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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What to do when food plots fail

What to do When Food Plots Fail

What to do When Food Plots Fail Nothing is more frustrating than planting your food plot, taking the time to prepare and plant only to have it fail. Yet, this happens. Sometimes we were the problem, and sometimes there are outside factors that decimate it. In this article, we are going to look at some […]

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Mastering the Fall Fishing Game

Mastering the Fall Fishing Game

Mastering the Fall Fishing Game Fall is quickly approaching, and we feel it all around us. From the shortening of the days to the cool mornings, to the leaves beginning to change on the oaks and the maples. The fish can feel it too. Fall is prime time to catch trophy fish. The fish have […]

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Trout Fishing in Northeast Iowa

Trout Fishing in Northeast Iowa

Trout Fishing in Northeast Iowa Some call it Little Switzerland, others call it river Bluff Country. Apparently, the correct name for it nowadays is The Driftless Region, or more colloquially, The Driftless. Regardless of what you call it, there’s no denying that it is a very special place. It’s a place where it’s very easy […]

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Using Trail Cameras to Target Whitetail

Using Trail Cameras to Target Whitetail

Using Trail Cameras to Target Whitetail If you have read many articles or listened to many podcasts that have featured yours truly, then you have likely heard the story of a buck that was hunted who was affectionately nicknamed “Coondog.” There was nothing super special about this particular buck outside of the fact that he […]

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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.