Hunting & Fishing
ASHLEIGH REINOLD Natural resource specialist
Rathbun Lake, Iowa’ s second largest USACE project at more than 20,000 total acres, is an outdoor paradise for fishing and hunting enthusiasts alike. So what makes Rathbun Lake so great for fishing and hunting?
There is something peaceful about fishing, waiting patiently for that familiar tug on the other end of your line. Whether you are fishing from the shore, a boat or even an ice shack in the middle of winter, Rathbun Lake has a fish for you. Rathbun Lake is managed for a variety of game fish including: Crappie, walleye, hybrid-striped bass( aka wipers), catfish, largemouth bass and more. Rathbun is easily included in the top fishing lakes in Iowa and for great reason. Fishing techniques are varied by species and time of year.
For the most up-to-date fishing conditions at Rathbun Lake, check out the Iowa DNR’ s weekly fishing report available on their website at www. iowadnr. gov.
Now, let’ s talk about hunting. A warm spring morning with turkey’ s gobbling, a cool fall evening with deer passing by your stand, the whistle of low flying wood duck wings at a picturesque fall sunrise or the crunch of fresh snow under your feet with pheasants flushing, Rathbun Lake has a diverse amount of hunting opportunities to enjoy. Thousands of public acres at Rathbun Lake are managed for public hunting access by both USACE Staff
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22 Rathbun Lake 2025