Fishing Rathbun Lake

AKA: Rathbun Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Rathbun Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Marinas
Boat Launch Ramps
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
Map
Contact Info

Rathbun Lake, IA

Popular Fish Species Rathbun Lake, IA

Walleye Fishing

According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, fishing for walleye in Rathbun Lake should be good this year. Due to a steady stocking program, a healthy population of walleye are thriving here and growing to bragging size. May and June tend to be the best time for weekend anglers to catch them. During this time they tend to move shallower and closer to shore. Other times of the year they are more likely to roam around in deeper water. As always, staying close by schools of baitfish. They are eager to feed throughout the lake, but tend to concentrate around structure on points, flats and ledges off the river channels. A proven method 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.

Crappie Fishing

Anglers will be happy to know both black crappie and white crappie reside in Rathbun Lake, and crappie are a very popular species this year. Crappie fishing is on the rise and they can be found in sizeable schools. Crappie always like cover and structure, so locate brush and vegetation. Using a fish finder can help locate schools of crappie, which tend to stack vertically around cover. Live bait and small jigs are the most common method for crappie here. 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.

Rathbun Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Fishing in Rathbun Lake for largemouth bass can run hot and cold at times. Per the Iowa DNR, the fishing has been better than usual this year. Big bass are thriving in Rathbun Lake due to excellent fisheries management and plenty of cover for both baitfish and bass. When the bite is good, bass are typically shallow and aggressive. If you find them shallow and they are not tempted to bite, slow down and use smaller, lighter baits. Fishing for largemouth bass is good virtually any time they are shallow - in spring, mornings in summer, and during warm Fall afternoons. Use shallow crankbaits around rip rap. Around grass use worms, jigs, topwater and spinnerbaits. In deeper water, big worms, jigs and spoons are three good weapons. In winter, spend your time fishing Rathbun Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

Rathbun Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

Guide to fishing for largemouth bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, black crappie, walleye, bluegill, warmouth, white bass and hybrid striped bass at Rathbun Lake in Iowa.

With plenty of access for shoreline fishing, Rathbun Lake is a favorite of anglers who enjoy fishing from the bank. And, there's over 150 miles of shoreline accessible to anglers fishing from boats.

This is an 11,000-acre lake in south-central Iowa that produces big walleye, bass and crappie. The full list of fish species includes bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, sunfish and hybrid stripers. There are half a dozen campgrounds at or nearby the lake, as well as a marina, stores, lodging, bait and tackle, restaurants and rental boats. Several boat launch ramps are open to the public.

Primary fish species residing in Rathbun Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Rathbun Lake Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Honey Creek Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the north arm of the lake, off Hornet Place, this is a six-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Island View Park East Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Intaglio Place, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Island View Park Southeast Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Isthmus Place, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Island View Park West Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southeast section of the lake, off Islandview Place, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Prarie Ridge Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the northeast section of the lake, off Pumpkin Circle, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

The Preserve Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the north side of the north arm of the lake, off Resort Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Rolling Cove Park Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, off Redhawk Place, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with paved parking.

Southfork Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, on the south side of the lake, east side of the south fork, off Southfork Place, this is a three-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Marinas

Rathbun Marina
21646 Marina Pl
Moravia, Iowa 52571
641 724-3212