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Channel catfish anglers will find excellent opportunities for superb angling during the upcoming season and beyond. Currently, good numbers of angler acceptable sized fish are available, with larger catfish not uncommon in the pond. The catfish stocking program will continue to sustain this fishery for the future. (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 .