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Boat launches

Iowa Boat Launches

74 public boat ramps and launches on 31 Iowa lakes in our guide. Open a lake for its full map, bait shops and what's biting.

Badger Creek Lake 2 launches
  • Hard-surface boat ramp — Fishing jetty and accessible pier
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Big Creek Lake 2 launches
  • Hard surface boat ramp — Listed by Iowa DNR with boat access, rentals and a fishing jetty; No Size Limit at 5 mph
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Big Spirit Lake 1 launch
  • More public access — See the Iowa DNR or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Black Hawk Lake 2 launches
  • Black Hawk Lake boat ramp — Hard-surface ramp plus carry-down launch; fish cleaning station; no motoring restrictions
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Brushy Creek Lake 2 launches
  • Hard surface boat ramp — Listed by Iowa DNR with boat access; no wake
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Clear Lake 1 launch
  • More public access — See the Iowa DNR or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Coralville Lake 4 launches
  • Greencastle ramp — Named by DNR as a wiper stocking site
  • Croy Access — Named by DNR as a wiper stocking site
  • Tailwater West — Fish cleaning station (2023)
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

East Okoboji Lake 2 launches
  • Hattie Elston Boat Ramp — Named in DNR management notes
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Five Island Lake 2 launches
  • Five Island Lake boat ramp — Hard-surface ramp, accessible pier, beach, camping; no motoring restrictions
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Green Valley Lake 2 launches
  • Public boat ramp — Iowa DNR Fish Iowa page lists a hard-surface boat ramp and boat access
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Lake Ahquabi 2 launches
  • Public boat ramp — Iowa DNR Fish Iowa page lists a hard-surface boat ramp and boat access
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Lake Delhi 2 launches
  • Public boat ramp — Iowa DNR lists a hard-surface ramp and a carry-down launch; a ramp was built at East Turtle Creek in 2015
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Lake Icaria 2 launches
  • Public boat ramp — Iowa DNR Fish Iowa page lists a hard-surface boat ramp and boat access
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Lake Macbride 3 launches
  • Main Boat Ramp — Hard-surface ramp with fish cleaning station
  • South Campground boat ramp — Ramp with fish cleaning station
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Lake Manawa 2 launches
  • Hard surface boat ramp — Listed by Iowa DNR; no motoring restrictions
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Lake Odessa 2 launches
  • Hard-surface boat ramp — Listed by DNR; location not given
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Lake Red Rock 7 launches
  • Hard-surface boat ramps — DNR lists boat access, rental and hard-surface ramp; individual ramps not named
  • Red Rock Marina Ramp — Public boat ramp, Iowa DNR listing; restrooms
  • Whitebreast Access — Public boat ramp and water access; Whitebreast Camp (132 sites) nearby has a boat ramp
  • Elk Rock A Access — Public boat ramp, Knoxville area, Iowa DNR listing
  • Elk Rock B Access — Public boat ramp near Knoxville, Iowa DNR listing
  • North Overlook (Red Rock Dam) Ramp — Boat ramp at North Overlook Campground near Pella; part of Red Rock Water Trail; USGS listing
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Lake Sugema 2 launches
  • Hard-surface boat ramp — Fish cleaning stations on north and south sides; fishing jetty and accessible pier
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Lake Wapello 2 launches
  • Hard-surface boat ramp — Fishing jetty, accessible pier and boat rental also listed
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Little Spirit Lake 2 launches
  • Hard-surface boat ramp — Boat access and boat rental listed
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Little Wall Lake 2 launches
  • North and South boat ramps — Hard-surface ramps; fishing jetty and fish cleaning station (no electricity or fresh water)
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Lost Island Lake 2 launches
  • Northeast Boat Ramp — Hard-surface ramp, accessible pier, fish cleaning station; no motoring restrictions
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Pleasant Creek Lake 2 launches
  • Hard-surface boat ramp — Fishing jetty, accessible pier, fish cleaning station; no-wake speed
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Rathbun Lake 4 launches
  • Buck Creek Marina Ramps — High- and low-water ramps; marina retail store sells bait (2014 cruising guide, confirm current status)
  • North Boat Ramp — 24-hour access ramp (2014 cruising guide, confirm current status)
  • Rathbun Wildlife Management Area Ramp — Public boat ramp and water access, Chariton River arm of Rathbun Lake; USGS listing
  • More public access — See the Iowa DNR or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Rock Creek Lake 2 launches
  • Hard-surface boat ramp — No-wake rules apply; fishing jetty and fish cleaning station
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Saylorville Lake 5 launches
  • Sandpiper Boat Ramp — Day-use area in Polk City with boat ramp, flush toilets, playground, overlook; Iowa DNR listing
  • Saylorville Marina Access — Public boat ramp and water access, Polk City; Iowa DNR listing
  • Cherry Glen East Ramp — Paved USACE boat ramp near Cherry Glen picnic area, Johnston
  • Sycamore Access — Gravel boat ramp, picnic shelter, outhouse; Des Moines River below/at Saylorville; Iowa DNR listing
  • More public access — See the Iowa DNR or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Silver Lake (Worth County) 2 launches
  • Hard-surface boat ramp — Fishing jetty, restrooms, camping
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Storm Lake 4 launches
  • Marina boat ramps — Southwest side; fish cleaning station on floating dock
  • Bel Aire boat ramp — Restroom installed 2020
  • Sunset Park ramp — East shore; shore fishing starts nearby
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Three Mile Lake 2 launches
  • Hard-surface boat ramp — Ramp condition listed as useable; boat rental, fishing jetty and fish cleaning station also listed
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

Twelve Mile Creek Lake 2 launches
  • Main boat ramp — Hard-surface ramp, docks in at the main ramp; fishing jetty and boat rental also listed
  • More public access — See the state agency or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

West Okoboji Lake 1 launch
  • More public access — See the Iowa DNR or lake website for all ramps and fees

Lake page: map, bait shops, species →

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