Fishing Lost Island Lake

AKA: Lost Island Lake County Park

Popular Fish Species
Lost Island Lake Fishing Video
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Lost Island Lake, IA

Popular Fish Species Lost Island Lake, IA

Walleye Fishing

Lost Island Lake is home to a hearty population of walleye. Good fisheries management and plenty of forage in the lake have them growing fat and healthy. When the lake freezes over in winter, ice fishing for walleye can be very rewarding. Use GPS to locate fishing spots you normally fish during other times of the year. Walleye have excellent vision in low light scenarios which helps them find food in deep or murky water. Make an effort to be on the water anytime there are low light conditions. During May and June is the optimal time to catch them, while feeding in shallower water. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. Concentrate around structure like points, flats and ledges off the river channels. One of the proven methods for catching walleye here is trolling with spinners tipped with live bait, or trolling with long-billed, deep diving crankbaits. However casting live bait, jigs, worms and spoons also works well at times.

Lost Island Lake Popular Fish - Black Crappie

Black Crappie Fishing

A healthy population of black crappie roam the waters of Lost Island Lake. Crappie tend to run in schools, and once a school is located, there is a good chance for catching significant numbers. Crappie fishing is easy and requires simple, basic gear. Virtually any fishing pole, reasonably small line and crappie jigs or small hooks baited with live bait, creates the ideal setup. Add a bobber and you can set the depth you prefer the bait to maintain. The best time to catch crappie tends to be at dawn and dusk. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing is often a great way to catch a nice bunch of slabs. Because crappie prefer cover and structure, locate brush and vegetation in appropriate water depths. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. In spring and fall focus on the 8 to 12 foot range. As the crappie move deep in summer and winter, follow points out deep, as well as find ledges near channels in deeper water.

Lost Island Lake Popular Fish - White Bass

White Bass Fishing

Recent successful spawn years have increased the population of white bass in Lost Island Lake, and anglers can expect some great fishing this year. When fishing for white bass, the average fish is typically in the one- to two-pound range. These schooling fish tend to roam around the lake looking for ideal water conditions and baitfish. Look for them to generally be in 15 to 35 feet of water, whether they are hovering around the bottom or swimming in open water. Fish finders are the best way to locate big schools of white bass. Fish near the bottom at night with live bait. When the lake freezes over, try your luck at ice fishing for white bass. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. When white bass chase schools of bait near the surface, spinners, spoons and small crank baits work well. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including small crankbaits, small jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.

Lost Island Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, white bass, yellow bass, yellow perch and northern pike at Lost Island Lake in Iowa.

A popular ice fishing destination in winter, Lost Island Lake also has a reputation for good fishing in warm weather. This 1,260-acre lake is located in northwest Iowa 2 miles north of Ruthven.

Within 7 miles of shoreline bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, sunfish, perch and northern pike reside in good numbers. Walleye, channel catfish and pike top the list of locals. Amenities include a nice boat launch ramp and camping at Lost Island Huston Park, a pier, a fish cleaning station and open areas for fishing from the bank.

Primary fish species residing in Lost Island Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Lost Island Lake Amenities

Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: YES
Lodging: YES
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: NEARBY

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Hudson Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast corner of the lake, off 350th Avenue, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.