Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs

Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs DNR Homepage

About Deep Lakes

Surface Area (acres): 130.00
Maximum Depth (feet): Unknown
Motoring Restrictions: electric trolling motors only.
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Muscatine
Description: A series of ponds and interconnected ponds that were once part of a gravel mining operation.
Coordinates: 41.37029386, -91.07785624

Nearby Parks

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Amenities

Amenities at Deep Lakes include:

Accessible Pier
Beach
Trails
Restrooms
Hard Surface Boat Ramp
Carry Down Boat Launch
Community Fishing Location

What to Fish For

Fishing Report

Ice Condition: None
Water Temperature (°F): 84.0
Ramp Condition: Useable
Comments: Water clarity can be measured in yards. The fish can see you and your lures from a long ways off; keep a low profile and no need for flash and noise in your choice of lures. Last updated on 07/01/2026

Species Reports

Largemouth Bass - Good: Early morning or late evening overcast days are best. And a little wind chop on the water can help, too. Top water baits run over the tops of the weed beds close to deep water are lots of fun. Flyrods using sneaky pete's or other poppers are good, too. Soft plastics, ned rigs or wacky rigs in colors like pumpkinseed tossed into those same weed beds also work well. Last updated on 07/01/2026

Fishing Summary

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Popular Fish Species

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 .

Where to Go

Explore the full Fishing Atlas

Stocking and Management

Stocking

05/13/2025 - 77 Muskellunge (13.0)
9/6/24 - 1,824 Channel Catfish (8.0)
5/21/24 - 65 Muskellunge (12.0)
9/12/22 - 1,820 Channel Catfish (9.4)
5/17/22 - 65 Muskellunge (12.8)
09/21/2020 - 1,816 Channel Catfish (8.3)
05/11/2020 - 50 Muskellunge (12.4)
10/03/2018 - 1,820 Channel Catfish (8.7)
05/11/2018 - 65 Muskellunge (11.8)
9/20/16 - 1,821 Channel Catfish (9.2")
5/9/16 - 50 Muskellunge (14.5")

Management

2025 - Vegetation-Treatment: Aquatic plant control near public access and ramp and prevent EWM.
2024 - Vegetation-Treatment: Coontail, muskgrass, and flatstem pondweed treated. This area was treated to reduce the risk of EWM getting stuck on native plants and transported out.
2023 - Vegetation-Treatment: Eurasian watermilfoil treatment with reward and cide kick II
2014 - Special-Other: A channel was cut to connect Lake Chester to Lake Patricia.
2013 - Ramp-Construction: A concrete boat ramp and gravel parking lot was built on Lake Chester the largest of the lakes.
2012 - Other-Other: In Late 2012, W.G. Block Company donated the 425 acres that would become Deep Lake Parks. 120 acres of water in the way of many small lakes and ponds.

Regulations and Who to Talk To

Motoring Restrictions

Motoring Restrictions: electric trolling motors only.

Contacts for this Location

Chad Dolan, Fisheries Biologist; 319-694-2430; [email protected]
Derrick Slutts, Conservation Officer (Muscatine); 563-260-1223; [email protected]

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.

Black Crappie

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: combined black and white crappie, 25 fish
Possession Limit: unlimited
Length Limit: none
Other: No daily limit on private waters

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.

Green Sunfish

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: none
Possession Limit: unlimited
Length Limit: none
Other:

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:

Muskellunge

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish
Possession Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish
Length Limit: 40-inch minimum
Other:

Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs - Deep Lakes