Rick

Wisconsin had a series of snowfall across the entire state this week, dropping anywhere from 6 to more than a foot of snow in many locations. With Wisconsin finally completely covered with snow, this should be one of the best weekends of the season for outdoor winter recreation.Snowmobile trails have reopened through much of central Wisconsin counties and a few southern counties. Trails across the northern half of the state were good to excellent on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Cross-country ski trails were groomed or will be by the weekend and many properties are reporting ski trail conditions are excellent or good. After several snowfalls this week, crews have been busy grooming ski trails. Many properties are reporting excellent conditions going into the weekend.Photo credit: DNRNorthern lakes are ice covered with 20-plus inches of ice. With the snowfall the lakes are heavy with snow and travel out on the ice is difficult. There have been a few diehard ice anglers out there fishing for walleye, crappie and perch with not much to show for their efforts. .

Rollercoaster weather continued across Wisconsin in the last week, again hampering winter outdoor recreation across much of the southern half of the state. One of the first good snowfalls of the season was followed by the polar vortex with frigid temperatures keeping many people inside. Then when snowmobile and ski trails were finally opened in the south, the state was hit by warm temperatures and rain that rendered many trails unusable.Snowmobile trails are now again open only across the northern third of the state and only in good condition across the norther tier of counties according to the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Cross-country ski trail conditions fared better and are in good to fair across about the norther half of the state.The picnic area at Pattison State Park shows how much snow the area has received. Trees show the freezing rain.Photo credit: DNRNew snow was falling in the north Thursday, but it was freezing rain falling across the south making driving and walking conditions hazardous. Most northern properties were indicating they planned to regroom ski trails on Friday after the snow clears out and many expected ski conditions to be good for the weekend. As always, check the Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR) or county and chamber websites for updates on snowmobile conditions as grooming is handled locally by snowmobile clubs. .

While most of Wisconsin received fairly good snowfalls last weekend and earlier this week, that was followed by a polar vortex with frigid temperatures of 20 to 30 below zero and wind chills down to 50 to 60 below that put a halt to a lot of outdoor activities. Temperatures are expected to rebound reaching the mid to upper 40s by the weekend.The new snow has allowed snowmobile trails to open in about half the counties of the state on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR), including southern counties, where snowmobilers have been rejoicing to use trails close to home. Cross-country ski trails were being groomed on most state properties until the frigid temperatures arrived, shutting down most grooming. Grooming is expected to resume by Friday and ski trail conditions across the state should be in good to excellent condition this weekend, though high winds have caused a lot of drifting snow.The frozen shoreline of Lake Superior at the Brule River State ForestPhoto credit: DNRNorthern lakes are covered with 18 to 20 inches of ice. Most ice anglers who have been out are using ice shanties and tents in strategic positions with heaters a desired commodity. They have been fishing for walleye and crappies with some success. The cold is firming up ice as well on some southern waters. .

The southern Wisconsin snow drought finally came to an end this week with two snowstorms moving through over the weekend and again midweek. Almost the entire state is now snow covered, with the exception of one area in the northwest, with snow depths ranging generally from 6 to 12 or more inches.The new snow finally allowed some southern counties to open snowmobile trails and improved conditions in northern counties on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Trails through most of the central portion of the state remain closed. Cross-country ski trails were being groomed at many state parks and forests across the state and ski trail conditions ranged from excellent to fair depending on the location. A reminder that with cross-country ski trails snow-covered and groomed they closed to hikers and snowshoers. Check park maps for trails open to foot travel.New snow has allowed many state parks and forests to groom ski trails. Brule River State Forest.Photo credit: Matthew LeischerDespite the arrival of colder temperatures inland ice conditions are still variable with areas of thin ice still being reported. Angler are fishing for walleye, crappies, perch and northern pike on northern lakes. Panfish anglers continue to have success on many of the backwaters of the Wolf River system and there have been some good reports of decent walleye catches. .

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS Arrowhead Lake On Jan. 24th there was 7 inches of ice near the boat ramp. Bacon Creek Lake The Bacon Creek trout stocking that was rescheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 26 has been postponed again due to unsafe frigid temperatures and wind chills expected this weekend. Frigid temperatures can also cause issues for the fish in the hatchery truck (e.g, tanks build ice and oxygen lines can freeze). An update will be posted on the DNR website when a reschedule date is set. Black Hawk Lake On Jan. 24th there was 8 inches of ice off the boat ramp of Ice House Point. Be aware of thin ice or open water near Ice House Point, Denison Beach area, and in the east basin near the outlet. Conditions are improving, but they are still extremely variable throughout the lake; look out for thin areas that may have just recently frozen. Check ice thickness often. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have been picked up through the ice in between the boat ramp of Ice House Point and Gunshot Hill with a small jig tipped with waxworm. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie are being picked up near the inlet bridge and through the ice near the Ice House Point boat ramp. Use a small jig tipped with waxworm. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few perch are being picked up in between the Ice House Point boat ramp and Gunshot Hill with jigs tipped with waxworm. Black Hawk Pits On Jan. 24th there was 6 inches of ice near the boat ramp. Ice is variable; check thickness often when venturing out. Brushy Creek Lake Anglers are fishing near the north boat ramp and in the northeast arm of the lake. All other ice is variable. Look out for open water and thin ice near the beach and in the main lake. Be cautious of thin areas that recently froze over. Ice conditions are improving; check ice thickness often. Float coats and ice picks are always good safety items. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers have picked up some bluegill in the northeast arm of the lake using waxworms fished on a small jig. Moorland Pond The trout stocking and family fishing event at Moorland Pond has been rescheduled for Feb. 9 at 11:30 a.m. North Twin Lake Anglers have been out, but ice thickness is variable. Look out for thin ice in areas that have recently frozen over. Reports of open water along the southeast shore and mid-lake by Featherstone Park a week ago. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers have picked up some crappie in the southwest part of the lake. Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake) Ice conditions on Storm Lake are improving, but are still variable; use extreme caution. Avoid ice along pressure seams, near the big island and any other off-colored ice in areas that were recently open water and are now covered with thin ice. Some areas of the lake have up to 10-15 inches of ice and have seen lots of fishing activity. Ice conditions can change fast; use caution and check ice thickness often. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and jigging spoons during low light conditions. Anglers have had better luck on the east side of the lake. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try waxworms in 4-6 feet of water in mornings or evenings. Ice conditions have improved in the Black Hawk district, but ice thickness varies greatly across lakes and ponds. . Some areas that were open water a week ago have just recently frozen over with thin ice. Use caution and check ice thickness often. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. Clear Lake Yellow Bass - Fair: Angling for yellow bass is sporadic. Use small jigging spoons with insect larvae. You have to keep moving to stay on fish. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching a few nice sized crappie fishing near aquatic plant beds and in the deeper dredge cuts on the west end of the lake. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few walleye at sunset. The minimum size limit on Clear Lake is 14 inches. Crystal Lake Black Crappie - Slow: Anglers are getting a few crappie after sunset. Rice Lake Bluegill - Slow: Use small jigs tipped with insect larvae. Yellow Perch - Slow: Try small jigging spoons or small minnows. Angling success has been slow, but there are good numbers of yellow perch in Rice Lake. Ice conditions have improved in the Clear Lake District. Some ice has recently formed in the last week; check ice conditions as you go. For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. East Okoboji Lake Bluegill - Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish are being caught; sorting is needed with small fish mixed in the catch. Yellow Bass - Good: Anglers are catching large yellow bass from the basin in 18 feet of water. Move often to stay on the school of active fish. Five Island Lake Yellow Perch - Good: Anglers report limited catches of black crappie and yellow perch; anglers will be pleased by the large size of fish harvested. Yellow Bass - Good: Some activity reported on the lake; you need to search to find active fish. Lake Pahoja Bluegill - Recent surveys show good numbers of angler acceptable size bluegill in the lake with large fish over 8 inches not uncommon. Lost Island Lake Yellow Perch - Good: Report of fish being caught from the lake with "bonus mixed bag" of bluegill and crappie in the catch. Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass activity has picked up with good numbers of fish "on the bite." Scharnberg Pond The trout stocking and family fishing event has been rescheduled for Feb. 2 at noon. Silver Lake (Dickinson) Open water and thin ice conditions on the east side of the lake. Spirit Lake Walleye - Good: Angler acceptable size fish are being caught; best action is half hour before sunset to half hour after sunset. Yellow Perch - Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish continue to be caught from the basin in 18 - 20 feet of water; sorting is needed as numbers of small fish will also be in the catch. Trumbull Lake Yellow Perch - Fair: Yellow perch continue to be harvested from the lake; anglers are very pleased with the quality of the fish caught. Virgin Lake Walleye - Good: Good opportunities to catch fish averaging 16 inches. Yellow Perch - Good: Fish averaging 8 inches are common. West Okoboji Lake Bluegill - Good: Action has slowed; persistent anglers will catch good numbers of bluegills from the lake. Yellow Perch - Good: Anglers report catching fish in 18 feet of water in Smiths Bay. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS Cedar River (above Nashua) Fish backwaters and off channel areas with little to no current. Use caution as ice conditions vary and can change fast. Anglers catching a mixed bag of fish. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a minnow or spike jigging aggressively. Decorah District Streams Parking lots in wildlife management areas will not be plowed. Use care when parking along a roadside. A good quality trout stream will not freeze in the winter. Brown Trout - Fair: Use larger flies or lures mimicking minnows. Spin fishers using a small jig tipped with a minnow should find nice fish. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Rainbow Trout spawning is at its peak. Larger fish will move to headwaters to lay eggs. Use a weighted caddis stonefly or mayfly nymph. Brook Trout - Fair: Trout are actively attacking emerging midges on warm sunny afternoons. Lake Hendricks No motorized vehicles allowed on the ice. Ice depths are 8-10 inches with about 6-8 inches of snow. Open water zone around the aerator; keep away from this area. Bluegill - Fair: Early bite is best. Use small jigs tipped with waxworm or spike near deeper water drop offs. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies 10-11 inches have been caught. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers are catching a few small bass. Lake Meyer The bite is slow with storm fronts moving in. Ice depth is 8 to 9 inches. Ice depth is 10 inches under 14 inches of snow. Few anglers have been out. Bluegill - Slow: Early morning bite is best. Use small teardrop shaped jigs tipped with waxworm in brush piles in 12-15 feet of water. Black Crappie – Slow. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few bass have been caught while fishing for panfish. Volga Lake Ice depths are about 10 inches with 2-3 inches of snow. Blowing snow will cause drifting. Bluegill - Slow: Fish the brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Find Crappie in 1-12 feet water. Use waxworms with bright colored jigheads in the brush piles and drop off around the jetty on west side of lake. Winter weather returns for the weekend with single digits highs and lows below zero. Watch for blowing and drifting snow. Fourteen inches of snow fell last week in the Decorah area. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Anglers are doing well on bluegill and some occasional crappie on Casey Lake. Some sorting of bluegill, but some good ones as well. Bluegill - Good: Find structure near the east end of lake fishing jigs tipped with a waxworm. Black Crappie - Fair: Find structure and use electronics to find suspended fish. Fish ice jigs with a waxworm or a dead stick rig with a live crappie minnow. There are very few reports this week as ice anglers are getting out now with better ice conditions. Interior rivers are iced over and will remain with the arctic weather conditions upon us. Trout streams are in excellent condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information. MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS IOWA/WISCONSIN/ILLINOIS Mississippi River Pool 9 River level at Lansing bhas fallen to 8.1 feet this week. Colder weather is starting to build ice again, but it may take time until edges and areas of current are safe. Try fishing in Shore Slough and Blackhawk Park area. Northern Pike - Fair: Some northerns are being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. Bluegill - Good: Mid-winter bluegill fishing can be variable, but providing good action with decent sized fish being caught. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. Largemouth Bass - Good: Several reports of bass being caught on pole or tip-ups in backwater lake areas. Black Crappie - Good: The crappie bite has picked up this week. Try glow jigs tipped with minnows toward early afternoon. Mississippi River Pool 10 River level at Lynxville has fallen to 16 feet. The ramp is now frozen over at the dam. Anglers have been crossing at Sny Magill with about 6 inches ice on Johnson Slough. Stay on the path as ice is weaker closer to the ramp. Northern Pike - Good: Some northerns are being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. Bluegill - Good: Mid-winter bluegill fishing can be variable, but providing good action with decent sized fish being caught. Yellow Perch - Slow: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. Black Crappie - Good: The crappie bite has picked up this week. Try glow jigs tipped with minnows toward early afternoon. Mississippi River Pool 11 River level at Guttenberg has fallen to 6.9 feet. Ramps are frozen over at the dam. Ice is building this week. Good reports on panfish at Bertom Lake-Wisconsin side and Zollicoffers at Mud Lake near Dubuque. Northern Pike - Good: Some northerns are being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. Bluegill - Fair: Mid-winter bluegill fishing can be variable, but providing good action with decent sized fish being caught. Yellow Perch - Good: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. Black Crappie - Good: The crappie bite has picked up this week. Try glow jigs tipped with minnows toward early afternoon. Ice anglers will see an improvement in ice conditions this week with the subzero temperatures. Most areas have 10 inches plus; use caution in areas of current and edges which have thin spots. Heavy snow cover will insulate the ice preventing some areas from freezing solid. Mississippi River Pool 12 Water levels are stable this week at 6.8 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 8.9 feet at the RR bridge. This is down over a foot from last week. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 33 degrees. The tailwater will be locked in again with ice. Sauger - No Report: Jig and minnow or three way rigs with minnows are the most popular ways to catch walleye and sauger this winter. Bluegill - Good: Some ice fishing is occurring in Pool 12; stay alert about ice conditions. Bluegill fishing has been good at times. Black Crappie - Fair: Few reports of nice crappies mixed in with bluegills. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few yellow perch are being seen mixed in with bluegills and crappies. Mississippi River Pool 13 Water levels have bounced around this week and are 7.8 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 33 degrees. Tailwater ice flows have been an issue; the tailwater is expected to freeze in with the next cold snap. The north ramp and parking area at Sabula is open after bridge construction. Sauger - No Report: Ice flows are occurring again and the tailwaters are expected to freeze later this week. Three way rigs with minnows or a jig and minnow is the most popular ways to catch walleye and sauger this winter. White Bass - Fair: Small white bass are reported at Sabula Lakes, but ice conditions have been marginal. Mississippi River Pool 14 Water levels are somewhat stable at 5.5 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 9.8 feet at Camanche and 5 feet at LeClaire. This is down over a foot from last week. The tailwater is expected to freeze in with the expected cold snap. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 33 degrees. Sauger - No Report: When anglers can successfully dodge ice flows, the walleye and sauger bite has been good. Jig and minnow or three way rigs with minnows are the most popular ways to catch walleye and sauger. Mississippi River Pool 15 The water level is receding at Rock Island at 9 feet. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 35 degrees. No fishing has been reported to us in Pool 15. Bellevue and Clinton tailwaters have been open to fishing, but will most likely freeze in during the next cold snap. Ice fishing conditions have improved, but remain cautious about conditions. Snow is covering the ice in most locations and insulating ice. Water levels are now stable to falling throughout the district. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS Big Hollow Lake Unsafe ice; continued cold weather for several more days might improve conditions. Lake Belva Deer Finally making ice; needs a few more days of cold weather to reach 4 inches of decent ice. Lake Darling The main part of the lake finally froze over Tuesday night. Needs more time and cold to make the ice thick enough to walk out on. Lost Grove Lake Earlier this week there was about 3 inches of ice on the lake with some thinner areas; stay off the ice for a few more days. For more information on the above lake, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430. Coralville Reservoir The lake level is at winter pool of 683.4 feet. The lake just recently frozen over; ice conditions are extremely variable as there is still higher than normal flows for this time of year. Diamond Lake The lake has frozen over, but ice is variable at 2-4 inches. Use caution if venturing out. The ice fishing derby for this weekend has been cancelled. Kent Park Lake The lake is currently drained for a lake restoration project. Lake Macbride The lake just refroze on Jan. 19th; ice conditions are variable. As of Jan. 24th, much of the lake has 4-5 inches of ice; areas over deeper water may have less, while shallower protected areas may have more. Otter Creek Lake Ice anglers have been out; exact ice conditions are not known. Use caution as there was areas of open water last week. Pleasant Creek Lake The lake had open water on Jan. 18th, but has now frozen. Ice conditions are variable; use caution if venturing out. Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) The backwaters at Pinicon Ridge are reported as having 6-7 inches of "not good" ice. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615. Lake Miami The lake has recently froze over; ice conditions are variable. Lake Sugema The lake has recently froze over; use caution. There are still areas covered with snow and a thin layer of ice. Lake Wapello The lake has recently froze over; ice conditions are variable. Rathbun Reservoir The current lake level is 905.15 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. The lake recently froze over; variable ice thickness. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Red Haw Lake The lake recently froze over; ice thickness varies. Check ice thickness often if venturing out. Ice conditions in the Rathbun district are variable across the district; use caution if venturing out. The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa. MISSISSIPPI RIVER FISHING REPORTS - IOWA/ILLINOIS Mississippi River Pool 16 Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport has risen to 9.22 feet. Tailwater stage has risen close to 2 feet since Monday. The Marquette Street boat ramp is snow covered and iced in. Unsafe ice conditions with the rising river levels and snow cover. Mississippi River Pool 17 Tailwater stage is 6.37 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has been rising the past few days. Tailwater stage has risen close to 1.5 feet since Monday. River level at Muscatine is 8.79 feet and has been rising. The boat ramp in Muscatine is iced in. Unsafe ice conditions with the rising river levels and snow cover. Mississippi River Pool 18 Tailwater stage is 7.78 feet at Lock and Dam 17 and is rising. Tailwater stage has risen close to 1.5 feet since Monday. River stage at Keithsburg is 10.14 feet and has risen close to 2 feet since Monday. Unsafe ice conditions with the rising river levels and snow cover. Mississippi River Pool 19 Tailwater stage is 4.15 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and has been rising the past few days. River stage at Burlington is 10.25 feet and has been rising. Unsafe ice conditions. River stages have been rising since earlier this week. Boat ramps and the main channel is starting to freeze in. Unsafe ice conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.

NORTHWEST Arrowhead Lake On Jan. 24th there was 7 inches of ice near the boat ramp. Bacon Creek Lake The Bacon Creek trout stocking that was rescheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 26 has been postponed again due to unsafe frigid temperatures and wind chills expected this weekend. Frigid temperatures can also cause issues for the fish in the hatchery truck (e.g, tanks build ice and oxygen lines can freeze). An update will be posted on the DNR website when a reschedule date is set. Black Hawk Lake On Jan. 24th there was 8 inches of ice off the boat ramp of Ice House Point. Be aware of thin ice or open water near Ice House Point, Denison Beach area, and in the east basin near the outlet. Conditions are improving, but they are still extremely variable throughout the lake; look out for thin areas that may have just recently frozen. Check ice thickness often. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have been picked up through the ice in between the boat ramp of Ice House Point and Gunshot Hill with a small jig tipped with waxworm. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie are being picked up near the inlet bridge and through the ice near the Ice House Point boat ramp. Use a small jig tipped with waxworm. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few perch are being picked up in between the Ice House Point boat ramp and Gunshot Hill with jigs tipped with waxworm. Black Hawk Pits On Jan. 24th there was 6 inches of ice near the boat ramp. Ice is variable; check thickness often when venturing out. Brushy Creek Lake Anglers are fishing near the north boat ramp and in the northeast arm of the lake. All other ice is variable. Look out for open water and thin ice near the beach and in the main lake. Be cautious of thin areas that recently froze over. Ice conditions are improving; check ice thickness often. Float coats and ice picks are always good safety items. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers have picked up some bluegill in the northeast arm of the lake using waxworms fished on a small jig. Moorland Pond The trout stocking and family fishing event at Moorland Pond has been rescheduled for Feb. 9 at 11:30 a.m. North Twin Lake Anglers have been out, but ice thickness is variable. Look out for thin ice in areas that have recently frozen over. Reports of open water along the southeast shore and mid-lake by Featherstone Park a week ago. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers have picked up some crappie in the southwest part of the lake. Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake) Ice conditions on Storm Lake are improving, but are still variable; use extreme caution. Avoid ice along pressure seams, near the big island and any other off-colored ice in areas that were recently open water and are now covered with thin ice. Some areas of the lake have up to 10-15 inches of ice and have seen lots of fishing activity. Ice conditions can change fast; use caution and check ice thickness often. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and jigging spoons during low light conditions. Anglers have had better luck on the east side of the lake. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try waxworms in 4-6 feet of water in mornings or evenings. Ice conditions have improved in the Black Hawk district, but ice thickness varies greatly across lakes and ponds. . Some areas that were open water a week ago have just recently frozen over with thin ice. Use caution and check ice thickness often. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. Clear Lake Yellow Bass - Fair: Angling for yellow bass is sporadic. Use small jigging spoons with insect larvae. You have to keep moving to stay on fish. Black Crappie - Fair: Anglers are catching a few nice sized crappie fishing near aquatic plant beds and in the deeper dredge cuts on the west end of the lake. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few walleye at sunset. The minimum size limit on Clear Lake is 14 inches. Crystal Lake Black Crappie - Slow: Anglers are getting a few crappie after sunset. Rice Lake Bluegill - Slow: Use small jigs tipped with insect larvae. Yellow Perch - Slow: Try small jigging spoons or small minnows. Angling success has been slow, but there are good numbers of yellow perch in Rice Lake. Ice conditions have improved in the Clear Lake District. Some ice has recently formed in the last week; check ice conditions as you go. For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. East Okoboji Lake Bluegill - Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish are being caught; sorting is needed with small fish mixed in the catch. Yellow Bass - Good: Anglers are catching large yellow bass from the basin in 18 feet of water. Move often to stay on the school of active fish. Five Island Lake Yellow Perch - Good: Anglers report limited catches of black crappie and yellow perch; anglers will be pleased by the large size of fish harvested. Yellow Bass - Good: Some activity reported on the lake; you need to search to find active fish. Lake Pahoja Bluegill - Recent surveys show good numbers of angler acceptable size bluegill in the lake with large fish over 8 inches not uncommon. Lost Island Lake Yellow Perch - Good: Report of fish being caught from the lake with "bonus mixed bag" of bluegill and crappie in the catch. Yellow Bass - Good: Yellow bass activity has picked up with good numbers of fish "on the bite." Scharnberg Pond The trout stocking and family fishing event has been rescheduled for Feb. 2 at noon. Silver Lake (Dickinson) Open water and thin ice conditions on the east side of the lake. Spirit Lake Walleye - Good: Angler acceptable size fish are being caught; best action is half hour before sunset to half hour after sunset. Yellow Perch - Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish continue to be caught from the basin in 18 - 20 feet of water; sorting is needed as numbers of small fish will also be in the catch. Trumbull Lake Yellow Perch - Fair: Yellow perch continue to be harvested from the lake; anglers are very pleased with the quality of the fish caught. Virgin Lake Walleye - Good: Good opportunities to catch fish averaging 16 inches. Yellow Perch - Good: Fish averaging 8 inches are common. West Okoboji Lake Bluegill - Good: Action has slowed; persistent anglers will catch good numbers of bluegills from the lake. Yellow Perch - Good: Anglers report catching fish in 18 feet of water in Smiths Bay. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840. NORTHEAST Cedar River (above Nashua) Fish backwaters and off channel areas with little to no current. Use caution as ice conditions vary and can change fast. Anglers catching a mixed bag of fish. Black Crappie - Fair: Use a small jig tipped with a minnow or spike jigging aggressively. Decorah District Streams Parking lots in wildlife management areas will not be plowed. Use care when parking along a roadside. A good quality trout stream will not freeze in the winter. Brown Trout - Fair: Use larger flies or lures mimicking minnows. Spin fishers using a small jig tipped with a minnow should find nice fish. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Rainbow Trout spawning is at its peak. Larger fish will move to headwaters to lay eggs. Use a weighted caddis stonefly or mayfly nymph. Brook Trout - Fair: Trout are actively attacking emerging midges on warm sunny afternoons. Lake Hendricks No motorized vehicles allowed on the ice. Ice depths are 8-10 inches with about 6-8 inches of snow. Open water zone around the aerator; keep away from this area. Bluegill - Fair: Early bite is best. Use small jigs tipped with waxworm or spike near deeper water drop offs. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies 10-11 inches have been caught. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers are catching a few small bass. Lake Meyer The bite is slow with storm fronts moving in. Ice depth is 8 to 9 inches. Ice depth is 10 inches under 14 inches of snow. Few anglers have been out. Bluegill - Slow: Early morning bite is best. Use small teardrop shaped jigs tipped with waxworm in brush piles in 12-15 feet of water. Black Crappie – Slow. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few bass have been caught while fishing for panfish. Volga Lake Ice depths are about 10 inches with 2-3 inches of snow. Blowing snow will cause drifting. Bluegill - Slow: Fish the brush piles. Black Crappie - Fair: Find Crappie in 1-12 feet water. Use waxworms with bright colored jigheads in the brush piles and drop off around the jetty on west side of lake. Winter weather returns for the weekend with single digits highs and lows below zero. Watch for blowing and drifting snow. Fourteen inches of snow fell last week in the Decorah area. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Anglers are doing well on bluegill and some occasional crappie on Casey Lake. Some sorting of bluegill, but some good ones as well. Bluegill - Good: Find structure near the east end of lake fishing jigs tipped with a waxworm. Black Crappie - Fair: Find structure and use electronics to find suspended fish. Fish ice jigs with a waxworm or a dead stick rig with a live crappie minnow. There are very few reports this week as ice anglers are getting out now with better ice conditions. Interior rivers are iced over and will remain with the arctic weather conditions upon us. Trout streams are in excellent condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information. MISSISSIPPI RIVER Mississippi River Pool 9 River level at Lansing bhas fallen to 8.1 feet this week. Colder weather is starting to build ice again, but it may take time until edges and areas of current are safe. Try fishing in Shore Slough and Blackhawk Park area. Northern Pike - Fair: Some northerns are being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. Bluegill - Good: Mid-winter bluegill fishing can be variable, but providing good action with decent sized fish being caught. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. Largemouth Bass - Good: Several reports of bass being caught on pole or tip-ups in backwater lake areas. Black Crappie - Good: The crappie bite has picked up this week. Try glow jigs tipped with minnows toward early afternoon. Mississippi River Pool 10 River level at Lynxville has fallen to 16 feet. The ramp is now frozen over at the dam. Anglers have been crossing at Sny Magill with about 6 inches ice on Johnson Slough. Stay on the path as ice is weaker closer to the ramp. Northern Pike - Good: Some northerns are being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. Bluegill - Good: Mid-winter bluegill fishing can be variable, but providing good action with decent sized fish being caught. Yellow Perch - Slow: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. Black Crappie - Good: The crappie bite has picked up this week. Try glow jigs tipped with minnows toward early afternoon. Mississippi River Pool 11 River level at Guttenberg has fallen to 6.9 feet. Ramps are frozen over at the dam. Ice is building this week. Good reports on panfish at Bertom Lake-Wisconsin side and Zollicoffers at Mud Lake near Dubuque. Northern Pike - Good: Some northerns are being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. Bluegill - Fair: Mid-winter bluegill fishing can be variable, but providing good action with decent sized fish being caught. Yellow Perch - Good: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. Black Crappie - Good: The crappie bite has picked up this week. Try glow jigs tipped with minnows toward early afternoon. Ice anglers will see an improvement in ice conditions this week with the subzero temperatures. Most areas have 10 inches plus; use caution in areas of current and edges which have thin spots. Heavy snow cover will insulate the ice preventing some areas from freezing solid. Mississippi River Pool 12 Water levels are stable this week at 6.8 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 8.9 feet at the RR bridge. This is down over a foot from last week. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 33 degrees. The tailwater will be locked in again with ice. Sauger - No Report: Jig and minnow or three way rigs with minnows are the most popular ways to catch walleye and sauger this winter. Bluegill - Good: Some ice fishing is occurring in Pool 12; stay alert about ice conditions. Bluegill fishing has been good at times. Black Crappie - Fair: Few reports of nice crappies mixed in with bluegills. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few yellow perch are being seen mixed in with bluegills and crappies. Mississippi River Pool 13 Water levels have bounced around this week and are 7.8 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 33 degrees. Tailwater ice flows have been an issue; the tailwater is expected to freeze in with the next cold snap. The north ramp and parking area at Sabula is open after bridge construction. Sauger - No Report: Ice flows are occurring again and the tailwaters are expected to freeze later this week. Three way rigs with minnows or a jig and minnow is the most popular ways to catch walleye and sauger this winter. White Bass - Fair: Small white bass are reported at Sabula Lakes, but ice conditions have been marginal. Mississippi River Pool 14 Water levels are somewhat stable at 5.5 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 9.8 feet at Camanche and 5 feet at LeClaire. This is down over a foot from last week. The tailwater is expected to freeze in with the expected cold snap. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 33 degrees. Sauger - No Report: When anglers can successfully dodge ice flows, the walleye and sauger bite has been good. Jig and minnow or three way rigs with minnows are the most popular ways to catch walleye and sauger. Mississippi River Pool 15 The water level is receding at Rock Island at 9 feet. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 35 degrees. No fishing has been reported to us in Pool 15. Bellevue and Clinton tailwaters have been open to fishing, but will most likely freeze in during the next cold snap. Ice fishing conditions have improved, but remain cautious about conditions. Snow is covering the ice in most locations and insulating ice. Water levels are now stable to falling throughout the district. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976. Mississippi River Pool 16 Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport has risen to 9.22 feet. Tailwater stage has risen close to 2 feet since Monday. The Marquette Street boat ramp is snow covered and iced in. Unsafe ice conditions with the rising river levels and snow cover. Mississippi River Pool 17 Tailwater stage is 6.37 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has been rising the past few days. Tailwater stage has risen close to 1.5 feet since Monday. River level at Muscatine is 8.79 feet and has been rising. The boat ramp in Muscatine is iced in. Unsafe ice conditions with the rising river levels and snow cover. Mississippi River Pool 18 Tailwater stage is 7.78 feet at Lock and Dam 17 and is rising. Tailwater stage has risen close to 1.5 feet since Monday. River stage at Keithsburg is 10.14 feet and has risen close to 2 feet since Monday. Unsafe ice conditions with the rising river levels and snow cover. Mississippi River Pool 19 Tailwater stage is 4.15 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and has been rising the past few days. River stage at Burlington is 10.25 feet and has been rising. Unsafe ice conditions. River stages have been rising since earlier this week. Boat ramps and the main channel is starting to freeze in. Unsafe ice conditions. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062. SOUTHEAST Big Hollow Lake Unsafe ice; continued cold weather for several more days might improve conditions. Lake Belva Deer Finally making ice; needs a few more days of cold weather to reach 4 inches of decent ice. Lake Darling The main part of the lake finally froze over Tuesday night. Needs more time and cold to make the ice thick enough to walk out on. Lost Grove Lake Earlier this week there was about 3 inches of ice on the lake with some thinner areas; stay off the ice for a few more days. For more information on the above lake, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430. Coralville Reservoir The lake level is at winter pool of 683.4 feet. The lake just recently frozen over; ice conditions are extremely variable as there is still higher than normal flows for this time of year. Diamond Lake The lake has frozen over, but ice is variable at 2-4 inches. Use caution if venturing out. The ice fishing derby for this weekend has been cancelled. Kent Park Lake The lake is currently drained for a lake restoration project. Lake Macbride The lake just refroze on Jan. 19th; ice conditions are variable. As of Jan. 24th, much of the lake has 4-5 inches of ice; areas over deeper water may have less, while shallower protected areas may have more. Otter Creek Lake Ice anglers have been out; exact ice conditions are not known. Use caution as there was areas of open water last week. Pleasant Creek Lake The lake had open water on Jan. 18th, but has now frozen. Ice conditions are variable; use caution if venturing out. Wapsipinicon River (Troy Mills to Oxford Junction) The backwaters at Pinicon Ridge are reported as having 6-7 inches of "not good" ice. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615. Lake Miami The lake has recently froze over; ice conditions are variable. Lake Sugema The lake has recently froze over; use caution. There are still areas covered with snow and a thin layer of ice. Lake Wapello The lake has recently froze over; ice conditions are variable. Rathbun Reservoir The current lake level is 905.15 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. The lake recently froze over; variable ice thickness. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Red Haw Lake The lake recently froze over; ice thickness varies. Check ice thickness often if venturing out. Ice conditions in the Rathbun district are variable across the district; use caution if venturing out. The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa. SOUTHWEST Big Creek Lake Conditions are improving; anglers will start to venture back out. Use caution as there will be thinner spots under the snow where there was open water a little over a week ago. Foot traffic only; ATVs are not recommended yet. Don Williams Lake Black Crappie - Good: Crappie fishing has been good especially late afternoon and evenings. Fish mid-lake near creek channel edges stumps and sunken habitat in 10 to 20 feet of water. Hickory Grove Lake Bluegill - Good: Conditions are ready for anglers. Good catches of bluegills with crappies mixed in are coming off the lake. Lake Petocka Due to poor road conditions and severe cold, the hatchery has not been able to haul trout. We will try to stock trout here sometime next week. Central Iowa is gaining ice; use caution south of Highway 30 as snow has slowed ice formation. There is generally 4 to 6 inches and conditions continue to improve. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885. Lake Anita All angling activity is taking place in the north arm of the lake. Ice is 6 inches; use caution if you venture west towards the beach. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers report catching bluegill in 6 feet of water in the upper end of the pontoon arm. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught close to the creek channel. Early morning and late afternoon is the best bite. Littlefield Lake Anglers are starting to venture out on Littlefield from the south side of the lake. Ice is not safe everywhere on the lake; use extreme caution. Bluegill - Good: Fishing is good for bluegill if you can get to a cedar tree pile. Black Crappie - Slow: A few large black crappie are being caught in the afternoon around cedar tree piles. Prairie Rose Lake Anglers report 5 to 6 inches of ice on a small portion of the lake. Use extreme caution when moving around. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 10 inches are being reported east of the beach on the north side of the lake. Find a brush pile to fish around. Black Crappie - Slow: A few 10 inch crappie are being caught around the tree piles. Ice conditions have improved; use extreme caution as ice is not safe everywhere on lakes and ponds. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587. Badger Creek Lake Only about 3 inches of ice. Limited ice fishing activity observed. Most Mount Ayr district lakes have variable ice conditions from 1-4 inches of ice. Snow covering the ice is slowing ice formation. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

SOUTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS Big Creek Lake Conditions are improving; anglers will start to venture back out. Use caution as there will be thinner spots under the snow where there was open water a little over a week ago. Foot traffic only; ATVs are not recommended yet. Don Williams Lake Black Crappie - Good: Crappie fishing has been good especially late afternoon and evenings. Fish mid-lake near creek channel edges stumps and sunken habitat in 10 to 20 feet of water. Hickory Grove Lake Bluegill - Good: Conditions are ready for anglers. Good catches of bluegills with crappies mixed in are coming off the lake. Lake Petocka Due to poor road conditions and severe cold, the hatchery has not been able to haul trout. We will try to stock trout here sometime next week. Central Iowa is gaining ice; use caution south of Highway 30 as snow has slowed ice formation. There is generally 4 to 6 inches and conditions continue to improve. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885. Lake Anita All angling activity is taking place in the north arm of the lake. Ice is 6 inches; use caution if you venture west towards the beach. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers report catching bluegill in 6 feet of water in the upper end of the pontoon arm. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappies are being caught close to the creek channel. Early morning and late afternoon is the best bite. Littlefield Lake Anglers are starting to venture out on Littlefield from the south side of the lake. Ice is not safe everywhere on the lake; use extreme caution. Bluegill - Good: Fishing is good for bluegill if you can get to a cedar tree pile. Black Crappie - Slow: A few large black crappie are being caught in the afternoon around cedar tree piles. Prairie Rose Lake Anglers report 5 to 6 inches of ice on a small portion of the lake. Use extreme caution when moving around. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills up to 10 inches are being reported east of the beach on the north side of the lake. Find a brush pile to fish around. Black Crappie - Slow: A few 10 inch crappie are being caught around the tree piles. Ice conditions have improved; use extreme caution as ice is not safe everywhere on lakes and ponds. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587. Badger Creek Lake Only about 3 inches of ice. Limited ice fishing activity observed. Most Mount Ayr district lakes have variable ice conditions from 1-4 inches of ice. Snow covering the ice is slowing ice formation. For more information, please call the Mount Ayr Fisheries office at 641-464-3108.

It was a ddos attack. Fixed.

The snow drought has continued yet another week with only flurries and some far north lake affect snow reported. That could change if a snowstorm forecast for Friday into Saturday arrives and finally brings some snow to southern Wisconsin. That storm will be followed by cold temperatures just in time for the lunar eclipse on Sunday night.Snowmobile and ski trails remain open mostly in just the northern tier of counties but conditions are still being reported good in some areas despite the lack of new snow on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). A few state properties have been able to groom ski trails on the Cross-country ski trail conditions page of the DNR HSOforum.The lack of snow has made for some good hiking conditions on the Black Trail at Whitefish Dunes State Park.Photo credit: DNRIce reports continue to be highly variable with many lakes in southern and central Wisconsin still having areas of open water. A reminder that no ice is safe ice and that couldn't be more true this year with the warm ups. The colder weather should help firm up ice conditions. Ice fishing activity has picked up but many anglers report lethargic and finicky fish. Those anglers have been having success report nice catches for panfish and northern pike. .

Mother Nature is not being kind to winter sports enthusiasts with roughly the southern two-thirds of the state snow-free and only the far north having snow depths of 6-12 inches. A snowstorm Sunday into Monday dropped from 4 to 6 inches of snow in the north and northeast, but that was followed by rain across most of the state, with temperatures in the upper 30s in the north an approaching 50 in the south. A day later it was frigid single digit temperatures across the state.The best snow conditions are found in far northern Wisconsin, such as at the Brule River State Forest.Photo credit: DNRThere continue to be only a half-dozen far northern counties where snowmobile trails are open on the Wisconsin Department of Tourism's Snow Conditions Report (exit DNR). Cross-country ski trails conditions are good to fair in about a dozen northern counties. The weather is hindering Wisconsin's popular winter candlelight events. While more than 1,700 people turned out for the first candlelight event at Mirror Lake last weekend, the two events scheduled for this Saturday have been cancelled due to lack of snow or icy trails. Learn to snowshoe and ski events and a special event Fat Tire Bike Race at the New Fane Trail at Kettle Moraine North have also been cancelled.Icy trails such as these at the New Fane trail in the Northern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest are leading to the cancellation of some events.Photo credit: James EniglThe warm temperatures early this week continued to deteriorate ice conditions. Lake Winnebago and the Upriver Lakes of Buttes des Morts, Winneconne and Poygan now have many large areas of open water. Only the smaller bays along Door County such as Little Sturgeon Bay had enough ice for anglers to get out. With the return of cold weather lakes have begun to freeze again, including Lake Mendota in Madison, but many waters have areas that are dangerously thin. An ATV went through on the ice on Lake Noquebay this week but the angler got out with help of local rescue. .

NORTHWEST IOWA FISHING REPORTS Arrowhead Lake Ice is around 5-6 inches thick in front of the boat ramp. Bluegill - Fair: Some bluegill have been picked up near the west shoreline. Find fish in submerged structure. Fish near the bottom with a small jig tipped with waxworm. Black Hawk Lake Ice is variable. Most angling activity has been restricted to the area near Ice House Point boat ramp and in the bay near the inlet bridge. As of Jan. 2, ice thickness off the boat ramp of Ice House Point was 7 inches. If you venture out, use caution; these conditions can change fast depending on where you go. There are thin ice/open water areas off Ice House Point, Gunshot Hill and in the east basin. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegills have been picked up from open water under the inlet bridge and through the ice between the Ice House Point boat ramp and Gunshot Hill. Use a small jig tipped with waxworm. Black Crappie - Fair: Crappie are being picked up through the ice in between the Ice House Point boat ramp and Gunshot Hill in about 4-5 feet of water. Use a small jig tipped with waxworm. Yellow Perch - Fair. Walleye – Fair. Black Hawk Pits As of Jan. 2nd, ice was 5-6 inches thick off the boat ramp. Bluegill - Fair: Anglers have picked up some bluegill using a small jig tipped with waxworm fished near the bottom. Brushy Creek Lake Ice conditions are variable. Anglers have been restricted to the north boat ramp and the northeast arm, and the south boat ramp around the island where there are reports of 5-7 inches of ice. Expect areas of open water and unsafe ice near the beach, in the main lake and near inflows. Use extreme caution as mild temperatures over the next week can change these conditions fast. Storm Lake (including Little Storm Lake) Ice is variable with 6-11 inches. With predicted mild temperatures the next few days, these conditions can change. Expect some areas to have thinner ice or open water near pressure seams. Use caution if venturing out; where float coats, bring picks and check ice thickness often. Walleye - Fair: Use minnows and jigging spoons. With water clarity around 5 feet, most action has been during low light conditions in 5-6 feet of water. Yellow Perch - Fair: Try waxworms in 4-6 feet of water in mornings or evenings. Ice conditions in the Black Hawk District remain variable; some lakes have thin ice and pockets of open water while others have up to 10 inches in some areas. Use caution and check ice thickness often. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638. Clear Lake Ice thickness is 8 to 10 inches. Yellow Bass - Fair: Start shallow using a small jig or jigging spoon tipped with several spikes or a waxworm. You have to be mobile to stay on fish. Yellow Perch - Good: Lots of small fish are being caught. If you’re not going to use the fish you catch, please release them. Black Crappie - Fair: Try a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head in the early morning. Walleye – Fair: A few walleyes are being caught fishing the rock reefs. Best bite is early morning and evening. Crystal Lake Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches. Avoid the pressure ridge near the center of the lake and a hole kept open by waterfowl by the east fishing jetty. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs tipped with waxworms in the evening. Black Crappie - Slow: Try small jigs tipped with a minnow in the evening. Yellow Perch - Slow: Lots of small fish are being caught. Lake Cornelia Ice thickness is 6 to 8 inches. Yellow Bass - Good: Lots of 6.5 to 7 inch fish are being caught. Lower Pine Lake Significant open water on the west side of the lake. Fishing not recommended. Rice Lake Ice thickness is 10 to 11 inches.Yellow Perch - Fair: Best bite is early morning and evening. You have to stay mobile to find fish. Walleye - Fair: Dead stick a minnow while you’re jigging for panfish. Upper Pine Lake Ice thickness varies from 1 to 4 inches. A few small bluegills are being caught. For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517. East Okoboji Lake Some ice fishing activity observed on the south end of the lake. Bluegill - Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish are being caught; sorting is needed with small fish mixed in the catch. Yellow Bass - Good: Move often and drill many holes to stay on the school of active fish; sorting is needed. Lake Pahoja Bluegill - Good: Report of good numbers of angler acceptable size bluegill being caught with large fish over 8 inches not uncommon in the catch. Lost Island Lake Yellow Perch - Good: Report of fish being caught from the lake with "bonus mixed bag" of bluegill and crappie in the catch. Scharnberg Pond Rainbow Trout - Good: Next trout stocking is Jan. 19 at noon. Silver Lake (Dickinson) Lake aeration system on the east side of the lake is operational as of Jan 3. Use caution; thin ice and open water is common in this area. Spirit Lake Walleye - Good: Angler acceptable size fish are being caught; best action is half hour before sunset to half hour after sunset. Yellow Perch - Good: Numbers of angler acceptable size fish are being caught; sorting is needed as numbers of small fish will also be in the catch. Bluegill - Good: Report of a mixed bag of bluegill and crappie being caught from the Anglers Bay and Hales area. Trumbull Lake Yellow Perch - Fair: Report of fish being caught from the lake; anglers are very pleased with the quality of the fish that are caught. Northern Pike - Fair: Report of fish being caught; use tip ups for the best action. Virgin Lake Walleye - Good: Good opportunities to catch fish averaging 16 inches. Yellow Perch - Good: Fish averaging 8 inches are common. West Okoboji Lake Bluegill - Good: Report of anglers catching good numbers of bluegills. Ice conditions have improved on the Iowa Great Lakes and area lakes. Foot or ATV traffic at this time; no vehicles as of Jan. 2 on the lakes. Mild temperatures return and are in the forecast for the upcoming week. For more information throughout the week, contact the Spirit Lake Fish Hatchery at 712-336-1840.

NORTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS Cedar River (above Nashua) Water levels rose almost 5 feet with last rain event. Ice fishing is not recommended. Black Crappie - Slow: Use a small jig tipped with a waxworm or colored spike. Decorah District Streams Non-resident anglers can now buy a 2019 fishing license and trout fee. Stream conditions greatly improved from last week. Flows are high with rain and snow melt. Brown Trout - Fair: Use larger flies or lures mimicking minnows. Rainbow Trout - Fair: Rainbow Trout spawning is near. Larger fish will move to headwaters to lay eggs. Use a weighted caddis stonefly or mayfly nymph. Brook Trout - Fair: Try nymphs, emerger or aquatic bug patterns when hatches are slow. Fish the calm area next to to a fast channel of water at the head of a pool. Lake Hendricks No motorized vehicles allowed on ice. Ice depths average 7 inches. Open water around the aerator; keep away from the aerator. Use caution on ice. Water is dirty from last week’s rain. Bluegill - Slow: Early bite is best. For clear ice and water be set-up quiet and ready early. Use small jigs tipped with waxworm or spike near deeper water drop offs. Black Crappie – Slow. Largemouth Bass - Slow: Anglers are catching a few small bass. Lake Meyer Ice is 5 to 6 inches. Edges may get soft with warmer temperatures. Check ice depths often, especially near springs. Water is dirty from last week’s rain. Use caution. The bite remains slow. Bluegill - Slow: Early bite is best. Use small teardrop shaped jigs tipped with waxworm in brush piles in 12-15 feet of water. Black Crappie – Slow. Largemouth Bass - Slow: A few bass have been caught while fishing for panfish. Volga Lake Ice fishing is not recommended. Use extreme caution; edges are thin. Warmer weather and precipitation will weaken ice. Bluegill - Slow: Fish the brush piles. Mild temperatures and snow melt will add to already swollen rivers and streams. Area streams rose 3 to 5 feet with last rain event. Ice conditions are unreliable. Use extreme caution as conditions will change fast. Ice depths are highly variable. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. Casey Lake (aka Hickory Hills Lake) Areas of both good and poor ice conditions. Good reports of crappie and bluegill being caught. Find structure near the dam and in the cove areas. Bluegill - Good: Try various ice jigs tipped with a waxworm fished near brush piles. Black Crappie - Good: Try many ice jigs tipped with a waxworm at various depths as crappie may be suspended. Try fishing a dead stick with a live minnow and bobber. Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City Reports of anglers catching walleye on the river; the river is starting to clear. Access should be good with the warming trend ahead. Walleye - Fair: Anglers are catching walleye using lead heads and plastic baits tipped with or without a minnow. Manchester District Streams Trout streams are in excellent condition; angling could be really good with a bit of runoff. Trout can be more susceptible when water is just off color. Brown Trout - Good: With the recent warm trend, there should be good hatches on area streams. Maquoketa River (above Monticello) No reports this past week on the Maquoketa River; the river is falling. Try the whitewater park for walleye with the beautiful forecast ahead. North Prairie Lake Use extreme caution on the ice with the warm forecast ahead. Rainbow Trout - Good: Try ice fishing jigs tipped with a waxworm. With the warm weather ahead, move often to many holes to find active fish. Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) No reports this past week on the Shell Rock River; the river is falling. Access should be good with the upcoming warming trend. Wapsipinicon River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) No reports this past week on the Wapsipinicon River; the river falling but still remains high and turbid. The extended forecast looks beautiful to get out and catch some fish. Interior rivers are starting to clear and river access should be ideal. Ice conditions vary considerably and will most likely deteriorate with warm weather ahead. Use extreme caution if ice fishing. Trout streams are in excellent condition. Call the N.E. Iowa district office at 563-927-3276 for more information. MISSISSIPPI RIVER IOWA/WISCONSIN/ILLINOIS FISHING REPORTS Mississippi River Pool 9 River level at Lansing has risen a foot to 9.2 feet .Still a lot of variability in ice conditions this week. Most backwaters with no current have around 6-8 inches. Walleye - Slow: Try vertical jigging with hair jigs tipped with a minnow below the Lock & Dam. Sauger - Fair: Try jigging spoons or a hair jig with minnows in the tailwaters of the Lock & Dam. Northern Pike - Fair: Some northerns are being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. Bluegill - Good: Bluegill through the ice is picking up with a lot of sorting through smaller ones. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. Largemouth Bass - Good: Reports of bass being caught on pole or tip-ups in backwater lake areas. Mississippi River Pool 10 River level at Lynxville has risen almost two foot to 16.7 feet. Backwaters have around 7 inches of ice. Ice is not safe to cross at Sny Magill with the warmer temperatures and recent snow cover. Lower end of Bussey Lake still has unstable ice around edges. Walleye- Slow: Try vertical jigging with hair jigs tipped with a minnow below the Lock & Dam. Sauger - Fair: Use jigging spoons or a hair jig with minnows in the tailwaters of the Lock & Dam. Northern Pike - No Report: Some northerns are being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. Bluegill - Slow: Bluegill through the ice is picking up with a lot of sorting through smaller ones. Yellow Perch - Slow: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. Mississippi River Pool 11 River level at Guttenberg has risen to 8.3 feet this week. Backwater ice thickness is variable from 6-7 inches. Avoid ice in areas with current and the open water around the edges. Zollicoffers at Mud Lake and Sunfish have been fair for panfishing. Walleye - Slow: Try vertical jigging with hair jigs tipped with a minnow below the Lock & Dam. Sauger - Slow: Use jigging spoons or a hair jig with minnows in the tailwaters of the Lock & Dam. Northern Pike - Slow: Some northerns are being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. Bluegill - Fair: Bluegill through the ice is picking up with a lot of sorting through smaller ones. Yellow Perch - Fair: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. Upper Mississippi River levels are rising. Backwater ice conditions will change fast with upcoming warm weather. Most backwaters have 6-7 inches of ice. Warmer temperatures and snow cover may create variable ice depths. Avoid areas of current and edges where ice is unstable. Ice flows in main channel are making open water fishing difficult at the locks & dams. Mississippi River Pool 12 Water levels are steady this week at 7.7 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 10 feet at the RR bridge. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 34 degrees. Big ice flows are reported in the tailwaters. Sauger - Good: Jig and minnow or three way rigs with minnows are the most popular methods of catching walleye and sauger. Smaller sauger came into the tailwater later this fall. Bluegill - Good: Reports of panfish being caught, but ice is getting scarce. Black Crappie - Fair: Reports of nice crappies mixed in with the bluegills, but safe ice is getting scarce. Mississippi River Pool 13 Water levels are stable this week at 8.6 feet feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 35 degrees. Big ice flows in the tailwater, but it remains open to boating. The north ramp at Sabula is now open after bridge construction. Sauger - Good: Three way rigs with minnows or a jig and minnow is the most popular methods to catch walleye and sauger. Mississippi River Pool 14 Water levels are stable at 8 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 11.6 feet at Camanche and 6.2 feet at LeClaire. Ice flows are occurring in the tailwater. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 35 degrees. Sauger - Good: Jig and minnow or three way rigs with minnows are the most popular ways to catch walleye and sauger. Mississippi River Pool 15 Water level is steady this week at 9.3 feet at Rock Island. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 35 degrees. Tailwaters are open to angling, but ice flows are occurring on a regular basis. Ice fishing is limited, but anglers remain cautious about conditions. Ice is expected to be nearly eliminated after the weekend warm spell. Water levels are now stable throughout the district. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.

SOUTHEAST IOWA FISHING REPORTS Big Hollow Lake Very unsafe ice. Lake Belva Deer Unsafe ice conditions. Forecast warm weather will continue to melt ice. Lake Darling No safe ice. Mostly open water except for on the campground arm out of the wind and from the main boat ramp on up the lake. Lost Grove Lake Unsafe ice conditions. For more information on the above lake, call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430. Coralville Reservoir The lake level is at winter pool of 683.4 feet. The lake has lots of open water. Grundy County Lake Much of the lake has 4-6 inches of ice; still use caution. Bluegill - Fair: Use small jigs/waxies around the sunken brush or rock piles. Hannen Lake There was up to 4 inches of ice, but there is some open water on the east shore. There has been some ice fishing activity on the lake, but ice conditions will deteriorate over the next week. Bluegill - Fair: Use a jig/waxie around sunken trees. Kent Park Lake The lake is currently drained for a lake restoration project. Lake Macbride The ice is extremely variable and is deteriorating with the warming temperatures. There are a number of areas of open water and the remaining ice should be considered unsafe. Pleasant Creek Lake The lake has up to 4 inches of ice, but should be considered unsafe. Most areas in the Lake Macbride District are unsafe for ice fishing. A few areas closer to Highway 20 may have "fishable" ice.Use extreme caution if venturing out anywhere on the ice. For more information, contact the Lake Macbride Fisheries Station at 319-624-3615. Lake Miami Fishing pressure has been low with recent weather conditions. Lake Sugema The north ramp is closed due to a parking lot construction project. Fishing pressure has been low with recent weather conditions. Lake Wapello Fishing pressure has been low. Rathbun Reservoir The current lake level is 905.26 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. Open water conditions on the lake. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body. Red Haw Lake Fishing pressure has been low. Most lakes are covered with a skim of ice. Predicted warm weather should get rid of the skim ice. The district includes Mahaska, Lucas, Wayne, Monroe, Appanoose, Wapello, Davis and Van Buren counties. Contact the Rathbun Fish Hatchery at 641-647-2406 with questions about fishing in south central Iowa. MISSISSIPPI RIVER IOWA/ILLINOIS FISHING REPORTS Mississippi River Pool 16 Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport is 9.13 feet and has risen close to 2 feet since last week due to recent rains. Unsafe ice conditions. Tailwater stage has started to fall. Tailwater fishing for walleye and saugers has been slow with the rise in river levels. Walleye – Slow. Sauger – Slow. Mississippi River Pool 17 Tailwater stage is 8.57 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has risen close to 2 feet since last week due to recent rains. Unsafe ice conditions. Tailwater stage has started to fall. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers has been slow. Walleye – Slow. Sauger – Slow. Mississippi River Pool 18 Tailwater stage is 10.94 feet at Lock and Dam 17 and risen close to 3 feet since last weekend. Unsafe ice conditions. The gates are out of the water at the dam. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers has been slow with the rise in river level. Sauger – Slow. Walleye – Slow. Mississippi River Pool 19 Tailwater stage is 7.87 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and has risen close to 2.5 feet since last weekend. Unsafe ice conditions. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers has been slow with the rise in river levels. Walleye – Slow. Sauger – Slow. Tailwater stages have risen 2-3 feet since last week due to recent rains. Unsafe ice conditions. Tailwater fishing for walleyes and saugers has been slow with the recent rise in water levels. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.