West Hottes Lake, Iowa: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  West Hottes Lake is a Dickinson County water, Iowa side. Elevation runs to 1,391 feet. With some 226 acres of water, there is room for a boat but no need of one. Some 3.8 miles of bank gives room to move when the wind turns. It sits higher than most water we list in Iowa. The closest town, Spirit Lake, is 4.5 miles away. Arnolds Park is 7.5 miles and Lake Park 8.9 miles. No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on West Hottes Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Across Dickinson County, recorded fish include common carp, yellow perch, bluegill, black bullhead and black crappie. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. On West Hottes Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 13°F and July at about 72°F, the water has a wide range to work through. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early April. Break-up sits around early April on average, with the water closing again about early December. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. It sets the rhythm of the year at West Hottes Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. This sits inside Kettleson Hogsback Wildlife Management Area, so read the reserve notices first. For walleye, a jig and minnow near the bottom is the standard; evenings beat middays. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. For a change of water, Marble Lake is 0.6 miles distant. Check the current arrangement for West Hottes Lake.