The Five Seasons Ski Team pulls off their twin four-high finale pyramid during a regional water skiing tournament

Enjoy Iowa’s water trails and waterways

By Jan Clarke

Whether your pleasure is canoeing, kayaking, boating, fishing, swimming, waterskiing, or zooming along on a personal watercraft, Iowa has the recreational area for you!

Iowa is chock full of lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, and these are full of fish-walleye, northern pike, catfish, bass, perch, bluegill, and crappie, to name a few. In northeast Iowa’s trout streams, you might catch a rainbow, brown or brook trout.

Or set the poles aside and cruise the waterways, enjoying the lush and varied natural scenery of Iowa-from soaring limestone bluffs to gently sloping prairie to forested banks.

Canoeists and kayakers can paddle any of Iowa’s 12 water trails, which feature mapped-out low-head dams, portages, and waterfront campsites. Two of the water trails are state-designated, and more are being developed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Don’t have a canoe or kayak of your own? Not to worry! Many of Iowa’s state and county parks rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboats. Plus, there are several private outfitters who supply canoes and kayaks along with shuttle services, so you can paddle and let them take care of the logistics.

So, what are you waiting for? Load up the coolers, grab the sunscreen and PFDs, and head to the waterfront!

Learn more:

• Iowa lakes