Lost Lake, Iowa: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Lost Lake stands in Boone County, Iowa. Beyond the shoreline you have pine and birch. Boone lies 5.6 miles from the water. Ogden lies 8 miles off, Madrid another 8 miles. Nearby alternatives: Don Williams Lake about 11 miles, Laverne Lake at about 13 miles, Big Creek Lake about 14 miles, Arnold Lake at about 16 miles and Saylorville Lake about 17 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Lost Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Boone County records list bluegill, black crappie and channel catfish among the fish reported. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Lost Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 18°F to 74°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late March. Ice clears near late March and comes back about early December in a typical year. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Lost Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. You can leave the car about half a mile from the water. Picnic facilities are recorded some 70 yards out. There is a toilet block some half a mile out. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Don Williams Lake, 11 miles away. Ask locally about Lost Lake if anything is unclear.