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About McFarland Pond

Surface Area (acres): 7.50
Maximum Depth (feet): 15.9 ft. (2021 - 15.9 feet)
Motoring Restrictions: None
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Story
Description: McFarland Pond
Coordinates: 42.09420709, -93.57003044

Nearby Parks

- No results found

Amenities

Amenities at McFarland Pond include:

Trails
Good/Excellent Shorefishing
Community Fishing Location

What to Fish For

Fishing Report

- No recent updates found

Popular Fish Species

Fishing Forecast

McFarland Pond was drained in 2023 to complete sediment removal and fish habitat addition. Restocking occurred in 2024 with Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie and Channel Catfish.(2024)

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

Printable Map (PDF)

Explore the full Fishing Atlas

Stocking and Management

Stocking

09/12/2019 - 125 Channel Catfish (8.7)
9/26/2017 - 126 Channel Catfish (9.3")
09/29/2015 - 125 Channel Catfish (8")

Management

2023 - Drained-Artificial: Pond was drained to remove sediment, add fish habitat, construct jetties and forebays.
2023 - Structures-Other: PVC tree
2023 - Structures-Other: PVC tree
2023 - Structures-Other: PVC tree
2023 - Structures-Other: Rootball
2023 - Structures-Other: PVC tree
2023 - Structures-Other: Rootball
2023 - Fishery Renovation-Mechanical: Pond drained for sediment removal and fish habitat additions.
2021 - Morphology-Maximum Depth: 15.9 feet
2021 - Morphology-Mean Depth: 6.7 feet
2021 - Morphology-Lake Surface Area: 6.4 acres
2021 - Morphology-Lake Volume: 42 acre-feet
2016 - Stocking-Redear Sunfish: 41 adult redear sunfish from Lake Ahquabi stocked to attempt control of Chinese Mystery Snails. Sizes ranged from 4-10 inches.

Regulations and Who to Talk To

Motoring Restrictions

Motoring Restrictions: None

Contacts for this Location

Jeff Barnes, Conservation Officer; 515-290-4907; jeffrey.barnes@dnr.iowa.gov
Brandon Bergquist, Conservation Officer; 515-290-0177; Brandon.Bergquist@dnr.iowa.gov
Ben Dodd, Fisheries Biologist; 641-891-3795; Ben.Dodd@dnr.iowa.gov

Fishing Regulations

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:

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:

Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs - McFarland Pond