Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs

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About Lost Island Lake

Surface Area (acres): 1162.00
Maximum Depth (feet): 13.5 ft. (2021 - 13.5 feet)
Motoring Restrictions: none
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Palo Alto
Description: Lost Island
Coordinates: 43.17474934, -94.90412341

Nearby Parks

- No results found

Amenities

Amenities at Lost Island Lake include:

Boat Access
Accessible Pier
Picnic Area
Beach
Trails
Accessible Facilities
Playground
Restrooms
Camping
Good/Excellent Shorefishing
Hard Surface Boat Ramp
Accessible Shoreline
Fish Cleaning Station

What to Fish For

Fishing Report

- No recent updates found

Popular Fish Species

Fishing Forecast

Walleye anglers will continue to enjoy the “good times “as numbers of angler acceptable size fish will be harvested during the upcoming 2019 season. Catfish anglers will continue to enjoy quality angling as numbers of angler acceptable size and larger fish will comprise the majority of the catch for the upcoming 2019 season. Anglers will continue to notice the influx of panfish species comprised of yellow perch, crappie and bluegill in the 2019 anglers catch. Crappie anglers fishing the shoreline habitat and the canals during the early season will require sorting as anglers will note small fish in the catch; however, persistence will be rewarded with numbers of angler acceptable size fish in the creel. Continued good growth of the small black crappie population in Lost Island Lake will provide good angling opportunities for the fall and upcoming 2020 fishing season. Bluegill anglers, with persistence and patience will be rewarded with numbers of this species in the creel. Anglers will continue to catch the occasional yellow perch; however, anglers will be pleased by the size caught. Temperate bass, comprised primarily of yellow bass will provide plenty of “pole bending” action during the upcoming fishing season. Anglers will note the increased size of the fish population which will provide an upswing during the 2019 fishing season and beyond. Recent surveys reflect good numbers of northern pike in the lake which will provide excellent action during the 2019 season. Black bullheads will provide quality angling with numbers of large fish available for harvest. (2019)

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)

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Stocking and Management

Stocking

5/5/22 - 1,159,575 Walleye (Fry)
10/11/2021 - 18,249 Walleye (4.7)
05/05/2021 - 1,191,400 Walleye (Fry)
09/24/2020 - 18,380 Walleye (6.1)
October 2019 - 5,948 Walleye (9.1)
10/04/2019 - 262 Northern Pike (11.87)
05/06/2019 - 1,269,675 Walleye (Fry)
10/25/2018 - 15,882 Walleye (5.1)
10/08/2018 - 1,404 Channel Catfish (8.3)
09/26/2018 - 904 Northern Pike (10.8)
07/11/2018 - 18,089 Walleye (2.78)
05/14/2018 - 1,173,855 Walleye (Fry)
9/29/2017 - 7,106 Walleye (7.7")
6/15/2017 - 2,690 Northern Pike (4.9")
5/3/2017 - 1,154,000 Walleye (fry)
10/10/2017 - 980 Northern Pike (9.6")
fall 2016 - 3,490 Channel Catfish (9.1")
9/30/2016 - 16,544 Walleye (4.5")
9/29/16 - 366 Northern Pike (10.5")
9/28/16 - 3,788 Walleye (7.0")
4/25/16 - 1,150,000 Walleye (Fry)
11/04/2015 - 5,412 Walleye (8")
10/06/2015 - 333 Northern Pike (10")
09/25/2015 - 18,051 Walleye (6" & 8")
06/25/2015 - 90,000 Largemouth Bass (2")
04/30/2015 - 1,150,000 Walleye (Fry)

Management

2024 - Vegetation-Treatment: eurasion watermilfoil broadcast
2023 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Lost Island Lake Fish Cleaning Station. At Northeast Boat Ramp.
2023 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Lost Island Lake Fish Cleaning Station. At Northeast Boat Ramp.
2023 - Vegetation-Treatment: Eurasian Watermilfoil treatment with Reward and Cide Kick II
2023 - Vegetation-Treatment: Eurasian Watermilfoil subsurface treatment with ProcellaCOR EC
2022 - Exotic Species-Vegetation: Eurasian watermilfoil found at transects 17,18,20, and 22.
2022 - Vegetation-Treatment: Rapid response to new infestation of Eurasian watermilfoil. Treated MYSP2 in zones established in management plan.
2022 - Vegetation-Treatment: Treated high use areas with ProcellaCOR EC to reduce abundance of Eurasian watermilfoil at access points.
2021 - Morphology-Maximum Depth: 13.5 feet
2021 - Morphology-Mean Depth: 9.7 feet
2021 - Morphology-Lake Volume: 11277.3 acre-feet
2018 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Adult and veliger ZM reported by AIS crew
2018 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Zebra mussels reported by AIS crew
2016 - Exotic Species-Fish: Asian carp were captured in Lost Island Lake in 2016 by the commercial angler.
2015 - Commercial Fishing-Other: A total of 1,825 lbs (carp), 20,605 lbs (buffalo) and 35,207 lbs (FWD) for a total of 57,637 lbs of rough fish was removed by commercial fisherman.
2014 - Commercial Fishing-Other: A total of 18551 lbs (carp), 6,851 lbs (buffalo) and 0 lbs (FWD) for a total of 25,402 lbs of rough fish was removed by commercial fisherman.
2014 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Winter D.O. readings were taken under the ice.
2014 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Water and electricity
2014 - Survey-Population: Mark and recapture techniques to estimate in lake carp numbers and biomass. carp were fin clipped in the spring - D.C. electroshocker was used to recapture carp to obtain population estimate - # carp or lb/acre.
2013 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Winter D.O. readings were taken under the ice.
2013 - Fish Kills-Undetermined: Dead walleyes were reported on the shoreline of Lost Island Lake on September 29th. 74 large broodstock size walleyes were counted with most of the dead walleyes were in very good body condition but were covered with an external fungal infection.
2013 - Other-Other: An electric fish barrier was installed on the shoreline of the Lake at the outlet of the Blue Wing Marsh Complex.
2013 - Survey-Population: Mark and recapture techniques to estimate in lake carp numbers and biomass. carp were fin clipped in the spring 2012 D.C. electroshocker was used to recapture carp to obtain population estimate - # carp or lb/acre.
2013 - Commercial Fishing-Other: A total of 3,050 lbs (carp), 200 lbs (buffalo) and 300 lbs (FWD) for a total of 3,550 lbs of rough fish was removed by commercial fisherman.
2012 - Commercial Fishing-Other: A total of 31,677 lbs (carp), 18,345 lbs (buffalo) and 74 lbs (FWD) for a total of 50,.96 lbs of rough fish was removed by commercial fisherman.
2012 - Survey-Population: Mark and recapture techniques to estimate in lake carp numbers and biomass. carp were fin clipped in the spring 2012 D.C. electroshocker was used to recapture carp to obtain population estimate - # carp or lb/acre.
2012 - Other-Other: Five water level control structures and four fish barriers were constructed in 2010, 2011, and 2012 at the Lost Island Lake complex. In 2012, a contract was awarded for the excavation of a channel upstream of Barrier Marsh and downstream of Blue-Win
2012 - Other-Other: Successful carp reproduction was documented in the little lake and main basin. These were the first confirmed YOY caught since 2008.
2012 - Other-Other: Final alterations and additions to new structures completed Completion of a drawdown channel between Blue Wing Marsh and Chapman Marsh
2012 - Creel-Seasonal: A roving creel was conducted from May 15 to August 31st
2011 - Other-Other: Construction of all structures and 90% if channel work completed
2011 - Other-Other: Barringer Slough and Blue Wing Marsh complexes drawn down successfully
2011 - Fishery Renovation-Chemical: Treated various standing water bodies in the Lost Island watershed October 6th.
2011 - Exotic Species-Fish: Commercial angler reported silver carp in the catch.
2011 - Survey-Population: Mark and recapture techniques to estimate in lake carp numbers and biomass. carp were fin clipped in the spring 2011 Bottom trawl and D.C. electroshocker was used to recapture carp to obtain population estimate - # carp or lb/acre.
2011 - Other-Other: Public meeting was held to discuss project accomplishments and new construction
2011 - Commercial Fishing-Other: 891,000 pounds of common carp and buffalo were removed in 2010 and 2011
2011 - Survey-Population: Common carp biomass estimates indicate population levels below 100 pounds per acre
2011 - Drawdown-Artificial: Barringer Slough and blue Wing Marsh complexes drawn down successful.
2011 - Fishery Renovation-Chemical-Rotenone: Rotenone applied to remaining pockets of water in the Blue Wing Marsh complex
2011 - Survey-Population: channel catfish population assessment
2011 - Survey-Population: D.C. electrofishing survey - spring
2011 - Commercial Fishing-Other: A total of 148,898 lbs (carp), 202537 lbs (buffalo) and 1,234 lbs (FWD) for a total of 352,669 lbs of rough fish was removed by commercial fisherman.
2010 - Survey-Population: Comprehensive survey - Spring D.C. electrofishing
2010 - Survey-Population: Comprehensive survey - Tandem hoop net assessment - summer 2010
2010 - Survey-Population: Comprehensive survey - Fall fyke net assessment
2010 - Stocking-Walleye: A total of 1.2 million walleye fry and 2,7128 6.0" walleye were stocked in Lost Island Lake.
2010 - Stocking-Northern Pike: A total of 8,393 2.0 inch, 6,510 2 - 3 inch and 484 10.0" northern pike were stocked in Lost Island Lake
2010 - Stocking-Largemouth Bass: A total of 6,000 5.0" largemouth bass were stocked in Lost Island Lake
2010 - Commercial Fishing-Other: A total of 326,486 lbs (carp), 213,979 lbs (buffalo) and 620 lbs FWD for a total of 541,085 lbs of rough fish was removed by commercial fisherman.
2010 - Survey-Population: Mark and recapture techniques to estimate in lake carp numbers and biomass. carp were fin clipped in the spring 2010 Bottom trawl was used to recapture carp to obtain population estimate - # carp or lb/acre.
2010 - Other-Other: Final engineering design for the construction elements of the restoration project were completed
2010 - Other-Other: Public meeting - update public on project progress and review final engineering design
2010 - Other-Other: Construction contract - Landwehr Construction of St. Cloud Minn. - $787,000
2010 - Other-Other: Construction began 11/16 with progress made at several sites
2010 - Drawdown-Artificial: Barringer Slough is in drawdown - Blue Wing Marsh begins first drawdown.
2010 - Other-Other: PACB and LIPA are awarded $180,000 from the Iowa Watershed Improvement Review Board.
2010 - Other-Other: LIPA apply for $25,000 grant from the PA gaming commission
2010 - Other-Other: Five water level control structures and four fish barriers were constructed in 2010 and 2011 in the Lost Island complex.
2009 - Structures-Rocks: An artificial rock reef was placed in LIL, comprised of 1,500 tons of class E limestone riprap - November 2nd - 6th, 2009.
2009 - Survey-Population: Comprehensive survey - D.C. electrofishing and tandem hoop net survey, fyke netting not completed due to water temperatures far below the minimum sampling temperature of 60° F.
2009 - Other-Other: Spring fyke net survey - walleye assessment - early April - no fish caught, water temperatures were 39° - 41°F, believe that sampling occured prior to the spawning run.
2009 - Special-Other: 1.5 million walleye fry, 14,924 2.0" walleye, 737,119 northern pike fry, 13,042 3.0" northern pike, 522 8.0" northern pike and 4,000 5.0 largemouth bass.
2009 - Commercial Fishing-Other: Total of 23300 Lbs. of Buffalo, 300 Lbs. of freshwater drum and 104800 Lbs. of carp were removed for a total of 128400 Lbs. of rough fish
2009 - Survey-Population: Mark and recapture techniques to estimate in lake carp numbers and biomass. carp were fin clipped May, 2009. Bottom trawl was used to recapture carp (August 1, 5 - 6 and 19 -20th) Population estimate - # carp or lb/acre.

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

Bluegill

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: 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

Largemouth Bass

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: combined black bass, 3 fish
Possession Limit: combined black bass, 6 fish
Length Limit: 15-inch minimum
Other:

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 Bass

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

Yellow Bass

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

Yellow Bullhead

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

Yellow Perch

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

Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs - Lost Island Lake