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Gray's Lake

Lake fishing  Iowa · 06:50 - 17:06

Gray's Lake is a lake set in Iowa. Most people come here for Striped Bass, Walleye and Northern Pike.

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Prime 85% The bite right now
Top bet: Striped Bass Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 12 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
85%
54°
Best day
Fri
77%
50°
Sat
76%
51°
Sun
76%
58°
Mon
76%
64°
Tue
85%
57°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Overcast
Water temp (est.)
53°F
Air temp
49°F
Wind
12 mph
Pressure
29.7 inHg → stable
Clouds
100.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 06:05–08:05 Dusk 15:51–17:51

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waning crescent 30% lit
Major period 07:23–09:23 Major period 19:23–21:23 Minor period 01:18–02:48 Minor period 13:58–15:28

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

05:00
49°
06:00
49°
07:00
49°
08:00
49°
09:00
49°
10:00
50°
11:00
51°
12:00
51°
13:00
51°
14:00
51°
15:00
52°
16:00
52°

Likely catch now (17 species)

Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
85%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 12 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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Walleye
Sander vitreus
70%
Water near its preferred 12 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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Northern Pike
Esox lucius
69%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 12 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details ↗
Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush
68%
Water near its preferred 12 degrees, peak season, overcast lifts the bite.
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Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
66%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, water near its preferred 12 degrees, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details ↗
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
63%
Prime feeding window at the dawn, overcast lifts the bite.
Tap for details ↗

About the fishing here

The usual catches here are Striped Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout and Muskellunge.

For Striped Bass, the fishing tends to peak around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a crankbait for striped bass, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for striped bass at dawn. Fish hard now.
Colour Low light: try chartreuse, yellow and glow for striped bass.
Lure Crankbait for striped bass: Big swimbaits and plugs.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

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About this water

Gray's Lake Park is a park containing Gray's Lake in Des Moines, Iowa and covers 166.6 acres. Located just southwest of downtown at 2101 Fleur Dr, Des Moines, IA. With over 1 million people visiting the park each year, it is the city's most known and most visited recreation area. The park has a trail encompassing the lake that is 1.9 miles long and a pedestrian bridge over part of the lake. The park is linked with the system of trails that travel throughout the city and nearby Water Works Park.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Raccoon River Iowa · 4.6 mi away Raccoon River Iowa · 5.1 mi away Lake Colechester Iowa · 5.5 mi away Raccoon River Iowa · 6.0 mi away Dale Maffitt Reservoir Iowa · 9.0 mi away Anderson Goose Lake Iowa · 51.4 mi away Missouri River Iowa · 121.3 mi away Missouri River Iowa · 121.7 mi away

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Gray's Lake?

The usual catches here are Striped Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Muskellunge, Brook Trout and Brown Trout.

Do you need a fishing license at Gray's Lake?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Gray's Lake?

Striped Bass is generally most active around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

What is biting at Gray's Lake right now?

Right now Striped Bass is the most likely catch, at about 33%.