Lake Ahquabi

Boat Ramps: 2
Access Points: 3
Species: 10

Lake Ahquabi State Park encompasses a scenic 115-acre lake nestled within 770 acres of rolling hills and lush woodlands in central Iowa. Located just 22 miles south of Des Moines near Indianola, this tranquil destination has served as a premier fishing location since its dedication in 1936. The lake was recently renovated in 2021 when it was drained to remove gizzard shad, undergo sediment dredging, and receive habitat improvements. Following comprehensive restocking efforts beginning in 2023, the fishery has shown excellent growth and recovery through 2024.

Iowa licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Lake Ahquabi and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Black Crappie

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Black Bullhead

Ameiurus melas

Bluegill Sunfish

Lepomis macrochirus

Channel Catfish

Ictalurus punctatus

Green Sunfish

Lepomis cyanellus

Redear Sunfish

Lepomis microlophus

Warmouth Sunfish

Lepomis gulosus

White Crappie

Pomoxis annularis

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Lake Ahquabi. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Fishing Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Lake Ahquabi

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Iowa licenses and regulations

Iowa Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

Learn more

Iowa Fishing License

All anglers 16 years and older must have a fishing license to fish Iowa waters. Anglers under the age of 16 may fish Iowa waters without a fishing license and may fish for and keep their own limit of fish, except when fishing for trout they must share their limit with a licensed adult or buy their own trout fee to keep their own limit of trout.

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Iowa Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Iowa Stream Access Laws

If a waterway can support a vessel capable of carrying one or more people during a total of six months in one out of every ten years, it is considered navigable and is open to fishing, swimming and wading, regardless of streambed ownership.

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Take Lake Ahquabi with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Lake Ahquabi to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Lake Ahquabi to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.