Gridley City Lake was built as a 33 acre water supply for the city in 1956, and was used as such until 1990, when the lake became inadequate and a new water supply was obtained. The lake was drained and restructured in 1995 through assistance from Coffey county and Wildlife and Parks. it is now managed strictly for recreational sports fishing.

The intensive fishery management program at Gridley City Lake focuses on sustainable quality and quantity. Harvest regulations allow fish to grow to a harvestable size while providing excellent catch and release fishing. Length limits protect young fish, while creel limits spread the harvest over a longer period of time. The regulations, feeding program, enforcement, sampling, and supplemental stocking will ensure that a quality fishery will exist for many years to come.