Petersons Pit, West
General Information
County: Story
Location: 4 miles northeast of Ames
Acres: 22.60
Maximum Depth: 38.7 ft. (2021 - 38.7 feet)
Motoring Restrictions: Electric Motors Only
Nearby Parks
Amenities
Amenities at Petersons Pit, West include:
- Boat Access
- Picnic Area
- Beach
- Trails
- Restrooms
- Hard Surface Boat Ramp
- Community Fishing Location
- 10/04/2021 - 333 Channel Catfish (9.4)
- 09/16/2019 - 533 Channel Catfish (8.6)
- 9/8/2017 - 498 Channel Catfish (7.6")
- 09/21/2015 - 501 Channel Catfish (8")
No known aquatic invasive species have been found
The
Fishing Regulations brochure is available for download. The summaries listed below are a partial listing provided for your benefit.
- Bluegill
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: 25 fish
- Possession Limit: unlimited
- Length Limit: none
- Other: No daily limit on private waters
- Channel Catfish
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 8 fish
- Possession Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 30 fish
- Length Limit: none
- Other:
- Common Carp
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: none
- Possession Limit: unlimited
- Length Limit: none
- Other: May be taken by hand fishing, by snagging, by spear or by bow and arrow, day or night.
- Largemouth Bass
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: combined black bass, 3 fish
- Possession Limit: combined black bass, 6 fish
- Length Limit: 15-inch minimum
- Other:
- Quillback
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: none
- Possession Limit: unlimited
- Length Limit: none
- Other: May be taken by hand fishing, by snagging, by spear or by bow and arrow, day or night.
The fishery was sampled in 2024. West Peterson Pit offers Bluegill, Crappie, Largemouth Bass and Channel Catfish. Bluegill are small with the maximum size reaching only 6-inches. White Crappie historically reach sizes more acceptable to anglers, but the 2024 survey found mostly small crappies from 6- to 8-inches. Largemouth Bass are present in good numbers with good chances of fish over 15-inches. Bass were sampled from 8- to 18-inches. Channel Catfish were not targeted in 2024 surveys, but a population is maintained with regular stocking.(2024)
Tip: Click the arrow in the lower right corner to view the Fish Survey Data tool in full-screen mode.
Contacts
Iowa-Caught Fish Are Safe to Eat, In Almost All Cases
The vast majority of Iowa’s streams, rivers and lakes offer safe and high-quality fish that pose little or no threat to human health if consumed. Some limitations may apply for young children and pregnant women. Here’s a Fish Consumption Fact Sheet from the Iowa DNR and the Iowa Dept. of Public Health for more information.