Case Lake near Pleasant Hill: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Case Lake is a Polk County water, in Iowa. It sits at 774 feet above sea level. Some 2.6 miles away sits Pleasant Hill, the nearest settlement. Des Moines is 3.4 miles and Carlisle 5.8 miles. Also within reach: Lake Easter out at 1.4 miles, Dean Lake at 1.7 miles, Grays Lake out at 3.9 miles, Randleman Lake at 5.7 miles and Lake Colechester out at 7.7 miles. Local rules may differ a few miles either side of here.

• Where to Fish on Case Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Survey and observation records for Polk County include bluegill, green sunfish and channel catfish. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Anyone new to Case Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 20°F and July at about 76°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. Ice-out usually falls in mid March, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Ice usually gives way near mid March, and forms again about mid December. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Plan any trip to Case Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. There is recorded parking some half a mile off. Reserve land runs up to the bank here, so read the notices. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is Lake Easter, 1.4 miles out. Rules at Case Lake are worth checking on the day.