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Top Iowa Fishing Spots for the Week of December 27.
This 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.
Stay Where You Play
Make your next fishing trip an overnight stay. Take advantage of state park cabins and campgrounds near many of these bodies of water. Make your reservation now. For more information on availability and rates, visit iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
Arrowhead Lake
As of Tuesday Dec. 27th, ice thickness off the boat ramp was 5-7 inches.
Use caution if venturing out and drill test holes often, as ice is more
variable out mid-lake. Bluegill - Good: Use a wax worm on a small jig fished in
about 20 feet of water. Fish are up to
8-9 inches. Sorting is required, as quite a few smaller fish are biting as
well. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a jig tipped with a wax worm fished in about
15-20 feet of water. Fish up to 10.5 inches have been caught.
Black Hawk Lake
On Tuesday Dec. 27th, ice thickness off Ice House Point boat ramp was
8-10 inches. Ice may be more variable out mid-lake. Aerators will start
operation on Thursday, Dec. 29th; expect thin ice and open water in
Town Bay. Some bluegill are being picked up off the Ice House Point area and
near the rock pile just off Gunshot Hill. Use a small jig tipped with a wax worm
for panfish or a minnow head on a jigging spoon for walleye.
Black Hawk
Pits
Ice was 5-8 inches thick on Dec. 27th. Ice is variable so use caution. Anglers
have had luck targeting bluegill and crappie with a wax worm or small minnow on
a jig. Fish near contour and structure in 5-10 feet of water.
Brushy Creek
Lake
Ice is still extremely variable on Brushy Creek Lake. Recent rainfall and
warmer temperatures over the holiday weekend have caused ice conditions to
deteriorate in some areas; thin ice or open water may be present at near-shore
inflows and even in areas mid-lake.
Storm Lake
(including Little Storm Lake)
Anglers are making their way out onto Storm Lake and having good luck. Ice
is variable and there are still some pockets of open water; use caution when
venturing out and test ice thicknesses often. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some perch
are being picked up with wax worms and minnows fished on a jig in 5-8 feet of
water. White Bass - Fair: Use minnow heads on a jigging spoon. Walleye - Good: Try
a minnow head on a jigging spoon during mid-afternoon. Fish in areas 5-8 feet
deep. Black Crappie - Good: Fish are suspended, use a jig tipped with a wax worm
or a minnow. The bite seems to be better late evening and after dark.
As of Dec. 27th, most lakes in the district were
covered with 4 to 10 inches of ice, with a few open areas on large lakes. Use
caution and test ice depths often. Aerators on Black Hawk Lake will begin
operation on Dec. 29th so expect thin ice and open water in Town Bay. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 9-11 inches on most of the little lake and 8-10 inches
on the main lake. The rain this weekend melted a lot of the snow on the lake; wear
ice spikes when venturing out. The best bite is early morning and around 3:00 pm
to dark. Yellow Bass - Fair: Use wax worms and spikes fished near the bottom in
10-12 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Slow: A few smaller perch are being caught.
Walleye - Fair: Try jigs tipped with bait. Most are less than 14 inches but a
few keeps are being caught. Black Crappie - Fair: The best crappie bite is at
first light.
Lake Cornelia
Ice thickness is 5-6 inches. Fishing has been slow.
Lake Smith
Ice thickness is 8-10 inches. Bluegills are biting on wax worms. Bluegill
– Fair.
Rice Lake
Ice thickness is 8-10 inches. Walleye - Fair: Use jigging spoons tipped
with a minnow head. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try small jigs tipped with live bait.
Silver Lake
(Worth)
Ice thickness is 8-10 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with
spikes. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try small jigging spoons and jigs tipped with
bait.
For information in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish
and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Big Spirit Lake
The ice on Big Spirit is 9-10 inches thick about 50 yards out from the
boat ramps. Yellow Perch - Excellent: Yellow Perch are being caught by anglers
roughly 100 yards from the shore lines. Walleye - Good: Anglers fishing for
walleye have been consistently reaching their limits.
Center Lake
The ice on Center Lake is around 6 inches thick about 50 yards out from
the boat ramps. Aerators are currently in use on Center Lake so avoid areas
with open water.
East Okoboji Lake
The ice on East Okoboji is about 9 inches thick about 50 yards out from
the boat ramps. Walleye - Good: We have had several reports of people catching walleye
behind Parks Marina. Yellow Bass - Fair: Some yellow bass are being caught in
the basins.
Five Island
Lake
Aerators are currently in use on Five Island Lake so avoid areas with
open water. Black Crappie - Fair: A few black crappies have been reported but
they weren’t too eager to bite. Channel Catfish - Fair: Some Channel Catfish
have been reported caught.
Ingham Lake
Aerators are currently in use on Ingham Lake so avoid areas with open
water.
Lost Island
Lake
Walleye - Good: Angler acceptable walleye have been reported as being
caught.
Silver Lake
(Dickinson)
The ice on Silver Lake is about 6 inches thick about 50 yards out from
the boat ramps. Aerators are currently in use on Silver Lake so avoid areas
with open water.
Silver Lake
(Palo Alto)
Yellow Perch - Fair: There have been reports of the occasional yellow perch
being caught.
West Okoboji Lake
The ice on West Okoboji is about 6 inches thick about 50 yards out from
the boat ramps Little Millers Bay is the spot to be fishing right now; get out
there before all the fish are caught. Bluegill - Good: Reports have been coming
in of bluegill biting hard in Little Millers Bay over the past weekend. Walleye
- Good: Walleyes are starting to show up in Little Millers Bay and are very
eager to bite. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch have been rolling in on Little
Millers Bay over the past weekend.
Although the temperatures were more favorable last
week, the high winds and storms over the weekend caused some slow fishing. This
week it looks like we will still be experiencing some high winds but very few
storms. Let's hope that this allows for some good fishing to start off the new
year. Take caution when venturing out on the ice as there may be some weaker
areas. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake
Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
A few anglers have been braving the backwaters and the impoundments. Use
extreme caution when going on river ice. There is no such thing as safe ice. Seven
inches of ice have been reported in places. Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a
spike or wax worm. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies around submersed trees
or logs. Use small jigs tipped with wax worms.
Decorah District Streams
Trout streams are running crystal clear and continue to fish well. Parking
lots are not plowed in the winter; use care when parking on the side of the
road. It is very pretty along the trout streams this time of year, but be ready
to walk through about 5 plus inches of snow. A spinner or small crank bait will catch
trout. Brook Trout - Good: Use flies or lures that look like sculpins, dace or
suckers. Brown Trout - Good: Anglers have had success using a nymph rig with a
scud dropper but most fish were hitting wet flies. Rainbow Trout - Good: Find rainbow
trout hiding in the upper and lower ends of pools. Dance a meaty looking fly or
lure in these areas and wait.
Lake Hendricks
All parking lots are now open. No motorized vehicles are allowed on the
ice. The aerator is on so be careful; there is open water around it. Ice depths
are 4-6 inches with snow on top. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers are starting to catch
nice bluegills using small brightly colored jigs tipped with a spike. Largemouth
Bass - Slow: Use a small spinner tipped with a wax worm. Black Crappie - Slow:
Crappies are biting. Try a small brightly colored jig tipped with a wax worm
near the bottom.
Lake Meyer
Lake Meyer has about 5 to 6 inches of ice, but should have more by the
weekend. Snow depths vary depending on drifts. Water clarity is excellent. Fish
are active in the afternoon and evenings. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills are taking
a jig tipped with wax worm. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers report seeing fish on
cameras, but they are not interested in bait. Black Crappie – Slow.
Turkey River
(above Clermont)
Use extreme caution when going out on Vernon Spring impoundment; check
ice depths often. Ice depths vary greatly in areas with current. Black Crappie
- Slow: Find crappie around downed trees and submerged logs out of the current.
Use a jig tipped with a wax worm.
Volga Lake
Volga Lake has 4-6 inches of ice with snow on top. Windy conditions has
caused some drifting of snow. Use caution when going out on new ice. Bluegill -
Slow: Use small jigs tipped with a wax worm. Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappies
around brush piles early season.
It looks like Northeast Iowa is in for some mild
weather over the next week and into the weekend. Use extreme caution when going
out on the ice this early in the season. Rain, snow and mild temperatures over
the weekend may have weakened the ice. Check depths often especially where
there is current or springs. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery
at 563-382-8324.
Big Woods Lake
Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Casey Lake
(aka Hickory Hills Lake)
Fishing has slowed, but is still decent. Bluegill are spread out and not
necessarily associated with structure. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Slow.
Cedar River
(Nashua to La Porte City)
River ice conditions are very questionable. Ice fishing is not
recommended until river levels stabilize and cold weather returns.
George Wyth
Lake
George Wyth has about 6-8 inches of ice; use caution when heading onto
the ice. Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Manchester
District Streams
Trout streams are in excellent condition and are open. With air
temperatures at or near freezing, it is a great time for winter trout fishing. Expect
to catch rainbow trout stocked late in the fall, as well as post-spawn brown
trout in most streams. Streamers, spinners and crankbaits are the most
consistent baits during this time of year. Fish can be skittish this time of
year, so avoid walking in the stream and approach fishing spots from downstream.
Rainbow Trout – Good. Brown Trout – Good.
North Prairie
Lake
North Prairie Lake was stocked with about 1500 trout during mid-October;
anglers are now having good luck catching trout through the ice using small
jigs or spoons. Rainbow Trout – Good. Channel Catfish – Fair.
Plainfield
Plainfield has been receiving some pressure. The bite is not hot, but a
few quality bluegills have been caught. Bluegill – Fair.
South Prairie
Lake
Bluegill – Fair. Black Crappie – Fair.
Ice conditions in the Manchester District are generally fair with about
6-8 inches of decent ice. Ice edges may be poor due to recent rainfall and
melting. Some larger water bodies may still have poor ice that should be
avoided. Rivers and streams are generally in good condition, but are high for
this time of year. Fishing has been slow for the past several days given strong
weather fronts that have moved through the area. Fishing is expected to improve
with more stable weather this week. For further information, call the N.E. District Office at 563-927-3276.
Mississippi River Pool 9
River level has risen back up to 9.9 feet at Lansing and is expected to
be stable over the next week. Recent rains and high water levels have made ice
conditions unpredictable in many areas. Use caution around shoreline areas and
any areas that may have current. Bluegill - Good: Ice anglers are catching
bluegills on small teardrop jigs tipped with wax worms in backwater lakes. Good
action for bluegills with a lot of sorting. Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers are
catching a few perch through the ice along vegetation beds in deeper backwater
cuts.
Mississippi River Pool 10
River level has risen 2.5 feet to 19.7 feet at Lansing over the last week
and is expected to be stable at this high level over the next week. Recent
rains and high water levels have made ice conditions unpredictable in many
areas. Use caution around shoreline areas and any areas that may have current.
Bluegill - Good: Ice anglers are catching bluegills on small teardrop jigs
tipped with wax worms in backwater lakes. Good action for bluegills with a lot
of sorting. Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers are catching a few perch through the
ice along vegetation beds in deeper backwater cuts.
Mississippi River Pool 11
River level has risen nearly 3 feet to 11.9 feet at Lansing over the last
week and is expected to be stable at this high level over the next week. Recent
rains and high water levels have made ice conditions unpredictable in many
areas. Use caution around shoreline areas and any areas that may have current. The
boat ramps in Guttenberg remain blocked with ice. Yellow Perch - Fair: Anglers
are catching a few perch through the ice along vegetation beds in deeper
backwater cuts. Bluegill - Good: Ice anglers are catching bluegills on small
teardrop jigs tipped with wax worms in backwater lakes. Good action for
bluegills with a lot of sorting.
Recent rains have raised water levels nearly 3 feet higher than this time
last week making ice conditions very unpredictable in many areas particularly
along shorelines and any areas that have current. With such high levels there
may be current in backwater areas that normally are quiet. Use caution if trying
to ice fish until water levels begin to stabilize and flooded areas refreeze.
Mississippi River Pool 12
The water level is near 9.7 feet at Dubuque tailwater and near 12 feet at
the RR bridge. These levels are up from last week and water levels are expected
to raise again. The main channel is around 33 degrees. Bluegill - Good: Expect to
see a number of medium sized gills this ice fishing season with some nice ones
thrown in. You may need to sort, but bluegill numbers are high. People are
fishing at nearly all the Marinas and deeper backwaters in Pool 12. Black
Crappie - Good: Hard to pin down where the crappies were being caught, but some
nice fish were caught last week on the River. Yellow Perch - Good: Looks to be
another excellent perch year with another strong year class present. Most ring perch have been caught by anglers
targeting bluegills. Some anglers report
using minnow heads for the best results. Largemouth Bass - No Report: Anglers
last report were catching more bass on tip ups then northern pike. Most are using larger minnows for bait.
Mississippi River Pool 13
The water level is near 11.3 feet at Bellevue which is up from last week
and water is expected to raise some more. Water temperature is around 33
degrees. The tailwater is still mostly open but the access to Bellevue city
ramp could ice flow in, so call ahead. As of now the ramp is wide open. Walleye
- Good: Good walleye and sauger angling was reported all week. Most anglers are
using some sort of minnow rig. Black Crappie - No Report: The crappie bite was
bit off this fall for many anglers, but some found good numbers. The year class
of young crappie looks strong, so fishing should be good into the future. Bluegill
- Good: Bluegills are on the bite in most places. Some nice fish reported, but many small ones
were biting too. Yellow Perch - No Report: Lots of yellow perch were seen in
our Fall surveys. We expect many yellow perch to be reported this winter mainly
by people fishing for bluegills.
Mississippi River Pool 14
The level is near 8.1 feet at Fulton, 11.4 feet at Camanche and 6 feet at
Le Claire. Levels are raising, so be careful on the ice. Poor ice conditions
may exist at the edges. The water temperature is near 33 degrees. Ice is up to
4 inches in spots and conditions could turn unsafe quickly. Walleye - No
Report: Some ice flow were again reported, but we have not heard much from the
tailwater fishing in Clinton. Good populations of sauger and walleye exist. Black
Crappie - No Report: Crappies were hard for some to find this fall. Yellow
Perch - No Report: Before the ice, some anglers were reporting catching yellow
perch in the backwaters when fishing for bluegills. A few were being taken in the tailwaters by
sauger anglers, especially when in 10 foot or less water. We expect to see some
nice 14 to 15 inch fish reported again this year. Bluegill - Good: The first
ice fishing is taken place in spots like Rock Creek with some bluegills
reported.
Mississippi River Pool 15
The water level is 8.5 feet at Rock Island, which is down slightly from
last week. Water will raise a foot or more this week. Water temperature is
around 33 degrees in the main channel. No fishing was reported in Pool 15 this
week. Ice fishing in Pool 15 generally
is limited and takes place in Marina areas.
Ice fishing continued in earnest this week. Be
careful, snow covered ice makes for some poor ice conditions in places. The
Mississippi River is unusually high for this time of year, so current flow will
occur in some sloughs that anglers are not accustomed to. Never trust the ice. Water
levels are on the rise again this week, expect 1/2 foot or more rise. If you have any angling questions,
please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tailwater stage is 8.53 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad Cities and
has been rising the past few days. River stage is forecasted to rise close to a
foot by the end of the week. The Marquette St boat ramp is being reported as
open and a few boats have been launching as of today. We have not received any
reports if saugers or walleyes are biting in the tailwaters. There is unsafe
ice conditions in the backwaters due to recent rains, warm weather and rising
river conditions.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tailwater stage is 7.73 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has been
rising the past few days. Tailwater stage has risen a foot since this past
Saturday. The upper boat ramps in Muscatine are open as of today and there were
a couple of boats that had launched. As of Dec. 27th there is a lot of flow ice
coming down the channel that would make getting to the dam difficult. Anglers
were catching some walleye and sauger this past weekend. Unsafe ice conditions
in the backwaters.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tailwater stage is 9.90 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and has
been rising the past few days. As of Dec. 27th boats are able to launch at
Toolsboro. There is some flow ice coming down the channel. There were a few
boats out, but we have not received any reports on walleye and sauger fishing.
Unsafe ice conditions in the backwaters. With the recent rain, warm weather and
fluctuating river levels ice conditions are not safe.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tailwater stage is 7.00 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and is rising.
River level is forecasted to reach 8.6 feet by the end of the week. There is
unsafe ice conditions in the backwaters due to the recent rains, warm weather
and rising river levels. We have not received any reports if ramps are open or
not to reach the tailwaters for walleye and sauger fishing.
River stages have been rising the past few days.
Main channel water temperature is 32 degrees. With the recent rain and warm
weather there is unsafe ice conditions in the backwaters. River levels have
been fluctuating a lot the past few days creating unsafe ice conditions
especially along shorelines. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Big Hollow
Lake
Unsafe especially around the edges.
Lake Belva
Deer
Ice unsafe with open water around the boat ramps, a good portion of the
shoreline, around the trees and down by the outlet. Don't try it until it
refreezes.
Lake Darling
The weekend weather of warm (40+) temperatures and rain and strong winds effected
ice conditions. Most of the shoreline near the rip rap and boat ramps had about
4 feet of open water until Monday night. Tuesday morning it had refroze to a
little under a 1/2 inch thick.
Lake Darling
District Farm Ponds
A good number of the ponds in this area had several inches of water on
top of the ice around the edges or had open water around the shoreline on
Monday. A combination of too much rain, too much wind and not getting below
freezing between Sunday morning and Monday night, mostly 40+ degrees.
For more information on the above lakes, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430.
Coralville Reservoir
Ice conditions should be considered unsafe at this time.
Cedar River
(La Porte City to Cedar Rapids)
There are still some ice fishermen out on the backwaters, but shorelines
are deteriorating with the rising water levels. Use extreme caution if
venturing out.
Diamond Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended here.
Lake Macbride
There are still some fishermen ice fishing here. Ice ranges from 1-6
inches depending on where you are. The ice is extremely variable; use extreme
caution if venturing out. Stick to protected areas and stay away from areas
that were late freezing up, especially the dam arm and areas of the south arm.
Bluegill - Good: Size is small. They are near the bottom around almost any type
of structure. Black Crappie - Fair: Some brush is holding nice crappies while
others have small crappies or none at all. Walleye – Slow.
Otter Creek
Lake
There have been ice fishermen out here, but no ice/fishing reports are
available at this time.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The lake is currently down 13' for the restoration project. Exact ice
depths are unknown at this time, but there is still some ice fishing going on.
Use caution and check ice often if venturing out. Bluegill - Good: Quite a few
bluegills are being caught along the dam on waxies. Size has been marginal, but
you can sort some keepers out. Yellow Perch – Slow. Walleye - Fair: Most fish
are small. Black Crappie – Fair.
Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)
The backwaters at Pinicon Ridge are reported as having about 7 inches of
ice, but rising river levels may damage shorelines. Bluegill – Slow. Black
Crappie – Slow. Rock Bass – Fair.
Many lakes have experienced a decline in ice due to
past rain/warmth. Use extreme caution if venturing out and don't assume ice is
safe. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Keomah
Use caution if venturing out as ice thickness varies. Geese will often
keep some areas open so use caution and drill test holes often.
Lake Sugema
The lake still has open water due to geese keeping some areas open. Ice
conditions are variable so use caution if venturing out. There have been some
anglers out at Tug Forks on the north side of the lake.
Lake Wapello
The lake still has open water in front of the lodge and out from the
beach area. The ice formed at different times so thickness varies. Use caution
if venturing out and drill test holes to check thickness as you go out.
Rathbun Reservoir
The current lake level is 904.14 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0
msl. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to properly drain, clean,
and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. The lake has
frozen over but the ice conditions are variable as the ice formed at different
times. The coves and bays should have thicker ice, but use caution if venturing
out as the ice thickness is variable.
Red Haw Lake
The lake still has some open water by the dam. Areas of the lake have
frozen over at different times so the ice thickness is variable. Use caution if
venturing out and drill test holes as you go.
Ice conditions vary across the district. Lakes have
frozen over at different rates so ice thickness are variable. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa.
Ada Hayden
Heritage Park Lake
Rainbow Trout - Fair: As of Tuesday, Dec. 20th the north portion of the
lake had 7 inches of ice. Catch trout from the fall stocking with spoons or
jigs tipped with wax worms. Trout tend to swim the perimeter in schools, so
fish depths of 5 to 15 feet deep just out from shore.
Beaver Lake
Bluegill - Good: A decent first ice bluegill bite can be found at Beaver
Lake. Start in the standing trees mid lake or on the edge of the deepest water
on the NE part of the lake. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers fishing in the trees
for bluegills are picking up some crappie as well. There is a group of 9.5 to
10.5 inch crappies.
Big Creek Lake
As of Tuesday, Dec. 27th Big Creek's best ice was 7 inches with thinner
spots, especially in places along the edge and around the beach area. Use
caution and check thickness often if going out. Bluegill - Fair: A few decent
gills are being caught fishing the brush piles at the mouths of the bays and
the Lost Lake area. Black Crappie - Fair: Some anglers have been finding 9-11
inch crappies on brush piles in the main lake and suspended in the evenings off
the creek channel mid-lake.
Dakins Lake
Bluegill - Good: Ice anglers are finding good bluegill fishing throughout
the lake. The most popular area to start out is within the flooded timber, but
there are other structures holding fish shown on maps at some of the access
points.
Don Williams
Lake
Black Crappie - Good: There is some good crappie fishing to be had at Don
Williams through the ice. Crappies are being caught on wax worms or minnows. Target
the mid-lake section at depths of 15-25 feet, schools of crappie will come
through suspended.
Easter Lake
Ice anglers should stay off Easter Lake this winter as the lake is in the
process of being drawn down.
Hickory Grove
Lake
Use caution around the island. This is the last place to freeze over.
Bluegill - Fair: The first ice bluegill fishing has been fair to slow so far. Anglers
are picking some up on brush piles on the eastern end of the lake out from the
Oriole Ridge Lodge.
Lake Ahquabi
Ahquabi ice conditions can be variable, especially around the fishing
shelter and beach area. Bluegill - Good: Ahquabi provides some good bluegill
fishing and fair crappie fishing during the ice season. A good spot to start is
a large area of habitat sunk out from the west shoreline across the lake from
the beach.
Lake
Petocka
Rainbow Trout - Fair: Good numbers of trout remain from the fall stocking
to be caught through the ice. Use jigs or spoons tipped with wax worms or on
small live minnows.
Mariposa
Lake
Bluegill - Good: Good numbers of 7 to 8 inch bluegills are being caught. Concentrate
on the lower half of the lake.
As of Tuesday, Dec. 27th central Iowa lakes and
ponds have ice ranging from 2 to 8 inches. There was some deterioration from
the warmer weather and rain, especially on smaller water bodies. There is much
variability in the ice conditions; check thickness often while going out. For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, contact Andy Otting or Ben Dodd at 515-432-2823.
Cold Springs
District Farm Ponds
Most farm ponds in the district have 6 to 8 inches of ice. Always get
permission when fishing privately owned ponds. Bluegill – Good. Black Crappie –
Fair. White Crappie – Fair. Channel Catfish - No Report.
Greenfield Lake
Greenfield is historically a good lake to ice fish. The lake has a good
crappie population and bluegills averaging 8 inches. Bluegill - Slow: Fish
flats next to the creek channel to catch bluegills averaging 8 inches.
Hacklebarney
East
Hacklebarney East has a small population of large black crappie. The lake
also supports good numbers of 8 inch bluegill. Bluegill - Fair: Find 8 inch
bluegills in the upper end of the lake in tree piles.
Lake Anita
Lake Anita will provide good panfishing this winter. Find a large crappie
population in the lake averaging 9 inches and bluegills up to 9.5 inches. Geese
have a large area of open water around the beach. Black Crappie - Good: Use
small spoons and jigs with wax worms. Fish will average 9 inches. The best bite
has been the first hour of daylight. Bluegill - Fair: The larger size bluegills
have been caught in the pontoon arm of the lake; the north road bed has been
good in the afternoon.
Littlefield Lake
Littlefield Lake has quality size black crappies and bluegill. Target
winter fish around the cedar tree piles placed in the lake. Bluegill - Slow:
Anglers report having to sort through many small bluegills for the 9 plus inch
fish.
Nodaway Lake
Fisheries samples in 2016 showed good numbers of 8 to 11 inch crappies.
Bluegills will average 8 inches. Ice is 8 inches thick. Bluegill - Fair: Catch
bluegills averaging 8 inches around underwater trees that are in 12 to 14 feet
of water. Black Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught around
underwater trees. Late afternoon bite is best. Fish will average 10 inches.
Orient Lake
Orient has a good population of 9 to 10 inch crappies. The lake will be a
good ice fishing destination this winter. As of Saturday the 24th, the
lake had 8 inches of ice. Black Crappie - Slow: The crappie bite has been slow.
Try fishing early morning or last hour before dark to catch fish averaging 10
inches. Bluegill - Fair: Over the holiday weekend bluegill fishing was good for
7 to 8 inch fish.
Prairie Rose Lake
Expect to catch quality size bluegills again this winter at Prairie Rose.
The crappies stocked by DNR staff are 7 to 8 inches at this time. Bluegill -
Fair: Anglers report catching 8 to 9 inch bluegill after dark using wax worms.
Viking Lake
Viking lake supports populations of white and black crappies. The blacks
will range from 7 to 9 inches, while the white crappies are fewer in numbers
but are larger on average ranging from 9 to 12 inches. Expect to catch
bluegills averaging 7 inches.
The panfish bite is fair to good on area lakes.
Check ice often after rain and warm temperatures over the holiday weekend. Most
angler reports show 6 to 8 inches around the district. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587.
Green Valley Lake
Green Valley has approximately 4-7 inches of ice. Geese have kept a large
area of open water south of the campground. Ice along the shoreline has become
thin or even completely open in some areas.
Summit Lake
Summit has approximately 6-8 inches of ice. Open water is reported along
the shoreline at the boat ramp and fishing jetty.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Twelve Mile Creek Lake has approximately 4-7 inches of ice. There is an
area of open water on the south end of the lake. Edges of the shoreline may be
thin ice due to recent rain and warm temperatures.
Variable ice conditions reported at Mount Ayr district lakes. Heavy rain
over the holiday weekend and warm temperatures have caused thin ice and areas
of open water especially along the shoreline and boat ramps. For more information, please contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
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