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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

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Biggest Pike catches

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Latest Pike fishing reports in Iowa

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Northern pike

Sand Lake

length · weight

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Northern pike

Cedar River

length · weight

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Northern pike

Des Moines River (Iowa)

length · weight

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Northern pike

Cedar River

29 in · 4 lb 3 oz

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Northern pike

Cedar River

length · weight

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Northern pike

Milford Creek

length · weight

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Northern pike

Big Spirit Lake

20 in · 2 lb

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Tiger muskellunge

Lake MacBride

length · weight

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Northern pike

West Okoboji Lake

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Northern pike

Millers Bay

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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 August 5th, 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

Restrictions & requirements
Additional information
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 pikeMissouri River: bag limit = 5 northern pike; possession limit = 10 northern pikeBig Sioux River: bag limit = 6 northern pike; possession limit = 12 northern pikeBoundary 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. 
Synonyms

Esox lucius

Regulations for

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

🎣 What Pike species can you catch in Iowa?
Anglers in Iowa commonly catch several Pike species, including Northern pike, Muskellunge, and Tiger muskellunge, according to reports from Fishbrain members.

These species can be found in many rivers and streams, lakes throughout the area. If you are targeting a specific species, you can use the to filter catches by species and see where anglers are catching them and which baits they are using.
📍 Where are the best places to catch Pike in Iowa?
Pike are caught in rivers and streams, lakes throughout Iowa. Popular fishing waters reported by Fishbrain members include Cedar River, Des Moines River (Iowa), and Iowa River.

The allows anglers to see exact catch locations shared by other members, helping you discover productive fishing spots where Pike have recently been caught.