Rathbun Lake is an 11,000-acre lake that provides a variety of fishing opportunities for any angler. This primarily includes crappie, channel catfish, walleye, and largemouth bass.

 The Rathbun Fish Hatchery is located below the main dam and is a warm-water fish hatchery. That is, the fish would grow best between 50 and 90 degrees F. The hatchery is designed to raise channel catfish, walleye, saugeye (a hybrid walleye/sauger cross) and largemouth bass. Fish produced at the Rathbun Hatchery are stocked statewide.

Visitors are welcome at the hatchery. Tours of the visiting facilities are generally made on a self-guided basis. Employee-guided tours for large groups can be scheduled. Visiting hours are Monday through Friday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  For more information on the fish at Rathbun Lake visit http://www.iowadnr.gov/InsideDNR/DNRStaffOffices/FishHatcheries/RathbunFishHatchery.aspx .

Topographic Information

Fishing Information