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Iowa => Ice Fishing Iowa => Topic started by: bulzeye121 on Dec 07, 2018, 12:06 PM

Title: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bulzeye121 on Dec 07, 2018, 12:06 PM
Curious to see if anyone has stopped and checked any ponds in SWI this week. Few ponds north of Glenwood are finally capped.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bert29 on Dec 07, 2018, 02:10 PM
not sure about official ice conditions, but I did call Vicki this morning at Woods' Bait Shop in Council Bluffs about ice around area. She said Manawa is capped, but unfortunately snow-covered (with the 8-10 inches of snow we had in area last Sunday). Ice under snow is 1-2" but at this time, not safe. Big Lake in CBluffs (they put trout in that lake in late November) had 3-5" and people were on it.

I was thinking about venturing out somewhere to check on Sunday (wanting to wait for another couple of days with daytime temps in 20's and the lows this Fr-Sat-Sun into single digits at night before I venture out onto ice.

I live in Glenwood and was planning on checking a few locations and also waiting until I heard more in area regarding ice conditions.

Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: kpmswi on Dec 07, 2018, 11:15 PM

Does it count as ice fishing if I'm sitting in a boat?

Found about 2-3 inches of ice.  Caught 3 bass 15-17 inches at a farm pond North of Red Oak Ia.


(https://i.postimg.cc/McQKRvDt/IMG-3361.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/McQKRvDt)
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: shaig on Dec 08, 2018, 07:31 AM
I checked a silt pond by Avoca yesterday.  About three inches of not so good ice.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: spoofhoundicefisher on Dec 08, 2018, 08:32 PM
i am down here in nw missouri and went out all day yesterday and today as well.  ice was pretty good today 3" of good ice and between 2.5 and 2 and 3/4 yesterday but was good solid ice.  three good whacks with the spud would not break thru so good enuf form me.  hammered gills and crappies on farm ponds.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Dec 08, 2018, 09:27 PM
Fished 3.5-5” in Mills county today. Caught one bass. Sure was nice to get out.
(https://i.postimg.cc/bsZyvGwD/99-DF69-B9-F0-B6-4-A94-8-F5-B-BC42-F3-DCD045.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/bsZyvGwD)

(https://i.postimg.cc/7GXH50z7/EB2757-E5-F403-42-A7-8-CF3-4-F94-AF0-B889-F.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/7GXH50z7)
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: Unclegillhunter on Dec 09, 2018, 11:21 AM
Does it count as ice fishing if I'm sitting in a boat?

Found about 2-3 inches of ice.  Caught 3 bass 15-17 inches at a farm pond North of Red Oak Ia.


(https://i.postimg.cc/McQKRvDt/IMG-3361.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/McQKRvDt)
Did you cut a hole? Then yes!
Keep it safe! JDL
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bert29 on Dec 09, 2018, 06:21 PM
Was able to get out on ice this afternoon and fish a pond south of Glenwood. We had 3-5" inches. Caught several nice bass (3-4 were 3lbs and one was approaching what we think was 6lbs. It measured 24 3/4 inches and she was fat! Caught (there were 3 of us) about 25-30 crappies ranging from 6-11" and a few decent gills. We also caught one large catfish (was really cool to see big fish fight in clear water under clear ice!)
Lures used:  CJ and spins gold slender spoon, acme rattle bait, buckshot spoon, Tungsten jigs with maki plastics, CJ & spins red wedgie plastic,
we fished from 10:30-2:30pm (bite noticeably slowed down about 12:30pm)
pond was a shallow one (deepest water is 7ft) so we stayed in that 5-7ft range and one guy with us knew were some sunken brush was, so we fished nearby it.

we heard that a few people may have been on Mile Hill Lake west of Glenwood today, but we can't confirm that.
nice day to be out and fish on hard water!
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: kpmswi on Dec 10, 2018, 08:49 PM
Sunday afternoon from 3:30-5:30 found 4" of ice and caught 1 catfish, 3 bass and 12 nice bluegills with one going over a pound at a farm pond North of Red Oak
(https://i.postimg.cc/sBpJt2fX/IMG-3369.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/sBpJt2fX)
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: Ice_Fly_Guy on Dec 11, 2018, 06:54 AM
Nice haul Kpmswi, I also slammed some really nice bluegills on Sunday afternoon at a small public lake.  All released though.  It's awesome to be getting out this early!
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Dec 15, 2018, 11:00 AM
Fished pony creek last night. Ice was 5-7”. Marked lots of fish. No takers.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: shaig on Dec 15, 2018, 04:03 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/hJrPTcFG/IMG-20181215-081511174.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/hJrPTcFG)
Six inches at Prarie Rose.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Dec 15, 2018, 08:41 PM
Got into some nice bluegills on a pond by Denison. 7 inches of good ice.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Dec 31, 2018, 09:36 AM
Anyone checked any area lakes or ponds?
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bert29 on Dec 31, 2018, 03:51 PM
Open water everywhere. Mile Hill, Pony Creek, Fulsom Lake (all near Glenwood) Going to have head north of hwy 30 most likely to find safe ice. Hopefully this upcoming cold snap will button up lakes and provide some safe ice again. 2019 not off to a good start here in this locale for ice fishing!

Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bulzeye121 on Jan 02, 2019, 09:14 AM
Checked a farm pond north of Cresent yesterday (Jan 1). It had 5" of good ice with snow cover on top. Extremely slow bite.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: todalake on Jan 02, 2019, 01:40 PM
Checked a farm pond north of Cresent yesterday (Jan 1). It had 5" of good ice with snow cover on top. Extremely slow bite.

Where is Cresent or do you mean Creston?
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: hewzehs on Jan 02, 2019, 07:02 PM
Crescent is just a little ways north of council bluffs
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: todalake on Jan 07, 2019, 09:19 AM
Crescent is just a little ways north of council bluffs

Thanks!
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Jan 13, 2019, 06:08 PM
Fished a Crawford county pond today. Ice was ok. Edges were a little sketchy. 5.5” out in the middle. Had a good day with gills and crappie!
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Jan 18, 2019, 11:14 AM
Anyone checked ice in SW Iowa? Pony creek, mile hill, Folsom, pinkeys Glenn?
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: friersupplier on Jan 18, 2019, 01:32 PM
Pony creek and mile hill have no more than 1” but with the temps ahead they should be good to go by next weekend.Havent been out to pinkys yet.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: shaig on Jan 20, 2019, 01:30 PM
Short day on the ice at Prarie Rose today. Five inches of ice where I was fishing, some open water two hours and a bucket of gills.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: adieatrick on Jan 21, 2019, 12:41 PM
Pony creek and mile hill have no more than 1” but with the temps ahead they should be good to go by next weekend.Havent been out to pinkys yet.

Pony creek had a solid 5" of ice as of 1/19/2019. Edges were a little sketchy, but the main ice sheet was good. Fished Fri, Sat, Sun with mixed results. The fish were there, but getting them to bite on 1/20 was tough. Lots of crappies in the 8-10" range.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: OGCollard on Jan 23, 2019, 09:50 AM
My friend drove down sunday the 20th and said it looked like there was 2 inches of new ice on Icaria. Im hoping after this week we can be looking at 5 inches on Saturday. I know that is a lot to ask in a week but its cold until tomorrow and the negative temps tomorrow night might get us there!
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bulzeye121 on Jan 24, 2019, 07:13 PM
Was able to get out to prairie rose yesterday. Show bite with the cold temps setting in. Solid 7" of ice!
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Jan 26, 2019, 06:28 AM
Pony creek had a solid 7” last night 1-25. Very slow bite. Stay away from the dam area. Open water patches.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: duckaholic76 on Jan 26, 2019, 12:13 PM
Was able to get out to prairie rose yesterday. Show bite with the cold temps setting in. Solid 7" of ice!

What part of the lake. We are heading that way with a buddy and his son
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Jan 26, 2019, 01:33 PM
What part of the lake. We are heading that way with a buddy and his son

Straight out from the old, steep boat ramp
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bulzeye121 on Jan 26, 2019, 07:12 PM
What part of the lake. We are heading that way with a buddy and his son
North side of the lake. (few different brush piles)
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: kpmswi on Jan 30, 2019, 01:25 PM
Went to Viking Lake State Park by Stanton Ia last Sat & Sun afternoon.  Found 6.5 inches of soft ice and fishing was very slow catching a few small bluegills. 

The road down to the pontoon docks is blocked off at the top of the hill but the East side of the lake by camp Aldersgate was open and could get close to the water.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Feb 06, 2019, 03:42 AM
Anyone been to pinkeys Glenn this ice season?
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bulzeye121 on Feb 06, 2019, 01:15 PM
Anyone been to pinkeys Glenn this ice season?

Went there Sat afternoon... Waste of my time
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Feb 06, 2019, 04:56 PM
Went there Sat afternoon... Waste of my time

Sorry to hear that. How thick was the ice?
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: GillRippr on Feb 06, 2019, 07:05 PM
Does anyone know how the ice conditions are on Little River?
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: HardWaterSlabDaddy on Feb 24, 2019, 03:16 PM
What's the snow situation at Anita or Viking  has anyone been there recently or in the area to know how bad it got? was thinking of going to one or the other tomorrow but didn't want to drive an hour to be shot down. I realize we had a blizzard but just curious if it was as bad there as in CB.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Mar 03, 2019, 02:04 PM
Hit a pond by Denison this morning. Very slow. Fished 4 hours kept 7 gills. 16 inches of ice 3inches of snow and a half inch crust of ice on top of that.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: kpmswi on Mar 03, 2019, 02:34 PM
Went to a farm pond North of Red Oak Sat afternoon.  Deep snow drifts getting there and lucky I didn't get stuck getting out. 14" of ice and maybe 4" of snow on top, caught and released 8-10 bass but only two bluegills.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: OGCollard on Mar 03, 2019, 05:40 PM
Icaria has about 14 inches of solid ice with about 4 inches of frozen slush snow on top. Overall it still shaved decently. Bite was slow.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Mar 16, 2019, 08:25 PM
Packed it up today. Baits dead. Waters dirty. Time to get the long poles out. Had a very  good year. Sad day but ready for the spring crappie bite!
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Dec 14, 2019, 04:03 PM
Anyone checked any ponds out yet?
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: HardWaterSlabDaddy on Dec 17, 2019, 07:04 AM
I haven't been out yet but my neighbor went out Sunday and said he had to drive an hour north to find any fishable ice and it was a private pond. Need these temps to stop getting in the 50s was hoping to be on ice before Christmas.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Dec 19, 2019, 08:56 AM
Fished near mineola last night. Ice was 3-4” in a few spots. Rest was maybe 1”. Very inconsistent. Marked a few no bites.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: kpmswi on Dec 20, 2019, 08:09 PM
I went ice fishing at a farm pond North of Red Oak Friday afternoon and found just over 4 inches of ice. I actually started out in a small boat but after drilling my first hole I got out and walked all round. Fishing was slow but I ended up with 2 bass and 5 bluegills. It sure was nice getting out again.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Dec 22, 2019, 01:47 PM
Fished yesterday and this morning. Steady bite of gills. Just enough to keep you interested. Hit 4 different ponds in Crawford county. 5-6 inches of good solid ice. Hope this warm spell don’t hurt it much.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Dec 28, 2019, 08:04 PM
Anything in SW Iowa opened up? Thinking of getting the long poles out.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: Ice_Fly_Guy on Jan 01, 2020, 11:18 AM
Fished a pond in northern Crawford county yesterday.  Ice was just at my minimum threshold, about 4".  It was slow, but I managed to catch some.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Jan 12, 2020, 07:59 PM
Fished a few ponds by Denison today. Open water near inlets and outlets. 5-6 inches of ice. Little thinner around edges. Steady bite of gills. Be careful and use a spud bar.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: kpmswi on Jan 12, 2020, 09:17 PM
Went to my regular farm pond North of Red Oak and found 2.5". I used my spud bar to push around my small Jon boat because I don't walk on 2.5". Wind was from the East so fishing was the least. Only caught and released one bluegill after dark.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: OGCollard on Jan 15, 2020, 11:41 AM
I know as of monday morning icaria was all locked up. I would think manawa is too. Hoping to get on manawa next weekend
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: adieatrick on Jan 16, 2020, 12:59 PM
Manawa has 3-4" of good clear ice. Just popped a few holes over my lunch hour. Some farm ponds in the area have 5-6"
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: Unclegillhunter on Jan 16, 2020, 01:05 PM
Manawa has 3-4" of good clear ice. Just popped a few holes over my lunch hour. Some farm ponds in the area have 5-6"
Thanks for the update! Do you do any good on walleye at Manawa? Just wondering.
Keep it safe! JDL
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bwachtel on Jan 17, 2020, 09:55 AM
I would be curious myself as to the ice levels. Im in Quad Cities area.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: spoofhoundicefisher on Jan 17, 2020, 10:32 PM
got out today on 2.5" to 3" of good solid black ice.  stuck a few crappie and gills and landed a pretty good sized bass on 2lb test flouro i am trying out for the first time.  had to play him for a bit.  was good to be out for the first time this year.  remember to spud spud spud your way out.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Jan 19, 2020, 04:35 PM
Fished a Crawford county farm pond today. 8 inches of good clear ice. About 3 inches of snow on top. Slow and steady bite 🐟🐟🐟🐟🎣🎣🎣🎣
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: Ice_Fly_Guy on Jan 26, 2020, 07:19 AM
Yellowsmoke yesterday from 8-1.  Found a few fish but could not get one fish to commit.

Salvaged the day at a pond and caught 3 gills, including a massive 10 incher.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: kpmswi on Jan 26, 2020, 06:41 PM
Went to Viking Lake today, they lowered the lake 8' or more to help the size of the fish out. Lake is still very low and you can see rock piles and tree that normally under water. Very slow for me catching 4 small blue gills throwing them back. The geese have one spot open and have crapped all over the area. I will not be going back this year.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bulzeye121 on Dec 24, 2020, 04:59 PM
anyone venture out in SWI yet to check area ponds? Ponds east of Treynor are capped finally!!
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Dec 24, 2020, 07:49 PM
Lots of open water from the wind the last couple days. Go a be another week.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: kpmswi on Dec 27, 2020, 10:33 AM
Went to a farm pond North of Red Oak Sat and found just over 3" of ice. Fishing was slow but I caught 6 nice bluegills and a couple smaller ones.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Ff1dj3qM/IMG-7669-Large.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Ff1dj3qM)
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Dec 27, 2020, 03:25 PM
Found 3” near Underwood. Lots of nice gills.
(https://i.postimg.cc/w3bdVng9/1-FA1-F9-B3-CEB4-4-B9-C-8-DD4-5-F82-DB7-A7348.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/w3bdVng9)

(https://i.postimg.cc/KRkhsQ8B/6-D2384-E2-2-F44-4-D63-B127-3-C7-CA62-B7-D67.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/KRkhsQ8B)

(https://i.postimg.cc/2VsNpv1J/A4-B2-DF1-C-A752-4119-B844-E7-EC5802-D557.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/2VsNpv1J)
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: Beerguzzler17 on Dec 31, 2020, 03:18 PM
Just checked Pony Creek this morning.  Where the snow compacted down there is about 1 1/2" of "crust ice" and then 2 1/2" of clear black ice underneath.  Where the snow is still "fluffy" on the ice there is only 2" of clear black ice.  All measurements were done with an actual tape measure so these are not guesstimates.  Sadly this last snow storm hit before the ice could really grow to a safe level.  Stay safe out there and Happy New Year to all.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Jan 01, 2021, 01:53 PM
Fished a small Carroll country pond this morning. 6 inches of ice with snow and slush on top. Bluegills were slow and steady.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: HardWaterSlabDaddy on Jan 06, 2021, 10:12 AM
Has anyone fished Viking yet this season or checked the ice? Whats the water level did it ever come back up from summer?
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Jan 10, 2021, 01:23 PM
Fished 2 Carroll county ponds 6-8 inches of ice. really slow. Got a few nice gills and crappie.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: duckaholic76 on Jan 10, 2021, 05:52 PM
Fished a farm pond in Mills county today. 6in of ice. Lots of gills and a couple nice bass
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: LarryClutch on Jan 15, 2021, 09:35 PM
Checked a pond tonight east or CB. 6-7 inches of ice with 4-5 inches of slush on top.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Jan 17, 2021, 12:48 PM
Fished 6-8” of ice with 2-3” of slush on top this morning. Pony creek. Lots of lookers, no takers. South end wide open. Only safe ice is on the north end.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Jan 19, 2021, 01:06 PM
Does anyone know what ice conditions are at prairie rose or little field? Heading that way tomorrow.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bulzeye121 on Jan 01, 2022, 01:34 PM
1-1-22
 Anyone been out to explore ice in SWI yet? 4" - 5" at Manawa off boyscout this morning! Happy New Year!!
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: ClamGuy on Jan 01, 2022, 04:38 PM
Fished just north of Mo Valley yesterday. 4-5” clear solid ice. Tons of tiny gills and crappie. Sure was nice to hit the ice
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bert29 on Jan 01, 2022, 06:35 PM
I fished Blackhawk Lake near Lakeview on Thursday. Had 4-5" ice there and we caught a few decent perch, a bunch of 6-7 inch crappies (2 that were 10") and a few small gills.
I haven't checked anywhere around Glenwood area yet--it was open water around not too long ago. I'm thinking after this sharp cold spell ice should be thick enough. I might try somewhere close by tomorrow if weather isn't too brutal.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: Ice_Fly_Guy on Jan 01, 2022, 07:47 PM
Tried a pond just north of Hwy 30 yesterday.  Ice was a consistent 4" there. Found lots of finicky bluegills.  My son and I managed to get about 10 to bite including a couple pretty good ones. Someone decided to throw crappies in this pond illegally so I'm in a mission there to take as many as I can(legally).
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Jan 01, 2022, 08:48 PM
Fished a Crawford county pond yesterday. Good bluegill bite. 4” of ice.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Jan 02, 2022, 07:19 PM
Hit n Audubon county pond today good early bite . 6 inches of ice. Drove by Littlefield big goose hole out from the beach.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bert29 on Jan 09, 2022, 09:12 AM
 I was able to get out and fish this Saturday on Pony Creek. Pretty much 7-8" ice everywhere I was at on lake. A lot of people out on the lake yesterday. Fishing was slow, a few gills, some small crappies, and a few yellow bass. Really windy as well!
I had a friend who fished Icaria yesterday and did well on some nice bluegills and a few decent crappies. Not sure where he fished though on that lake.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: LarryClutch on Jan 28, 2022, 02:49 PM
What’s the word?  Thinking of Icaria tomorrow. Anyone been over there?
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Feb 19, 2022, 03:23 PM

(https://i.postimg.cc/Q9vTnJpH/9-CC2-C913-E568-4-AE1-AA88-EFD30-BF70815.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Q9vTnJpH)
Getting sketchy
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bulzeye121 on Dec 21, 2022, 08:06 PM
Dec 21, 2022
 Little over 4" on Manawa this afternoon. Saw 2 other shacks fishing
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bert29 on Dec 22, 2022, 12:00 PM
I had 4" or so on pond near Glenwood on Tuesday, Dec. 20. We caught some decent gills and crappies!
I would bet after this cold spell, going to be plenty of good ice everywhere around here!
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Dec 26, 2022, 02:09 PM
11 inches of ice on a Crawford county pond today. Bite was pretty slow.
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: bert29 on Dec 27, 2022, 08:16 AM
Couple guys and I fished a pond east of Council Bluffs area yesterday (12-26-2022). We caught a few, but bite was tough. Fish would scatter immediately if we drilled a hole or moved much. We could see a lot of fish on his livescope but they were not very interested. Ice was good though, with anywhere from 8-11" (and by the way, the new Ion Alpha auger is freakin' amazing! One guy I was with had one and it you could drill through 10" of ice in less than 5 seconds!
Title: Re: SouthWest Iowa
Post by: crappeye on Jan 01, 2023, 02:44 PM
Hit an Audubon county pond today. 9 inches of ice. Good bluegill bite.