FishKillFlea Iowa is a hidden gem of Midwest fishing — Spirit Lake's trophy walleye, West Okoboji's crystal glacial waters, the mighty Mississippi River's pools 9-19 for everything from catfish to sauger, and NE Iowa's stunning Driftless Area with 100+ trout streams in unglaciated bluffs. Whether you hold a fishing license in Iowa or an out of state fishing license Iowa, the Hawkeye State delivers diverse fishing 365 days a year.
Premier Lakes
| Lake | Size | Species | Daily Limit | Why Famous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spirit Lake | 5,600 acres | Walleye, perch, musky | 5 walleye (15″) | Iowa's premier walleye lake — NW Iowa |
| West Okoboji | 3,900 acres | Walleye, musky, bass, perch | 5 walleye | Iowa's deepest lake (136 ft) — glacial blue |
| Clear Lake | 3,600 acres | Walleye, yellow bass, musky | 5 walleye | Great ice fishing + summer action |
| Red Rock Reservoir | 15,000 acres | Crappie, bass, catfish, white bass | 25 crappie | Central Iowa — largest reservoir |
| Rathbun Lake | 11,000 acres | Crappie, channel cat, musky | 25 crappie | S Iowa — excellent crappie |
Mississippi River (Pool 9-19)
Iowa's entire eastern border is the Mississippi River — arguably the finest multi-species river fishing in America:
- Pool 9 (Lansing): Walleye, sauger — backwater panfish paradise
- Pool 11 (Dubuque): Catfish capital — channel cats to 15 lbs
- Pool 14 (Davenport): Smallmouth bass, walleye, drum
- Pool 19 (Keokuk): Trophy flathead catfish — 40+ lbs
NE Iowa Driftless Trout Streams (Trout Fee Required!)
| Stream | Species | Why Special |
|---|---|---|
| French Creek | Brown, brook trout | Wild trout — no stocking |
| Waterloo Creek | Brown, rainbow | Exceptional spring-fed clarity |
| Yellow River | Rainbow, brown | State Forest — scenic bluffs |
| Trout Run | Brown, rainbow | Decorah area — beginner-friendly |
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Best Targets | Prime Spots | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (Mar–May) | Walleye spawn, crappie spawn, trout | Spirit Lake, NE Iowa streams | April walleye spawn = best Iowa fishing! |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Bass, catfish, reservoir crappie | Mississippi, Red Rock, Clear Lake | Night catfish on the Mississippi = epic |
| Fall (Sep–Nov) | Walleye fall feed, musky | Okoboji, Spirit Lake, Clear Lake | October walleye — pre-winter feeding frenzy |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Ice fishing! Walleye, perch, crappie | Spirit Lake, Okoboji, Clear Lake | Iowa ice fishing = legendary tradition |
Fishing in Neighboring States
Minnesota for Mille Lacs walleye and Boundary Waters, Wisconsin for musky and Door County smallmouth, Missouri for Ozark bass and Lake of the Ozarks, Nebraska for Lake McConaughy, or South Dakota for Missouri River walleye.
Iowa fishing is $22/year — add $14.50 trout fee for Driftless streams. See full costs or buy at Go Outdoors Iowa.