McFarland Lake is a reservoir in Iowa, near Story County.
Stocking records show that the following fish or strains were stocked here. A historical stocking does not by itself prove that a self-sustaining population remains today.
McFarland Lake is a reservoir in Story County, Iowa. McFarland Lake covers about 7.5 acres, reaches a recorded 16 feet and holds about 42 acre-feet.
McFarland Lake has an old channel, incoming water and quiet coves, and small water-level changes can move fish from the bank to the first drop.
Fish reported from McFarland Lake include black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. Stocking records for McFarland Lake also list bluegill and channel catfish, though that does not mean those fish will be easy to catch on every trip.
For bass at McFarland, fish weeds, wood and shade with a spinnerbait, jig or Texas-rigged worm for largemouth.
For panfish at McFarland, use a small jig or minnow beside brush for crappie, and fish a worm, cricket or tiny jig near weeds for bluegill, redear or other sunfish.
For bottom fishing at McFarland, put cut bait, a nightcrawler or prepared bait on bottom for channel catfish.
On a first trip to McFarland, check incoming water, one bend in the old channel and a point near deep water with a moving lure, then slow down with a jig or worm where you get a bite.
Spring around McFarland is a good time to check warm coves and incoming water, and summer is a good time to fish shade, weeds and the first drop into deeper water. Fall around McFarland can bring fish back to windy points and banks, while winter calls for smaller baits fished slowly.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.