Fishing near me in Des Moines : 5 spots within 50 miles
There are 5 mapped fishing venues within 50 miles of Des Moines, and the closest, Gray's Lake, is about 1.3 miles from the city center. Below they're ranked by distance, with Iowa license info, the species you can expect, and answers to the questions Des Moines anglers ask most.
Top Fishing Spots Near Des Moines
Every mapped venue within 50 miles of Des Moines, nearest first. Click any spot for full venue details, directions, and species.
Closest first
- 1
Gray's Lake
1.3 mi awayDes Moines city, Polk County
- 2
Walker Johnston Fishing Pond
6.6 mi awayUrbandale city, Polk County
- 3
Fisher Lake
6.8 mi awayPolk County
- 4
PCM High School Fishing Pond
28 mi awayMonroe city, Jasper County
- 5
Peterson Lake
34 mi awayStory County
Want more options? Browse all Iowa fishing venues or the Iowa fishing near me guide.
Do You Need a Fishing License in Iowa?
The short answer for Des Moines anglers, plus where to find the current Iowa prices, exemptions, and free fishing days.
License Info
In most cases, yes: a Iowa license before you cast
Fishing licenses in Iowa are issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Anglers above the state minimum age need a valid license to fish public water around Des Moines. Age thresholds, resident and non-resident fees, short-term options, and exemptions all vary by state and change each season, so check the current rules on the DNR site before you buy.
The linked guide is updated for 2026 with current resident, non-resident, and short-term fees, where to buy online and in person, and this year's free fishing days.
What Can You Catch Near Des Moines?
We're still building species records for the venues around Des Moines. Log your catches on GilledIt to help map what's biting where.
What's Biting
Open GilledIt to see real-time catch reports around Des Moines, and log your own to help map what's biting.
Keep Exploring Iowa Fishing
More Resources
Fishing Near Me in Des Moines: FAQ
There are 5 mapped fishing venues within 50 miles of Des Moines, and the closest is Gray's Lake, about 1.3 miles from the city center. The list above ranks them by distance: city-park ponds, reservoirs, and public-access water. Open GilledIt to see live catch reports near your exact location.
Often, yes. Many city-park ponds and public reservoirs around Des Moines are free to access once you hold a valid Iowa fishing license, and many states also run free fishing days each year when no license is needed. Dates and rules change, so confirm on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website or in our Iowa license guide.
In most cases, yes: anglers above the state's minimum age need a valid Iowa fishing license to fish public water around Des Moines. Licenses are issued by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Age cut-offs, fees, and exemptions vary by state and change each season, so check the DNR site or our Iowa fishing license guide for current prices, where to buy, and free fishing days before you go.
Our species records for the venues around Des Moines are still growing, so we don't yet list confirmed species here. Check each venue's page, open GilledIt for real-time catch reports around Des Moines, and log your own to help map what's biting.
For most waters around Des Moines, spring (March to May) and fall (September to November) are the most productive windows: fish feed hard around the spawn and again before winter. Early morning and the last hour of light are the best daily bites in summer. Check the GilledIt community feed for what's working near Des Moines this week.
Start logging catches around Des Moines
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