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

Brushy Creek Lake

Ice conditions are still decent in the upper arms and near shore. Poor ice out in the middle.



Bacon Creek Lake

Ice conditions were poor at the beginning of the week. Check ice frequently if going out on Bacon Creek.



Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)

Ice conditions remain variable. Check the ice frequently if fishing on Storm Lake. Special walleye regulations at Storm Lake are three walleye per day, all fish between 17 and 22 inches must be released, and only one walleye over 22 inches may be kept. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are catching a good number of walleye mostly in 5 feet of water. Many of the fish are 11 to 14 inches, but some are in the 15 to 16.5-inch range. Dead-sticking seems to be the method of choice.



Black Hawk Lake

There was a lot of open water at the beginning of the week. Ice conditions have improved some since the cold weather moved in.



Browns Lake

Ice conditions are variable. Check ice frequently.



Snyder Bend Lake

Snyder Bend had open water at the beginning of the week. Check ice frequently if traveling out on 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 remain variable at lakes in the Black Hawk District. For more 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.



Clear Lake

Ice thickness is 6 to 14 inches. Yellow bass are biting on minnows and cut bait. Anglers are having some success fishing the Baptist camp area in the main lake and out from the Lynne Lorenzen boat ramp in the little lake. You have to keep moving to stay on the fish.



Lake Cornelia

Ice thickness is 9 to 11 inches. Small yellow bass and white bass are biting on minnows.



Little Wall Lake

Ice thickness is 6 to 8 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. Blue gills 6-8 inches are biting on wax worms. Largemouth bass and a few northern pike are biting on minnows.



Silver Lake (Worth)

Yellow perch 3 to 10 inches are biting on small jigs tipped with a wax worms. Silver Lake is undergoing a lake renovation project this winter. The fishing regulations have been relaxed. Anglers with a valid fishing license may take fish by any means except dynamite, poison, electro shocking, 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.



NORTHEAST

Volga Lake

Volga Lake ice depths vary. Bluegill - Slow: Crappie - Slow: Fish are being caught on wax worms.



Lake Hendricks

Lake Hendricks has 10-12 inches of ice. Best time to fish is morning and evening with wax worms. Fish are still hanging around the bottom of the lake and are in about eight feet of water. Bluegill - Slow: Crappie - Slow: Yellow Perch - Slow:



Lake Meyer

Watch out for springs on the lake. They are beginning to open and the ice around them is thin. Anglers are finding fish in 6 to 7 feet of water but catches are spotty. Some deeper water is also producing fish. 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 and the ‘S’ curves. Northern Pike - Fair: Anglers are using dead chubs for best results.



Cedar River (above Nashua)

Few anglers have been out this week. Northern Pike - Slow: Dead chubs are producing fish. Bluegill - No Report: Smallmouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - No Report: Walleye - No Report:



Decorah District Streams

Continuing mild winter weather has made for pleasant late morning and afternoon fly fishing outings. Sub-surface trout have been taken on Copper Johns, Olive Wooly Buggers and Light Spruces. Rising winter trout have recently been taken on small midge patterns, Thread Wraps and Griffith's Gnats. Our small amount of northeast Iowa snowfall provides for fairly easy streamside walking.



Ice depths vary depending on the lake. Anglers are reminded to use extreme caution when going out on the ice and check ice depth frequently. Please contact Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324 for more local information or if you've been out.



Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake)

Conditions have improved on Casey Lake with reports of 5 to 6 inches of good ice. Anglers were reported fishing today. Use caution with variations in ice thickness over the entire lake. Bluegill - Good: Concentrate near submerged structure near the east end of the dam.



Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)

There have been reports of anglers catching some walleye on the Cedar River in upper Bremer County. Walleye - Fair: Jig tipped with a minnow is a good combination this time of year for walleye, concentrate on the deeper overwintering holes.



Manchester District Streams

Trout streams remain in excellent condition here in the N.E. District. Snow loss has been gradual which has made for good fishing conditions.



Ice conditions should have only improved this week with the onset of cold weather but anglers are still encouraged to use extreme caution when entering onto ice. The Cedar River in Bremer County has been producing some catches of walleye. Trout streams are in excellent condition in northeast Iowa. For more information contact the district office in Manchester at 563-927-3276.



MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Mississippi River Pool 9

Solid ice exists in most areas and reports have been good over the past week in Pool 9. 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

Solid ice exists in most areas and Johnson Slough in the Sny Magill area has been safe to cross. Anglers have been able to access the tail waters at the Lynxville boat ramp. But predicted cold temperatures may begin to freeze the area again. 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 Sny Magill area. Sauger - Good: Anglers were able to access the tail waters at Lynxville and reported good catches of sauger over the past week. Walleye - Fair: A few walleyes reported being caught in the tail waters



Mississippi River Pool 11

Although recent cold weather has solidified, ice 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 creeks run in. As of Feb. 9, the city boat ramp in Guttenberg and the DNR ramp are open. 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.



Recent cold nights have solidified ice in many areas. Ice thickness is eight inches in most places but caution should always be used in 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 5.5 feet and stable. People are launching from O’Leary’s landing to access the tail waters. 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. Crappie - Fair: A select few crappies are being caught in Pool 12 backwaters and some have been nice sized. Sauger - Good: Fishing is occurring in Lock 11 tail water but anglers may need to push boat out of O’Leary’s landing.



Mississippi River Pool 13

Tail water stage at Bellevue is stable at 5.4 feet. Boats can launch from the City Ramp. Ice fishing is limited; review ice safety tips before venturing out. Ice fishing conditions are marginal in many places. Bluegill - Good: Green Island had some poor ice conditions in spots so be careful. Michelson's landing in lower Pool 13 has had some decent ice fishing this winter. 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 skim ice may hamper launching. Tail water stage is 5.0 feet and stable at Fulton, Ill. Limited ice fishing was reported but ice is in poor condition in many locations. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegill are being reported in the Rock Creek backwaters. Ice is in poor condition around the edges of the bank and anglers may break through when venturing near shore.



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, but 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 5.21 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Anglers have been able to launch boats this past week to access the tail waters. Ramp conditions may change with the cold temperatures in the forecast. Sauger - Fair: Anglers have been catching some saugers in the tail waters on jigs and minnows. Most of the fish being caught have been on the small side.



Mississippi River Pool 17

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 16 is 4.23 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Anglers have been able to launch boats this past week in Muscatine to access the tail waters. Ramp conditions may change with the cold temperatures in the forecast. Sauger - No Report:



Mississippi River Pool 18

Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 4.62 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Anglers have been able to launch boats this past week to access the tail waters. Ramp conditions may change with the cold temperatures in the forecast. Sauger - Slow: 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 2.36 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: Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing throughout the pools. Anglers have been able to tail water fish for saugers and walleyes this past week. Tail water fishing has been slow. Ramp conditions may change with the cold temperatures in the forecast. 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

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

During the warmer days most of the lake was ice free. These colder days are putting thin skim ice back on the lake.



Lake Darling District Farm Ponds

Unsafe ice.



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

There is a large amount of open water yet and the ice that is there is poor. Ice fishing is not recommended.



Kent Park Lake

Conditions are reported as improving, with most of the lake having about 4-5 inches of ice. Caution should still be used if venturing out. No fishing reports are available.



Lake Macbride

Ice conditions are extremely variable, and the ice that is out there tends to be poor quality. Ice thicknesses range from 2-7 inches depending on location. Protected areas and bays will have the most ice. Fishing activity has been slow this week, with most people trying the protected area northwest of the highlines off the one-way road. Bluegill - Fair: Most fish are smaller, but can usually be caught in any kind of structure. Crappie - Fair: Some smaller crappies, with some nicer ones mixed in are being caught on jigs/waxies over brush piles.



Central Park Lake

Ice conditions are reported as unsafe.



Pleasant Creek Lake

Ice conditions are variable. There have been some anglers out trying it. Most reports are coming from the dam area saying about 5-6 inches of ice, but use caution if venturing out. Bluegill - Slow: A few bluegills are being caught along the dam. Yellow Perch - Slow: A few perch are also being caught along the dam. Walleye - Fair: Most fish are small (12 inches) but an occasional bigger fish is being caught. Try a jig/waxie or small spoon along the dam in about 20 feet of water.



Otter Creek Lake

There has not been any fishing activity in the past week. No ice/fishing reports are available.



Coralville Reservoir

Ice conditions are unsafe. The Corps of Engineers have also started to drop the water level under the ice.



Iowa River (Marshalltown to Coralville Lake)

The river is open, but fishing reports are not available.



Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)

Outflow from the dam is 750 cubic feet per second as of Feb. 9. Walleye - Fair: Most fish are about 12 inches, with an occasional larger one. Try a jig and minnow in the deeper holes or in the tail waters.



Cedar River (Cedar Rapids to Moscow)

The river is open but fishing reports are not available.



Wapsi River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction)

The river is open but fishing reports are not available.



Many bodies of water in the area are unsafe for ice fishing. A few anglers are getting out but extreme caution should be used as ice conditions are variable throughout the lakes. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615.



Diamond Lake

The ice is reported as unsafe.



Union Grove Lake

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.



Prairie Park Fishery

Ice fishing is not recommended.



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 enough ice to support anglers and there is still some open water.



Rathbun Reservoir

The lake level is 904.21 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 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 call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406



SOUTHWEST

Easter Lake

We have received no information regarding fishing on this water body this week.



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 continue to be poor. For more information call the southwest district office in Lewis at 712-769-2587.