Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs

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About High Lake

Surface Area (acres): 467.00
Maximum Depth (feet): 7.5 ft. (2018)
Motoring Restrictions: none
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Emmet
Description: High
Coordinates: 43.30460256, -94.70773311

Nearby Parks

Fort Defiance State Park

Amenities

Amenities at High Lake include:

Boat Access
Picnic Area
Trails
Restrooms
Camping
Hard Surface Boat Ramp

What to Fish For

Fishing Report

- No recent updates found

Popular Fish Species

Fishing Forecast

Incidental catches by commercial fisherman show good numbers of large crappie in this lake.(2015)

Consumption Guidelines

Iowa-Caught Fish Are Safe to Eat, In Almost All Cases

In nearly all cases, Iowa fish are safe to eat. Cleaning and/or preparing the meal causes most of the problems regarding taste or color of fish. Like all living creatures, fish are susceptible to diseases, parasites, and other naturally occurring conditions in the water. If you suspect your fish is affected by any of these conditions, do not eat it. Consider eating smaller and younger fish which usually have lower levels of contaminants than larger ones. Most contaminants accumulate in larger, older fish. For additional information, check out our resources for eating and cooking Iowa caught fish.

To learn more about fish tissue monitoring, visit our Fish Tissue Monitoring page .

Where to Go

Printable Map (PDF)

Explore the full Fishing Atlas

Stocking and Management

Stocking

04/23/2019 - 135,000 Northern Pike (Fry)

Management

2023 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: High Lake Fish Cleaning Station. Behind Emmet County Nature Center.
2015 - Commercial Fishing-Other: A total of 17,500 lbs (carp), 35,225 lbs (buffalo) and 0 lbs (FWD) for a total of 52,725 lbs of rough fish was removed by commercial fisherman.
2015 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Winter D.O. readings were taken under the ice.
2014 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Winter D.O. readings were taken under the ice.
2013 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Winter D.O. readings were taken under the ice.
2013 - Commercial Fishing-Other: A total of 5,050 lbs (carp), 88,800 lbs (buffalo) and 0 lbs (FWD) for a total of 93,850 lbs of rough fish was removed by commercial fisherman.
2012 - Commercial Fishing-Other: A total of 55,200lbs (carp), 9,200 lbs (buffalo) and 0 lbs (FWD) for a total of 64,000 lbs of rough fish was removed by commercial fisherman.
2011 - Fish Kills-Winterkill: Low D.O. (0.6 ppm) sulphur smell to the water and dead fish observed at the tile suggests winterkill.
2011 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Winter D.O. readings were taken under the ice.
2011 - Commercial Fishing-Other: Commercial fishing
2010 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: January, February and March winter D.O. reading
2010 - Fish Kills-Winterkill: Many dead carp and buffalo on northwest side.
2010 - Stocking-Northern Pike: A total of 503,835 fry were stocked
2009 - Stocking-Northern Pike: 97,718 3 inch and 465,933 northern pike fry were stocked.
2009 - Commercial Fishing-Other: 34,900 buffalo - 101,700 carp - 136,600 total pounds
2009 - Fish Kills-Dissolved Oxygen: Experienced a partial winterkill

Regulations and Who to Talk To

Motoring Restrictions

Motoring Restrictions: none

Contacts for this Location

Mike Hawkins, Fisheries Biologist; 712-336-1840; Michael.Hawkins@dnr.iowa.gov
Chris Subbert, Conservation Officer; 712-260-1009; Chris.Subbert@dnr.iowa.gov

Fishing Regulations

Black Bullhead

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: unlimited
Possession Limit: unlimited
Length Limit: none
Other:

Black Crappie

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: combined black and white crappie, 25 fish
Possession Limit: unlimited
Length Limit: none
Other: No daily limit on private waters

Channel Catfish

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 8 fish
Possession Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 30 fish
Length Limit: none
Other: Except for border lakes

Northern Pike

Season: Continuous, except for boundary lakes
Daily Bag Limit: 3 fish
Possession Limit: 6 fish
Length Limit: none
Other: Except for border lakes

Walleye

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: combined walleye, sauger and saugeye; 5 fish
Possession Limit: combined walleye, sauger and saugeye; 10 fish
Length Limit: none
Other:

White Crappie

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: combined black and white crappie, 25 fish
Possession Limit: unlimited
Length Limit: none
Other: No daily limit on private waters

Yellow Perch

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: 25 fish
Possession Limit: 50 fish
Length Limit: none
Other:

Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs - High Lake