East Okoboji Lake is the long, narrow eastern member of the Iowa Great Lakes – an 1,835-acre natural lake in Dickinson County that links Big Spirit Lake to the Okoboji chain. Shallower and quieter than its famous neighbor West Okoboji, it offers an impressively diverse fishery – walleye, bass, muskie, pike and panfish – and easy access in the heart of Iowa’s premier lake resort region. This guide is part of our growing Iowa Lakes Database.
- East Okoboji Lake at a glance
- How deep is East Okoboji Lake?
- Fishing East Okoboji Lake
- Boating, swimming and recreation
- Camping and the Great Lakes
- Water level
- Getting there and what’s nearby
- Know before you go
- Frequently asked questions
- How deep is East Okoboji Lake?
- What fish are in East Okoboji Lake?
- Where is East Okoboji Lake?
East Okoboji Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~1,835 acres – long and narrow
- Depth: average ~9-10 ft, maximum ~22 ft
- Elevation: ~1,440 ft, in the Iowa Great Lakes of northwest Iowa
- Location: Dickinson County (between Big Spirit and West Okoboji)
- Top fish: walleye, largemouth & smallmouth bass, muskie, northern pike, white & yellow bass, crappie, bluegill, perch
How deep is East Okoboji Lake?
East Okoboji is a shallow, narrow lake – averaging only about 9 to 10 feet and reaching roughly 22 feet at its deepest across its 1,835 acres. That makes it quite different from deep, clear West Okoboji next door: East Okoboji is more fertile and warms faster, which gives it a broad, productive warmwater-and-walleye fishery.
Fishing East Okoboji Lake
For its size, East Okoboji has one of the most diverse fish lists in Iowa: walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskie, northern pike, white bass, yellow bass, crappie, bluegill and yellow perch. A Iowa fishing license is required. Walleye fishing is good in spring and fall (anglers often shift to Big Spirit in summer), and the lake’s deeper holes, the connecting channels and the abundant cover hold fish year-round. It’s a strong ice-fishing lake in winter.
Boating, swimming and recreation
East Okoboji has numerous public accesses and ramps, and its connection to the rest of the Iowa Great Lakes makes it a hub for boating and paddling. Beaches and swimming are available at various public accesses around the chain, and the resort towns of Spirit Lake, Okoboji and Arnolds Park ring the lakes with marinas, dining and attractions. The long, sheltered arms are good for kayaking and fishing.
Camping and the Great Lakes
Campgrounds around the Iowa Great Lakes – including Marble Beach on Big Spirit and Gull Point State Park on West Okoboji – serve the whole region, and East Okoboji sits right in the middle of it. See our Iowa Great Lakes guide, and pair a visit with West Okoboji and Big Spirit Lake.
Water level
As a natural lake in the connected Great Lakes chain, East Okoboji’s level is fairly stable but varies with wet and dry cycles. Check conditions before heading out.
Getting there and what’s nearby
East Okoboji Lake is in Dickinson County, northwest Iowa, between Spirit Lake and Okoboji, about 1.5 hours north of Sioux City via US-71. Arnolds Park amusement park and the Iowa Great Lakes resort towns are right there.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: an Iowa license is required.
- Diverse catch: walleye, bass, muskie, pike and panfish all in one lake.
- Best seasons: spring and fall for walleye; summer for bass and panfish; winter for ice fishing.
Frequently asked questions
How deep is East Okoboji Lake?
It averages only about 9-10 feet and reaches roughly 22 feet at its deepest – much shallower than neighboring West Okoboji.
What fish are in East Okoboji Lake?
Walleye, largemouth and smallmouth bass, muskie, northern pike, white and yellow bass, crappie, bluegill and yellow perch.
Where is East Okoboji Lake?
In Dickinson County, northwest Iowa, between Big Spirit Lake and West Okoboji in the Iowa Great Lakes.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in Iowa, or head back to the Iowa Lakes Database.
Explore more Iowa lakes: the largest lakes in Iowa and the deepest lakes in Iowa.
