Willow Lake in Clinton County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Willow Lake lies within the bounds of Clinton County, Iowa. It lies 591 feet above sea level. The water measures roughly 6 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. It is a small entry by Clinton County standards. The town to know is Camanche, 1.7 miles out. The nearest city of size is Davenport, 24 miles away. A county line runs close by, so local bylaws can differ within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Willow Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in Clinton County include black crappie, gizzard shad and channel catfish. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Willow Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 74°F, the coldest about 19°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around late March. Climate figures give an open season running late March to mid December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Plan any trip to Willow Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. For a change of water, Nancy Elaine Lake is 0.4 miles distant. Check the current arrangement for Willow Lake.