Fishing Saylorville Lake

AKA: Saylorville Reservoir

Popular Fish Species
Saylorville Lake Fishing Video
Available Fish Species
Amenities
Today's Weather & Forecast
Fishing Boat Rentals
Boat Launch Ramps
Marinas
Local Fishing Guides
Fishing License
Campgrounds & RV Parks
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Lake Red Rock, IA

Popular Fish Species Saylorville Lake, IA

Crappie Fishing

Crappie are a favorite of local anglers fishing Saylorville Lake. Crappie fishing has been decent, when you can locate schools. White crappie have been running a bit larger than black crappie for several years now. 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. 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. 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. White crappie, in smaller numbers, also make this lake their home.

Saylorville Lake Popular Fish - White Bass

White Bass Fishing

After several very successful spawn years, white bass are flourishing in Saylorville Lake and running in the 8- to 12-inch range. Anglers can expect some decent fishing this year. White bass are aggressive, hard-fighting and just plain fun to catch. 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. In spring, once the water temperature rises into the mid sixties, they move shallow into the backs of coves and creek channels to spawn. At this time anglers can fish from shore and often do quite well. Use lures that imitate baitfish, including crankbaits, jerkbaits, jigs and spoons.

Saylorville Lake Popular Fish - Largemouth Bass

Largemouth Bass Fishing

Saylorville Lake continues to offer good fishing for largemouth bass. Some quality bass roam Saylorville Lake, thanks to excellent fisheries management by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, as well as the availability of extensive cover for both baitfish and bass. When the bite is good, bass typically move shallow and are quite 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 Saylorville Lake on deeper structure where the bass spend much of their time.

Saylorville Lake Fishing Video

Fish species to fish for...

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

Offering a wide variety of fish species, Saylorville Lake is a 5,400-acre lake with healthy populations of bass, catfish, crappie, walleye, sunfish, perch, hybrid stripers and northern pike. Located in central Iowa at Polk City. For anglers who enjoy fishing from the bank, there is good to excellent shoreline fishing along the 10 miles of shoreline, as well as a fishing jetty.

Boat ramps, rental boats and a marina assist the public with ways to navigate and enjoy this scenic waterway. No limitations are set for motorized boats, so all type boats are welcome here. Fishing boats, pleasure boat, pontoons, canoes and kayaks are all popular craft for experiencing Saylorville Reservoir. Camping and lodging are available at and nearby the lake.

Primary fish species residing in Saylorville Lake

Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.

Saylorville Lake Amenities

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

Today's Weather & Forecast

Fishing Boat Rentals

Big Creek Marina
Rentals: Fishing boats, kayaks, canoes and pontoon boats
515 984-6083

Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings

Cherry Glen Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, southeast side, off NW 94th Avenue, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks and paved parking.

Sandpiper Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, east side, off McBride Drive, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and paved parking.

Saylorville - Main Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, off NW Beaver Drive, this is three, two-lane, concrete ramps with docks and lots of paved parking.

Southwest Saylorville Boat Launch Ramp
Located in the southwest section of the lake, at the west end of the Northwest Saylorville Drive Bridge, this is a two-lane, concrete ramp with docks and gravel parking.

Marinas

Saylorville Lake Marina
6170 NW Polk City Dr
Polk City, IA 50226
515 984-6541