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Fishing in Van Wert, IA

Iowa, United States

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Want trophy-size catches? These Van Wert spots deliver

Top fish species in Van Wert

Largemouth bass
Largemouth bass
Bluegill
Bluegill
Black crappie
Black crappie
Channel catfish
Channel catfish
Green sunfish
Green sunfish

Latest Van Wert fishing reports

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Channel catfish

East Fork Big Creek

length · weight

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Yellow perch

Sun Valley Lake

11 in · 1 lb

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Channel catfish

Hooper Wildlife Management Area

length · weight

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Walleye

Twelve Mile Lake

length · weight

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Flathead catfish

Lake Ellis

18 in · 1 lb 2 oz

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Channel catfish

Lake Ellis

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Thayer Lake

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Thayer Lake

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Thayer Lake

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Thayer Lake

length · weight

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About Van Wert fishing

Check out the best fishing spots in and around Van Wert, Iowa. Anglers using Fishbrain have logged: 1,891 catches for Largemouth bass, 375 catches for Bluegill, and 352 catches for Black crappie.

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Fishing regulations in Van Wert

Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.

Fishing regulations in Iowa can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.

Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Largemouth bass as of July 27th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Largemouth bass

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

3

Min size

12"

Measurement

Total Length

Special gear

Aggregate

3
Restrictions & requirements
Additional information
Statewide regulations: No closed season.Daily bag limit = 3 bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, combined).Daily possession limit = 6 bass (combined)EXCEPTIONS:All black bass caught from the following stream segments and lakes must be released alive immediately: Brown Lake (Jackson)Cedar River (Mitchell) extending downstream from the bridge on county road A19 east of Otranto as posted to the bridge on county road T26 south of St. Ansgar Maquoketa River (Delaware) extending downstream from below Lake Delhi Dam as posted to the first county gravel road bridge Middle Raccoon River (Guthrie) extending downstream from below Lake Panorama Dam as posted to the dam at Redfield Upper Iowa River (Winneshiek) extending downstream from the Fifth Street bridge in Decorah as posted to the upper dam Wapello Lake (Davis).Inland Waters: Minimum size = 15-inches in all public lakes, including Coralville, Rathbun, Saylorville, and Red Rock reservoirs except as otherwise posted, including: Ada Hayden (Story): 18-inch minimumAhquabi, Hooper (Warren): 18-inch minimumBig Creek: 18-inch minimumCasey (Tama): 18-inch minimumCold Springs (Cass): 18-inch minimumGreen Valley (Union): 18-inch minimumHawthorn (Mahaska): all 12 to 16-inch fish must be immediately released!Hendricks (Howard): 18-inch minimumKrumm (Jasper): 18-inch minimumLittle Wall (Hamilton): 18-inch minimumLost Grove (Scott): 18-inch minimumMill Creek (O'Brien): 18-inch minimumPleasant Creek (Linn): 18-inch minimumSmith (Kossuth): 18-inch minimumSouth Prairie (Black Hawk): 18-inch minimum Sugema (Van Buren): all 12 to 18-inch fish must be immediately released! Swan Lake (Carroll): 16-inch minimumThomas Mitchell: 18-inch minimumYellow Banks (Polk): 18-inch minimumInterior Streams & River Impoundments Minimum size limit = 12-inch minimum except Boundary Rivers (including associated chutes and backwaters where intermittent or constant flow occur)Daily Bag Limit = 5 bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, combined).Possession Limit = 10 bass (largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass, combined).Mississippi River: Minimum size = 14-inches total length. Missouri River: Minimum size = 12-inches total length.
Edibility
Very good Catch, Clean, Cook Largemouth Bass by BlueGabe
Synonyms

Micropterus nigricans

Regulations for

40°52′15.2″N 93°47′31.2″W
Regulations in the map
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FAQ about Van Wert fishing

🎣 Where to fish in Van Wert, Iowa?
Anglers in Van Wert, IA recommend these top fishing spots: West Lake, Little River Lake, Q Pond, East Lake, and Thompson River.
🐟 What fish can you catch in Van Wert?
Most commonly caught species around Van Wert, IA:
📢 What are the latest Van Wert fishing reports?
📅 What is the best time to go fishing in Van Wert?
Download the and see today's Fishing and Weather Forecast for Van Wert, IA. We give you weather trends and help you find the perfect window to catch your next personal best. With Fishbrain Pro, you will get the following capabilities:
  • Plan smarter: Get hour-by-hour fishing weather conditions.
  • Fish at peak times: Use BiteTime™ predictions to maximize catches.
  • Stay ahead of the weather: Get hyper-local, real-time updates.

Other cities near Van Wert

Grand River

9.6 miles away

Murray

14.3 miles away

Sun Valley Lake

14.5 miles away

Humeston

15.4 miles away

Thayer

17.3 miles away

Lamoni

18.8 miles away

New Virginia

21.7 miles away

Truro

23.6 miles away

Afton

23.7 miles away

Lineville

24.1 miles away

South Lineville

24.6 miles away

Mount Ayr

25.7 miles away

Eagleville

29.6 miles away

Cainsville

29.8 miles away

Lacona

30.6 miles away

Russell

31.8 miles away

Patterson

33.3 miles away

Bevington

33.8 miles away

Powersville

34.0 miles away

Milo

34.2 miles away

Promise City

34.6 miles away

Winterset

34.7 miles away

Martensdale

34.8 miles away

Indianola

36.0 miles away