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


About Nodaway Lake

Surface Area (acres): 25.00
Maximum Depth (feet): 22.9 ft. (2012)
Motoring Restrictions: Electric Motors Only
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Adair
Description: Nodaway
Coordinates: 41.28856914, -94.49554604

Nearby Parks

- No results found

Amenities

Amenities at Nodaway Lake include:
  • Boat Access
  • Picnic Area
  • Trails
  • Playground
  • Restrooms
  • Camping
  • Hard Surface Boat Ramp

Fishing Report

- No recent updates found

Fishing Forecast

The fishing at Nodaway Lake is expected to provide good fishing in 2025. 2024 survey data showed Bluegills maxed out at 8 inches long and a fair number of black crappies are 8 to 10 inches. A larger cohort of black crappie were seen in the 6 to 8 inch range. Good numbers of Largemouth bass were sampled in 2024 with 60% of them being over 15 inches. Fair numbers of 15- to 25-inch) channel catfish are present in Nodaway. Walleyes stocked by the Adair County Conservation Board provide a bonus fish for anglers. The overall fishery in Nodaway Lake is in good condition. Nodaway Lake is a good destination for spring crappie fishing followed by good summer bass and catfish fishing.(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

  • 09/16/2021 - 451 Channel Catfish (8.8)
  • fall 2019 - 700 Walleye (6)
  • 09/30/2019 - 450 Channel Catfish (9.6)
  • fall 2017 - 600 Walleye (6)
  • 9/19/2017 - 360 Channel Catfish (8.2")
  • fall 2016 - 600 Walleye (6)
  • fall 2015 - 600 Walleye (6)
  • 09/21/2015 - 450 Channel Catfish (8")

Management

  • 2024 - Survey-Population: General electrofishing survey.
  • 2024 - Survey-Population: Fall fyke net survey.
  • 2019 - Stocking-Channel Catfish: 8" channel catfish stocked.
  • 2019 - Stocking-Walleye: Walleye fingerlings stocked by CCB.
  • 2017 - Stocking-Walleye: Walleye stocked by Adair CCB.
  • 2017 - Stocking-Channel Catfish: Channel Catfish 8" stocked.
  • 2016 - Stocking-Walleye: Walleye stocked by Adair CCB.
  • 2015 - Stocking-Walleye: Walleye stocked by Adair CCB.
  • 2015 - Stocking-Channel Catfish: Channel catfish 8" stocked.
  • 2014 - Stocking-Walleye: Walleye 6.9" average stocked by Adair CCB.
  • 2013 - Stocking-Walleye: Walleye stocked by Adair CCB.
  • 2013 - Stocking-Channel Catfish: Channel catfish 8" stocked.
  • 2013 - Stocking-Channel Catfish: Cage reared channel catfish 10 to 12" stocked.

Motoring Restrictions

Motoring Restrictions: Electric Motors Only

Contacts for this Location

Fishing Regulations

  • 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:
  • White 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

Aquatic Invasive Species

  • Curlyleaf Pondweed

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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