Fishing at Diamondhead Lake, Guthrie County, Iowa

• Overview

  Guthrie County in Iowa is where Diamondhead Lake sits. It lies 955 feet above sea level. With some 96 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. A shoreline of some 2.5 miles keeps the choices simple. Nearest town is Stuart, 4.6 miles off. Earlham is 8.1 miles and Panora 11 miles. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Diamondhead Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Species logged across Guthrie County include channel catfish, johnny darter and smallmouth bass. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. On Diamondhead Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 20°F in January up to 75°F in July. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Break-up comes around late March, and the run that follows is short and strong. Climate averages put the opening at about late March and the closing near mid December. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Diamondhead Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Bays Branch Lake at 12 miles is the sensible second choice. Ask locally about Diamondhead Lake if anything is unclear.