Early Spring Trout Fishing
Early Spring Trout Fishing

Early Spring Trout Fishing Spring in Northeast Iowa’s Driftless Region marks the beginning of one of the most rewarding trout fishing seasons in the Midwest. This is one of the prettiest areas in Northern Iowa marked with limestone bluffs, spring-fed creeks, and rolling pastures. The Driftless Region contains a several cold, clear streams that flow steadily year-round. This creates perfect trout habitat, and spring offers fishermen peaceful days on the water. With stable water temperatures, increasing insect activity, and hungry post-winter trout, there’s no better time to explore these legendary streams. Why The Driftless Region? This region is a trout […]

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Unlocking the Secrets of Extended-Range Accuracy 

Unlocking the Secrets of Extended-Range Accuracy 

Unlocking the Secrets of Extended-Range Accuracy  Shooting long distances is a really tough but incredibly satisfying skill that takes your shooting abilities to a whole new level. It takes time, practice, and a lot of focus to get good at it, but man, does it feel good when you start hitting those far-off targets. If […]

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Dove Opener Countdown

Dove Opener Countdown

Dove Opener Countdown  If you’re looking for something fun to do with your dog before the upland and/or waterfowl seasons open, you should consider dove hunting. Forty-one of the lower forty-eight states have a dove season.  Pursuing doves creates high demands for our dogs. The hunts are action-packed, especially if you’re in a hot field. […]

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Fall Fishing in Iowa Finicky Fishing

Fall Fishing in Iowa

Fall Fishing in Iowa  Iowa, nature begins to transition from summer to fall. As the water temperatures drop, fish know that colder weather and winter are not far off. The coming chill will have most predatory fish on the prowl, fattening up before Mother Nature slows things down for them.   Weather Like all of Iowa’s […]

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5 Hacks for Bass Fishing with Plastics

5 Hacks for Bass Fishing with Plastics

5 Low Tech Hacks for Soft Plastics and Bass ‘Hacks’ nowadays are defined as a clever solution to a problem.  In an era of high-tech gadgetry and complex rigging options here are five decidedly low-tech ideas to consider when fishing soft plastic lures for Largemouth Bass (and other species as well).  I have gathered these […]

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Featured Story

Big Buck Profile: The 2025 Gandy Buck

Ok, this first big buck profile is a little self-serving in that it is of a buck that I personally took this past deer season. While it is likely not the “biggest” big buck that we will profile this year it is definitely one of my most special deer ever.

Turning a Dream into Reality

As has been noted in several articles since 2023, my family and I finally put together the means to purchase our very own piece of Iowa ground. “The 32,” as we call it, has become a passion project to see if we could take an unassuming piece of real estate and harvest a mature deer from there by giving him all he needs in the way of habitat. This year was the first year that the farm would be huntable in the state in which we intended due to construction projects over the past couple of seasons.

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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.