Iowa has 453 lakes — but only 34 are natural. The rest are man-made reservoirs, from the Iowa Great Lakes region to the Mississippi River. The Hawkeye State offers excellent walleye, bass, catfish, and trout fishing across its diverse waters.
Fishing Regulations
- Boundary rivers = Mississippi, Missouri, Des Moines (Van Buren/Lee), Big Sioux + backwaters; inland = all other waters.
- Iowa is part of the Wildlife Violator Compact.
- Threatened/endangered species (lake sturgeon, pallid sturgeon, burbot, Topeka shiner, etc.) cannot be taken.
12 species limits are shown per spot in the CatchTales app.
Pick a region below to explore its fishing spots.
Central Iowa & Des Moines Region
Saylorville Lake Inlet, Red Rock Reservoir, Big Creek Lake, Des Moines River
40 spots
Northeastern Iowa & Mississippi Region
Mississippi River Inlet, Upper Iowa River, Decorah Trout Streams, Lake J9
40 spots
Northern Iowa & Great Lakes Region
Spirit Lake Inlet, Okoboji, Clear Lake, Storm Lake
40 spots
Southern Iowa Region
Lake Rathbun Inlet, Lake Sugema, Lake Wapello, Chariton River
40 spots
Western Iowa & Missouri River Region
Missouri River Inlet, Black Hawk Lake, Lake Manawa, Lewis & Clark Lake
40 spots
Get CatchTales
Ready to start bragging? Download the app and hit the water.