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.
|
|
|
|
Mississippi River
Bellevue Management District
Expect Mississippi River backwater ice conditions to improve in the coming days with frigid temperatures in the extended forecast. U use caution when accessing backwater areas; always have your safety gear with you. Tailwater anglers should expect rapidly changing conditions with ice flows becoming an issue as cooler temperatures set in. Last updated on 01/15/2026
Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 6.3 feet the the Dubuque tailwater and is forecast to drop steadily over the upcoming week. Expect ice flows in the tailwaters and at boat ramps as temperatures cool; boat ramp conditions can change rapidly this time of year. Ice fishing conditions should improve over the coming week.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Ice fishing conditions should improve in the coming days.
- Bluegill – Fair: Ice conditions should improve over the upcoming week. Some sorting will be required; the bluegill bite has been decent in the newly renovated backwaters in Pool 12.
- Sauger – Fair: Expect to dodge developing ice flows with the frigid temperatures in the forecast; boat ramp conditions may change rapidly.
- Walleye – Slow: Expect to dodge developing ice flows with the frigid temperatures in the forecast; boat ramp conditions may change rapidly.
Pool 13, Mississippi River (Jackson)
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 7 feet at the Bellevue tailwater and is forecast to drop steadily over the upcoming few days. Ice conditions will improve with frigid temperatures in the forecast. Tailwater anglers should expect rapidly changing conditions with ice flow development; boat ramp conditions can rapidly change this time of year.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Ice conditions should improve over the upcoming week.
- Bluegill – Slow: Ice conditions should improve over the upcoming week.
- Sauger – Fair: Some decent sauger fishing reported in the tailwaters. Expect to dodge developing ice flows with the frigid temperatures in the forecast; boat ramp conditions may change rapidly.
- Walleye – Slow: Expect to dodge developing ice flows with the frigid temperatures in the forecast and boat ramp conditions may change rapidly.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Ice conditions should improve over the upcoming week.
Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 6 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and is forecast to drop steadily over the upcoming week. Expect ice flows in the tailwaters and at boat ramps as temperatures cool.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure: Ice fishing conditions should improve in the coming days.
- Bluegill – Slow: Ice fishing conditions should improve in the coming days.
- Sauger – Slow: Expect ice flows in the tailwater and around boat ramps over the upcoming few days; use caution.
- Walleye – Slow: Expect ice flows in the tailwater and around boat ramps over the upcoming few days; use caution.
- White Crappie – Status Unsure: Ice fishing conditions should improve in the coming days.
Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 34.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 5.5 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and will remain fairly steady.
|
|
Fairport Management District
Tailwater stages have been on the rise this past week. Main channel water temperature is 32-33 degrees. River accesses may start to freeze up again with cold temperatures in the forecast. Unsafe ice conditions. Last updated on 01/15/2026
Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 7.07 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport. Tailwater stage has been rising this past week. As of Jan. 15, the Marquette Street boat ramp was still open. Ramp conditions may change with the cold temperatures in the forecast. Unsafe ice conditions.
Pool 17, Mississippi River (Muscatine)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 5.57 feet and rising at Lock and Dam 16. Boat ramps were open earlier in the week; ramp conditions may change with the cold temperatures in the forecast. We have not received any fishing report information for this pool this week. Unsafe ice conditions.
Pool 18, Mississippi River (Louisa)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 6.58 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and rising. We have not received any tailwater fishing reports for this week. Ramp conditions may change with the cold temperatures in the forecast. Unsafe ice conditions.
Pool 19, Mississippi River (Lee)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 3.60 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and forecast to reach 3.8 feet over the weekend. We have not received any fishing reports for this pool this week. Unsafe ice conditions.
|
|
Guttenberg Management District
Recent rains and warm weather drastically changed river conditions over the past week, severely weakening ice along shorelines and areas with current, opening up the main channel and raising river levels, as well as disrupting fish feeding patterns. The river is slowly returning to midwinter conditions as colder weather returns. Ice is rebuilding; stay on well travelled areas until better ice can form. Snow is predicted to return; snow cover can hide unsafe areas of ice. Hopefully the injection of fresh water and oxygen can revive a typically slower midwinter bite. Last updated on 01/15/2026
Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
River level is 8.6 feet at Lansing and expected to lower slightly over the next week. Although predicted colder weather is building ice again, many shorelines and areas with current have weakened to unsafe levels. Stay on well travelled areas until safer ice returns.
- 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 – Status Unsure
- Walleye – Status Unsure
- 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
River level is 14.7 feet at Lynxville and expected to lower slightly over the next week. Although predicted colder weather is building ice again, many shorelines and areas with current have weakened to unsafe levels. Stay on well travelled areas until safer ice returns. The boat ramp at Lynxville is starting to ice in again and may become unusable in the near future. Ice at the boat ramp in Sny Magill had eroded to unsafe levels, but is rebuilding. Anglers are crossing again. Use extreme caution; just downstream from the ramp is still open. Stay on well traveled paths across Johnson Sough.
- 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: The boat ramp at Lynxville is starting to ice in again and may become unusable in the near future.
- Walleye – Slow: The boat ramp at Lynxville is starting to ice in again and may become unusable in the near future.
- 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
River level is 6.5 feet at Guttenberg and expected to lower slightly over the next week. Although predicted colder weather is building ice again, many shorelines and areas with current have weakened to unsafe levels. Stay on well travelled areas until safer ice returns. Although the channel below Lock and Dam 10 is open, the boat ramps in Guttenberg are starting to ice in again and may become unusable in the near future.
- 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: Although the channel below Lock and Dam 10 is open, the boat ramps in Guttenberg are starting to ice in again and may become unusable in the near future.
- Walleye – Slow: Although the channel below Lock and Dam 10 is open, the boat ramps in Guttenberg are starting to ice in again and may become unusable in the near future.
- Yellow Perch – Fair: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
|
|
Northeast
Decorah Management District
It’s time to buy or renew your fishing licenses. Temperatures falling throughout the rest of the week into the weekend with highs in the single digits to lows below zero. Possible snow coming in Thursday into Saturday. Northwest winds 10 to 20 mph gusting higher. 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 01/15/2026
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 bottom.
- Walleye – Good: Use a live minnow under a bobber about a foot off the bottom.
Clayton County Trout Streams (Clayton)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
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: None
- 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: None
- 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: 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; 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: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
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
Fishing reports are very minimal on area lakes. Most water bodies are maintaining fair to poor ice conditions; some have open water. Ice fishing is not recommended. The extended forecast calls for below freezing temperatures which should improve ice conditions over the next couple of weeks. Anglers are catching some walleye on the interior rivers. Trout streams in northeast Iowa are in excellent condition offering opportunities for great trout fishing. For further information, contact your local area bait shops for the most recent up to date hotspots. Last updated on 01/15/2026
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
There are open areas of water; ice fishing is not recommended.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
There are open areas of water; ice fishing is not recommended.
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) (Black Hawk)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are catching walleye on the Cedar River with the recent warmer weather. With the extended forecast, rivers will start to freeze over limiting boat access to many areas.
- Walleye – Good: Use a jig and plastic colored tails tipped with a live minnow.
Delaware County Trout Streams (Delaware)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Trout streams remain in excellent condition in Delaware County. There has been a lot of fishing activity on Spring Branch Creek 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 trout stream for many anglers; 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
There are open areas of water; ice fishing is not recommended.
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
Ice fishing is not recommended.
South Prairie Lake (Black Hawk)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
There are open areas of water; ice fishing is not recommended.
|
|
Northwest
Black Hawk Management District
There are still large areas of open water on many district lakes, as well as fishable ice in some areas. Conditions are variable; use caution. Last updated on 01/15/2026
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Closed
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
There are still many open areas. Ice thickness is 6 inches near the Ice House Point boat ramp. This is the best ice you will find on the lake. You will find thinner ice and open water if you venture far from this area. Use caution.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Reports of 4-6 inches of ice near shore at the north end where anglers have been making there way out. Conditions are worse on other areas of the lake. Use caution.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) (Buena Vista)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Conditions are extremely variable. There is fishable ice near shore in some places and open water in other areas. There were large pockets of open water last week that may have recently frozen over and are now thin ice. Use caution.
|
|
Clear Lake Management District
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 17th. 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 – Fair: Use a jigging rap or dead stick a minnow near submerged vegetation. Best bite is near sunrise and sunset.
- Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers are catching mostly 7-inch yellow bass.
- Yellow Perch – Good
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 11 to 12 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 inches.
- Yellow Perch – Slow
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 11 to 12 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 11 to 12 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
Most lakes have 11 inches of fishable ice. Some accesses have periodically become heaved up, making getting on the ice more difficult in some areas. Ice quality and thickness should improve in the coming week. Recent warm weather opened quite a few smaller holes; be aware of changing ice conditions as you travel across the lake. Lakes are free of snow. Last updated on 01/15/2026
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is around 11 inches in most areas. Anglers are catching quality-sized panfish species. Hole hopping may be needed.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers have been successful hole hopping to catch quality-size fish.
- Bluegill – Good: Anglers have been successful hole hopping to catch quality-size fish.
- Pumpkinseed – Good: Anglers have been successful hole hopping to catch quality-size fish.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is around 11 inches.
- Walleye – Fair
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is around 10 inches.
- Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers are 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 11+ inches in most areas. Porta-potty units are available at Marble Beach and Mini-Wakan boat ramps. Many boat ramps have poor access due to ice heaving. Be wary of smaller holes that opened up during recent warm weather and have since capped over.
- Black Crappie – Good: With a little movement, anglers are catching crappie on jigs with minnows or plastics, as well as Berkley PowerBait shiners.
- Yellow Perch – Good: Anglers are catching good amounts of quality-size fish.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 34.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake has entirely frozen over. Some bays permit fishing with upwards of 11 inches of ice. Ice fishing is still not recommended on the main lake .
Black Crappie – Fair
|
|
Southeast
Lake Darling Management District
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: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Mostly ice-free; some thin ice on the protected bays.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Mostly ice-free; a little thin ice back in the trees.
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
As of Wednesday afternoon (1/14) with 30+ mph winds blowing down the lake, it’s nearly ice-free. A little thin layer of ice on the upper part of the campground arm of the lake.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Mostly ice-free. Might be some ice on the smaller protected bays on the southside of the lake.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Most of the main lake is ice-free as of the middle of the week. A little thin ice in the middle boat ramp bay and in the trees to the east of the west ramp; the ramp was ice-free. Down by the dam is completely open. Conditions will change later this week as the weather turns cold and the wind dies down.
|
|
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. Opportunities should improve with colder weather arriving . Use extreme caution if getting out on ice. Last updated on 01/15/2026
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No report this week.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake just iced over last night; unsafe ice conditions.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
No report for this week.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is mostly open.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is mostly open.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) (Johnson)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Saugeye – Slow
- Walleye – Slow
- White Bass – Slow
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is mostly open.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is mostly open.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is mostly open.
|
|
Rathbun Management District
No ice fishing is occurring in southern Iowa. Most waterbodies still have open water. Last updated on 01/15/2026
- Ice Condition: None
- 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: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Most of the lake is open water.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice is not thick enough to support anglers.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice is not thick enough to support anglers.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) (Wapello)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Thicker ice is needed for angling. Trout were stocked in early November.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Lake level is 904.46 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 most areas of the lake.
|
|
Southwest
Boone Management District
As of Jan. 14, ice conditions in Central Iowa are poor with thin ice and open water. Ice fishing is not recommended. More favorable conditions may return next week. Last updated on 01/14/2026
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock) (Marion)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Walleye – Slow: There is still some time to take advantage of the ice-free river through Des Moines to catch Walleye, especially below the dams. Use slow presentations of 1/8 to 1/2oz jigs baited with twister tails, swim baits or minnows.
|
|
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 01/15/2026
- 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
|
|
Mt. Ayr Management District
- Contact Person: Andy Jansen – 641-464-3108
No fishable ice conditions in the district as of Jan. 14. Many ponds are ice-free. Large lakes have skim ice with areas of open water. Last updated on 01/15/2026
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake was mostly ice-free as of Jan. 13.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake was mostly ice-free as of Jan. 13.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake was mostly ice-free as of Jan. 13. The lake is still 8 feet below normal pool.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake was mostly ice-free as of Jan. 14.
