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Bluegill abundance is very high, but size quality is relatively poor. Few bluegills above 7-inches are available to anglers. This is largely due to the negative impacts of yellow bass which are very abundant. Yellow bass rarely exceed 8-inches long. Largemouth bass density is relatively good, but few fish beyond 16-inches are available. Few crappies above 8-inches are available, but density is relatively high.(2017)
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 .