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Beaver Lake is a good option for anglers looking for good crappie and bluegill fishing. Bluegills surveyed in 2024 in fair numbers from 7- to just over 8-inches. Black Crappies were 9- to 11-inches in fair numbers. Largemouth Bass were surveyed in good numbers from 9.5- to 13-inches, with fish up to 15-inches observed. Channel Catfish numbers are not high, but sizes are fair with fish between 15- and 22.5-inches.(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 .