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 Bass Fishing in Iowa

Spring Bass Fishing in Iowa

Cold Water Bassin By the time April rolls around many of us have been to several outdoor sports shows where pictures of open water trophies are being displayed and boats line halls, giving way to dreams of being out on the water. Bass anglers are itching to get out on the lake and set a […]

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A Memorable Hunt

“Never too Late to Find Your Trophy”   It doesn’t matter if you are sitting around a campfire during hunting season or sitting around the dinner table with family and friends, Hunters always have a story they like to share. My most memorable hunt and most emotional story was written November 12, 2014 at 1:25 […]

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The Eyes of March – Ice Out Walleyes

The Eyes of March – Ice Out Walleyes   Ask any fresh water angler what is one of the most sought after fish for table fare and you’ll get a resounding response, “walleye”. Sure, crappie and bluegill will come up in that conversation as well, but walleye by far will always be at the top […]

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What is a Watershed

Understanding watersheds: we are all part of the solution

Understanding watersheds: we are all part of the solution Even at age 67, every once in a while I get one of those “Ah-Ha” moments. You know, when you suddenly get this enlightenment of something you might have already known about, but not really understood. This past week I had one of those. Mike Hawkins, […]

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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.