Forest City offer exceptional freshwater fishing year-round. The Lodge sits directly on the Winnebago River, giving guests immediate access to quality fishing for northern pike, channel catfish, walleye, smallmouth bass, and various sucker species. Walk from your room to multiple fishing spots along our riverfront or use our complimentary canoe and kayak rentals to explore upstream and downstream. Early morning and evening provide the best action. Try live minnows for walleye and pike, nightcrawlers for catfish.
Clear Lake, just five miles from The Lodge, is Iowa’s premier multi-species fishery. This 3,684-acre natural lake underwent a $9 million restoration in 2009 and now rivals destinations anywhere in the Midwest. The lake averages 10 feet deep with improved water clarity, diverse structure including rocky reefs, weed beds, and deep holes. Walleye run 17-24 inches with trophy fish over 8 pounds. Muskellunge reach 40-42 inches with a 40-inch minimum. The lake also holds excellent populations of yellow bass, crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, channel catfish, northern pike, white bass, and flathead catfish. Spring brings excellent walleye along shallow rocky shorelines and around the western causeway, plus strong crappie spawns. Summer trolling along the north shoreline produces walleye, while weed edges hold bass and pike. Fall offers the best overall fishing when walleye are active, muskie fishing heats up, and crappie bite well. Winter ice fishing for walleye, perch, and crappie is outstanding.
Public access includes McIntosh Woods State Park with full amenities and fish cleaning stations, Tourist Park, Main Avenue Boat Ramp, Lynn Lorenzen Park, and the Fishing Jetty at Ventura Grade for shore fishing. Kevan Paul’s Guide Service offers half-day and full-day guided trips, ice fishing expeditions, and group trips. Contact him at (641) 231-8028 or visit Clear Lake Bait & Tackle at 524 Highway 18 East for bait, tackle, fishing licenses, and weekly fishing reports posted on Facebook.
Rice Lake State Park, eight miles north, offers different fishing in a 1,200-acre shallow natural lake averaging 10 feet deep. Target walleye, yellow perch, largemouth bass, bluegill, and northern pike. The lake excels in spring, fall, and ice fishing season. Summer vegetation gets thick but creates excellent bass fishing in pockets and edges. Contact Clear Lake Fisheries Station at (641) 357-3517 for current conditions.
Iowa fishing licenses are required for anglers 16 and older. Annual resident licenses cost $22, annual non-resident $48, with various short-term options available. Purchase at Clear Lake Bait & Tackle, or Brother’s Ace Hardware at 580 Highway 18 East. Check current regulations as size and possession limits vary by water body and species. The Lodge offers fishing packages including the Weekend Angler Package (two nights, complimentary canoe/kayak rental, late checkout, starting at $259) and Fishing Expedition Special (three nights, boat trailer parking, fish cleaning area access, starting at $369). We provide boat trailer parking, fish cleaning facilities, freezer space for your catch, and local fishing knowledge from our staff.