Fishing at Upper Gar Lake, Dickinson County, Iowa

• Overview

  Upper Gar Lake stands in Dickinson County, Iowa. The ground round it is mixed forest. It measures about 36 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. It is a small entry by Dickinson County standards. The closest town, Arnolds Park, is 0.3 miles away. Sioux Falls is the closest city, 81 miles away. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Upper Gar Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Dickinson County records list common carp, yellow perch, bluegill and black bullhead among the fish reported. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On Upper Gar Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 72°F in July and bottom out at 14°F in January. Winter shuts things down for a spell, then spring reopens them fast. Once it clears, about early April, the fishing comes on quickly. On average, early April opens the water and early December closes it again. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Upper Gar Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. A ramp is mapped within 160 yards. The nearest car park is half a mile from the water. Public data records a pier about half a mile out. You can camp half a mile off, which suits an early start. Facilities run to toilets half a mile from the water. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Minnewashta Lake, 0.6 miles away, makes the obvious fallback.