Iowa fishing seasons

17 species profiles in our database list Iowa waters among their fisheries — including White Bass, Sauger, Shortnose Gar, Common Carp. Below: what's in season month by month, where to fish, and the licence source you need. Seasons shift year to year; the official agency has the final word.

Best months to fish in Iowa

Months when the largest share of Iowa's profiled species are in season, from our database. Full calendar: What's Biting.

Iowa fishing calendar, month by month

Each month links to the species in season then, from our season windows. A month is charted when at least 3 species are in season.

Freshwater species in Iowa

Species	Season
American Paddlefish	Varies by watershed and local regulation
Blue Catfish	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Brown Trout	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Channel Catfish	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Common Carp	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Emerald Shiner	Varies by watershed and local regulation
Freshwater Drum	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Gizzard Shad	Varies by watershed and local regulation
Goldeye	Varies by watershed and local regulation
Hornyhead Chub	Varies by watershed and local regulation
Iowa Darter	Often most active in warm months; check local rules
Mooneye	Varies by watershed and local regulation
Quillback	Varies by watershed and local regulation
Sauger	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Shortnose Gar	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Skipjack Herring	Varies by watershed and local regulation
White Bass	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov

Fishing in the Midwest

Ohio · Michigan · Indiana · Illinois · Wisconsin · Minnesota · Missouri · Kansas · Nebraska · South Dakota · North Dakota