blake
Life Member
Northern Iowa Fishing
Fishing in Northern Iowa combines fitness, breath-taking scenery and a nutritious dinner all in one. Rivers, lakes and streams filled with trout, bass, perch and catfish snake across the rolling prairies. Some fishing hot spots require you to canoe or kayak to reach them. For hardcore sport enthusiasts, fishing can be a fresh alternative for catching your breath while still receiving the benefits of exercise.
Ice Fishing
Let ice fishing challenge your stamina during the winter months. From braving single-digit temperatures to surveying the ice for the safest spot, ice fishing tests mental and physical fortitude. According to the 2010 Iowa Fishing Calendar at Game & Fish Magazine Online, "The hottest ice-fishing of the year is often immediately after freeze-up." If you go, wear layered clothing because northern Iowa weather fluctuates between snowy and sunny.
Spring Fishing
During the spring months, grab your sneakers and a fishing rod. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has an interactive map on its web site that lists the top places to fish. Use the map to chart your course and hike around the docks at West Okoboji Lake, climb the rocky shorelines of Clear Lake or kayak around Cedar River. If you plan to stay a few days, some of the fishing spots have camping facilities.
Nutritional Value
Eating fish provides many health benefits to your brain and heart. The American Heart Association recommends eating at least two servings of fish per week. Fish are a good source of protein, B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, which fight cardiovascular disease. Fish is also low in fat and cholesterol. Currently 148 fish species swim in Iowa's waters. Among those species are bass, catfish, trout, perch, and walleye, which are prevalent in Northern Iowa.
Licenses
Iowa residents and nonresidents under 16 years of age do not need a fishing license but may need to pay a trout fee. Iowa residents and nonresidents above 16 years of age will need to purchase a license. Other available licenses for residents and nonresidents are one-day and seven-day licenses. Residents can also buy lifetime fishing licenses. Three-day licenses are only available for nonresidents. Some residents also qualify for a free license; see the Iowa Department of Natural Resources web site.
Tips
In Northern Iowa, you may fish year-round, but certain fish are more dominant during different seasons. As you plan your fishing trip, decide which type of fish you would like to catch before you go. Then find out what kind of bait attracts that fish, what type of habitat that fish likes to live in, and what kind of equipment is best used to catch that fish. Having a game plan before you arrive at your destination will save you hours of fruitless fishing.