Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs

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About Slip Bluff Lake

Surface Area (acres): 16.00
Maximum Depth (feet): 23 ft. (2014)
Motoring Restrictions: Electric Motors Only
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Decatur
Description: Slip Bluff
Coordinates: 40.65290245, -93.85200748

Nearby Parks

Nine Eagles State Park

Amenities

Amenities at Slip Bluff Lake include:

Boat Access
Fishing Jetty
Camping
Hard Surface Boat Ramp
Accessible Shoreline

What to Fish For

Fishing Report

- No recent updates found

Popular Fish Species

Fishing Forecast

Spring electrofishing good numbers of Largemouth Bass up to 13 inches. Bluegill up to 8 inches are available to anglers. Channel catfish abundance is good with catfish of all sizes available to anglers.(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

10/07/2021 - 172 Channel Catfish (9)
09/17/2019 - 159 Channel Catfish (8.6)
9/18/2017 - 160 Channel Catfish (8.2")
09/24/2015 - 80 Channel Catfish (8")

Management

2024 - Vegetation-Treatment: Brittle naiad control with herbicide provided using MFT funds and a private applicator applied.
2024 - Survey-Population: A general spring electrofishing survey as conducted to evaluate the Largemouth Bass population.
2023 - Vegetation-Treatment: private applicator - brittle naiad broadcast treatment with tribune
2022 - Vegetation-Treatment: Aquatic Control application of Reward and Cide Kick II in determined management zones for NAMI control.
2021 - Survey-Population: A standard trend survey was conducted using spring electrofishing.
2021 - Vegetation-Treatment: Spot treatment of brittle naiad with contact herbicide in treatment zones established in management plan.
2021 - Vegetation-Treatment: Spot treatment of brittle naiad with contact herbicide in treatment zones established in management plan.
2020 - Vegetation-Treatment: Brittle naiad control using spot treatment herbicide in 2 management zones.
2019 - Vegetation-Treatment: Spot treatment for brittle naiad control in treatment zones identified in vegetation management plan.
2019 - Vegetation-Treatment: Spot treatment in treatment zones identified in vegetation management plan.
2018 - Structures-Trees Hardwood: Oak Trees
2018 - Structures-Trees Hardwood: Oak Trees
2018 - Vegetation-Treatment: Brittle naiad management in treatment zones. Diquat treatment completed by DW, and JS.
2017 - Vegetation-Treatment: 2017 brittle naiad spot treatment based on management plan.
2017 - Survey-Population: A comprehensive fish population survey was conducted using electrofishing, baited hoop nets, and fyke nets.
2016 - Vegetation-Treatment: Brittle naiad treatment using Reward at 2 gal/acre subsurface application. Area treated highlighted in the 2016 management plan. DW and AM applied the herbicide.
2015 - Survey-Population: A trend survey was done with electrofishing and fyke netting.
2014 - Exotic Species-Vegetation: Brittle Naiad reported by Andy Jansen
2014 - Exotic Species-Vegetation: Brittle Naiad reported by Andy Jansen
2013 - Survey-Population: A trend survey was done with electrofishing and fyke netting gears.
2011 - Survey-Population: Slip Bluff was sampled with spring electrofishing and fall trapnetting.
2009 - Survey-Population: Slip Bluff was sampled with spring electrofishing, baited hoopnets, and fall trapnetting.

Regulations and Who to Talk To

Motoring Restrictions

Motoring Restrictions: Electric Motors Only

Contacts for this Location

Andy Jansen, Fisheries Biologist; 641-464-3108; Andy.Jansen@dnr.iowa.gov
Hunter McAninch, Conservation Officer; 641-414-2174; hunter.mcaninch@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:

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:

Walleye

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: combined walleye, sauger and saugeye; 5 fish
Possession Limit: combined walleye, sauger and saugeye; 10 fish
Length Limit: none
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

Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs - Slip Bluff Lake