The Iowa Department of Natural Resources released their weekly fishing report Wednesday. With a majority of lakes and ponds in Southeast Iowa continuing to have unsafe ice conditions, very few fishing reports were available.

In Washington County, Lake Darling has about four acres of open water above the in-lake silt dam, with additional open water on most south-facing rock shorelines. Ice that remains was reported as more slush than ice.

Ice fishing on Lake Belva Deer in Keokuk county is not recommended either, as most of the edges are gone. An ice rescue training was performed in the campground bay last Saturday, however anglers are advised to stay off the remaining ice.

Areas of open water are growing on Big Hollow Lake in Des Moines County. Remaining ice is slushy, similar to that of Lake Darling.

The only fishing report in the area comes from Lost Grove Lake in Scott County. Bluegill are slow, but the bite seems to be better above the causeway. Anglers are advised to use caution when walking across the ice near the shore, as rain earlier in the week reduced the thickness.

For more information on the above lakes and rivers, contact the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at 319-694-2430.