Rathbun Fisheries Management

The Lake Rathbun Fisheries Management office is located at the Rathbun Fish Hatchery which is below the Rathbun Reservoir Dam west of Moravia. The team manages public waters in Appanoose, Davis, Lucas, Mahaska, Monroe, Van Buren, Wapello and Wayne counties. Some of the larger and more popular bodies of water in this area are Hawthorn Lake, Lake Keomah, Lake Miami, Lake Sugema, Lake Wapello, Rathbun Reservoir, Red Haw Lake, and the Des Moines River.

Lake Rathbun management team activities include:

• Survey and assess fish and mussel populations in lakes and rivers.
• Develop fish habitat.
• Perform fish kill investigations.
• Permit reviews.
• Develop and monitor lake restoration projects.
• Assist with water quality assessments and watershed improvement to area lakes.
• Conduct research to acquire information to best manage fish and other aquatic resources.
• Conduct fishing clinics and other public outreach activities