blake
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Iowa Ice Fishermen Having Record Year
Ice fishermen in Iowa are having one of the best seasons in years.
From the northern portion of the state to the Mississippi River in our backyard, people are drilling holes in the ice and pulling in fish almost as fast as they can bait their hooks.
Joe Larscheid, Chief of Fisheries for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said the banner year is no accident.
"One thing that makes this a good year is that we made ice early so people have access early,'' Larscheid said. "A lot of things came together at the same time.
Larscheid said optimum fishing conditions rely on a quality habitat and good fish population.
He added the agency has been working on projects to improve fish populations, which have so far met expectations.
"We started over on a lot of them, especially in southern Iowa and they are coming to fruition now, two or three years after renovation,'' Larscheid said.
He added: "Those populations are exploding. A lot of the best stories are due to the renovations in lakes and rivers. We are reaping the benefits of good hard work.''
In a recent press release Larscheid said there is a great attraction to ice fishing, calling it "the great equalizer.''
Reports have come in about limits of crappies at Lake Macbride and Rock Creek and bluegills at Belva Deer, Lake Ahquabi, Albia reservoir, Red Haw, Beaver Lake and Anita. Anglers are catching a variety of species on the Mississippi River and in northeast Iowa's trout streams, according to Larscheid.
"Iowa trout streams do not freeze in the winter, and the season is open all year long,'' he said.
According to Larscheid, most Iowa lakes are full of bluegills, which will be the fish most caught during the winter. Lakes in the north will have yellow perch and walleye in addition to bluegills.
In the south, crappies join bluegills. Larscheid said people catch an occasional catfish, northern pike, largemouth bass, and other species, but not as consistently.
Current information about what fish are biting where can be located online at Iowa DNR.
Larscheid reminded fishermen of the importance of being safe on the ice.
"Never assume the ice is safe,'' he said. "The ice could be good one day, and the next day the currents can open it up. You always have to be careful around rocky points and river bends and constriction points. These are places where ice is weaker . You have to watch for those kinds of areas.''
Iowa Ice Fishermen Having Record Year
Ice fishermen in Iowa are having one of the best seasons in years.
From the northern portion of the state to the Mississippi River in our backyard, people are drilling holes in the ice and pulling in fish almost as fast as they can bait their hooks.
Joe Larscheid, Chief of Fisheries for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, said the banner year is no accident.
"One thing that makes this a good year is that we made ice early so people have access early,'' Larscheid said. "A lot of things came together at the same time.
Larscheid said optimum fishing conditions rely on a quality habitat and good fish population.
He added the agency has been working on projects to improve fish populations, which have so far met expectations.
"We started over on a lot of them, especially in southern Iowa and they are coming to fruition now, two or three years after renovation,'' Larscheid said.
He added: "Those populations are exploding. A lot of the best stories are due to the renovations in lakes and rivers. We are reaping the benefits of good hard work.''
In a recent press release Larscheid said there is a great attraction to ice fishing, calling it "the great equalizer.''
Reports have come in about limits of crappies at Lake Macbride and Rock Creek and bluegills at Belva Deer, Lake Ahquabi, Albia reservoir, Red Haw, Beaver Lake and Anita. Anglers are catching a variety of species on the Mississippi River and in northeast Iowa's trout streams, according to Larscheid.
"Iowa trout streams do not freeze in the winter, and the season is open all year long,'' he said.
According to Larscheid, most Iowa lakes are full of bluegills, which will be the fish most caught during the winter. Lakes in the north will have yellow perch and walleye in addition to bluegills.
In the south, crappies join bluegills. Larscheid said people catch an occasional catfish, northern pike, largemouth bass, and other species, but not as consistently.
Current information about what fish are biting where can be located online at Iowa DNR.
Larscheid reminded fishermen of the importance of being safe on the ice.
"Never assume the ice is safe,'' he said. "The ice could be good one day, and the next day the currents can open it up. You always have to be careful around rocky points and river bends and constriction points. These are places where ice is weaker . You have to watch for those kinds of areas.''