The Grimes Brief

Guide · Fishing

Where to drop a line in and around Grimes.

You do not have to go far for a quiet hour with a rod near Grimes. The city stocks a few ponds, and a solid lake sits just up the road.

The short version

Grimes has public ponds stocked with the Iowa DNR, holding largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. For bigger water, Big Creek Lake is a short drive north.

In Grimes

The city ponds

The City of Grimes partners with the Iowa DNR to stock public ponds with largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish. One documented spot is the Grimes Plex Pond near the Hy-Vee Multiplex, which the DNR has stocked. Check the Iowa DNR fishing map and the city for current spots and any rules.

Nearby

For a bigger day out

Big Creek Lake, at Big Creek State Park near Polk City, is the nearest large public fishing lake, a short drive north of Grimes, with boat access and shore fishing. Note that Beaver Creek runs near Grimes but much of its bank is private, so it is not a reliable public fishing spot.

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Sources: City of Grimes fishing page; Iowa DNR lake and stocking records. Follow Iowa fishing regulations and confirm public access before you go. Preview build, September 2026.