Size
3,898ac
Boat Launch
Carry-in Launch
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
Species in West Okoboji Lake
Smallmouth bass
Perch
Crappie
Pumpkinseed
Muskellunge
Walleye
Largemouth bass
Northern pike
Bluegill
White bass
Overview
Smallmouth, largemouth, walleye and pike all available! Known for trophies, including state records.
West Okoboji Lake Map
Fishing Regulations
Special Fishing Regulations: This lake has special fishing regulations that differ from statewide or border water regulations for those species identified below and take precedence. Regulations listed below are currently in place. Visit the fishing regulations page for links to upcoming regulations for specific lakes.
Special Waterbody Regulations
- NULL
- No more than one walleye longer than 25 inches may be taken per day
Special Species Regulations
- Muskellunge: Open from May 21 - November 30: Daily Bag Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish. Possession Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish. Length Limit: 40-inch minimum.
- Tiger muskie: Open from May 21 - November 30: Daily Bag Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish. Possession Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish. Length Limit: 40-inch minimum.
- Walleye: May 7, 2022 through Feb.14, 2023: Daily Bag Limit: 3 fish. Possession Limit: 6 fish. Length Limit: all 19 to 25-inch walleyes must be immediately released alive.
Features
West Okoboji Lake: Located in northwestern Iowa, West Okoboji, one of Iowa’s Great Lakes, is the second largest natural lake in Iowa and has a reputation for producing trophy quality fish, including state record fish. Anglers should be aware of the special fishing regulations for the Iowa Great Lakes as they differ from other waters in the state. Check a current regulation booklet for details. East Okoboji Lake: East Okoboji Lake is the middle of the three Iowa Great Lakes. As with the other Great Lakes, special regulations are in effect. Be sure to consult the current regulations booklet for details. Minnewashta and Upper & Lower Gar Lake: These smaller lakes attached to East and West Okoboji Lakes contain many of the same fisheries but the statuses of the fisheries fluctuate with natural reproduction and movement from the other lakes.
Forage
West Okoboji Lake: Yellow perch and bluegill are the primary forage base for many of the larger game fish. Chubs, suckers, various shiners and other minnows add to the diversity of the forage base. Juvenile panfish and rough fish are also important food sources to larger predator species. East Okoboji Lake: Juvenile and adult perch and bluegill are the primary forage for many of the larger gamefish. Fathead minnow, bluntnose minnow, spottail shiner, and suckers add to the diversity of the forage base. Aquatic insects and their larvae are utilized during periods of abundance. Minnewashta, Upper & Lower Gar Lakes: Juvenile and adult perch and bluegill are primarily utilized by larger game fish. Fathead minnow, bluntnose minnow, gizzard shad and rough fish add to the diversity of the forage base. Aquatic insects and their larvae are also important food sources.
Seasonal Movements
East Okoboji Lake: IIn early spring (and at other times when a strong current is flowing over the Orleans spillway) large numbers of walleye congregate at the narrows, bridge and spillway.
Weather
71°Feels like 71°
71°
60°
71°60°7:01 AM
7:29 PM
4 mph
Southeast
0 in
Rain
30.24 inHg
Falling
WednesdayWe
71° / 60°
ThursdayTh
75° / 60°
FridayFr
76° / 59°
SaturdaySa
69° / 54°
SundaySu
66° / 53°
MondayMo
66° / 51°
Moon Phase
September 16, 2026
28% Illumination
waxing crescent, getting brighter
WednesdayWe09/16
ThursdayTh09/17
FridayFr09/18
SaturdaySa09/19
SundaySu09/20
MondayMo09/21
TuesdayTu09/22
Get Your Line in the Right Water
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Top Fish Species
Smallmouth bass
7-16 in
Length Range
12 in
Length Range
2022
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Understanding Abundance
Abundance ratings are based on Catch Per Unit Effort (CPUE) measurements conducted by the MN DNR, and represent a snapshot of a species population at a given point in time
Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Survey cadence may vary by state and water body.Species Lengths
