Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report: September Heat, Catfish Action & Hunting Season Ahead -9/8/2026
This week’s Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report finds anglers dealing with lingering late-summer heat while hunting season draws closer across the state. Aaron McKinney checks in with bait shops around Iowa for the latest fishing conditions and also spends some time getting the dogs ready for another season in the field.
A special thanks goes to Al Martin Real Estate and Auction for sponsoring this week’s report. The company has an upcoming estate auction in Bloomfield, Iowa, featuring a variety of firearms and outdoor-related items. Outdoorsmen and women looking for shotguns, rifles, handguns and other sporting items will want to check out the upcoming sale.
Before getting into the fishing reports, Aaron takes Lou, the Munsterlander, out for his first experience in the water. Lou has grown to around 40 pounds and is quickly catching up to Grace. With hunting seasons approaching, now is a great time to get hunting dogs outside, introduce younger dogs to the water and start getting them conditioned for fall.
On the fishing side, catfish continue to provide some of the best action across Iowa. Gradert Bait and Tackle in Hawarden reports that flatheads and channel catfish are biting well. Live bait remains a strong choice for flatheads, while cut bait, chicken livers, stink bait and punch bait are producing channel cats on the Missouri River.
Casey’s Bait and Tackle in Des Moines reports tough fishing conditions due to the continued heat. Anglers who head out may have their best opportunities during the early morning, evening and nighttime hours when temperatures are cooler.
Clear Lake Bait and Tackle also reports a slow bite, although anglers are still picking up some fish around the area. Troublesome Creek Outfitters in Keosauqua tells a similar story, with most species remaining slow while catfish activity has improved.
Overall, the September heat continues to make fishing challenging across much of Iowa. Cooler weather should help improve the bite, but catfish remain a solid option in the meantime. With youth deer and youth pheasant seasons just around the corner, it’s also time to start preparing young hunters and hunting dogs for another exciting fall in Iowa’s outdoors.
Below is the link for the episode on Podbean, Give us a Follow!
Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report: Fall Bite Ahead | The Iowa Sportsman Podcast
