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Iowa Fishing Report
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Reports from Iowa Anglers
Here is a list of Iowa Counties
February 2, 2012
Ice conditions Continue to Deteriorate
“There is always a level of risk associated with ice fishing,” said Joe Larscheid, chief of fisheries for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. “Even during our coldest winters, ice conditions vary and are never totally safe.”
The record setting warm spell over much of Iowa has eliminated ice fishing over the southern two thirds of the state and is stressing ice quality on many of the northern lakes. The tragic incidents of three anglers drowning recently while ice fishing in Madison and Black Hawk counties brings the safety discussion to the forefront.
“Ice fishing is a lot of fun and a social activity many of us look forward to each year. If you are going out, head north and plan to check the ice thickness often. Bring safety items like 50 feet of rope and a throwable cushion, like the kind we have in a boat. And do not go out alone,” said Larscheid. “If the ice does not look right, don’t go out.”
Ice depths are not uniform on any body of water and there is no such thing as safe ice. There are many factors that impact ice formation making some locations thinner than others. With the warm weather, ice conditions can change a lot in one day. Verify the ice thickness for yourself and test it often.
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
As of Jan. 29, fishing has been slow with some bluegill and largemouth bass being caught. There was about 6 inches of poor/weak ice reported and anglers are advised to use caution on Crawford Creek.
Brushy Creek Lake
As of Jan. 31, there was still heavy fishing activity on the north end of the lake with 6-7 inches, but ice conditions may have deteriorated this week. Be extremely cautious. Fishing is slow but a few crappies are being caught.
Bacon Creek Lake
As of Jan. 28, there were seven inches of ice reported, but the warm weather has affected ice conditions since. The bite for bluegill and crappie has slowed, but rainbow trout fishing has been excellent.
Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Early in the week ice out in front of Frank Starr Park was reported to be five inches with slush on top. Walleye fishing has been hit or miss with anglers catching a keeper every now and then. Some fish are being caught in the open water in the marina. There are pockets of open water reported on the main lake.
North Twin Lake
Anglers have brought their permanent ice shacks out onto the lake. Most of the fishing activity is taking place over the habitat structures in the southwest corner and up near Featherstone park.
Swan Lake
As of Sunday there was 4 to 5 inches of ice reported on Swan Lake. The warm weather this week has continued to affect ice conditions.
Black Hawk Lake
Ice conditions are once again deteriorating. There is a lot of open water in Town Bay, a large pocket of open on the east end, and smaller pockets of open water scattered throughout the lake.
Moorland Pond
The next trout stocking for Moorland Pond has been postponed and moved to March 24 due to poor ice conditions.
Ice conditions are deteriorating at most of the lakes in the Black Hawk District. For information contact Ben Wallace or Don Herrig at the Black Hawk District Office in Lake View at 712-657-2638.
Lake Smith
Ice thickness is 11 to 14 inches. Anglers have been catching bluegills up to 8 inches but a lot of sorting is involved. Best bite is from mid afternoon on.
Lake Catherine
Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches.
Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 3 to 12 inches. Yellow bass are biting on a variety of baits. Anglers are having some success fishing the Baptist Camp area and the Farmers Beach access. You have to keep moving to stay on the fish.
Lake Cornelia
Ice thickness is 9 to 11 inches. Small yellow bass are biting on minnows.
There is a lot of water on the ice.
Little Wall Lake
Ice thickness is 4 to 7 inches. Stay away from the south end of the lake where there is open water and unsafe ice. Fishing has slowed but still catching some crappies, bluegills, and yellow bass.
Crystal Lake
Ice thickness is 10 to 12 inches. Anglers are catching 6 to 8-inch bluegills wax worms. Largemouth bass and a few northern pike are biting on minnows.
Blue Pit
The trout stocking event scheduled for Feb. 4, has been cancelled due to poor ice conditions. The trout will be stocked after ice out.
For more fishing information in the north central area contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Lake Pahoja
Channel Catfish - Fair: Some large channel catfish are being caught while fishing in the brush piles at dusk. Bluegill - Good: Try fishing around the brush piles for the best luck. Crappie - Good: Bluegill fishermen are reporting catches of crappies
Big Spirit Lake
Most of Big Spirit has eight or more inches of ice on it. Stay away from Big Stoney Point as there are still geese keeping the ice open in a small area. Fishing has been very slow since last week's snowfall. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill fishing has been on and off in the morning and afternoons at Little Angler's Bay and the North Grade by the footbridge. Crappie - Fair: Some nice sized crappie have been caught in Little Angler's Bay in the afternoons. Yellow Perch - Slow: Most anglers are striking out on perch on Big Spirit, with a few anglers bringing in 5-10 off of Cottonwood Point, Buffalo Run, and Marble Beach. Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing has been hit or miss in the early morning and late evening in 10-12 feet of water off Jackson's Point, Templar Point, and Marble Beach.
Center Lake
The aerator has still not been turned on at Center Lake as oxygen levels are still high. Bluegill - Good: Try fishing around the sunken island in the early morning or at dusk. Walleye - Fair: Some walleye have been reported around the sunken island at dusk
Silver Lake (Dickinson)
The aerator has been turned on at Silver Lake. Use caution as thin ice signs have not been put out.
West Okoboji Lake
Many of the bays in West Okoboji have made good ice anywhere from 8 to 16 inches, depending on the spot. Bluegill - Good: Anglers have caught bluegill in nearly every bay recently. The best bite has been late afternoon. Crappie - Fair: Some anglers have reported good catches of crappie while fishing for bluegill. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some anglers have reported perch in Emerson Bay in deeper water.
Five Island Lake
The aerator has been turned on in Town Bay. Anglers are urged to use caution as ice conditions are variable around the aerator and thin ice signs are not put out.
Recent warm weather is starting to melt snow on the ice of area lakes which will weaken the ice, especially around the shorelines. Driving is not recommended on the ice. For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the Spirit Lake hatchery at 712-336-1840.
NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Volga Lake has about 10 inches of ice but depths vary. Bluegill - Slow: Crappie - Slow: Fish are being caught on wax worms.
Lake Hendricks
Lake Hendricks has 5-8 inches of ice. Best time to fish is morning and evening. Wax worms are the bait of choice. Fish are still hanging around the bottom of the lake and are in about eight feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: Crappie - Fair:
Lake Meyer
Anglers are finding fish in 6 to 7 feet of water but catches are spotty. Some deeper water is also producing fish. Ice depths vary from five inches on the east side to 10 inches along the south shore. Bluegill - Slow: 6 to 7-inch fish are common on a small jig tipped with a wax worm. Crappie - Slow: Anglers are catching 10 to 11-inch crappies on wax worms.
Wapsi River (state line to Tripoli)
Anglers are having good luck catching northerns through the ice around the Frederika area through Twin Ponds. Northern Pike - Fair: Anglers are using dead chubs for best results.
Cedar River (above Nashua)
Around Nashua, the bay and upriver have been producing a few fish. Also anglers are still catching a few crappies and walleye below the Nashua dam. Northern Pike - Slow: Anglers are catching northerns while fishing for walleye. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers are using wax worms. Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Smallmouth are biting on jig and minnow. Crappie - Slow: Wax worms and minnows are working for crappies. Walleye - Slow: Minnow and jig working for a few walleye.
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 especially with recent warmer weather. Anglers are reminded to use extreme caution when going out on the ice and check ice depth frequently. Contact Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324 for more information or if you've been out.
Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)
With the warmer temperatures and weekend forecast of rain mixed with snow, ice fishing is not recommended on Casey Lake. Bluegill - Good: Concentrate on the edges of brush piles fishing just off of the bottom. Yellow Perch - Good: Concentrate on the edges of brush piles fishing just off of the bottom.
Ice conditions have quickly deteriorated this week, ice fishing is not recommended at this time. The interior rivers should be mostly open again by this coming weekend, try fishing overwintering holes for walleye this time of year. For further information contact the northeast district office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Ice conditions have deteriorated rapidly with the winter warm-up. Avoid crossing sloughs and areas with current, as anglers have been reported falling through the ice. Bluegill and crappie bite has been steady. Bluegill - Good: Bite has slowed, with periods of good fishing activity mostly in the afternoon. Good reports out of New Albin for bluegills on wax worms. Crappie - Fair: Reports from anglers on Shore Slough and Phillipi are catching a few nice crappies on wax worms.
Mississippi River Pool 10
Use caution on the ice as many pockets of open water are making ice fishing conditions unsafe. Mixed reports for ice fishing in Sturgeon Slough by McGregor and Greymore and Ambrough by Prairie du Chien, which can be typical for mid winter fishing. Use extreme caution as the ice on Johnson Slough in the Sny Magill access may rapidly become unsafe to cross. Bluegill - Good: Good catches of bluegills in the Sny Magill area and Bussey Lake with a lot of sorting. Crappie - Fair: Some nicer sized crappies are being reported in the Harpers Ferry spillway area and Martelle Lake.
Mississippi River Pool 11
Anglers at Mud Lake and Sunfish Lake in lower pool 11 should use caution in areas near shore and avoid current areas along Zollicoffer Slough and where creek runs in. The city boat ramp in Guttenberg is still closed with ice. As of Feb. 2, the DNR ramp ice has broken up and is open for launching to the tail waters but the walleye/sauger bite has been slow. Bluegill - Good: Decent catches of bluegill in Sunfish Lake and Zollicoffers with some sorting. Sauger - Fair: Sauger fishing has slowed a bit but there are still some active fish.
Ice thickness is 8 inches in most places but the recent winter warm-up and rain in the forecast will jeopardize ice conditions. Anglers should be cautious in any areas that may have current and near shorelines.
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 5.7 feet and rising. Tail water may only be accessible from anglers pushing boats out of the O’Leary Landing. Bluegill - Good: Some small bluegills reported from O’Leary’s Landing but larger bluegills are being reported in Fish Trap and other backwaters in Pool 12. Sauger - Good: Limited fishing is occurring as anglers will need to push boat out of O’Leary’s landing.
Mississippi River Pool 13
Tail water stage at Bellevue is stable at 4.9 feet. Ice fishing is limited. Review ice safety tips before venturing out. Ice fishing conditions are marginal at best and snow covered ice will make fishing dangerous. Bluegill - Good: Some good catches some poor catches reported from the Green Island/Browns Lake area. Ice is marginal in many spots so be careful. Lower Sabula Lake also reports some off and on bluegill action. 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 lot of fish are being caught but many are small. A boat can be launched in the tail water but ice flows may need to be shifted around to launch.
Mississippi River Pool 14
Tail water is completely open, but backwater ice fishing is very limited. Tail water stage is 5.2 feet and rising at Fulton, Ill. Limited ice fishing was reported but ice has got to be very poor in many locations. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegills are being reported in the Rock Creek backwaters but action and size has not been that great!
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 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 5.17 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Sauger - Fair: Anglers have been catching some saugers in the tail waters on jigs and minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 17
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 4.27 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Sauger - Slow: Anglers have been able to launch boats in Muscatine to access the tail waters the past couple of days. Ramp conditions may change. The bite has slowed down over the past few days.
Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 4.16 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Sauger - Fair: Anglers have been catching some saugers in the tail waters on jigs and minnows.
Mississippi River Pool 19
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 18 is 2.17 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. We have received no tail water fishing information for this pool.
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: With the recent warm temperatures ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing throughout the pools. There has been some limited access to the tail waters. Ramp conditions may change. For more fishing information on Pools 16-19 contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
SOUTHEAST
Lake Belva Deer
Ice conditions have declined and are unsafe. Please don't even try until the weather gets cold again and the ice gets better again.
Pollmiller Park Lake
Unsafe ice conditions.
Lake of the Hills
Too much warm weather. Unsafe Ice.
Railroad Lake
Unsafe ice. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching a few small bluegills. I would be working the structure along the old creek channel.
Wilson Lake
Unsafe ice.
Lake Darling District Farm Ponds
Unsafe ice. Remaining ice will not hold you.
Big Hollow Lake
Unsafe ice conditions and some open water.
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.
Iowa Lake
The ice is reported as unsafe.
Kent Park Lake
The ice is reported as unsafe.
Lake Macbride
The ice is extremely variable and unsafe in many areas. There were a few anglers out as of Feb. 1, but they were in protected areas. Ice fishing is not recommended.
Central Park Lake
The ice is reported as unsafe.
Pleasant Creek Lake
The ice is variable and range from 4-8 inches. The west end of the lake has the most ice. Stay away from the area right around the spillway. Bluegill - Fair: Nicer bluegills have been caught off the dam in 20 plus feet of water. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being caught around sunken brush piles and pallet structures. Walleye - Good: Lots of smaller 11 to 13-inch walleyes are being caught off the dam. A couple larger fish have been reported as well.
Diamond Lake
The ice is reported as unsafe.
Otter Creek Lake
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Union Grove Lake
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Outflow from Coralville Reservoir is 920 cubic feet per second as of Feb. 2. Walleye - Fair: Walleyes are being caught below the dams on jig/minnows. Mostly smaller fish are being caught but an occasional nicer fish is being picked up.
Prairie Park Fishery
Fishing is not recommended, however.
Sand Lake
We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.
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 at this time. There is still some open water near the stone shelter.
Hawthorn Lake (aka Barnes City Lake)
The lake renovation work is complete and the lake is full. New fish habitat areas and new jetties have been built. Fingerlings were stocked in May of 2011.
Albia (lower)
The lake does not have enough ice to support anglers at this time. There is some open water near the dam due to the geese.
Lake Sugema
Lake Sugema contains the invasive plant brittle naiad so make sure not to transport any plant fragments in your equipment. There is not yet enough ice to support anglers and there is still some open water.
Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is 904.09 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. The lake does not have enough ice to support safe fishing. Don't forget Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels so make sure to clean and drain equipment before transporting to another water body.
Ice thicknesses are being reduced due to the warm weather. Most lakes and ponds have open water and do not have enough ice to support anglers. For further fishing reports in south central Iowa please call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406
SOUTHWEST
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 conditions have deteriorated since last week’s report. Many lakes have open water and ice fishing is not recommended. For more information call the southwest district office in Lewis 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 8 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.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake
Unsafe ice.
The warm weather has melted most of the ice. Some ponds and small lake are completely open. The forecast calls for temperatures above freezing. Do not walk on any ice.
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