Visitors to Honey Creek State Park return often to enjoy the beautiful setting of 828 acres of rolling, timbered hills against a background of beautiful Lake Rathbun, Iowa's largest lake. In 1954, Congress authorized the construction of Rathbun lake because the Chariton River Valley in south central Iowa was susceptible to flood and drought problems. The dam was completed in 1969 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Rathbun Lake provides flood protection for 149,300 acres of land along the Chariton River. Rathbuh Lake is very popular with sailboaters, power boaters, water skiers and anglers. Crappie, walleye and channel catfish

are available to challenge anglers. The park has excellent boat launching ramps and conveniently located fish cleaning facilities. The boat ramp and parking lot will be repaired and paved in 1999.

• By following the interpretive trail one may learn about the early Indians who inhabited the area. Displays on the history of Honey Creek are located in a special shelter at the beginning of the interpretive trail.