East Okoboji Lake

East Okoboji Lake

Size
1,828ac
Boat Launch
Yes
Carry-in Launch
No
Toilet
No
Boat Dock
No
Species in East Okoboji Lake
Bluegill
Bluegill
Walleye
Walleye
Muskellunge
Muskellunge
Pumpkinseed
Pumpkinseed
Crappie
Crappie
Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Perch
Perch
Northern pike
Northern pike
Smallmouth bass
Smallmouth bass
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Tiger muskellunge
Tiger muskellunge
White bass
White bass

Overview

Smallmouth, largemouth, walleye and pike all available! Known for trophies, including state records.

East 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

  • No more than one walleye longer than 25 inches may be taken per day

Special Species Regulations

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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.
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Fish Species

Bluegill
fish
4-9 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2024
May
2024
Jun
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized bluegill based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202012
Channel catfish
fish
25-26 in
Length Range
26 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2020
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2020
Jul
Crappie
fish
4-9 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2024
May
2024
Jun
Largemouth bass
fish
4-9 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2024
May
2024
Jun
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized largemouth-bass based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202420
202020
Muskellunge
fish
27-48 in
Length Range
36 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2021
Apr
2023
Apr
2024
Apr
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized muskellunge based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
202348
202151
Northern pike
fish
6-10 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2020
Sep
2024
May
Perch
fish
6-10 in
Length Range
8 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2020
Sep
2024
May
Pumpkinseed
fish
4-9 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2024
May
2024
Jun
Trophy Potential
This lake has a history of supporting trophy sized pumpkinseed based on past surveys.
Survey YearLargest Fish (in)
20209
Smallmouth bass
fish
4-9 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2024
Jun
Tiger muskellunge
fish
33-35 in
Length Range
34 in
Length Range
2021
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2021
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2021
Apr
Walleye
fish
4-9 in
Length Range
7 in
Length Range
2024
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2024
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2024
May
2024
Jun
White bass
fish
25-26 in
Length Range
26 in
Length Range
2020
Surveyed
Abundance (CPUE)
Unknown
2020
Surveyed
NA
Catch Method
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
2020
Jul