Fishing

Fishing at SCC Parks & Areas

All county owned public fishing areas are restricted to electric motors only.

All Iowa fishing regulations apply.

Askew Bridge/Cambridge Pond

Four acre pond
Fish Species: bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, bullhead

Dakins Lake

20 acre lake
Fish Species: bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass
One hard surface boat ramp
Two fishing jetties
One dock

Hickory Grove Park

98 acre lake
Fish Species: bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass
Two hard surface boat ramps
One gravel boat ramp

Jennett Heritage Area

2.1 acre pond (northern pond)
Fish Species: bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie

McFarland Park

6 acre pond
Fish Species: bluegill, channel catfish, largemouth bass
One dock

Peterson Park - West

Four gravel pits approximately 31 acres
Fish species: bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, largemouth bass, bullhead, smallmouth bass
Hard surface boat ramp

Ada Hayden Heritage Park is managed by the city of Ames. Contact Ames Parks and Recreation at (515) 239-5350 for a complete list of rules and regulations.

Fishing on the Skunk River

Skunk River

Fish species: channel catfish, bullhead, smallmouth bass, carp, buffalo
Seek permission from landowners for access to private property. Although the water is public, some of the land along it is private property.

Public Canoe Access to the Skunk River

There are eleven public river accesses to the Skunk River:

  • 265th Street Access #220 (56091 265th St., Ames, 50010)
  • Anderson Access #239 (56743 150th St., Story City, 50248)
  • Askew Bridge/Cambridge Pond #217 (57887 290th St., Cambridge, 50046)
  • C. J. Shreck Access #212 (59627 Hwy 210, Cambridge, 50046)
  • Lekwa Access #242 (56156 130th St., Story City, 50248)
  • Peterson Park West Access # 233 (55310 180th St., Ames, 50010)
  • River Valley Park #227 (725 East 13th Street, Ames 50010)
  • Sleepy Hollow #230 (646 W. Riverside Rd., Ames, 50010)
  • Soper's Mill Access #235 (56364 170th St., Ames, 50010)
  • South 16th Street #224 (Ames, 50014)
  • Story City Park #246 (Broad Street, Story City, 50248)

Map of Skunk River Water Trail (PDF).