Corydon Lake Fishing near Corydon, Iowa

• Overview

  Corydon Lake is one of the Wayne County listings for Iowa. The surface lies 1,047 feet up. Around 41 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The bank runs about 1.4 miles all the way round, so one visit can cover most of it. Corydon lies 0.9 miles from the water. After that come Chariton at 18 miles and Leon at 22 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Corydon Lake

  No chart reached our records; the first cast is your sounding. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. County-wide records name common carp, channel catfish and gizzard shad. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. The shape of Corydon Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 75°F, while January sits near 22°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Ice-out usually falls in mid March, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Climate averages put the opening at about mid March and the closing near mid December. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Plan any trip to Corydon Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Seymour City Reservoir sits 12 miles off and takes the overflow. Check the position on Corydon Lake before loading the car.