Best fishing in Iowa

22 fishing spots · 22 ranked · updated 2026-06-22 · in season

Explore the best fishing in Iowa — every spot ranked by our conditions-aware Snoflo score: live conditions first, then visitor reviews and logged trips. Click a pin on the map for the score and what's driving it.

Showing the top 15 of 22 fishing spots · best 15 shown on the map
B
Brush Creek
#1 Brush Creek Good
· Water 59°F · a bit cool· Thunderstorms — get off the water· Showers · 71°F
Brush Creek is a popular fishing area located in Northeast Iowa. The creek is home to various fish species, such as brown and rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and channel catfish…
Why 65: live conditions (good)
65Top-rated
S
South Cedar Creek
#2 South Cedar Creek Good
· Water 63°F · a bit cool· Mostly Cloudy · 56°F
South Cedar Creek Fishing Area is located in Muscatine County, Iowa, and is known for its abundant fish species, including largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and channel catfish…
Why 64: live conditions (good)
64Solid
F
Fischer Wildelife Area
#3 Fischer Wildelife Area Fair
· Water 65°F· Rising fast · likely muddy· Blown out · high & rising
Fischer Wildlife Area in Iowa offers good fishing along the Cedar River, with shore access being the primary option—no formal boat ramp exists. Anglers can fish from the…
Why 63: live conditions (fair)
63Solid
B
Butterball Lake
#4 Butterball Lake Fair
· Rising fast · likely muddy· Blown out · high & rising· Partly Cloudy · 54°F · 10 mph wind
Butterball Lake is a popular fishing destination located in Iowa, USA. The lake is home to a variety of fish species including Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Crappie, Yellow Perch…
Why 59: live conditions (fair)
59Solid
M
Mink Creek
#5 Mink Creek Good
· Water 59°F · a bit cool· Thunderstorms — get off the water· Showers · 71°F
Mink Creek is a great fishing area in Iowa, USA. You can catch a wide variety of fish species, including bass, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. There are plenty of nearby…
Why 58: live conditions (good)
58Solid
G
Glacier Pond 1
#6 Glacier Pond 1 Fair
· Rising fast · likely muddy· Blown out · high & rising· Mostly Clear · 55°F · 5 mph wind
Glacier Pond 1 is a popular fishing spot in Iowa, USA, known for its abundance of fish species such as bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. The pond is…
Why 55: live conditions (fair)
55Solid
P
Pine Creek
#7 Pine Creek Fair
· Water 85°F · a bit warm· Thunderstorms — get off the water· Chance Showers · 68°F
The Pine Creek Fishing Area in Iowa is a popular destination for anglers due to the abundance of fish species including trout, bass, and catfish. Nearby activities include hiking…
Why 55: live conditions (fair)
55Solid
L
Lake Meyer
#8 Lake Meyer Good
· Low water · fish concentrated· Mostly Cloudy · 54°F
Lake Meyer is a 38-acre lake located in northeast Iowa, USA. It is known for its great fishing, with species such as bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass, and channel catfish…
Why 54: live conditions (good)
54Solid
D
Delwein Lake
#9 Delwein Lake Good
· Nearby flows below normal· Thunderstorms — get off the water· Showers Likely · 72°F
Delwein Lake in Iowa, USA is a popular fishing destination that offers a diverse range of fish species. Anglers can expect to catch largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, catfish…
Why 53: live conditions (good)
53Solid
C
Cloquet Lake
#10 Cloquet Lake Fair
· Rising fast · likely muddy· Blown out · high & rising· Partly Cloudy · 54°F · 20 mph wind
Cloquet Lake is a renowned fishing area located in Iowa, USA. The lake is abundant with a variety of fish species, including northern pike, largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and…
Why 52: live conditions (fair)
52Solid
C
Coldwater Creek
#11 Coldwater Creek Good
· Nearby flows below normal· Mostly Cloudy · 54°F
Coldwater Creek in Iowa is a popular fishing spot that is home to a variety of fish species such as smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and walleye. Nearby, visitors can enjoy…
Why 51: live conditions (good)
51Solid
B
Buck Creek
#12 Buck Creek Good
· Nearby flows below normal· Thunderstorms — get off the water· Showers Likely · 71°F
Buck Creek Fishing Area, located in Iowa, USA, is popular for its variety of fish species. Anglers can find smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and walleye in the creek. Nearby…
Why 50: live conditions (good)
50Solid
G
Glover Creek
#13 Glover Creek Good
· Nearby flows below normal· Mostly Cloudy · 53°F
Glover Creek is a popular fishing destination located in southeastern Iowa. The creek is stocked with a variety of fish species, including rainbow trout, brown trout, and…
Why 50: live conditions (good)
50Solid
L
Little Turkey River
#14 Little Turkey River Good
· Nearby flows below normal· Thunderstorms — get off the water· Showers · 73°F · 5 mph wind
The Little Turkey River in Iowa offers excellent fishing opportunities for brown and rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, and walleye. Nearby activities include hiking, camping, and…
Why 50: live conditions (good)
50Solid
P
Paint Creek
#15 Paint Creek Good
· Nearby flows near normal· Mostly Cloudy · 56°F
Paint Creek is a popular fishing destination in Iowa, USA. It is home to a variety of fish species such as trout, smallmouth bass, and walleye. Nearby activities include hiking…
Why 49: live conditions (good)
49Rated

Fishing in Iowa

Iowa has 22 fishing spots on Snoflo, ranked by live conditions, visitor reviews, and logged trips — so the best, closest options rise to the top.

How we rank the best fishing in Iowa

How are these fishing spots ranked?

Each gets a daily Snoflo score blending live conditions, visitor review ratings, and logged trips. The order reflects what's best right now and re-ranks every day.

How often does it update?

Daily, as new conditions, reviews, and trips arrive — so "best right now" means right now.

What do the numbers on the map mean?

Each pin shows that spot's current Snoflo score; tap it for the breakdown and a link to the full report.

Fishing near you in Iowa