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Mississippi River
Bellevue Management District
- Contact Person: Dave Bierman – 563-872-5495
The Mississippi River is forecast to rise over the next week across the district. Expect ice conditions to deteriorate with the forecast rain and rising water, especially around the edges. Use extreme caution when accessing backwater areas; always have your safety gear with you. Ice conditions are poor south of Pool 12. Last updated on 01/08/2026
Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 5.2 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and is forecast to rise about a foot over the upcoming week. Ice conditions will likely deteriorate. Use caution if you go on the ice; have your safety gear with you.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Uuse caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions will be changing for the worse over the upcoming week.
- Bluegill – Fair: Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions will be changing for the worse over the upcoming week. Expect to do some sorting if you do get out.
- Sauger – Fair: Some decent sauger fishing reported in the tailwaters. Use caution boating around ice flows.
- Walleye – 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 and is forecast to rise over a foot in the upcoming week. Ice conditions are poor in many areas and will continue to deteriorate with rain and rising water in the forecast.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions will be changing for the worse over the upcoming week.
- Bluegill – Slow: Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions will be changing for the worse over the upcoming week.
- Sauger – Fair: Some decent sauger fishing reported in the tailwaters. Use caution boating around ice flows if they are present.
- Walleye – Slow: Anglers are catching a few walleye in the tailwaters. Use caution boating around ice flows if they are present.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Use caution when accessing backwater areas; ice conditions will be changing for the worse over the upcoming week.
Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 5 feet Lock and Dam 13 and is forecast to rise over a foot in the upcoming week.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure: Ice fishing is not recommended.
- Bluegill – Slow: Ice fishing is not recommended.
- Sauger – Slow
- Walleye – Slow
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Ice fishing is not recommended.
Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 35.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 4.4 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and will rise over the upcoming week.
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Fairport Management District
- Contact Person: Andy Fowler – 563-263-5062
Tailwater stages have been steady, but are forecast to rise over the weekend. Main channel water temperature is 33-35 degrees. There has been some tailwater fishing for Walleyes and Saugers. Unsafe ice conditions. Last updated on 01/08/2026
Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 35.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 5.30 feet and forecast to reach 6.4 feet by early next week. As of Jan. 8, the Marquette St. boat ramp is open and anglers are out tailwater fishing for Walleye and Sauger. Unsafe ice conditions.
- Sauger – Slow: 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. Anglers are catching mostly smaller saugers.
- Walleye – Slow: Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows below the dam or in Sylvan Slough.
Pool 17, Mississippi River (Muscatine)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 4.13 feet at Lock and Dam 16. Tailwater stages is forecast to reach 5.1 feet by next week. The boat ramps in Muscatine are open; anglers are 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): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 4.64 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston. Tailwater stage is forecast to reach 6.1 feet by early next week. The Toolsboro road is muddy. Unsafe ice conditions.
- Sauger – Slow: Sauger fishing below the dam is being reported as slow. Try vertical jigging with minnows or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
- Walleye – Slow: Tailwater fishing for walleyes is being reported as 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): 35.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 2.50 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and forecast to reach 3.4 feet by next week. As of Jan. 6, the Tama Beach boat ramp was still frozen in with ice. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Unsafe ice conditions.
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Guttenberg Management District
- Contact Person: Karen Osterkamp – 563-252-1156
Boat ramps have opened up with the warmer weather. Many anglers are open water fishing below the Locks and Dams. Ice conditions range from 8-10 inches on backwater areas. Snow melt and refreezing will make slippery ice conditions. Don’t forget the cleats. Shorelines and snow covered ice can be unsafe. Fish are more active early morning or late afternoon. Last updated on 01/08/2026
Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- 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 to catch 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 – Good: Northern pike fishing on a tip-down or tip-up with shiners or a small bluegill has picked up.
- 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: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lynxville boat ramp is clear of ice and usable. River level is 613.7 feet at Lynxville dam. Use caution accessing ice from the shorelines. 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 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 – Good: Northern pike fishing on a tip-down or tip-up with shiners or a small bluegill has picked up.
- 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: Useable
River level at Guttenberg tailwaters is 5.5 feet. Backwaters have around 10 inches of ice. 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 on the 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 – Good: Comment: Northern pike fishing on a tip-down or tip-up with shiners or a small bluegill has picked up.
- 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. Temperatures vary throughout the rest of the week into the weekend with highs in the lower 40’s to low 30’s, and overnight lows staying below freezing. Chances of rain Thursday could cause certain lakes to dirty up, and the top of ice become more sloppy. Possible snow coming in Friday night into Saturday. As lakes, ponds, and impoundments freeze, use extreme caution when walking on new ice. Check ice depths often. Good luck and catch lots of fish! Last updated on 01/08/2026
Cedar River (above Nashua) (Floyd)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is about 6-8 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: Use a jig tipped with waxworms or multi-colored spikes.
- Northern Pike – Fair: Anglers are having success finding Northern Pike on tip-ups baited with a shiner in the back waters.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallies in off-channel areas or backwaters near good structure. Use a small jig or crankbait fished near the bottom.
- Walleye – Good: Use a live 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: The bites are light; find fish near submersed humps or structure.
- Bluegill – Good: Find bluegill near brush piles. Use a small jig tipped with waxworms.
- Ice Condition: None
- 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. Fishing has slowed; anglers are still having success in deeper water with a little patience.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Crappie are hitting jigs while anglers are fishing for bluegill. Try fishing in deeper water near brush piles.
- Bluegill – Fair: 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; try to entice them with smaller presentations.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is about 9 inches. Use caution walking across deeper areas; check ice depths often. Stay safe!
- Black Crappie – Fair: 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 on area lakes with most water bodies maintaining fair to poor ice conditions. Ice thickness is variable in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area; use extreme caution when going onto the lakes or ponds. Ice fishing is not recommended. There have been no reports on the interior rivers. Trout streams in northeast Iowa are in excellent condition offering opportunities for some great trout fishing. For further information, contact your local area bait shops for the most recent up to date hotspots. Last updated on 01/08/2026
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
A few reports of anglers catching a panfish; ice fishing is not recommended.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice fishing is not recommended. There are open areas of water. Ice conditions are deteriorating quickly.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice fishing is not recommended. There are open areas of water. Ice conditions are deteriorating quickly.
Delaware County Trout Streams (Delaware)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Trout streams remain in excellent condition in Delaware county. There has been a lot of fishing activity on Spring Branch Creek both above and below the Manchester Fish Hatchery.
Brown Trout – Good: Try flyfishing or using a spinning reel on this stream with good areas of open bottomland. Use dry flies or flashy lures.
Dubuque County Trout Streams (Dubuque)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Trout streams remain in excellent condition in Dubuque county. Swiss Valley park is a favorite for many trout stream anglers as it offers both rainbow trout and brown trout opportunities. It’s a good time to fish this stream as the snow cover is gone; providing easy walking.
- Brown Trout – Good: Try flyfishing or using a spinning reel on this stream with good areas of open bottomland. Use dry flies or flashy lures.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Try flyfishing or using a spinning reel on this stream with good areas of open bottomland. Use dry flies or flashy lures.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice fishing is not recommended. There are open areas of water. Ice conditions are deteriorating quickly.
Jackson County Trout Streams (Jackson)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Trout streams remain in excellent condition in Jackson county. Big Mill and Little Mill wildlife areas offer excellent fishing for both rainbow and brown trout.
- Brown Trout – Good: Try flyfishing or using a spinning reel on this stream with good areas of open bottomland. Use dry flies or flashy lures.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Try flyfishing or using a spinning reel on this stream with good areas of open bottomland. Use dry flies or flashy lures.
North Prairie Lake (Black Hawk)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are catching some panfish; ice conditions are deteriorating quickly.
South Prairie Lake (Black Hawk)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are catching some panfish; ice conditions are deteriorating quickly.
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Northwest
Black Hawk Management District
- Contact Person: Ben Wallace – 712-657-2638
Unsafe ice conditions in most area lakes. Last updated on 01/07/2026
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lots of open areas; the ice is degrading quickly. Unsafe ice conditions.
- 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
There are large areas of open water. Ice conditions have degraded with the weather this last week; many areas are unsafe.
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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
Rainbow trout will be stocked on Jan 10th. Mason City Parks & Recreation will host a family ice fishing event from 11:00am to 2:00pm. Wearing ice cleats is recommended. You need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout.
- Rainbow Trout – Status Unsure
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 11 to 12 inches. Use caution fishing near the west aeration system.
- Black Crappie – Fair
- Walleye – Slow: Best bite is near sunset.
- Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers are catching mostly 7-inch yellow bass.
- Yellow Perch – Good
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 10 to 11 inches. The open water aeration system is running.
- Black Crappie – Fair
- Walleye – Slow: Best bite is near sunset.
- 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.
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Spirit Lake Management District
- Contact Person: Jed Siegwarth – 712-330-2542
Most lakes have 10+ inches of fishable ice. Some accesses have periodically become heaved up making getting on the ice more difficult in some areas. Ice quality should hold strong looking at next week’s forecast. Most lakes are free of snow. Last updated on 01/08/2026
- 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: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 10+ 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: Not recommended
A layer of water on top of the ice mixed with open water areas.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Early Thursday morning (Jan. 8) there was a layer of water over a very thin layer of ice with most of the shoreline (first foot or two) ice-free. It’ diffucult to tell what is open water and what isn’t.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
Ramp Condition: Not recommended
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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 7 inches.
- Bluegill – Good
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No fishable ice is being reported.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No fishable ice is being reported.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No fishable ice is being reported.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No fishable ice is being reported.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Bluegill – Good
- Redear Sunfish – Good
- Walleye – Fair
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No fishable ice is being reported.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) (Johnson)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Slow
- Saugeye – Fair
- Walleye – Fair
- White Bass – Fair
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice fishing is not recommended.
- White Crappie – Fair: Fishing has varied from day to day.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 7 inches..
Black Crappie – Fair: Locate suspended fish around brush piles.
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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 still have open water. Last updated on 01/08/2026
- 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: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 904.13 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 Jan. 8, ice conditions in Central Iowa are poor with thin ice and open water. Ice fishing is not recommended. Last updated on 01/08/2026
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock) (Marion)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Walleye – Slow: Take advantage of the mild winter and ice-free river through the City of Des Moines to target Walleye, especially below the dams. Use slow presentations of 1/8 to 1/2oz jigs baited with twister tails, swim baits or minnows.
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Cold Springs Management District
- Contact Person: Mark Boucher or John Lorenzen – 712-769-2587
No lakes in the southwest district will support ice fishing. Last updated on 01/08/2026
- 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
No fishable ice conditions in the district as of Jan. 7. Many ponds are ice-free. Large lakes have skim ice with areas of open water. Last updated on 01/08/2026
- 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: 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: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Skim ice with many areas of open water as of Jan. 7. The lake is still 7 feet below normal pool.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Skim ice with many areas of open water as of Jan. 7.
