie - Slow: Crappies are being caught with minnows and wax worms. Most fish are 8 to 10 inches.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Numerous farm ponds in southern Iowa provide a good opportunity for a quality ice fishing trip. Remember to always get permission before fishing private ponds. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught using tear drops tipped with wax worms. Crappie - Slow: Crappies are being caught using minnows or wax worms on larger ponds that support crappie populations. Later in the afternoon has been the best time to target crappies.
Ice conditions are similar to last week with reported 9 to 10 inches on most water bodies in southwest Iowa. Caution is still needed at Greenfield Lake as the geese are keeping a small area of water open by the dam. For more information on fishing or ice conditions call the district office in Lewis at 712-769-2587.
Lake Icaria
Ice is usually 4 to 8 inches thick. Waterfowl are keeping an area in the north arm open. Use caution in other areas. Thickness is variable. Crappie - Fair: The beach point and the old roadway are yielding a lot of crappie ranging between 8 and 10 inches. Walleye - Fair: Several mid-sized walleye are being picked up from the old roadway on minnows.
Fogle Lake S.W.A.
Ice is between 8 and 10 inches thick in most places. Bluegill - Fair: Several mid-sized bluegills can be caught from the tree pile located about 75 yards north of the over-flow structure. Crappie - Fair: A few crappie are being caught from the trees.
Lake of Three Fires
Most of the lake has 4 to 10 inches of ice. Check thickness frequently. Bluegill - Fair: A few nice bluegills are being caught from the tree pile just north of the center of the dam.
Green Valley Lake
The lake has been lowered for a sediment removal project. Waterfowl have kept an area from the beach to the campground open. The fish are growing well and should be great for ice fishing. Bluegill - Good: The tree piles just north of the center of the dam are holding some real big bluegills.
Three Mile Lake
Most of the lake is frozen over but the waterfowl have small areas of open water in the mid-lake area. Some areas with less than 2 inches of ice can be found in the mid-lake and upper reaches of the lake. Crappie - Fair: Several crappies are being caught from the creek channels just west of the primitive camping area and the coves near the upper boat ramp.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Most of the lake is covered with ice. An area of open water is located in the middle of the lower portion of the lake. Bluegill - Good: The old roadway and the deeper areas of flooded trees are the most popular for bluegill. Crappie - Fair: A few larger crappie are coming from the creek channels near dark or just after. Walleye - Good: Several mid-sized walleye are being caught from the creek channels right before or just after dark.
Walnut Creek Marsh
Ice is usually 6 inches thick but the aeration system is keeping two holes open in the southwest corner. Bluegill - Fair: Some real nice sized bluegills are being caught from the channel along the south dike. Crappie - Fair: A few real nice crappie are being caught on minnows along the south dike channel.
Ice conditions have improved. Most lakes have good ice but the waterfowl have kept some areas of the bigger lakes open. Panfish are biting well at most lakes. The walleyes are starting.
NORTHWEST
Yellow Smoke Park Lake
Yellow Smoke has about 9 inches of good, clear ice. Use caution when near the handicapped accessible dock because slush pockets have formed near it. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers can expect to catch about a half dozen jumbo bluegill on a fishing trip to Yellow Smoke. Target the submerged trees in 18 to 22 feet of water. The water is extremely clear and the bluegills are very finicky. Anglers have been using a camera to fish because the bite is so light. Use the smallest tackle and lightest line possible. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers report a lot of bass around the submerged trees, but very few of them bite.
Crawford Creek Impoundment
There is about 10 inches of ice on Crawford Creek. Fishing has slowed some at Crawford Creek since last week. All fish are biting on wax worms. Target the area southwest of the fishing pier in about 17 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: Nice sized bluegill are being caught. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies around 10 inches are being caught while fishing for bluegill. Yellow Perch - Slow: A few yellow perch around 10 inches are also being caught.
Badger Lake
Fishing has been fair for bluegill and crappie. Ice is 15 inches thick.
Brushy Creek Lake
There's good ice over most of the lake, but stay clear of the dam. Anglers are catching bluegill, crappie, and perch, but most of them are small.
Bacon Creek Lake
The DNR stocked 1,500 rainbow trout on January 8. Ice is at least 12 inches thick. Anglers need a trout stamp in addition to their regular fishing license to fish for or keep trout. Daily limit of trout is 5. Rainbow Trout - Excellent: Anglers are still catching a lot of rainbow trout. Fish 5 to 10 feet down and use small flashy lures baited with wax worms, a piece of night crawler, or a small minnow.
North Twin Lake
Yellow bass fishing has been good the last couple of weeks, but there is little information on fishing there this week. Anglers were targeting the north cluster of habitat structures in the southwest corner of the lake.
Swan Lake
Ice at Swan Lake is anywhere from 8 to 10 inches thick. The aeration system has been turned on so there is open water and weak ice around the fish house, the fish cleaning station, and east of the fish house. Fishing is slow.
Black Hawk Lake
There is about 13 inches of good, clear ice on Black Hawk Lake. The winter aeration system has been started and there is now open water and weak ice in the town bay area. Walleye - Slow: Anglers are still catching a few walleye, but most are sublegal fish. Try fishing the rock pile off of Crescent Park, the deep hole of Ice House Point, or the dredge cuts near Denison Beach. On Black Hawk Lake walleye must be at least 15 inches in length to keep and only three per day may be kept.
Great Western Park Lake
Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie with an occasional bass.
Arrowhead Lake
Arrowhead Lake has about 10 inches of good ice. There are a lot fish using the new habitat structures on the west side of the lake. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill are averaging 8.5 inches. Yellow Perch - Fair: Most of the yellow perch that have been caught are small.
For more information on the lakes and rivers in this area contact Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk Fish Management Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.
Briggs Woods Lake
Ice thickness is 10 to 12 inches. Bluegills are biting on small jigs tipped with wax worms. A few crappies are being caught on minnows. The best bite is from 4 p.m. until dark
Lower Pine Lake
Ice thickness is 9 to 12 inches. Bluegills and crappies are biting on small jigs tipped with a wax worm.
Lake Smith
Ice thickness is 15 to 17 inches. Bluegills are biting in the late afternoon on wax worms.
Lake Catherine
Ice thickness is 14 to 19 inches. Bluegills are biting on wax worms at dusk.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 17 to 20 inches. Yellow bass fishing is fair, fishing in 6 to 10 feet of water using a small jig tipped with a spike or small minnow. The best bite is from 4 p.m. until dark. A few walleye, crappie and perch are being caught using the same technique.
Lake Cornelia
Ice thickness is 18 to 20 inches. Small yellow bass are biting wax worms.
Little Wall Lake
Ice thickness is 12 to 13 inches. Bluegills and crappies are biting on wax worms in 10 to 12 feet of water.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 18 to 20 inches. Yellow perch are biting on wax worms; it’s going to take some sorting to get a limit of keepers.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Ice thickness is 15 to 19 inches. No fishing activity reported
Bluebill Lake
Ice thickness is 17 to 19 inches. Bluegill and a few perch are biting on wax worms. The best bite is a first light.
Interstate Park Lake
Ice thickness is 15 to 17 inches. A few bluegill and crappie are biting at dusk.
For more information on fishing in area lakes and rivers, call the Clear Lake fisheries office at 641-357-3517.
Big Spirit Lake
Fishing has slowed down the past week with current weather conditions. Some anglers are still getting limits of walleye and perch. Yellow Perch - Good: Fishing has slowed for this species however fish are being caught on the main lake basin using small ice jigs tipped with wigglers or wax worms. Most action is taking place at Buffalo Run, Big Stoney and Cottonwood points. Walleye - Good: Fish rock bars or weed lines at sunrise or sunset with jigging lures tipped with a minnow head and dead sticking with a minnow on a small hook below a split shot.
East Okoboji Lake
Walleye - Good: Use jigging lures tipped with a minnow head near Parks Marina.
West Okoboji Lake
Bluegill - Good: Fish in the bays with small ice jigs tipped with wax worms/wigglers or plastics.
Scharnberg Pond
The DNR plans a second trout stocking for around January 22. Please refer to the Iowa Fishing Regulations Booklet or the Iowa DNR website for trout stamp requirements. Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout anglers at other lakes in Iowa have reported great success using jigging spoons tipped with wax worms or synthetic trout baits. The first trout stocking was on December 18.
Ice conditions are good on area lakes; however extreme caution should be used when ever going out onto the ice. For more fishing information on the Spirit Lake area call 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Much of the fishing activity is taking place in the afternoon. Volga Lake has about 18 inches of ice. Bluegill - Good: Yellow Perch - Fair:
Lake Hendricks
Most of the fish activity has been happening between mid afternoon and dusk. There's about 18 inches of ice on the lake. Bluegill - Good: Crappie - Fair:
Lake Meyer
Early afternoon continues to be the best time to fish Lake Meyer. Anglers are catching a variety of fish using wax worms and a jig. The majority of fish are suspended in 7 feet of water but there are some fish still sitting on the bottom. Bluegill - Good: Largemouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - Slow: Crappies are small. Yellow Perch - No Report:
Decorah District Streams
Anglers are doing well on area streams. Trout have been taken on northeast Iowa streams with traditional streamer patterns such as the Light Spruce, soft-hackle patterns including #14 Orange & Partridge and #18 Purple & Starling, and #16 and #18 Beadhead Prince Nymphs. Dry fly action has been minimal. For folks who spin fish, try using 1/32 or 1/64 ounce natural hair jigs. Urban ponds are now being stocked, weather permitting. For information on when and where, please call the trout stocking number
Ice depths vary from lake to lake but are ranging from 14 to 18 inches. This is the time of year when fish are suspended in the water column. Trout streams continue to provide good action. A good trout stream will remain open even during periods of cold weather. For more information on a particular river or stream, please contact the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Ice depth generally 8 to 12 inches but caution should be used in areas that have current or are insulated by deep snow. More open water exists than usual for the winter period due to the higher water levels we are experiencing on the Mississippi River. Northern Pike - Fair: A few reports of pike taken on tip ups in the Minnesota Slough area. The northern pike population is very robust and many pike are present in most backwater systems. Bluegill - Good: Good catches in Minnesota Slough and Indian Lake by New Albin. Near Lansing fishing in the Marina and in Phillippi Lake has been good at times. DeSoto bay on the Wisconsin side of the River is also seeing lots of fishing pressure. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few nice perch reported from Shore Slough and Minnesota Slough although fishing pressure appears to be lower. The Yellow perch bit can get better later in the winter and some jumbo yellow perch are being reported in Pool 9.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Ice depth generally 10 to 12 inches but caution should be used in areas that have current or are insulated by deep snow. In the Sny Magill area near Effigy Mounds Park it is safe to cross over into Norwegian Lake but do practice caution when crossing over Wyalusing Slough to Methodist Lake. Northern Pike - Fair: Some smaller northern pike were being caught on tip-ups using larger shiners as bait. Bluegill - Fair: Good catches of bluegills reported near Ambrough Slough by Prairie Du Chien and in the Sny Magill area decent catches reported in Ice Lake, Sandbar Slough and Methodist Lake. Bussey Lake has slowed a bit but still is cranking out some bluegills. Bite seems to be best in late afternoons. Crappie - Fair: A few nice crappies in Bussey but fishing has slowed. A few nice crappies in Sny Magill area of Ice and Methodist lakes. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some nice perch reported from sloughs in the Prairie Du Chien area and a few in Bussey Lake. Yellow perch fishing can get better later in the winter and some jumbo yellow perch exist in many of the backwaters of Pool 10. Sauger - Slow: The tail waters still have a lot of current due to the high water going into the winter. This has made fishing for sauger difficult as they do not appear to be in their normal winter locations.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Ice depth generally 10 to 12 inches or more but caution should be used in areas that have current or are insulated by deep snow. You can still launch a boat off the Guttenberg City ramp to access the tail waters but the lip of ice at the waters edge of the ramp may cause problems. Bluegill - Good: Some bluegills are being caught marina at Mud Lake and in Zollicoffers in lower Pool 11 but it is often “hit or miss.” Generally small bluegills are being reported from the Marina. The bite at times has been a day bite with late afternoon producing the most fish. Generally most anglers say the bite is slowing down but it can quickly turn on. Crappie - Slow: A few nice crappies in Zollicoffers Lake by Dubuque and Swift Slough by Guttenberg. Yellow Perch - Good: Yellow perch fishing can often get better in the later in the ice fishing season. Perch can withstand a slight bit of current and sometimes are found in backwater areas with minimal flow. Bluegills typically avoid such areas. Some very large yellow perch - up to 14 inches - are being reported. Sauger - No Report: Anglers can access the tail waters of lock and dam 10 through the city ramp in Guttenberg. Winter water levels are very high and current is stronger than many winter anglers are accustomed to. The DNR fish hatchery ramp is completely covered with ice and anglers will have to push boat over ice to launch. Not much activity was reported this week. Walleye - Slow: Although anglers can access the tail waters of lock and dam 10 through the city ramp in Guttenberg, fishing reports have been slow.
Generally good ice conditions but avoid flowing sloughs and large snow covered areas as snow insulates the ice preventing complete freezing. Ice thickness in many areas is 8 to 12 inches, but caution should be used. The river is currently very high for winter conditions and open pockets of water exist in many places that have current flow.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 7.66 feet. The Marquette St. ramp is being reported as frozen in. Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Sauger - No Report:
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 7.66 feet. Tail water stage has risen close to one foot since last week. The rise in river levels has made for some unsafe ice conditions in the backwaters especially along the edges. Ice fishing is not advisable in Big Timber at this time. Most ice fishing reports are coming from area ponds. Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Sauger - No Report: We have received no information on tail water fishing for saugers.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 12.09 feet. Tail water stage has risen close to two feet since last week. Boats are not able to launch at Toolesboro due to the ramp freezing in. No ice fishing information for this pool has been received. Most ice fishing reports are coming from area ponds. Bluegill - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Sauger - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 5.89 feet. Boat ramps are being reported as frozen in. Most ice fishing reports are coming from area ponds.
Pools 16-19: Boat ramps throughout Pools 16-19 are being reported as frozen in. There has been a rise in river levels that has made for some poor ice conditions in the backwaters, especially along the shoreline. Ice fishing in the backwaters is not advisable at this time. For more fishing information on Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Geode
Ice conditions are improving. Across from the beach there has been a few anglers out with about 4 inches of ice there. From the middle of the lake and on down to the dam the ice remains unsafe as the geese have just left this area. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers are fishing some of the coves at the upper end of the lake without much luck.
Lake Belva Deer
The county conservation board has the roads cleared and sanded around the south ramp. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are still catching fish in the early morning but they are doing some sorting.
Lake of the Hills
Angling pressure is increasing. As always stay away from the boathouse where there is an aerator to protect the docks from ice damage. Bluegill - Good: Work the brush piles in the deeper water. The catch rate is improving. Crappie - Good: Anglers are picking up crappies in the same places they are catching the bluegills. Look for the crappies to be suspended above the bluegills.
Lambach Lake
Bluegill - Good: Work the habitat and the drop offs along the old creek bottom that runs down the middle of the lake.
Lake Darling District Farm Ponds
Good ice conditions. Unfortunately that includes the 1/2 of ice snow mix on the ground around the ponds after last Monday's rains. Bluegill - Good: The bluegills remain near the bottom around the structure. Crappie - Good: Crappies are normally anywhere between 1 to 3 feet off the bottom.
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.
Iowa Lake
Bluegill - Slow:
Kent Park Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Fish around brush. Size has been good.
Lake Macbride
Fishing pressure and success has decreased. Bluegill - Fair: Fish around almost any structure in 10 to 20 feet of water. Size is generally small. Crappie - Slow: There are still a few nice sized fish being taken off brush piles in about 15 feet of water. Keep moving until you find fish. Find areas that have not had much pressure. Walleye - Slow: Walleyes have become very tough to catch now. Once again, look for areas that have not had fishing pressure.
Pleasant Creek Lake
Bluegill - Slow: Try around brush piles in the mornings and evenings. Crappie - No Report: Yellow Perch - Fair: Fish deep water with a jig and waxie. Fish have been ranging from 4 to 11 inches with most around 7 inches.
Diamond Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Fish around brush. Size has been mediocre. Crappie - Fair: Evenings have been best. Size has been small.
Union Grove Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Fish around brush. The area west of the east ramp has been most popular. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being picked up along with the bluegills. Dusk has been the most productive time.
Coralville Reservoir
Use caution if venturing on or around areas of current. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being taken off brush piles in coves.
Sand Lake
Bluegill - Fair: Crappie - Slow:
Cedar River (La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
The following is based off a report for the stretch between Palo and Cedar Rapids. Crappie - Fair:
Central Park Lake
Bluegill fishing the Hale Wildlife ponds has been good as well. Bluegill - Fair:
Lake Macbride District Farm Ponds
Bluegill - Good:
For more information contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Red Haw Lake
Ice depths have been reported to be around 6 inches. Use caution when venturing out because there have been some variation in ice thickness. The geese had been keeping an area open by the dam and the beach so avoid that area. Bluegill - Fair: Use teardrop jigs tipped with a wax worm.
Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
The lake has been drained for renovation and new fish habitat areas are being built along with some new jetties.
Albia (lower)
Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs and fish around the structure that was added the last few years.
Lake Sugema
Use caution when venturing out onto the ice. The standing timber can impede the formation of good ice. There is open water along the north shore and around the north boat ramp. There is about 5 inches of ice uplake where most of the fishing is taking place. Angling is also occurring on Tug Forks West with some bluegill being caught. Tug Forks East still has some areas of open water so use caution. Bluegill - Slow: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm. Try fishing within a foot of the lake bottom.
Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is at 902.66 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. The main lake has frozen over. Ice thickness reports are as follows: Island View Dedication site boat ramp, 10 inches; Glenwood ramp, 10 inches; and Atwell's Landing, 10.5 inches. Use caution because ice thickness has been variable. Crappie - Slow: Use teardrops jigs tipped with a wax worm or a minnow. Find areas with submerged structure and fish over them. Look for structure in the Honey Creek cove or in Buck Creek.
For further fishing reports in south central Iowa call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406
SOUTHWEST
Rock Creek Lake
Bluegill - Good: Panfishing is remaining consistent. Both bluegill and crappie are being caught in good numbers fishing with wax worms in 8 to 12 feet of water. Morning and late afternoon have been the best times.
Big Creek Lake
Bluegill - Good: Bluegills are biting well. The brush piles on the west side of the lake south of the west ramp have been good. The best time seems to be late afternoon, especially the hour before dark. Waxies are the preferred bait. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught after dark. The fish that are being caught are coming from the roadbed and the 30 to 35 feet deep creek channel running between the east ramp and Ensign shelter. Use glowing tackle with wax worms, small live minnows, or just minnow heads. Walleye - Fair: Crappie anglers are picking up many walleyes with most being short fish that were just stocked in October. Check any LEGAL sized walleye for tags near the tail. If one is caught, follow the instructions on the signs near the boat ramps to collect a cash reward.
Hickory Grove Lake
Bluegill - Excellent: Bluegill fishing is excellent. The best bite is the hour before dark. They are being caught over sunken habitat in depths of 15 feet or deeper water. There is plenty of good habitat to search for in the coves, out from many of the points, and southeast of the island. The habitat in the lower half of the lake has been producing the best. Crappie - Good: Crappie are being caught. For better success stay out the hour or two past sunset. They are coming off some of the same habitat as the bluegills. However, better crappie success is coming from more main lake habitat than back in the coves. Glow jigs with wax worms or minnows are working.
Lake Ahquabi
Bluegill - Fair: Anglers continue to pick up some decent bluegill with wax worms. The most productive areas are the large sunken cedars in 16 to 20 feet of water, out from the steep, west bank across from the beach area.
Ankeny Lake (DMACC)
Rainbow Trout - Good: The next trout stocking will be January 29 at noon, as part of a family fishing event. Rainbow trout from the previous stocking are still being caught through the ice by tipping ice jigs or jigging spoons with wax worms or minnows. If targeting just trout and don't want bluegills, stick with small minnows and fish in a little shallower water. Bluegill - Good: Decent sized bluegills are being pulled through the ice. Concentrate on the south central portion of the lake.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Good: 2,200 trout were stocked January 14. They like to travel in schools around the perimeter. Try staying in the 5 to 10 feet contour interval. They can be caught on most ice fishing jigs or jigging spoons tipped with wax worms or fish with a small live minnow on a hook. They are confined to the north pit. Crappie - Fair: Some good size crappie are being caught near the steep north shore of the south pit. The best bite is in the evening.
Fishing success remains similar to last week. Ice conditions are excellent. Most bodies of water are still gaining ice and currently have 12 plus inches. In general, the best bites have been happening after 4 p.m. For questions on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.
Nodaway Lake
Nodaway Lake is two miles south of the city of Greenfield. Ice is 10 inches thick. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are averaging 7.5 inches and can be caught on teardrops tipped with wax worms. Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught with wax worms around cedar tree piles. Fish are 9 to 10 inches.
Littlefield Lake
Littlefield is reported to have 8 to 10 inches of ice. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills can be caught with wax worms in 10 to 13 feet of water. Fish average 8 inches. Crappie - Slow: Crappies are scattered with a few are being caught in the evenings using minnows. Fish average 9 inches.
Lake Anita
Lake Anita was reported to have 10 inches of ice. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught on jigs tipped with wax worms in 18 to 20 feet of water. Bluegills are averaging 8 inches with fish up to 9.5 inches being caught.
Willow Lake
Willow Lake has 10-plus inches of good ice and extremely good water clarity. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching 8-inch bluegills with wax worms in 20 feet of water close to structure. Crappie - Slow: An angler reported to have caught a few 10-inch crappies in 15 to 20 feet of water in the late afternoon.
Lake Manawa
Manawa ice is variable, anywhere from 7 to 10 inches. Most fishing has taken place around Tin Can Alley or the new and old beach. Crappie - Slow: Crappies are being caught with minnows and wax worms. Most fish are 8 to 10 inches.
Cold Springs District Farm Ponds
Numerous farm ponds in southern Iowa provide a good opportunity for a quality ice fishing trip. Remember to always get permission before fishing private ponds. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are being caught using tear drops tipped with wax worms. Crappie - Slow: Crappies are being caught using minnows or wax worms on larger ponds that support crappie populations. Later in the afternoon has been the best time to target crappies.
Ice conditions are similar to last week with reported 9 to 10 inches on most water bodies in southwest Iowa. Caution is still needed at Greenfield Lake as the geese are keeping a small area of water open by the dam. For more information on fishing or ice conditions call the district office in Lewis at 712-769-2587.
Lake Icaria
Ice is usually 4 to 8 inches thick. Waterfowl are keeping an area in the north arm open. Use caution in other areas. Thickness is variable. Crappie - Fair: The beach point and the old roadway are yielding a lot of crappie ranging between 8 and 10 inches. Walleye - Fair: Several mid-sized walleye are being picked up from the old roadway on minnows.
Fogle Lake S.W.A.
Ice is between 8 and 10 inches thick in most places. Bluegill - Fair: Several mid-sized bluegills can be caught from the tree pile located about 75 yards north of the over-flow structure. Crappie - Fair: A few crappie are being caught from the trees.
Lake of Three Fires
Most of the lake has 4 to 10 inches of ice. Check thickness frequently. Bluegill - Fair: A few nice bluegills are being caught from the tree pile just north of the center of the dam.
Green Valley Lake
The lake has been lowered for a sediment removal project. Waterfowl have kept an area from the beach to the campground open. The fish are growing well and should be great for ice fishing. Bluegill - Good: The tree piles just north of the center of the dam are holding some real big bluegills.
Three Mile Lake
Most of the lake is frozen over but the waterfowl have small areas of open water in the mid-lake area. Some areas with less than 2 inches of ice can be found in the mid-lake and upper reaches of the lake. Crappie - Fair: Several crappies are being caught from the creek channels just west of the primitive camping area and the coves near the upper boat ramp.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Most of the lake is covered with ice. An area of open water is located in the middle of the lower portion of the lake. Bluegill - Good: The old roadway and the deeper areas of flooded trees are the most popular for bluegill. Crappie - Fair: A few larger crappie are coming from the creek channels near dark or just after. Walleye - Good: Several mid-sized walleye are being caught from the creek channels right before or just after dark.
Walnut Creek Marsh
Ice is usually 6 inches thick but the aeration system is keeping two holes open in the southwest corner. Bluegill - Fair: Some real nice sized bluegills are being caught from the channel along the south dike. Crappie - Fair: A few real nice crappie are being caught on minnows along the south dike channel.
Ice conditions have improved. Most lakes have good ice but the waterfowl have kept some areas of the bigger lakes open. Panfish are biting well at most lakes. The walleyes are starting.