Lake Red Rock is the largest lake in Iowa – a sprawling reservoir on the Des Moines River just southeast of Des Moines, created for flood control and now one of the state’s great destinations for fishing, boating, and wildlife watching. Famous for its autumn gatherings of thousands of American white pelicans and its wintering bald eagles, Red Rock pairs big open water with rich nature and miles of trails.
This guide covers Lake Red Rock: the fishing, the pelicans and eagles, the recreation, and access. It’s part of our growing Iowa Lakes Database.
Lake Red Rock at a glance
- Surface area: ~15,000 acres at conservation pool – the largest lake in Iowa
- Location: Marion County, central Iowa (near Pella & Knoxville, southeast of Des Moines)
- Built: Red Rock Dam on the Des Moines River, completed 1969 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
- Top fish: walleye, white bass, crappie, channel & flathead catfish, wiper (hybrid striped bass)
Fishing Lake Red Rock
Red Rock is a productive, big-water fishery: walleye and white bass are the headliners, with strong crappie, abundant channel and flathead catfish, and hard-fighting wiper (hybrid striped bass). An Iowa fishing license is required. The tailwater below the dam is especially productive, and the lake’s points, flats and creek arms hold fish through the season. As a flood-control reservoir, its level fluctuates – check conditions before launching.
Pelicans, eagles and wildlife
Red Rock is a wildlife spectacle. Each fall, thousands of American white pelicans stage on the lake during migration – celebrated with a local Pelican Festival – and in winter, bald eagles gather below the dam to fish the open water. The Cordova Park observation tower offers sweeping views, and the surrounding lands draw birders year-round. It’s one of the best wildlife-watching lakes in Iowa.
Recreation and trails
The Corps and county parks ring the lake with campgrounds, beaches, marinas and boat ramps, supporting boating, water sports, swimming and fishing. The paved Volksweg Trail connects parks and the dam for cyclists and hikers, and the landmark Mile Long Bridge and Horn’s Ferry Bridge are local favorites. The nearby Dutch town of Pella, famous for its tulip festival and pastries, makes a perfect pairing.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Lake Red Rock is about 40 minutes southeast of Des Moines near Pella and Knoxville, off IA-14 and county roads. Pella’s tulip festival and the Knoxville sprint-car racing scene are nearby.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: an Iowa license is required.
- Fluctuating level: a flood-control reservoir – the level can change a lot; check before launching.
- Wildlife timing: pelicans peak in fall, eagles in winter below the dam.
Frequently asked questions
How big is Lake Red Rock?
About 15,000 acres at conservation pool – the largest lake in Iowa – and much larger at flood stage.
What fish are in Lake Red Rock?
Walleye, white bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, and wiper (hybrid striped bass).
When can you see pelicans at Lake Red Rock?
In fall, when thousands of American white pelicans stage on the lake during migration; bald eagles gather below the dam in winter.
Where is Lake Red Rock?
In Marion County, central Iowa, near Pella and Knoxville, about 40 minutes southeast of Des Moines.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in Iowa, or head back to the Iowa Lakes Database.
