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Iowa's Fishing Report

Sign up today for free weekly fishing information from Iowa’s fisheries experts. Learn the best hot spots and latest news about Iowa’s fishing opportunities from region to region. This weekly fishing forecast will be emailed directly to your inbox every Thursday!

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How to Read Our Weekly Iowa Fishing Report

DNR’s weekly fishing report is broken down by counties or regions – northwest, northeast, Mississippi river, southeast and southwest.

You can check the activity of your favorite lake or stretch of river within each region, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), as well as a hot bait or lure pattern.

Fishing reports may include information on stream or river flows (and if it is rising or dropping), ice conditions, depths that fish are biting (watch for trends if this changes), or safety issues like if the water suddenly becomes shallow in spots.

Fishing Podcasts

Each month, Jeff Kopaska of the Iowa DNR and Ross Peterson from KXnO Sports Fanatics get together to talk about fishing opportunities, seasons and events in Iowa and around the Midwest. They are often joined by other DNR staff and guest speakers.

The links below are the podcast recordings of their conversations, and can also be found on the iHeartRadio app.

2023 Podcast Links

January 2023 Fishing Report - ice fishing tips and safety, winter community trout stockings and fish stocking requests and data

February 2023 Fishing Report - tips for getting your gear ready for spring fishing, Mid Iowa Bassmasters Fishermen's Swap Meet, Iowa Walleye Challenge and new state record orangespotted sunfish

March 2023 Fishing Report -  spring community trout stockings, Iowa Walleye Challenge, Hook n" Paddle Passport, early season river fishing for walleyes and lake fishing for ice-out catfish

April 2023 Fishing Report - AJ Winter, Iowa DNR Outdoor Skills Specialist joins us to preview spring outdoor activities, plus trout stocking and walleye gillnetting

May 2023 Fishing Report - Clear Lake fishing, shovelnose sturgeon sampling, Iowa Wallaye Challenge local prizes and Hook n' Paddle Passport launch

June 2023 Fishing Report - Free Fishing Weekend, fishing community ponds, tips for kayak fishing

July 2023 Fishing Report - local angler, Richared Grimes joins us to talk about the Iowa Walleye Challenge, plus Des Moines area community fishing spots and the Hook n' Paddle Passport 

August 2023 Fishing Report - we answer questions posed by some central Iowa listeners, plus trout fishing and the Iowa State Fair

September 2023 Fishing Report - Chad Dolan, Iowa DNR fisheries biologist joins us with an update on the Lake Geode restoration project, plus fall fish stockings

December 2023 Fishing Report - 2024 Midwest Walleye Challenge preview, plus fishing Christmas gift ideas

February 2022 Fishing Report - Zak Slagle from the Ohio DNR joins us to talk about walleye populations, fishing and surveys at Lake Erie; plus plans for the Midwest Fish & Wildlife Conference hosted by Iowa DNR is Des Moines mid-February

March 2022 Fishing Report - Ben Neely, Kansas fishery biologist joins us to talk about a recent research project to determine if live scope sonar technology leads to anglers catching more/bigger fish; plus spring community trout stockings

April 2022 Fishing Report - new state record smallmouth buffalo, plus tips for catching trout in community fishing ponds and annual walleye gillnetting efforts

June 2022 Fishing Report - fishing tips and hotspots, plus sturgeon sampling on the Cedar River, Free Fishing Weekend and Iowa Walleye Challenge

August 2022 Fishing Report - live from the Iowa State Fair; stop by the aquarim in the DNR building to see fish from across Iowa; plus local fishing information 

September 2022 Fishing Report - new community fishing ponds, fishing sampling and fishing tournaments 

October 2022 Fishing Report - fish diet research, fishing tournaments and the big walleye controversy on Lake Erie; plus fall fishing tips

November 2022 Fishing Report - Mike Siepker joins us to talk trout - stockings, spawning, management and more

December 2022 Fishing Report - Hank Kholer joins us to talk about his One4Water trip and new book; plus ice fishing season preview

January 2021 Fishing Report - Kevan Paul joins us to talk about ice fishing on Clear Lake

February 2021 Fishing Report - fishing in community ponds, plus hybrid striped bass in Big Creek, and the hot yellow perch bite at Clear Lake

March 2021 Fishing Report - Corey Goldsworthy from the Minnesota DNR joins us to talk about the fishing options at Lake Superior, plus ice-out catfishing

April 2021 Fishing Report - Jay Rudacille, Iowa DNR Warm and Coolwater Fish Culture Supervisor, joins us to talk about the annual spring walleye collection, production and stocking, plus spring community trout stockings and fun fishing stories

May 2021 Fishing Report - Hank Kohler joins us to talk about his upcoming paddling trip from central Minnesota down the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico to make people aware of and seek donations for clean water projects

July 2021 Fishing Report - Fish Local Community Fishing Program and river catfishing tips, plus trout stream sampling

September 2021 Fishing Report - freshwater drum fishing on the Mississippi River, plus drift fishing for crappie and recap of Iowa State Fair aquarium and courtyard presentations

October 2021 Fishing Report - fall fishing tips, plus fall community trout stockings annouced again this year and upcoming trout angler survey

December 2021 Fishing Report - Eric Brinkman, asssistant chief of aquatic conservation in Arkansas, joins us to talk about managing alligator gar in the Red River; plus the Iowa Urban Trout Challenge on urban/community trout locations through December 31, 2021.

Iowa Fishing Report

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Waterbody District Comments Date
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Angling has been fair to good on the interior rivers with the up and down weather pattern. There have been no reports on the surrounding area lakes. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and stocking season will begin this coming Monday, April 1st. For further information contact your local bait shops for the most recent information. 03/27 01:01
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Anglers are catching a few walleye and northern pike on the Cedar River but it has been extremely slow. 03/27 01:01
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Walleye - Good: Anglers have been doing best casting and retrieving lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow. 03/27 01:01
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Northern Pike - Slow: Most catches have been from anglers targeting walleye, cast and retrieve lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow. 03/27 01:01
Cedar River (Nashua to La Porte City) Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Anglers have been doing best casting and retrieving lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow. 03/27 01:05
Decorah District Streams Northeast Chance of rain through weekend. Temperatures variable with highs upper 50's to lows in 20's and breezy. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 03/25 08:53
Decorah District Streams Northeast Catchable rainbow trout stocking begins April 1. The calendar is now available on-line at https://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing/Trout-Fishing. 03/25 08:59
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brook Trout - Fair: 03/25 08:59
Decorah District Streams Northeast Brown Trout - Good: 03/25 08:59
Decorah District Streams Northeast Rainbow Trout - Good: 03/25 09:00
Lake Hendricks Northeast Chance of rain through weekend. Temperatures variable with highs upper 50's to lows in 20's and breezy. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 03/25 08:53
Lake Hendricks Northeast Fish activity slowed with drop in water temperature. 03/25 08:54
Lake Hendricks Northeast Bluegill - Slow: 03/25 08:54
Lake Meyer Northeast Chance of rain through weekend. Temperatures variable with highs upper 50's to lows in 20's and breezy. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 03/25 08:53
Lake Meyer Northeast Fish activity slowed with cooler water temperatures. 03/25 08:55
Lake Meyer Northeast Bluegill - Slow: 03/25 08:56
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Angling has been fair to good on the interior rivers with the up and down weather pattern. There have been no reports on the surrounding area lakes. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and stocking season will begin this coming Monday, April 1st. For further information contact your local bait shops for the most recent information. 03/27 01:01
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast There have been no reports on the Maquoketa River but walleyes should be on the bite before the spring spawn. 03/27 01:01
Maquoketa River (above Monticello) Northeast Walleye - No Report: Anglers do best when casting and retrieving lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow. 03/27 01:01
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels are on the rise this week. Anglers are having to search as fish are scattering with the rise in water levels. Water temperature dropped back to the low 40's. Live bait and a slower presentation have been key to enticing the early bite. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Water level at Lynxville has fallen slightly to 612.9 feet and is expected to stabilize over the next week. Water temp at Lock & Dam 9 in Lynxville is 45 degrees. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Fish the brush piles using light tackle and small plastic baits for spring crappie. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish anglers have been catching a few channel cats this week on crawlers. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: Northern pike fishing will pick up as they finish the spawn. Fish the shallows along weed beds in backwaters. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Sauger - Good: Anglers are catching some nice sized sauger on jigs and minnows below the dam. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Walleye - Good: The bite has picked up. Some sorting of slot-fish but nice fish being caught on live bait in the tailwaters and off tips of wing-dams. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 10 Northeast Yellow Perch - Excellent: Perch are well into the spawn and biting on plastics or live minnows and worms. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels are on the rise this week. Anglers are having to search as fish are scattering with the rise in water levels. Water temperature dropped back to the low 40's. Live bait and a slower presentation have been key to enticing the early bite. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Walleye - Good: The bite has picked up. Some sorting of slot-fish but nice fish being caught on live bait in the tailwaters and off tips of wing-dams. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Water level at Guttenberg has fallen to 4.4 feet and is expected to remain stable over the next week. Water temperature dropped to 42 degrees. Tailwater fishing at the Lock & Dam has been mixed results with the colder temps. The dock is now in at the Guttenberg ramp. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Yellow Perch - Good: Perch are biting on plastics or live minnows and worms. Fish from shore at the Guttenberg boat ramp. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Fish the brush piles using light tackle and small plastic baits for spring crappie. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish anglers have been catching a few channel cats this week on crawlers. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: Northern pike fishing will pick up as they finish the spawn. Fish the shallows along weed beds in backwa 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 11 Northeast Sauger - Good: Sauger are biting on a jig and minnow, however a lot of sorting is happening. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Angling has been concentrating in the tailwaters for walleyes and sauger but every week more species are being reported. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast The river is steady at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 4.6 feet and 7.3 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature has dropped and is around 43 degrees, and the water clarity is good. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Northern Pike - Slow: Low water is making them a tad more difficult to find as places they normally spawn at are dry. Some reports of post spawned fish are coming in, but spawning season for Pike is probably not quite over with yet. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Sauger - Fair: Most anglers are using a jig and minnow or one eye rig. Fishing has been good at times this spring for many anglers with many small fish and an occasional keeper being caught. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Yellow Perch - Good: A few good reports continue on yellow perch being taken both in the tailwater and in backwater lakes. Most anglers are using simple worm rigs. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: A few Black Crappie are being caught on wood in deeper backwater lakes. 03/21 11:27
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Angling has been concentrating in the tailwaters for walleyes and sauger but every week more species are being reported. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast The river is rising at Dubuque with the level at Lock and Dam 11 near 4.9 feet and 7.4 feet at the RR bridge. Water temperature has dropped and is around 44 degrees, and the water clarity is good. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Sauger - Fair: Most anglers are using a jig and minnow or one eye rig. Fishing has been good at times this spring for many anglers with many small fish and an occasional keeper being caught. Lots of small sauger and walleye being caught. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Northern Pike - Slow: Low water is making them a tad more difficult to find as places they normally spawn at are dry. Some reports of post spawned fish are coming in, but spawning season for Pike is probably not quite over with yet. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Yellow Perch - Good: A few good reports continue on yellow perch being taken both in the tailwater and in backwater lakes. Most anglers are using simple worm rigs. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 12 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: A few Black Crappie are being caught on wood in deeper backwater lakes. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Angling has been concentrating in the tailwaters for walleyes and sauger but every week more species are being reported. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast The water level in Pool 13 is steady near 4.4 feet at Bellevue. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 44 degrees. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Some catfish are being caught. Seems early but anglers who are targeting them can have good catches. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: We think most pike have spawned but with the goofy weather some may still be in spawning mode. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Paddlefish - Fair: Paddlefish are a bit spread out at times but anglers seem to be able to catch some. Rules can be a bit confusing for paddlefish snagging so please review them if you are unsure. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Rainbow Trout - Excellent: The kids trout pond north of the DNR fisheries station is now stocked with trout and can provide fun action for your kids throughout the winter. If you plan to keep trout please limit yourself to 2 trout per child so we can keep good fishing in the pond throughout the winter. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Walleye - Fair: Most anglers are catching small saugers with an occasional keeper mixed in. Anglers are largely using a jig and minnow rig. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: Some reports of yellow perch being caught on worm rigs in the backwater lakes. The bite is good at times but schooling perch can move around at times. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Find wood structure in deeper backwater areas. 03/21 11:33
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Angling has been concentrating in the tailwaters for walleyes and sauger but every week more species are being reported. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Rainbow Trout - Excellent: The kids trout pond north of the DNR fisheries station is now stocked with trout and can provide fun action for your kids throughout the winter. If you plan to keep trout please limit yourself to 2 trout per child so we can keep good fishing in the pond throughout the winter. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast The water level in Pool 13 is rising near 4.8 feet at Bellevue. Water clarity is good, and the water temperature is around 45 degrees. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Some catfish are being caught. Seems early but anglers who are targeting them can have good catches. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Walleye - Fair: Most anglers are catching small saugers with an occasional keeper mixed in. Most folks are using a jig and minnow rig. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Paddlefish - Fair: Paddlefish are a bit spread out at times but anglers seem to be able to catch some. Rules can be a bit confusing for paddlefish snagging so please review them if you are unsure. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: We think most pike have spawned but with the goofy weather some may still be in spawning mode. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: Some reports of yellow perch being caught on worm rigs in the backwater lakes. The bite of nice perch may be over for a bit? 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 13 Northeast Black Crappie - Fair: Find wood structure in deeper backwater areas. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Angling has been concentrating in the tailwaters for walleyes and sauger but every week more species are being reported. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Some catfish are being caught. Seems early but anglers who are targeting them can have good catches. Try cheese baits or cut shad for bait. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Paddlefish - Fair: Paddlefish season is underway but the rules can be a bit confusing for paddlefish snagging. Please review them before you attempt this activity. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Several other species such as smallmouth bass, pike are biting along deeper rock areas. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast The water level is steady at Fulton, and it is near 4.5 feet, 9.3 feet at Camanche and 4.3 feet at LeClair. Temperature is around 44 degrees. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Walleye - Fair: Most anglers are catching small saugers with an occasional keeper mixed in. Anglers are largely using a jig and minnow rig. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Angling has been concentrating in the tailwaters for walleyes and sauger but every week more species are being reported. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast The water level is rising at Fulton, and it is near 4.7 feet, 9.4 feet at Camanche and 4.4 feet at LeClair. Temperature is around 45 degrees. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Walleye - Fair: Most anglers are catching small saugers with an occasional keeper mixed in. Anglers are largely using a jig and minnow rig. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Channel Catfish - Good: Some catfish are being caught. Seems early but anglers who are targeting them can have good catches. Try cheese baits or cut shad for bait. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Paddlefish - Fair: Paddlefish season is underway but the rules can be a bit confusing for paddlefish snagging. Please review them before you attempt this activity. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 14 Northeast Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Several other species such as smallmouth bass, pike are biting along deeper rock areas. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Angling has been concentrating in the tailwaters for walleyes and sauger but every week more species are being reported. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast The water level at Rock Island is steady and near 4.7 feet. Water clarity is good and water temperature is 44 degrees. 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Sauger - No Report: 03/21 11:25
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Angling has been concentrating in the tailwaters for walleyes and sauger but every week more species are being reported. If you have angling questions, please call Bellevue Fisheries Management at 563-880-8781. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast The water level at Rock Island is rising and near 4.8 feet. Water clarity is good and water temperature is 45 degrees. 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 15 Northeast Sauger - No Report: 03/25 01:00
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Upper Mississippi River levels are on the rise this week. Anglers are having to search as fish are scattering with the rise in water levels. Water temperature dropped back to the low 40's. Live bait and a slower presentation have been key to enticing the early bite. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Water level at Lansing has risen to 8.3 feet and is expected to stabilize over the next week. Water temperature is 38 degrees. The docks are in at New Albin Landing. Use caution to not back into the scour hole off the end of the ramp. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Yellow Perch - Fair: Perch are biting on plastics or live minnows and worms. Fish Shore Slough, Lansing marina or Village Creek area. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Black Crappie - Good: Fish the brush piles using light tackle and small plastic baits for spring crappie. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Channel Catfish - Fair: Catfish anglers have been catching a few channel cats this week on crawlers. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Northern Pike - Fair: Northern pike fishing will pick up as they finish the spawn. Fish the shallows along weed beds in backwater lakes. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Sauger - Good: Fish the tailwaters or off tips of deeper wing-dams with hair jigs tipped with a minnow. 03/28 09:53
Mississippi River Pool 9 Northeast Walleye - Fair: Fish the tailwaters or off tips of deeper wing-dams with hair jigs tipped with a minnow. 03/28 09:53
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Northeast Angling has been fair to good on the interior rivers with the up and down weather pattern. There have been no reports on the surrounding area lakes. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and stocking season will begin this coming Monday, April 1st. For further information contact your local bait shops for the most recent information. 03/27 01:01
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Northeast There have been no reports on the Shell Rock River but walleyes should be on the bite before the spring spawn. 03/27 01:01
Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Northeast Walleye - No Report: Anglers do best when casting and retrieving lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow. 03/27 01:01
Volga Lake Northeast Chance of rain through weekend. Temperatures variable with highs upper 50's to lows in 20's and breezy. For more information, please contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324. 03/25 08:53
Volga Lake Northeast Fish activity slowed with cooler water temperatures. 03/25 08:57
Volga Lake Northeast Bluegill - Slow: 03/25 08:57
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) Northeast Angling has been fair to good on the interior rivers with the up and down weather pattern. There have been no reports on the surrounding area lakes. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and stocking season will begin this coming Monday, April 1st. For further information contact your local bait shops for the most recent information. 03/27 01:01
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) Northeast There have been a few reports on the Wapsipinicon River of anglers catching smallmouth bass and walleyes should be on the bite before the spring spawn. 03/27 01:01
Wapsi River (Tripoli to Troy Mills) Northeast Walleye - No Report: Anglers do best when casting and retrieving lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow. 03/27 01:01
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Iowa Fishing Report

Fishing Report System
This system allows you to view the current full fishing report, updated in real time! Search the report by location, specific fish, conditions or by water body.

January 2024 Fishing Report - 2024 fishing season preview and ice fishing safety

February 2024 Fishing Report - Gary Siegworth joins us to share highlights of his fisheries career with Iowa DNR, plus trout stockings and local events

March 2024 Fishing Report - we have our own March Madness fun with Iowa's Sweet 16 most fished for species bracket, plus an early spring fishing preview and tips