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Easter Lake Park


Boating at Easter Lake Park Fishing and boating access to 172-acre Easter Lake is provided by a boat ramp on the south shore of the lake off Easter Lake Drive. Boaters are advised to follow the "no wake" rules for this prime walleye, bass, and catfish spot on the southside of Des Moines.
Canoeing & Kayaking at Easter Lake Park Fishing and boating access to 172-acre Easter Lake is provided by a boat ramp on the south shore of the lake off Easter Lake Drive.
Facility Rentals at Easter Lake Park Five picnic shelters are available by reservation or on a first-come basis. All shelters except for one has a horseshoe pit. Reservations can be made using this website.
Fishing at Easter Lake Park This 171 acre lake was constructed in 1967. Maximum depth: 26 feet Average depth: 11 feet Stocked annually Average fish size Bass 1 ½ lbs Catfish 3 lbs Crappie 3/4 lbs (9-12 inches) Walleye 1 ½ lbs (predominate predator) Records Bass 7-8 lbs Catfish 15 lbs Crappie 3/4 lbs Walleye 10 lbs Hot spots With a south wind fish the north side jetties Fish for walleye off the dam 6 buoys mark submerged "tree wreaths" Bait/lures Catfish - chicken liver Crappie - jigs or minnows Rules No wake A new ADA fishing pier and house are located north side of the park.
Historic Visits at Easter Lake Park The Owens Covered Bridge is the only covered bridge in Polk County. It was originally built in 1878 over the old North River channel on a road from Martin’s Ferry to Winterset. In 1939, the road and the North River channel were relocated north of the covered bridge site leaving the old bridge without a road and river. In 1968, Polk County Conservation Board promised to restore and move the bridge, board by board, nearly eight miles to Easter Lake Park. The bridge is now restricted to foot traffic.
Other Activities at Easter Lake Park Easter Lake has three ADA accessible playgrounds. They are located near shelter #1, #5 and at the swimming beach.
Picnicking at Easter Lake Park Five picnic shelters are available by reservation or on a first-come basis. Several offer views of the lake and others are located in private, wooded settings. Picnic tables with grills are scattered throughout the park.
Swimming at Easter Lake Park You can enjoy swimming at the Easter Lake Park Beach during the summer months. The beach is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. everyday of the week. Beach use is FREE but there is no lifeguard on duty.
Trails & Hiking at Easter Lake Park The Wymore Trail is located in the woods between shelters number 3 and 4 on the south side of the lake. Several trail heads provide access to this .9 mile trails. Catch a glimpse of beautiful Easter Lake as you walk along this densely wooded trail.

Adair	Carroll	Decatur	Hamilton	Johnson	Marshall	Pocahontas	Union
Adams	Cass	Delaware	Hancock	Jones	Mills	Polk	Van Buren
Allamakee	Cedar	Des Moines	Hardin	Keokuk	Mitchell	Pottawattamie	Wapello
Appanoose	Cerro Gordo	Dickinson	Harrison	Kossuth	Monona	Poweshiek	Warren
Audubon	Cherokee	Dubuque	Henry	Lee	Monroe	Ringgold	Washington
Benton	Chickasaw	Emmet	Howard	Linn	Montgomery	Sac	Wayne
Black Hawk	Clarke	Fayette	Humboldt	Louisa	Muscatine	Scott	Webster
Boone	Clay	Floyd	Ida	Lucas	O'Brien	Shelby	Winnebago
Bremer	Clayton	Franklin	Iowa	Lyon	Osceola	Sioux	Winneshiek
Buchanan	Clinton	Fremont	Jackson	Madison	Page	Story	Woodbury
Buena Vista	Crawford	Greene	Jasper	Mahaska	Palo Alto	Tama	Worth
Butler	Dallas	Grundy	Jefferson	Marion	Plymouth	Taylor	Wright
Calhoun	Davis	Guthrie

CEDAR RIVER WATERSHED	Education	Other Activities
Biking	Equestrian Activities	Picnicking
Boating	Facility Rentals	Swimming
Cabins	Fishing	Trails & Hiking
Camping	Historic Visits	Winter Activities
Canoeing & Kayaking	Hunting