This primarily includes crappie, channel catfish, walleye, and large mouth bass. The gently rolling hills of the Chariton River valley surround this southeast Iowa Lake, and provide a wide possibility of camping opportunities while visiting the area. All of the major parks offer boat ramp access to the lake with shower houses, many sites offer electricity. The Rathbun Fish Hatchery is located below the main dam, and is a warm-water fish hatchery. 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. The best time to fish for crappie is in the spring, when they become shore-bound due to spawning. Walleye fishing is at its peak from the first part of June until the end of July. Trolling artificial lures is one of the more productive methods to fish for walleye.