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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Reasons to Go Ice Fishing in Minnesota

Reasons to Go Ice Fishing in Minnesota

10 Reasons to Go Ice Fishing in Minnesota This Winter Minnesota is literally ice fishing paradise, offering unique advantages that make it a premier destination for anglers during the winter months. From an abundance of lakes to a rich fishing culture, here are the top 10 reasons to ice fish in Minnesota this winter. 1. […]

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Three tips for a successful muzzleloader season

Three Tips for a Successful Muzzleloader Season

Three Tips for a Successful Muzzleloader Season One of the most exciting times to harvest a deer is in the snow, during the late muzzleloader season. It’s during this time that I eagerly grab my muzzleloader and go on a mission to harvest does. These does, will be transformed into a batch of mouthwatering jerky […]

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Leveraging Conditions for Bowhunting

Tips for Party Hunting Iowa’s Gun Seasons

Tips for Party Hunting Iowa’s Gun Seasons The Buzz, of Iowa’s gun hunting season is something else. It’s that time of year when hunters gear up, eager to finally get their hands on their shotguns, muzzleloaders and rifles. It’s more than just a hunt; it’s a tradition. A chance to hang out with close friends […]

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Getting Ready for First Ice

Getting Ready for First Ice

Getting Ready for First Ice As the weather begins to cool and temperatures start dipping to freezing and below, every ice angler out there is getting ready for the first ice of the season. Before you grab your rod bag and ice shack. Make sure to pull the ole ice fishing suit out (to see […]

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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.