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  4. Pike fishing in Iowa

Pike fishing in Iowa

Iowa provides strong freshwater fishing opportunities for pike. Lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across the state offer reliable action for anglers.

Best baits and lures for Pike in Iowa

According to catch data from over 20 million anglers on Fishbrain, these are the best baits used to catch Pike.

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Biggest Pike catches

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Latest Pike fishing reports in Iowa

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Muskellunge

Lake MacBride

length · weight

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Northern pike

Des Moines River (Iowa)

36 in · 10 lb

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Northern pike

Cedar River

30 in · 6 lb 3 oz

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Northern pike

Elk Run

length · weight

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Northern pike

Wapsipinicon River

length · weight

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Northern pike

Des Moines River (Iowa)

length · weight

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Northern pike

Cedar River

length · weight

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Northern pike

West Okoboji Lake

15 in · 1 lb

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Regulations for Pike 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 Northern pike as of April 6th, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.

Northern pike

Seasons

Open

Bag limit

3

Special gear

Statewide regulations:

No closed season. No size limit.

Inland waters daily bag limit = 3 northern pike; possession limit = 6 northern pike.

Boundary rivers daily bag limit:

  • Mississippi River: bag limit = 5 northern pike; possession limit = 10 northern pike
  • Missouri River: bag limit = 5 northern pike; possession limit = 10 northern pike
  • Big Sioux River: bag limit = 6 northern pike; possession limit = 12 northern pike
  • Boundary lakes [including Little Spirit Lake (Dickinson), Iowa Lake (Osceola), Burt (Swag) Lake (Kossuth), and Iowa and Tuttle (Okamanpeedan) Lakes (Emmet)]: bag limit = 3 Northern Pike; possession limit = 3 northern pike. 

Esox lucius

Regulations for

41°56′22.4″N 93°23′16.1″W
Regulations in the map
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