.

Mississippi River

Bellevue Management District

Contact Person: Dave Bierman - 563-872-5495

Tailwaters are fishable. Good panfish populations exist across the District. Fishable ice has developed in a few backwaters but is slushy on top; use caution when accessing these areas and have your safety gear with you. Last updated on 12/18/2025

Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)

Ice Condition: None
Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 4.8 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and holding steady. Use caution if you go on the ice; have your safety gear with you.

Black Crappie - Status Unsure: Excellent panfish populations exist in Pool 12; use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions are not ideal.
Bluegill - Slow: Excellent panfish populations exist in Pool 12. Anglers report a light bite; dead sticking can be effective. Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions are not ideal.
Sauger - Slow: Very little angling efforts. Use a jig with a twister tail/plastics in the tailwater if you venture out.
Walleye - Slow: Very little angling efforts. Use a jig with a twister tail/plastics in the tailwater if you venture out.

Pool 13, Mississippi River (Jackson)

Ice Condition: None
Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 4.6 feet at the Bellevue tailwater and holding steady. Use caution if you go on the ice; have your safety gear with you.

Black Crappie - Status Unsure: Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions are not ideal.
Bluegill - Slow: Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions are not ideal.
Sauger - Slow: Use a jig with a twister tail/plastics in the tailwater if you venture out.
Walleye - Slow: Use a jig with a twister tail/plastics in the tailwater if you venture out.
White Crappie - Status Unsure: Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions are not ideal.

Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)

Ice Condition: None
Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 4.3 feet at the Lock and Dam 13. Use caution if you go on the ice; have your safety gear with you.

Black Crappie - Status Unsure: Good panfish populations exist in Pool 14; once safer ice develops head to the backwaters to target these fish.
Bluegill - Status Unsure: Good panfish populations exist in Pool 14; once safer ice develops head to the backwaters to target these fish.
Sauger - Slow: Very little angling efforts. Use a jig with a twister tail/plastics in the tailwater if you venture out.
Walleye - Slow: Very little angling efforts. Use a jig with a twister tail/plastics in the tailwater if you venture out.
White Crappie - Status Unsure: Good panfish populations exist in Pool 14; once safer ice develops head to the backwaters to target these fish.

Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)

Ice Condition: None
Water Temperature (°F): 35.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Water level is around 4.2 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and is forecast to remain fairly stable.

Sauger - Slow: Use a jig with a twister tail/plastics in the tailwater if you venture out.
Walleye - Slow: Use a jig with a twister tail/plastics in the tailwater if you venture out.

Fairport Management District

Contact Person: Andy Fowler - 563-263-5062

Tailwater stages have been fairly steady. Main channel water temperature is 32 degrees. There has been some tailwater fishing for Walleyes and Saugers. The backwaters are iced over. We have not received any reports on ice conditions. Last updated on 12/23/2025

Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Tailwater stage is 4.74 feet and has been fairly steady this past week. The Marquette St. boat ramp is open and anglers are out tailwater fishing for Walleye and Sauger. We have not received any ice condition reports for this pool this week.

Bluegill - Status Unsure: Backwaters are freezing over. Unsafe ice conditions.
Sauger - Status Unsure: Anglers have been out tailwater fishing for Saugers. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows below the dam or in Sylvan Slough.
Walleye - Status Unsure: We have not received any reports on how walleye fishing has been below the dam; anglers have been out. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.

Pool 17, Mississippi River (Muscatine)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Tailwater stage is 3.80 feet at Lock and Dam 16. The boat ramps in Muscatine are open. The bite for Walleyes and Sauger is starting to pick up in the tailwaters. We have not received any ice condition reports for this pool.

Sauger - Fair: Fishing for Saugers below the dam is starting to pick up. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Walleye - Fair: Walleye fishing below the dam is starting to pick up. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.

Pool 18, Mississippi River (Louisa)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Tailwater stage is 4.18 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Tailwater stage is forecast to stay fairly steady. The main channel and ramp at Toolsboro are open. The Toolsboro road is muddy. Tailwater fishing for Walleyes and Sauger has been slow. We have not received any ice condition reports for this pool.

Sauger - Slow: Sauger fishing below the dam has been slow. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Walleye - Slow: Tailwater fishing for walleyes has been slow. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.

Pool 19, Mississippi River (Lee)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
Ramp Condition: Not applicable

Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington is 2.01 feet and has been fairly steady. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. We have not received any ice conditions reports for this pool.

Guttenberg Management District

Contact Person: Karen Osterkamp - 563-252-1156

Many ramps have opened back up for open-water fishing below the dams. Use caution on backwaters on the upper Mississippi River. Recent rains may make ice unsafe. Refreezing after the rain will cause slick conditions. Don't forget your ice cleats. Ice thickness is 8-10 inches in some areas. Anglers are catching good numbers of panfish and bass with some sorting. Entice lethargic fish to bite by presenting live bait such as a waxworm or spike motionless a few inches off the bottom. Fish have been more active in mid to late afternoon this week. Last updated on 12/18/2025

Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

River level is 613 feet at Lansing and stable. Ice fishing in Shore Slough and Village Creek harbor is producing bluegills and some perch. Use caution accessing ice from the shorelines. Recent rains will cause unsafe ice along shore and create slick conditions. Ice cleats are recommended.

Black Crappie - Slow: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
Bluegill - Good: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
Northern Pike - Fair: Set a tip-up with shiners or a small bluegill.
Sauger - Fair: Ice at the ramps has opened back up. Tailwaters are open and fishable. Use a slow presentation with live bait and cover lots of area.
Walleye - Slow: Ice at the ramps has opened back up. Tailwaters are open and fishable. Use a slow presentation with live bait and cover lots of area.
Yellow Perch - Fair: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with spikes along the weed edges of cuts.

Pool 10, Mississippi River (Clayton)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Use caution accessing ice from the shorelines. Recent rains will cause unsafe ice along shore and create slick conditions. Ice cleats are recommended. River level is 611.7 feet at Lynxville dam and stable. McGregor Lake -reports of bluegills with some sorting through the ice at Sturgeon Slough above the causeway. Sny Magill- Ice has frozen across Johnson Slough. Some anglers are walking up to Norwegian Lake. Ice is unsafe to cross to Methodist Lake. Bussey Lake-Do not access at the boat ramp due to current and unsafe ice; use Island Road.

Black Crappie - Fair: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
Bluegill - Good: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
Northern Pike - Fair: Set a tip-up with shiners or a small bluegill.
Sauger - Fair: Ice at the ramps has opened back up. Tailwaters are open and fishable. Use a slow presentation with live bait and cover lots of area.
Walleye - Slow: Ice at the ramps has opened back up. Tailwaters are open and fishable. Use a slow presentation with live bait and cover lots of area.
Yellow Perch - Fair: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with spikes along the weed edges.

Pool 11, Mississippi River (Clayton)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Use caution accessing ice from the shorelines. Recent rains will cause unsafe ice along shore and create slick conditions. Ice cleats are recommended. Mud Lake fishing is picking up through the ice. Avoid walking near the spring down to Zollicoffers. Perch and Bluegill bite is good along edges of deeper cuts.

Black Crappie - Fair: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
Bluegill - Good: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
Northern Pike - Fair: Set a tip-up with shiners or a small bluegill.
Sauger - Fair: Ice at the ramps has opened back up. Tailwaters are open and fishable. Use a slow presentation with live bait and cover lots of area.
Walleye - Slow: Ice at the ramps has opened back up. Tailwaters are open and fishable. Use a slow presentation with live bait and cover lots of area.
Yellow Perch - Fair: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with spikes along the weed edges of cuts.

Northeast

Decorah Management District

Contact Person: Caleb Schnitzler - 563-382-8324

It's time to buy or renew your fishing licenses. R elatively stable weekend temperatures in the low 40s to 30s. Slight chance of mixed precipitation possible Wednesday into Thursday. As lakes, ponds, and impoundments freeze, use extreme caution when walking on new ice. Check ice depths often. Last updated on 12/23/2025

Cedar River (above Nashua) (Floyd)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is about 10-12 inches in impoundments and areas with little to no current. Use caution when going out on first ice; check ice depths often.

Black Crappie - Good: Use a jig tipped with a minnow.
Bluegill - Good: Try a jig tipped with waxworms or multi-colored spikes.
Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Find smallies in off-channel areas or backwaters near structure. Use a small jig or crankbait fished near bottom.
Walleye - Good: Use a minnow under a bobber about a foot off the bottom.

Clayton County Trout Streams (Clayton)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Muzzleloader and bow season are open until Jan. 10. Public hunting occurs on many wildlife management areas with trout streams; anglers may observe increased activity on these shared lands. For your safety, dress appropriately (e.g., wear blaze orange). Please respect all users of these shared natural resources. The Trout Team thanks the dedicated anglers, generous landowners, and loyal supporters who contributed to the success of our program. Your support and kind words ensure our program remains strong and vibrant.

Brook Trout - Slow: Brookies like skinny water with lots of aquatic vegetation to hide in. Try fishing the edges of the weed beds and around rocks. Make sure the fly or bait moves in front of the fish.
Brown Trout - Good: A good trout stream doesn't freeze in the winter because water temperatures remain above 32 degrees. Use larger flies like streamers that imitate smaller fish for a hungry brownie.
Rainbow Trout - Good: Area streams hold plenty of carryover trout to keep anglers busy through the off season, even with the close of the catchable trout stocking season. Use spinner baits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm, bread, or cheese floated through deeper holes.

Lake Hendricks (Howard)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Use caution around the open area near the aerator. Check ice depths often.

Black Crappie - Good: Find fish near submersed humps or drop-offs. Be ready for the light bite.
Bluegill - Good: Find bluegill near brush piles. Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm.

Lake Meyer (Winneshiek)

Ice Condition: Fishable
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 10 inches with little to no snow on the ice. Use caution; ice conditions can change quickly depending on weather.

Black Crappie - Good: Crappie are hitting jigs while anglers are fishing for bluegill. Try fishing in deeper water near brush piles.
Bluegill - Good: Anglers are finding gills in deep water; use a small jig tipped with a waxworm.

Turkey River (above Clermont) (Fayette)

Ice Condition: Fishable
Ramp Condition: Useable

Vernon Springs impoundment near Cresco is iced over. The parking lot is cleared. Use caution when going out on ice. Ice depths in areas with currents vary greatly.

Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Use a jig or crankbait fished near bottom.
Walleye - Slow: Find walleye in deeper holes or along areas with structure.

Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) (Winneshiek)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Impoundments and areas with little to no current are iced over. Lidtke Mill parking lot is plowed.

Smallmouth Bass - Slow: Find smallies in deeper holes near the stream bottom.

Volga Lake (Fayette)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is about 8 inches. Use caution walking across deeper areas; check ice depths often. Popping ice is happy ice.

Black Crappie - Good: Find fish near steeper drop-offs or around brush piles. Use a small jig tipped with a minnow.
Bluegill - Good: Find bluegill near brush piles. Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm.

Winneshiek County Trout Streams (Winneshiek)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Muzzleloader and bow season are open until Jan. 10. Public hunting occurs on many wildlife management areas with trout streams; anglers may observe increased activity on these shared lands. For your safety, dress appropriately (e.g., wear blaze orange). Please respect all users of these shared natural resources. The Trout Team thanks the dedicated anglers, generous landowners, and loyal supporters who contributed to the success of our program. Your support and kind words ensure our program remains strong and vibrant.

Brook Trout - Slow: Brookies like skinny water with lots of aquatic vegetation to hide in. Try fishing the edges of the weed beds and around rocks. Make sure the fly or bait moves in front of the fish.
Brown Trout - Good: A good trout stream doesn't freeze in the winter because water temperatures remain above 32 degrees. Use larger flies like streamers that imitate smaller fish for a hungry brownie.
Rainbow Trout - Good: Area streams hold plenty of carryover stocked trout to keep anglers busy through the off season. Use spinner baits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm, bread, or cheese floated through deeper holes.

Manchester Management District

Contact Person: Dan Kirby - 563-927-3276

Fishing reports are very minimal with most water bodies maintaining fair to good ice conditions. Ice thickness is 5-8 inches in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Above freezing temperatures in the extended ten day forecast. Use extreme caution; ice conditions may deteriorate. For further information, contact your local area bait shops for the most recent up to date hotspots. Last updated on 12/23/2025

George Wyth Lake (Black Hawk)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie. Ice thickness is 5-8 inches on most area lakes.

Black Crappie - Good: Use electronics to locate structure to find crappie. Try ice fishing jigs tipped with a waxworm, various colored hair jigs or use a deadstick rig tipped with a live minnow.
Bluegill - Good: Use electronics to find fish and structure. Try jigging small ice jigs tipped with a waxworm under a bobber or spring bobber. Ice thickness is 5-8 inches on most area lakes.
White Crappie - Good: Try ice fishing jigs tipped with a waxworm, various colored hair jigs or use a deadstick rig tipped with a live minnow.

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Northwest

Black Hawk Management District

Contact Person: Ben Wallace - 712-657-2638

Ice thickness is 3-8 inches on most district lakes; there are some open areas. Use caution; conditions will likely change with the current warmer temperatures. Last updated on 12/23/2025

Arrowhead Lake (Sac)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice along the shoreline is deteriorating.

Black Hawk Lake (Sac)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is around 6 inches near the Ice House Point boat ramp. Conditions can change over the next week with the forecast warmer temperatures.

Black Crappie - Slow: Anglers are picking up some crappie; sorting is needed.
Walleye - Slow
Yellow Perch - Slow

Black Hawk Pits (Sac)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is around 5 inches off the boat ramp. Conditions will deteriorate with warmer temperatures.

Brushy Creek Lake (Webster)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice conditions will deteriorate with wind and warmer temperatures. Reports of open water and unsafe ice conditions in some areas of the lake. Anglers report only 3 to 5 inches at the north end and open water in the south end.

Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching 6-inch or less bluegill. Sorting is needed.

Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) (Buena Vista)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

The lake is ice-covered. Unsafe conditions with possible open water and seams in some areas and up to 8 inches of ice in other areas. Conditions are variable; use caution.

Yellow Smoke Park Lake (Crawford)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness was 3-4 inches last week; anglers were catching bluegills up to 9-inches long. Current warmer weather will likely create unsafe ice conditions; use caution and check ice thickness often.

Clear Lake Management District

Contact Person: Scott Grummer - 641-357-3517

Aeration systems are running at Clear Lake, Crystal Lake, Rice Lake and Silver Lake. For information on lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. Last updated on 12/23/2025

Clear Lake (Cerro Gordo)

Ice Condition: Fishable
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 9 to 11 inches. Use caution fishing near the rushes. The West open water aeration system is running.

Black Crappie - Fair
Walleye - Slow: Best bite is near sunset.
Yellow Bass - Fair: Try a small jig tipped with bait near the rush edge. Anglers are catching mostly 7-inch bass.
Yellow Perch - Fair

Crystal Lake (Hancock)

Ice Condition: Fishable
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 9 to 11 inches. The open water aeration system is running.

Black Crappie - Slow

Lake Cornelia (Wright)

Ice Condition: Fishable
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 8 to 9 inches.

Black Crappie - Slow

Yellow Perch - Fair

Rice Lake (Winnebago)

Ice Condition: Fishable
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 9 to 11 inches. The open water aeration system is running.

Bluegill - Slow

Yellow Perch - Slow: Try a jig tipped with bait near submerged vegetation.

Silver Lake (Worth) (Worth)

Ice Condition: Fishable
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 9 to 11 inches. The open water aeration system is running.

Bluegill - Slow
Yellow Perch - Fair: Use a jig tipped with bait near submerged vegetation.

Spirit Lake Management District

Contact Person: Jed Siegwarth - 712-330-2542

Most lakes have 8+ inches of fishable ice. Some accesses have become heaved up making getting on the ice in some areas more difficult. Ice quality should hold strong looking into the next week's forecast. Remain cautious and take extra precautions with early season ice. Last updated on 12/23/2025

East Okoboji Lake (Dickinson)

Ice Condition: None
Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Most areas have around 10-12 inches of ice. Reports of anglers catching quality-sized panfish species. Hole hopping may be needed.

Black Crappie - Fair

Bluegill - Good

Pumpkinseed - Good

Ingham Lake (Emmet)

Ice Condition: None
Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is around 10 inches.

Walleye - Fair

Lost Island Lake (Palo Alto)

Ice Condition: None
Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is around 9 inches.

Yellow Bass - Good: Reports of anglers catching lots of smaller yellow bass.

Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)

Ice Condition: None
Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is variable at 9-12 inches.

Walleye - Good: Anglers are catching 9- to 13-inch walleye.

Spirit Lake (Dickinson)

Ice Condition: None
Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 9+ inches in most areas. Porta-potty units are available at Marble Beach and Mini-Wakan boat ramps.

Black Crappie - Good: Anglers are catching crappie on jigs with minnows or plastics, as well as Berkley PowerBait shiners.
Yellow Perch - Good: Reports of anglers catching 9+ inch perch.

West Okoboji Lake (Dickinson)

Ice Condition: None
Water Temperature (°F): 34.0
Ramp Condition: Useable

The lake has almost entirely frozen over. Some bays may permit fishing, but most areas are still not recommended.

Black Crappie - Fair
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Southeast

Lake Darling Management District

Contact Person: Vance Polton - 319-694-2430

For more information on these lakes and ponds, call the Lake Darling Fisheries at 319-694-2430. Last updated on 12/18/2025

Big Hollow Lake (Des Moines)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Not recommended

Bluegrass Lake (Scott)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Not recommended

Lake Belva Deer (Keokuk)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Not recommended

Open water areas continue to grow.

Lake Darling (Washington)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
Ramp Condition: Not recommended

The ice that is there looks more like gray slush. melt water on top. Some areas of open water.

Lake Geode (Henry)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Melt water on top; some open water areas are showing up.

Lake of the Hills (Scott)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Marginal ice at best. Continued warm weather will melt what ice is there.

Lost Grove Lake (Scott)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice fishing is not recommended with the melting snow sitting on top of what little ice there was.

Pride Lake (Scott)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness was 2 to 3 inches going into this week. Warm weather has melted some of it.

Railroad Lake (Scott)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Not recommended

Ice thickness was about 2 to 3.5 inches before the warm weather began this week.

Wilson Lake (Lee)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Not recommended

Open water areas are growing.

Macbride Management District

Contact Person: D. J. Vogeler or Chris Mack - 319-624-3615

Check ice thickness often if going out. Some lakes are reporting varied ice depths. Last updated on 12/18/2025

Central Park Lake (Jones)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 8 inches.

Bluegill - Fair

Ely Pond (Linn)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 6 inches with a small open hole on the northwest end of pond.

Goose Pond (Johnson)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 7 inches.

Largemouth Bass - Fair

Grundy County Lake (Grundy)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Bluegill - Fair

Redear Sunfish - Good

Walleye - Fair

Hannen Lake (Benton)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 6 inches.

Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching a few 9- to 10-inch crappie.
Bluegill - Good: Anglers are catching 7-inch bluegill.

Iowa Lake (Iowa Co.) (Iowa)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 4 inches.

Bluegill - Fair: Anglers are catching bluegill in 8-9 feet of water.

Lake Macbride (Johnson)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

All ice fishing activity is taking place in the north arm and east of the causeway in the south arm. Ice thickness is: Main park ramp: 4 inches North shore ramp: 5.5 inches South Campground ramp: 6 inches Cottage Reserve Ramp: broken ice with some open water.

White Crappie - Fair: Fishing has varied from day to day.

Liberty Centre Pond (Johnson)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 6.5 inches.

Rainbow Trout - Fair: Use waxworms or small minnows.

West Pond (Johnson)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice thickness is 6.5 inches.

Largemouth Bass - Fair
White Crappie - Fair

Rathbun Management District

Contact Person: Rathbun Fish Hatchery personnel - 641-647-2406

Ice is not thick enough for anglers. Last updated on 12/18/2025

Hawthorn Lake (Mahaska)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice is not thick enough to support anglers.

Lake Keomah (Mahaska)

Ice Condition: None
Ramp Condition: Useable

Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project. Please stay out of the lakebed.

Lake Miami (Monroe)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice is not thick enough to support anglers.

Lake Sugema (Van Buren)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice is not thick enough to support anglers.

Lake Wapello (Davis)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Ice is not thick enough to support anglers.

Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) (Wapello)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Thicker ice is needed for angling. Trout were stocked in early November.

Rathbun Reservoir (Appanoose)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Lake level is 904.10 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before going to another water body. Ice is not thick enough to support anglers and there is still open water in some areas.
Southwest

Boone Management District

Contact Person: Andy Otting - 515-204-5885

As of Dec. 23, ice conditions are deteriorating in Central Iowa and will worsen through the week. Ice fishing is not recommended. Ice conditions and fishing reports will resume when cold weather returns. Last updated on 12/23/2025

Big Creek Lake (Polk)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

As of Dec. 18, Big Creek is mostly thin ice with up to 5.5 inches of ice at the north end.

Hickory Grove Lake (Story)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Not applicable

As of Dec. 18, ice thickness is 5 inches at the South Ramp. Thickness decreases toward mid-lake and especially toward the western half of the lake where the lake froze last.

Lake Petocka (Polk)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

As of Dec. 11, ice anglers have been getting on the ice. Use extra caution with the variable ice thickness.

Rainbow Trout - Fair: Try jigging spoons and panfish ice jigs tipped with waxworms.

Cold Springs Management District

Contact Person: Mark Boucher or John Lorenzen - 712-769-2587

Ice fishing is not recommended in the southwest district. Last updated on 12/23/2025

Lake Anita (Cass)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Meadow Lake (Adair)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Prairie Rose Lake (Shelby)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable
Black Crappie - Fair: Fish surveys show a good population of black crappie averaging 9-inches.
Bluegill - Fair: Anglers report good fishing around the cedar tree piles.

Viking Lake (Montgomery)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Mt. Ayr Management District

Contact Person: Andy Jansen - 641-464-3108

Unsafe ice conditions as of Dec. 22. Areas of open water on larger lakes and ice has pulled away from the shoreline on smaller waters. Last updated on 12/23/2025

Green Valley Lake (Union)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Unsafe ice conditions with a large area of open water from the campground to south of the beach area as of Dec. 22.

Lake Icaria (Adams)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Unsafe ice conditions with areas of open water throughout the lake as of Dec. 22nd.

Summit Lake (Union)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Unsafe ice conditions. Open water along the boat ramp, fishing jetty, and HWY 25 bridge as of Dec. 22nd.

Three Mile Lake (Union)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Unsafe ice conditions with areas of open water, especially on the south end of the lake as of Dec. 22.

Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)

Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Useable

Unsafe ice conditions with areas of open water throughout the lake as of Dec. 22