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Fishing in Iowa

Click a region to explore top fishing spots, species, and local tips.

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.

Topographic map — click to view full size

Northern Iowa & Great Lakes

Spirit Lake, Okoboji, Clear Lake, Storm Lake -- Walleye, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Crappie

Northeastern Iowa & Mississippi

Mississippi River, Upper Iowa River, Decorah Trout Streams -- Walleye, Sauger, Smallmouth Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout

Central Iowa & Des Moines

Saylorville Lake, Red Rock Reservoir, Big Creek Lake, Des Moines River -- Walleye, Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Catfish, Saugeye

Western Iowa & Missouri River

Missouri River, Black Hawk Lake, Lake Manawa, Lewis & Clark Lake -- Channel Catfish, Walleye, Sauger, Largemouth Bass, Crappie

Southern Iowa

Lake Rathbun, Lake Sugema, Lake Wapello, Chariton River -- Largemouth Bass, Crappie, Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill