GUTHRIE COUNTY - IOWA
Middle Raccoon River Valley
Discover Iowa's simple beauty.
Hunting and Fishing
Guthrie County offers a wide variety of hunting and fishing opportunities for the public. Woodlands, prairies, wetlands, and river valleys totaling hundreds of acres await those who wish to hunt in Guthrie County. For more information about hunting in Iowa, including information for nonresidents, please visit the Department of Natural Resources Informational website.
Bays Branch Wildlife Area
Panora
990-acre state wildlife area for public hunting and fishing. Located 2 miles north of Panora on Hwy 4 and and 2 miles east on 200th Street.
Panora
220-acre area adjacent to existing public land that creates a 517-acre wildlife habitat complex. Primary use is wildlife habitat for game and non-game species with hunting, fishing, bird watching, hiking, and canoeing/kayaking available to the public.
Elk Grove Wildlife Area
Coon Rapids
1,600-acre public wildlife area consisting mostly of timber. Public hunting is allowed. Located northwest of Guthrie Center or 10 miles southwest of Coon Rapids on Hwy 73.
Coon Rapids
River Fishing. First access on the Middle Raccoon River in Guthrie County, located just east of Coon Rapids on Hwy 141.
J Cowles River Access
Panora
River Fishing. 4th access on the Middle Raccoon River located 8 miles south of Panora on P28 and 3 miles east on 268th Street.
Lakin Slough
Yale
345-acre, state-owned wildlife area used primarily by waterfowl hunters. East of Yale on Hwy F25.
Panora
River Fishing. Excellent spot along the Middle Raccoon River for camping, fishing, hiking, and canoeing. Species of fish commonly caught at Lenon Mill Park include Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Croppie, Bluegill, Walleye, Channel Catfish and an occasional Northern Pike.
Marlowe Ray Wildlife Area
Panora
River Fishing. State-wildlife area of 187 acres for public hunting and fishing; adjoins S.E. Robinson Area. 6 miles south of Panora on the Middle Raccoon River. It’s quite a hike to get to the river so take your hiking shoes.
McCord Pond
Bayard
112 acres of wetland for public hunting. 2 miles southwest of Bayard.
Panora
River Fishing. 3rd access on the Middle Raccoon River located 5 miles southeast of Panora, off of P28 at the Morrisburg Church and follow the signs.
Guthrie Center
240 acres, public hunting area with excellent habitat for upland game species, whitetail deer, and wild turkey. Located 3.5 miles south and one mile east of Guthrie Center.
Nations Bridge Park
Stuart
River Fishing. Excellent spot along the South Raccoon River for camping, fishing, hiking, and canoeing.
P28 River Access
Panora
River Fishing. This is the second access on the Middle Raccoon River located 1.5 miles south of Panora along P28/Wagon Road.
Guthrie Center
River Fishing. 110-acre wildlife area located along the Middle Raccoon river 5.5 miles southeast of Panora. Although this area is mainly used for hunting, it is a excellent location for hiking, bird watching, and fishing.
Guthrie Center
187 acres of timber for public hunting (the area is land-locked, permission needed to access). 1 mile south of Highway 44, west of Guthrie Center (6 miles).
Guthrie Center
River Fishing. A boat ramp on the lake provides convenient access for anglers seeking crappie, largemouth bass, bluegill, sunfish, bullhead and catfish. Ice fishing is enjoyed in the winter. Three fishing jetties are located along the lake trail. Boats using the lake may only use electric motors. A boat ramp is located on the Middle Raccoon River. A trail also takes anglers to a fishing riffle. 7 miles north of Guthrie Center on Hwy 25.
Guthrie Center
Pond Fishing. Sutcliffe Woodland is a beautiful 55-acre oak-hickory area designated as a wildlife refuge. It offers a 31-post self-guided interpretive nature trail available for the public & school groups, as well as picnicking, hiking, & fishing. Sutcliffe Woodland is located 7 miles west and 1.5 miles south of Guthrie Center (follow the road signs).
Coon Rapids
River and Pond Fishing. 5,500 acres of contiguous river valley for recreation, such as camping, stream and pond fishing, and hiking.