Deep Lakes

General Information

County: Muscatine
Location: Southern edge of Muscatine on Pettibone Avenue, East of Fruitland.
Acres: 130.00
Maximum Depth:
Motoring Restrictions: electric trolling motors only.

Nearby Parks

Amenities

Amenities at Deep Lakes include:
  • Accessible Pier
  • Beach
  • Trails
  • Restrooms
  • Hard Surface Boat Ramp
  • Carry Down Boat Launch
  • Community Fishing Location
For more information on the above lakes call the Lake Darling Fisheries Office at (31) 694-2430.
Water temperatures in these old gravel pits are running around in the mid 70's after the last few days. Water clarity ranges from 16-18 feet.
Bluegill - Good: Find some good near shore habitat and you can get a chance at some big bluegills in the 10 inch range. Water is very clear and they are spooky. Use extreme caution when approaching or they will run and hide.
Largemouth Bass - Good: The nest building is going full tilt now. But they still flee the nest if you aren't careful in stalking them. They can see you coming along the shore from a long ways off.
Muskellunge - Fair: More than a few anglers are getting muskies following their bass lures back towards shore.

You can zoom in on the map for bathymetric information for some lakes

  • 09/21/2020 - 1,816 Channel Catfish (8.3)
  • 05/11/2020 - 50 Muskellunge (12.4)
  • 10/03/2018 - 1,820 Channel Catfish (8.7)
  • 05/11/2018 - 65 Muskellunge (11.8)
  • 9/20/16 - 1,821 Channel Catfish (9.2")
  • 5/9/16 - 50 Muskellunge (14.5")
  • 09/02/2015 - 53,157 Redear Sunfish (2")
  • 05/13/2015 - 100 Muskellunge (12.3")
  • 09/15/2014 - 2,340 Channel Catfish (8")
    No known aquatic invasive species have been found
The Fishing Regulations brochure is available for download. The summaries listed below are a partial listing provided for your benefit.

  • 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:
  • Muskellunge
    • Season: Continuous
    • Daily Bag Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish
    • Possession Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish
    • Length Limit: 40-inch minimum
    • Other:
Tip: Click the arrow in the lower right corner to view the Fish Survey Data tool in full-screen mode.

Contacts

Iowa-Caught Fish Are Safe to Eat, In Almost All Cases

The vast majority of Iowa’s streams, rivers and lakes offer safe and high-quality fish that pose little or no threat to human health if consumed. Some limitations may apply for young children and pregnant women. Here’s a Fish Consumption Fact Sheet from the Iowa DNR and the Iowa Dept. of Public Health for more information. Here is a list of current fish consumption advisories for Iowa lakes and rivers.