Iowa Fishing Lakes
Lake-by-lake species, seasonal bite, boat access, and regulations for the biggest fishing lakes in Iowa.
Big Spirit Lake
Clear Lake
Rathbun Lake
Saylorville Lake
West Okoboji Lake
More Iowa lakes
Tap a lake to open its guide: species, boat launches, bait shops, and size and creel limits.
Big Spirit LakeDickinson County · 5,684 acres
Big Spirit Lake
Iowa's largest natural lake, next to the Okobojis. It's a strong walleye and perch lake and very popular for ice fishing.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Northern Pike
Weed edges and bays. Spoons, spinnerbaits and tip-ups through the ice.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Muskellunge
Big baits along weed edges and rock bars, best in fall.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the Iowa DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge Open season May 21-Nov 30 | 40 in | 1 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Iowa Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Stan's Bait Shop7.4 mi2306 Okoboji Avenue, Milford(712) 338-2586Directions ↗
- Bill's Live Bait7.7 miDirections ↗
- Kabele's Trading PostNearby504 Hill Ave, Spirit Lake(712) 336-1512Directions ↗
Local tips
- Rock reefs on the east side hold walleye.
- Very popular ice-fishing lake.
- Shallow and wind-exposed. Waves build quickly.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
Clear LakeCerro Gordo County · 3,684 acres
Clear Lake
A popular northern Iowa lake near Mason City, known for walleye, yellow bass and muskie.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Muskellunge
Big baits along weed edges and rock bars, best in fall.
Crappie
Brush piles, docks and standing timber. Minnows or small jigs.
Channel Catfish
Cut bait and nightcrawlers on flats and creek mouths in the evening.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the Iowa DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye Only one over 22 in | 17-22 in slot released | 3 / day |
| Muskellunge Muskie/tiger muskie combined | 40 in | 1 / day |
| Crappie Black and white combined | See Iowa rules book ↗ | 25 / day |
| Channel Catfish Combined with blue/flathead | See Iowa rules book ↗ | 8 / day |
| Largemouth Bass | 15 in | 3 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Iowa Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Clear Lake Bait & TackleNearby524 Hwy 18 E, Clear Lake(641) 231-8028Directions ↗
- Crazy Minnow CompanyNearby1124 S 8th St, Clear LakeDirections ↗
Local tips
- Yellow bass are abundant and fun on light tackle.
- Clear Lake State Park has a launch and campground.
- Ice fishing is popular for yellow bass and walleye.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.
West Okoboji LakeDickinson County · 3,847 acres
West Okoboji Lake
Iowa's deepest natural lake and one of its clearest. It's known for walleye, smallmouth bass, perch and muskie.
Species
Fishery rating out of 5.
Walleye
Points, flats and reefs at low light. Jigs and live bait early, crankbaits and crawler harnesses in summer.
Smallmouth Bass
Rock, gravel and points. Tubes, jerkbaits and drop-shots.
Yellow Perch
Schools on mud and sand flats. Great through the ice.
Muskellunge
Big baits along weed edges and rock bars, best in fall.
Bluegill
Weed beds and shallow flats in late spring.
Boat launches
1 launch sites. Fees and hours change, so confirm before you go.
- More public accessPublicSee the Iowa DNR or lake website for all ramps and feesDirections ↗
Size & creel limits
Special rules for this lake, confirmed from official state regulations. Minimum size and daily limit.
| Species | Min size | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Muskellunge Open season May 21-Nov 30 | 40 in | 1 / day |
Other species in this lake: look up the limits at Iowa Department of Natural Resources ↗
Bait & tackle nearby
Closest shops to the lake and its boat launches. Call ahead for live bait and hours.
- Stan's Bait Shop0.8 mi2306 Okoboji Avenue, Milford(712) 338-2586Directions ↗
- Bill's Live Bait1 miDirections ↗
- Gopher TackleNearby1606 P Ave, Milford(712) 330-7574Directions ↗
Local tips
- Very clear water. Fish deep or at low light.
- Heavy boat traffic in summer.
- Part of the Iowa Great Lakes chain.
View on interactive map
Zoom and pan on a street, satellite or terrain map. Red pins are boat launches; blue pins are bait shops nearby.