Anglers still have time to ice fish at Lake Darling, even with the recent milder daily temperatures. 

According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Lake Darling in Brighton is still fishable right now. Ice thickness is shown to be 10 inches, and is rated as fishable. 

Naturalists report most anglers are coming out around 5 p.m. to fish for black crappie. It is recommended to start at the middle of the lake where the two arms meet. Find the big old cedar trees and brush piles in 10 to 14 feet of water; crappies are about a foot off the bottom. There is starting to be some activity earlier in the morning for bluegill fishing. Look for them in the same place where the crappies are. Most anglers are targeting just around sunrise when the zooplankton are headed back down to the bottom for the day. 

The DNR recommends a minimum of four inches of clear ice for ice fishing and at least five to seven inches for snowmobiles and ATVs. Ice with a bluish color is safer than clear ice.  Avoid slushy or honey-combed areas and stay away from dark spots on the ice.