Iowa Fishing Regulations
Not legal advice. Compiled from official government summaries. Regulations change each year — always check the official source before relying.
General Rules (barbless hooks are the #1 cause of fines)
- ⚠ 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.
Species Limits
| Species | Limit | Size / Season |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth, smallmouth, spotted bass | Inland: 3/day (6 possession); Boundary rivers: 5/day (10) | Inland lakes min 15 in; interior streams min 12 in; Mississippi min 14 in; Missouri min 12 in |
| Bluegill, crappie, pumpkinseed | 25 bluegill + 25 crappie/day (public waters), no possession limit | Mississippi: bluegill/pumpkinseed 25 (50 possession); crappie 25 (50) |
| Catfish (channel, blue, flathead combined) | Inland lakes: 8/day (30 possession); streams/reservoirs: 15/day (30) | Mississippi River: no limit; bullheads no limit |
| Walleye, sauger, saugeye | See walleye table | |
| Trout (brook, brown, rainbow) | 5/day (10 possession) | No length limit statewide |
| Muskellunge (incl. tiger) | 1/day | Min 40 in |
| Northern pike | Inland: 3/day (6); Mississippi/Missouri: 5/day (10); Big Sioux: 6/day (12) | |
| Paddlefish | 2/day (4 possession) | Mississippi max 33 in; Big Sioux/Missouri 35-45 in slot; special license+tags |
| Yellow bass, white bass, rock bass, wiper | No limit (Mississippi: 25 white+yellow, 50 possession) | |
| Yellow perch | 25/day (50 possession) | Missouri River: no limit |
| Shovelnose sturgeon | No limit (Missouri River: 10/day, 20 possession) | |
| All other fish | No limit |
Waterbody-Specific Rules
Lakes Ada Hayden, Ahquabi, Big Creek, Casey, Green Valley, Pleasant Creek, etc.
- Black bass min 18 in.
Lakes Brown (Jackson) & Wapello (Davis)
- Black bass catch and release only.
Lake Hawthorn
- All 12-16 in bass must be released.
Lake Sugema
- All 12-18 in bass must be released.
Browns Lake (Mississippi)
- Catch and release only for bass.
Spring Branch (Delaware)
- Trout min 14 in; artificial lures only.
Lakes Ada Hayden, Ahquabi, Big Creek, Casey, Green Valley, Pleasant Creek
- Black bass min 18 in.
Coralville Reservoir
- Black bass min 15 in.
Rathbun Reservoir
- Black bass min 15 in.
Saylorville Reservoir
- Black bass min 15 in.
Red Rock Reservoir
- Black bass min 15 in.
Cedar River (Mitchell Co.)
- All black bass must be released alive immediately (posted section).
Maquoketa River (Delaware Co.)
- All black bass must be released alive immediately (below Lake Delhi Dam).
Middle Raccoon River (Guthrie Co.)
- All black bass must be released alive immediately (below Lake Panorama Dam).
Upper Iowa River (Winneshiek Co.)
- All black bass must be released alive immediately (below Fifth St bridge, Decorah).
Big Sioux River
- Paddlefish 35-45 in protected slot; catfish no limit; bass min 12 in.
Mississippi River
- Catfish: no bag limit; bass min 14 in; paddlefish max 33 in; bluegill/pumpkinseed 25 (50 possession); crappie 25.
Missouri River
- Catfish: no limit; bass min 12 in; paddlefish 35-45 in slot; yellow perch no limit.
Big Creek Lake
- Black bass min 18 in (special lake).
Seasons
Most species open year-round; paddlefish snagging seasonal (Mississippi Mar 1-Apr 15; Missouri/Big Sioux Feb 1-Apr 30).
Licence Fees
Iowa fishing license required (resident/non-resident); paddlefish license + tags for Big Sioux/Missouri snagging; trout fee for trout waters.
Edition: 2026 Iowa Fishing Regulations (Iowa DNR) · Effective: 2026 season · Source: Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources (iowadnr.gov/fishing)
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