27 public waters in the Iowa Great Lakes & North Central region — 19 lakes/reservoirs and 8 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a Iowa licence.
See every public fishing venue in Iowa on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
Big Spirit Lake is one of Iowa's premier natural lakes and holds the state's all-time record catches for both freshwater drum and muskellunge. A state-operated fish hatchery on the lake supports strong walleye and perch populations, fished mainly by boat and through the ice, while bullhead draw shore anglers in spring.
Dickinson County, Iowa — Big Spirit Lake is a 5,300-acre lake, managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (significant public lake): One of the 'Iowa Great Lakes' in Dickinson County (Big Spirit Lake, West and East Okoboji) — glacial lakes of exceptional clarity for the Midwest. Walleye and jumbo Yellow Perch are the headline fisheries, plus largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie, White Bass and a stocked Muskellunge fishery on West Okoboji. A major Iowa resort and boating destination since the 1880s.
West Okoboji Lake — one of only three blue-water lakes in the world formed by glaciers (with two in Switzerland), famous for its clarity and depth (up to 136 ft). Walleye, Yellow Perch, smallmouth and Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie and a stocked Muskellunge fishery.
East Okoboji Lake, a 1,842-acre lake in Dickinson County, Iowa, managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (significant public lake): One of the 'Iowa Great Lakes' in Dickinson County (Big Spirit Lake, West and East Okoboji) — glacial lakes of exceptional clarity for the Midwest. Walleye and jumbo Yellow Perch are the headline fisheries, plus largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie, White Bass and a stocked Muskellunge fishery on West Okoboji. A major Iowa resort and boating destination since the 1880s.
Silver Lake (Dickinson), a 1,031-acre lake in Dickinson County, Iowa, managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (significant public lake): A natural Iowa lake (Clear Lake, Storm Lake, Tuttle Lake, Lost Island Lake, Trumbull Lake, Five Island Lake, Silver Lake) — shallow, glacial or prairie-pothole lakes across north-central Iowa. Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie, Yellow Perch and Channel Catfish. Many have seen major water-quality restoration work in recent decades.
This 1,019-acre Dickinson County lake, managed by the US Army Corps of Engineers, supports a diverse Iowa Great Lakes fishery centered on walleye, northern pike, and largemouth bass. Black and white crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and bullhead round out the panfish and catfish options throughout the year.
Little Spirit Lake (615 acres) sits in Dickinson County, Iowa, managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (significant public lake). One of the 'Iowa Great Lakes' in Dickinson County (Big Spirit Lake, West and East Okoboji) — glacial lakes of exceptional clarity for the Midwest. Walleye and jumbo Yellow Perch are the headline fisheries, plus largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie, White Bass and a stocked Muskellunge fishery on West Okoboji. A major Iowa resort and boating destination since the 1880s.
In Dickinson County, Iowa, Center Lake is a 256-acre lake, managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (significant public lake). A natural Iowa lake (Clear Lake, Storm Lake, Tuttle Lake, Lost Island Lake, Trumbull Lake, Five Island Lake, Silver Lake) — shallow, glacial or prairie-pothole lakes across north-central Iowa. Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie, Yellow Perch and Channel Catfish. Many have seen major water-quality restoration work in recent decades.
Lower Gar Lake, a 252-acre lake in Dickinson County, Iowa, managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (significant public lake): A natural Iowa lake (Clear Lake, Storm Lake, Tuttle Lake, Lost Island Lake, Trumbull Lake, Five Island Lake, Silver Lake) — shallow, glacial or prairie-pothole lakes across north-central Iowa. Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie, Yellow Perch and Channel Catfish. Many have seen major water-quality restoration work in recent decades.
Grovers Lake (245 acres) sits in Dickinson County, Iowa, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
West Hottes Lake, a 202-acre lake in Dickinson County, Iowa, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Marble Lake (160 acres) sits in Dickinson County, Iowa, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Dickinson County, Iowa — Lake Minnewashta is a 122-acre lake, managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (significant public lake): A natural Iowa lake (Clear Lake, Storm Lake, Tuttle Lake, Lost Island Lake, Trumbull Lake, Five Island Lake, Silver Lake) — shallow, glacial or prairie-pothole lakes across north-central Iowa. Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie, Yellow Perch and Channel Catfish. Many have seen major water-quality restoration work in recent decades.
Minnewashta Lake, a 122-acre lake in Dickinson County, Iowa, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
East Hottes Lake, a 67-acre lake in Dickinson County, Iowa, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Dickinson County, Iowa, Jemmerson Slough is a 55-acre lake, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Dickinson County, Iowa, Welsh Lake is a 50-acre lake, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Upper Gar Lake, a 36-acre lake in Dickinson County, Iowa, managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (significant public lake): A natural Iowa lake (Clear Lake, Storm Lake, Tuttle Lake, Lost Island Lake, Trumbull Lake, Five Island Lake, Silver Lake) — shallow, glacial or prairie-pothole lakes across north-central Iowa. Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie, Yellow Perch and Channel Catfish. Many have seen major water-quality restoration work in recent decades.
Trappers Bay (35 acres) sits in Dickinson County, Iowa, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Clay, Cherokee, Woodbury and 3 more counties in Iowa — Little Sioux River is a 384 km stream: A western Iowa river (the Little Sioux, Big Sioux, Boyer, Nishnabotna) — channel and Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Carp and Drum in muddy, meandering loess-hills country rivers.
Big Muddy Creek runs 47 km through Dickinson and Clay Counties, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Dickinson, Clay and Osceola Counties, Iowa, Stony Creek is a 24 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Dickinson and Osceola Counties, Iowa — Dugout Creek is a 14 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Clay and Dickinson Counties, Iowa, Little Muddy Creek is a 14 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
West Branch Little Sioux River runs 14 km through Dickinson and Osceola Counties, Iowa: A western Iowa river (the Little Sioux, Big Sioux, Boyer, Nishnabotna) — channel and Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Carp and Drum in muddy, meandering loess-hills country rivers.
Milford Creek runs 11 km through Dickinson County, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
School Creek (Emmet and Dickinson Counties, Iowa) sits in Emmet and Dickinson Counties, Iowa. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Across its mapped waters, Dickinson County holds 24 species on PiscaMaps, including Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Channel Catfish and Muskellunge.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Iowa map Join PiscaMapsOne Iowa DNR fishing licence covers every public water in the state — the resident annual is about $22, the non-resident annual about $48, with non-resident 1-day and 7-day options. A ~$16.50 trout fee is required in addition to the fishing licence to fish for or keep trout in the Driftless Area streams. Iowa residents 65 and older can buy a discounted licence, and anyone under 16 fishes free. Buy at iowadnr.gov.