NORTHWEST IOWA

Spirit Lake (Dickinson): Walleye fishing has been good in deeper water off Big Stoney Point, the west side and the north end. A few perch are being caught off Crandall's Beach, Marble Beach and off the foot bridge. Crappies are being caught in Templar Lagoon and off the North Grade. Bluegills are being caught on the North Grade using teardrops tipped with waxworms.

West Okoboji (Dickinson): Perch fishing has been sporadic. Look for deep weedlines or flats in the bays for best results. Some nice walleye are being caught in Smith's Bay in the evenings. Crappies are being caught in the canals using minnows or waxworms. Bluegills are being caught in Emerson and Miller's bays using waxworms on a teardrop.

Storm Lake ( Buena Vista): Fishing is fair to good for walleyes in the evening.

Brushy Creek (Webster): The main body of the lake is frozen, but ice is very thin. The north boat ramp area ice is 4 to 5 inches thick. Use extreme caution on the lake. A few walleyes are being caught with minnows, and some bluegills are hitting on wax worms.

Clear Lake (Cerro Gordo): Ice thickness is running 10 to 14 inches over most of the lake. Walleye fishing is fair. Jigging spoons and minnows are both producing fish. Yellow bass are being caught northeast of the Island, Farmer's Beach and Billy's Reef. Small spoons and minnows are producing the best. White bass are also being caught in the same areas.

Upper Pine (Hardin): Bluegill fishing is good using waxworms.

For more information on fishing in northwest Iowa, call (712) 336-1840.

SOUTHWEST IOWA

Ice conditions are variable, from 6 inches of ice on farm ponds to 4 inches on small lakes. However, some of the larger lakes just froze late last week and it is strongly advised to remain cautious and to test the ice before venturing out.

For more information on fishing in southwest Iowa, call (712) 769-2587.

SOUTHEAST IOWA

Ice conditions across southeast Iowa are unsafe. Ice fishing is not recommended.

For more information on fishing in southeast Iowa, call (319) 694-2430.

NORTHEAST IOWA

Mississippi River Pools 9 to 15: Ice conditions have deteriorated on some sections of the river. Use extreme caution, especially near the shoreline or in any area where current may exist.

Despite recent rainfall, good ice conditions continue on Pools 9 to 11. In Pool 9, crappie fishing is improving, and anglers are catching decent bluegills in Cordwood and Fish Lake. In Pool 10, anglers are reporting better fishing in Joyce Lake, with slower fishing near Noble's Island.

On lower Pool 10, fishing pressure has increased in Norwegian Lake and Methodist Slough with good reports on bluegill fishing and occasional crappie. Bluegill fishing has slowed a bit in Bussey Lake (Pool 10), but anglers are doing well on tip-ups for northern pike. Anglers are also reporting good tip-up fishing in Hog Slough (Pool 10). There is very little tailwater fishing pressure for walleye or sauger. Boat anglers can still access the tailwater area at Guttenberg by using the new boat ramp at the DNR office.

Ice conditions in Pools 12 to 15 are poor with ice having a honeycomb effect.

Lake Meyer (Winneshiek): Bluegill fishing is fair. Fish the west side of the lake for the most success.

Panfishing is beginning to pick up in Black Hawk County lakes.

For information on fishing in northeast Iowa, call (563) 926-3276.