Timber Lake near Ely: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Johnson County in Iowa is where Timber Lake sits. The bank is 745 feet above sea level. About 3 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is a small entry by Johnson County standards. The closest town, Ely, is 5.8 miles away. It is 13 miles to Cedar Rapids, the nearest city. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Timber Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Species logged across Johnson County include green sunfish, common carp and spotted bass. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Timber Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-run averages give July about 75°F and January about 19°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around late March. Climate figures give an open season running late March to mid December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. Plan any trip to Timber Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. Recorded parking is half a mile off, far enough to travel light. The water sits inside or beside a mapped nature reserve, so expect additional rules. Bass water: a Texas-rigged worm near cover, a spinnerbait when you need to cover ground. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Twin Lake is 2.4 miles distant. Treat access at Timber Lake as something to verify.