Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs - Little River Watershed Lake

Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs DNR Homepage

About Little River Watershed Lake

Surface Area (acres): 733.00
Maximum Depth (feet): 35.8 ft. (2021 - 35.8 feet)
Motoring Restrictions: No motor restriction at no wake speed except for ski area
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Decatur
Description: Little River
Coordinates: 40.76471779, -93.78077043

Nearby Parks

- No results found

Amenities

Amenities at Little River Watershed Lake include:

Boat Access
Fishing Jetty
Accessible Pier
Picnic Area
Beach
Accessible Facilities
Playground
Restrooms
Camping
Concessions
Hard Surface Boat Ramp
Fish Cleaning Station

What to Fish For

Fishing Report

- No recent updates found

Popular Fish Species

Fishing Forecast

Spring electrofishing indicated good numbers of Largemouth Bass up to 19 inches. Good numbers of Bluegill up to 9 inches and Crappie up to 11 inches are available to anglers.(2024)

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

5/5/22 - 75,000 Walleye (Fry)
11/1/22 - 14,956 Walleye (9.3)
September 2021 - 3,710 Channel Catfish (8.9)
October 2021 - 5,512 Walleye (9.7)
10/27/2021 - 4,717 Walleye (9.4)
10/26/2021 - 4,777 Walleye (9.3)
04/27/2021 - 75,000 Walleye (Fry)
Fall 2020 - 12,431 Walleye (8.9)
10/21/2020 - 4,098 Walleye (9.5)
04/24/2020 - 78,675 Walleye (Fry)
October 2019 - 14,952 Walleye (9.4)
fall 2019 - 3,700 Channel Catfish (9.4)
05/01/2019 - 2,304,000 Walleye (Fry)
10/22/2018 - 3,715 Walleye (7.8)
05/15/2018 - 75,000 Walleye (Fry)
05/07/2018 - 2,229,000 Walleye (Fry)
9/6/2017 - 268 Channel Catfish (8.3")
9/28/2017 - 619 Channel Catfish (9.3")
9/27/2017 - 2,693 Channel Catfish (9.3")
4/28/2017 - 150,000 Walleye (fry)
4/27/2017 - 2,229,000 Walleye (fry)
10/25/2017 - 1,736 Walleye (9")
10/24/2017 - 802 Walleye (9")
10/24/2017 - 2,032 Walleye (9")
10/23/2017 - 862 Walleye (9")
10/23/2017 - 1,998 Walleye (9")
5/3/16 - 150,000 Walleye (Fry)
4/29/16 - 2,200,000 Walleye (Fry)
10/27/16 - 7,813 Walleye (10.3")
10/20/2015 - 7,430 Walleye (8")
09/15/2015 - 4,264 Channel Catfish (8")
04/29/2015 - 150,000 Walleye (Fry)
04/22/2015 - 2,229,000 Walleye (Fry)

Management

2024 - Vegetation-Treatment: Curly leaf pondweed management.
2024 - Survey-Population: A comprehensive survey was conducted using electrofishing, baited hoop nets, and fyke nets.
2023 - Survey-Population: A standard survey was conducted using electrofishing and fyke nets.
2022 - Survey-Population: A standard trend fish population survey was conducted using electrofishing and fyke nets.
2022 - Vegetation-Treatment: American Lotus control as described in management plan. Two zones treated one with contact herbicide
2021 - Survey-Population: A standard trend fish population survey was conducted using electrofishing and fyke nets.
2021 - Vegetation-Treatment: American Lotus control as described in management plan. Two zones treated one with contact herbicide and one with systemic herbicide.
2021 - Morphology-Maximum Depth: 35.8 feet
2021 - Morphology-Mean Depth: 13.2 feet
2021 - Morphology-Lake Surface Area: 733 acres
2021 - Morphology-Lake Volume: 9682 acre-feet
2021 - Vegetation-Treatment: American Lotus north of the north boat ramp was treated in August with glyphosate
2020 - Survey-Population: A standard trend fish population survey was conducted using electrofishing and fyke nets.
2019 - Survey-Population: A standard trend fish population survey was conducted using electrofishing and fyke nets.
2018 - Structures-Trees Cedar: Cedar Trees
2018 - Structures-Trees Cedar: Cedar Trees
2018 - Structures-Trees Cedar: Cedar Trees
2018 - Structures-Trees Cedar: Cedar Trees
2017 - Survey-Population: A standard trend fish population survey was conducted using electrofishing and fyke nets.
2016 - Survey-Population: A standard sample was done with electrofishing and fyke netting.
2015 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Floating Fish Cleaning Station
2015 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Floating Fish Cleaning Station
2015 - Survey-Population: Trend and research sampling was done with electrofishing (day and night) and fyke netting.
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Reefs: Rock Reef
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Rock Fields: Rock Field
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Gravel: Spawning Chips
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Trees Cedar: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Rocks: Rock Piles
2014 - Structures-Other: Bench Jetty
2014 - Structures-Other: Bench Jetty
2014 - Structures-Other: Bench Jetty
2014 - Structures-Other: Bench Jetty
2014 - Structures-Other: Bench Jetty
2014 - Structures-Other: Bench Jetty
2014 - Structures-Other: Jetty
2014 - Structures-Other: Bench Jetty
2014 - Structures-Other: Pond Dam
2014 - Structures-Other: Pond Dam
2014 - Structures-Other: Pond Dam
2014 - Structures-Other: Dirt Mound
2014 - Structures-Other: Dirt Mound
2014 - Structures-Other: Dirt Mound
2014 - Survey-Population: A trend survey was done at Little River that included electrofishing and fyke netting gears.
2013 - Survey-Population: A fishery comprehensive survey was done with electrofishing, hoop netting, and fyke netting gears.
2012 - Survey-Population: A fishery trend survey was done with electrofishing and fyke netting gears.
2011 - Fishery Renovation-Chemical-Rotenone: Fishery renovation completed in the fall of 2011.
2010 - Survey-Population: A standard sample was done on Little River with electrofishing and trapnetting gears.
2009 - Morphology-Lake SA-Basin SA Ratio: Data collected as part of the statewide lake mapping program.
2009 - Morphology-Lake Surface Area: Data collected as part of the statewide lake mapping program.
2009 - Morphology-Lake Volume: Data collected as part of the statewide lake mapping program.
2009 - Morphology-Maximum Depth: Data collected as part of the statewide lake mapping program.
2009 - Morphology-Mean Basin Slope: Data collected as part of the statewide lake mapping program. STD 4.0
2009 - Morphology-Mean Depth: Data collected as part of the statewide lake mapping program.
2009 - Morphology-Shoreline Development: Data collected as part of the statewide lake mapping program.
2009 - Morphology-Shoreline Length: Data collected as part of the statewide lake mapping program.
2009 - Morphology-Volume Development: Data collected as part of the statewide lake mapping program.
2009 - Survey-Population: Little River was sampled with spring electrofishing, baited hoopnets, fall trapnetting, and fall night electrofishing.

Regulations and Who to Talk To

Motoring Restrictions

Motoring Restrictions: No motor restriction at no wake speed except for ski area

Contacts for this Location

Andy Jansen, Fisheries Biologist; 641-464-3108; Andy.Jansen@dnr.iowa.gov
Hunter McAninch, Conservation Officer; 641-414-2174; hunter.mcaninch@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:

Green Sunfish

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

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:

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: