Check out some fishing hot spots in the communities listed below. If your regular fishing location is popular and busy, try out a new one where less people are fishing or come back at a time that is not so busy like early morning or later at night.
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Fishing Hot Spots
Ames, IA
Ada Hayden – in Ada Hayden Heritage Park at 5205 Grand Avenue. Paved parking, accessible fishing pier, paved trails, restrooms, pedestrian bridge and picnic area. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and hybrid striped bass. Rainbow trout is stocked in the north lake each fall and winter, but you can still catch trout in the spring and early summer.
McFarland Pond – in McFarland Park at 56461 180th Street. Paved trail from the Story County Conservation Center. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Moore Memorial Park Pond – in Moore Memorial Park at 3050 Northridge Parkway. Paved parking and trails, accessible fishing pier, playground, picnic tables and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Peterson Pits – in the Peterson Pits Recreation Area at 55310 180th Street. Picnic area, beach, trails and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Nevada, IA
SCORE Pond East – in the SCORE Recreation/Athletic Complex at 1545 Fawcett Parkway. Paved parking, aquatic center, restrooms, playground, soccer fields, 4-plex of softball/baseball diamonds, 4 tennis courts, basketball court and lighted trail. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
SCORE Pond South – in the SCORE Recreation/Athletic Complex at 1545 Fawcett Parkway Paved parking, aquatic center, restrooms, playground, soccer fields, 4-plex of softball/baseball diamonds, 4 tennis courts, basketball court and lighted trail. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Wilson Pond – along the Indian Creek Greenbelt Trail west of the 4-H Park on West 3rd Street. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Lake Starker – in Crapo Park at 2600 Madison Avenue. Walking trails around the lake wind through an arboretum and botanical gardens. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Bertram Fishing Hot Spots
Murphy Lake (Hwy 13 Pond) – west of Highway 13, between Bertram Road and Hess Lane. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Fairfax Fishing Hot Spots
Fairfax City Pond – just south of the Meadow Oak neighborhood. Paved trail from Meadow Oak Circle and Prairie View Drive. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Marion Fishing Hot Spots
Lowe Park Pond – in Lowe Park at 4901 Alburnett Road, south of Lowe Park field #6. Restrooms, paved trails and paved parking nearby. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Waldo’s Rock Pond - in Marion’s newest park, Waldo’s Rock Park at 6303 Partner's Avenue. Trails connect to the Grant Wood trail system. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Cedar Falls Fishing Hot Spots
Big Woods Lake – at the corner of Big Woods Road and East Lake Street. Fishing jetty, picnic area, trails, restrooms and camping. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Mullen's Pond – in Washington Park at the corner of East 9th Street and Utility Parkway. Playground, picnic area, restroom, paved parking and trails and baseball diamond. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
North Prairie Lake – in Prairie Lakes Park, east of Hudson Road, between Viking Road and Technology Parkway. Restrooms, paved parking and trails. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie. Rainbow trout is stocked each spring and fall.
Roger Birdsall Memorial Park Lake – north of West 12th Street, between Lexington Drive and Quail Ridge Road. Paved parking and trail. Restrooms, picnic area, playground and softball/baseball diamonds. Close to the Pheasant Ridge Golf Course. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
South Prairie Lake – in Prairie Lakes Park, east of Hudson Road, between Viking Road and Technology Parkway. Accessible fishing pier, fishing jetty, restrooms and paved parking and trails. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Dike Fishing Hot Spots
Grundy County Lake – south of the Dike exit off of Highway 20. Fishing jetty, accessible pier, paved trail, playground, camping and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie and walleye.
Cedar Lake – in the Cedar Lake neighborhood, north of downtown, off of Shaver Road NE. Paved trail, picnic area and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Ellis Harbor – along the Cedar River on Harbor Drive NW. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Mohawk Park Pond – in Mohawk City Park at 100 J Avenue NE. Trails and picnic area. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Prairie Park Fishery – along the Cedar River at 2125 Otis Road SE. Paved parking and trails, picnicking area and restrooms. Best fished from a canoe, kayak or rowboat. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Rainbow trout stocked each fall and winter.
Robbins Lake – in Manhattan/Robbins Lake Park, north of the corner of Edgewood Road NW and Ellis Road NW. Paved trail off of Ellis Road NW and 26th Street NW. Picnic area and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Seminole Park Backwaters – in Seminole Valley Park & Farm at 5925 Seminole Valley Trail NE. Restrooms, parking and trails. Explore the nearby Ushers Ferry Historic Village with historic buildings that depict life in a small Iowa town between the 1890’s and 1910’s. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Emma Young Pond – in Emma Young Park, behind the Erickson Community Center at 1401 11th Avenue North. Trails, playground, picnic area and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
DeWitt Fishing Hot Spots
Killdeer R.A. Lake – in the Killdeer Recreation Area at 2471 330th Avenue. Accessible fishing dock and parking. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Malone Park Pond – in Malone Park at 2524 330th Avenue. Picnic area, disc golf and beach. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Council Bluffs Fishing Hot Spots
Carter Lake – in Levi Carter Park at 4405 Carter Lake Drive. Fishing jetty, accessible pier, picnic area, beach, trails, playground and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Gilbert Pond (Big Lake Park) – in Big Lake Park at 2600 N 8th Street. Paved trails, picnic area, playground and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. -Rainbow Trout stocked each fall and winter.
Lake Manawa – in Lake Manawa State Park at 1100 South Shore Drive. Fishing jetty, accessible pier, tube, kayak, canoe and paddle board rentals (Memorial Day weekend thru Labor Day weekend), playground, picnic area, beach, trails and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Trails Center Pond (Saganaush) – behind the Western Historic Trails Center at 3434 Richard Downing Avenue. Paved trail around the lake. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Bettendorf Fishing Hot Spots
Crow Creek Pond – east of the baseball complex in Crow Creek Park at 4800 N Devils Glen Road. Fishing dock and paved trail. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Crow Creek W.A. Lake – in the Crow Creek Wildlife Management Area, east of Veterans Way, between 214th Street and East 90th Street. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Hailey Heights Pond – in the Haley Heights neighborhood; near the corner of Hopewell Avenue and Middle Road. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Middle Park Lagoon – in Middle Park at 2407 Middle Road. Paved parking and trails, centennial garden and disc golf. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Davenport Fishing Hot Spots
Bluegrass Lake – in West Lake Park at 14910 110th Avenue. Trails to Railroad Lake. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Credit Island Lake – in Credit Island Park at 2200 West River Drive. Trails, picnic area, playground and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Eastern Avenue Park Lagoon – in Eastern Avenue Park at 2900 Eastern Avenue. Paved trail and parking, disc golf and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Lake of the Hills – in West Lake Park at 14910 110th Avenue. Fishing jetty, accessible fishing pier, beach, paddle boat rentals, playground, children’s forest, picnic areas, restrooms and camping. Trails to Lambach Lake and Railroad Lake. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Rainbow Trout stocked each fall and spring.
Lambach Lake – in West Lake Park at 14910 110th Avenue. Playground, restrooms and camping. Trails to Lake of the Hills and Railroad Lake. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Prairie Pointe Pond – in the Prairie Point neighborhood, close to the corner of Belle Avenue and East 58th Street. Trail from East 58th Street, East 59th Street and East 60th Street. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Railroad Lake – in West Lake Park at 14910 110th Avenue. Fishing jetty, accessible pier, picnic area, restrooms, and camping. Trails to Lake of the Hills and Lambach Lake. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Vander Veer Lagoon – in Vander Veer Botanical Park and Conservatory at 215 West Central Park Avenue. Trails, playground and children’s sculpture garden. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Asbury Fishing Hot Spots
Althaus Pond – in Althaus Park at 5565 Wintergreen Drive. Trails. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Forest Hills Pond – in the Forest Hills Estates neighborhood; between Pinehurst Court and Willow Brook Drive. Paved trail off of Forest Hills Drive. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Wedgewood Pond – in the Wedgewood neighborhood; between Wedgewood Drive and Palmer Drive. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Dubuque Fishing Hot Spots
16th Street Detention Basin - near the corner of East 12th Street and Kerper Blvd. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and other river species.
East Bergfeld – in the Bergfeld Recreation Area at 7600 Chavenelle Drive. Accessible fishing jetties, picnic area, trails, playground and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Heritage Pond – 11330 Rupp Hollow. Accessible fishing pier, trails and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Rainbow Trout stocked each fall and spring.
Heron Pond – in Miller Riverview Park at 1851 Admiral Sheehy Drive. Playground, restrooms, picnic area, trails and camping. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Theisen Pond – west of Theisen’s Supply at 6201 Chavenelle Road. Paved trail. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Fort Dodge Fishing Hot Spots
Badger Lake (Kennedy Park) Closed for Renovations – in Kennedy Park at 1415 Nelson Avenue. Fishing jetty, picnic area, swimming beach, trails, playground, restrooms, camping and golf course. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Gypsum City OHV Park Lakes – in the Gypsum City OHV Park at 2390 Mill Road. Picnic area, restrooms and camping. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Moorland Pond – in Moorland Park, west of Highway 20, near the corner of County Road D36 and 234th Street. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Rainbow Trout stocked each fall and winter.
Indianola Fishing Hot Spots
Banner Lake North – in Summerset State Park, 4 1/2 miles north of Indianola. Accessible fishing pier, picnic area, restrooms paved trails and parking. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish.
Banner Lake South – in Summerset State Park, 4 1/2 miles north of Indianola. Accessible fishing pier, picnic area, restrooms paved trails and parking. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie and channel catfish. Rainbow trout is stocked each spring and fall.
Pickard Pond – in the Pickard Recreation Area, east of the Indianola Pickard Sports Complex (2205 E 2nd Ave). Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Coralville Fishing Hot Spots
Clear Creek Pond – on the Clear Creek Trail behind the Fairfield Inn (650 Coral Ridge Avenue). Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Dovetail Pond – in the Dovetail Recreation Area at 401 East Oakdale Boulevard. Trails, sand volleyball courts and youth soccer fields. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
East Oakdale Pond – east of Cross Park Road, between University Parkway and Oakdale Boulevard. Paved trail. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Ewalt Pond – in the MA Ewalt Recreation Area at 3283 Heartland Drive. Paved trail. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Meade Pond – in the Auburn East neighborhood, close to the corner of Auburn East Lane and Meade Drive. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Northland Pond – in the Ozark Ridge neighborhood, near the corner of Ozark Ridge and Northland Circle. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
North Ridge Pond – in North Ridge Park at 2250 Holiday Road. Paved trail, picnic area, playground and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Iowa River Landing Pond – in Iowa River Landing Wetland Park at 300 E. 9th Street. Paved trail, restrooms and viewing tower. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Sports Plex Pond – behind the Coralville Youth Sports Complex at 2480 Dempster Drive. Paved trails. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
S.T. Morrison – in S.T. Morrison Park at 1513 7th Street. Aquatic Center, tennis courts and ball fields. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
West Oakdale Pond – between Coral Ridge Avenue and Cross Park Road. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Iowa City Fishing Hot Spots
Iowa City City Park Ponds – in City Park at 200 Park Road. Paved trails, picnic area, playground, restrooms, and basketball, bocce and horseshoe courts. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Iowa City Waterworks – in Waterworks Prairie Park at 2875 North Dubuque Street. Paved trails. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Ralston Creek Pond – along the Iowa River RC Trail, between South Riverside Drive and South Gilbert Street. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and various river species.
Terry Trueblood Lake – in Terry Trueblood Recreation Area at 579 McCollister Boulevard. Fishing jetty, paved trails and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Rainbow trout stocked each fall and spring.
Whispering Meadows – in Whispering Meadows Wetland Park at 47 Blue Stem. Paved trails. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Windsor Ridge Park Pond – in Windsor Ridge Park at 1046 Arlington Drive. Paved trails. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
North Liberty Fishing Hot Spots
Broadmoor Pond – in Broadmoor Estates Park at 670 Broadmoor Drive. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Centennial Park Pond – in Centennial Park at 1565 St Andrews Drive. Playground, picnic area, paved parking and trails. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Creekside Commons – in the Creekside neighborhood, close to Creekside Commons Park at 1490 Sadler Drive. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Fox Run Pond – in the Fox Run neighborhood, west of Scales Bend Road NE, between Pleasant Lane and Fox Valley Drive. Trail from Fox Valley Drive. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Fox Valley Pond – in the Fox Valley neighborhood, south of West Forergreen Road. Trails from Stone Creek Court and Copper Mountain Drive. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Freedom Pond – in Freedom Park at 598 South Jones Boulevard. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Goose Lake – in the Goose Lake neighborhood, between West 240th Street NE and Nick Drive. Trail from Nick Drive. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Liberty Centre – in Liberty Centre Park at 795 West Cherry Street. Fishing jetty, accessible fishing pier and paved trails. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
West Lakes – east of Kansans Avenue, between South Park Ridge Road and St. Andrews Drive; close to Clear Creek/Amana North Bend Elementary (2230 St Andrews Drive) and Mar Lee Park (595 Kansas Avenue NE). Paved trail from Kansas Avenue and West Zeller Street. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Tiffin Fishing Hot Spots
Cherry Lane North – south of Oakdale Boulevard, between Rolling Hills Drive and Potter Street. Trail from Cherry Lane. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Cherry Lane South – south of Cherry Lane, between Hickory Court and Rolling Hills Drive. Trail from Cherry Lane. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Goldfinch Pond –north of West Goldfinch Drive, between Ponds Court and Potter Street. Trail from West Goldfinch Drive. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Oakdale Boulevard Pond – near the corner of Oakdale Boulevard and Cherry Lane. Trail from Oakdale Boulevard. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Marshalltown Fishing Hot Spots
Glenwood Pond –in Glenwood Recreation Area at 2601 South 6th Street. Paved trail and picnic area. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Goldfinch Pond – in the Goldfinch Recreation Area at 210 West Merle Hibbs Boulevard. Paved trail and picnic area. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Riverview Park Lagoon – in Riverview Park at 402 Woodland Street. Playground, paved trails, picnic area, restrooms and camping. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Riverview Park Pond – in Riverview Park at 402 Woodland Street. Playground, paved trails, picnic area, restrooms and camping. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Sand Lake – in the Sand Lake Recreation Area at 2901 Main Street Road. Fishing jetty, accessible pier and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, and walleye. Rainbow trout stocked each fall and spring.
Timber Creek Pond – in Timber Creek Recreation Area at 609 East Southridge Road. Paved trail and picnic area. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Clear Lake Fishing Hot Spots
Bluebill Lake – in the Bluebill Wildlife Area at 14369 South 40th Street. Fishing jetty and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Mason City Fishing Hot Spots
Black Pit – in Lester Milligan Park at 1180 15th Street SW. Trail from paved parking at Blue Pit (also in Lester Milligan Park). Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Blair Meadows Preserve Pond – 1/4 mile west of the corner of 12th Street NW and North Eisenhower Avenue. Easily fished from shore. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Blue Pit – in Lester Milligan Park at 1180 15th Street SW. Accessible fishing pier, playground, beach, paved trails and parking. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Rainbow Trout stocked each fall and winter.
Clark Lake –in the Mike Zack Wildlife Area at 16638 230th Street. Trail from 230th Street. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
East Park Pond – in East Park on South Virginia Avenue; north of East State Street and west of North Kentucky Avenue. Lots of parking, paved trails, playground, picnic area, restrooms, disc golf and 1912 steam locomotive. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Fin and Feather Lake – in the Mike Zack Wildlife Area at 16638 230th Street. Trails and parking. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Lime Creek Conservation Area Pond – in the Lime Creek Conservation Area, near the Nature Center at 3501 Lime Creek Road. Trails from the Nature Center. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Muscatine Fishing Hot Spots
Deep Lakes – in Deep Lakes Park on Pettibone Avenue. Accessible fishing pier, beach, trails and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and muskellunge.
Discovery Pond – in Discovery Park at 3300 Cedar Street. Accessible fishing dock, paved trails, picnic area, arboretum and environmental learning center. Close to the Saulsbury Bridge Recreation Area. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Rainbow trout stocked each fall and spring.
Heron Hideaway Pond – in Discovery Park at 3300 Cedar Street. Fishing dock, paved trails, picnic area, arboretum and environmental learning center. Close to the Muscatine Arboretum. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Muscatine Slough – in Muscatine Kent-Stein Park on Oneida Avenue. Picnic area, trails, restroom, baseball/softball field and horseshoe courts. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Weed Park Lagoon – in Weed Park on Park Drive. Fishing dock, zoo and rose gardens, playground, restroom, picnic area, paved trail, baseball/softball field, swimming pool, sand volleyball and tennis courts. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Black Lake – east of Highway 34 near Vine Street. Trail from Vine Street. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Greater Ottumwa Park East – in the Greater Ottumwa Park at the corner of Highway 34 and South Wapello Street. Accessible fishing pier, picnic area, playground, restrooms and camping. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Rainbow trout stocked each fall and spring.
Greater Ottumwa Park North – in the Greater Ottumwa Park at the corner of Highway 34 and South Wapello Street. Picnic area, playground, restrooms and camping. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Greater Ottumwa Park Pond – in the Greater Ottumwa Park at the corner of Highway 34 and South Wapello Street. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Greater Ottumwa Park South – in the Greater Ottumwa Park at the corner of Highway 34 and South Wapello Street. Picnic area, trails, playground, restrooms and camping. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Greater Ottumwa Park West – in the Greater Ottumwa Park at the corner of Highway 34 and South Wapello Street. Playground and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Ottumwa Lagoon – north of Richmond Avenue, between Wapello Street and Church Street. Trails, picnic area, playground, restrooms and camping. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and river species.
Bacon Creek – in Bacon Creek Park at 5015 Correctionville Road. Fishing jetty, picnic area, trails, playground and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish. Rainbow trout stocked each fall and winter.
Prairie Park Pond – on South Lewis Boulevard/Old Highway 75 near the 75 & I-29 interchange. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Stone State Park Pond – in Stone State Park at 5001 Talbot Road. Nature center, trails, picnic area, playground, restrooms and camping. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Evansdale Fishing Hot Spots
Deerwood Park Lake – in Deerwood Park along the Cedar River, west of the intersection of I-380 and River Forest Road. Camping, disc golf, playground, picnic area and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Meyers Lake – in Angels Park, north of Highway 20, between River Forest Road and Elmer Avenue. Accessible fishing pier, picnic area, playground, trail and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie and bullhead.
Waterloo Fishing Hot Spots
Alice Wyth Lake – in George Wyth State Park at 3659 Wyth Road. Fishing jetty and paved parking. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Brinker Lake – in George Wyth State Park at 3659 Wyth Road. Paved trails and parking. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
City Park Pond – in Cedar River Park; south of the Waterloo Riverfront Stadium (850 Park Road). Take the Cedar Valley Lakes Trail off of Park Road. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
George Wyth – in George Wyth State Park at 3659 Wyth Road. Fishing jetty, accessible pier, picnic area, beach, trails, playground, restrooms, camping and paved parking. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Green Belt Lake – 1006 Martin Road; just west of Highway 63. Trail around the lake. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Harold Getty Lake – in the Riverview Recreation Area, east of Highway 218; between Hawthorne Avenue and East Mitchell Avenue. Fishing jetty, paved parking and trails, picnic area and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Hope Martin Pond – in Hope Martin Memorial Park at the corner of Highway 63 and Fletcher Avenue. Paved parking. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Singing Bird Lake – in Hope Martin Memorial Park at the corner of Highway 63 and Fletcher Avenue. Paved parking. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Des Moines Metro
Easter Lake (recently renovated) – in Easter Lake Park at 2830 Easter Lake Drive. Fishing jetty, picnic area, swimming beach, paved trail, playground and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and walleye.
Fort Des Moines Park Pond – in Fort Des Moines Park at 200 SE 5th Street, just west of Southridge Shopping Mall in Des Moines. Paved parking, accessible fishing pier, nature trails, playground, shelters and arboretum. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Gray's Lake – in Gray’s Lake Park at 2101 Fleur Drive. Paved parking and trails, picnic area, beach, playground and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, white bass, crappie and river species.
Greenwood/Ashworth Park Pond – in Greenwood/Ashworth Park at 4500 Grand Avenue. Paved trail and parking, picnic area, rose garden, splashground, playground and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
MacRae Park Pond – in MacRae Park at 1021 Davis Avenue. Paved trail from SW 9th Street and SW 11th Street. Picnic area, playground and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Riverview Park Pond – in Riverview Park at 710 Corning Avenue. Paved trails and picnic area. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and river species.
Water Works Park Pond – in Water Works Park at 2201 George Flagg Parkway. Picnic area, trails and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Witmer Park Pond – in Witmer Park at 1610 34th Street. Paved parking and trail, picnic area and playground. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Altoona Fishing Hot Spots:
Altoona Public Library Pond - behind the Altoona Public Library at 700 8th Street SW. Paved trail from the library parking lot extends to Prairie Heritage Park, Civic Plaza and the Enabling Garden (1050 1st Avenue South). Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish and black crappie.
Civic Plaza Pond - behind Hy-Vee at 108 8th Street SW. Small paved parking lot off Center Place and by the Enabling Garden (1050 1st Avenue South). Paved trail extends to Prairie Heritage Park and the Enabling Garden. Splash pad, picnic shelter, portable bathrooms and war memorial. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish.
Clay Pond – in the Clay Estates neighborhood on the west side of 3rd Avenue SW near 35th Street SW; close to Clay Elementary (3200 1st Avenue South). Paved trail from 3rd Avenue SW. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish. Picnic tables.
Falcon Ridge in Falcon Ridge Park at the corner of Lake Shore Dr. SE and 14th Ave. SE. Playground and trails. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Ironwood Pond – at the east end of Stonegate Court SW near the intersection of 21st Street SW and 3rd Avenue SW. Pavedl
Oak Hill Pond - in Oak Hill Park at 1975 28th Ave SW. Picnic area, trails and playground. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and catfish.
Prairie Heritage Park Ponds - in Prairie Heritage Park at 898 5th Avenue SW. Paved trail from the Altoona Public Library (700 8th Street SW) extends to the Civic Plaza and the Enabling Garden (1050 1st Avenue South). Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish and black crappie. Portable bathrooms.
Bondurant Fishing Hot Spots:
Lake Petocka – on the northeast edge of town at 520 Pleasant Street NE. Many gravel parking lots. Modern bathrooms, playground, ball fields, shelter, picnic tables, exercise equipment and paved trail that connects to the Chichaqua Valley Trail. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish and yellow perch. Trout stocked here each fall and winter.
Wolf Creek West Pond - in Wolf Creek Park at 3600 Linden Drive SW. Trails and a playground. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Pleasant Hill Fishing Hot Spots:
Copper Creek – in Copper Creek Lake Park at 4390 East University Avenue. Small paved parking lot, fishing pier, shelter, restrooms, picnic tables and paved trail. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and hybrid striped bass.
Yellow Banks Pond – 6801 SE 32nd Avenue. Yellow Banks Park has ball diamonds, playground, shelters and boat ramp.
Ankeny Fishing Hot Spots:
Art Center Pond – in Westside Park at 599 SW State Street, in front of the Art Center (1520 SW Ordnance Road). Parking at the Art Center. Playground, trails and picnic tables. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Cherry Glen Ponds:
Cherry Glen East – in the Cherry Glen Estates neighborhood on the east side of NW Abbie Drive, between NW 8th Street and NW 5th Street. Paved Trail from Watercrest Park (corner of NW 5th Street and NW Jackson Drive) or NW Abbie Drive. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Cherry Glen West - in the Cherry Glen Estates neighborhood on the east side of NW Cherry Glen Drive, between NW 7th Street and NW 6th. Paved trail from NW Cherry Glen Drive or NW 6th Street extends to Cherry Glen South. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Cherry Glen South - in the Cherry Glen Estates neighborhood on the south side of NW 4th Street, between NW Mils Drive and NW Abbie Drive. Paved trail from NW 4th Street or NW Mils Drive extends to Cherry Glen West. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
DMACC Lake – on the DMACC Ankeny Campus at 2006 South Ankeny Boulevard. Lots of parking options. ADA pier, paved trail, shelter and picnic tables. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Georgetown Park Ponds – in Georgetown Park at the Corner of NW Georgetown Boulevard and NW Ash Drive, across from Ashland Ridge Elementary School (2600 NW Ash Drive). Paved parking, playground, portable bathroom, shelter, paved trails, picnic tables and basketball court. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Hawkeye Park Pond – in Hawkeye Park at 400 NW Lakeshore Drive. Paved parking on the east and west sides of the pond. Playground, shelter, ball fields, picnic tables, portable bathrooms and paved trails that connect to the nearby Ankeny Miracle Park (310 NW School Street). Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Hillside Park Ponds – in Hillside Park at the corner of SE 20th Street and SE Four Mile Drive. Dirt parking on the east side of SE Four Mile Drive or parking on SE Hillside Drive – take the paved trail to the pond. Playground, portable bathrooms and picnic tables. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Renaissance Park Pond - in Renaissance Park at 3425 Renaissance Drive. Walking and biking trails. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Sawgrass Park Pond – in Sawgrass Park at 2222 SW 36th Street. Paved parking, portable bathrooms, pier, walking bridge, paved trail, playground and shelter. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Vintage Lake – in Vintage Park at the corner of SW Vintage Parkway and SW State Street. Paved trail from SW Vintage Parkway. ADA pier. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and crappie.
Elizabeth Holland North - near the corner of Highway 28 (Sunset Drive) and Beardsley Street. Plans for a park with a parking area, trail, shelter house and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Elizabeth Holland South - near the corner of Highway 28 (Sunset Drive) and Beardsley Street. Plans for a park with a parking area, trail, shelter house and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Warrior Park Pond – west of the intersection of Orchard Hills Drive and West Pine Avenue. Parking on Orchard Hills Drive. Plans for a neighborhood park with a preschool age playground, child obstacle course area, parking lot and restrooms. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Clive Fishing Hot Spots:
Walnut Ridge Pond - 1801 NW 114th Street east of the Clive Aquatic Center. Paved trail from the Aquatic Center parking lot connects to Clive Greenbelt Trail.
Berkshire Pond – at corner of Douglas Pkwy and Berkshire Pkwy; west of Shuler Elementary. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and dhannel catfish
Urbandale Fishing Hot Spots:
Kollmorgen Park Pond - in Kollmorgen Park at 16211 Tanglewood Drive. Paved trail from Tanglewood Drive or NW 164th Street. Playground, basketball court and picnic tables. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Lake View Pond – in Lakeview Park at 4212 Park Hill Circle. Paved trail from the Urbandale Middle School and surrounding neighborhoods. ADA pier, shelter, picnic tables and playground. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
LA Ward – in Laura A. Ward Park at 3900 NW Urbandale Drive. Paved parking, picnic tables and paved trail. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Walker-Johnston Pond - in Walker-Johnston Park at 9000 Douglas Avenue. Paved parking, ball fields, playground, ADA pier and bathrooms. Paved trail around the pond connects to the Urbandale Public Library and Charles Gabus Memorial Tree Park and Garden. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish.
Waukee Fishing Hot Spots:
Kettlestone Commons Ponds - on the East side of Grand Prairie Parkway near Ashworth Road in the Kettlestone Commons development. Trails and parking areas. Catch bluegill and largemouth bass.
Tallgrass Pond – on the East side of Grand Prairie Parkway near Ashworth Road in the Kettlestone Commons development. Trails are being developed. Stocked with bluegill and largemouth bass.
Triumph Park East & West - located north of Hickman Road and east of North 10th Street adjacent to Waukee’s Northwest High School. Accessible fishing pier, picnic area, trails, inclusive playground, restrooms and sport complex. Catch bluegill, channel cafish and largemouth bass. Rainbow trout is stocked each spring and fall.
West Des Moines Fishing Hot Spots:
Blue Heron Lake – in Raccoon River Park at 2500 Grand Avenue. Lots of parking options. ADA pier, boat ramp, nature lodge, picnic tables, paved trail, dog park and playground. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie along with river fish like white bass, suckers and carp.
City Pond - behind the West Des Moines Public Library (4000 Mills Civic Parkway). Paved trail from the library or the West Des Moines City Hall. Close to Southwoods Park (350 S. 35th Street ) with disc golf, picnic tables, trails and nature preserve. Catch largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill and channel catfish.
DMACC West Campus Pond – on the DMACC West Campus at 5959 Grand Avenue. Parking at the campus bookstore. ADA pier. Catch largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill and channel catfish.
Purple Martin Lakes – in the newly opened Purple Martin Lake Water Resource Area at the dead-end of Army Post Road. Near Walnut Woods State Park (3155 Walnut Woods Drive). Parking in gravel lots. Catch largemouth bass, bluegill and crappie along with river fish like white bass, suckers and carp.
First Fish!
Catch a memory when your favorite young angler hooks their first fish! Get a certificate of accomplishment from the Iowa DNR.