| Trout streams are in excellent condition. Next weeks forecast calls for temperatures to be in the sixties, there should be good aquatic insect hatches taking place providing for some great trout fishing. |
A special regulation fishery with 14 inch minimum length limit and artificial lures only. Primarily on private land with some state land and some permanent public fishing easement. A fish population assessment completed during 2023 showed a high-density population of resident brown trout is present with fish up to 24 inches, while low-density populations of brook and rainbow trout are present with few fish over 14 inches.(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 .