Photo: Ann Sullivan-Larson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
🌤 Weather at Lake Cornelia State Park by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24–72 °F | 59–85 °F | 25–76 °F | 6–31 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Clarion, 5 mi away, elevation 1,156 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
Lake Cornelia State Park lies on a natural lake of about 243 acres, northeast of Clarion in Wright County, Iowa. The Iowa DNR lists it among the state parks managed by other entities, and the Wright County Conservation Board runs it.
The park covers about 124 acres. You get 106 campsites, a boat harbor, a boat ramp in the northwest part of the lake, a fishing jetty and about 2 miles of hiking trails through woodland, prairie and wetland. Two playgrounds serve the upper campground and the southern day-use area.
Lake size varies a little by source. The Iowa DNR lake record gives 243 acres, its 2006 depth map 244 acres and Travel Iowa 250 acres. The map shows a maximum depth of 20.6 feet and a mean depth of 9.4 feet.
Fishing and Boating
As of November 2026, Iowa DNR lists no motoring restrictions on Lake Cornelia, so you are not limited to an electric motor. The agency says angling has improved since a low-dose rotenone treatment in 2022 removed an abundant yellow bass population. Its March 2026 summary adds that fish are growing well, but that you will need to sort through them for larger panfish.
| Species | Latest stocking listed by Iowa DNR | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|
| Walleye | 178,020 fry, May 2024 | 5 (combined with sauger and saugeye) |
| Blue Catfish | 1,932 at 8 inches, October 2024 | 8 (all catfish combined) |
| Channel Catfish | 2,404 at 9.4 inches, September 2022 | 8 (all catfish combined) |
| Muskellunge | 265 at 13 to 15 inches, May 2023 | 1, 40-inch minimum |
| Bluegill | 11,265 at 2 inches, February 2023 | 25 |
| Largemouth Bass | None listed | 3 (black bass combined), 15-inch minimum |
| Black Crappie | None listed | 25 (crappie combined) |
Iowa DNR also names flathead catfish and yellow perch as stocked, without a dated entry, and lists common carp and green sunfish. These limits come from the agency’s partial summary, so check the full Iowa fishing regulations before you keep fish.
Water Quality and Invasive Species
Check conditions before you get in the water. Iowa DNR’s 2024 water quality assessment, based on 2018 to 2022 samples, rates the lake as not supporting primary-contact recreation because of turbidity and flags cyanobacteria blooms for further investigation. The same assessment rates fish consumption as fully supported, based on fish tissue samples from 2014.
The DNR lake record lists a beach among the amenities. Neither source says whether it is open or monitored now, so ask the park office. The agency also lists zebra mussels and curlyleaf pondweed in the lake, and it has treated the pondweed since 2024.
Things to Do
- Camping — 68 sites with sewer, water and electric, 38 with electric only, 20/30/50-amp service at all electric sites, shower buildings and a dump station
- Fishing and boating — boat ramp, boat harbor and fishing jetty
- Hiking — about 2 miles of trails through woodland, prairie and wetland
- Picnics and gatherings — two open shelters and an enclosed shelter with restrooms, heat, air conditioning and a kitchen area; call the park office to reserve one
- Playgrounds — one in the upper campground, one in the southern part of the park
Morse Lake and Elm Lake Wildlife Management Areas lie within about two miles and offer fishing and hunting, according to Travel Iowa.
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Northeast of Clarion, Wright County, Iowa |
| Park size | About 124 acres |
| Lake | About 243 acres, maximum depth 20.6 feet, no motoring restrictions listed |
| Campsites | 106 (68 with sewer, water and electric; 38 electric only) |
| Managed By | Wright County Conservation Board |
| Coordinates | 42.7869, -93.6893 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What fish are in Lake Cornelia Iowa?
Iowa DNR lists black crappie, blue catfish, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, flathead catfish, green sunfish, largemouth bass, muskellunge, walleye and yellow perch in Lake Cornelia as of November 2026. Walleye have been stocked most heavily in recent years, including 178,020 fry in May 2024.
Are gas motors allowed on Lake Cornelia?
Iowa DNR lists no motoring restrictions on Lake Cornelia as of November 2026, and the lake has a hard-surface boat ramp in its northwest part. Local rules can change, so confirm with the park office at 515-532-3185 before you launch.
Last updated: November 2026. Campground and shelter details come from the Travel Iowa listing; confirm them with the park office at 515-532-3185.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Beeds Lake State Park (within about an hour’s drive) or Eagle Lake State Park (within about an hour’s drive).
Camping reservations: Lake Cornelia is managed by the Wright County Conservation Board, not by the Iowa DNR, so Iowa’s state park booking site does not cover its campground. For campsites, contact the county park office at 515-532-3185.
⛺ Camping at Lake Cornelia State Park: Campgrounds & Cabins
| Campsites | 106 sites — 68 sites with sewer/water/electric service and 38 sites with electric-only service; three modern restrooms and two restroom/shower buildings; wireless service throughout the park. |
|---|---|
| Reservations | First-come, first-served; no online reservation system; no stay-length restriction on sites. Contact (515) 532-3185. |
| Special sites | Dump station on site; boat harbor for fishing and boating access. |
| Season notes | Operates April 15 - October 15 under Wright County Conservation Board management. |
Camping questions about Lake Cornelia State Park
Can you camp at Lake Cornelia State Park?
Yes. Lake Cornelia State Park has 106 campsites. 68 sites with sewer/water/electric service and 38 sites with electric-only service; three modern restrooms and two restroom/shower buildings; wireless service throughout the park.
How do you reserve a campsite at Lake Cornelia State Park?
First-come, first-served; no online reservation system; no stay-length restriction on sites. Contact (515) 532-3185.
Source: wrightcounty.iowa.gov (verified July 2026). Details change seasonally — confirm when booking.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Lake Cornelia State Park
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are allowed in Iowa state parks and recreation areas, including trails and campgrounds, but must be kept on a leash of six feet or less or confined.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash or chain not to exceed 6 feet, led or carried by the owner, or confined
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- Animals are prohibited within designated beach areas statewide
- Cabins & lodging statewide rule
- Only dogs or assistive animals are allowed in designated dog-friendly cabins/yurts (limit two dogs); all other cabins are pet-free; dogs must be kenneled if left unattended inside
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- Hunting dogs in designated hunting areas during season are exempt from the leash rule; pets may not be left unattended in campgrounds
Are dogs allowed at Lake Cornelia State Park?
Pets are allowed in Iowa state parks and recreation areas, including trails and campgrounds, but must be kept on a leash of six feet or less or confined. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via iowadnr.gov. More: Iowa state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
Park Map
Plan your gear for Lake Cornelia State Park
From our editorial guides, matched to this park’s activities:
