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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Spring Walleye in Iowa

Spring Walleye in Iowa

  Spring Walleye in Iowa As winter begins to lose its hold on much of Iowa, anglers focus on spring fishing throughout the state. For the most part, by April, ice has all but left the lakes, and there is an influx of freshwater bringing in nutrients as well as tasty morsels in the form […]

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Firearm Safety and Gear

Firearm Safety and Gear

Firearm Safety and Gear When it comes to firearm safety and gear, it should be the core foundation built into every move you make.  Think of it this way: you’re not just protecting yourself, you’re part of a community, and everyone’s safety depends on everyone else doing their part.  So, whether you’re a seasoned pro […]

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Favorite May Tackle

Favorite May Tackle 

Favorite May Tackle  May is a great time to get out on the water to chase your favorite species of fish.  May is also a great month to fish if you do not own a boat, as most species can be caught from the shoreline easily.  The cooler water temperatures keep fish coming shallow throughout […]

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Puppy Nutrition

Puppy Nutrition: What you need to Know

Puppy Nutrition  Oxford defines nutrition as “the process of providing or obtaining the food necessary for health and growth.” As a dog breeder, I divide puppy nutrition into phases (gestation, milk-only, weaning, and post-weaning). During each phase, a puppy has different nutritional needs and/or nutrition methods.  GESTATION  It might go without saying, but it’s important […]

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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.