Lake Panorama in Guthrie County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Lake Panorama lies in Guthrie County, Iowa. It sits at 1,037 feet above sea level. At 1,179 acres this is proper open water rather than a pond. You have roughly 19 miles of edge to choose from, which rewards a scouting trip. It is one of the larger waters we list anywhere in Iowa. Lake Panorama sits 1.2 miles from here and is the nearest stop. Des Moines is the closest city, 42 miles away. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Lake Panorama

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Records held for Guthrie County cover channel catfish, johnny darter, smallmouth bass, slenderhead darter and stonecat. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Lake Panorama the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 19°F and July at about 74°F, the water has a wide range to work through. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Winter locks it down, and late March brings it back. Ice clears near late March and comes back about mid December in a typical year. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lake Panorama.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Failing this one, try Bays Branch Lake, 4.3 miles away. The position on Lake Panorama is worth confirming on the day.