“Conservation is a state of harmony between man and land."   - Aldo Leopold
 

Willow Lake Recreation Area has a 27-acre lake with great fishing for all ages! Fish found in Willow Lake are largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and crappie. The legal size limit of bass is 15 inches or more. Anything under must be released immediately.

There is a boat ramp located next to the parking lot. Only electric motors are allowed on the lake; no gas motors.

Willow Lake Water Depth Topographical Map (.pdf)

A new fishing jetty and has been constructed with the help of two grants to improve shoreline stabilization, fish spawning habitat, and provide more fishing opportunities to area anglers. The first grant was from the Iowa Fish Habitat Program which fishermen support when they buy a fish habitat stamp along with their fishing license. Harrison County Endowment Fund provided the second grant from the Lloyd and Donna Leonard Endowed Fund. Construction was completed just before the Memorial Day weekend. The fishing jetty is a great way to get to a deeper part of the lake to fish without having a boat.  

Every year the Woodbine Kiwanis and Harrison County Conservation has a Kids’ Fishing Derby the first Saturday in June during Iowa’s Free Fishing Days. Kids have fun at the casting contest, trying to catch the “big one” and everyone gets cool prizes! Call HCCB for more information.

Harrison County Conservation collects Christmas trees after the holidays and sink them into the lake. This provides more habitat for the fish and is often where ice fishing is the best.

Fish Habitat Map (.pdf)

Please do not throw trash or fishing line into the lake—it can be deadly for our wildlife!

To learn more about Iowa fish and fishing regulations, visit the DNR fishing website.