Summer Fishing Destinations in Iowa

Posted by Joel Johnson on 14th Jun 2022

Summer Fishing
Destinations in Iowa

Every region of Iowa has special places that provide incredible fishing and outdoor adventures. The list I put together is by no means exhaustive and some folks may disagree with my choices. However, if I was planning a long weekend or vacation with friends and family, these are the places that would top my list. In every case, the locations were chosen because of the sheer number of options and the tremendous value they can deliver within an hour’s drive of your base camp.

Northwest Region

The Iowa Great Lakes (IGL) area is the undisputed king of commercial tourism and the number one fishing destination in Iowa. Generations of residents and non-residents have spent summer vacations in this area, and its pristine glacial waters provide some of the clearest water and best angling opportunities in the midwest. As with any heavily developed resort area, the IGL has just as many family-friendly activities off the water including an amusement park, fine dining, spas, walking trails, and camping.

Fishing opportunities abound in the IGL! Just north of the tourist trappings of Okoboji, Spirit Lake, Iowa’s largest natural lake, is the most prominent in the area covering 5,684 acres. Like other IGL lakes, walleyes are the most popular sportfish targeted. However, largemouth and smallmouth bass as well as northern pike, muskies, yellow perch, white and yellow bass, crappies, bluegills, catfish, and even keeper-sized bullheads are plentiful.

West Okoboji is the second largest lake in the IGL covering 3,847 acres with sparkling blue, spring-fed waters and a shocking maximum depth of 134 feet. West Okoboji is the hub of the tourism industry in the IGL and is surrounded by the communities of Arnold’s Park, Wahpeton, Okoboji, and West Okoboji. Due to heavy pleasure boating traffic, fishing at the lake is best in the spring and fall when water temperatures are below 70 degrees. Similar to Spirit Lake, the most popular and abundant species include walleyes, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, white and yellow bass, muskies, catfish, and panfish.

East Okoboji is the third largest lake in the IGL covering 1,835 acres. The lake is connected to West Okoboji and also sees heavy boat traffic during the summer months. As a result, families looking for a fishing and camping getaway should schedule a trip during the spring and fall when water temperatures are cooler. However, if a summer vacation is the ticket, fishing can be very good in the early mornings and late evenings when there is reduced boat traffic. East Okoboji hosts the same species as other IGL lakes with above-average size and numbers of yellow perch, channel catfish, and yellow bass.

Upper Gar, Minnewashta, and Lower Gar lakes round off the IGL region. These smaller waters are connected to the south shore of East Okoboji and can provide hearty mixed bags of walleyes, northern pike, yellow perch, white and yellow bass, crappies, and bluegills. Anglers should use small-water techniques on Minnewashta and Lower Gar at 118 and 251 acres respectively. These lakes offer a respite from heavy recreational boat traffic and can easily be fished from a kayak.

Northeast Region

The “Driftless Area” within Allamakee and Clayton counties, is one of the most unique and scenic areas in the country. Untouched by the titanic forces of glaciation, this region includes rugged hills, scenic bluffs, cold streams, and rich history.

Forming the eastern border of the Driftless Area, pools 9 and 10 of the Mississippi River feature open water areas as well as vast networks of islands, side channels, and backwaters. This cover and structure provide nearly unlimited opportunities for popular game fish, and one could spend a lifetime exploring and fishing new areas on this stretch of the Mississippi.

This part of Iowa also features several sprawling state parks and national monuments. A personal favorite of my family, Effigy Mounds National Monument, is a mysterious and mystical place featuring Native American burial mounds arranged in epic shapes and gargantuan proportions. Visitors to this area will leave humbled with a newfound respect for the complex and spiritual rituals and traditions of native peoples.

Yellow River State Forest covers almost 9,000 acres in Allamakee county and features incredible walking and backpacking trails. However, people also flock to the area to catch stocked and naturally reproducing trout species including browns, brooks, and rainbows. The Department of Natural Resources publishes a weekly trout stocking schedule and hitting one of the many streams in the area after stocking can provide fast action on these hard fighting and delicious fish.

Pikes Peak State Park boasts some of the best camping, picnicking, and hiking in the Midwest. Combine these activities with some of the most spectacular views of the Mississippi River, and Pikes Peak should be a destination during any trip to the area.

Southeast Region

Red Rock Reservoir, located between Pella and Knoxville, is Iowa’s largest lake covering 15,250 acres. Red Rock is a legendary crappie fishing destination with numbers of burly shad-gorged fish from 12-14” and larger. From late April through May, crappies can be easy to catch and the numbers and size can be incredible. In my experience, catching trophy fish up to and exceeding 2 pounds is possible and can be common in good years.

When the water warms in June, crappies leave spawning areas and become more difficult to catch. However, catfish begin spawning at this time and both eater and trophy-sized channel and flathead catfish are plentiful in the lake. These spawning fish target rocks along the face of the dam as well as the many red sandstone bluffs and ledges surrounding the lake that gave its name. With stable water conditions, Red Rock can provide some of the best catfishing in the state of Iowa.

Hot temps. and warm water in July and August, spark white bass, and hybrid feeding frenzies. White bass often school in the hundreds, pursuing shoals of shad throughout the lake. Amongst the white bass, hybrids or “wipers” lurk with occasional trophy fish weighing up to 15 pounds being caught. For my money, white bass and hybrids are the most aggressive and ferocious fighters for their size in freshwater.

If the family needs a break from fishing, the award-winning Bos Landen golf course is just a short drive from the lake. This 18-hole championship public golf course consistently ranks in the top 5 courses in Iowa and maintains a 4-star ranking from Golf Digest.

If racing is more your family’s speed, Knoxville is a short drive south of the lake and is home to the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and Museum. In addition, there is racing on most Saturdays from June through August.

Southwest Region

Southwest Iowa is pock-marked with countless farm ponds as well as several county and state parks. However, there is one area in the region that provides multiple high-quality public fishing destinations and all are within a 30-minute drive of each other. The hardest part of planning a vacation to the area is deciding where to stay! Standard and primitive campsites, as well as cabin rentals, are available at multiple locations. However, my recommendation for anybody planning a trip is to base camp at either Lake Icaria or Green Valley State Park. Both have modern accommodations and are a short drive from Corning and Creston respectively.

Green Valley State Park and lake are located 3 miles north of Creston in Union County. Over the last 10 years, several park and lake projects were completed including water quality improvements and campground renovations. The lake covers 340 acres and includes 6 jetties, 3 silt dams, 4 boat ramps, and 2 large American Disabilities Act accessible fishing piers that everyone can fish. The lake also features water skiing which is unique to the area.

Anglers heading to Green Valley can expect strong largemouth bass populations with fish up to 20” or larger. Bluegill up to 9” and crappies up to 11” should also be available to persistent fishermen. Walleyes are also present with fish averaging 12-14” and occasional trophies measuring over 20”. Channel catfish are also available and both “eaters” and trophy fish inhabit the lake.

Located on the west edge of Creston, Summit Lake is another quality fishing option covering 250 acres. Summit is a relatively shallow lake with an average depth of less than 11’. The lake boasts a strong largemouth bass and panfish fishery with 18” and larger bass, 9” bluegills, and 11” and larger crappies.

Twelve Mile (Creek) Lake is located 4 miles east of Creston and covers 635 acres. Another southern Iowa fishing gem, Twelve Mile has consistently produced stringers of monster panfish over the years and anglers should expect bluegills up to 9”, crappies up to 11” or larger, and yellow perch up to 12”. The lake also boasts good populations of largemouth bass up to 20” and trophy channel catfish up to 30” and larger!

Three Mile Lake is located 12 miles east of Creston and covers 880 acres. This legendary fishing destination was renovated in 2016, and the size and quality of gamefish have exploded, growing at approximately 3x the normal rate compared to an established lake. According to 2019 electrofishing surveys, largemouth bass up to 20”, bluegills up to 9”, and crappies up to 10” were available to anglers. In addition, good numbers of walleyes from 12-14” and occasional trophies up to 22” were surveyed. A species unique to the vast majority of Iowa waters, stocked blue catfish over 25” can also be found in the lake. Fast forward to 2022, and the fishing at Three Mile Lake this year should be extraordinary!

Lake Icaria is 25 miles west of Creston and covers 648 acres. The lake features two impressive campgrounds on the south shore that include primitive and standard sites as well as convenient full-service cabins. There is also an on-site convenience store and bait shop for necessities, and families can make the short 4-mile drive to Corning for additional food and dining options.

Icaria anglers can expect very similar largemouth bass and panfishing as other area lakes. However, the lake also features good numbers of walleyes of all sizes including trophies over 20”. Unique to the area, fishermen also have the opportunity to catch ferocious and hard-fighting hybrid striped bass (wipers) at Icaria.

No matter where you live in Iowa, incredible fishing and outdoor adventure opportunities are available to spend a long weekend or vacation with friends and family. The state has something for everybody from full-service resorts to minimalist campsites. The next time you are looking to book a family fishing outing, don’t look outside the state. Instead, spend a little time researching the places I mentioned as well as other popular locations across the state. Fishing locally supports Iowa communities, and the quality of the fishing may surprise you too.