crappie

Open Water Fishing in March

Open Water Fishing in March

Open Water Fishing in March The month of March is characterized by rapidly rising daily high temperatures, with daily highs increasing from 41°Fto 56°F over the course of the month, exceeding 72°F or dropping below 26°F only one day in ten. As temps rise throughout the area, ice will begin to lose its grip on […]

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Fishing Late Season Ice

Fishing Late Season Ice

Fishing Late Season Ice February is the time of year when, in Iowa, most outdoor sports and recreation shows are taking place, giving reason for the thoughts of open water. Reality soon sets in as you peer out the window and see a blanket of snow covering much of the ground and fishing boats remain […]

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What is a Trophy Fish

What is a Trophy Fish

Trophy Fish What Makes Em’ Grow   As a lifelong angler I have had the thrill of catching some genuine trophy fish. As a boy, a trophy was anything bigger than the last fish I caught. And in one case it was one that never took the bait, but one I could clearly see as […]

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Best Crappie Baits

Best Crappie Baits   Crappie…animals that forage for discrete, isolated resources are often characterized as either “ambush” (sit-and-wait) or “cruise” (active) searchers. Juvenile white crappie, Pomix annularis, search for zooplankton prey using a salutatory search (SS) strategy. Unlike ambush and cruise, SS involves… Had you readers going there for a moment didn’t I… Well lucky […]

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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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Best July Fishing Destinations

Best July Fishing Destinations Ahhh…July in Iowa. One word best describes it, HOT! For the entire state, we’ll average about 85 degrees for highs, and lows will range from 61 to 66 degrees. Mornings will be comfortable, but midday fishing will be hot, especially if the wind is light or nonexistent. And as the evening […]

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Prepping for Ice Fishing

Prepping for Ice Fishing When you ice fish and live north of HWY 20 in northern Iowa and the month of November arrives, it’s time to think “pre ice fishing”. You never know what might happen. Here on the Iowa Great Lakes, there have been times when I have been ice fishing on Thanksgiving. Ok, […]

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How To Take A Kid Fishing

How To Take a Kid Fishing Fishing is in full swing, and there is nothing better than a special fishing trip with a child. It doesn’t matter if the child is five years old or 15 years old, that child has dreams of catching fish and having a good time with a special person. I […]

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The Spring Ritual of Spawning Crappies

The Spring Ritual of Spawning Crappies Spring is finally in the air! Ice has finally decided to release its grip on our lakes, the sun is starting to feel warmer, and the days are getting longer. Surely gobbling turkeys and popping morels can’t be too far behind? Ever since becoming a fly fishing guide, it […]

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Introduce Someone New to Fishing

Introduce Someone New To Fishing

Introduce Someone New to Fishing Most of us probably have someone in our lives that took the time to introduce us to fishing. It may have been a grandparent, your Dad or your Mom, or even just a friend that invited you out one day. So the seed was planted, and you’re now an angler. […]

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