Lake Manawa is the recreation heart of Council Bluffs – a 660-acre oxbow lake on the edge of the Omaha metro, born from a Missouri River flood in 1881 and a beloved playground ever since. Once the “Coney Island of the Midwest,” today it’s a state park lake humming with sailing, fishing, beaches and trails, just minutes from two cities.
This guide covers Lake Manawa: the history, the fishing, the recreation, and access. It’s part of our growing Iowa Lakes Database.
Lake Manawa at a glance
- Surface area: ~660 acres – an oxbow of the Missouri River
- Location: Pottawattamie County, southwest Iowa (Council Bluffs, by Omaha)
- Formed: by an 1881 Missouri River flood; centerpiece of Lake Manawa State Park
- Top fish: walleye, crappie, white bass, wiper, channel catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass
From “Coney Island of the Midwest” to state park
Lake Manawa formed when the Missouri River jumped its banks in 1881, leaving behind a crescent-shaped oxbow lake. By the early 1900s it had become a glittering resort – the “Coney Island of the Midwest” – with a grand pavilion, boardwalk, amusement rides and the Manhattan Beach resort drawing crowds from Omaha and Council Bluffs. The amusement era faded, but the lake endured as Lake Manawa State Park, one of Iowa’s most popular.
Fishing Lake Manawa
Manawa is a productive urban fishery: walleye, crappie, white bass and hard-fighting wiper (hybrid striped bass), plus channel catfish, bluegill and largemouth bass. An Iowa fishing license is required. The lake is regularly stocked and fishes well from shore, jetties and boats, with a popular winter ice fishery.
Recreation and access
Lake Manawa State Park offers a swimming beach, the popular Dream Playground, boat ramps, a marina, and trails that connect to the wider Council Bluffs and Omaha trail network. Sailing is a Manawa tradition, with an active yacht club, and the lake buzzes with powerboats, paddleboards and anglers all summer. Its location right by the Omaha metro makes it one of the busiest lakes in the state.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Lake Manawa is on the south side of Council Bluffs, just off I-29/I-80, about 10 minutes from downtown Omaha. The Omaha metro’s attractions – the zoo, the riverfront and more – are minutes away across the Missouri.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: an Iowa license is required.
- Busy urban lake: expect crowds, sailing and boat traffic on summer weekends.
- Best seasons: spring through fall for walleye, wiper and crappie; winter for ice fishing.
Frequently asked questions
How was Lake Manawa formed?
By a Missouri River flood in 1881, which left behind a crescent-shaped oxbow lake near Council Bluffs.
What fish are in Lake Manawa?
Walleye, crappie, white bass, wiper (hybrid striped bass), channel catfish, bluegill and largemouth bass.
Where is Lake Manawa?
On the south side of Council Bluffs in Pottawattamie County, southwest Iowa, about 10 minutes from downtown Omaha.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in Iowa, or head back to the Iowa Lakes Database.
