Fishing in Iowa: Top Spots for Angling in the Hawkeye State

Iowa has two major rivers, the Mississippi and Missouri, running through its confines and is also home to numerous lakes, streams, and ponds that create some epic fishing conditions.

Whether you're trawling for bass or trout, catfish or walleye, here are four top spots to fish in Iowa.

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1. Trout streams of northeast Iowa
For excellent trout fishing, it is hard to beat the northeast corner of the state, which is home to hundreds of miles of trout streams, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, which manages fishing in the state.

"Iowa boasts some of the most beautiful and plentiful trout streams in the Upper Midwest. … Some are easily accessible in state or county parks, and others are located in some of Iowa's most wild and remote natural spaces. Iowa trout streams offer rainbow, brown and brook trout, both naturally reproducing and stocked," the Iowa DNR website reports.

2. Mississippi River
Fishing the Mississippi River, which forms Iowa's eastern border with Illinois, is one of the best all-over angling adventures in Iowa. "(The) river is nationally known for backwater fishing of bass, catfish, panfish, pike and walleye. It is the best fishery in Iowa for abundance and diversity of fish species. Dozens of access points are available for boaters and anglers," says the DNR website.

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3. Missouri River
On the western edge of Iowa, the Missouri River is another top fishing spot, especially if you're hoping to hook a potentially record-setting catfish or sauger. "The southern part of the river is one of the only places in Iowa to catch blue catfish," according to the DNR.

4. Lake Sugema
Iowa is home to hundreds of lakes that are managed by the DNR and offer excellent fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages and skill sets. One excellent choice is Lake Sugema, which is well stocked with largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and saugeye.

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