Please contact the local fisheries management biologist for current information.
The water level at Viking Lake was lowered 8 feet during the summer of 2019 to restructure the fish population. The drawdown persisted through 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and had finally filled by spring, 2024. Largemouth bass fishing is one of the best in the area. 28% of the bass sampled in 2024 were over 15 inches and 20+ fish are found in the lake. The drawdown has not had the desired effect on the bluegill population yet as the 2024 fyke net sample yielded no bluegill over 8 inches. The crappie population consists of 9- to 12-inch black and white crappies. Though not many crappies were present in our nets, water temps did not drop like they normally do in the fall and were not contusive to a good panfish sample. Expect good crappie fishing during the spring and summer of 2024. - Last updated on 02/03/2025.
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.