Kossuth

Activities


Camping at Siems Park A nice, quiet, small, family campground. A great place to relax, fish, picnic, camp, and just enjoy the great outdoors with your family. See Camping Information pdf in Related Items.
Camping at Water's Edge Nature Center Kossuth County has 3 campgrounds which are open during the warm weather months. Click here for more information. Click here for a printable brochure.
Canoeing & Kayaking at Water's Edge Nature Center KCCB has two kayaks for rent from the Water's Edge Nature Center. Call (515)295-2138 for details.
Education at Water's Edge Nature Center Our staff provides many educational opportunities for the public and school groups. Click here for more information.
Facility Rentals at Water's Edge Nature Center The Water's Edge Nature Center has meeting room that may be rented. See Meeting Room Brochure pdf for more information. There is also an enclosed shelter on the south side of Smith Lake that is available for rent. Call (515)295-2138 for details. Two kayaks along with life jackets and paddles are also available for rent. Call ( 515)295-2138 for details. For more rental information click here.
Fishing at Siems Park Siems park is a series of old gravel pits that have been stocked with bass, bluegill, crappies, and catfish. There is a 15 inch minimum length limit on largemouth bass caught at Siems Park.
Fishing at Smith Lake Park Kossuth County has many opportunities for good fishing. Smith Lake has been producing big healthy large mouth bass for the last couple of years, as well as excellent catfishing. It also has a good year class of crappies right now. Click here for fishing info, including fish structure gps coordinates. For more fishing information at Smith Lake, including a topo map, click this link. All bass under 18 inches must be immediately returned to the water.
Fishing at Water's Edge Nature Center Kossuth County has many opportunities for good fishing. Smith Lake has been producing big healthy large mouth bass for the last couple of years, as well as excellent catfishing. It also has a good year class of crappies right now. For more Smith Lake fishing information click here. All bass under 18 inches must be immediately returned to the water.
Hunting at Smith Wildlife Area This area is about 145 acres of mostly hardwood timber with a little upland cover around the edges. Deer, turkey, squirrel, rabbit, and pheasants can be found here.
Other Activities at Smith Wildlife Area In the spring, KCCB conducts its Maple Syrup Making Program. School groups and the general public come in large numbers to see how maple syrup is made. Most people do not leave without sampling a bit of the finished product. See the Sugar Shack Facts pdf in Related Items for more information.
Picnicking at Siems Park Siems park offers shelters, fire pits and more for a picnic
Picnicking at Water's Edge Nature Center Smith Lake offers a nice place for picnicking. We have an enclosed shelter, an open shelter, several pedestal charcoal grills, and picnic tables.
Swimming at Water's Edge Nature Center Smith Lake offers two public swimming beaches. There are no lifeguards. It is swim at your own risk.
Trails & Hiking at Water's Edge Nature Center Smith Lake offers a trail that circles the entire lake. It takes you through our tree garden, past several nice fishing areas, and through the pine/cedar grove to the west of the Nature Center.
Winter Activities at Water's Edge Nature Center At Water's Edge Nature Center, we offer snow shoe rental. We have a nice trail around the lake and through the pine trees to the West of the Nature Center that provides a great place to snow shoe. We also groom a trail around the lake for cross country skiing.
Winter Activities at Smith Lake Park When there is enough snow, the hiking trail around the lake is groomed for cross country skiing. This trail is also great for snow shoeing. Snow shoes are available for rent at the nature center.