Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report: Hot Catfish Bite, Walleyes & Hunting Season Prep – August 14, 2026

The August 14 edition of the Iowa Sportsman Hunting and Fishing Report brings plenty of good news for anglers across the state, along with an early look at preparations for the fast-approaching hunting season. This week, Aaron McKinney checks in with bait and tackle shops across Iowa to find out what’s biting as summer begins […]

EARLY MORNING HYBRID STRIPED BASS

EARLY MORNING HYBRID STRIPED BASS The air was thick, and a heavy fog was hovering above the calm surface of the water. As I pushed the boat off the trailer at the launch, I couldn’t help but wonder what would be lurking just below the surface. The water temperature was high, and there was sure […]

August Bass Fishing

August Bass Fishing Of all of the methods that anglers use in chasing after and landing bass, having one of these feisty fish explode on a topwater bait is one of my all-time favorites. In my early years of bass fishing and learning to catch them, topwater wasn’t part of my arsenal. As it turned […]

Topwater Bass Fishing

Topwater Bass Fishing Of all of the methods that anglers use in chasing after and landing bass, having one of these feisty fish explode on a topwater bait is one of my all-time favorites. In my early years of bass fishing and learning to catch them, topwater wasn’t part of my arsenal. As it turned out, my first encounter […]

Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report – May 8th

Inaugural Episode – Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report

Inaugural Episode of the Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report In this inaugural episode of the Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report, host Aaron McKinney introduces a new weekly series presented by the Iowa Sportsman Magazine, focused on real-time field reports rather than secondhand information. He explains that each episode will highlight current conditions and productive locations […]

5 Ways to Cook Fresh Fish in Summer

5 Ways to Cook Your Summer Catch Summer is a great time to get out with friends and family to catch some fish.  If you live near one of the many rivers in Iowa, the current is always a safe bet during these hot summer months. Or If Lake fishing is more for you, then […]

River Tactics for Summer Bass Success

Dog Days Smallmouth Fishing: River Tactics for Summer Bass Success Fishing for smallmouth bass during the dog days of summer can test even the most experienced anglers. High temperatures, low oxygen levels, and sluggish fish behavior often leave fishermen wondering where the bass have gone. That’s where river tactics for late summer bass come in. […]

Pre-Spawn Bass

Pre-Spawn Bass One of my all-time seasons for bass fishing is when the water temperatures begin to climb and bass start making their move from deeper winter homes to shallow water where spawning will take place. The transition really begins as water temperatures rise to around 48-58 degrees. Both largemouth and smallmouth bass will start […]

Best Places for Early Season Open Water

Best Places for Early Season Open Water It’s time to start thinking about the open water season. Time to put away those short sticks and tiny jigs, and replace them with longer rods, bigger tackle boxes, and a fishing vessel if you own one. If a water vessel is not your thing, that’s ok because […]