Please contact the local fisheries management biologist for current information.
The East and West Southwood Ponds are only separated by a narrow strip that serves as the boat ramp. The bluegill population in each pond is good, with many 8- to 9.5-inch fish. Crappie are present with bigger 10- to 12-inch fish, but they are not as abundant as bluegill. Largemouth bass are abundant, but the size structure is small. Expect to catch a lot of 10- to 14-inch bass. Channel catfish are stocked on a regular basis and average 2 pounds. - Last updated on 08/01/2019.
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 .
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.