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Listen Now! To the Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report

The episode features an in-depth fishing and outdoor report for early May across key destinations in Iowa, delivered from the perspective of an active angler who has been on the water. The conversation begins with a recap of the Iowa Walleye Opener on the Iowa Great Lakes, with particular focus on Spirit Lake.

Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report
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Check Out Our Current Issue!

5 Easy Mistakes to Make Fly Fishing for Trout in the Fall  4 Keys To Being A Good River Angler

5 Easy Mistakes to Make Fly Fishing for Trout in the Fall 

5 Easy Mistakes to Make Fly Fishing for Trout in the Fall  Not only is fall one of the best times to fly fish for trout in Iowa, it’s also my favorite!  The sweltering heat of summer begins to lose its grip, making the fishing much more comfortable and also making catch-and-release a much less […]

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Habitat for the Birds Comparing Pheasant Hunting Opportunities: South Dakota Public or Iowa Private

Comparing Pheasant Hunting Opportunities: South Dakota Public or Iowa Private

Comparing Pheasant Hunting Opportunities: South Dakota Public or Iowa Private Ace worked the fence line with ever-increasing zest, confident in his nose, he zig-zagged through the switchgrass as we moved further into the field trying to decipher the scent. Finally, it seemed the trail went cold and Ace was again looking for the essence of […]

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Keeping the Outdoor Legacy Alive

The Four Year Legacy

The Four Year Legacy Today as I watched my three girls run around our yard, the thought hit me; “These kids are my legacy…I hope I don’t screw up!”. I think most parents have uttered those words to themselves. Especially newer parents whose kids haven’t crossed the teenage threshold of all “knowing-ness” yet. Even if […]

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Catch More Fish Trolling

Catch More Trolling

Catch More Trolling Across the Midwest and almost all of North America, most fish in most places are done spawning. After a few days of rest, those fish will want to eat. If you can put a bait near a fish, it will probably eat it. Therefore, it’s good to show as many fish as […]

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Featured Story

Springtime Panfish-Perch, Crappie, and Bluegill

Spring is in full swing here in Iowa, and what can be more pleasant a reminder than the sound of birds, the sight of flowers blooming, and the feel of a warm afternoon? I can think of at least one more thing…Panfish!

I can remember it like yesterday, our family would all meet up at the lake house. There was work to do. The yard was to be picked up, the cabin cleaned, and the dock had to be put in. But then, after the work was finished, it was time for all of us cousins to fish! We would all go out to the garage to pick out a few old rods and tie on a hook and sinker as best we could.

The next order of business was to hunt for worms. Flipping anything that we could find stuck in the ground in hopes of just finding a few crawlers. Once the bait was secured, we were ready to fish. We would go out on the dock and cast, vertical jig, and even troll along the side of the dock. We usually did pretty well use those tactics, but my all-time favorite was walking along the rocks on shore and dropping the bait down every little crevice, not knowing what was going to come up next.

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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.