Legend has it that during Prohibition, a speakeasy in an old boxcar was hidden at Artesian Lake, in northeast Carroll County. Whether its role in serving illegal liquor is true or not, Artesian Lake Wildlife Area has a unique history.
The “lake” itself is home to three artesian wells that have flowed consistently since they were drilled 100 years ago. Artesian Lake has been home to a pay to fish business that failed after the owner found out that fishing pressure shifted from day to night, when he was gone and anglers could fish without paying.
It was also used as a fish rearing pond to grow largemouth bass and walleye, but a bullhead population flourished, muddying up the water and causing problems when trying to net the sportfish. Today, it’s managed as a marsh that supports wetland wildlife and is a popular duck hunting spot in the fall.
With three wells flowing continuously, this area has water even during drought years. On this early August morning, the exposed mudflats have attracted killdeer looking for a meal. Shallow puddles near shore boil with fleeing bullfrogs escaping to the safety of the water.
“We will put water on the area ahead of the duck season,” said Clint Maddix, wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Black Hawk Unit.
Walking through the timber edge following the east shore, three flocks of wood ducks hidden from sight suddenly flush and quickly disappear over the bulrushes. When at crest, the lake is often less than four feet deep providing excellent vegetation. While there is a concrete boat ramp on the southeast corner, waterfowl hunting is mainly done from waders.
Roughly a quarter mile to the northwest, separated by private land, Artesian Lake Wildlife Area resumes along the North Raccoon River. Here, habitat work is focusing on removing trees from a section being returned to diverse prairie. Looking over the valley, the young prairie is beginning to take hold. Whorled milkweed, hoary vervain, tic trefoil are easily visible. So is a rather unique plant – prickly pear cactus.
“There’s a lot of really cool species here,” Maddix said.
Artesian Lake is adjacent to Carroll County Conservation Board managed areas adding another 450 acres of public land for recreation, including a concrete boat ramp and small parking lot on the North Raccoon River.
“You can go fishing on the river, hunt waterfowl, pheasants, deer and turkeys here,” Maddix said. “It’s a popular mushroom spot. There’s a lot of room here to spread out.”
Fishing in this stretch of the North Raccoon River is good for smallmouth bass, flathead catfishing and, in the spring, for walleyes. Smallmouth bass are generally between 10-14 inches, with an occasional 16 incher.
“I tell folks that if you want to catch smallmouth bass in Northwest Iowa you either need to go to the Iowa Great Lakes, or the North Raccoon River,” said Ben Wallace, fisheries biologist for the Iowa DNR’s Black Hawk District.
Flathead catfish available from around Sac City down to the confluence with the South Raccoon, where it forms the Raccoon River. Flatheads here are typically 15 to 40 pounds.