Iowa Fishing Guides, Freshwater Fishing in Iowa

The state of Iowa provides anglers and Iowa guides some unique fishing opportunities for a wide variety of fish. Anglers have a choice among big rivers, sprawling reservoirs, natural lakes, small ponds, and trout streams. Popular finned targets include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, white bass, rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, walleye, crappie, bluegill, and catfish. Numerous professional Iowa fishing guides are available to help you take full advantage of your Iowa fishing trip.

Lakes and Reservoirs

Spirit Lake – This is a 5,684-acre natural lake in northwest Iowa. Spirit has a good population of crappie, muskies, and bullhead, but it’s most popular for its smallmouth bass fishing. Walleyes are present, but only three can be kept, and size restrictions apply. The lake has a fishing pier and a boat ramp. Both the state record 46-pound freshwater drum and the state record muskie, at over 50 pounds, were caught in this lake.

West Okoboji – This is another northwest Iowa natural lake. It covers 3,867 acres, and boat ramps and boat rentals are available. This is one of the best places in the state for both smallmouth and largemouth bass fishing. The state record smallmouth and the state record white bass were landed here. Other lake species include bluegill, northern pike, walleye, and muskies. Because the water is so clear, ice fishing in West Okoboji is popular in the winter months. There are several excellent fishing guides available for West Okoboji.

Lake Red Rock - In southern Iowa is the state’s largest lake - Lake Red Rock, a 19,000-acre reservoir on the Des Moines River. Big crappie are common, and white bass fishing is excellent from August through October. Fishing below the dam is great for northern pike, flathead and channel cats, bluegill, and walleye. There are several public boat ramps on the lake, along with a full service marina. For the best results, hire a fishing guide.

Iowa Fishing Guides,Iowa Rivers And Trout Streams

Northeastern Iowa has numerous trout streams. Wild brook trout and brown trout can be caught in 35 streams, and other streams are stocked. For wild brown trout, fish the upper reaches of Clear Creek and the lower branches of French Creek, where the fish are numerous.

The Maquoketa River provides excellent trout fishing for rainbows, browns, and brookies. Since most of the land along the river is privately owned, fish the river from Backbone Park and Joy Springs Park, where public fishing is allowed.

Turkey River has clear, cold water – fed by Big Springs. As a result, trout can survive throughout the entire year. This allows the trout to reach larger sizes, and since the river is generously stocked on a regular basis, the trout are also numerous. Smallmouth bass can also be caught here.

Mississippi River – Many Iowa bass anglers believe the Mississippi River offers some of the best bass fishing in the state. This includes the main channel, the backwaters, pools, and around dams. Largemouth river bass are not only plentiful – they also have good size. Other species include smallmouth bass, white bass, bluegill, crappie, walleye, freshwater drum, and some monster catfish. If you’re not familiar with the big river, you’ll need to hire one of the Iowa fishing guides who specialize in Mississippi River angling.