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A 2024 electrofishing survey yielded low catch rates of bluegill, bass, and channel catfish. The channel catfish were large, but only one bass over 11-inches was observed. Of the 9 bluegill sampled, only 2 were above 7 inches. White water lily has grown to nuisance levels and prevented us to sample along the shoreline where it is appropriate to sample, therefore, this data may not represent fully what is in the pond. Lilies were sprayed in August to knock them back to appropriate levels.(2024)
In nearly all cases, Iowa fish are safe to eat. Cleaning and/or preparing the meal causes most of the problems regarding taste or color of fish. Like all living creatures, fish are susceptible to diseases, parasites, and other naturally occurring conditions in the water. If you suspect your fish is affected by any of these conditions, do not eat it. Consider eating smaller and younger fish which usually have lower levels of contaminants than larger ones. Most contaminants accumulate in larger, older fish. For additional information, check out our resources for eating and cooking Iowa caught fish.
To learn more about fish tissue monitoring, visit our Fish Tissue Monitoring page .