Fishing regulations relaxed at McKinley

With McKinley Lake being drained in August as a part of a lake restoration project, The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is relaxing the fishing regulations effective immediately.

McKinley Lake, constructed in the 1870s, has accumulated a lot of sediment and nutrients over time causing poor water quality that impacts outdoor recreation opportunities on the community lake. Years of silt build up have made the lake only be as deep at 4 feet in places. The plan is to remove much of the silt and have the lake as deep as 12 ft in some places.

Anglers with a valid fishing license may harvest any size or number of largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and all other fish species from McKinley Lake. Any number of fishing poles or jug fishing is allowed. Anglers must remain in sight of these lines at all times and follow all other fishing regulations and area rules.

Trot lines will be allowed with name and address attached; however, lines may not be set across the entire water body. It is illegal to sell fish or stock captured fish into public waters. All navigation rules still apply.

Liberalized fishing regulations for McKinley Lake include: removal of bag and length limit restrictions on largemouth bass; removal of bag limit on channel catfish; removal of bag limit on crappie and bluegill and removal of the two-line/two-hook fishing restriction.

Every year, Iowa DNR biologists collect tissue samples of fish for laboratory analyses. Results of these analyses show that most fish are safe to eat even though trace amounts of chemicals may be present in fish tissue. Mercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the chemicals most likely to accumulate in fish and exceed Iowa’s risk-based advisory levels that are based on guidance provided by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Fish consumption advisories are issued wherever it is confirmed that Iowa’s advisory levels are exceeded. Consumption advisories usually focus on predator and bottom-feeding species. Panfish (crappie, bluegill, yellow perch) are generally safe to eat with almost no risk.

DNR reports advise not to eat more than one meal a week of fish caught from McKinley Lake.

The Creston Park and Recreation Board has made improvements to the lake’s watershed to reduce the amount of sediment and nutrients washing into the lake. In-lake work is the final step in the lake restoration process. Planned improvements include targeted dredging, improving shoreline access and adding fish habitat, a fishing pier and small boat, canoe and kayak access.

Work is expected to last through 2025. Board members are hoping snow melt and spring rains in 2026 will begin refilling McKinley Lake.

Because of the work at the lake, this year will be the last McKinley Park Festival until the lake is restored. Scheduled for Saturday, July 27, the event is family friendly. Fishing will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. The Creston Fire Department will organize water fights from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Inflatables will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The park board will provide hot dogs from 10:30 a.m. until they are gone.

For more information about fishing regulations, contact Iowa DNR Fisheries Biologist Andy Jansen at 641-464-3108 or Iowa DNR Conservation Officer Corey Carlton at 641-414-2173.