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Listen Now! To the Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report

Watch the October 6th Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report!

Fishing: The fall bite is on! Panfish are still biting, the walleye bite is finally starting to pick up too.

Hunting: Congrats to all the youth hunters who were able to fill their tags. Bow season is now open, movement has been okay.

This week's sponsor of the Hunting and Fishing Report is Polk County Conservation's controlled waterfowl hunting program. Waterfowl hunting blinds at Chichaqua Bottoms Greenbelt in NE Polk County can be reserved by calling the Chichaqua office at (515) 323-5395 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The twelve blinds are located in both marsh and woodland settings. Blinds cost $30 per day and hold up to four hunters. Reservations are available for both the early split (October 10 – 16) and late split (Oct. 24 – Nov. 30).

Click here to reserve your blind today!
https://www.polkcountyiowa.gov/conservation/things-to-do/hunting

Iowa Hunting Fishing Report

Check Out Our Current Issue!

In The Iowa Sportsman December 2026 Issue…

Winter brings fresh opportunities for hunters and anglers, and this issue of Iowa Sportsman has plenty to explore. Follow the trail in Whitetail 365: Tracking Goes to the Dogs, explore December Coyote Hunting, and bring your harvest full circle with How to Process Your Own Venison.

Keep your hunting season going with Hunting the Late Split and Where to Find Late-Season Pheasants in Iowa. For a closer look at your equipment, read Understanding Barrel Lengths, Profiles, and Twist Rates, then help your four-legged hunting partner prepare for colder outings with Winter Safety: Keeping Your Dog Warm.

Ready to trade the field for frozen water? Discover Why Anglers Head North to Devils Lake and explore A Minnesota Winter of Big Fish and Miles of Trails. Round out your winter preparations with Ice Augers for Every Situation and Budget.

Click Here To View This Issue Now!

Deer Hunting Preparations in June

Deer Hunting Preparation in June: Set Up for Success

June Preparations: Setting Up for Deer Hunting Success If you ask a deer hunter what their favorite month of the year is, the month of June is most likely not near the top of the list. In fact, most hunters may say this is their least favorite month of the year. Humidity and temperatures are […]

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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 […]

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June Food Plot Planting

June Food Plot Planting in Iowa: What to Grow Now

What to Plant in My June Food Plot June in Iowa can feel like you are a step behind when it comes to food plots, but the truth is, you still have a lot of solid options. In fact, if you play it right, a June planting can set you up for some of the […]

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Why Suppressors Are Gaining Popularity Today

Silent Advantage: Why Suppressors Are Gaining Popularity It would be understandable to think that suppressors (or silencers, as they are legally known) are new to the scene. However, suppressors have been around for over a century. The first patent was filed in 1909 by Hiram Maxim; they quickly became popular with sportsmen. In 1934, they […]

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Featured Story

A Classic Evening with an Iowa Giant – Bowhunting Boone & Crockett Bucks

Does a plan ever fall into place the way it should? The months leading up to October and November are filled with daydreams of target bucks making their way in front of our stands. Perfect conditions, with a shooter buck coming in on a string, setting up for perfect shot placement. If only that was how it worked… but that wouldn’t be as rewarding, would it?

READ FULL STORY

Created By Iowans, For Iowans

The Iowa Sportsman website and magazine are Iowa’s only privately owned media sources catering to hunters, anglers, and outdoor enthusiasts here in Iowa. Simply put, we are unlike other Iowa outdoor media sources: All our staff is from Iowa, from our publisher to our writers. We actually follow through on what we advertise; we provide knowledgeable content from people who know the industry or sport discussed.