Fishing East Okoboji Lake

AKA: East Lake

Popular Fish Species
East Okoboji Lake Fishing Video
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East Okoboji Lake, IA

Popular Fish Species East Okoboji Lake, IA

East Okoboji Lake Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

A nice population of black crappie resides in East Okoboji Lake. Crappie tend to run in schools, and once a school is located, there is a good chance for catching significant numbers. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Virtually any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a nice bunch of slabs. Because crappie prefer cover and structure, locate brush and vegetation in appropriate water depths. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

East Okoboji Lake Popular Fish - Bluegill

Bluegill Fishing

Fishing for bluegill is a time-honored tradition at East Okoboji Lake. Young and old, beginners and seasoned anglers alike, all enjoy catching a bunch of fat bluegill. This year, much like recent years, the bluegill population is healthy and always looking for something to eat. Bluegill fishing is as basic as fishing gets. Any pole, reasonably small line and small hooks baited with anything edible, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Bluegill hang around brush, rocks, vegetation or any cover available. When the lake freezes over, try your luck at ice fishing.

East Okoboji Lake Popular Fish - Yellow Perch

Yellow Perch Fishing

Yellow perch tend to spawn in the April to May timeframe, and the spawn has been strong for years at East Okoboji Lake. As a result, the lake continues to maintain a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. They are fun to catch in winter when ice fishing as well. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.

East Okoboji Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, white bass, yellow bass, yellow perch, muskie and northern pike at East Okoboji Lake in Iowa.

Popular for vacations and weekend outings, East Okoboji Lake, is also a very popular fishing destination. This 1,800-acre lake is located in northwest Iowa, at Okoboji. This fertile fishery is outlined by nearly 17 miles of shoreline.

The lake offers access for fishing from the bank. Walleye, bass, crappie and musky garner a lot of attention from fishing enthusiasts. Other anglers enjoy fishing for catfish, bluegill, yellow bass, white bass, perch and northern pike. Ice fishing for perch, crappie and walleye is often very productive in winter. A marina, rental boats, three boat ramps, camping, bait, restaurants and stores are all at, or nearby, the lake.

Primary fish species residing in East Okoboji Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

East Okoboji Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: YES
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Parks Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
712 332-9904

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Hattie Elston State Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest corner of the lake, off US Highway 71, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Highway 9 Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, at the north end of the State Route 9 Bridge, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Marinas

Mau Marine
1400 Gordon Dr
Okoboji, IA 51355
712 332-5626

Parks Marina
24457 178th St
Okoboji, IA 51355
712 332-7303