Where to drop a line in and around Grimes.

Where can I fish in Grimes?

The Iowa DNR lists six Grimes ponds in its Community Fishing program, which turns city ponds into public fishing spots. The City of Grimes partners with the DNR to stock public ponds with largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. All six are small, shore-fishing water, so a light rod, a bobber, and a tub of worms will do.

• Heritage Pond (3.5 acres, NE Little Beaver Dr): the largest, with trail access. A 2022 DNR survey found largemouth bass in fair numbers from 7 to 15.5 inches, redear sunfish 6 to 9 inches, an established channel catfish population (13 to 16 inches), and small bluegill. The DNR stocked 90 bass here in September 2022.
• Gabus Pond (0.9 acre, Beaverbrooke neighborhood): trails and good shore fishing, per the DNR. A 2020 survey found bluegill just over 8 inches, bass 8 to 11 inches, and a few black crappie near 12 inches. Heads up: WHO 13 reported in September 2025 that neighbors have complained about algae and weeds for years; the city treats it every two weeks in summer, and the DNR planned to add grass carp.
• Beaverbrooke North (0.5 acre) and Beaverbrooke South (0.7 acre): bluegill and largemouth bass, with good shoreline access.
• Grimes Plex Pond (1.3 acres, trail access off NE 11th St, by the Hy-Vee Multiplex): new in 2023. The DNR stocked 130 largemouth bass in July 2024.
• Hope Lutheran Church Pond (2 acres, NE Beaverbrooke Blvd and NE Heritage Dr): stocked with 150 bass fingerlings and 60 yellow perch in 2018.

Pond sizes, surveys, and stocking come from each pond's Iowa DNR Fish Iowa page. The DNR's online Fishing Atlas maps all of them.

Do I need a fishing license to fish in Grimes?

Yes, if you are 16 or older. Iowa DNR prices:

Buy one at gooutdoorsiowa.com or at a license retailer. Kids under 16 fish without a license. The DNR listings for the Beaverbrooke ponds show bluegill at 25 a day and black bass at 3 a day combined with a 15-inch minimum, so small bass go back. Check each pond's page before you keep fish. For questions on the Polk County ponds, the DNR lists fisheries biologist Seth Fopma at 641-891-3795.

Where can I fish a bigger lake near Grimes?

Big Creek Lake

Big Creek Lake (814 acres, 51 feet at its deepest) sits in Big Creek State Park, 8794 NW 125th Ave, north of Polk City. It has five boat ramps, rock fishing jetties, an accessible pier, boat rentals, and a fish cleaning station at the West Boat Ramp. The DNR lists motors as no size limit, 5 mph. The DNR's 2025 surveys found bass mostly 12.5 to 17 inches, very good crappie numbers, hybrid striped bass up to 27 inches, and good walleye fishing in April, May, and June. The DNR's late October report rated crappie fair: jig over roadbeds and brush piles in less than 15 feet, or work the jetties early and late.

Jester Park and Saylorville Lake

Polk County's Jester Park, 12130 NW 128th St, Granger, sits on the west shore of Saylorville Lake with fishing ponds, an accessible fishing pier, and boat ramps. It pairs well with a camping trip.

Note that Beaver Creek runs near Grimes but much of its bank is private, so it is not a reliable public fishing spot.

Common questions

Is there fishing in Grimes, Iowa?

Yes. The City of Grimes stocks public ponds with the Iowa DNR, holding largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. One is the Grimes Plex Pond near the Hy-Vee Multiplex.

Where is the nearest lake fishing to Grimes?

Big Creek Lake at Big Creek State Park north of Polk City is an 814-acre lake with boat ramps, fishing jetties, and shore fishing. Saylorville Lake, reached at Jester Park near Granger, is the other big-water option.

Which Grimes fishing pond is the largest?

Heritage Pond, at 3.5 acres off NE Little Beaver Dr, is the largest of the six Iowa DNR community fishing ponds in Grimes.

Do kids need a fishing license in Iowa?

No. Iowa residents and nonresidents under 16 can fish without a license, though a trout fee may apply. Adults pay $22 for a resident annual license.