2026 Des Moines Izaak Walton League CarpFEST Fishing Competition

A fun day of fishing for the whole family is coming at CarpFEST 2026! Join the Des Moines Izaak Walton League, Des Moines Parks and Recreation, and the Iowa DNR Saturday, June 6 at Gray’s Lake Park in Des Moines! Sponsored by Northern Lights Pizza! The 1st 100 to register will receive a coupon for a FREE PIZZA! Try your hand at Carp fishing, and you might win a prize! Admission is FREE! Prizes will be awarded for LONGEST Carp, with Buffalo excluded. Gear, bait and instructions are available. Licenses are NOT required! Carp caught may be kept by the fisherman or donated onsite to the wildlife rehabilitation organization S.O.A.R. (Saving Our Avian Resources). All ages are welcome. Enter the park from Fleur at the North West Entrance to the park. Onsite Registration begins at 8:00 am; Fishing begins at 9:00 am and stops at 11:30 (a horn will sound). Awards will be given out after all the fish have been measured.