by Iowa DNR
January 28, 2010
Lake Geode
UNSAFE ICE CONDITIONS. Ice conditions are deteriorating very quickly now.
Lake Belva Deer
Most areas of the lake have 6-plus inches of ice. Concentrate you efforts in the flooded timber around the old creek channel. The county plans on sanding the hill down to the ramp. Look for the water to cloud back up with the rain. Bluegill - Good: Anglers are fishing in the flooded timber out by the creek channel. Crappie - Good: Fish the same areas as for bluegills. Look about 2 to 3 feet off the bottom.
Lake of the Hills
Use caution out on the ice. Drill test holes. The weather forecasted for Saturday will make ice conditions deteriorate. Bluegill - Slow: Anglers are catching a few small bluegills. Crappie - Slow: Mostly smaller fish concentrate your effort on the submerged tree piles.
Iowa Lake
Early morning has been the best time to fish here. Bluegill - Fair: Fish around structure with a jig/wax worm. Crappie - Fair: Fish around structure with a jig/wax worm. Crappies may be suspended, and most are running 7 to 9 inches.
Lake Macbride
There will be another riprap project on the lake this winter. The lake has been lowered approximately 8 feet for equipment access to shorelines and islands. The early morning bite seems to be best. Bluegill - Good: Anglers have been picking up bluegills on jigs and wax worms. Fish near the bottom around structure. Most fish are 5 to 7 inches. Crappie - Fair: Fish structure in the 10 to 15 foot range. A jig or small spoon tipped with a wax worm is best. The fish have been nice sized (many 10 to 12 inches).
Central Park Lake
Bluegill - Fair:
Pleasant Creek Lake
White Bass - Fair: Some anglers are finding schools of white bass and catching them on small jigs, spoons, or minnows. Catches are being reported in 25 to 30 feet of water. Bluegill - Fair: Try for bluegills around brush or the dam with a small jig and wax worm. Green or black seems to be producing best.
Union Grove Lake
The lake's aeration system was turned on Dec. 21, so be aware of open water at the dam end of the lake. Bluegill - Fair: Fish in the 6 to 7-inch range are being caught around brush on ice jigs tipped with wax worms. Crappie - Slow: A few crappies are being picked up, especially towards dusk.
Red Haw Lake
The lake's ice is variable. Use caution if venturing out. Bluegill - Good: Use tear drop jigs tipped with a wax worm. Try areas around submerged cedar trees. Some fish have been up to 9 inches in length.
Lake Keomah
The ice is variable in thickness so use caution if heading out. The latest measurements have about 7 inches out in from out the fishing pier and over by the dam. Out further there has been some open water as recently as last week so use caution. Very few anglers have been fishing.
Lake Miami
The ice thickness varies so use caution if venturing out. Some areas have 5 inches of ice. Very few anglers have been venturing out this winter. Remember the lake has been drawn down all year. Find areas with structure and try small jigs tipped with wax worms.
Lake Sugema
Use caution if venturing out. Ice thickness is variable. Bluegill - Slow: Use tear drop jigs tipped with a wax worm. Crappie - Slow: Use wax worms or minnows on small jigs. Try fishing within a foot or two of the lake bottom.
Rathbun Reservoir
The lake is frozen over. The bays and coves have more ice than the main lake. Use caution if venturing out because the ice thickness varies from place to place. The last measurements taken have about 10 inches in spots including Atwell's, Glenwood and the Dedication Site boat ramp. Honey Creek State Park will be closed this winter due to road construction. Crappie - Slow: Try using small jigs tipped with either a minnow or wax worms. Find areas with submerged structure for the best results. The Buck Creek area has been producing some crappies.
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