Fish Iowa - Rivers and Streams - Chariton River (below Rathbun Lake)


About Chariton River (below Rathbun Lake)

River length (miles): 31.00
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Appanoose
Description: Two ramps in this stretch. Outlet Park has a gravel boat ramp on the east side of the river with restroom facilities and a picnic shelter. Sharon Bluffs Access area has a concrete boat ramp on the east side of the river with no restroom facilities.
Coordinates: 40.58959522, -92.71459830

Nearby Parks

- No results found

Amenities

Amenities at Chariton River (below Rathbun Lake) include:
  • Picnic Area
  • Accessible Facilities
  • Restrooms
  • Good/Excellent Shorefishing
  • Gravel Boat Ramp

Fishing Report

- No recent updates found

Fishing Forecast

The Rathbun tailrace fishery is highly dependent on flood conditions at Rathbun Lake. Nearly all fish in the tailrace have escaped from the lake during floodwater discharge. Many of these fish do not live long in the tailrace, such as walleye, and eventually move downstream. Best angling can be experienced shortly after flows from Rathbun Lake are reduced after a flood.(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 .

Stocking

- No results found

Management

  • 2018 - Fish Kills-Other: Dead crappie and freshwater drum were discovered in the outlet. This is caused by the fish going through the outlet at certain times of the year.
  • 2013 - RAFT sampling-RAFT: White crappie collected
  • 2012 - Ramp-Maintenance: Gravel boat ramp location for Outlet Park Ramp on the Chariton River below Rathbun Lake, Appanoose County.
  • 2012 - Ramp-Maintenance: Concrete boat ramp location across from Sharon Bluffs State Park on the Chariton River, Appanoose County.
  • 2011 - RAFT sampling-RAFT: Channel catfish and white crappie collected
  • 2010 - Exotic Species-Fish: Silver carp reported by Mark Flammang

Motoring Restrictions

Motoring Restrictions: None

Contacts for this Location

Fishing Regulations

  • Channel Catfish
    • Season: Continuous
    • Daily Bag Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 15 fish
    • Possession Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 30 fish
    • Length Limit: none
    • Other:
  • Flathead Catfish
    • Season: Continuous
    • Daily Bag Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 15 fish
    • Possession Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 30 fish
    • Length Limit: none
    • Other:
  • Freshwater Drum
    • Season: Continuous
    • Daily Bag Limit: none
    • Possession Limit: unlimited
    • Length Limit: none
    • Other: May be taken by hand fishing, by snagging, by spear or by bow and arrow, day or night.
  • 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:

Aquatic Invasive Species

  • Bighead Carp
  • Silver Carp

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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