The lake bed in 3-D: deep basin, drop-offs and shoreline. Shape estimated, not for navigation. Spot 1 (point drop-off) is open for everyone; the other 5 come with LakeScope PRO. Full screen
Lake Red Rock
Marion County, Iowa · 15,500 acres (24.2 sq mi)
52°F water, calm this morning.
About Lake Red Rock
Lake Red Rock is a reservoir in Marion County, Iowa, covering 15,500 acres. Red Rock Dam holds it back on the Des Moines River. Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake by normal-pool area, can expand to roughly 70,000 acres during major flood storage.
It stretches about 13.8 miles end to end and its shoreline adds up to about 61 miles. Its surface is about 740 ft above sea level. Knoxville is about 2.9 miles south. Des Moines, the nearest city, is about 21 miles northwest.
- Size
- 15,500 acres (24.2 sq mi)
- Shoreline
- About 61 miles
- End to end
- About 13.8 miles
- Elevation
- About 740 ft
- Type
- Reservoir
- Dam
- Red Rock Dam, Des Moines River
- County
- Marion County
The lake from above
Best fishing times
Saturday Good
- 6:15 am – 8:30 amsunrise · wind 0 mph
- 3:15 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 1 mph
Sunday Good
- 6:30 am – 8:45 amsunrise · wind 1 mph
- 4:15 pm – 5:30 pm bestsunset, moon overhead · wind 2 mph
Based on sun and moon times and the wind forecast. A guide, not a promise. The app shows the whole week.
Fish to expect
Lakes like Lake Red Rock in Iowa usually hold largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. The state fish and wildlife agency lists what is stocked and the rules for this lake. With the surface at 52°F, the notes below say which of them should be biting.
- FairLargemouth bass
Cooling down. Try slow baits on points and deeper channel edges.
- GoodWalleye
Prime range. Low light is best, on reefs and weed edges.
- FairCrappie
Schooled on deeper brush piles. Fish small jigs slowly.
- SlowBluegill and sunfish
Cold. Deep and hard to tempt. Use tiny baits.
- FairCatfish
Waking up. Channels and creek mouths, especially after rain.
From today's water temperature and the season. A guide, not a promise.
Fishing spots
- 1Point drop-off
The bottom falls away fast off this point; fish rest deep and move up the slope to feed.
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
5 more spots with LakeScope PRO: fish, depth band, water temperature, best time and bait for each.
Picked from the shape of the lake bed. A guide, not a promise.
Water temperature
At the surface, seen .
Water level
No daily level reading for this lake.
Ice
Open water
Ice thickness is an estimate from air temperature, not a measurement. Check the ice yourself before going on it.
Weather and wind
Sunrise 6:58 am · sunset 4:53 pm · waxing crescent moon (lake time).
Towns and places to stay near Lake Red Rock
- Knoxvilleabout 2.9 mi south
- Pellaabout 3.6 mi east
- Pleasantvilleabout 4.5 mi west
- Monroeabout 5.3 mi north
- Des Moinesnearest city, about 21 mi northwest
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Questions about Lake Red Rock
What fish are in Lake Red Rock?
Lakes like Lake Red Rock usually hold largemouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill and sunfish and catfish. Check the state fish and wildlife agency for stocking and limits.
How deep is Lake Red Rock?
We have no published depth for this lake. The 3-D view gives an estimated shape of the bed: where the deep basin and the drop-offs are. Not for navigation.
How big is Lake Red Rock?
15,500 acres, with about 61 miles of shoreline.
What town is near Lake Red Rock?
Knoxville is about 2.9 miles south; Pella is about 3.6 miles east.
What is the water temperature at Lake Red Rock today?
The surface was about 52°F on the latest clear reading. The page updates every day.
Lake Red Rock on your phone
The whole week of bite times, lake alerts and the 3-D view, every morning.
