Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs - Ottumwa Park Pond West

Fishing Forecast

Bluegill quality is fair with moderate abundance. Most fish are around 6 to 7". Largemouth bass abundance is low with most fish less than 15 inches in length. Remember, largemouth bass are protected by a 15" minimum length limit.(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 .