Fox Pond near Wapello: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Look for Fox Pond in the Louisa County part of Iowa. It lies 535 feet above sea level. It lies lower than most water we list in Iowa. Start from Wapello, 4.9 miles down the road. After that come Columbus Junction at 14 miles and Mediapolis at 14 miles. Close by you have: Little Fox Pond roughly 0.2 miles, Heiser Slough 2.1 miles, Klum Lake roughly 4.3 miles, Beattys Pond 8.2 miles and Otter Pond roughly 10 miles. It sits near the edge of the county, so check which rules apply.

• Where to Fish on Fox Pond

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Across Louisa County, recorded fish include bluegill, freshwater drum, gizzard shad, channel catfish and green sunfish. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Anyone new to Fox Pond should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 75°F; by January the average is down near 22°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. After mid March the shallows warm and the fish move up. Climate figures give an open season running mid March to mid December. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. That is the shape of the year on Fox Pond.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Part of this sits inside or beside Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge - Louisa Division, so read the notices. For the bass here, soft plastics worked slow along cover and a spinnerbait for searching do most of the work. Where access is informal, keep it that way by behaving. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Failing this one, try Little Fox Pond, 0.2 miles away. The position on Fox Pond is worth confirming on the day.