Please contact the local fisheries management biologist for current information.
Pleasant Lake is a 77-acre lake located in Dickinson County. Maximum depth has not been measured. An electrofishing survey was conducted on May 30, 2025, as part of the comprehensive survey process. Brown Bullhead (43 fish/hour) and Black Bullhead (36 fish/hour) were the most abundant fish captured and should offer promising angling opportunities for those who pursue these species. Brown Bullhead length averaged 10.5 inches and ranged from 7.1 to 11.9 inches. Brown Bullhead weight averaged 0.7 pounds and ranged from 0.2 to 1.2 pounds. Mean relative weight of Brown Bullheads was 86, indicating that the average fish was somewhat thin. Black Bullheads were somewhat shorter but had better condition than Brown Bullheads. Black Bullheads averaged 9.1 inches and ranged from 6.1 to 11.5 inches. Black Bullhead weight averaged 0.5 pounds and ranged from 0.2 to 0.8 pounds. Mean relative weight of Black Bullheads was 105, indicating that the average fish had a healthy weight relative to its length. Another fairly abundant fish species was Golden Shiner (22 fish/hour). Golden Shiner length averaged 3.8 inches, ranging from 2.1 to 5.8 inches. One small Muskellunge (16.2 inches) of unknown origin was captured in the electrofishing survey, along with 292 Fathead Minnows. A hoop-net survey was conducted at Pleasant Lake on July 8–18, 2025, as part of the Iowa DNR comprehensive survey protocol. The hoop-net survey provided important data that complemented information obtained during the electrofishing survey. A key takeaway for anglers is that Pleasant Lake is nothing short of a bullhead factory in 2025; the lake will provide anglers with ample opportunities to catch abundant Black Bullheads and Brown Bullheads (and, to a lesser extent, Yellow Bullheads). More than 1,500 bullheads (N = 1,592) were sampled in the hoop-net survey, including 854 Black Bullheads, 690 Brown Bullheads, and 48 Yellow Bullheads. Indeed, Black Bullheads (142 fish/series-night) and Brown Bullheads (115 fish/series-night) were highly abundant, whereas Yellow Bullheads were less abundant (8 fish/series-night). Black Bullhead length averaged 8.3 inches and ranged from 6.3 to a respectable 12.6 inches. Black Bullhead weight averaged 0.3 pounds and ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 pounds. Importantly, mean relative weight of Black Bullheads was only 85, indicating that the average fish was underweight for its length and likely experiencing stress from environmental or ecological challenges. The sheer density of Black Bullheads in Pleasant Lake may mean that individual fish are competing for the same finite food resources, a situation in which relative weights are typically low. Mean relative weights were particularly low—less than 80—for medium- (>8.4–10.5-inch; Wr: 79) and large-sized (>10.5–12.6-inch; Wr: 77) Black Bullheads, suggesting intense, size-specific competition or a lack of suitable prey for these size classes of fish. Interestingly, mean relative weights were higher for Brown Bullheads (95) and Yellow Bullheads (91) based on the hoop-net survey, indicating that these species tend to be in better condition than Black Bullheads in Pleasant Lake. Similar to Black Bullheads, Brown Bullhead length averaged 9.4 inches and ranged from 6.3 to 13.2 inches. Brown Bullhead weight averaged 0.4 pounds and ranged from 0.1 to 1.1 pounds. Length and weight statistics were similar for Yellow Bullheads. Yellow Bullhead length averaged 9.3 inches, ranging from 6.4 to 12.5 inches. Yellow Bullhead weight averaged 0.4 pounds and ranged from 0.1 to 1.0 pounds. A fyke-net survey was conducted at Pleasant Lake on September 29–30, 2025, as part of the Iowa DNR comprehensive survey protocol. As in Pleasant Lake fish surveys using other gears, bullheads (particularly Black Bullheads) were especially abundant in the fyke-net survey (N = 128, 25.6 fish/net-night). Black Bullhead length averaged 5.5 inches and ranged from 2.5 to 12.4 inches. Black Bullhead weight averaged 0.27 pounds, ranging from 0.04 to 0.92 pounds. Mean relative weight of Black Bullheads was notably low (78), indicating intense intraspecific competition, limited prey availability, or a similar ecological circumstance. It is likely that the density of Black Bullheads in Pleasant Lake is too high to allow most fish to grow to a well-conditioned state. Angler harvest could be an instrumental tool to improve the bullhead population, although it appears that fishing pressure on Pleasant Lake is relatively low. Golden Shiners were moderately abundant in the fyke-net survey (N = 37, 7.4 fish/net-night). Golden Shiner length averaged 3.5 inches and ranged from 1.0 to 5.7 inches. Golden Shiner weight averaged 0.07 pounds and ranged from 0.06 to 0.08 pounds. Golden Shiner relative weight was not calculated. Overall, the key message about Pleasant Lake in 2025 is that bullheads (Black, Brown, and Yellow) are abundant and represent a promising angling opportunity. The Iowa DNR would like to remind the angling community that bullheads offer good eating with a mild, sweet flavor and delicate, flaky flesh. Plan to visit Pleasant Lake for your next bullhead fishing trip. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Iowa’s fisheries, please contact fisheries biologist Andrew Carlson at andrew.carlson@dnr.iowa.gov or (712) 330-3706. - Last updated on 10/02/2025.
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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 .
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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.