Top Iowa Fishing Spots for the Week of January 19.
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 Ice thickness was 10 inches on Thursday, Jan. 19th. Ice may be more
variable next to shore and near inflows. Bluegill - Good: Use a wax worm on a
small jig fished in about 15 feet of water.
Fish are up to 8-9 inches.
Sorting is required. Black Crappie - Fair: Try 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 Ice thickness off Ice House Point boat ramp was 14 inches on Thursday,
Jan. 19th. Ice may be more variable next to shore and near inflows; there is a
small area of open water in the middle of the east basin. The winter aeration
system is in operation so expect thin ice and open water in Town Bay. Bluegill
- Fair: Catch bluegill up to 8 inches around the Gunshot Hill and Ice House
Point areas with a small jig tipped with a wax worm. Anglers are marking lots
of fish. Walleye - Fair: Try fishing a minnow head on a jigging spoon around
Ice House Point and out from Gunshot Hill.
Other areas to target walleye are the dredge cuts by Denison Beach and
Lakewood Point areas.
Black Hawk
Pits Ice is around 8 inches, but is more variable along shore in some areas so
use caution. Catch bluegills with a wax worm or small minnow on a jig during afternoon
to evening. Try near contour and structure in 5-10 feet of water.
Brushy Creek
Lake Ice is around 12 inches on the north end of the lake; there are some
areas of 8 inch ice at the south end. Ice
conditions are more variable near shore with a few small areas of open water
near inflows. Use caution and test ice thickness often when venturing out.
Bluegill - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a wax worm. Anglers fishing the north
end have been doing well. Black Crappie - Fair: Try wax worms and minnows
fished on a small jig.
Crawford Creek
Impoundment Anglers have reported ice around 7-10 inches, with more variability near
shore and inflows. Use caution and
drill test holes often as you venture out. Anglers have had luck picking up
some perch with minnows as well as wax worms fished on a jig.
Storm Lake
(including Little Storm Lake) Ice thickness is around 15-16 inches. Yellow Perch - Fair: Use 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 minnow heads or whole minnows on
jigging spoons, jigging raps and rattle spoons. Anglers are catching the most fish before 9
a.m. and also from about 4-10 p.m. Try
in areas 5-10 feet deep. If no luck at
that depth, try in the lower light conditions of the dredge cuts. Black Crappie
- Fair: Fish are suspended, use a jig tipped with a wax worm or a minnow. Most
are having luck out from the Frank Starr Park area. The bite is better late evening and after
dark.
Most lakes in the district are covered with 8 to 15
inches of ice. Use caution and test ice depths often. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Blue Pit Rainbow Trout - Good: Use small jigs tipped with bait or small jigging
spoons. You may need to try several locations; the action is fast once the fish
are found.
Bluebill Lake Ice thickness is 16-18 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Use wax worms. Largemouth
Bass - Fair: Try minnows fished in 12-16 feet of water.
Clear Lake Ice thickness is 18-20 inches on most of the little lake and 17-19 inches
on the main lake. With warmer weather the next several days, the accesses are constantly
changing; be cautious of ice heaves any areas near vegetation and near the
aeration systems. The best bite is still early morning and around 4:00 p.m. to
dark. Catch bluegills and crappies near the rushes by the west aeration system.
Yellow Bass - Good: Use wax worms and spikes fished near the bottom in 8-10
feet of water. Try near the Farmers Beach area. Walleye - Fair: Try jigs tipped
with minnows or jigging raps. Most are less than 14 inches, but a few keepers
are being caught. Black Crappie - Fair: The best crappie bite is at first
light. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Crystal Lake Ice thickness is 16 to 18 inches. Catch bluegills and crappies near the
dredge cut. Bluegill - Good: Catch 6.5 to 7.5 inch bluegills on small jigs tipped
with wax worm or spikes. Black Crappie - Good: Catch 8 to 9.5 inch crappies on
small jigging spoons.
Elm Lake Ice thickness is 16 inches. Yellow Perch - Good: Perch are biting; lots
of smaller fish being caught with a few keepers.
Lake Smith Ice thickness is 16-20 inches. Bluegill - Good: Use wax worms.
Rice Lake Ice thickness is 18-20 inches. With the clear water, the best bite is the
last hour of light. 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 18-20 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 sturdy with people driving on at most locations.
Fishing has slowed with little numbers of perch and walleye coming off. Yellow
Perch - Slow: Perch are hard to find right now; you may need to move around. Walleye
– Fair: Dusk is the best time to find walleye. Try on the north end and on the
rock beds on the east side of the lake.
Center Lake Aerators are currently in use so avoid areas with
open water. Thin ice signs are out; stay outside of the signed in areas
East Okoboji Lake Reports of good walleye activity near the south basin. Walleye - Fair:
Try to get on the edge of the weed lines in about 10-12 feet of water. Yellow
Bass - Good: Catch yellow bass on the south basin of the lake.
Five Island
Lake Aerators are currently in use so avoid areas with open water. Thin ice
signs are out; stay outside of the signed in areas. Fishing is good near the
north boat ramp. Black Crappie - Fair: A few black crappies have been reported,
but they are not eager to bite. Channel Catfish - Good: Reports of channel catfish
being caught. Yellow Bass - Good: Catch lots of yellow bass on Five Island
Lake.
Ingham Lake Aerators are currently in use so avoid areas with open water. Thin ice
signs are out; stay outside of the signed in areas.
Lost Island
Lake Yellow Bass - Good: Try fishing in the Stony Point area on Lost Island
Lake. Bluegill - Fair: Reports of a few bluegill being caught. Black Crappie -
Fair: Reports of a few crappie being caught.
Silver Lake
(Dickinson) Aerators are currently in use so avoid areas with open water. Thin ice
signs are out; stay outside of the signed in areas.
Silver Lake
(Palo Alto) The fish have been very active on Silver Lake. Yellow Perch - Good: Catch
lots of 12 inch perch. Black Crappie - Good: Catch lots of large crappies all
over the lake.
West Okoboji Lake Perch, crappies and bluegill fishing continues to be good. The fish are
hanging out in about 12-15 feet of water right outside of the weed beds. Bluegill
- Excellent: Bluegills continue to show a lot of activity in Little Millers
Bay. Yellow Perch - Excellent: Perch are active in about 12 feet of water. They
are hanging tight to the weed edges. Black Crappie - Excellent: Crappies have
shown good activity in Little Millers Bay.
Fishing has slowed due to high pressure fronts
throughout the area. Hopefully this warm consistent weather for the weekend
will cause the fish to be more active throughout this next week. Use 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 braved the backwaters and impoundments. Use extreme
caution when going on river ice. With recent rainfall events, water levels are
jumping around causing pockets in the ice; check ice depths often. Eight to 12
inches of ice have been reported in the backwaters. Bluegill - Slow: Use a
small jig tipped with a spike or wax worm. Black Crappie - Slow: Find crappies around
submersed trees or logs. Use small jigs tipped with a minnow head. Walleye –
Slow.
Decorah District Streams Urban catchable trout stockings are in full swing. Check our webpage for dates
and locations. Streams are in good
condition but flows are up. Gravel roads in our area are in poor condition due
to continued rain and fluctuating temperatures.
There is about 3 to 4 inches of crunchy, granular snow on the ground.
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: Use black
fly midge or hares ear wet flies in the riffles. Slowly pull a black bead head
fly with a yellow scud dropper through the upper and lower ends of pools for
trout in deeper water.
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 8-10 inches. Bluegill - Fair: Use small brightly colored jigs tipped with a
spike. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Try a small spinner tipped with a wax worm. Black
Crappie - Fair: Use small brightly colored jig tipped with a wax worm near the
bottom.
Lake Meyer Lake Meyer currently has 12 inches of ice, but it may decrease with predicted
rain and warm temperatures. The edges may get soft. Water clarity has decreased
with visibility of about 5 feet. Fish activity has been variable. Anglers need
to move around to find fish. Midday bite has been best. Bluegill - Fair: Use a
wax worm or red or white spike. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Anglers are seeing fish
on cameras; use a jig tipped with wax worms. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are
sitting higher off the bottom and are being more finicky.
Turkey River
(above Clermont) Use extreme caution when going out on Vernon Spring impoundment. River
water levels are fluctuating due to recent rainfall events. Check ice depths
often. Ice depths vary greatly in areas with varying flows. Black Crappie -
Fair: Find crappies around downed trees and submerged logs out of the current. Use
a jig tipped with a wax worm. Walleye - Slow: Find walleye in the deeper holes
around current breaks.
Volga Lake Volga Lake is reporting 8 inches of ice. Ice is getting a bit poky with
freeze thaw cycles. Fish activity is best early to mid-morning. Bluegill -
Fair: Use small brightly colored jigs tipped with a wax worm along the dam and
universal access dock. Black Crappie - Fair: Find crappies around brush piles
early season.
Be ready for a soggy, foggy weekend in Northeast
Iowa. Daytime high temperatures will be in the low 40's with rainfall
predictions less than 1 inch over the weekend. Rain will weaken the ice as well
as cause rising water levels. Use extreme caution when going out on the ice. Check
ice depths often especially where there is current or springs. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery
at 563-382-8324.
Mississippi River Pool 9 River level is 8.9 feet at Lansing and is expected to rise slowly over
the next week. While 10 - 12 inches exist in most quiet back waters, the
forecast for rain and above freezing temperatures at night over the next few
days, along with the rising water can deteriorate ice. Use caution along
shorelines and any areas that may have current. Bluegill - Good: Fishing for
bluegills is good, but it can be hit or miss at times with sorting of smaller
fish. Shore Slough, Phillippi and
Village Creeks remain popular areas. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try along vegetation beds
in deeper backwater cuts. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish minnows under tip-ups in
backwater areas and marina areas with no current.
Mississippi River Pool 10 River level is 17.1 feet at Lynxville and is expected to rise over the
next week. While 10 - 12 inches exist in most quiet back waters, the forecast
for rain and above freezing temperatures at night over the next few days, along
with the rising water can deteriorate ice. Use caution along shorelines and any
areas that may have current. Bluegill -
Good: Fishing for bluegills is good, but can be hit or miss at times with
sorting of smaller fish. Norwegian Lake in Sny Magill and Greymore Lake by
Prairie Du Chien are popular areas for ice anglers. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try along
vegetation beds in deeper backwater cuts. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Fish minnows
under tip-ups in backwater areas and marina areas with no current.
Mississippi River Pool 11 River level is 9 feet at Guttenberg and is expected to rise over the next
week. While 10 - 12 inches exist in most quiet back waters, the forecast for
rain and above freezing temperatures at night over the next few days, along
with the rising water can deteriorate ice. Use caution along shorelines and any
areas that may have current. The boat ramps in Guttenberg are blocked with ice.
Yellow Perch - Fair: Try along vegetation beds in deeper backwater cuts. Bluegill
- Good: Fishing for bluegills remains good, but can be hit or miss at times
with sorting of smaller fish. Fishing remains popular in the Sunfish Lake and Zollikoffer
Slough at Mud Lake. Largemouth Bass - Good: Fish minnows under tip-ups in
backwater areas and marina areas with no current.
Upper Mississippi River levels are on the rise again in the Upper
Mississippi Pools 9-11. While 10 - 12
inches exist in most quiet back waters, the forecast for rain and above
freezing temperatures at night over the next few days, along with the rising
water can deteriorate ice. Use caution
along shorelines and any areas that may have current. Ice conditions are very slick with standing
water on the ice; ice cleats are strongly recommended.
Mississippi River Pool 12 The water level is near 8.0 feet at Dubuque tailwater near 10.4 feet at
the RR bridge. These levels are going back up this week. Edge ice is bad; ice
quality has been deteriorating but good ice can be found. Be careful and know
your ice fishing safety rules. 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. Yellow Perch - Good: Looks to be another
excellent perch year with another strong year class. Most ring perch have been
caught by anglers targeting bluegills. Some
anglers report using minnow heads for the best results. Largemouth Bass - Good:
Lots of bass are being reported from most backwaters. Bass bite has been aggressive
in some areas and sometimes it is dominating the catch.
Mississippi River Pool 13 The water level is near 10.5 feet at Bellevue. This up from last week and
water level is raising. The tailwater is still mostly open, but the access to
Bellevue city ramp could ice flow in at any time. As of now the ramp is open
with lots of anglers. Walleye - Good:
Good walleye and sauger angling was reported.
Anglers are mostly using some sort of minnow rig. Sauger - Good: Use jig
and minnow. Yellow Perch - Good: Some nice ringed perch are being reported, but
the anglers are trying to keep locations a secret.
Mississippi River Pool 14 The water level is near 7.4 feet at Fulton, 11.3 feet at Camanche and 5.7
feet at Le Claire. Water levels are on the rise again this week. Poor ice
conditions were reported throughout Pool 14, but some ice fishing could be
taking place.
Mississippi River Pool 15 The water level is 8.7 feet at Rock Island, which is up from last week. Water
will be rising again this week. No fishing was reported in Pool 15. Ice fishing
in Pool 15 is limited and takes place in
Marina areas, but there are poor ice conditions in most locations.
Ice fishing continues but some people are getting
their feet wet. Safer ice can be found, but water level variations and rain
caused some ponding of water on the ice. The Mississippi River is still unusually
high for this time of year, making for some bad ice on the edges. The River is
rising substantially this week. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue
Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.
Mississippi River Pool 16 Tailwater stage is 8.67 feet and rising at Lock and Dam 15 in the Quad
Cities. The Marquette St. ramp is open. Walleye and sauger fishing is being
reported as slow. There are unsafe ice conditions with the recent rains, warm
weather and rising river levels.
Mississippi River Pool 17 Tailwater stage is 8.03 feet and rising at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine.
River stage has risen close to a foot in the past few days. The lower ramps in
Muscatine are open to launch boats. The upper ramps are open, but there is some
chunk ice at the bottom of the ramp that could make launching difficult. We
have not received any reports for tailwater fishing for walleye and sauger.
There are unsafe ice conditions with the warmer weather, recent rains and
rising river levels.
Mississippi River Pool 18 Tailwater stage is 10.95 feet and rising at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston.
River levels are forecasted to reach 11.9 feet by the middle of next week. We
have not received any reports on whether or not the Toolsboro ramp is ice free.
There are unsafe ice conditions with the warmer weather, recent rains and
rising river levels.
Mississippi River Pool 19 Tailwater stage is 13.00 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington. Flood
stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 10 feet. River stage at Burlington is 18.08 feet
and flood stage is 15 feet. We have not received any fishing reports for this
pool this week with the high water conditions. There are unsafe ice conditions
with the recent high water and warmer weather.
Tailwater stages have been rising the past few days.
Pool 19 is above flood stage at Burlington. There are unsafe ice conditions with
the recent rains, warm weather and rising river levels. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
Big Hollow
Lake The ice is gone around the edges, open water to about two feet out. The rest of the ice is honeycombed. Highly
advised that people stay off the ice. UNSAFE.
Lake Belva
Deer The ice really took a hit this last week. The first couple of feet from
the shore will probably not hold you. The ice on north side of the lake is
extremely dangerous as well as the ice down by the dam. The rain has eaten most
of the ice around the trees as it looked for a way through the ice.
Lake Darling The middle of the lake is open from shoreline to shoreline. The first couple of feet of ice anywhere out
of the shade will not hold you and the rest of the ice is completely
honeycombed.
Lake Geode The ice wasn't safe last week and it still is not safe. Lots more open
water and the ice is pretty rotten.
Lost Grove
Lake The ice condition deteriorated with the rain; drill lots of test holes
and use caution around the edges and the thicker stands of trees. This is
before the forecasted rains on Thursday. Black Crappie - Good: The flooded
trees in the deeper water is the place to go; about 12 to 15 feet down. Bluegill
- Good: Look for bluegills to be out in the trees.
For more information on the above lakes, contact the Lake Darling
Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Coralville
Reservoir The lake is holding at normal winter pool, but inflows and outflows will
reach 7000 CFS this weekend. This will damage the ice and dirty the water.
Cedar River
(La Porte City to Cedar Rapids) Some backwaters are OK and some have poor ice. Use caution if venturing
out.
Diamond Lake There is a lot of water on the shorelines, and main lake ice will
continue to deteriorate through the weekend. Use caution if going out. There
will be an ice fishing derby here on Jan. 28th if ice conditions allow. Call
the Diamond Lake Park Office at 641-623-3191 for more information.
Hannen Lake The ice is reported as being poor, with lots of water on the surface.
Iowa Lake
(Iowa Co.) The lake has about 9 inches of ice, with 7 inches of good ice. Morning bite
has been best. Bluegill - Good: There has been a whole range of fish sizes
caught here. Use jigs/waxies around brush. Redear Sunfish – Fair. Black Crappie
– Slow.
Kent Park Lake The lake has about 8 inches of ice. Bluegill - Fair: Use jigs/waxies
around brush piles. Morning bite has been best. Largemouth Bass – Fair.
Lake Macbride The ice is extremely variable. Some areas have close to 10 inches, while
there are some open holes in other areas. Avoid down towards the dam, the Opie
Ave boat ramp vicinity, the causeway bridge and east, the jetty by Anglers
Point boat ramp and the area north of the highlines before the lake turns east.
Shorelines are beginning to deteriorate as well. Use extreme caution if
venturing out. Bluegill - Good: Size is small. They are near the bottom around
almost any type of structure. Black Crappie - Slow: Some brush is holding nice
crappies while others have small crappies or none at all. Walleye - Slow: Try spoons,
jigging raps or minnows around rock or stumps.
Otter Creek
Lake The lake has about 12 inches of ice. Yellow Bass - Good: Try jigs/waxies
in about 9 feet of water. Bluegill - Slow: Use jigs/waxies around brush piles.
Pleasant Creek Lake The lake is currently down 13' for the restoration project. Most of the
lake has 8 inches of ice, but be careful around shorelines. Bluegill - Fair:
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: Use a jig/waxie
and small spoon/minnow head. Walleye - Fair: Most fish are small. Try a spoon
or jigging rap tipped with a minnow head in 20-25 feet of water. Black Crappie
- Fair: Use a jig/waxie around deeper brush. White Bass - Slow: Try spoons or
jigging raps tipped with minnows.
Wapsipinicon
River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) The backwaters are unsafe at this time.
The recent rains and warm weather has made ice
conditions in many areas variable or unsafe. Use caution and check ice often if
venturing out. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Lake Keomah The warmer temperatures last week deteriorated the ice; use caution if
venturing out as ice thickness varies. There is water on the ice and the ice
has started to deteriorate along the shorelines. Geese keep some areas open so
use caution and drill test holes often.
Lake Miss (Tug
Fork W) The ice has deteriorated since last week and there
is water on top of the ice. Ice thickness varies so use caution. Use caution
along the shorelines as this week's rain and warm up melted some of the ice.
Lake Sugema Ice conditions have deteriorated since last week. The lake has open water
due to geese keeping some areas open and water on top of the ice. Ice
conditions are variable so use caution.
Lake Wapello The ice has deteriorated since last week and the lake still has open
water in front of the lodge and the beach area. There is water on top of the
ice.
Rathbun Reservoir The current lake level is 904.46 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 still has
open water in the main lake. There is water on the ice from the rain and warm
temperatures and the ice is melting along the shoreline so use caution. Conditions
have deteriorated since last week. The coves and bays should have thicker ice
but use caution.
Red Haw Lake Ice conditions have deteriorated since last week. The lake still has open
water by the dam and beach area. There is water on top of the ice and the ice
thickness is variable. Use caution if venturing out and drill test holes as you
go. Anglers have been fishing in the campground bay which is on the western
side of the lake. The ice is reported at
6 inches but has been changing everyday so test thickness often.
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: The next trout stocking will be Saturday, Feb. 4th
at noon pending on good ice conditions.
Use 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: Start in the standing trees mid lake or on the edge of
the deepest water on the northeast 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 Thursday, Jan. 19th, Big Creek's best ice was 12 inches.
There is a narrow area of open water from geese extending from the beach to
near mid-lake. Bluegill - Slow: A few decent gills are being caught fishing the
brush piles at the mouths of the bays. Black Crappie - Slow: Find 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: Use wax worms or minnows. Target the mid-lake
section at depths of 15-25 feet; schools of crappie are moving 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 Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing has been fair to slow so far this ice
season. Anglers are picking some up on
brush and pallet piles throughout the lake at depths greater than 10 feet.
Jacob Krumm
Nature Preserve Lake (west) Black Crappie - Fair: Krumm Pond holds a good population of large black
crappies. Search around the flooded trees half way up the lake that are broke
off at the water’s surface. Use wax worms or dead minnow heads. Live minnows
are not allowed here. Bluegill - Good: Good bluegill fishing is happening in
the lower half of the lake from mid-lake to the west shore. The pond has good numbers of 7 to 8 inch
bluegills, with some larger.
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: The next trout stocking will be on Saturday, Jan.
28th at noon pending good ice conditions.
Trout remain from the fall stocking to be caught. Use jigs or spoons tipped with wax worms or
on small live minnows.
Mariposa
Lake Bluegill - Good: Catch good numbers of 7 to 8 inch bluegills. Concentrate
on the lower half of the lake.
Roberts Creek Lake Black Crappie - Fair: As of Jan. 12th there is 6 to
8 inches of ice. A fair to good crappie bite is happening jigging waxworms or
dead sticking live minnows. Anglers who are getting over brush piles are having
the best success.
As of Thursday, Jan. 19th, central Iowa
ice conditions have become more variable due to rains. Lakes and ponds have 8 to 12 inches of ice,
with the lesser amounts south if I80. There are some weaker spots along the
shorelines. 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 10 inches of ice. Always get
permission when fishing privately owned ponds. Bluegill – Good. Black Crappie –
Slow. White Crappie – Fair.
Greenfield Lake Greenfield has a significant amount of open water around the solar B
units. This open water may refreeze, but is unsafe. Use extreme caution and
stay 150 to 200 feet away from solar B's in all directions. The ice is also
beginning to deteriorate around the shoreline. Black Crappie – Slow. Bluegill -
Fair: 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 - Good: Find 8 inch bluegills
in the upper end of the lake in tree piles. Black Crappie - Slow: Anglers
report catching a few large black crappies in 30 feet of water.
Lake Anita Lake Anita will provide good panfishing this winter. Anglers will 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. Bluegill -
Good: The larger size bluegills have been caught in the campground arm of the
lake. The north road bed has been good in the afternoon. Black Crappie - Fair: Use
small spoons and glow in the dark jigs with wax worms. Fish will average 9
inches. The best bite has been the first and last hour of daylight.
Littlefield
Lake Littlefield lake has quality size black crappies and bluegill. Target
winter fish around the cedar tree piles placed in the lake. Bluegill - Good:
Anglers report having to sort through many small bluegills for the 9 plus inch
fish. Fish are grouped around cedar tree piles. Black Crappie - Slow: A few
large black crappies are being picked up around the cedar tree piles at dark.
Fish are 10 to 12 inches.
Nodaway Lake Fisheries samples in 2016 showed good numbers of 8 to 11 inch crappies. Bluegill
- Fair: Catch bluegills averaging 8 inches around underwater trees 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. Warm weather and rain has
deteriorated the ice around the shoreline. Use caution getting on the ice. Bluegill - Good: Catch 7 to 8 inch fish
around cedar tree piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Try fishing early morning or the
last hour before dark to catch fish averaging 10 inches. Use glow in the dark
jigs with wax worms or minnow heads.
Prairie Rose Lake Expect to catch quality size bluegills again this winter at Prairie Rose.
The crappies stocked by DNR personnel are 7 to 8 inches at this time. Bluegill
- Fair: Anglers report catching 8 to 9 inch bluegill near the dam and out from
the pump house. The late afternoon bite has been best.
The panfish bite is fair to good on area lakes.
Check ice often after rain and warm temperatures. Most angler reports indicate
6 to 10 inches around the district. For more information, call the Cold Springs District Office at 712-769-2587.
Green Valley Lake Green Valley has approximately 10 inches of ice. Geese have kept a large
area of open water south of the campground. Very little fishing activity
observed this week.
Summit Lake Summit has approximately 10 inches of ice. Geese have kept a large area
of open water near mid-lake. Open water was also reported along the Highway 25
bridge area. Bluegill - Good: Catch bluegill over 8 inches with wax worms
fished along the deep cedar tree brush pile or along the channel edges. Black
Crappie - Good: Catch 8-10 inch crappies with wax worms fished along the deep
cedar tree brush pile or along the channel edges. Yellow Perch - Fair: Catch 8-10
inch yellow perch with minnows fished along the deep cedar tree brush pile or
along the channel edges.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake Twelve Mile Creek Lake has about 10 inches of ice. There is an area of
open water on the south end of the lake. Ice conditions along the shoreline
have deteriorated with some areas of thin ice or open water. Bluegill - Good: Catch
bluegill of all sizes using wax worms fished along the flooded timber near
creek channels or rock piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Catch crappies up to 13
inches with minnows fished along the flooded timber near the creek channel and
near rock piles along the roadbed. Yellow Perch - Fair: Catch yellow perch up
to 13 inches using minnows fished along the bottom in the main basin. Walleye -
Fair: Walleye of all sizes have been caught using minnows fished along the
flooded timber near creek channels.
West Lake
(Osceola) Some open water is reported around docks. Ice conditions may have
deteriorated along edges of shoreline due to recent rain and warm temperatures.
Black Crappie - Good: Catch 8-10 inch crappies with minnows fished along creek
channels and main lake points.
Variable ice conditions reported at Mount Ayr
district lakes. Some lakes have up to 10 inches of ice, but there are also
areas of thin ice or open water. Ice conditions have deteriorated along
shoreline edges of lakes due to recent rain and warm temperatures. Be cautious
and drill many test holes. For more information, please contact the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.
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