Spirit Lake

Area water temperatures have continued to be low due to cold weather conditions. Most area lakes are at or above crest. Most courtesy docks are not in place. The walleye season is now closed on the IGL's until May 4th.

Lake access through the Templar Lagoon ramp has been restored. The lake is currently 9 inches below crest. The walleye season is closed until May 4th.

Yellow Perch - Good: Sorting may be needed.

Bluegill - Fair:

Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers have been finding fish of quality size.

Source: Iowa DNR

Many smaller and shallower lakes are now open. The conditions on the lakes that still have ice do not allow for safe fishing. Continued warm weather should open up most covered lakes in the coming week. The walleye season is now close on the IGL's until May 4th.

Currently no safe ice for ice fishing. The walleye season is closed until May 4th.

Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers can be found, but may need to be sorted for size.

Black Crappie - Good: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately.

Bluegill - Fair:

Many smaller and shallower lakes are now open. The conditions on the lakes that still have ice do not allow for safe fishing. Continued warm weather should open up most covered lakes in the coming week. The walleye season is now close on the IGL's until May 4th.

Black Crappie - Good: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately.

Bluegill - Fair:

Currently no safe ice for ice fishing. The walleye season is closed until May 4th.

Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers can be found, but may need to be sorted for size.

Source: Iowa DNR

Area ice conditions have deteriorated extensively making ice fishing essentially impossible. Many shallower lakes have begun to open up in areas and shorelines are receding. The walleye season is now close on the IGL's until May 4th.

Currently no safe ice for ice fishing. The walleye season is closed until May 4th.

Black Crappie - Good: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately.

Bluegill - Fair:

Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers can be found, but may need to be sorted for size.

Source: Iowa DNR

Area ice conditions have been highly variable. Most areas are still completely ice covered. Most areas range from 6-10 inches. Ice conditions deteriorated extensively as consistent above freezing temperatures have been experienced for the last couple weeks. Use extra caution along shorelines and accesses that have deteriorated the most. The walleye season closes on the IGL's February 14th.

The lake is fully ice covered. Ice ranges between 6-10 inches in most areas. Ice can be highly variable. Beware of large heaves and areas where the ice has started to split apart. The walleye season closes February 14th.

Black Crappie - Good: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately.

Bluegill - Fair:

Walleye - Good: Minnows have been working well.

Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers can be found, but may need to be sorted for size.

Area ice conditions have been highly variable. Most areas are still completely ice covered. Most areas range from 6-10 inches. Ice conditions deteriorated extensively as consistent above freezing temperatures have been experienced for the last couple weeks. Use extra caution along shorelines and accesses that have deteriorated the most. The walleye season closes on the IGL's February 14th.

Black Crappie - Good: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately.

The lake is fully ice covered. Ice ranges between 6-10 inches in most areas. Ice can be highly variable. Beware of large heaves and areas where the ice has started to split apart. The walleye season closes February 14th.

Walleye - Good: Minnows have been working well.

Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers can be found, but may need to be sorted for size.

Bluegill - Fair:

Source: Iowa DNR

All area lakes are completely ice covered. Area ice conditions range from 8-12 inches. Ice conditions should continue to improve as the forecast calls for continued below freezing temps. The largest lakes have been the last to freeze.

Black Crappie - Good: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately.

The lake is fully ice covered. Ice ranges between 10-12 inches in most areas. Beware of large heaves.

Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers can be found, but may need to be sorted for size.

Bluegill - Good: Try using a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water try using pilkie's with wigglers or slip bobber setup.

Walleye - Good: Minnows have been working well.

Area ice conditions have been highly variable. All areas are completely ice covered. Most areas range from 8-12 inches. Ice conditions will unfortunately begin to deteriorate as consistent above freezing temperatures are expected to continue for at least a week. Use extra caution along shorelines and accesses that will deteriorate fastest.

The lake is fully ice covered. Ice ranges between 10-12 inches in most areas. Beware of large heaves.

Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers can be found, but may need to be sorted for size.

Black Crappie - Good: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately.

Bluegill - Good: Try using a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water try using pilkie's with wigglers or slip bobber setup.

Walleye - Good: Minnows have been working well.

Source: Iowa DNR

All area lakes are completely ice covered. Area ice conditions range from 8-12 inches. Ice conditions should continue to improve as the forecast calls for continued below freezing temps. The largest lakes have been the last to freeze.

The lake is fully ice covered. Ice ranges between 10-12 inches in most areas. Beware of large heaves.

Black Crappie - Good: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately.

Bluegill - Good: Try using a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water try using pilkie's with wigglers or slip bobber setup.

Walleye - Good: Minnows have been working well.

Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers can be found, but may need to be sorted for size.

Source: Iowa DNR

Most area lakes have around 5 in of ice or less. Current temperatures are below freezing and should continue to get colder over the next week. Expect ice conditions to get better and better each day. The largest lakes have been the last to freeze. Bays and smaller lakes are your best bet for safe ice fishing access. Be sure to check ice frequently as there are many open areas that have frozen more recently.

The lake is fully covered, but only the northeast bay and closer up shore has ok ice. 5 inches or less in most areas.

Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers can be found, but may need to be sorted for size.

Black Crappie - Good: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately.

Walleye - Good: Minnows have been working well.

Bluegill - Good: Try using a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water try using pilkie's with wigglers or slip bobber setup.

Source: Iowa DNR

Most area water levels are a few inches below crest. Most larger lakes are almost completely open. Warmer weather and rain showers has knocked back any ice that has been made. Expect ice to start building this weekend as high temperatures will finally be at or below freezing. Some bays have thicker ice, but otherwise ice fishing access can be hard to find. Check ice often if attempting to go out.

The lake is essentially ice free.

Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers can be found, but may need to be sorted for size.

Black Crappie - Good: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately.

Bluegill - Good: Try using a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water try using pilkie's with wigglers or slip bobber setup.

Walleye - Good: Minnows have been working well.

Source: Iowa DNR

Most area water levels are a few inches below crest. Most smaller lakes are covered in a thin layer of ice with a few inches max. Warm conditions during the day have hindered ice production. Some bays have thicker ice, but otherwise fishing access can be hard to find. Check ice often if going out.

Black Crappie - Good: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately.

The lake has about 50% ice coverage. The current water level is 9 inches below crest. The crappie bite has been good.

Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers can be found, but may need to be sorted for size.

Bluegill - Good: Try using a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water try using pilkie's with wigglers or slip bobber setup.

Walleye - Good: Minnows have been working well.

Source: Iowa DNR

Most area water levels are a few inches below crest. Most smaller lakes are covered in a thin layer of ice. Warm conditions during the day have hindered ice production. Some bays have thicker ice, but otherwise fishing access can be hard to find. Check ice often if going out.

The lake has about 50% ice coverage. The current water level is 9 inches below crest. The crappie bite has been good.

Black Crappie - Good: Using minnows and plastics has been working well for many anglers. Many nice sized fish have been seen lately.

Yellow Perch - Good: Good numbers can be found, but may need to be sorted for size.

Bluegill - Good: Try using a small hook and a small piece of worm. In deeper water try using pilkie's with wigglers or slip bobber setup.

Walleye - Good: Minnows have been working well.

Source: Iowa DNR