The weekly fishing report is broken down by fisheries regions and management districts – Mississippi River, northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest. You can check the activity of your favorite lake, pond, river and stream within each region, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), and simple tips and tricks for targeting those fish.
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Mississippi River
Bellevue Management District
- Contact Person: Dave Bierman – 563-872-5495
Ice flows exist in the tailwaters with the recent cold snap; use caution when boating in these areas. Ice conditions deteriorated some over the past week before the recent cold snap; use caution when accessing backwater areas and have your safety gear with you. The extended forecast bodes well for improved ice fishing conditions. Last updated on 12/30/2025
Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 5.1 feet at the Dubuque tailwater. Ice flows have developed with the recent cold snap. Use caution if you go on the ice; have your safety gear with you. Ice conditions should improve over the next several days.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions deteriorated before the recent cold snap with standing water on top of the ice.
- Bluegill – Fair: Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions deteriorated before the recent cold snap with standing water on top of the ice, but should improve.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair: Anglers are catching largemouth bass on tip-downs in backwater areas. Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions deteriorated before the recent cold snap with standing water on top of the ice.
- Sauger – Fair: Some decent sauger fishing was occurring in the tailwaters before the cold snap. Use caution boating around ice flows.
- Walleye – Slow: Some decent fishing was occurring in the tailwaters before the cold snap. Use caution boating around ice flows.
- Yellow Perch – Slow
Pool 13, Mississippi River (Jackson)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 5.4 feet at the Bellevue tailwater. Ice flows have developed with the recent cold snap. Use caution if you go on the ice; have your safety gear with you. Ice conditions should improve over the next several days. The boat ramp is frozen in.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure: Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions deteriorated befoe the recent cold snap with standing water on top of the ice.
- Bluegill – Slow: Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions deteriorated before the recent cold snap with standing water on top of the ice.
- Sauger – Fair: Some decent sauger fishing was occurring in the tailwaters before the cold snap. Use caution boating around ice flows.
- Walleye – Slow: Some decent fishing was occurring in the tailwaters before the cold snap. Use caution boating around ice flows.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions deteriorated before the recent cold snap with standing water on top of the ice.
Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Water level is around 5 feet at the Lock and Dam 13. Main channel ice flows have been problematic recently in the Clinton area, but these conditions can change quickly. Use caution if you go on the ice; have your safety gear with you.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure: Ice conditions deteriorated some before the recent cold snap; use caution.
- Bluegill – Slow: Use caution when accessing backwater areas.
- Sauger – Slow: Ice flows in the tailwater area are hampering angling efforts.
- Walleye – Slow: Ice flows in the tailwater area are hampering angling efforts.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Ice conditions deteriorated some before the recent cold snap; please use caution.
Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 4.6 feet at Lock and Dam 14.
- Sauger – Fair: Some decent sauger fishing was occurring in the tailwaters before the cold snap.
- Walleye – Slow: Use a jig with a twister tail/plastics in the tailwater if you venture out.
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Fairport Management District
- Contact Person: Andy Fowler – 563-263-5062
Tailwater stages have been falling the past few days. Main channel water temperature is 32 degrees. There has been some tailwater fishing for Walleyes and Saugers. Unsafe ice conditions. Last updated on 12/31/2025
Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 4.44 feet and has been falling the past few days. As of Dec. 31, the Marquette St. boat ramp is open and anglers are out tailwater fishing for Walleye and Sauger. Unsafe ice conditions.
- 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 3.48 feet at Lock and Dam 16. Tailwater stages have been falling. As of Dec. 31, the boat ramps in Muscatine are open and there were anglers out tailwater fishing. The bite for Walleyes and Sauger is starting to pick up in the tailwaters. Unsafe ice conditions.
- 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 3.58 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Tailwater stage has been falling. As of Dec. 30, there was some flow ice coming down the channel. The Toolsboro road is muddy. Unsafe ice conditions.
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 1.54 feet and has been falling. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. We have not received any ice conditions reports for this pool.
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Guttenberg Management District
- Contact Person: Karen Osterkamp – 563-252-1156
Ice conditions are variable with 6 -8 inches on backwater areas. Shorelines and snow covered ice can be unsafe. Check ice thickness often before crossing. 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 12/31/2025
Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
River level is near 8 feet at Lansing. Ice fishing in Shore Slough and Village Creek harbor is producing bluegills and perch. Use caution accessing ice along the shorelines. Try tip-ups baited with a shiner for northern pike or bass.
- 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: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Use caution accessing ice from the shorelines. River level is 614 feet at Lynxville dam. Reports of good numbers of panfish at McGregor Lake and Sturgeon Slough above the causeway. Sny Magill- Use caution, especially along edges crossing Johnson Slough. Some anglers are walking up to Norwegian Lake. Ice is unsafe going south to cross to Methodist Lake. Bussey Lake-Do not access 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: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
River level at Guttenberg tailwater is 6.1 feet. Backwaters ice range from 6-9 inches. Use Caution accessing ice from the shorelines. Tip-up action has been good for bass in Mud Lake. 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.
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Northeast
Decorah Management District
- Contact Person: Caleb Schnitzler – 563-382-8324
It’s time to buy or renew your fishing licenses. Relatively stable temperatures throughout the rest of the week into the weekend with highs in the mid-20s to low 30s, and overnight lows into the teens. Slight chance of snow on Saturday. As lakes, ponds, and impoundments freeze, use extreme caution when walking on new ice. Check ice depths often. Stay safe, catch a lot of fish, and enjoy the holiday! Last updated on 12/31/2025
Cedar River (above Nashua) (Floyd)
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- 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 – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a minnow.
- Bluegill – Good: Try a jig tipped with waxworms or multi-colored spikes.
- Northern Pike – Good: Anglers are having success finding Northern Pike on tip-ups rigged with a shiner in the back waters.
- 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: Fishable
- 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.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- 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.
- 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 – Excellent: Anglers are finding gills in 15-20 feet of 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.
- Bluegill – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a plastic or waxworm.
- 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: Fishable
- 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.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is about 8 inches. Use caution walking across deeper areas; check ice depths often. Stay safe!
- 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: Fishable
- 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.
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Manchester Management District
- Contact Person: Dan Kirby – 563-927-3276
Fishing reports are very minimal with most water bodies maintaining fair ice conditions. Ice thickness is variable in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area; use extreme caution when going onto the lakes or ponds. 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 12/31/2025
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are catching bluegill and crappie. Ice thickness is variable on most area lakes after the last couple of weeks of warmer weather.
- 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
Some lakes in the district are unsafe for ice fishing. There are open areas on many lakes. Conditions are variable. Last updated on 12/31/2025
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
There are pockets of open water throughout the lake and Ice has pulled away from shore in many areas. On Dec. 30, ice thickness was 5 inches at the Ice House boat ramp where several anglers had made their way out. Ice conditions are variable; many areas of the lake are unsafe.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers are picking up some crappie; sorting is needed.
- Walleye – Slow
- Yellow Perch – Slow
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) (Buena Vista)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Conditions are variable due to the recent warm temperatures. Use caution. There are pockets of open water and seams.
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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. Use extreme caution if fishing near any of these systems; ice conditions can change rapidly. For information on lakes and rivers in north central Iowa, contact Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. Last updated on 12/31/2025
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 9 inches. Trout will be stocked Jan. 10th.
- Rainbow Trout – Status Unsure
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 10 to 11 inches. Use caution fishing near the west aeration system.
- Black Crappie – Fair
- Walleye – Slow: Best bite is near sunset.
- Yellow Bass – Good: Try a small jig tipped with bait near the rush edge. Anglers are catching mostly 7-inch yellow bass.
- Yellow Perch – Fair
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 10 to 11 inches. The open water aeration system is running.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- 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.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 10 to 11 inches. The open water aeration system is running.
- Bluegill – Slow
- Yellow Perch – Fair: Use a jig tipped with bait near submerged vegetation.n.
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Spirit Lake Management District
- Contact Person: Jed Siegwarth – 712-330-2542
Most lakes have 9+ inches of fishable ice. Some accesses have become heaved up making getting on the ice more difficult in some areas. Ice quality should hold strong looking into the next week’s forecast. Most lakes are free of snow. Last updated on 12/31/2025
- 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
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is around 11 inches.
- Walleye – Fair
- 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: Fishable
- 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.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- 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.
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 34.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake has entirely frozen over. Some bays permit fishing, but the main lake is 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 12/31/2025
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Almost all open water by Monday. Started to freeze back over Monday night; started to melt again by Wednesday morning.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Was nearly all open water Monday. Skimmed back over with ice Monday night into Tuesday. Tuesday night was above freezing all night. Was starting to have open water areas again by Wednesday morning.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Was mostly open over the weekend. Started to freeze back over Monday night but was thawing back out by Wednesday morning.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Open water areas started to show back up down by the dam; skimmed back over when the wind died down.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Mostly open water; started to freeze around the shoreline again.
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Macbride Management District
- Contact Person: D. J. Vogeler or Chris Mack – 319-624-3615
There are ice fishing opportunities in the management area; overall ice conditions are very poor. Use extreme caution if getting out on ice. Last updated on 12/31/2025
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 6.5 to 8 inches.
- Bluegill – Good
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The lake has opened back up with areas of skim ice.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Mostly open with skim ice.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Pockets of open water and skim ice along shorelines.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Bluegill – Excellent
Redear Sunfish – Excellent
Walleye – Fair
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake has opened back up with areas of skim ice.
- Bluegill – Fair: Anglers are catching bluegill in 8-9 feet of water.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
There are a few anglers ice fishing on the east end of the south arm and in the north arm of the lake; more open water areas have appeared in the main basin of the lake.
- White Crappie – Fair: Fishing has varied from day to day.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Pockets of open water and skim ice.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Areas of open water have reappeared with skim ice.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Areas of open water and skim ice.
- Bluegill – Fair
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Pockets of open water and skim ice along shorelines.
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Rathbun Management District
- Contact Person: Rathbun Fish Hatchery personnel – 641-647-2406
Ice is not thick enough for anglers. Most of the waterbodies had open water this past weekend. Last updated on 12/30/2025
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice is not thick enough to support anglers.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Closed
Lake Keomah is drained for a lake restoration project. Please stay out of the lakebed.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice is not thick enough to support anglers.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice is not thick enough to support anglers.
- 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.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 904.15 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; there is still open water in some areas.
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Southwest
Boone Management District
- Contact Person: Andy Otting – 515-204-5885
As of Dec. 30, ice conditions in Central Iowa deteriorated significantly over Christmas week and weekend. A small amount of new ice has started to reform. Ice fishing is not recommended. Last updated on 12/30/2025
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
As of Dec. 30, Big Creek Lake had mostly re-opened during the warm weather and had just re-froze with skim ice.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
As of Dec. 30, the lower half of Hickory Grove is skim ice after opening back up during the warm weather. There was 3 inches of poor ice off the South Boat Ramp.
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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 12/30/2025
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
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Mt. Ayr Management District
- Contact Person: Andy Jansen – 641-464-3108
Most district lakes were completely open and ice free as of Dec. 29. Last updated on 12/30/2025
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake was mostly open and ice free as of Dec. 29. There was only a little bit of ice in the north end of the lake. No safe ice for ice fishing.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Unsafe ice conditions with areas of open water throughout the lake as of Dec. 22nd.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake was open from the HWY 25 bridge to the south end of the lake as of Dec. 29. Pockets of open water from the HWY 25 bridge to the north end of the lake. No safe ice for ice fishing.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake was completely open as of Dec. 29.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake was completely open as of Dec. 29.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Unsafe ice conditions with open water near the main boat ramp area as of Dec. 22.
