Catfish

Logo

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 […]

READ MORE

Logo

Iowa Hunting & Fishing Report: Late Summer Fishing Update – July 31st, 2026

The latest episode of the Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report is packed with timely fishing updates, outdoor insights, and a hands-on product review to help you make the most of your time outdoors. As summer heat continues across Iowa, Aaron McKinney shares where anglers are still finding success and how a welcome break in the […]

READ MORE

hot weather catfish wiskers bull head

Hot Weather Catfish

Hot Weather Catfish In my early cattin’ days I struggled like any beginner trying to succeed. Summer, hot weather catfish would sometimes find their way to my hook, but the bites were few and the bigger fish substantially fewer. I found myself pursuing the same tired out presentations and locations with nothing to show. One […]

READ MORE

Logo

Iowa Hunting & Fishing Report: Catfish Stay Hot, Delta Waterfowl Expo Begins- July 23rd, 2026

This week’s Iowa Hunting & Fishing Report arrives a day early as Aaron McKinney heads to Des Moines for the Delta Waterfowl Hunter Expo. Before hitting the expo, Aaron breaks down the latest fishing conditions from around the state and shares where anglers are finding success despite the summer heat. The cooler temperatures have provided […]

READ MORE

Inaugural Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report

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 […]

READ MORE

how to cook fish in summer

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 […]

READ MORE

Guide to Summer Catfishing

A Guide to Summer Catfishing

A Guide to Summer Catfishing I can’t think of a better way to start the summer off than spooling up some mono on a baitcasting rod and rigging it up for some channel catfish. At one point in my fishing career, all I could think about was catching these smooth-skinned creatures. We used to have […]

READ MORE

Best Places for Early Season Fishing

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 […]

READ MORE

Early Spring Catfishing Iowa

The Ice-Out Frenzy: Iowa’s Best Kept Catfish Secret

The Ice-Out Frenzy: Iowa’s Best Kept Catfish Secret In Iowa, March catfishing is a legendary “ice-out” tradition that brings some of the fastest action you’ll see all year. Even though some fishermen think you need the sweltering heat of a June summer to catch cats, the real “addicts” and die-hards know that early spring is […]

READ MORE

Logo

Catfish on Ice

Catfish on Ice By Nick Johnson I’ve been fortunate enough to catch channel catfish through the ice on numerous occasions throughout the years. Most of these came from farm ponds or city ponds, although a few have come from public lakes. If you can find them, they really aren’t that difficult to entice into biting. […]

READ MORE