Fishing spots around Ames

**josh777** · 07-20-2011, 11:40 AM

My 8-year old just got a rod and tackle box for his bday. Please recommend some good fishing spots around Ames. Thanks

CyBer · 07-20-2011, 11:43 AM

Ada Hayden, Hickory Grove.

**illinoiscyclone** · 07-20-2011, 11:48 AM

hickory grove is the only spot where I've ever done well.

**hawkeyeh8r** · 07-20-2011, 11:48 AM

fishing + ames dont really belong in the same sentence. i have yet to find a decent spot

CyBer · 07-20-2011, 11:52 AM

If your kid wants to catch fish (no matter what they are) I can put a spot on a map for you where you will catch fish 100% of the time.

**00clone** · 07-20-2011, 11:58 AM

Admittedly, I'm not much of a fisherman, and this has been over 10 years ago, but my college roommate used to go out to Peterson Pits. Ada Hayden wasn't a park yet then, so as the other response said, maybe that's better.

**ajk4st8** · 07-20-2011, 12:08 PM

Mcfarland park is good for kids. I fish everyday on my lunch break on the skunk

**clone4good** · 07-20-2011, 12:12 PM

Mcfarland park or hickory grove would be good for the little guy. Even moore park up by Northridge is a good little spot to catch mainly little sunfish/bluegill type things, this is where my dad took me when I was little for an afternoon.

**shawn_200m** · 07-20-2011, 12:30 PM

Its been 7 years since I lived in Ames, but I used to catch a lot of smallmouths in the Skunk and in Squaw Creek. Also had decent success at Don Williams Lake, Big Creek and Little Wall if you don't mind driving a bit.

**josh777** · 07-20-2011, 03:18 PM

Good stuff. Thank you everyone.

**ItsCyence** · 07-20-2011, 03:27 PM

Originally Posted by ajk4st8

Mcfarland park is good for kids. I fish everyday on my lunch break on the skunk

Sounds like a good lunch break.

**CloneIce** · 07-20-2011, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by shawn_200m

Its been 7 years since I lived in Ames, but I used to catch a lot of smallmouths in the Skunk and in Squaw Creek. Also had decent success at Don Williams Lake, Big Creek and Little Wall if you don't mind driving a bit.

Same here, plus the Des Moines and Boone Rivers an be good. Actually there is quite a bit of good fishing around Ames, I probably had the best luck on the rivers.

**josh777** · 07-20-2011, 03:58 PM

Any tips on bait for Ada Hayden or McFarland? Actually bait recommendations for any place would be appreciated.

**Wesley** · 07-20-2011, 03:59 PM

Hilton Coliseum when it floods.

**247cy** · 07-20-2011, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by shawn_200m

Its been 7 years since I lived in Ames, but I used to catch a lot of smallmouths in the Skunk and in Squaw Creek. Also had decent success at Don Williams Lake, Big Creek and Little Wall if you don't mind driving a bit.

Did you just wade the Skunk/Squa and fish the sharp bends and laydowns? I'm heading up to the Ames area for vacation next week and think I might give it a try (easy way to stay cool in the heat!). Standard smallie fare of tubes and small cranks, or something else?