Rathbun Lake, Iowa, USA

Also known as:  Lake Rathbun

One of the largest lakes in the state of Iowa, Rathbun Lake is located in Appanoose County and is a perfect place to enjoy water sports, fishing, and outdoor activities of all kinds. This beautiful lake in south-central Iowa has not always existed, though; it is a man-made reservoir, constructed in the 1960’s for drinking water supply, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, flood damage reduction, downstream water…
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    • All About Rathbun Lake, IA

    Lake Locations: USA - US Midwest Region - Iowa - South Central Iowa -

    One of the largest lakes in the state of Iowa, Rathbun Lake is located in Appanoose County and is a perfect place to enjoy water sports, fishing, and outdoor activities of all kinds. This beautiful lake in south-central Iowa has not always existed, though; it is a man-made reservoir, constructed in the 1960’s for drinking water supply, recreation, fish and wildlife habitat, flood damage reduction, downstream water quality improvement, and storage for supplementing navigational flows.

    The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a dam spanning the Chariton River to create a reservoir for flood control, recreation, and a variety of other purposes – and thus, Rathbun Lake was formed. The lake is expansive, covering an area of 11,000 acres, and is popular for recreation. Due to nutrient and sediment runoff, Rathbun Lake is on Iowa’s list of impaired waters. However, organizations such as the Rathbun Land and Water Alliance have been formed to improve water quality and prevent runoff problems.

    There are lots of ways to have fun on Rathbun Lake. Fishing, of course, is always popular, and anglers of all ages will enjoy relaxing in a boat as they reel in fish of various species. Some of the common fish in Rathbun Lake are crappie, walleye, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. Rathbun Lake has the largest warm-water fish hatchery in the state, and the hatchery produces a variety of fish such as channel catfish, walleye, saugeye, and largemouth bass. The hatchery is located below the dam, and interested visitors are free to take a self-guided tour of the operation.

    There are so many great ways to enjoy Rathbun Lake. Exploring by boat is always fun, and Rathbun Lake has many conveniences for boaters, including a couple marinas and several boat ramps. Other popular activities on the lake are water skiing, windsurfing, and sailing. Rathbun Lake is an especially windy lake, and it is said to be one of the best lakes in the state for sailing.

    There are many places to enjoy Rathbun Lake and the land surrounding it. The Army Corps of Engineers operates 8 recreation areas with a variety of amenities to make every visitor’s stay enjoyable. Honey Creek State Park, managed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, is one of the parks near the lake. With nearly 150 camp sites, plus picnic areas, hiking trails, and boat ramps, it’s a fantastic place to stay for awhile and enjoy some outdoor fun.

    Hikers will find miles of multi-use trails and the Woodland Interpretive Trail. The interpretive trail provides displays about the history of Honey Creek and the early American Indians who inhabited the area. Birdwatchers can observe a variety of birds in the area, including the bald eagle. Hunting is also a popular activity, and there is variety of game available including deer, turkey, pheasants, ducks, geese, and more. When winter comes, there’s still lots to do on and around the lake, whether it’s ice fishing for crappie or snowmobiling on snow-covered trails.

    With its vast expanse of wind-tossed water, Rathbun Lake well deserves its nickname, “Little Ocean.” Residents of Iowa and first-time visitors alike will appreciate the calming beauty, enjoyable activities, and relaxing atmosphere of this lake.

    Things to Do at Rathbun Lake

    These are some activities in the Rathbun Lake, IA area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Water Skiing
    • Camping
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Snowmobiling
    • Hunting
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • State Park

    What Kind of Fish Are in Rathbun Lake?

    Rathbun Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bass
    • Black Bass
    • Catfish
    • Channel Catfish
    • Crappie
    • Largemouth Bass
    • Perch
    • Saugeye Perch
    • Walleye
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    Find Places to Stay at Rathbun Lake

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    More Sites to Book a Rathbun Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Rathbun Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

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    Rathbun Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

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    Lake Type: Artificial Reservoir, Dammed

    Water Level Control: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

    Surface Area: 11,013 acres

    Shoreline Length: 155 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 904 feet

    Minimum Elevation (Min Pond): 0 feet

    Maximum Elevation (Max Pond): 940 feet

    Average Depth: 50 feet

    Water Volume: 205,359 acre-feet

    Completion Year: 1972

    Drainage Area: 549 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Eutrophic

    Rathbun Lake Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

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