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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Drought, Deer, and the Looming Threat of EHD 

Deer and the Looming Threat of EHD: Whitetails 365

Deer and the Looming Threat of EHD As we gear up for 2025’s deer season, we’re praying for rain, and hoping the deer we passed to let grow, will make it to another hunting season. With that said, several reliable sources are predicting a continuation of the dry conditions that have plagued our landscape in […]

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How to Target Iowa Muskie

How to Target Iowa Muskie              Early summer is a fantastic time to learn how to target Iowa muskie in the southern part of the Midwest muskie range.  Depending on where you are, places throughout the Midwest have a yearlong season for these fish. Unlike the upper parts of the […]

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Using Dip Baits for Catfishing

Using Dip Baits for Catfishing

Dip Baits for Catfishing Growing up, some of my best memories include using dip baits while catfishing with my dad and my older cousin, Chet. As soon as summer break started, I knew it was time to hit the rivers in search for catfish. I remember one particular June evening, the fog started to settle […]

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Creating a Multi Species Food Plot

Food Plots in Iowa: Whitetails 365

Food Plots in Iowa One of the best things about living in Iowa is the wildlife we get to see every day. I think just about every Iowan can appreciate the opportunity to watch wildlife in their backyard, from their treestand, or their blind. We have several different species of animals. Northern Iowa has more […]

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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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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.