Ice had been an inconsistent commodity so far this winter. Last night and today should get some layers started ... it will take a while for solid ice since we are to see temps in the mid 30's Saturday, up to the upper 40's both Sunday and Monday. Get beyond that it looks like more seasonal C-o-l-d will arrive.
 |
| Some blowing snow in the air, -7 wind chill here at Timber Life |
Maybe the anglers will finally be able to get the ice augers and Ice Fishing Houses out to catch a few walleye, blue gill, crappie and a coveted trout in the stocked bodies of water.
Following are some local ice condition reports for different parts of Iowa.
For immediate release: January 12, 2012
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
Crawford Creek Impoundment
Ice conditions remain poor at Crawford Creek.
Badger Lake
Ice is variable at Badger Lake with conditions ranging from open water to 5 inches of ice.
Brushy Creek Lake
Ice has formed over most of the lake, but it is still considered unsafe.
Bacon Creek Lake
The next trout stocking for Bacon Creek has been moved to Jan. 28 due to poor ice conditions.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
About half of Storm Lake was open on Wednesday. Wind action continues to affect ice conditions. Anglers are allowed three walleye per day, all fish between 17 and 22 inches must be released. Anglers are allowed one walleye over 22 inches.
Swan Lake
One-third of lake has open water with poor ice conditions everywhere else.
Black Hawk Lake
Town Bay is mostly open with variable ice conditions across the rest of the lake. Special walleye regulations on Black Hawk Lake are three per walleye per day and all fish must be at least 15 inches. Aerators are in operation in Town Bay.
Moorland Pond
The Moorland Pond trout stocking has been postponed until March 24 due to poor ice conditions.
Ice conditions continue to be variable and unsafe at many lakes. For more information, contact Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.
Beeds Lake
Ice thickness is 4 to 6 inches. There is some open water on the northwest side of the lake. Bluegill and a few crappies are biting on wax worms.
Lake Smith
Ice thickness is 4 to 6 inches.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches. Yellow bass fishing is fair. Anglers are having success fishing the Farmers Beach area in 6 to 8 feet of water with a small jig tipped with a wax worm or spike. A few walleyes are being caught using the same method. You have to keep moving to catch fish.
Lake Cornelia
Ice thickness is 4 to 5 inches.
Little Wall Lake
Ice is not safe, a lot of open water.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 4 to 6 inches.
Silver Lake (Worth)
Silver Lake will undergo a lake renovation project starting this winter. The fishing regulations have been relaxed. Anglers with a valid fishing license may take fish by any means except dynamite, poison, electroshocking, or any stupefying substances. The daily bag and minimum length restrictions are lifted.
For more fishing information in the north central area contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Big Spirit Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended on Big Spirit Lake. The recent warm weather and wind has opened an area of water from the footbridge down to marble beach, and all the way across to reeds run. The rest of the lake has inconsistent ice conditions.
West Okoboji Lake
Ice fishing is not recommended on West Okoboji until ice conditions improve.
Virgin Lake
Fishing regulations are now relaxed at Virgin Lake. Anglers can now harvest as many fish as they would like by any means except dynamite, poison, electroshocking devises, or any stupefying substances. This promiscuous fishing is designated to allow anglers to salvage and utilize the imperiled fish population in Virgin Lake before they die off due to the drawdown.
Ice fishing is not recommended on area lakes. Recent warm weather and wind has opened up large areas on most lakes. Once the wind dies down, realize that if these areas are frozen over it is going to be very thin ice. Be sure to check with local bait shops for current ice conditions before traveling to these lakes. For more information, call the Spirit Lake hatchery at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Ice depths on Volga Lake are extremely variable. It is not advisable to go on the ice. Open water is reported around the boat ramp. Bluegill - No Report: Largemouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - No Report:
Lake Hendricks
Lake Hendricks has about 7 inches of ice. Use caution around the aerator. Bluegill - Slow: Largemouth Bass - Slow: Crappie - Slow:
Lake Meyer
Ice depths are extremely variable ranging from 2 to 8 inches depending on where the sun hits. Water in the lake is a bit cloudy. Fish are more active the last hour before sundown. Northern Pike - No Report: Bluegill - Good: Stay along weed lines to find fish. Anglers are catching all sizes. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few nice size bass continue to be caught. Crappie - Slow: Crappies are suspended about six feet off bottom in deeper water and can be found around brush piles.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week. Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week. Northern Pike - No Report: Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Walleye - No Report:
Turkey River (below Clermont)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Wapsi River (state line to Tripoli)
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Anglers are taking nice catches of fish below the Nashua dam. Ice depths vary if there is any in the backwaters. Use caution when going on ice especially ice over flowing water. Northern Pike - Fair: Anglers are using a minnow and a jig below the dam at Nashua for best luck. Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Walleye - Good: Anglers report good catches of walleye below the Nashua dam using a jig and minnow.
Decorah District Streams
A generally mild winter has produced more northeast Iowa dry fly opportunities than normal. Try small (#18-#24), sparse mayfly patterns for trout rising to early afternoon midge and baetis hatches. Streamers, nymphs and wet flies have taken occasional fish as well. Streams are low and very clear, so an angler's approach and presentation are important. Keep a low profile.
Ice depths vary depending on the lake. Anglers are reminded to use extreme caution when going out on the ice especially with the recent mild weather. Check ice depth frequently. Due to variable ice conditions throughout the state, winter urban pond stocking dates have been changed; call the fisheries office for the district the pond is in to find out when they will be stocked. Contact Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324 for more local information.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Concentrate efforts in the deeper overwintering pools for walleye. Walleye - Good: Jigs tipped with or without a twistertail and minnow has been most productive.
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock)
Concentrate efforts in the deeper overwintering pools for walleye. Walleye - Good: Jigs tipped with or without a twistertail and minnow has been most productive.
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills)
Concentrate efforts in the deeper overwintering pools for walleye. Walleye - Fair: Jigs tipped with or without a twistertail and minnow would be most productive.
Maquoketa River (above Monticello)
Concentrate efforts in the deeper overwintering pools for walleye. Walleye - Fair: Jigs tipped with or without a twistertail and minnow would be most productive.
The interior rivers recently iced over but may open up again by the weekend. Reports on the Cedar River for walleye last week were very good for numbers and size. Very little ice fishing has occurred in our region due to thin ice conditions; use extreme caution when heading onto thin ice. The trout stocking for North Prairie Lake has been postponed until Jan. 20. Call the Manchester District Office at 563-927-3276 for additional information.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
A lot of anglers have been fishing Blackhawk Lake above Lansing on the Wisconsin side as well as Shore Slough and the Village Creek Boat Ramp with good success. Ice thickness is near six inches in the center but caution should be used near shorelines. Bluegill - Good: Good catches of bluegill in Blackhawk Lake with a lot of sorting.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Anglers have been fishing Sturgeon Slough by McGregor and Greymore and Abrough by Prairie du Chien with good success. Ice at Bussey Lake is six inches on the upper end but caution should be used along shorelines. The ice on Johnson Slough in the Sny Magill area is not safe to cross. The boat ramp at Lynxville is open but that may change if cold weather persists. Bluegill - Good: Good catches of bluegill on Bussey with some sorting but anglers should be very cautious of weak ice. Sauger - Good: Sauger fishing has been steady with a few limits caught. Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes being picked up in the tail waters
Mississippi River Pool 11
Not a lot of ice fishing is occurring on Pool 11 due to lack of access to safe ice, but forecasts for colder weather may improve conditions to access Sunfish Lake and Mud Lake. Again caution should be used in areas near shore or that may have current. Anglers have been catching fish in the marina at Mud Lake. Boat ramps in Guttenberg are open for tail water fishing. Sauger - Good: Sauger fishing has been steady with a few limits caught.
Recent warm weather weakened ice near shorelines and with the snow there is a lot of slush ice near shorelines. Most areas on the Upper Mississippi received 3 to 5 inches of snow and snow blown into river valleys may insulate ice in areas. Forecasts for cold nights ahead should strengthen ice but caution should be used in areas near shore or areas that may have current.
Mississippi River Pool 12
Tail water fishing continues in Pool 12. Ice fishing is limited; review ice safety tips before venturing out. Tail water stage is at 5.3 feet and stable. Sauger - Good: Small sauger continue to bite sporadically. Most anglers are using a three-way rig with a minnow or a jig and minnow.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Tail water stage at Bellevue is stable at 5.1 feet. Ice fishing is limited; review ice safety tips before venturing out. Ice fishing conditions are marginal at best. Sauger - Good: Angers are catching small sauger in the tail waters using a three way rig with a minnow or a jig and minnow. A few nicer sized fish are being caught.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Tail water is completely open. Tail water stage is 5.3 feet at Fulton, Ill. Sauger - Good: Some nicer sauger reported in the creel. Most anglers using a three-way with a minnow, or a jig and a minnow. Some folks also using ring worms with no bait.
Mississippi River Pool 15
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Open water conditions persist in the tail waters of Pools 12 through 15. Limited backwater fishing has been occurring; use caution as ice thickness is marginal in many places. Ice fishing will be very dangerous with the addition of snow insulating the thin ice.
Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 5.30 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Be aware with recent cold temperatures boat access may become limited. Sauger - Good: Anglers have been catching some saugers in Pool 16. Try fishing in the tail waters on the Iowa side above the casino. Most fish are being caught on jigs and minnows or on jigs and soft plastics.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 4.08 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Be aware with recent cold temperatures boat access may become limited. Sauger - Fair: Some saugers are being caught in the tail waters on jigs and minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 4.26 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Be aware with recent cold temperatures boat access may become limited. Sauger - Good: Anglers have been catching saugers in the tail waters. Most fish are being caught on jigs and minnows or on jigs and soft plastics.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 2.16 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Be aware with recent cold temperatures boat access may become limited. Sauger - Fair: Tail water fishing for saugers has been hit or miss. Most fish are being caught on jigs and minnows or on jigs and soft plastics.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Anglers have been catching saugers and walleyes in the tail waters this past week. Access to the tail waters may become limited with the recent cold temperatures as some ramps may begin to freeze in. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Remember to clean, drain, and dry your boat before going to another water body. For more fishing information on Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Belva Deer
Unsafe ice conditions.
Pollmiller Park Lake
Unsafe ice conditions
Lake of the Hills
Unsafe ice conditions. While the ice is thick enough to hold up geese, it isn't for people.
Lake Darling District Farm Ponds
Most area ponds have less than one-half inch of ice. Wednesday we had a high temp in the mid 50s. Thursday (today) is the first day weather conditions have been favorable for forming ice in a long t time.
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling fisheries office at 319-694-2430.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Outflow from Coralville Reservoir is 600 cubic feet per second as of Jan. 12. Flows will drop to about 580 CFS and hold steady. Walleye - Slow: Walleyes are being caught below the dams on jig/minnows and ringworms. Many smaller fish are being caught but nicer fish are also being picked up.
Most bodies of water are crusted over, but the ice is unsafe. There has been very little fishing activity in the region. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.
Red Haw Lake
The lake does not have enough ice to support anglers.
Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
The lake renovation work is complete. New fish habitat areas have been built along with some new jetties. The lake is full. Fingerlings were stocked in May 2011.
Lake Sugema
Lake Sugema contains the invasive plant brittle naiad so make sure to inspect and clean your boat and trailer. There is not yet enough ice to support ice anglers. Most of the lake has open water.
Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is 904.18 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. Water temperature has been in the lower 30s. Some of the coves and bays have ice but not enough to support ice fishing. The main lake still has open water. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean, drain, and dry boats and other equipment before transporting to another water body.
For further fishing reports in south central Iowa call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406
SOUTHWEST
Lake Petoka
The winter trout stocking will occur unannounced prior to Feb. 1. The stocking will be unannounced to avoid a large crowd gathered in a small area on unsafe ice.
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake
The winter trout stocking will occur unannounced prior to Feb. 1. The stocking will be unannounced to avoid a large crowd gathered in a small area on unsafe ice.
Cold temps may finally allow ice anglers to get their gear out this weekend. Most ponds and some lakes may have enough ice to allow ice fishing. Anglers are urged to be very cautious and check ice thickness frequently. Larger, deeper lakes may still have ice too thin. The winter trout stockings in Lake Petoka and Ada Hayden will occur unannounced prior to Feb. 1. For more information on central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd or Andy Otting at 515-432-2823.
Lake Anita
There have been no reports of ice fishing at this time.
Big Lake (Including Gilbert's Pond)
The trout stocking at West Big Lake is being delayed until March to avoid stocking during unsafe ice conditions.
Ice is beginning to form with cold temperatures. Ice conditions will vary by lake due to factors such as location in the district, wind, and waterfowl. Call ahead for before you travel. For more information call the southwest district office at 712-769-2587.
Little River Watershed Lake
The lake has been lowered 15 feet to allow shoreline improvements and fish habitat construction. Construction is underway and expected to be complete by mid-spring. The fish will be restocked in the spring.
Sands Timber Lake (Blockton Reservoir)
The lake has been drained to allow in-lake water quality improvements to be constructed. Completion is expected by mid-spring.
Green Valley Lake
The lake level is down eight feet. The in-lake sediment removal project is complete. The water level will be allowed to rise and runoff permits. The fish were restocking in 2009 and have grown very well. Bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, and channel catfish are all very good sized. Anglers should be able to catch good numbers of quality fish this winter and spring.
Summitt Lake
The lake has been drained to allow the reconstruction of the concrete spillway. Completion is expected in late spring.
The ice is very thin in most places. Most water bodies have some open water and some areas with ice. Do not walk on the ice. A boat could be used to access traditional ice fishing areas.
