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


About Lake Cornelia

Surface Area (acres): 243.00
Maximum Depth (feet): 20.6 ft. (2006 - Data collected as part of the statewide lake mapping program.)
Motoring Restrictions: None
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Wright
Description: Cornelia
Coordinates: 42.78631230, -93.68949344

Nearby Parks

- No results found

Amenities

Amenities at Lake Cornelia include:
  • Boat Access
  • Fishing Jetty
  • Picnic Area
  • Beach
  • Accessible Facilities
  • Playground
  • Restrooms
  • Camping
  • Hard Surface Boat Ramp

Fishing Report

Please contact the local fisheries management biologist for current information.

Fishing Summary

Angling has impoved following the selective treatment for Yellow Bass. Walleye, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, Flathead Catfish, and Yellow Perch have been stocked. Fish are growing well, but sorting will be required for larger sized panfish. - Last updated on 03/24/2025.

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

  • 5/5 & 5/8/23 2023 - 487,575 Walleye (Fry)
  • 5/19/23 - 122 Muskellunge (13.1)
  • 5/19/23 - 143 Muskellunge (14.8)
  • 2/27/23 - 11,265 Bluegill (2)
  • 10/23 & 10/24/23 2023 - 2,517 Walleye (8.8)
  • 9/12/22 - 2,404 Channel Catfish (9.4)
  • 09/14/2020 - 2,386 Channel Catfish (8)
  • 11/04/2019 - 1,223 Walleye (9)
  • 10/19/2018 - 1,857 Walleye (5.1)
  • 09/18/2018 - 2,402 Channel Catfish (8.4)
  • 9/30/16 - 2,438 Walleye (4.4")
  • 9/27/16 - 2,403 Channel Catfish (9.5")
  • 11/03/2015 - 2,581 Walleye (8")
  • 10/13/2015 - 2,436 Walleye (6")

Management

  • 2025 - Vegetation-Treatment: 1.7 ppb bump to increase lake concentration to 3.5 ppb for POCR3 control.
  • 2025 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Taken in 10 feet of water east of boat ramp.
  • 2025 - Vegetation-Treatment: Control curly leaf pondweed for improved water quality, access, and fish habitat. Improving conditions in the spring and summer for native aquatic plants. Year 2 of 5.
  • 2024 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Taken in 11 feet of water east of boat ramp.
  • 2024 - Vegetation-Treatment: POCR3 treatment subsurface
  • 2024 - Vegetation-Treatment: Whole lake treatment targeting POCR3 using Sonar (A.S.) at 5 ppb.
  • 2023 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Taken in 9 feet of water east of boat ramp.
  • 2022 - Fishery Renovation-Chemical-Rotenone: A low dose Rotenone application at 8ppb was used to selectively remove the abundant Yellow Bass population. The treatment was successful.
  • 2022 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Taken in 12 feet of water east of boat ramp.
  • 2021 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Taken in 10 feet of water east of boat ramp.
  • 2021 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: winter monitoring results
  • 2020 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Taken in 10 feet of water east of boat ramp.
  • 2016 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: winter monitoring results
  • 2014 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Zebra mussels reported by Kurt Meek

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

  • Curlyleaf Pondweed
  • 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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