Ice fishing Brushy Creek

[arbuck]

I know it is a little early to think about ice fishing but a friend of mine has fished Brushy Creek in the sumer and I haven't been able to make it. Now my interest is peaked and I know that I won't be able to make it down there until it freezes (the sooner the better).

My question is have any of you hard water fished this and is it worth the trip? It sounds like a very good fishery. Does it freeze hard enough to drive on (it looks like it is part of a river/creek (hence the name Brushy Creek)

Any information on this body of water would be greatly appreciated. Also are there any places to stay (hotels) around there?

Thanks, arbuck

[Fishook]

I first ice fished Brushy Creek this past February. Made two trips which were both worth the time. The body of water is long and narrow with a number of access points. It is not too difficult to walk to most areas. While the ice was safe to drive on, there is a dam on the one end which you would need to explore carefully. For the most part you will be fishing in the tree tops of the flooded trees so bring plenty of ice jigs & tackle. Either Fort Dodge, about 8-10 miles West of the lake, or Webster City, about the same distance East of the lake, would be your best bet for lodging.

[smoker craft]

Well a little gun shy here the last time we talked ice we got in trouble LOL... Any way the bite at Brushy is hot one time and the next you go home shaking your head. I still try to fish the lake once a weak ice or no ice it is the home of my biggest walleye to date 24" That is why I go back I have seen bigger caught. Last year we were on ice before christmas that would be great.

[iowaboy]

Yes guys do drive on Brushy. I haven't because most of the places I fish on the lake its a pretty easy walk. The south end around the island freeze's first. Lots of gills in that area. As soon as the north end is solid enough to walk out on everyone migrates there. There is so many different area's that are good on the lake you just have to keep moving. The eyes should be pushing 10lbs by this winter. Crappie's all the way to 16 inches. Gills are up to 10 inches. There is a fair number of perch in the lake also some of them are 12 inchers. I always try to stay away from the crowds. Like any place the early mourning's and evening's are the best.

It can be well worth the drive.

[arbuck]

Thanks for the input guys. I will defanitally be heading that direction when the ice finally comes. Any more input would great.

Thanks again
arbuck

[Lund 18]

arbuck, I would be very careful before you drive on Brushy Creek. I have drilled holes in one spot 18 inches thick, moved a few hundred yards and only drilled a few inches. They lake dosen't freeze very good I think becasue of all the trees that in the sunshine generate heat. I have fished spots one day and a few days later there will be open water on those spots. The fishing is good and I hope you come down but please be careful and I would not recomend driving on the lake.

RB

[abens1078]

Don Williams lake just north of Ogden can also be a good spot. It is more of a panfish lake though. I did catch one walleye through the ice there last year. It's smaller than Brushy and is about a 30 minute drive away. Max depth is about 35' in front of the dam and it is not so choked with trees. I like Brushy but seems like there is almost to much structure.

[Whisker Trout Slayer]

I don't know about having too much cover. In North central Iowa ther are lakes that are dish shaped that have NO cover at all. I'll take too much cover any day.

One thing is that which was probably already noted is that if you hate losing lures this isn't the place for you.

Fishook went with my dad and did awesome. I have been there only once (in a boat) and can't wait to go back and try again ice fishing.

When we went this summer we had real nice size crapies and gills. Plus they say the walleyes will be nice also.

Enjoy.

[abens1078]

Good point Whisker Trout Slayer.

My comment comes from the frustration of seeing others catch fish in that lake and me not doing so well. Seeing as how I am so impressed with my own fishing abilities I decided to blame the lake grumble grumble

One hot afternoon a buddy and I could not get anything biting on Brushy so we put on life jackets and started climbing the trees and picking the lures and bobbers out of the limbs. I finally got even with that lake!!!

Ever see a 300lb goofball climbing a tree in a blaze orange life jacket?

Milk was coming out of the cows noses they laughed so hard.

[arbuck]

Thanks for the added info guys. I'm not to bothered by loosing lures so that shouldn't be a problem.

Lund 18 or anyone - I was thinking about bringing my hardsided house down (8x8 on skids) and pulling it out with my wheeler for lodging for the weekend. Do you guys think this would be safe? Does anyone else put permanent houses out there? I guess this all kind of depends on what kind of weather we have this winter. But any thoughts would be appreciated. I will be checking in on the ice conditions when the time comes also.

Thanks Guys

arbuck

[Lund 18]

arbuck, There are some bigger Ice Houses on Brushy that the guys pull out with 4 wheelers but not until later in the season. I know Mike from Duncombe Gas and Grocery in Duncombe Iowa has a very big Ice Shack. You could call Mike and ask him when he put his out last year. (515)543-8269. Mike has good information about the lake because he is also the bait shop closest to the lake. I will also update you on this site when Ice activity starts on the lake. I hope it's not to soon I'm still out there in my boat.

RB