Iowa’s ice fishing season has begun…again!
Today I was able to do what I love most- spending time on the hard water. I was joined by fellow IDA Staffer Andy Craig, for the morning and evening bite! We fished public waters in the Iowa City area.
We started this morning at seven and I was able to "draw first blood"- as I put the majority of the fish on the ice-Andy would have his revenge as later on in the day, he iced the majority of the fish. Lil Cecils worked well for me in the morning- and jigging raps were the bait by night. Both tipped with waxworms or spikes. The LX-5’s really helped us out, as we were able to shoot through the ice to locate fish, even bottom hugging sunfish.
We caught the spectrum today, with all types of sunfish and bass. I couldn’t seem to tie into my favorite fish- the crappie. The ice was in some spots tonight, down right dangerous. I think the crappies, could see and or hear us coming- The bass and sunfish were holding on the bottom, and didn’t seem to be bothered by the noise.
If you are not a veteran on the ice- I would recommend waiting a day or two more. I went through at one place in two feet of water. That was the end of our time on that body of water. Ice picks and a PFD, are priceless. All and all we tried to use caution, but when you get the itch, you get the itch-
Stay safe – and we’ll see you on the hard water!
Here is a picture of my two big producers for the day-
BFT’s Lil Cecil’s and Rock a roos!
Another picture from the day-
Notice how thin that ice is?
I can tell you guys are from the Iowa City area.Those Hawkeye’s have never been as smart as those northern Clone people.
Be carefull out there,would hate to read about you guys going through and not being able to get out.
Great job on the fish.
Ryan Hale
We were very careful about it. testing it and testing it as we inched our way out. GO HAWKS!
Thanks for the report and pics guys. Some people can just never get enough ice fishin in.
Looks like TWO ice fishing seasons for you boys. 
Becarefull down there. These temps will certainly make some more ice for all of us. Glad to here those lil cecils are working well. 
Thanks, Bill
Looks like a blast. Some of those fish are very nice. But dang it looks like your Lx-5 is about to melt through the ice!
Hey Luke, were you running your cecils with a spring bobber? I didn’t see any on the rods in the pics. I’m curious about what kind of rods are sensitive enough to panfish without a spring. Thanks……….B
B- I only use st croix ice rods- Avids are my favorite- and then the premier- I have a few of the lengeds with the bobbers, but I like a 28″- I think they only make the lengend in a 24- when fishing the lil cecil I use two lb trilene ice line- I don’t like using a floro, when fishing the cecil- but for genz worms I love a floro three lbs or four lbs. caught this guy today on floro ice line, on a st croix premier!!
(Bottom right pic in fishing report is a avid, and the bottom left is a premier.)
Nice crappie Luke. I like the very fresh alive look/coloring that fish has. How much ice do you have now?
Thanks, Bill
Bill, yesterday we had around 2-3, now we have around 3-4. And it is making more!!!
Second ice fishing season for sure hey.
Not too many years does something like that happen. We had alittle bit of ice early and then it melted and then winter finally came. Been a weird year for sure.
Thanks, Bill
Andy and I had yet another chance to hit the ice last night- the bluegills went on a tear right before dark- almost all of the fish we caught were in the 8-9 inch range- I would not have felt any of these bluegills bite, if I hadn’t been using a sensitive rod, like the st.croix avid- I was also using 2lb test, to keep the lil cecil tight on the line. Ton of fun!!
This fish, is a hair under nine inches-
All were released to fight another day!
One more!
I think I recognize that faded green bucket in the backround. Could it be Andy’s? I have sat on it many a times.
That’s corrct BradB. That’s Danny’s old green bucket that I took from him. When are you coming to Iowa City?
Where is the ice safe down this way?
I sure would like to get out and give it a shot, but with 50 degrees today and a storm coming Thursday, I doubt it lasts the week. Hope springs eternal, I suppose.
all the ponds we checked sunday were safe and making ice as we sat on them. i didn’t get out yesterday, but am going to try it today. i think it should be fine today b/c we had a good 3″ sunday and growing sunday night and last night. if i were you i’d just go check a few.
andy
I would strongle recommend staying off the ice in the Iowa City area-
I don’t understand the weather tease…it is so frustrating-Sunday night we were making ice very nicely- right now it is a touch under 60 degrees, then by the weekend, it is supposed to be down right cold again..
Frustrated….