Gehrkes Lake in Hardin County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Gehrkes Lake is one of the Hardin County listings for Iowa. The surface lies 1,119 feet up. Surface area runs to about 7 acres — small enough to read in one session. 8.8 miles away sits Iowa Falls, the nearest town. Eldora lies 11 miles off, Oakland another 14 miles. Not far off: Upper Pine Lake 13 miles off, Dakins Lake 16 miles, Anderson Goose Lake 17 miles off, Little Wall Lake 19 miles and Big Wall Lake 22 miles off. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Gehrkes Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Survey and observation records for Hardin County include bluegill, black crappie, white crappie and common carp. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Gehrkes Lake gives up more to patience than to distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 73°F and January reads 16°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late March. Ice usually gives way near late March, and forms again about early December. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Gehrkes Lake fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Gehrke Wildlife Area covers ground next to the water; its rules will apply on that side. Largemouth respond to soft plastics tight to cover; go weedless where the growth is heavy. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Should this one be busy, Upper Pine Lake is 13 miles off. Rules at Gehrkes Lake are worth checking on the day.