There is a strong year class of 21 to 23 inch walleye. These fish are protected by the slot regulation until 22.1 inches, but should provide fun catch and release fishing. Target the shorelines and rocky points where the wind is blowing in throughout April. Popular (and publicly accessible) shore fishing spots include the east shore from the boat ramp at Sunset Park on north to King’s Pointe, and the north shore from the Chautauqua jetty working westward along the high bank. Into May and early June anglers have better success fishing from boats. Trolling crank baits and slow death rigs are among the most popular methods. Target the dredge cuts (new and old) and troll across the points on the southern part of the lake including, Stoney, Schaller and Cassino. Channel catfish numbers are strong with many of the fish ranging from 2 to 5 pounds. Fish windy shorelines after ice out, target rock piles in June, and drift fish later in the summer. The size structure of the white bass population has improved and anglers can expect to find many white bass over 14 inches. White bass are commonly caught while targeting walleye, but anglers can look for baitfish breaking the surface on calm evenings in the summer and cast into those areas to target white bass. - Last updated on 08/01/2019.
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.