Lewis and Clark Lake – also known as Blue Lake – is a historic Missouri River oxbow near Onawa in western Iowa, the centerpiece of Lewis and Clark State Park. Set where the famous expedition camped in 1804 and home to a full-size keelboat replica, it pairs frontier history with catfish-and-crappie fishing, camping and Loess Hills scenery.
This guide covers Lewis and Clark Lake: the history, the fishing, the recreation, and access. It’s part of our growing Iowa Lakes Database.
Lewis and Clark Lake at a glance
- Type: a Missouri River oxbow (“Blue Lake”), ~250 acres, at Lewis and Clark State Park
- Location: Monona County, western Iowa (near Onawa)
- History: near the Lewis & Clark Expedition’s 1804 campsite; home to a keelboat replica
- Top fish: channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill
History on the Missouri
This oxbow lake was once a bend of the Missouri River, in the country where the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped in August 1804. Today Lewis and Clark State Park honors that history with a full-size replica of the expedition’s keelboat and dugout canoes, and hosts an annual living-history festival. The lake sits at the foot of the rugged Loess Hills, a globally rare landform, adding to the sense of place.
Fishing Lewis and Clark Lake
The shallow, fertile oxbow is a classic Missouri-bottoms fishery: channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass and bluegill. An Iowa fishing license is required. It’s a relaxed, family-friendly lake for bank fishing and small boats, with the keelboat and beach adding to the appeal.
Recreation and the park
Lewis and Clark State Park offers a campground, a swimming beach, picnic areas, boat ramps and trails, with paddling and fishing on the calm oxbow water. Onawa itself boasts what it calls the “widest Main Street in the world,” and the Loess Hills Scenic Byway runs nearby – making the area a rewarding mix of history, nature and small-town charm.
Getting there and what’s nearby
Lewis and Clark Lake is near Onawa in Monona County, western Iowa, just off I-29, about 40 minutes north of Sioux City. The Loess Hills and the Missouri River corridor surround it.
Know before you go
- Fishing license: an Iowa license is required.
- See the keelboat: the full-size Lewis & Clark keelboat replica is the park’s highlight.
- Best seasons: spring through fall for catfish and panfish; summer for camping.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Lewis and Clark Lake?
Because it’s a Missouri River oxbow near where the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped in 1804; the state park features a full-size replica of their keelboat.
What fish are in Lewis and Clark Lake?
Channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass and bluegill.
Where is Lewis and Clark Lake?
Near Onawa in Monona County, western Iowa, just off I-29 about 40 minutes north of Sioux City.
Related: explore the small lakes of Iowa, or head back to the Iowa Lakes Database.
