Coming to DesMoines area

[Mich-transplant]

Hey guys.  I know this is a little early to be thinking about ice fishing, but I have been away from Michigan for the last 4 years and miss hard water fishing.  I will be coming to the Des Moines area in the fall/early winter and am looking for any info on where I can do some ice fishing.  I'm not looking for  GPS coordinates or anything, just a push in the right direction.  Any and all help is appreciated.  Thanks in advance and I can't wait for the cold weather!!

[Mich-transplant]

I guess I could have given a little more info...I will be in the area for work, and will be out every weekend possible.  Thanks again!

[Fish Butcher]

Fall/early winter say you. 2-4 hrs. north.

[Mich-transplant]

Thanks Brownstick!  I will relocate then and be in the area most likely for a couple years.  I have been in Western Kentucky the last 4 years and haven't made it to Michigan to do any hard water fishing.  I grew up on the west side of the state right on Lake Michigan so I grew up salmon fishing on the big lake in the summer/fall months and ice fishing in the winter.  i am hoping that get info on some local lakes that provide some good fishing, but will travel to get my fix if needed!!  Thanks again

[Royalwapiti]

Last year I fished Hooper (south of Des Moines) on 12/21  6 inches of crystal clear ice.   We were on Badger on 12/16 (West of Des Moines).   

[Lyontyl]

There are plenty of places to fish for most of the winter around central Iowa with safe ice.  I will say that my benchmark for how careful I am is this:  Anything side of I-80 I will always bring a life jacket or floatation device with rope and all the gear.  Anything north of I-80 seems to be a little safer.  Seems like you will have perfectly fine ice at Big Creek (north of I-80) then you will go to badger and they will have some sketchy spots (south of I-80).