Coralville Lake

[Babin Farms]

Seeing boating in Ill. is a not a reality for a family of 4 now I would like to know if there are there any members that frequent Coralville Lake/Lake Macbride in IA? We are looking at going there from time to time and would like some info on the lake and the area. Some info such as best launch to use, problem areas on the lake, eateries, sandbar/beaches and any other info that you might have.

 

[Maineiac]

Don’t know much about Coralville but I could help with Red Rock or Saylorville lakes if you were heading a little further west.

 

[Babin Farms]

Thanks, I’ll keep those lakes in mind. Went to Coralville last weekend and had a good time. Heading back there next month again.

 

[Maineiac]

Thanks, I’ll keep those lakes in mind. Went to Coralville last weekend and had a good time. Heading back there next month again.

Nice! Any tips? I’ve been meaning to check it out since it’s only an hour east of me.

 

[Babin Farms]

Nice! Any tips? I’ve been meaning to check it out since it’s only an hour east of me.

I won’t launch from the state park launch by the dam again. Steep as hell, busy and people that only think of themselves. I’ll either launch from the marina or by the wildlife refuge. Other than that it seemed like a nice lake.

 

[Peelz]

missed this thread.

We live an hour south. its our favorite place. only 20 min to the river, but Id rather the lake.... 3 trips vs one this year so far.

We launch from west overlook now. My experience over the years is opposite.... Right down by the dam. Mehaffy bridge is the seriously long and steep one that gets full of crazed non boaters trying to get on others' boats lol only used those two ramps...

tips. eat at bobbers. anchor up in a cove.... saturday evening it gets pretty tight. Popular place.



Red Rock is nice, unless recent heavy rain then I watch really close for flotsam.

 

[Babin Farms]

We launched from the state park and n

missed this thread.

We live an hour south. its our favorite place. only 20 min to the river, but Id rather the lake.... 3 trips vs one this year so far.

We launch from west overlook now. My experience over the years is opposite.... Right down by the dam. Mehaffy bridge is the seriously long and steep one that gets full of crazed non boaters trying to get on others' boats lol only used those two ramps...

tips. eat at bobbers. anchor up in a cove.... saturday evening it gets pretty tight. Popular place.



Red Rock is nice, unless recent heavy rain then I watch really close for flotsam.

thanks for the info. We’ll more than likely hit Bobbers once and do some cruising checking things out. We’re going to try out the West Overlook ramp this time & see how it goes. I’m confident in my capabilities launching & retrieving anywhere but the State park launch was a complete s-show by quite a few IMO. Right after I put in a Skeeter got about 5’ from the dock taking off and hammered it. My wife damn near fell in trying to hold our boat in place. Really don’t care to go there again.

 

[Peelz]

We launched from the state park and n

thanks for the info. We’ll more than likely hit Bobbers once and do some cruising checking things out. We’re going to try out the West Overlook ramp this time & see how it goes. I’m confident in my capabilities launching & retrieving anywhere but the State park launch was a complete s-show by quite a few IMO. Right after I put in a Skeeter got about 5’ from the dock taking off and hammered it. My wife damn near fell in trying to hold our boat in place. Really don’t care to go there again.

yeah then dont go to mehaffey on a saturday. It can be insane. But, Fun to watch some of the weirdly complicated loading techniques lol

been having really good luck at the west overlook, right at the dam. Its designed nicely, don't feel cramped or hurried.

 

[Peelz]

yeah then dont go to mehaffey on a saturday. It can be insane. But, Fun to watch some of the weirdly complicated loading techniques lol

been having really good luck at the west overlook, right at the dam. Its designed nicely, don't feel cramped or hurried.

so saw a new technique at the reservoir yesterday.... end of the day, Im waiting for a dock spot to get off to get trailer.... old cuddy boat vinyl wrapped in american flags launches... firstly, quite a few of us had to wait for them on the ramp, but then... they circle and roll into the dock at higher than necessary speed....

still underway, perpendicular to the end of the dock, the guy throws his keys to his passenger on the dock.

you can guess what happened.

splloooosh.

when I finally got out there were 5 people in the water diving for keys. derp

 

[Babin Farms]

Free entertainment at that point.

Hasn't been too bad at our marina lately. Thinking most are getting the hang of it or I'm just not heading in or out at the right times. Pulled the boat out of the water last night to clean it up and get ready to head to the lake Friday night.

 

[Peelz]

Free entertainment at that point.

Hasn't been too bad at our marina lately. Thinking most are getting the hang of it or I'm just not heading in or out at the right times. Pulled the boat out of the water last night to clean it up and get ready to head to the lake Friday night.

yeah us either... but it was a combination of a couple things. Usually we hit the water earlier and get out earlier... but since it was fathers day, wife and kids made me breakfast I layed in bed watching soccer matches all morning we were delayed lol in at 1 out at 630. right in the meat of the rush

plus, it was fathers day after all. there are always goofy people, but holidays bring more out into view

the ONLY thing i really dont get at the dock is when they leave a 25+ foot pontoon tied to loading dock waiting for throngs of people to board. That one drives me bananas. get ready. coordinate, pick them up get out lol or load some before launching...


heads up. If you're going to Coralville, the level has gone up quite a bit (almost 10ft!) in the last two weeks since we went up.... Be cautious going around points. Its at 695, I think around 702 they start having issues... and pull docks....

https://rivergages.mvr.usace.army.mil/WaterControl/stationinfo2.cfm?sid=CRVI4&fid=CRVI4&dt=S

we had Bobbers for lunch, it was delicious. Doesnt seem like the most safe place, virus-wise though. They try their best...but drunk boaters you know...

 

[Babin Farms]

Thanks for the info. Hopefully there’s not too much rain this week

 

[Peelz]

so saw a new technique at the reservoir yesterday.... end of the day, Im waiting for a dock spot to get off to get trailer.... old cuddy boat vinyl wrapped in american flags launches... firstly, quite a few of us had to wait for them on the ramp, but then... they circle and roll into the dock at higher than necessary speed....

still underway, perpendicular to the end of the dock, the guy throws his keys to his passenger on the dock.

you can guess what happened.

splloooosh.

when I finally got out there were 5 people in the water diving for keys. derp

OMG you guys. this is the boat in my splash go the keys story!

guess theyve had enough. boats for sale.

Custom Wrap Boat - boats - by owner - marine sale

Very nice custom wrapped 1985 Bayliner Cuddy Capri Pleasure Boat with Trailer. We just put $2000...

ottumwa.craigslist.org

lol

 

[Babin Farms]

Now that screams ‘MERICA!!!!!!!!

 

[Babin Farms]

Out on the lake today dodging the thunderstorms. Had a great day of swimming, tubing & wakeboarding

 

[Peelz]

hit the lake on the 4th... 2 of the 4 usual ramps were shut down due to lake level.. and Bobbers ramps was full for launch reservations!

had family from way out of town who hadnt boated before. I made them get up early, to beat the crowd. We hit Mehaffey at 10am sharp. line to launch was all the way to the road already! but... it wen smoothly, had a WONDERFUL day. drove up past the highway bridge into the wetland area which you can only really do when its high.....anchored swam.... absolutely stunning day.

well be out tomorrow, ramps back open, thankfully.

 

[Babin Farms]

We launched the first day from the dam, not busy at all. Lake rose 1'+ overnight so the next day they closed all but the Mehaffey launch and it was a madhouse. Once out on the lake all was good. When we went by the State Park launch I was amazed at how high the lake was compared to Memorial Day weekend. All went well and our friends that hauled their boat over had a blast as well. Not sure when but we'll be over again.

 

[AT4TX]

Used to live in Cedar Rapids about 15 years ago and boated on Coralville. Have fond memories of that lake! The launch near the dam can get exciting when it's busy, but you can say that about most lakes.

Have fun!!

 

[Maineiac]

Red Rock has elevated bacteria levels so I might try Coralville tomorrow. What’s the least crowded ramp for launching?

 

[Peelz]

Red Rock has elevated bacteria levels so I might try Coralville tomorrow. What’s the least crowded ramp for launching?

west overlook. Down by the dam. Large area and well built. Never had an issue. This is our preferred area now

Mehaffey is ok earlier in the day, but Saturday afternoon/evening piles up!

bobbers has sold out launch tickets so they’re swamped

the other not sure.