Thayer Lake near Creston: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Set in Union County, Thayer Lake is an Iowa water. It stands 1,129 feet above sea level. Small at around 14 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. On size it sits at the modest end of our Union County list. Some 16 miles away sits Creston, the nearest settlement. The nearest city of size is Des Moines, 47 miles away. The boundary is close enough to be worth checking before you fish.

• Where to Fish on Thayer Lake

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Species logged across Union County include largemouth bass, bluegill, common carp and black crappie. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Anyone new to Thayer Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 21°F in January to roughly 75°F in July. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Look for the thaw near mid March; the fishing lifts straight after. On average, mid March opens the water and mid December closes it again. The shoulder weeks of the open season are the productive ones. It sets the rhythm of the year at Thayer Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. A car park lies half a mile away, so the walk in is short. Public toilets are recorded roughly half a mile off. IHAP Union 3 takes in this water; protected-area rules will apply. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Some stretches are reserved and marked as such on the ground. Failing this one, try Lake Afton, 7.5 miles away. The position on Thayer Lake is worth confirming on the day.