Dec. 29 Iowa Fishing Report

For immediate release: december 29, 2011

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 has formed at the south boat ramp, but no one has been out on it yet. Everything else is still open water, even at the north end.

Bacon Creek Lake
There was about 5 inches of ice on Bacon Creek last weekend, with weak areas near the cattails. Anglers should use caution due to the mild temperatures this week. Rainbow Trout - Good: Anglers are still catching limits of trout.

Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake)
Ice conditions at Storm Lake are variable. Some anglers have ventured out onto the ice and are reporting 3.5 to 4 inches of ice about 100 yards out from shore. 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. Walleye - Slow: Most fish have been caught off the inlet in 5 to 5.5 feet of water. Anglers are using tip-ups with an egg sinker slip rig with a floating jig and large minnow. Also try jigging with a gold macho minnow that glows with a treble hook or a treble dangling from a chain.

North Twin Lake
All of the permanent ice shacks have been removed from North Twin Lake.

Swan Lake
There is a lot of open water at Swan Lake. Travel on the ice is not advised.

Black Hawk Lake
Ice thickness at Ice House Point boat ramp is four inches of clear ice with one-inch of cloudy soft ice on top. 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.

Southwood Conservation Area Pond (east)
About three inches of bad ice reported at Southwood Ponds. Travel on the ice is not advised.

Peters Park
Ice was four inches thick as of last Saturday. Anglers should use caution going out on the ice due to the mild temperatures this week. Last Saturday anglers had fast action from 8 to 10 a.m. and then fishing dropped off. Largemouth Bass - Fair: Largemouth bass were being caught the same way as crappie. The largemouth bass were fairly small. Crappie - Fair: Crappie are suspended around 12 to 13 feet of water above structure. Try jigging a few feet above the suspended fish and then dropping it. Crappies are around 6 to 8 inches in length.

Moorland Pond
1,500 rainbow trout were stocked in mid-November. Have not received any ice thickness or fishing reports within the last few weeks.

Mild temperatures last weekend and throughout the week have weakened the ice at most lakes and ponds. For 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. The aerator has opened a large area of open water with the recent winds.

Clear Lake
Ice thickness is 5 to 7 inches. With warm weather and the wind the aerator holes have increased in size. Yellow bass are biting on a variety of live baits. Anglers are having success fishing at the Farmers beach access and the McIntosh access. You have to keep moving to stay on the fish.

Lake Cornelia
Ice thickness is 4 to 5 inches. Small perch and yellow bass are biting on bait.
There is open water along the north and east shores and under the bridge to the harbor.


Little Wall Lake
Ice thickness is 3 - 4 inches.

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.

Morse Lake
Ice thickness is 5 to 6 inches.

Bluebill Lake
Has a lot of open water.

Fin and Feather Lake
Ice thickness is 4 to 5 inches. The water level is low.

Elm Lake
Has two large open areas totaling about 40 acres. One area is of the north point; the other area is in front of the cabins.

For more fishing information in the north central area contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.

Big Spirit Lake
The ice on most of Big Spirit is safe for walking traffic. Be careful on the ice heaves when walking out on the lake and do not travel near Big Stony point as the geese still have an open area of water and even where it is frozen, there is not much ice. Bluegill - Slow: Some bluegill are still being reported in the afternoons in Trickles Slough and Little Anglers Bay. Try finding vegetation, even in very shallow water the fish are likely to be hiding in the weeds. Yellow Perch - Fair: Some very nice yellow perch are being caught off of buffalo run access in 10 to 15 feet of water. The bite is inconsistent and only lasts for a short period of time, though. Walleye - Fair: Some walleye are being reported at dusk near Cottonwood point, buffalo run, and marble beach.

Center Lake
Aerators on Center Lake were turned off Dec. 28 due to the large open area on the lake from wind and warm weather. Do not go near this area of the lake as there are very poor ice conditions.

West Okoboji Lake
The ice is just thick enough to be safe in Miller's Bay, Smith's Bay, and Little Emerson Bay. The main basin of West Okoboji opened back up on Dec. 26. Bluegill - Good: Many bluegills are being caught in the bays around vegetation. The afternoon bite has been the best.

Tuttle Lake
Given the dry fall, Tuttle Lake is very low with the deepest spots being around 2 to 3 feet. Walleye - Good: Walleye fishing has been good at dusk fishing with a minnow

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 conditions have been stable on area lakes in the past week even with the warm weather with most lakes in the Spirit Lake district reporting around 6-8 inches of good clear ice. With the projected warm weather be careful around the edges of lakes as the ice is breaking up along many shorelines. Lakes with aerators do not have the "thin ice" signs up yet due to inconsistent ice conditions and warm weather so use extreme caution on these lakes! For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call the Spirit Lake hatchery at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST
Volga Lake
Ice depths on Volga Lake are extremely variable and it is not recommended to go on the ice. Bluegill - No Report: Largemouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - No Report:

Lake Hendricks
Lake Hendricks has about six inches of ice. Be careful around the aerator. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers report catching all sizes on wax worms. Fish are more active around evening. Largemouth Bass - Slow: An occasional bass is caught while fishing for bluegill. Crappie - Slow: All sizes of crappie are being caught. Anglers are using wax worms.

Lake Meyer
Lake Meyer is iced over but ice thickness varies. Be careful as the ice is still pretty thin. Anglers are out but no reports of fish yet. Northern Pike - No Report: Bluegill - No Report: Largemouth Bass - No Report: Crappie - No Report:

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 in the backwaters. Please use caution when going out 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
Northeast Iowa fly fishing has been excellent during the recently mild winter weather. Late morning midge and baetis hatches have presented dry fly opportunities with surface flies such as Thread Wraps or other Blue Wing and midge patterns. Scuds, nymphs, wet flies, streamers and wooly buggers have also produced many good fish sub-surface. Trout streams are in excellent condition with very little snow on the ground making for a beautiful walk in the woods.

Rivers have really opened in some areas due to the warmer temperatures. Ice depths vary depending on the lake. Anglers are reminded to use extreme caution when going out on early ice. Check ice depth frequently. Remember to let someone know where you are going and when you plan on returning. Have a safe and happy holiday season. For more information, contact Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.

Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City)
Concentrate on fishing 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 on fishing 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 on fishing 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 on fishing the deeper overwintering pools for walleye. Walleye - Fair: Jigs tipped with or without a twistertail and minnow would be most productive.

The interior rivers and northeast Iowa trout streams offer the best angling opportunities at this time for walleye and trout. Reports on the Cedar River for walleye have been very good for walleye in both numbers and size. Ice fishing is not recommended at this time due to lack of or extremely poor ice conditions. Call the Manchester District Office at 563-927-3276 for any additional information.

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Mississippi River Pool 9
Anglers continue to fish Shore Slough by Lansing but they should be cautious with warm temperatures and some rain predicted. Getting on and off the ice may be difficult. Bluegill - Fair: Mixed results for bluegills from Shore Slough as this area has had fairly heavy pressure.

Mississippi River Pool 10
Ice conditions are four inches at best in many areas so anglers should use extreme caution when out on the river and beware of thin ice along shorelines and anywhere current may exist. Anglers have been fishing Sturgeon Slough by McGregor and Greymore and Abrough by Prairie du Chien with mixed results. Ice at Bussey Lake is 3 to 4 inches on the upper end but open water on the lower end. 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. 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.

With warmer temperatures the upper pools of the Mississippi River are struggling to make and maintain ice on the backwaters. Some areas are being fished but anyone going out should be very cautious of unsafe ice.

Mississippi River Pool 12
Tail water fishing continues in Pool 12, but ice conditions are not yet favorable for ice fishing in most locations. Tail water stage is at 4.5 feet and stable. Sauger - Fair: Small sauger continue to bite sporadically in Pool 12. 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 slightly dropping and is at 4.3 feet. No ice fishing has been reported as ice is not yet suitable for walking on. Sauger - Fair: 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 fish were reported last week but most remain less than 12 inches.

Mississippi River Pool 14
Tail water has received heavy pressure over the holiday with anglers reporting small sauger being caught. Ice fishing in pool 14 is non-existent. Tail water stage is 4.6 feet at Fulton, Ill. Sauger - Fair: Tail water has received heavy pressure over the holiday with anglers reporting small sauger being caught. Most anglers using a three-way with a minnow. Walleye - Slow: Fishing for walleyes has been slow but a few real nice fish in the 10 pound range were reportedly caught.

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. Backwater ice is not yet suitable for ice fishing in most locations.

Mississippi River Pool 16
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 15 is 4.68 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Sauger - Good: Anglers have been catching some saugers in pool 16. Try fishing in the tail waters on the Iowa side above the casino. Some fish are also being caught around the wing dams below the I-280 Bridge down to Enchanted Island. 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 3.79 feet. We have received no fishing information for this pool. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing.

Mississippi River Pool 18
Tail water stage at Lock and Dam 17 is 4.19 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. 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 2.03 feet. Ice conditions are not safe for ice fishing. Sauger - Fair: 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 Pools 16-19: Anglers have been catching some saugers in the tail waters this past week. Main channel water temperature is around 36 degrees. 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 Geode
The lake remains open except for some ice around the edges. The ice is here today gone to tomorrow as the air temperature has been in the 40s for a while.

Pollmiller Park Lake
Warm weather, daytime temps in the mid to upper 40s melted most of the ice.

Lake of the Hills
The warm weather has opened the lake back up. There might be some ice around the edges in the mornings. Rainbow Trout - Good: Anglers are coming out during the warmer times of the day and catching a few trout. Small jigs and wax worms are working the best.

For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Station at 319-694-2430. Most of the ponds have open water and some ice. The more protected and shaded the pond the more ice they have. The thickest ice would be between 3/4-inch and 1-inch.

Lake Macbride
Water temperature is in the mid 30s and the lake is mostly ice free. There has been almost no fishing activity here.

Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction)
Outflow from Coralville Reservoir is 600 cubic feet per second as of Dec. 29. Flows will drop to about 500 CFS and hold steady. Walleye - Fair: 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 ice free. 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 has opened back up but not many anglers have been out.

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.

Lake Sugema
Lake Sugema contains the invasive plant brittle naiad so make sure to inspect and clean your boat and trailer when leaving the lake. The lake has opened back up but not many anglers have been out.

Rathbun Reservoir
The lake level is 904.14 feet with 904.0 feet being normal pool. Water temperatures have been running in the upper 30s. Some of the coves and bays have a skim of ice but not yet enough to support safe 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 before transporting to another water body.

For further fishing reports in south central Iowa call the Rathbun fish hatchery at 641-647-2406

SOUTHWEST
Viking Lake
The lake is mostly ice free. A few boat anglers are having good success vertically jigging for largemouth bass around deep rock piles. A high percentage of fish caught are in the 15 to 18-inch range. Largemouth Bass - Good: Vertical jig deep rock structure for fish 15 to 18 inches.

Lake Manawa
The lake is 75 percent open. A few catfish are being caught around the beach. Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish can be caught around the beach using dead minnows.

Warm temperatures have continued. Most lakes and ponds have little or no ice. Ice fishing is not safe. For more information on ice conditions and fishing contact the Southwest District Office in Lewis at 712-769-2587.
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