Storm Lake is the big natural lake of northwest Iowa – a 3,200-acre glacial lake at the heart of the city that shares its name, and the centerpiece of a remarkable community restoration effort. Once choked with sediment, it has been dredged and revitalized into a thriving fishing and recreation lake, with a beach, a lakeside resort, and a walleye fishery that draws anglers from across the region.
This guide covers Storm Lake: the fishing, the restoration and recreation, and access. It’s part of our growing Iowa Lakes Database.
Storm Lake at a glance
- Surface area: ~3,200 acres – one of Iowa’s largest natural lakes
- Location: Buena Vista County, northwest Iowa (at Storm Lake)
- Type: a shallow natural glacial lake, restored by major dredging projects
- Top fish: walleye, yellow perch, white bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish
A restored natural lake
Like many shallow prairie lakes, Storm Lake filled with sediment over the decades. Beginning in the 2000s, the community undertook one of Iowa’s most ambitious lake restoration and dredging efforts – “Project AWAYSIS” – removing millions of cubic yards of sediment to deepen the lake, improve water quality and revive the fishery and shoreline. The result is a healthier, more usable lake and a revitalized lakefront that anchors the city.
Fishing Storm Lake
Storm Lake is a strong, fertile fishery: walleye are the headliner, with abundant yellow perch, white bass, crappie, bluegill and channel catfish. An Iowa fishing license is required. The shallow, productive water grows fish fast, and the winter ice fishery for walleye and perch is popular with the northwest-Iowa crowd.
Recreation and the lakefront
The revitalized lakefront offers a beach, parks, a marina and trails, and the lakeside King’s Pointe Resort adds a hotel and indoor/outdoor water park. Boating, swimming, paddling and fishing fill the summer, and the diverse, hardworking city of Storm Lake gives the lake a lively community feel. It’s the recreational heart of Buena Vista County.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Storm Lake is in Buena Vista County, northwest Iowa, on US-71, about 1 hour east of Sioux City and within reach of the Iowa Great Lakes to the north.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: an Iowa license is required.
- Restored lake: dredging has improved depth and clarity – a real community success story.
- Best seasons: spring through fall for walleye and panfish; winter for ice fishing.
Frequently asked questions
What fish are in Storm Lake?
Walleye (the headliner), yellow perch, white bass, crappie, bluegill and channel catfish.
Was Storm Lake restored?
Yes – a major dredging and restoration effort (Project AWAYSIS) removed millions of cubic yards of sediment to deepen the lake and revive its water quality and fishery.
Where is Storm Lake?
In Buena Vista County, northwest Iowa, on US-71 about an hour east of Sioux City.
Related: explore more of the largest lakes in Iowa, or head back to the Iowa Lakes Database.
