Iowa DNR will host Take It Outside State Park Camps this summer for families living near Waterloo, West Des Moines, Anamosa, Mt. Vernon, Madrid, Maquoketa, Palo and Polk City.
- Level 1 camps are for students entering 3rd-6th grade. These camps introduce young adventurers to outdoor basics and spark curiosity about nature.
- Level 2 camps help pre-teens and early teens deepen their outdoor experience through new challenges and advanced skills – perfect for campers with some know-how or those ready to try something new. These camps are for students entering 5th-8th grade.
Find camp locations, dates, details and registration links on the Take It Outside State Park Camps web page. Registration is limited to 30 students per camp.
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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.
Click on “View entire message” at the bottom of this email so you can view all fisheries regions and management district reports.
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Mississippi River
Bellevue Management District
Mississippi River backwater ice is holding across the district. Use caution when crossing areas with even a little bit of current under the ice. Ice conditions will likely start to deteriorate with the warm weather in the extended forecast; use caution in the coming days. Look for tailwater angling efforts to pick up now that the ramps are opening up again. Call your local DNR Fisheries office or bait shops for the latest information. Last updated on 02/12/2026
Pool 12, Mississippi River (Dubuque)
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 5.4 feet at the Dubuque tailwater and is forecast to remain steady. Ice conditions are holding; expect that to start to change in the upcoming days. Remain vigilant when crossing areas with even a little flow; ice depths can change in a matter of just a few steps. Warmer weather in the forecast will improve boat ramp conditions. Call your local bait shops for the latest information.
- Black Crappie – Fair: If you downsize your gear and are patient, you can catch some crappie. Focus your efforts on the newly renovated backwater lakes.
- Bluegill – Fair: Downsize your ice jigs and plastics; expect to do some sorting. The evening bite has been fair. Focus your efforts on the newly renovated backwater lakes.
- Sauger – Slow: Warmer weather in the forecast will improve ramp conditions; ice flows could be problematic. Call your local bait shops for the latest information.
- Walleye – Slow: Warmer weather in the forecast will improve ramp conditions; ice flows could be problematic. Call your local bait shops for the latest information.
Pool 13, Mississippi River (Jackson)
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 5.7 feet at the Bellevue tailwater. Backwater ice conditions are holding steady, expect that to change soon. Use caution when crossing areas with even a little bit of current under the ice. Ice depths can change over the course of a few steps in these areas. The City boat ramp in Bellevue opened back up on Feb. 11; tailwater fishing pressure will likely increase in the coming days. Ice flows from above the dam may somewhat impede navigation in the coming days.
- Black Crappie – Slow: If you downsize your gear and are patient, you can catch some crappie.
- Bluegill – Fair: Downsize your ice jigs and plastics; expect to do some sorting. The evening bite has been fair.
- Sauger – Slow: The City ramp in Bellevue has opened back up; ice flows could be problematic. Call your local bait shops or DNR Fisheries station for the latest information.
- Walleye – Slow: The City ramp in Bellevue has opened back up; ice flows could be problematic. Call your local bait shops or DNR Fisheries station for the latest information.
- White Crappie – Slow: Downsize your jigs and plastics; the bite has been slow.
Pool 14, Mississippi River (Clinton)
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Water level is around 4.7 feet at Lock and Dam 13 and is forecast to remain steady. Expect ice flows in the tailwaters and at boat ramps with the warmer weather in the forecast. Use caution when crossing areas with even a little flow if you are ice fishing. Ice conditions may start to deteriorate some in the coming days.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Downsize your jigs and plastics as much as you can. Many anglers have been targeting the Cattail Slough area.
- Bluegill – Fair: Downsize your ice jigs and plastics; expect to do some sorting. The evening bite has been the most consistent.
- Sauger – Status Unsure: Warmer weather in the forecast should improve ramp conditions; ice flows could be problematic. Call your local DNR Fisheries office or bait shops for the latest information.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: Warmer weather in the forecast should improve ramp conditions; ice flows could be problematic. Call your local DNR Fisheries office or bait shops for the latest information.
- White Crappie – Slow: Downsize your jigs and plastics as much as you can. Many anglers have been targeting the Cattail Slough area.
Pool 15, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Ice Condition: None
- Water Temperature (°F): 35.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Water level is around 4.3 feet at Lock and Dam 14 and will remain fairly steady. Boat ramps are opening up; expect tailwater angling efforts to pick up in the coming days.
- Sauger – Slow: Boat ramps are opening back up; expect tailwater angling efforts to pick up.
- Walleye – Slow: Boat ramps conditions are improving; expect tailwater angling efforts to pick up.
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Fairport Management District
Mississippi River Pools 16-19: Boat ramps are opening up to access the tailwaters with the warm weather. River stages are forecast to rise over the weekend. Main channel water temperature is around 38-39 degrees. Water clarity is fair. Unsafe ice conditions. Last updated on 02/19/2026
Pool 16, Mississippi River (Scott)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 37.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 5.75 feet at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport. Tailwater stage is forecast to rise over the weekend. The Marquette St. boat ramp is open. Unsafe ice conditions.
- Sauger – Fair: Anglers are catching Sauger below the Lock and Dam at Davenport. Try vertical jigging with minnows or nightcrawlers.
- Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching walleyes below the Lock and Dam at Davenport. Try vertical jigging with minnows or nightcrawlers.
Pool 17, Mississippi River (Muscatine)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 36.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 4.22 feet and rising at Lock and Dam 16. The boat ramps in Muscatine are open. Earlier this week, the boat dock was not in the water yet. There has been some tailwater fishing for walleye and sauger. Unsafe ice conditions.
- Sauger – Fair: Try vertical jigging with minnows or nightcrawlers or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
- Walleye – Fair: Anglers are catching some walleyes below the dam. Try vertical jigging with minnows or nightcrawlers or trolling three-way rigs with minnows.
Pool 18, Mississippi River (Louisa)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 38.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Tailwater stage is 4.54 feet at Lock and Dam 17 at New Boston and rising. The Toolsboro landing is open; the tailwaters are accessible. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers has been hit-or-miss. Unsafe ice conditions.
- Sauger – Fair: Try vertical jigging below the dam with minnows or nightcrawlers.
- Walleye – Fair: Try vertical jigging below the dam with minnows or nightcrawlers.
Pool 19, Mississippi River (Lee)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 39.0
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Tailwater stage is 2.33 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and rising. The Tama Beach boat ramp is still frozen in with ice. Unsafe ice conditions.
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Guttenberg Management District
Although the late ice fishing can be a good bite, anglers are urged to use extreme caution. Ice conditions have deteriorated quickly causing unsafe conditions with water on top of the ice. Avoid the ice on areas with current. There are some ice flows coming down; boat anglers will soon have an opportunity to get in some open water fishing this week with many ramps now free of ice. Last updated on 02/19/2026
Pool 09, Mississippi River (Allamakee)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
River level at Lansing has risen slightly. Ice is becoming unsafe on most backwaters with shorelines breaking up and water over the ice. Avoid ice in areas of current.
- Bluegill – Slow: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
- Largemouth Bass – Fair
- Northern Pike – Slow
- Yellow Perch – Slow
Pool 10, Mississippi River (Clayton)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 33.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
River level has dropped to 13.5 feet at Lynxville and expected to stablize over the next week. Ice on the shorelines and areas with current is melting with rising air temperature. Johnson Slough at Sny Magill is unsafe to cross. Ice has gone out of the ramp at Lynxville.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
- Bluegill – Slow: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
- Northern Pike – Slow: Northern pike fishing on a tip-down or tip-up with shiners or a small bluegill has picked up.
- Sauger – Status Unsure: The boat ramp at Lynxville is ice free this week.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: The boat ramp at Lynxville is ice free this week.
- Yellow Perch – Slow: 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
Tailwater is stable near 5.8 feet at Guttenberg. Ice has become unsafe on most backwaters with shorelines breaking up and water over the ice. Guttenberg boat ramps are ice free this week with some boats fishing the tailwaters at the Lock and Dam.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
- Bluegill – Slow: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
- Largemouth Bass – Status Unsure: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
- Northern Pike – Slow: Comment: Northern pike fishing on a tip-down or tip-up with shiners or a small bluegill has picked up.
- Sauger – Status Unsure: The channel below Lock and Dam 10 is opening up. Boat ramps are ice free at Guttenberg.
- Walleye – Status Unsure: The channel below Lock and Dam 10 is opening up. Boat ramps are ice free at Guttenberg.
- Yellow Perch – Slow: Use small teardrops jigs tipped with spikes along the weed edges of cuts.
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Northeast
Decorah Management District
Temperatures continue to warm with highs reaching 50; overnight lows rising into the low 30s. Anglers report slow catch rates on lakes with slightly better catch rates on rivers and streams. Good luck and catch lots of fish! Last updated on 02/12/2026
Cedar River (above Nashua) (Floyd)
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is about 17 inches; slushy on impoundments and areas with little to no current. Use caution when going out, especially in areas with current where ice depths change fast.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Use a jig tipped with a minnow near submersed woody debris out of current.
- Bluegill – Fair: Use a jig tipped with waxworms or red or white spikes.
- Northern Pike – Fair: Anglers are having success finding Northern Pike on tip-ups baited with a shiner in the backwaters.
- Smallmouth Bass – Fair: Find smallies in off-channel areas or backwaters near 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 in a backwater or off channel area.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is about 17 inches with slush on top. Use caution around the open area near the aerator.
- Black Crappie – Slow: The bites are light; find fish near submersed humps or structure.
- Bluegill – Slow: Find bluegill near brush piles. Use a small jig tipped with waxworms.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is about 20 inches with some slush on top.
- Black Crappie – Slow: Lots of looks but no takers. Try fishing in deeper water near brush piles.
- Bluegill – Slow: Anglers are finding gills in 15-20 feet of water. Try using a different presentation with the mid-winter slow down.
Mitchell County Trout Streams (Mitchell)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Winter trout fishing is a fun activity; be prepared to walk through snow to find open water. Some accesses may be icy.
- Brown Trout – Good: Good trout streams don’t freeze in the winter because water temperatures remain above 32 degrees. For hungry browns, use larger flies like streamers or crankbaits that imitate smaller fish.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Area streams hold plenty of carryover trout to keep anglers busy through the winter, even with the close of the catchable trout stocking season. User spinner baits, hair jigs, or hooks tipped with a small piece of worm floated through deeper holes.
Turkey River (above Clermont) (Fayette)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- 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 change fast in areas with currents.
- Bluegill – Slow: 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 near areas with structure.
Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) (Winneshiek)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Impoundments and areas with little to no current are iced over. Lidtke Mill parking lot is plowed. Use care when accessing areas with current. Ice depths closer to open water will vary greatly.
- Smallmouth Bass – Slow: Find smallies in deeper holes near the stream bottom; try to entice them with smaller presentations and a slow retrieve.
- Walleye – Slow: Find walleye in deeper holes. Use a jig tipped with a minnow.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is about 14 inches with water on top. Check ice depths often.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Find fish near steeper drop-offs or around brush piles. Use a small jig tipped with a minnow.
- Bluegill – Fair: Find bluegill near brush piles. Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm or spike.
Winneshiek County Trout Streams (Winneshiek)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- 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: Good trout streams don’t freeze in the winter because water temperatures remain above 32 degrees. Catch a hungry brownie with larger flies like streamers that imitate smaller fish.
- 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 floated through deeper holes.
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Manchester Management District
Limited fishing reports the past couple of weeks. Most larger interior rivers, including the Cedar, Maquoketa, and Wapsipinicon rivers, are starting to open up. Anglers are catching some walleye on the rivers. Trout streams in Clayton, Delaware, and Dubuque counties are mostly in good to excellent condition. Ice conditions have quickly deteriorated with the recent warm weather; ice fishing is not recommended. Contact your local area bait and tackle shops for the most up-to-date reports. Last updated on 02/19/2026
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) (Black Hawk)
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Water Temperature (°F): 30.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Anglers are catching walleye on the Cedar River, particularly in Bremer County. There is still some shoreline ice; most boat ramps are accessible for launching a boat.
- Walleye – Good: Anglers have had the best success using leadhead jigs and plastics tipped with or without a live minnow. Try fishing near the deeper holes this time of year; walleye are still in the overwintering mode.
Delaware County Trout Streams (Delaware)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Most trout streams remain in excellent condition in Delaware County. There has been some fishing activity on Spring Branch Creek above and below the Manchester Fish Hatchery.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Flyfishing and spinfishing are both effective. Use dry flies, nymphs, jigs or flashy lures.
- Rainbow Trout – Fair: Flyfishing and spinfishing are both effective. Use dry flies, nymphs, jigs or flashy lures.
Dubuque County Trout Streams (Dubuque)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
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.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Flyfishing and spinfishing are both effective. Use dry flies, nymphs, jigs or flashy lures.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Flyfishing and spinfishing are both effective. Use dry flies, nymphs, jigs or flashy lures.
Jackson County Trout Streams (Jackson)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
More seasonable like temperatures for this time of year are in the extended forecast. Big Mill Creek just outside of Bellevue is a very popular place amongst anglers for both rainbow and brown trout.
- Brown Trout – Fair: Flyfishing and spinfishing are both effective. Use dry flies, nymphs, jigs or flashy lures.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Flyfishing and spinfishing are both effective. Use dry flies, nymphs, jigs or flashy lures.
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Northwest
Black Hawk Management District
Most lakes in the district are ice-free. Any remaining ice is unsafe. Last updated on 02/19/2026
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is ice-free.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is ice-free. Reports will be updated as we receive them.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is ice-free.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is opening up. Any remaining ice is unsafe.
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) (Buena Vista)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Any remaining ice is unsafe.
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Clear Lake Management District
Recent warm weather has deteriorated ice conditions near the shore on area lakes. For safety reasons, foot traffic only is recommended at this time. Aeration systems are currently running at Crystal Lake, Rice Lake, and Silver Lake. Use extreme caution if fishing near any of these systems; ice conditions can change fast. Please contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517 for information on lakes and rivers in north central Iowa. Last updated on 02/19/2026
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Foot traffic only recommended. Ice thickness is 15 to 18 inches. Watch for deteriorating conditions at access points and near the rushes; avoid any areas near ice heaves.
- Walleye – Slow: Try live bait near submerged vegetation.
- Yellow Bass – Good: Use a small jig tipped with spikes.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 16 to 18 inches. The open water aeration system is running.
- Black Crappie – Fair
- Bluegill – Fair: Use small ice jigs tipped with insect larvae in 10-14 feet of water.
- Walleye – Slow: Best bite is near sunset.
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 16 to 18 inches. The open water aeration system is running.
- Bluegill – Fair: Use small jigs tipped with insect larvae.
- Yellow Perch – Fair
- Ice Condition: Fishable
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Ice thickness is 16 to 18 inches. The open water aeration system is running.
- Bluegill – Fair
- Yellow Perch – Slow
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Spirit Lake Management District
The walleye season is closed on the Iowa Great Lakes until May 2nd. Most lakes no longer have any fishable ice. Warm weather and consistent high winds have opened up most lakes. Last updated on 02/19/2026
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
The walleye season is closed until May 2nd. Ice fishing is not recommended on most of the lake.
- Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers were successful hole hopping to catch quality-size fish during the ice season.
- Bluegill – Fair: Anglers were successful hole hopping to catch quality-size fish during the ice season.
- Pumpkinseed – Fair: Anglers were successful hole hopping to catch quality-size fish during the ice season.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Ice fishing is not recommended.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Ice fishing is not recommended.
- Yellow Bass – Fair: Anglers report lots of smaller yellow bass during the ice season.
Silver Lake (Dickinson) (Dickinson)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Ice fishing is not recommended.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The walleye season is closed until May 2nd. The lake is almost entirely opened up. A few anglers have started to get on the lake via boat. No courtesy docks are in place making launching a boat more difficult. Porta-potty units are available at Marble Beach and Mini-Wakan boat ramps.
- Black Crappie – Fair: With a little movement, anglers were catching crappie on jigs with minnows or plastics during the ice season.
- Yellow Perch – Good: Anglers were catching good amounts of quality-size, 9- to 13-inch fish during the ice season.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 34.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
The walleye season is closed until May 2nd. Most of the lake has opened up; there is no good access via boat.
Bluegill – Fair: Anglers were successful on the major bays during the ice season.
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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 01/22/2026
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Ice is very dark and rotten; most of the shoreline is open water the first 2-3 feet. Boat ramp bay is still iced in.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Ice is soft and rotten; there are rings of open water around the trees. Unsafe ice conditions.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Water Temperature (°F): 32.0
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Most of the ice along the shore is melted away out a foot or two. Ice thickness is about 2.5 to 3 inches of soft rotten ice that will not support weight. Open water areas are growing with the wind. Several acres of open water. Boat ramps are still iced in.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Ice is very dark and rotten; will not hold weight. There is about 5 to 6 acres of open water in the middle of the lake over the old Ag
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Macbride Management District
- Contact Person: D. J. Vogeler or Chris Mack – 319-624-3615
Yesterday’s wind opened up most ponds and small lakes. Last updated on 02/19/2026
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Unsafe ice conditions.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Ice has left the pond.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Unsafe ice conditions.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The lake is reported open; no fishing activity.
Iowa River (Coralville Lake to River Junction) (Johnson)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
- Channel Catfish – Fair
- Sauger – Fair
- Saugeye – Slow
- Walleye – Good
- White Bass – Slow
- Wiper (Hybrid Striped Bass) – Slow
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
There is open water east of the causeway in south arm of lake.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Areas of ice with open holes reported.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not recommended
Unsafe ice conditions.
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Rathbun Management District
Ice conditions have deteriorated with the warmer temperatures; there is melted water on the ice. The ice around the shoreline is starting to melt. Last updated on 02/19/2026
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Ice conditions have deteriorated with the warm temperatures.
- 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 conditions have deteriorated with the warm temperatures.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Ice conditions have deteriorated with the warm temperatures.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Ice conditions have deteriorated with the warmer than usual temperatures.
Ottumwa Park Pond South (Trout Pond) (Wapello)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Ice conditions have thinned with the warmer temperatures.
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
The ice has deteriorated with the warmer temperatures. Lake level is 904.32 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before going to another water body.
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Southwest
Boone Management District
As of Feb. 19, ice is out or partially out at most Central Iowa ponds and lakes. Last updated on 02/19/2026
Ada Hayden Heritage Park Lake (Story)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
Open water fishing is possible.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Plenty of trout remain from the winter stocking for open water anglers. Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, blade baits or live baits, such as waxworms, under floats.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
As of Feb. 19, the upper portion of Big Creek Lake was partially open water. The lower end of the lake was still covered with poor ice.
Des Moines River (Saylorville to Red Rock) (Marion)
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Walleye – Fair: The river has opened up from Saylorville through Des Moines. Anglers are finding a fair to good walleye bite below the dams and deep, slow pools with riprap and cobble bottom. Cast 1/8 to 1/2 ounce jigs tipped with paddle tail swim baits, twister tails or minnows.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
As of Feb. 19, open water fishing has returned.
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Plenty of trout remain from the winter stocking for open water anglers. Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, blade baits or live baits, such as waxworms, under floats.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
- Rainbow Trout – Good: Plenty of trout remain from the winter stocking for open water anglers. Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, blade baits or live baits, such as waxworms, under floats.
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Not applicable
As of Feb. 19, open water fishing has returned. There may be brief periods of skim ice during cold stretches.
Rainbow Trout – Good: Plenty of trout remain from the winter stocking for open water anglers. Cast small jigs with plastics, in-line spinners, spoons, blade baits or live baits, such as waxworms, under floats.
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Cold Springs Management District
Lakes in the southwest district are open. Some boat anglers were out earlier in the week. Last updated on 02/19/2026
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Boat anglers were on Prairie Rose this week.
- Black Crappie – Status Unsure
- Bluegill – Status Unsure
- Largemouth Bass – Slow: Anglers caught a few bass earlier in the week.
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Mt. Ayr Management District
- Contact Person: Andy Jansen – 641-464-3108
Small lakes and ponds are ice free as of Feb. 18. Large lakes are starting to open up. No ice fishing opportunities available in the district. Last updated on 02/19/2026
- Ice Condition: None
- Ramp Condition: Useable
The main lake is ice-free; there is still some ice in the bays.
Twelve Mile Creek Lake (Union)
- Ice Condition: Not Recommended
- Ramp Condition: Useable
Still seeing some ice in the main basin; the lake continues to open up.
