Sportsman Lake in Tama County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Iowa holds Sportsman Lake, in Tama County. It sits in lake country bush. The water covers some 33 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. The full circuit measures close to 1.3 miles on foot. It is a small entry by Tama County standards. For supplies, Toledo is 5.7 miles out. Cedar Rapids sits 53 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Sportsman Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Across Tama County, recorded fish include bluegill, black crappie, white crappie, channel catfish and common carp. Take it as the county picture rather than a promise for this water. Read Sportsman Lake before you fish it and the day goes better.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 73°F; by January the average is down near 17°F. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late March. Averages suggest open water from about late March through to roughly early December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Plan any trip to Sportsman Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. If the gate is shut, Cherry Lake at 6.2 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to Sportsman Lake locally before you travel.