Lake Petocka

Optimal fishing in the Midwest! You can find this fishing hotspot right outside of Bondurant. If you love large catfish and bluegills, then you'll love Lake Petocka. This is a fisherman's dream with clear water, big fish, and a small watershed.

In Bondurant, fishing is allowed with a fishing license. Find more information here.

No person, except for patrons actively fishing with a current State of Iowa fishing license, shall enter or remain within any park between the hours of ten-thirty o’clock (10:30) p.m., and six o’clock (6:00) a.m.

You can find information about hunting and fishing by visiting the Department of Natural Resources website at http://www.iowadnr.gov/, or you may call them at (515) 725-8200. Please follow all rules and regulations to ensure you have a safe and enjoyable time.

Trout and catfish are often caught, but panfish and largemouth bass have also been reported in the lake. A Special Trout fee is required.

Fish Stocking Schedule:

• 11/9/2023 - 2,500 Rainbow Trout (10-12")
• 9/19/2023 - 190 Channel Catfish (7-10")
• 4/8/2023 - 1,500 Rainbow Trout (10-12")
• 10/27/2022 - 1,400 Rainbow Trout (10-12")
• 4/8/2022 - 1,300 Rainbow Trout (10-12")
• 11/1/2021 - 2,913 Rainbow Trout (10-12")
• 9/29/2021 - 190 Channel Catfish (8-10")
• 1/13/2021 - 1,500 Rainbow Trout (10-12"), 2 brookstock Rainbows (4+ lbs), and 14 large Brook Trout (2+ lbs)
• 11/4/2020 - 1,000-2,000 Rainbow Trout (?)
• winter 2019 - 3,042 Rainbow Trout (10.8)
• 6/21/2019 - 1,020 Channel Catfish (2.4)
• annual 2018 - 3,100 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)
• 3/20/2018 - 390 Bluegill (1.5)
• 9/13/2017 - 201 Channel Catfish (7.4")
• Jan 2016 - 750 Brook Trout (2-3/lb)
• Jan 2016 - 2,250 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)
• annual 2015 - 3,000 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)
• 9/28/2015 - 300 Channel Catfish (8")
• annual 2014 - 2,850 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)
• Winter 2013 - 3,000 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)
• 9/26/2013 - 152 Channel Catfish (8.2")
• winter 2012 - 3,000 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)
• 10/14/2011 - 385 Brook Trout (2-3/lb)
• 10/14/2011 - 1,115 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)
• 9/12/2011 - 171 Channel Catfish (8.8")
• winter 2010 - 3,338 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)

Fishing Forecast: 

For information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers contact Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885. As always, get the most recent report by visiting the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website. 

Largemouth Bass were sampled in good numbers from 9.5- to 17.5-inches. The Bluegill population looks very good, with larger Bluegill from 8- to 9-inches. Black Crappies are in low numbers but in good sizes from 9.5- to 15.5-inches. Channel Catfish are in fair numbers and good size, from 13- to just over 30-inches. Rainbow trout are stocked during the fall/spring as part of the community trout stocking program and persist into June. (2021)

Rainbow Trout - Good: Trout were stocked on January 13. Catch trout fishing jigging spoons or panfish jigs tipped with waxworms. (2021) 

The largemouth bass was sampled in good numbers from 9- to 15-inches. A small population of smallmouth bass may provide an occasional catch. The bluegill population looks very good compared to similar dugout lakes with larger bluegill from 7- to 8.5-inches. Channel catfish are in fair numbers and good size, from 13- to just over 30-inches. Rainbow trout are stocked during the fall/winter as part of the community trout stocking program and persist into June. (2019)

The largemouth bass was sampled in fair numbers from 8 to 16 inches. A small population of smallmouth bass present may provide an occasional catch ranging in size from 8 to 14 inches. The bluegill population looks very good compared to similar dugout lakes, with the larger bluegill ranging in size from 7 to just over 9 inches. A natural die-off of white bass was reported during the summer of 2013, and 2015 sampling did not show any white bass present. Channel catfish are in fair numbers and good sizes, from 13 to just over 30 inches. Rainbow trout are stocked during the fall/winter and persist into June. (2015)

Click here the following link to see the Rules and Regulations for Lake Petocka: Lake Petocka Park Rules and Regulations

Facilities and programs at Lake Petocka are offered on a non-discriminatory basis.

Amenities at Lake Petocka include:

• Picnic Areas
• Line and Lure disposal containers
• The trail surrounding the lake and access to the Chichaqua Valley Trail
• Accessible Facilities, including three open-air shelters
• Playground
• Exercise Equipment Surrounding the Lake
• Restrooms, water fountain
• Good/Excellent Shore fishing
• Community Fishing Location

Interested in reserving a shelter at Lake Petocka? Find more information here.

Below is the Visioning Plan for the future of Lake Petocka.

• In 2020 the City acquired land and built new soccer fields ($963,021)

Find more details about the Building Bondurant - 2040 Comprehensive Plan here.