3 Mile or 12 Mile

[GB 83]

Just wondering what the ice condition is on 3 and 12 miles lake.

[jumbo chaser]

Havent been there yet as soon as I check I will report

[GB 83]

Heading to 12 miles or 3 miles fri morning. Good safe ice?

[sparkee]

  December 26 2012 01:56PM   

 I went out and checked ice conditions today at 3 and 12 mile and here are the results:

3 mile

Main Ramp- 4.5" 75yds out, 4.5" 150yds
North Ramp- 5.25" 75yds out, 4.75" at the trees straight out from the ramp
West Ramp- 5" 50yds out, 5" 150yds out

12 Mile-

East Ramp- 5" 75yds out, 4.75" 200yds out

By this weekend we should put on atleast another inch. The geese have open spots on both lakes. There are always a few areas on both lakes with thinner ice so use your own good judgement and please be safe out there. It is all super clear ice and is slick as owl poop  so if you decide to come out bring along your ice cleats and drill plenty of holes on your way out. BE SAFE, STAY OUTTA MY SPOTS  and GOOD LUCK!
----------This came from Ranger Joe off Iowa Sporstman---------
 

[GB 83]

Thanks for that report. Where r the geese holes at? R they still open?

[sparkee]

Not a clue where the geese are, haven't been down that way myself. Do plan on heading down this weekend though. I'll probably be the only guy on foot!!

[kid carlisle]

Sparkee why don't u give us gps of ur spots so we wont get on them by accident.

[sparkee]

Ha!! That would only put you on ice totally void of any fish that seems to be where my talent lies

[kid carlisle]

Sorry I've fished that spot!!!!! Best part is usually no one else around. Mostly don't even gps those anymore.

[rouser]

Geese are keeping the usual spots open down near the Dam on both lakes. Fished both today, ice is about 5" consistently. 

[sparkee]

And, did ya catch any fish??

[rouser]

Yes I did.
































































The bite started out descent but quickly shut down. After 8 AM fish were generally negative and extremely light biters. Ended up icing 6 11" crappie several smaller fish and 6 small walleye, a few gills, and one yellow bass.

[Crawdad28]

I was gonna make a trip down there tomorrow but never been there. Any info, ice conditions, access, fish species, etc?? Thanks guys. Just new to desmoines area and looking for some fishing opportunities.
Thanks in advance!!

[Crawdad28]

Walleye in them there lakes?? Crappie??

[squ1rr31_]

Both, some decent ones if you can get on to them.

[orangefeetdown]

Does anyone fish this lake i hardly see any reports from there.  I hear great things about the lakes and i am heading down there 11-13 of feb.  does anyone have any tips at all for these lakes??? i talked to the Union County CO and he said it's got 7 inches of good ice and 4 wheelers have been out.  Any tips appreciated!!!!

[orangefeetdown]

Excuse me were going January 11-13.  Really guys 63 views and 0 replies.... C"MON MAN

[sparkee]

I have fished 12 a few times, best I can tell ya is hit the roadbeds, you can also search a few other websites like Iowa Sportsman for info. Never know, tight lips may mean lots of fish Good luck, Also the guy @ the Pier baitshop in Creston will help you out the best he can.

[frozen1]

I use to fish 12 and 3 Mile quite a bit. Haven't been there for a couple years. Like the previous poster said, fish off of the old road bed at 12 Mile. You can catch quite a few Gills there and an occasional Crappie or Walleye. 3 Mile has pretty good ice fishing on the North end of the lake. There is a ramp on the east side that allows pretty good access. You will see many people sit out there all day and not do to well. I have found that the best time to fish it is when everyone else is leaving the lake. The Crappies turn on at night there. 

[vexNclam]

I sent ya a message Orange.

[cgrochbps]

I was on 3 a week ago this Sunday, and had a pretty decent trip.  We got there on Sunday at around 2:30, but it was really tough until about 6 or so.  I dont know the lake really well, but figured them out.  Started fishing around the Jetty just North of the big boat landing cut across the lake towards the 2 Jetties that are pretty close together, and stayed around that area the whole night.  Brought home around 15 crappies, most around 10 inches, biggest was 13 1/4, but the fish bit all night long.

[rjbreese]

I was on 3 a week ago this Sunday, and had a pretty decent trip.  We got there on Sunday at around 2:30, but it was really tough until about 6 or so.  I dont know the lake really well, but figured them out.  Started fishing around the Jetty just North of the big boat landing cut across the lake towards the 2 Jetties that are pretty close together, and stayed around that area the whole night.  Brought home around 15 crappies, most around 10 inches, biggest was 13 1/4, but the fish bit all night long.

did ya catch any walleyes?how deep were you fishing? and how late did the bite last until?

[jumbo chaser]

Ya go to Pier across from Mcdonalds in creston Dennis at the Pier will help you a lot on 12 mile go north of dam and find old road beds thats best for wlleye and the line of poles are best for crappies  Good Luck

[cgrochbps]

did ya catch any walleyes?how deep were you fishing? and how late did the bite last until?

3 short walleyes around 12 inch fish.. We stayed right around 20 to 23 feet..  The bite went in streaks, but it was like that all night.  I caught the biggest crappie of the trip right before we left, it was around 2AM. 

[flyfishr]

My brother and his wife and I went yesterday afternoon for about 3 and a half hrs.  Caught 11 crappie between us and missed a whole bunch more.  It was a little sloppy on top from the snow melting but not bad.  Fished in 18 to 20 fow just up off the bottom in and around the trees.  Had 7 inches of ice plus.  Walked the half mile or so out.  Wasn't bad going, was a bugger walking back into the wind. Taking the 4 wheeler next time.

[jayfk]

I sent ya a message Orange.

X2

[vexNclam]

Just got home from afternoon trip to 12 Mile. Iced 2 walleye one at 18" one just under 20", caught five more cigars. Iced 19 crappie, 10-13". 24 ft of water, timber edge and creek edge. If I said anymore I might as well give you the GPS coordinates. LOL

[nute7810]

. If I said anymore I might as well give you the GPS coordinates. LOL

I think I can speak for everybody, GPS coordinates would be fine !    I really need to get down there its been on the bucket list for way to long.

[orangefeetdown]

Is this warm weather gonna screw my trip over this weekend 45 degrees on Friday!!   Seems like everytime i try to go there weather or ice dont cooperate!

[holdem]

Temps won't hurt it too much...but the rain that is forecasted later this week won't help.