Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs - Lake Belva Deer


About Lake Belva Deer

Surface Area (acres): 264.00
Maximum Depth (feet): 41.3 ft. (2014)
Motoring Restrictions: No Size Limit at No Wake
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Keokuk
Description: Belva Deer Lake
Coordinates: 41.37737519, -92.12261880

Nearby Parks

- No results found

Amenities

Amenities at Lake Belva Deer include:
  • Boat Access
  • Fishing Jetty
  • Accessible Pier
  • Picnic Area
  • Beach
  • Trails
  • Accessible Facilities
  • Playground
  • Restrooms
  • Camping
  • Good/Excellent Shorefishing
  • Hard Surface Boat Ramp

Fishing Report

  • Ice Condition: None
  • Water Temperature (°F): 62.0
  • Ramp Condition: Useable
  • Comments: Water temperature was 62 on Tuesday (5/5), it has fallen. Curly-leaf pondweeds are well established; some areas at the lower end of the lake were being treated to allow for shoreline access earlier this week. Should start seeing the die back in those areas in a few days. Last updated on 05/07/2026
Species Reports
Black Crappie - Fair: Not seeing many crappies in the shallow water this week or along the edges of the weed beds. Most have moved out to deeper water. Last updated on 05/07/2026
Bluegill - Fair: More bluegills are coming in shallow water, but have not seen any nest building yet. Worm and bobber along the edges of the weed beds works best. Last updated on 05/07/2026
Largemouth Bass - Fair: Haven't seen any nest building yet. The males are cruising the shallows (2-3 feet). Last updated on 05/07/2026

Fishing Summary

Find a very high quality fishery with bluegills leading the way. Good numbers of 10- to 12-inch bluegills abound in this lake. In 2006 the lake produced at least one over 12 inch bluegill that was verified by park staff. Crappie numbers were finally building up with anglers catching nice stringers of 10- to 12-inch fish through the ice in 2007. Anglers are also catching big redear sunfish with some topping 13 inches. Catfish, largemouth bass and a few county stocked walleyes round out the cast of characters in this lake. - Last updated on 01/08/2019.

Consumption Guidelines

Iowa-Caught Fish Are Safe to Eat, In Almost All Cases

In nearly all cases, Iowa fish are safe to eat. Cleaning and/or preparing the meal causes most of the problems regarding taste or color of fish. Like all living creatures, fish are susceptible to diseases, parasites, and other naturally occurring conditions in the water. If you suspect your fish is affected by any of these conditions, do not eat it. Consider eating smaller and younger fish which usually have lower levels of contaminants than larger ones. Most contaminants accumulate in larger, older fish. For additional information, check out our resources for eating and cooking Iowa caught fish.

To learn more about fish tissue monitoring, visit our Fish Tissue Monitoring page .

Stocking

  • 9/9/24 - 1,584 Channel Catfish (8.0)
  • 4/28/23 - 792,000 Walleye (Fry)
  • May 2022 - 792,000 Walleye (Fry)
  • 9/8/22 - 1,586 Channel Catfish (8.5)
  • 05/03/2021 - 400,000 Walleye (Fry)
  • 09/25/2020 - 25,737 Redear Sunfish (2)
  • 09/23/2020 - 1,703 Channel Catfish (9.4)
  • 05/07/2020 - 792,000 Walleye (Fry)
  • 09/24/2018 - 1,585 Channel Catfish (9)
  • 9/19/16 - 1,585 Channel Catfish (9.2")

Management

  • 2025 - Vegetation-Treatment: Curly leaf control near ramp and public access areas.
  • 2024 - Vegetation-Treatment: Treat curly leaf pondweed near access point.
  • 2023 - Vegetation-Treatment: curly leaf treatment around beach area and kayak launch
  • 2022 - Vegetation-Treatment: Curly leaf management as described in management plan.
  • 2021 - Vegetation-Treatment: curly leaf treatment at beach

Motoring Restrictions

Motoring Restrictions: No Size Limit at No Wake

Contacts for this Location

Fishing Regulations

The summaries listed below are a partial listing provided for your benefit. Familiarize yourself with the complete Fishing Regulations here: Iowa DNR Fishing Regulations and Laws.

Aquatic Invasive Species

  • Brittle Naiad
  • Curlyleaf Pondweed

To learn more about AIS, visit the Iowa DNR's Aquatic Invasive Species page for more information and resources.

Fish Surveys

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