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


About Elk Lake

Surface Area (acres): 261.00
Maximum Depth (feet): 6.3 ft. (2009)
Motoring Restrictions: none
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Clay
Description: Elk
Coordinates: 43.08398777, -94.92257813

Nearby Parks

- No results found

Amenities

Amenities at Elk Lake include:
  • Boat Access
  • Hard Surface Boat Ramp

Fishing Report

- No recent updates found

Fishing Forecast

Post lake renovation in 2022, the lake was restocked with yellow perch and northern pike. During the spring of 2023 common carp were observed bypassing the lake outlet structure to make it into the main lake. An standard electrofishing survey was conducted in the spring of 2024, large numbers of 12-14 inch carp were observed along with smaller numbers of yellow perch and northern pike that were not yet catchable size. (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 .

Stocking

  • 6/2/22 - 1,349 Northern Pike (2.1)
  • 5/10/22 - 265,000 Walleye (Fry)
  • 4/22/22 - 81,426 Northern Pike (Fry)
  • 10/6/22 - 124,308 Bluegill (2)
  • 10/3/22 - 1,330 Largemouth Bass (3.2)

Management

  • 2022 - Fishery Renovation-Chemical-Rotenone: Fishery renovated through partial draw-down and rotenone application.
  • 2016 - Exotic Species-Fish: Asian carp were captured in Elk Lake in 2016 by the commercial angler.
  • 2015 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Winter D.O. readings were taken under the ice.
  • 2015 - Commercial Fishing-Other: A total of 2,296 lbs (carp), 5,800 (buffalo) and 27 lbs FWD for a total of 8,123 lbs of rough fish was removed by commercial fisherman.
  • 2014 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: Winter D.O. readings were taken under the ice.
  • 2014 - Commercial Fishing-Other: A total of 19,696 lbs (carp), 17,540 (buffalo) and 16 lbs FWD for a total of 19,696 lbs of rough fish was removed by commercial fisherman.
  • 2011 - Fish Kills-Winterkill: Report by the public of dead fish at tile inlets suggest winterkill.
  • 2011 - Exotic Species-Fish: Commercial angler reported bighead and silver carp in the catch.
  • 2011 - Commercial Fishing-Other: Commercial fishing
  • 2010 - Water Sampling-Dissolved Oxygen: March winter D.O. reading
  • 2010 - Survey-Population: Comprehensive survey - D.C. electrofishing assessment - May
  • 2010 - Survey-Population: Comprehensive survey - Fyke netting - October, 2010
  • 2010 - Commercial Fishing-Other: A total of 2,295 lbs (carp), 9,750 (buffalo) and 0 lbs FWD for a total of 12,045 lbs of rough fish was removed by commercial fisherman.
  • 2010 - Fish Kills-Dissolved Oxygen: A winterkill reported during the 2009/2010 winter season was confirmed in 2010.
  • 2009 - Commercial Fishing-Other: Carp- 1,200 Lbs.; buffalo- 3,785 Lbs Total = 4,985 Lbs.

Motoring Restrictions

Motoring Restrictions: none

Contacts for this Location

Fishing Regulations

  • Black Bullhead
    • Season: Continuous
    • Daily Bag Limit: unlimited
    • Possession Limit: unlimited
    • Length Limit: none
    • 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:
  • 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:

Aquatic Invasive Species

    No known aquatic invasive species have been found

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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