Guide To The Best Fishing Lakes In Iowa

Top places to fish for bass, catfish, crappie and more in IA.

Big Spirit Lake, Black Hawk Lake, Clear Lake, Coralville Lake, Lake Red Rock, Rathbun Lake, Saylorville Lake and West Okoboji Lake are the most popular places for fishing in Iowa, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species. Many lakes in the state that freeze over offer ice fishing.

Iowa boasts numerous fishing lakes, offering diverse opportunities for anglers to pursue a wide range of fish species. The state is home to both warm water lakes and cold water lakes, each with its unique characteristics and fish populations.

Warm water lakes in Iowa are known for their abundance of fish species that thrive in warmer water temperatures. Some popular warm water lakes in Iowa include Lake Rathbun, Lake Red Rock, and Lake MacBride. These lakes are home to species such as largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, and northern pike. Anglers can enjoy casting for bass, targeting crappie near submerged structures, or bottom fishing for catfish in these lakes. Warm water lakes often provide excellent fishing opportunities throughout the year, especially during the spring, summer, and fall months when water temperatures are optimal for fish activity.

On the other hand, cold water lakes in Iowa are known for their cooler temperatures and the presence of fish species that prefer colder waters. Clear Lake and Spirit Lake are prominent examples of cold water lakes in Iowa. These lakes are home to species such as yellow perch, muskellunge, northern pike, and various trout species, including rainbow trout and brown trout. Cold water lakes offer excellent trout fishing opportunities, especially during the cooler months when trout are more active. Ice fishing is also popular on these lakes during the winter season.

Iowa's fishing lakes provide ample opportunities for anglers to enjoy a variety of fishing experiences. From warm water lakes that teem with bass and panfish to cold water lakes that offer trout and northern pike, Iowa's lakes cater to different fishing preferences and seasons. Whether you prefer the thrill of catching a bass on a warm summer day or the tranquility of ice fishing on a frozen lake, Iowa's fishing lakes have something to offer for every angler.

Bass

Black Hawk Lake, Brushy Creek Lake, Clear Lake, Coralville Lake, East Okoboji Lake, Hawthorn Lake, Lake MacBride, Lake Wapello, Lake Red Rock, Lost Grove Lake, Rathbun Lake, Saylorville Lake and West Okoboji Lake are considered the best options for largemouth and smallmouth bass. More...

Catfish

Rivers like Cedar River, Iowa River and the Mississippi River, plus Clear Lake, Coralville Lake, Five Island Lake, Lost Island Lake, Rathbun Reservoir, Saylorville Lake, Storm Lake and West Okoboji Lake are favorite options for channel, blue, white and flathead catfish. More...

Crappie

Black Hawk Lake, Clear Lake, East Okoboji Lake, Green Castle Lake, Lake MacBride, Lake Red Rock, Lake Wapello, Rathbun Lake, Saylorville Lake, Storm Lake, The Mississippi River and West Okoboji Lake are some of the most popular waters for black and white crappie. More...

Sunfish, Perch & Panfish

Big Creek Lake, Black Hawk Lake, Clear Lake, Coralville Lake, Lake Red Rock, Pickeral Lake, Rathbun Lake, Saylorville Lake, Storm Lake, The Mississippi River, Trumbull Lake and West Okoboji Lake are among the many popular lakes to fish for bluegill, bream, perch and other sunfish. More...

Walleye

Big Spirit Lake, Black Hawk Lake, Brushy Creek Lake, Clear Lake, Coralville Lake, East Okoboji Lake, Lake Red Rock, Lost Grove Lake, Lost Island Lake, Rathbun Lake, Saylorville Lake, Spirit Lake, Storm Lake and West Okoboji Lake are considered the top locations for walleye fishing. More...

Trout

Many small lakes, streams and rivers are stocked with trout providing fishing for rainbow, brook and brown trout. More...

Striped Bass

The Iowa River and the Mississippi River along with major lakes including Coralville Lake, Lake MacBride, Lake Red Rock, Lake Wapello, Rathbun Lake and Saylorville Lake are the good options for striped bass and hybrid striped bass. More...

Visit the Iowa fishing page for links to information covering a wide variety of fish species and destinations in the state. Visit the Iowa map to identify your best route to these top fishing locations. Look to our sister site for additional information about boating in IA at many of the most popular destinations in the state.

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