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A fishery survey in 2024 found Bluegills reaching sizes to 8-inches. Largemouth Bass are very abundant between 9- and 14-inches. Black Crappies were surveyed in low numbers at sizes around 9-inches. Channel Catfish were not targeted in the 2024 survey, but a population is present. Expect the larger catfish to be 20- to 26-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 .