Guide To Fishing At Coralville Lake

AKA: Coralville Reservoir

Created by the Coralville Dam on the Iowa River, Coralville Lake is a 5,300-acre reservoir in east-central Iowa just northeast of the town of North Liberty. Plenty of amenities are available at the lake to make fishing trips or family vacations a pleasant success.

Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Rental Boats
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Lake Video
Contact Info

Coralville Lake in Iowa is a popular destination for fishing enthusiasts, offering a range of fishing opportunities and a picturesque setting. Situated on the Iowa River, this reservoir provides anglers with ample chances to catch a variety of fish species and enjoy a day on the water.

One of the popular fish species in Coralville Lake is largemouth bass. The lake is known for its excellent bass fishery, attracting anglers in search of trophy-sized fish. Largemouth bass can be found near submerged structures, weed beds, and along the lake's shoreline. Anglers can employ various techniques such as casting with soft plastic baits, topwater lures, or crankbaits to entice these prized game fish.

Catfish fishing is another highlight of Coralville Lake. The lake offers opportunities to catch channel catfish, flathead catfish, and blue catfish. Anglers can target these species using a variety of methods such as bottom fishing with cut bait, stinkbaits, or live bait. Catfish can be found near areas with good cover, such as submerged logs, rock piles, or deeper holes.

Other popular fish species found in Coralville Lake include crappie, bluegill, walleye, and northern pike. Crappie can be targeted using small jigs, live bait, or artificial lures near submerged structures or brush piles. Bluegill, known for their tasty fillets, can be caught using small jigs, worms, or crickets around vegetation or near the lake's edges. Walleye and northern pike can be found in deeper areas of the lake and are often targeted using trolling techniques or casting with artificial lures.

Boating is a common activity on Coralville Lake, with multiple boat ramps available for easy access. Anglers can explore the lake's various fishing spots and enjoy the flexibility of reaching different areas. Whether it's cruising, water skiing, or simply enjoying a peaceful day on the water, boating adds another layer of enjoyment to the fishing experience.

Camping facilities are available near Coralville Lake, allowing anglers to extend their fishing trips and fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the area. Campgrounds offer amenities such as RV hookups, tent sites, picnic areas, and hiking trails, ensuring a comfortable and convenient stay for visitors.

In summary, Coralville Lake in Iowa provides excellent fishing opportunities for a range of popular fish species, including largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, walleye, and northern pike. With its boating options, camping facilities, and diverse fishing opportunities, Coralville Lake offers a complete outdoor experience for anglers and nature enthusiasts alike in the beautiful landscape of Iowa.

Camping options are available at numerous locations around the lake. Fishing enthusiasts will find over 50 miles of shoreline to explore - some for fishing from the bank, while most is easily accessible by boat. There are half a dozen boat launch areas for launching everything from kayaks and canoes to pontoons, sailboats and fishing boats. Anglers fish here for bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, sunfish, hybrid stripers and northern pike. Catfish, stripers and pike grow to bragging size and the lake has a healthy population of bass. In winter, ice fishing for crappie, walleye and sunfish is quite popular.

What to fish for...

Fishing for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, white crappie, walleye, green sunfish, white bass, hybrid striped bass and northern pike at Coralville Lake in Iowa.

Primary fish species residing in Coralville Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Coralville Lake Amenities

Marina: YES
Boat Rental: YES
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: YES
Restaurant: YES

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Coralville Lake Marina
Rentals: Pontoon boats
319 351-8343

Rez Adventures
Rentals: Pontoon boats
319 855-7905

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Citrus Bridge Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northwest section of the lake, off Citrus Bridge Road NE, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with gravel parking.

Coralville Reservoir Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off Lake MacBride Road NE, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Mehaffey Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, at the west end of the Mehaffey Bridge Road NE Bridge, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Sandy Beach Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, north side, off Sandy Beach Road NE, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Sugar Bottom Recreation Area Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, east side, off Sugar Bottom Beach Access Road, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

West Overlook Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, west side, off W Overlook Road NE, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.