Lost Island Lake Fishing in Palo Alto County, Iowa

• Overview

  You will find Lost Island Lake in Palo Alto County, Iowa. The setting is pine and birch on every side. The water covers around 1,152 acres, which puts most of it out of reach from the bank. Around 6.2 miles of bank, which is a long day on foot. By surface area it heads our Palo Alto County listings. The town to know is Emmetsburg, 12 miles out. Beyond it, Spencer at 12 miles and Milford at 16 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Lost Island Lake

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Across Palo Alto County, recorded fish include common carp, black bullhead, yellow perch and yellow bullhead. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. On Lost Island Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 72°F and January near 14°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early April. Ice clears near early April and comes back about early December in a typical year. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. It holds true on Lost Island Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. A jetty or pier is mapped about half a mile from here. The water borders Lost Island Lake State Park, so reserve rules are likely to apply. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. If the gate is shut, Mud Lake at 1.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing on Lost Island Lake should be assumed from this page alone.