No matter how packed your schedule is—whether you're a college athlete or a young competitor in soccer, baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, football, or archery—there’s always time to enjoy the thrill of fishing!
Fishing isn’t just relaxing; it’s the perfect way to unplug, connect with family, and recharge outdoors. This spring and summer, grab your gear and get outside—Take the Tackle Along!
Iowa is home to hundreds of local fisheries, many just steps from parks and sports complexes. Adventure is waiting, and your next great catch could be right around the corner.
Go Outdoors Iowa
It’s so easy to buy your fishing license online, or visit local retailers and bait shops to buy your fishing licenses today.
Iowa DNR, Fleet Farm, Berkley and Plano will offer free, family-friendly beginner fishing events at community fishing ponds close to local parks and sports complexes in the Des Metro area. Loaner fishing poles, bait and tackle will be available at our mobile trailer. Fishing experts will be onsite to help you get started or increase your skills and build confidence and knowledge.
Free fishing weekend is a great time to share the fun of fishing with a kid, your family or a friend. Outdoor fun awaits at hundreds of Iowa lakes, thousands of miles of rivers or a neighborhood pond.
Iowa residents can try fishing without buying a license on June 5, 6 and 7 as part of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) free fishing weekend. All other regulations remain in place.
Here's some tips for a fun and safe fishing trip. Have fun and " fish local" today!
List items for Beginner fishing tips
Anyone 16 years and older must have a fishing license to fish Iowa waters. Anglers under the age of 16 may fish Iowa waters without a fishing license and may fish for and keep their own limit of fish, except when fishing for trout they must share their limit with a licensed adult or buy their own trout fee to keep their own limit of trout. Yearly, seven-day, or 24-hour fishing licenses are available.
You don't need much to go fishing. With just a few pieces of basic gear, you'll be reeling in fish and making new memories in no time.
A close-faced reel with a thumb button to release and stop the line is a great choice for beginners.
A small tackle box filled with basic necessities like hooks, bobbers, sinkers, artificial lures, extra fishing line, measuring tape, needlenose pliers and clippers.
Size 6 or 8 hooks are best for panfish.
Bobbers keep bait off the bottom and where the fish are. They go under when you have a bite. Try 1-inch or smaller for panfish.
Nightcrawlers are great for beginners. Thread a piece of worm on a hook for panfish.
Minnows are easy to find at local bait and tackle shops. Keep them in a bucket of water. Thread through the back.
Keep the experience fun and positive with these handy tips:
Bring a basic first aid kit with sterile bandages, tape, antiseptic, band aids, aspirin, scissors, wire cutters, tweezers, analgesic cream, sunscreen, and insect repellant.
A wide brim hat and sunglasses will keep the sun out of your child’s eyes and off his forehead. Avoid fishing in the middle of the day.
Life jackets are strongly recommended for children fishing around deep or fast-moving water. Make sure the life jacket fits your child snugly and won’t ride up around their face.
You can fish any time, but they usually bite best from 30 minutes before sunrise until two or three hours after the sun is up. They get hungry again 30 minutes before sunset and bite well for about an hour or two.
The weekly fishing report is broken down by fisheries regions and management districts – Mississippi River, northeast, northwest, southeast and southwest. You can check the activity of your favorite lake, pond, river and stream within each region, including which species are being caught, a rating of the bite (slow, fair, good or excellent), and simple tips and tricks for targeting those fish.
Get fishing information from our fisheries experts in your inbox every Thursday.
This downloadable document contains information about fishing licenses and fees, seasons and limits, threatened and endangered species, aquatic invasive species, Fisheries Offices contact information, fishing consumption and advisories, fishing ethics, and more.
Every angler should be prepared to release some of their catch. Whether you are practicing catch and release by choice or to comply with regulations, it is necessary to release the fish quickly.
Follow these simple tips to give the fish you release the best chance for survival.
Play the fish quickly Hook and land the fish quickly and handle it as little as possible. The less you handle, touch or hold the fish the better.
Wet your hands The slime on the fish protects it from disease, so be careful not to wipe it off. Wet your hands before handling the fish – this reduces the chances you will remove the slime coating.
Keep the fish in the water It’s best to leave the fish in the water while you unhook it.
Barbless hooks Barbless hooks are easier to remove and reduce the time the fish is out of water. Consider pinching down the barb with needle nose pliers, especially those lures with multiple hooks.
Remove hooks quickly Fish hooked in the mouth almost always survive. Use needle-nose pliers to gently remove the hook from the fish’s mouth. Back the hook out the opposite way it went in.
Cut the line If the fish is hooked deeply, cut the line as close to the fish’s mouth as possible and leave the hook. Research has documented that cutting the line can greatly increase the survival of deeply hooked fish. Most hooks will dissolve or dislodge.
Preserve the memory Have your camera ready to minimize the time the fish is out of the water (no longer than you can hold your breath). Whenever possible, take pictures of the fish while it’s still in the water. Hold the fish horizontally and support large fish with a hand under the belly.
Knot tying is an essential skill for beginning anglers to learn. Try these tips to help get you started.
Browse hundreds of river accesses and county and state managed lake contours, miles of trout streams, over 2,000 fish structures, community fishing ponds, and Mississippi River Lock and Dam locations.
Enhance Your Fishing Experience with Unique Opportunities and Competition
Casting Across Iowa 4-H
The Statewide Fishing Club with Iowa 4-H is an immersive program designed to engage youth across Iowa in grades 4-12. This club focuses on Iowa's aquatic ecosystems, improving fishing techniques, and promoting environmental stewardship.
Whether you’re looking to become a skilled angler or just want to try a new outdoor hobby, this program will enhance your connection to nature and foster a lifelong passion for fishing!
Through hands-on activities, webinars, and tournaments, members gain skills in fishing, fish identification, lure tying, water safety, and more, all while connecting with Iowa’s natural beauty.
Spend a full day outdoors learning to fish, exploring nature and building real skills alongside local experts. Register through 4-H Online. Registration deadline is one week before each event.
May 27, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Lake Belva Deer, Sigourney
June 10, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Swiss Valley Nature Center, Peosta
June 29, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - Lost Island Nature Center, Ruthven
June 30, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. - North Cedar Park, Plainfield
The Iowa Youth Fishing League is a nonprofit organization created with the mission of serving Iowa youth anglers and families interested in pursuing their passion for fishing, tournament angling, and conservation efforts. Exclusive learning or experience events each month provide members and their families the opportunity to explore, grow, and participate through their vast interests of fishing and the outdoors.
Tournament angling (ages 7-18) pursuits will include approximately 10 local tournaments throughout an April to October season, a state championship event to serve as a qualifier for the B.A.S.S. Nation High School National Championship, as well as opportunities in B.A.S.S. Nation Opens. Tournament anglers will learn and practice a multitude of skills related to competitive angling as well as have opportunities to learn from collegiate and professional anglers.
First Fish!
Catch a memory when your favorite young angler hooks their first fish! Get a certificate of accomplishment from the Iowa DNR.
Iowa DNR, Fleet Farm, Berkley and Plano's efforts to increase youth fishing in Iowa is funded in part by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) R3 Grant Program administered through the FishAmerica Foundation. The grant program supports initiatives that keep anglers engaged and active in local communities. Angling enriches lives—bringing people together, connecting us to nature, and passing down traditions from one generation to the next.
