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The fishery has rebounded from a summer 2022 fish kill event. No fish were re-stocked, but during a 2024 electrofishing survey, largemouth bass, bluegill, and channel catfish were all observed. Bluegill catch rates were high and size structure was low, with no fish larger than 7 inches. Bass catch rates were low, but 33% of the bass sampled were over 15 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 .