Whether wading into cool trout streams or trolling well-stocked lakes, the best fishing spots get you closer to your goals. We’ve asked an accomplished Iowa angler to suggest some favorite locations.
Meet the Expert: Mike Steuck
Mike recently retired from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Bureau after over 35 years working on Iowa’s rivers and streams. A native of the Driftless Area, Mike is an avid angler and loves targeting trout, walleye and smallmouth bass. Recognized for his outstanding contribution to the fisheries profession by the Iowa Chapter of the American Fisheries Society, he also volunteers on the Iowa Coldwater Conservancy Board.
How to get started
Fishing gear doesn't need to be fancy or expensive. Stop into your local outdoor sports store to find the basics.
- Simple pole and reel with a light (6-pound test) line.
- Small hook (size 4 or 6) with a small split shot crimped 4-6 inches above the hook.
- Bait for the hook. Try small redworms, night crawlers wax worms, or other bait.
- Small bobber.
- Fishing license for Iowa residents 16 years old or older. (Licenses required for non-residents 14 years old or older.) Anglers need a valid fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for or possess trout. The daily limit is five trout per licensed angler with a possession limit of 10. Children age 15 or younger can fish for trout with a properly licensed adult, but they must limit their catch to one daily limit. The child can purchase a trout fee which will allow them to keep their own limit. Visit iowadnr.gov for more information on fishing licenses and fishing regulations and laws.
Fun Fishing Dates
What’s more al-lure-ing than fishing in romantic company? Reel in a catch at one of these cozy spots:
Yellow River State Forest
Pack a picnic and head to Little Paint Creek, a hidden gem in the Yellow River State Forest near Harpers Ferry. This scenic stream is stocked weekly from April through October with catchable 10-12” rainbow trout and provides anglers with opportunities for wild brook and brown trout. Recent habitat improvement collaborations between the Iowa DNR and several nonprofit partners enhanced the aquatic ecosystems. New plunge pools are prime holding lies for trout.
Jester Park
Add sunset fishing to the list of activities you can enjoy during a Central Iowa getaway by booking a cabin at Jester Park, just 30 minutes northwest of Des Moines in Granger. This beautiful 1,675-acre park is home to three ponds packed full of bass, bluegill, green sunfish and crappie. Plus, equestrian stables offer romantic winter sleigh rides.
Lake Macbride
Paddle to a quiet cove on Lake Macbride to fish for the prized Kentucky spotted bass. Walleye, channel catfish and musky are also popular finds that can be caught using the lake’s accessible fishing pier or a fishing jetty. Overnight at the stylish Literary Hotel in Solon and treat your significant other to breakfast pastries from The Eat Shop bakery.
Place to Take Kids Fishing in Iowa
Fishing offers youth a rewarding lesson in patience and persistence. Spend some screen-free time on family-friendly fishing trips at these top spots:
Big Spring Fish Hatchery Kid's Fishing Pond
Big Spring Fish Hatchery Kid's Fishing Pond in Elkader, near the Turkey River, is reserved for youth 15 years old or younger. (Kids must be accompanied by a licensed adult).
Decorah Fish Hatchery
At the Decorah Fish Hatchery in Decorah, see how trout are raised, feed fish of all sizes for 25 cents, then go fishing. Bonus: the whole family will enjoy a relaxing afternoon by the Siewers Springs waterfall.
Rathbun Fish Hatchery
Rathbun Fish Hatchery, located at the southeast end of Rathbun Lake near Moravia, inspires kids with mounts of state record catches and fishing gear displays. Stay and splash at the nearby Honey Creek Resort indoor waterpark after outdoor fishing adventures.
Stone State Park
Big Sioux River or Turtle Pond at Stone State Park in Sioux City provides kids a gateway to the Loess Hills. The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center, playgrounds and several scenic overlooks add to the draw.
Backbone State Park
Richmond Springs at Backbone State Park is among the numerous Iowa streams stocked April-October. With easy access to the creek, little ones can try for trout at many places throughout the park.
Best Places in Iowa to Fish from a Boat
Go beyond the banks and jetties to fish deeper waters in these spots:
Lake Anita State Park
Formed by creating a dam on a branch of the Nishnabotna River, Lake Anita State Park near Anita features two boat ramps, a kayak launch and dock space for pontoons. When lily pads make fishing along the shoreline tricky, boat anglers have an advantage. An underwater roadbed running north and south also provides good habitat for the bluegill, crappie and channel catfish populations. Skilled anglers can try for walleye here, too.
Green Valley State Park
In Green Valley State Park near Creston, conservation efforts on the 390-acre lake improved habitat for bluegill and crappie. Two ADA-compliant fishing piers, jetties and boat ramps offer plenty of access points. Night fishing between 10:30 p.m. and 4 a.m. is permitted on the shoreline adjacent to Green Valley Road. Drop a line along the dam embankment or near the spillway. Lights on your boat draw the bugs, bugs draw the minnows and minnows draw big fish.
Spirit Lake
Summer is fun for pleasure boating in the Okoboji area, but the less crowded spring and fall “shoulder seasons” make for better fishing. Spirit Lake is Iowa’s largest, at 5,684 acres. Boat rentals abound in one of Iowa’s most popular vacation destinations, and numerous guide services get you out on the water with all the equipment and expertise you need. Try for walleye, smallmouth bass, musky, bluegill and crappie. Guides know their bodies of water and local baits well. They take you straight to the most productive spots, optimizing your on-the-water time.
Red Haw State Park
Blooming redbud trees at Red Haw State Park near Chariton signal the best time to fish for bluegill and crappie (typically mid-April to early May). Dig up some earthworms and cut them into small sections before casting into a nesting area around Red Haw Lake. Largemouth bass are also abundant here. To hook them, target shorelines and the edge of the lily pads with spinners or plastics. An ADA-accessible kayak launch and dock make getting on the water easy.
Village Creek
The Village Creek boat landing in Lansing is an ADA-accessible public boat launch managed by the Allamakee County Conservation Board. Use this spot as your gateway to the Mississippi River and set off in search of walleye, smallmouth bass, bluegill and crappie. Amenities include a paved boat landing, fishing floats, courtesy dock, kayak launch and information kiosk around a large parking lot. Looks for snags off the channel with deep water nearby.
Resources
At iowadnr.gov, you'll find maps, regulations and the best spots for fishing with reports specific to Iowa’s lakes, rivers, and streams. You can also celebrate your first fish or Master Angler catch with special certificate programs, learn about local fish species and look up state records.
