Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs

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About Black Pit

Surface Area (acres): 16.00
Maximum Depth (feet): 17 ft. (1992)
Motoring Restrictions: None
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Cerro Gordo
Description: Black Pit
Coordinates: 43.14036116, -93.22375063

Nearby Parks

Clear Lake State Park

Amenities

Amenities at Black Pit include:

Boat Access
Trails
Gravel Boat Ramp
Accessible Shoreline
Community Fishing Location

What to Fish For

Fishing Report

- No recent updates found

Popular Fish Species

Fishing Forecast

A 2024 electrofishing survey showed good population of Bluegills, Largemouth bass and Black crappie.(2025)

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

9/19/22 - 270 Channel Catfish (9.1)
10/06/2021 - 11,250 Bluegill (2)
09/16/2020 - 268 Channel Catfish (7.9)
09/17/2018 - 270 Channel Catfish (8.4)
9/15/16 - 269 Channel Catfish (9.1")

Management

2024 - Vegetation-Treatment: Eurasian watermilfoil treatment
2021 - Fish Kills-Winterkill: A substantial fish kill occurred under the ice. The severity of the kill may have been increased due to a release of distillers grain by a truck wash company. This occurred in December from a storm culvert into Cheslea Creek.
2021 - Exotic Species-Mussels: Discovered Zebra Mussels on a electrofishing survey.
2021 - Exotic Species-Vegetation: Discovered Eurasian Water Milfoil during a fall electrofishing survey.
2016 - Exotic Species-Invertebrates: Mystery Snail reported by Kurt Meek

Regulations and Who to Talk To

Motoring Restrictions

Motoring Restrictions: None

Contacts for this Location

Scott Grummer, Fisheries Biologist; 641-357-3517; Scott.Grummer@dnr.iowa.gov
Ben Schlader, Conservation Officer; 641-425-0828; Ben.Schlader@dnr.iowa.gov
Matt Washburn, Conservation Officer; 641-425-0822; Matt.Washburn@dnr.iowa.gov

Fishing Regulations

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:

White 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

Yellow Bass

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

Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs - Black Pit