Wildlife
PUBLIC LAND OWNED AND ACRES U. S. Army Corps of Engineers- 25,537 acres Appanoose County Conservation- 597 acres Iowa DNR- 7,924 acres
Appanoose County has lots to offer to outdoor enthusiasts with a wide variety of wildlife and outdoor activities. The Army Corps of Engineers and Appanoose County state parks will keep you active from hiking and biking trails, to kayaking, fishing and hunting.
The Department of Natural Resources at Honey Creek State Park Resort offers a wide variety of nature classes for people to discover the great outdoors of southern Iowa. Whether you’ re a spectator or a participant, Rathbun Lake has something for you. To experience nature at its finest, venture through the Rathbun Lake area, one of Iowa’ s largest lakes.
With great sports facilities and events, four seasons of recreational activities and beautiful parks, Appanoose County is your place for adventure. Enjoy everything from boating to hunting, to hiking to snowmobiling. Make Rathbun Lake your recreational getaway.
Appanoose County is rich in wildlife and was voted the fifth Best Hunting and Fishing County in the U. S. by Outdoor Life Magazine. It is also known to have the most public land areas in the state. The public land can be used for a variety of outdoor activities.
Milo food plots planted around the lake provide a great source of food for all types of wildlife. The smaller grain is utilized by many upland bird species like quail, pheasants and turkeys. Along with providing a food source, Milo also provides excellent habitat cover during the winter months.
26 Rathbun Lake 2025