Best fishing lakes in Iowa: 12 lakes and what bites

The lakes at a glance

1. West Okoboji Lake

West Okoboji Lake is a natural lake of some 3,850 acres. It lies next to Arnolds Park. Yellow perch, bluegill, walleye and smallmouth bass are the draw. The deepest water is around 136 ft. West Lake Okoboji is Iowa's deepest lake and is listed among the state's Outstanding Iowa Waters for its exceptional water clarity. It is a clear lake, so long casts and a quiet approach pay off.

West Okoboji Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

2. Big Spirit Lake

Big Spirit Lake is a natural lake of 5,680 acres of water. It lies about 1.6 miles south of Spirit Lake. It holds walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. At about 24 ft at its deepest, it warms quickly in spring. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and an upper arm to work. Big Spirit Lake is the largest natural lake in Iowa and anchors the Iowa Great Lakes chain.

Big Spirit Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

3. Rathbun Lake

At some 11,000 acres, Rathbun Lake is a big lake. You will find it near Centerville. Crappie, walleye and catfish are the draw. Rathbun Lake on the Chariton River is Iowa's largest reservoir by normal-pool surface area aside from Red Rock.

Rathbun Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

4. Okamanpeedan Lake

At 2,300 acres, Okamanpeedan Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. It lies near Fairmont. The fish here are walleye, northern pike, crappie and yellow perch. The lake bed gives you three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves to work. Okamanpeedan Lake is a shallow riverine lake on the East Fork Des Moines River straddling the Iowa-Minnesota border.

Okamanpeedan Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

5. Lake MacBride

Lake MacBride spreads over 900 acres. The lake is about 1.7 miles east of Solon. Expect spotted bass, muskie, walleye and catfish. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Lake MacBride today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

6. Clear Lake

At 3,680 acres of water, Clear Lake is a good-sized lake. It lies next to Clear Lake. It holds walleye, white bass and catfish. It goes down to about 30 ft. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and a sheltered cove: good places to start. Clear Lake is a natural, spring-fed lake in Cerro Gordo County and a popular walleye fishery.

Clear Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

7. Lake Red Rock

Lake Red Rock covers some 15,500 acres. You will find it about 21 miles northwest of Des Moines. Red Rock Dam holds it on the Des Moines River. Like most lakes its size in Iowa, it should hold largemouth bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill. Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake by normal-pool area, can expand to roughly 70,000 acres during major flood storage.

Lake Red Rock today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

8. Coralville Lake

Coralville Lake is a reservoir of some 5,280 acres. You will find it about 4 miles south of Iowa City. Coralville Dam holds it on the Iowa River. The usual Iowa mix applies: largemouth bass, walleye, crappie and bluegill. Coralville Lake on the Iowa River can expand nearly five-fold in surface area during flood storage.

Coralville Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

9. Rice Lake

At about 1,020 acres, Rice Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. It lies about 1.5 miles northwest of Lake Mills. Like most lakes its size in Iowa, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. On the 3-D map the bed has three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start.

Rice Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

10. Black Hawk Lake

Black Hawk Lake spreads over 960 acres of water. You will find it next to Lake View. The usual Iowa mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. The deepest water is around 20 ft. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and two sheltered coves worth a first look. Black Hawk Lake in Sac County is a natural glacially-formed lake, though the USGS also classifies it as a reservoir.

Black Hawk Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

11. Storm Lake

At about 2,930 acres, Storm Lake is small enough to learn in a few trips. The lake is next to Storm Lake. Like most lakes its size in Iowa, it should hold largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. Its bed shows three point drop-offs and a steep ledge worth a first look.

Storm Lake today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

12. Lake Panorama

Lake Panorama covers some 1,080 acres. It lies about 35 miles east of West Des Moines. The usual Iowa mix applies: largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. On the 3-D map the bed has two point drop-offs and two sheltered coves: good places to start. Lake Panorama is a reservoir on the Middle Raccoon River in Guthrie County surrounded by a residential community.

Lake Panorama today: water temperature, bite times and the 3-D lake bed

Iowa lakes by fish

Lakes listed for a fish are the ones on this page where it is on record or typical for the lake.

• Bass: West Okoboji Lake, Big Spirit Lake, Lake MacBride and Lake Red Rock
• Walleye: West Okoboji Lake, Big Spirit Lake, Rathbun Lake and Okamanpeedan Lake
• Crappie: West Okoboji Lake, Big Spirit Lake, Rathbun Lake and Okamanpeedan Lake
• Pike and muskie: West Okoboji Lake, Big Spirit Lake, Okamanpeedan Lake and Lake MacBride
• Catfish: Rathbun Lake, Okamanpeedan Lake, Lake MacBride and Clear Lake

The fishing year

• Spring: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Summer: walleye are usually fair. Warm surface. They go deep in the day; try evenings.
• Fall: walleye are usually at their best. Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
• Winter: walleye are usually fair. Cold. Slow jigs on deep structure.

Before you go

A Iowa fishing licence covers every lake here; the state fish and wildlife agency publishes the limits and any special rules lake by lake. Each lake page on LakeScope shows today's water temperature, the wind, the best bite times and a 3-D view of the bed, so check it the morning you go.