How thick does ice need to be to fish on in Iowa?

Public guidance: at least 4 inches of clear, solid new ice to walk on. White ice is about half as strong. Follow your state agency's advice and check the ice yourself.

What are good ice-fishing lakes in Iowa?

Start with Rathbun Lake, Big Spirit Lake and West Okoboji Lake.

Ice fishing in Iowa: 10 lakes and how to stay safe

When the lakes lock up, Iowa turns into ice-fishing country. These 10 lakes hold the fish people drill for, from Rathbun Lake down.

Ice first

Those figures are for clear, solid new ice. White or snow ice is about half as strong, so double them. Ice is never the same thickness across a lake: check it with a spud or auger every few steps, stay away from inlets, outlets, springs and pressure ridges, and follow your state agency's advice.

Clear new ice	What it can hold (public guidance)
Under 4 in	Stay off
4 in	Walking, ice fishing on foot
5 to 7 in	Snowmobile or ATV
8 to 12 in	Small car or light pickup
12 to 15 in	Medium truck

1. Rathbun Lake

Rathbun Lake covers 11,000 acres of water. The lake is about 6.2 miles southeast of Centerville. Rathbun Dam holds it on the Chariton River. The fish here are crappie, walleye and catfish. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Rathbun Lake on the Chariton River is Iowa's largest reservoir by normal-pool surface area aside from Red Rock. Under the ice, crappie: cold. Tight schools near deep brush and bridges.

Rathbun Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Big Spirit Lake

Big Spirit Lake is a natural lake of 5,680 acres of water. The lake is about 1.6 miles south of Spirit Lake. Expect walleye, yellow perch, northern pike and crappie. The deepest water is around 24 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and an upper arm worth a first look. Big Spirit Lake is the largest natural lake in Iowa and anchors the Iowa Great Lakes chain. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Big Spirit Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. West Okoboji Lake

West Okoboji Lake is a natural lake of 3,850 acres of water. It lies next to Arnolds Park. The fish here are yellow perch, bluegill, walleye and northern pike. It goes down to about 136 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. The water is known for being clear: lighter line and natural colours help. Under the ice, yellow perch: cold. Deep schools; small jigs or minnows.

West Okoboji Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Clear Lake

Clear Lake is a natural lake of some 3,680 acres. You will find it right by Clear Lake. Walleye, white bass and catfish are the draw. At about 30 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Clear Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Okamanpeedan Lake

Okamanpeedan Lake spreads over 2,300 acres. You will find it about 9.5 miles northeast of Fairmont. Expect walleye, northern pike, crappie and yellow perch. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Okamanpeedan Lake is a shallow riverine lake on the East Fork Des Moines River straddling the Iowa-Minnesota border. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Okamanpeedan Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Lake MacBride

Lake MacBride is a reservoir of 900 acres. The lake is about 9 miles south of Iowa City. Walleye, spotted bass, muskie and catfish are the draw. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Lake MacBride in Johnson County is one of the few Iowa lakes stocked with spotted bass. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Lake MacBride today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Red Rock

Lake Red Rock covers 15,500 acres. The lake is about 2.9 miles south of Knoxville. Red Rock Dam holds it on the Des Moines River. The usual Iowa mix applies: walleye, crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake by normal-pool area, can expand to roughly 70,000 acres during major flood storage. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Lake Red Rock today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Coralville Lake

Coralville Lake is a reservoir of 5,280 acres. The lake is near North Liberty. Like most lakes its size in Iowa, it should hold walleye, crappie, bluegill and largemouth bass. Coralville Lake on the Iowa River can expand nearly five-fold in surface area during flood storage. Under the ice, walleye: cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Coralville Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Storm Lake

Storm Lake covers about 2,930 acres. It lies about 60 miles west of Sioux City. Like most lakes its size in Iowa, it should hold crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish. Under the ice, crappie: cold. Tight schools near deep brush and bridges.

Storm Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Heidelbaugh Pond

Heidelbaugh Pond spreads over about 1,560 acres. You will find it about 3.8 miles west of Wapello. Like most lakes its size in Iowa, it should hold crappie, bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Under the ice, crappie: cold. Tight schools near deep brush and bridges.

Heidelbaugh Pond today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

What to bring

Ice picks around your neck and a throw rope
A spud bar or auger to test as you walk
A flotation suit or life jacket on early and late ice
A friend, and someone on shore who knows where you went
Small jigs and spoons tipped with a minnow or waxie