Check Out Our Current Issue!
In the April 2026 Issue of the Iowa Sportsman
- Best Places for Early Season Open Water
- Building a Foundation for the Field
- Range Safety Tips
- Building a Farm Pond to Hold More Wildlife
- Shed Antlers: Do they really tell us anything?
- What Makes a Great Food Plot
- Keeping Kids Engaged in Turkey Hunting
- Pre-Spawn Bass
- Springtime Panfish-Perch, Crappie, and Bluegill
Click Here To View This Issue Now!
Whitetails 365: Summer Hunter’s Checklist
Whitetails 365: Summer Hunter’s Checklist For most Iowans, this time of year is time for barbecues, swimming pools, and lazy afternoons. But for a hunter, our brains are keyed in on hunting, and we’re continuously thinking about how we can improve our land and get ready for deer season 2025. Use this time as a […]
READ MOREHow to Break Bad Archery Habits
How to Break Bad Archery Habits Several years ago, I used to go to several archery shoots through the summer. It was a time to hone-in my archery skills, relax, and prepare for the upcoming archery season. For me, archery is my passion and summer is a prime time for preparation, and to sharpen archery […]
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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 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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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.
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.
