Fishing Lake Wapello

AKA: Lake Wapello State Park

Popular Fish Species
Lake Wapello Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
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Boat Launch Ramps
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Lake Wapello, IA

Popular Fish Species Lake Wapello, IA

Lake Wapello Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

A nice population of black crappie resides in Lake Wapello. 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. 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.

Bluegill Fishing

Fishing for bluegill is a time-honored tradition at Lake Wapello. 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.

Lake Wapello Popular Fish - Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish Fishing

Fishing for redear sunfish, also known as shellcrackers, is popular here at Lake Wapello. Like most bream, they are a popular species with young and old, as well as beginners and seasoned anglers alike. This year, much like recent years, the redear sunfish population is healthy and always looking for something edible. Redear sunfish fishing is about as simple as fishing gets. Any lighter fishing pole, reasonably light line, small hooks baited with anything eatable, creates a great setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to position. Redear prefer clear, warmer water and hang around brush, rocks, vegetation, docks or any cover available.

Lake Wapello Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, bluegill, redear sunfish and hybrid striped bass at Lake Wapello in Iowa.

Fishing is popular at Lake Wapello, a 1,150-acrelake in southeast Iowa, 8 miles east of Unionville. Fish species here include bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, sunfish and wiper.

Bass are the favored species, crappie are a close second and wiper fishing can vary from good to poor. Trails or roadways outline over 7 miles of shoreline, providing access to many areas for fishing from the bank. Rental boats, a fishing jetty, several boat launch ramps, a bait shop, fish cleaning station, a pier and Lake Wapello State Park Campground are open to the public.

Primary fish species residing in Lake Wapello

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lake Wapello Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: NO

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Lake Wapello Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off Campground Road, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.