Iowa’s lakes range from deep, clear glacial gems in the northwest to vast Corps reservoirs, restored urban lakes and scenic state-park waters. Whether you want walleye, a sandy beach, a wildlife spectacle or a music-history landmark, there’s a lake for it. This is our running guide to the best lakes in Iowa; every lake links to a full guide in our Iowa Lakes Database.
The Iowa Great Lakes
Northwest Iowa’s glacial lakes are the crown jewels. West Okoboji is the deepest, clearest “blue water” lake in the state and the resort centerpiece, alongside Big Spirit Lake and East Okoboji. See our Iowa Great Lakes guide.
The biggest reservoirs
Lake Red Rock is the largest lake in Iowa, Rathbun is “Iowa’s Ocean,” and Saylorville and Coralville serve Des Moines and Iowa City.
Best lakes for fishing
For walleye, try Storm Lake, Saylorville and Red Rock; for crappie, Rathbun and Green Valley; for bass and big bluegill, Lake Sugema. Clear Lake is famous for yellow bass and muskie. See fishing in Iowa.
Best for history & wildlife
Clear Lake is home to the Surf Ballroom and “the Day the Music Died.” DeSoto Lake hosts spectacular snow-goose migrations, Red Rock draws pelicans and eagles, and Lewis and Clark Lake tells frontier history.
Best state-park & family lakes
Lake Macbride (Iowa’s largest state-park lake), Big Creek (a great beach near Des Moines) and historic Backbone Lake lead a deep list of state-park lakes – see our state-park lakes guide.
This guide grows as we add lakes. Browse the full database by Largest Lakes and Small Lakes, or head back to the Iowa Lakes Database.
