Iowa Ice Fishing

I am looking for information about ice conditions
and fishing reports north of Des Moines. Big lakes
small lakes it doesnt matter. I am looking for
some decent fishing. Also some qaulity ice.Any info. would be appreciated. Thanks Big Wall.

Went ice fishing on 1/8 just south of DM. The ice was in good shape, anywhere from 4-6". The fishing was very good for gills and crappies. The gills were from 9-11" and crappies up to 15". The new vexilar ice unit is incredible. It almost seemed unfair.

What lake?

[Chad]

I am going ice fishing near Des Moines on Friday, and I was also wondering which lake you were fishing. I fished Badger Creek Lake last weekend and caught lots of Bluegills and some small crappies. The ice there was about 5 inches.

Have been fishing Clear Lake quite a bit lately. Ice conditions are 10 inches across most of the lake except around the aeriators. Yellow bass are biting well with an occasional walleye.

Several alkes in NW Iowa are doing fairly well. As stated, the Yellow bass are going good on CLear Lake with the occasional walleye, mostly around the island. (That's where a truck went through the other day.) People aren't driving on the lakes much because there's a lot less ice than usual, so expect some long walks. Spirit has been spotty, West Okoboji has been fair for big fish but no numbers, I've heard of several between 25-28 inches lately, including one guy who got two 8-pounders in the same day.

WE WENT OUT FISH ON SOME SMALL FARM PONDS NORTH EAST OF DES MOINES HAD SOME LUCK WITH WAXY WORMS
FOR CAPPPIE. TRIED MINOWS NO BITES AT ALL,
I THOUGHT THIS WAS VERY ODD FOR THESE PONDS.
MOST OF THE TIME MINOWS ARE THE BEST BAIT ON THESE
PONDS.