Arnolds Park, IA (Northwestiowanow.com) — Subtract 10 thousand people from Okoboji Winter Games who stayed away because of the cold weather, add the additional anglers who came to ice fish … and Okoboji Tourism Director Kiley Zankowski says numbers were up in the first quarter of 2026.

Cell phone information indicates the Iowa Great Lakes is drawing more visitors from Kansas City, Rapid City, and Wisconsin.  And the Vacation Rental by Owner options are growing in popularity.

Zankowski says traffic is already picking up for the summer season in Okoboji.