Please contact the local fisheries management biologist for current information.
A June of 2022 electrofishing survey showed that Manteno has decent sized bluegills with fish in the 7 to 8 inch range. This lake also produces good quality largemouth bass fishing at times. The black crappies are 9 to 10-inches. Channel catfish are stocked to round out the fishery. The best fishing is either early in the spring or late in the fall. During the summer aquatic plants makes shore fishing difficult. - Last updated on 02/14/2023.
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 .
The summaries listed below are a partial listing provided for your benefit. Familiarize yourself with the complete Fishing Regulations here: Iowa DNR Fishing Regulations and Laws.