Lake Winneshiek is a vast 6,000-acre Mississippi River backwater in Pool 9, just downstream of Lansing in far northeastern Iowa – a sprawling maze of open water, stump fields, islands and sloughs that’s one of the Upper Mississippi’s premier fishing and wildlife areas. Part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, it draws anglers for bass, walleye, panfish and pike in a beautiful big-river setting. This guide is part of our growing Iowa Lakes Database.
Lake Winneshiek at a glance
- Surface area: ~6,000 acres (a large Mississippi River backwater)
- Depth: mostly shallow backwater, with deeper channels and holes
- Location: Mississippi River Pool 9, about 4 miles below Lansing, Iowa (Allamakee County)
- Setting: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge
- Top fish: largemouth & smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch
A great Mississippi backwater
Lake Winneshiek is the centerpiece of lower Pool 9, a huge complex of forested islands, wetlands, stump fields and open water stretching from Rush Creek down toward Lynxville, Wisconsin. Fish move out of the strong main-channel current into this slack backwater habitat, making it a year-round magnet for anglers – and the refuge setting fills it with eagles, herons, pelicans and migrating waterfowl.
Fishing Lake Winneshiek
The backwater offers outstanding big-river fishing for largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike and panfish (bluegill, crappie and yellow perch). An Iowa fishing license is required, with Mississippi River regulations. Anglers work the stump fields and weed edges for bass and panfish, the channel mouths and current breaks for walleye and pike, and the deeper holes in winter for crappie. It’s a famous ice-fishing destination as well.
Boating, access and water level
Winneshiek is accessed by boat from Lansing and other Pool 9 ramps; the maze of channels rewards careful navigation and a GPS or river map. As a Mississippi backwater, water levels and current follow the river and the pool, so check conditions before heading out. There’s no developed swim beach; it’s a fishing, boating and wildlife-watching water in a stunning bluff-lined stretch of the river.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Lake Winneshiek lies in Mississippi River Pool 9 about four miles below Lansing in Allamakee County, far northeastern Iowa, along the Great River Road. Lansing, the Driftless Area bluffs and the wider refuge surround it.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: an Iowa license is required; follow Mississippi River regulations.
- Big backwater: a maze of channels and stump fields – bring a river map or GPS.
- Refuge: part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge – superb birding.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Lake Winneshiek?
Largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie and yellow perch.
Where is Lake Winneshiek?
In Mississippi River Pool 9, about four miles below Lansing in Allamakee County, far northeastern Iowa.
How do you fish Lake Winneshiek?
By boat from Lansing and other Pool 9 ramps, working the backwater stump fields, weed edges and channel mouths; it’s also a noted ice-fishing spot.
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.
