Fishing Trumbull Lake
AKA: Trumbull Slough
Popular Fish Species Trumbull Lake, IA
Northern Pike Fishing
Big northern pike are thriving in the cool waters of Trumbull Lake. This year they are being caught in good numbers with an occasional giant. April and May are the best months of the year for northern pike fishing here. They are extremely active when feeding and they can catch and eat pretty much any food source in the lake. Northerns are very agile and powerful, plus they have big mouths with very sharp teeth. Summer can be spotty but pike are caught all through the summer. Fall can also be good sometimes stretching into October. Large, flashy lures that mimic the bait they prey upon are great lures for northerns. Trolling along weed edges can often entice strikes. Use GPS to locate spots you normally find northern pike holding during summer. Portable fish finders can also be a big help. Throughout the season, effective lures include spoons, spinners, and crankbaits, particularly those with bright colors or metallic finishes to attract the pike's attention. Additionally, big flies, soft plastic swimbaits and jerkbaits can be successful, especially when retrieved erratically to mimic wounded prey.
Yellow Perch Fishing
Yellow perch tend to spawn in the April to May timeframe, and the spawn has been strong for years at Trumbull Lake. As a result, the lake continues to maintain a very healthy population of yellow perch, which have been a mainstay in the fishery for decades. Yellow perch are great table fare, and are a food source for many predator fish in the lake. Fishing for yellow perch is simple, their primary diet consists of minnows and other small fish, insects and worms. Yellow perch tend to gather in small groups and hang out on relatively deep structure, near cover and/or drop-offs. Use a small hook and sinker. Bait a small hook with minnows, worms or small jigs using 6 to 10 pound line.
Trumbull Lake Fishing Video
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for yellow perch and northern pike at Trumbull Lake in Iowa.
Dense vegetation lines much of the 7 miles of shoreline at Trumbull Lake, a 1,180-acre lake in northwest Iowa 2 miles north of Ruthven. Northern pike and yellow perch thrive in these aquatic shelters which provide great nesting areas for fry.
The lake has virtually no facilities except for a boat launch ramp on the west side of the lake off 310th Street. Canoes, kayaks and portables are popular here.
Primary fish species residing in Trumbull Lake
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Trumbull Lake Amenities
Marina: NO
Boat Rental: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: NEARBY
RV Hookups: NEARBY
Lodging: NEARBY
Convenience Store: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: NEARBY
Today's Weather & Forecast
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Trumbull Lake Boat Launch Ramp
Located mid lake, west side, off 310th Street, this is a one-lane, concrete ramp with a dock and gravel parking.
Fishing License
Click here for a Iowa Fishing License.
Campgrounds & RV Parks Nearby
Lost Island – Huston Park Campground - 712 837-4866
East Leach Park Campground - 712 580-7265
Trumbull Lake IA Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Trumbull Lake
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
712 336-1840
Fishing lakes in each state.
021925
Trumbull Lake in IA
IOWA
Fishing for yellow perch and northern pike in northwest IA.
