Fishing in Iowa
Iowa offers excellent walleye fishing on the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, plus quality bass and catfish fishing on its many lakes and rivers.
Tournament Scene
Active walleye tournament scene on Mississippi River. Bass tournaments on state lakes.
Local Tips
Mississippi River pools are walleye gold. Clear Lake has trophy walleye. West Okoboji for smallmouth. Rathbun for crappie.
Major Trails
Local Circuits
Public Access
Good access on state lakes and river systems.
Species in Iowa
What you can target and when
Walleye
excellentBest Waters
Spirit Lake · West Okoboji · Mississippi River
Channel Catfish
excellentBest Waters
Mississippi River · Iowa River · Des Moines River
Top Waters in Iowa
Lakes, rivers, bays, and coastal fisheries
Spirit Lake
Iowa's premier walleye fishery in the Iowa Great Lakes region.
Top Species
Best: Spring/Fall
Trophy Spirit Lake Bass Jubilee
Iron Saylorville Trout Smackdown
Warrior Spirit Lake Carp Roundup
Championship Saylorville Bluegill Gauntlet
Championship Saylorville Bass Fest
Queen Clear Lake Catfish Showdown
Fishing Licenses & Regulations
Resident License
Annual Resident: $22.
Non-Resident License
Annual Non-Resident: $48.50. 7-Day: $34.50. 1-Day: $12.
Short-Term License
1-Day and 7-Day licenses available.
Youth & Senior
Free for residents under 16. Reduced for seniors.
Boat Registration
Required for motorized vessels.
Tournament Permit
Permits required on some waters.
Regulations Overview
5 bass daily limit. 12-inch minimum. Walleye regulations vary by water.
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