sailorville lake ice conditions

[Freemo]

Is anyone fishing on sailorville yet? What can I expect this weekend? The last time I was down that way there were a ton of people fishing a small pond near Ankeney, right off orlabor rd. Anyone know what can be caught there? Thanks...

[abens1078]

If it is the pond by the DMACC campus....I fished it once or twice(open water) while my cousin was in school at DMACC. We caught bass but didn't make much of an effort for anything else. I've heard there are some panfish but I'm unsure of size and numbers.

I haven't been by Saylorville to check the ice yet so I can't help you there.

[goodyy7]

The "DMACC Pond" is what you saw in Ankeny. It holds good numbers of bass and panfish, with some hoss fish thrown in once in a while but mostly smaller fish. Still a lot of fun, but gets quite a bit of ice fishing pressure being right there in town with easy access. Saylorville is a place I would love to ice fish, but probably never will. With rising and falling water levels (main flood control res on DM River N of Red Rock) I would be pretty worried. Heard tell of guys drilling through 8inches of ice to find themselves 4feet above the actual water level due to dropping water. Some guys do it during stable conditions, but we have been far from stable in my opinion. I would rather fish a local lake or pond than risk the 'Ville.

goody

[Freemo]

Thanks for the info. I will definately steer clear of the of the resevior. Any other suggestions close to Ankeney?

[rod bender]

Freemo, try Big Creek. A lot of nice fish and a lot of structure. Also might want to try Hickory Grove east of Nevada. Another lake with a lot of structure and some nice gills, crappies and bass.