Please contact the local fisheries management biologist for current information.
Pickeral Lake has recently turned into a good walleye and yellow perch fishing lake following a drawdown conducted in 2020/2021. Anglers experienced good catch rates for yellow perch and walleye in the fall and winter of 2025. Spring of 2026 offered consistent walleye fishing with the occasional large perch. The fishery is fairly young with the larger walleye running about 15 inches. There are several year classes of yellow perch, with some jumbo perch (12 to 14 inches) available. The lake is shallow and the water is clear so be prepared to contend with aquatic vegetation while fishing late spring and summer, but fish can still be caught amongst the vegetation. - Last updated on 06/24/2026.
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 .
The summaries listed below are a partial listing provided for your benefit. Familiarize yourself with the complete Fishing Regulations here: Iowa DNR Fishing Regulations and Laws.