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Fishing in Iowa

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Want trophy-size catches? These Iowa spots deliver

About Iowa fishing

Iowa features productive freshwater fishing with bass, walleye, catfish, and crappie across lakes and rivers. Northeast trout streams and seasonal runs add variety, making Iowa appealing to both casual and serious anglers.

Iowa fishing license

Iowa requires a fishing license for anglers 16+. Licenses include resident and non-resident, annual and short-term options, available online or at license agents statewide.

Get license

Top fish species caught in Iowa

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Biggest catches in Iowa

Explore your local leaderboard—see the top catches in the app.

State records of caught fish in Iowa

SpeciesWeightChannel catfish38.1 lbsWalleye14.5 lbsLargemouth bass10.7 lbsSmallmouth bass7.7 lbsBlack crappie4.1 lbsBluegill3.1 lbs

Latest Iowa fishing reports

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Walleye

Des Moines River (Iowa)

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American gizzard shad

Iowa River

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Freshwater drum

East Okoboji Lake

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Rainbow trout

Heritage Pond

15 in · 1 lb 3 oz

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Rainbow trout

Heritage Pond

13 in · 1 lb

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Largemouth bass

Lake Wapello

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Largemouth bass

Lake Wapello

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Lake Wapello

length · weight

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Largemouth bass

Lake Wapello

length · weight

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Channel catfish

Camp Dodge Johnston Lake

16 in · 1 lb

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Fishing regulations in Iowa

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 Loading... as of Loading.... To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

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FAQ about Iowa fishing

Fishing regulations in Iowa, United States vary by location and species, covering size limits, bag limits, and open seasons. To stay up to date and avoid guesswork, use the for the latest rules on every fish and body of water.
Anglers in Iowa, United States most often target Bluegill, Largemouth bass, and Smallmouth bass. For more detailed insights, the shows exactly which species are biting in each lake, river, and coastline.
Popular waters in Iowa, United States include Cedar River, Des Moines River (Iowa), and Iowa River. With the , you can zoom in on any area to discover the best spots and see what other anglers are catching there.