Lakes Denison/Carol area?

[Bbushong]

Looking for some help! My fiance is from the western side of the state and im looking for some good lakes to try ice fishing when we go out there for family weekends. Anyone from that area or know of any good spots to try? All my spots are on the eastern side of the state. Any help is appreciated!

[bigtt]

You can fine them all right here.
https://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Where-to-Fish/Lakes-Ponds-Reservoirs

[iowapackfan]

Plenty of good fishing around Carroll/Denison area. Swan Lake state park located just a couple miles SE of Carroll, Yellowsmoke Park just 2 miles East of Denison offers good to excellent bluegill fishing, Nelson's Park  located SW of Dow City also, plenty of area farm ponds also just ask permission, have fun!

[Ice_Fly_Guy]

It's about a half hour drive, but Black Hawk Lake and Arrowhead Lake are located about 25 miles Northwest of Carroll.  Both offer good panfish action.  Arrowhead can be mighty tough at times.

[Bbushong]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! Sounds like there are some good options. I will do some checking around first ice and report back!

[Bryfish84]

Plenty of good fishing around Carroll/Denison area. Swan Lake state park located just a couple miles SE of Carroll, Yellowsmoke Park just 2 miles East of Denison offers good to excellent bluegill fishing, Nelson's Park  located SW of Dow City also, plenty of area farm ponds also just ask permission, have fun!

I’m not sure I would put Swan Lake in this b

[Ice_Fly_Guy]

I'll agree, I'd take Swan Lake off the list.  It's not that there aren't nice crappies and bluegills in there, but they run an aerator which effectively eliminates much of the prime areas that I'd like to fish in the winter.  I've tried there and caught a few small fish, but I quickly moved on to better options.

[HogBody]

My wife also has family in the denison/storm lake corridor. A lot of the smaller public ponds look like they are covered in spring holes on google maps, can anybody confirm the typical quality/safety of the ice around there? Nelson and willow look unfishable on the winter satellite pic, but they can be misleading also. Just looking to stay safe if i stop for an hour on my way to family functions here and there, thanks guys!

-HB

[Ice_Fly_Guy]

I would bet nearly everywhere is good to go from Denison on up, especially after the next couple days with temps forecasted in the negatives or single digits.

[crappeye]

Fished yesterday by Denison 6+ inches of ice. Stay away from inlets and outlets. Still a lot of water running.