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3,097-acre lake near Storm Lake. The lake tops out around 17 ft. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled. What the data behind the map says about each species, season by season:
The drawn water covers 3,333 acres wrapped in 11.2 miles of bank, with 2 islands in the mix. Its 1.4 shoreline index means few bank features; the contours below do the pattern work. The whole water is littoral — nothing here runs deeper than ~15 ft, so it's all weed-and-bait territory. The basin spans about 3.7 mi end to end and 2.1 mi across at its widest. It sits in Buena Vista County. If the bite dies, Moorehead Park Pond is 23 mi to the southwest.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: walleye in 4 to 15 ft. Midsummer fish sit out in 5 to 17 ft before dropping to 5 to 17 ft for winter. The spot to know is Break off the point, a drop-off in about 10 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. Summer baits: a crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 15 ft | dusk & dawn | Gravel shoal (2 ft) | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | dusk & dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 12 to 40 ft | dusk & night | Break off the point (10 ft) | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | dusk & dawn | Deep basin (17 ft) | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
The spring pattern is a shallow one: white bass in 2 to 12 ft. As the season builds they drop to 5 to 17 ft, wintering in 5 to 17 ft. Top water on the chart: Deep basin, a deep basin in the 17 ft range, prime in winter. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a slab spoon or a small topwater (schooling fish) gets it done.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 12 ft | dawn & dusk | Gravel shoal (2 ft) | Curly-tail jig (white), Small lipless crank |
| Summer | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Deep basin (17 ft) | Slab spoon, Small topwater (schooling fish) |
| Fall | 4 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 6 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (2 ft) | Jigging spoon, Blade bait |
| Winter | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 40 ft | midday | Deep basin (17 ft) | Jigging spoon (deep), Blade bait |
Spring channel catfish on Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) hold shallow, usually 3 to 12 ft. They move out to 5 to 17 ft in summer and finish the year down in 5 to 17 ft. Put Deep basin first on the milk run — a deep basin near 17 ft that grades prime for winter. The feeding windows run after dark and the evening.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 12 ft | dusk | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | |
| Summer | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 25 ft | night & dusk | Deep basin (17 ft) | |
| Fall | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | dusk | Deep basin (17 ft) | |
| Winter | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 20 to 40 ft | midday | Deep basin (17 ft) |
Early season crappie use the shallows, holding in 2 to 8 ft. Summer is a 5 to 17 ft game here, winter a 5 to 17 ft one. The chart's best answer is Deep basin — deep basin, 17 ft, prime for winter. Best bite is early morning and the evening. Tie on a jig trolled/spider-rigged or a small crankbait (trolled) and you're in the game.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | 1/16 oz jig + tube, Curly-tail grub |
| Summer | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 25 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Jig trolled/spider-rigged, Small crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (10 ft) | Jig + minnow combo, Small swimbait (1.5-2") |
| Winter | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (17 ft) | Tungsten jig + soft plastic, Tiny jigging spoon |
Come spring, look for freshwater drum tight to the bank in 4 to 17 ft. Through summer count on 5 to 17 ft; the winter hold is 5 to 17 ft. Start at Deep basin. It's a deep basin holding about 17 ft of water and rates prime come winter. Prime time lands in the evening. A jig + crawler combo or a small crankbait (slow) is the honest summer answer here.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 4 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 20 ft | midday & dawn | Gravel shoal (2 ft) | Jig + curly tail (bounced), Small blade bait |
| Summer | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 8 to 30 ft | dusk | Break off the point (10 ft) | Jig + crawler combo, Small crankbait (slow) |
| Fall | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 35 ft | midday | Deep basin (17 ft) | Blade bait (vertical), Jigging spoon |
| Winter | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 15 to 45 ft | midday | Deep basin (17 ft) | Jigging spoon (slow) |
When the water first warms, common carp slide up into 2 to 10 ft. By summer they slide out to 3 to 15 ft, and by winter most fish are in 5 to 17 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Shallow bay flat: a weed flat around 2 ft that scores prime in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in early morning and the evening.
Depth note: when a documented seasonal range extends below this chart, the table shows the deepest mapped working water, not a verified holding depth.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 10 ft | midday & dawn | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | |
| Summer | 3 to 15 ft | dawn & dusk | Shallow bay flat (2 ft) | |
| Fall | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 5 to 18 ft | midday | Deep basin (17 ft) | |
| Winter | 5 to 17 ft chart-limited; documented 10 to 30 ft | midday | Deep basin (17 ft) |
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) also holds yellow perch (5 to 17 ft in summer). Pick any of them on the map above for rated spots and bait picks.
The chart marks 13 structure features on Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake); the deepest is Deep basin at about 17 ft.
Access data: Iowa DNR — Boat Ramps. Confirm conditions and fees locally before you launch.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Iowa waters are set by the Iowa DNR — and special regulations can apply to Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Iowa fishing regulations →
Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) is about 17 ft (5 m) deep at its deepest point. The depth chart comes from published agency bathymetric survey data, so the contours are survey-derived rather than computer-modeled.
Anglers target walleye, white bass, channel catfish, crappie, freshwater drum, common carp, yellow perch on Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake).
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 10 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in fall. Scroll up to the map for the complete spot list by species and season.
For walleye, the summer bite is best in the evening and early morning. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) is regulated by the Iowa DNR. Check the official Iowa regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Moorehead Park Pond 23 mi · Pickeral Lake 24 mi · Arrowhead Lake 24 mi · Black Hawk Lake 25 mi · Dog Creek (Lake) 25 mi · Black Hawk Pits 26 mi · South Twin Lake 31 mi · North Twin Lake 31 mi · Crawford Creek Impoundment 32 mi · Silver Lake (Palo Alto) 32 mi · Little Sioux Park Lake 33 mi · Mill Creek (Lake) 34 mi
See how Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) stacks up: best walleye lakes in Iowa · best white bass lakes in Iowa · best crappie lakes in Iowa · best channel catfish lakes in Iowa
Browse all Iowa fishing maps. See every water on DepthScout. Bathymetry: published agency survey data. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.