Chariton River (below Rathbun Lake)
General Information
County: Appanoose
Location: This stretch runs from the outlet of Lake Rathbun to the state line. Ramps are located in Outlet Park below Lake Rathbun and Sharon Bluffs access. Amenities listed are for the ramp at Outlet Park.
Acres: 31.00
Maximum Depth:
Motoring Restrictions:
Nearby Parks
Amenities
Amenities at Chariton River (below Rathbun Lake) include:
- Picnic Area
- Accessible Facilities
- Restrooms
- Good/Excellent Shorefishing
- Gravel Boat Ramp
The
Fishing Regulations brochure is available for download. The summaries listed below are a partial listing provided for your benefit.
- Channel Catfish
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 15 fish
- Possession Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 30 fish
- Length Limit: none
- Other:
- Flathead Catfish
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 15 fish
- Possession Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 30 fish
- Length Limit: none
- Other:
- Freshwater Drum
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: none
- Possession Limit: unlimited
- Length Limit: none
- Other: May be taken by hand fishing, by snagging, by spear or by bow and arrow, day or night.
- Walleye
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: combined walleye, sauger and saugeye; 5 fish
- Possession Limit: combined walleye, sauger and saugeye; 10 fish
- Length Limit: none
- Other:
The Rathbun tailrace fishery is highly dependent on flood conditions at Rathbun Lake. Nearly all fish in the tailrace have escaped from the lake during floodwater discharge. Many of these fish do not live long in the tailrace, such as walleye, and eventually move downstream. Best angling can be experienced shortly after flows from Rathbun Lake are reduced after a flood.(2015)
Tip: Click the arrow in the lower right corner to view the Fish Survey Data tool in full-screen mode.
Contacts
Iowa-Caught Fish Are Safe to Eat, In Almost All Cases
The vast majority of Iowa’s streams, rivers and lakes offer safe and high-quality fish that pose little or no threat to human health if consumed. Some limitations may apply for young children and pregnant women. Here’s a Fish Consumption Fact Sheet from the Iowa DNR and the Iowa Dept. of Public Health for more information. Here is a list of current fish consumption advisories for Iowa lakes and rivers.