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Fishing in Iowa
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Top fishing waters in Iowa
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Biggest catches in Iowa
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Cedar Lake
length · weight
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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 Channel catfish as of April 2nd, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
Seasons
Bag limit
Special gear
Aggregate
No closed season. No size limit.
Daily Bag and Possession Limits:
- Inland lakes: daily bag limit = 8 catfish (blue, channel, and flathead, combined); possession limit = 30 catfish.
- Coralville, Rathbun, Red Rock, and Saylorville Reservoirs: daily bag limit = 8 catfish (blue, channel, and flathead, combined); possession limit = 30 catfish.
- Inland streams: daily bag limit = 15 catfish (blue, channel, and flathead, combined); possession limit = 30 catfish.
- Boundary rivers:
- Mississippi River: no bag or possession limit on the Mississippi River
- Other boundary rivers: same as streams
Ictalurus punctatus
Regulations for
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