Iowa Fishing Areas
Iowa offers a variety of popular angling destinations for both freshwater and saltwater enthusiasts. Some of the most popular areas for freshwater fishing include the Mississippi River, Iowa Great Lakes, and Clear Lake. Common species of fish in these locations include bass, catfish, walleye, and trout. The best times of year to fish in Iowa vary depending on the species, but generally, the spring and fall months offer the most productive fishing. Spring temperatures average around 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, while fall temperatures average around 40-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
For bait and lures, live bait such as worms and minnows are effective for catching most species of fish in Iowa. Artificial lures such as crankbaits, jigs, and spinners are also popular choices that can mimic the movements of real prey.
Interesting fishing facts about Iowa include the fact that the state's record for the largest fish caught is a 97-pound flathead catfish, caught in the Des Moines River. Additionally, Iowa is home to over 72,000 miles of rivers and streams, making it a prime location for fishing enthusiasts.
Location | State | Fish Habitat |
---|---|---|
Ada Creek
|
Iowa | |
Agassa Lake
|
Iowa | Yellow Perch, Silver Redhorse, Walleye |
Ahsub Lake
|
Iowa | Smallmouth Bass, Silver Redhorse, Brook Trout |
Alden Lake
|
Iowa | Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Bullhead, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Shorthead Redhorse, Silver Redhorse, Walleye, Pumpkinseed Sunfish |
Alder Lake
|
Iowa | Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Silver Redhorse, Splake, Green Sunfish, Lake Trout, Walleye |
Alruss Lake
|
Iowa | Silver Redhorse, Splake, Brook Trout |
Armstrong Lake
|
Iowa | Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Bluegill, Burbot, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Silver Redhorse, Walleye, Pumpkinseed Sunfish |
August Lake
|
Iowa | Rock Bass, Bluegill, Burbot, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Silver Redhorse, Walleye, Pumpkinseed Sunfish |
Baldpate Creek
|
Iowa | |
Barnett
|
Iowa | |
Barrs Lake
|
Iowa | Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Black Bullhead, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Silver Redhorse, Walleye, Pumpkinseed Sunfish |
Bassett Lake
|
Iowa | Largemouth Bass, Rock Bass, Bluegill, Black Bullhead, Burbot, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Silver Redhorse, Tautog, Walleye, Pumpkinseed Sunfish |
Beartrap River
|
Iowa | |
Beaver Hut Lake
|
Iowa | Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Silver Redhorse, Splake, Green Sunfish, Tautog, Brook Trout, Pumpkinseed Sunfish |
Bigalks Creek
|
Iowa | |
Butterball Lake
|
Iowa | |
Cloquet Lake
|
Iowa | |
Coldwater Creek
|
Iowa | |
Craighead Forest Lake
|
Iowa | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout |
Crown Lake
|
Iowa | |
Fischer Wildelife Area
|
Iowa | |
Glacier Pond 1
|
Iowa | |
Glover Creek
|
Iowa | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout |
Hickory Creek
|
Iowa | |
Lake Austell
|
Iowa | Largemouth Bass, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish |
Lake Dunn
|
Iowa | Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish |
Lake Greenlee
|
Iowa | Largemouth Bass |
Lake Meyer
|
Iowa | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Bullhead, Common Carp, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Northern Pike |
Lake Pine Bluff
|
Iowa | Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Blue Catfish, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish |
Little Lagrue Bayou
|
Iowa | |
Little Paint Creek
|
Iowa | |
Little Red River
|
Iowa | Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout |
Otter Creek
|
Iowa | |
Paint Creek
|
Iowa | |
Plum Bayou
|
Iowa | Largemouth Bass |
South Cedar Creek
|
Iowa | Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout |
Trout Run
|
Iowa |
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