Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs - Rathbun Reservoir


About Rathbun Reservoir

Surface Area (acres): 11000.00
Maximum Depth (feet): 48 ft. (2016)
Motoring Restrictions: None
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Appanoose
Description: Rathbun
Coordinates: 40.84736161, -92.90588189

Nearby Parks

- No results found

Amenities

Amenities at Rathbun Reservoir include:
  • Boat Access
  • Fishing Jetty
  • Accessible Pier
  • Boat Rental
  • Picnic Area
  • Beach
  • Trails
  • Accessible Facilities
  • Playground
  • Restrooms
  • Camping
  • Concessions
  • Hard Surface Boat Ramp
  • Carry Down Boat Launch
  • Fish Cleaning Station

Fishing Report

  • Ice Condition: Fishable
  • Water Temperature (°F):
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Ice has been forming, but is not thick enough to support anglers in some areas; use caution. Lake level is 904.41 msl; recreation pool is 904 msl. Lake Rathbun contains zebra mussels; clean, drain and dry your boat before going to another water body. Last updated on 01/22/2026
- No recent fish updates found

Fishing Summary

Hybrid striped bass abundance continues to increase and fish approaching 9 lbs were sampled in 2020. Walleye abundance is increasing and fry survival in 2020 was good. These fish will be approximately 14 inches in spring 2022. Crappie growth was good and abundance is relatively high. Crappie angling in 2020 was excellent, especially in the spring. Fish up to 14 inches were abundant, most fish are 9 to 11 inches. - Last updated on 12/02/2020.

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 .

Stocking

- No results found

Management

  • 2025 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in May and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in September and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2024 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in May and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2023 - Regulations-Fishing: A 15 inch minimum length limit on walleye took affect January 1st, 2023. All walleye less than 15 inches must be immediately released unharmed.
  • 2023 - Structures-Trees Cedar: Cedar tree pile location-around the handicap accessible pier at Island View Dedication Site
  • 2023 - Structures-Trees Cedar: Cedar tree pile location-Rolling Cove 2
  • 2023 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Fish cleaning station location-Island View Dedication Site
  • 2023 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Fish cleaning location - Honey Creek State Park
  • 2023 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Fish cleaning station location - Bridgeview
  • 2023 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Fish cleaning station location - Island View West
  • 2023 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Fish cleaning station location - South Fork
  • 2023 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Fish cleaning station location - Resort dock
  • 2023 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in May and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2022 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in May and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2021 - Water Sampling-Temperature: 9/20-67° 9/28-74° 10/14-74° 10/18-61°
  • 2021 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in May and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2021 - Structures-Trees Cedar: Cedar tree pile location-east side going into Honey Creek
  • 2020 - Structures-Trees Cedar: Cedar tree pile location-Group camp
  • 2020 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in May and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2020 - Water Sampling-Secchi Disc: FN Sites 7 & 8-24" FN Sites 3 & 4-21" FN Sites 1 & 2-19" FN Sites 11 & 12-14" FN Sites 5 & 6-21" FN Sites 9 & 10-23"
  • 2020 - Water Sampling-Temperature: FN Sites 7 & 8-67°F FN Sites 3 & 4-67°F FN Sites 1 & 2-67°F FN Sites 11 & 12-65°F FN Sites 5 & 6-68°F FN Sites 9 & 10-68°F
  • 2019 - Structures-Trees Cedar: Cedar tree pile location-Rolling Cove
  • 2019 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in May and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2018 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in May and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2018 - Water Sampling-Secchi Disc: 32"
  • 2018 - Water Sampling-Temperature: 66° F
  • 2018 - Structures-Trees Cedar: Cedar tree pile with location-east side going into Honey Creek
  • 2017 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in May and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2016 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in May and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2015 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in May and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2015 - Water Sampling-Temperature: 70.5° F, 67.1° F
  • 2015 - Water Sampling-Secchi Disc: Multiple dates and values
  • 2014 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in April and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2014 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Location of fish cleaning station at Honey Creek State Park boat ramp
  • 2014 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Location of fish cleaning station at the Island View high water boat ramp
  • 2014 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Location of fish cleaning station at the Island View west boat ramp
  • 2014 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Location of fish cleaning station at the Bridgeview boat ramp
  • 2014 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Location of fish cleaning station at the Southfork Marina boat ramp
  • 2014 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Location of fish cleaning station at the Buck Creek marina boat ramp
  • 2014 - Fish Cleaning Station-Fish Cleaning Station: Location of fish cleaning station at the Honey Creek State Park Resort
  • 2013 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in April and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2013 - Water Sampling-Temperature: Multiple dates and values
  • 2013 - Water Sampling-Secchi Disc: Multiple dates and values
  • 2012 - Water Sampling-Temperature: 57° F
  • 2012 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in April and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2011 - Ramp-Construction: Location of new boat ramp constructed at Honey Creek State Park Resort
  • 2011 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in April and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.
  • 2011 - Water Sampling-Temperature: With locations
  • 2011 - Water Sampling-Secchi Disc: 27"
  • 2010 - Water Sampling-Temperature: With locations
  • 2010 - Water Sampling-Secchi Disc: With locations
  • 2010 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Mussel samplers were placed in April and monitored throughout the summer. Samplers were pulled in October and no adult zebra mussels were found.

Motoring Restrictions

Motoring Restrictions: None

Contacts for this Location

Fishing Regulations

The summaries listed below are a partial listing provided for your benefit. Familiarize yourself with the complete Fishing Regulations here: Iowa DNR Fishing Regulations and Laws.

Aquatic Invasive Species

  • Zebra Mussel

To learn more about AIS, visit the Iowa DNR's Aquatic Invasive Species page for more information and resources.

Fish Surveys

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