Issues

The Iowa Sportsman September 2025

In this Issue of The Iowa Sportsman September 2025:

• The Art of Persuasion
• Techniques: Catching Small Mouth Bass
• Fly Fishing Mistakes to Avoid
• Get Ready for Pheasant Season
• Fishing Iowa: Fall Fishing, What to Target, What to Use
• White Tails 365: Early Season Advantage
• Gun Dog Corner: Premier Gundog Gear
• Waterfowl: Where to Hunt in Iowa

Here is our Editor’s Statement for this month

Greetings Sportsmen and Sportswomen,

The time of year that all hunters and fishermen eagerly await is almost here! Shorter days and colder evenings can only mean one thing: fall is nearly upon us here in Iowa.

For all you bowhunters, I hope your broadheads are tuned, food plots are planted, and your tree stands and shooting lanes are checked and ready. Waterfowl hunters will be out on September 6th chasing teal, and dove hunters will be set up on the edge of sunflower fields September 1st, shooting passing doves. These early seasons are a fantastic way to enjoy hunting migrating birds without freezing and to get your lead dialed in for the other bird hunting seasons when they open. Don’t miss this month’s articles on dove hunting by Jessica Graham, waterfowl hunting Iowa by Shannon Rivers, and tree-stand safety by Jacob Dean. These editorials offer valuable insights and tips to help you kick off these early fall seasons. 

As we head into fall, it’s worth noting that this is arguably the best time of year to fish in Iowa! Fish are actively feeding before the water cools and ice begins to form. Smallmouth and walleye, along with many other species, can be particularly active as water temperatures drop. Essentially, whatever you like to fish for will be on the bite. For some great tips to help you hook more fish this fall, be sure to check out Scott Reed’s smallmouth editorial and Ben Leal’s fall fishing Iowa editorial in the September issue of The Iowa Sportsman.

Last month, I mentioned opportunities available to Iowans during the late summer months. I took my own advice and headed to Northeast Iowa to fish while waiting for a client meeting. Even though the streams were clouded from the rain and conditions weren’t optimal, I wasn’t deterred. As the saying goes, “A day of bad fishing is still better than a good day at work,” and I had a great time. I caught four rainbows in a couple of hours and waded through some beautiful country in the Driftless Region of Iowa. Afterward, I stopped by the Iowa State Trout Hatchery in Decorah. I highly recommend visiting if you have a few minutes; seeing the huge broodstock is very entertaining. I highly recommend heading up to NE Iowa if you have a free day or weekend. It’s a great area with a lot of friendly people. There are many streams up in this area, so do a little research before you go. If you would like to try fly fishing while trout fishing up in the Driftless Region, Ben Leal has a great editorial this month on fly fishing for trout.

So, as we start to slide into early fall, make sure you are prepared for whatever outdoor activity you enjoy doing. Remember you owe it to any animal you hunt to be as ethically proficient as possible with your weapon of choice. Enjoy your time in the field or on the water this fall and get as many involved in our great Iowa outdoors as you can.

Make sure to check out this month’s trophy room salute to whitetail and don’t forget to look for the missing antler in this issue of THE IOWA SPORTSMAN!!!!!

Till next time, be kind and always pay it forward!!!!

God Bless.

Aaron

Here is last month’s issue check it out!

The Iowa Sportsman August 2025

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