The Iowa Sportsman Podcast

June 12th Iowa Hunting & Fishing Report

The June 12 episode of the Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report features host Aaron with guest Shawn from Manson Lumber Bait and Tackle, focusing on current fishing conditions across Iowa and an instructional archery segment.
Aaron opens with a rundown of regional fishing reports, emphasizing that many rivers remain high and muddy following recent heavy rains, particularly on the eastern side of the state. A report from Oakland Bait and Tackle notes very strong catfish action on stink bait and dip baits, with expectations that the bite will transition toward live and cut bait as water levels fall and clarity improves. From Clark’s in Central City, Aaron relays that the river bite is slower due to high, dirty water, but ponds and lakes are producing well. Anglers targeting these waters are finding panfish, bass, and walleye, provided they are willing to move and search.
The episode then shifts into an archery how-to segment. Aaron explains that after deer and turkey seasons, bows often drift out of tune, making it important to recheck paper tune before serious practice or hunting preparation. He demonstrates shooting through paper to confirm straight arrow flight, showing the difference between a clean tear that indicates a well-tuned setup and a slightly tail-right tear that suggests minor tuning issues. From there, he walks through sighting in using the “chase your arrow” principle: moving the sight in the same direction as the miss—left, right, up, or down—to bring groups back to center. He stresses that significant timing or tuning problems should be handled by a professional bow technician, while sight adjustments are straightforward for most shooters.
Returning to the fishing discussion, Shawn details what anglers can expect from his local waters. He reports excellent walleye action on Brushy Creek, steady crappie and muskie fishing on Twin Lakes following extensive carp removal, and a revitalized walleye bite on Storm Lake. Kennedy (Badger) Lake is highlighted as a strong crappie option and an especially good choice for taking kids fishing.
The episode closes with Aaron thanking Shawn for his local insight and announcing three giveaway winners, whose prizes will be shipped after social media follow-up.
 
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June 5th Iowa Hunting & Fishing Report

The June 5 edition of the Iowa Hunting and Fish Report opens with an announcement that it is free fishing weekend in Iowa, running June 5–7. The host encourages listeners to take advantage of the opportunity to fish without a license, emphasizing time with family and friends, outdoor recreation, and the social aspect of fishing, even when the bite is slow.
The report begins in southern Iowa with an update from Brownies Bait Breakfast and Beer near Rathbun. Walleye are reported to be biting well, and the crappie spawn is nearing its end, with roughly a third of the spawn still to go. Rathbun is highlighted as a destination for large crappie and strong fishing overall. Wipers are also active, described as exceptionally hard-fighting fish and a top choice for anglers seeking a powerful battle. They are currently taking minnows and green night crawlers, and the bait shop is positioned as a resource for gear, bait, and local guidance.
Shifting east, the report features Max in Dubuque, where catfish are biting along the rocks on the big river and are recommended as both a fun and forgiving target for novice anglers. Walleye are reported to be biting near the dam, with a boat preferred but not strictly necessary for success, as shore fishing remains an option.
Further north, Stan’s Bait Shop in Milford provides an Iowa Great Lakes update, with crappie and bluegill biting and a solid evening walleye bite. Anglers are reminded to observe walleye slot limits. The Little Sioux Bait Shop in Lynn Grove reports good action on northern pike, walleye, and catfish, with specific bait recommendations including minnows, leeches, chubs, and worms.
The host stresses the importance of supporting local bait shops for their expertise and community value. The episode also announces apron and ThunderCap giveaway winners and outlines the next apron giveaway, inviting listeners to comment with their favorite fishing knot. The report closes with plans for upcoming video content, guest appearances, and on-the-water segments, along with an invitation for viewers to suggest locations and continue engaging with the report online.
 
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Hunting & Fishing Report May 29th | The Iowa Sportsman Podcast

May 29th Iowa Hunting & Fishing Report

The report provides an overview of late May fishing conditions across several key Iowa lakes and interior rivers, emphasizing strong multi-species action and early summer transitions. Warmer weather is beginning to push some species deeper, particularly walleye, but overall fishing remains productive statewide.
The host highlights information gathered from four bait shops representing different regions. At Dad’s Bait Shop in Afton, near Twelve Mile and Three Mile lakes in the Afton–Creston area, anglers are finding perch, walleye, bluegill, and crappie on minnows, leeches, and jigs at Twelve Mile. Three Mile Lake is producing walleye, crappie, wiper, bass, and notably blue catfish on medium minnows. The presence of blue cats is attributed to targeted DNR stocking in select interior lakes, with some fish approaching 30 inches and offering aggressive strikes and strong fights, making them a standout opportunity away from the big border rivers.
Woods Sporting Goods in Council Bluffs reports solid bass activity on minnows and lures at Lake Manawa. Catfish are biting both in the nearby big river and within Manawa itself, where nightcrawlers are effective. Bing’s Bait in Boone notes that catfish, panfish, perch, crappie, and sunfish are all biting well, while walleye activity has slowed somewhat with the warming trend, potentially shifting to deeper structure or more pronounced night bites. Snapper City Bait in Adel (referred to as Adolissa) reports good crappie action on area lakes and strong catfish activity in the rivers.
Interior rivers such as the Des Moines, Cedar, Boone, and Iowa are stabilizing and clearing with a break from heavy rains, improving the catfish bite. Recommended tactics include live bait such as green sunfish and bullheads for flatheads, with pectoral fins trimmed, and a wide range of baits for channel cats. Blue catfish respond well to cut bait and live bait in lakes where they are stocked.
Throughout the report, local bait shops are credited as knowledgeable resources that track real-time conditions and patterns across Iowa’s lakes and rivers.
 
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Hunting & Fishing Report May 29th | The Iowa Sportsman Podcast

May 22nd - Iowa Hunting & Fishing Report

The May 22nd “Iowa Hunting & Fishing Report” provides a seasonal update focused on late May 22nd conditions, fishing opportunities across the state, and a brief personal note on hunting dogs. The host opens by highlighting favorable weather for both fishing and habitat work. With rain largely out of the forecast and a long Memorial Day weekend approaching, landowners are encouraged to finalize food plots, while anglers are advised that conditions are ideal to spend extended time on the water. The host also pauses to recognize Memorial Day as a time to honor fallen service members and spend time with family. 
A short recap follows of recent food plot work, including getting three plots planted before a sudden Iowa thunderstorm turned roads into deep mud, leading to a difficult and messy exit and extensive cleanup. Despite the challenges, the planting was largely successful and provided useful footage for future content.
The fishing report centers on strong crappie and walleye action. Reports from Casey’s Bait and Tackle in Des Moines indicate excellent crappie fishing on live bait and jigs, with catfish also available though rivers are currently high and muddy and will need a few days to settle. Clear Lake Bait and Tackle in Clear Lake notes that docks are in and crappie fishing is very productive, with the lake offering additional recreational opportunities over the holiday weekend. Hank’s Live Bait and Tackle in Waterloo confirms an outstanding crappie bite on a combination of minnows and jigs, along with eater-sized walleye on nightcrawlers. At Brushy Creek, eater-sized walleye in the 14–17 inch range are being caught in 10–20 feet of water, particularly near shore in the evenings, with a consistent leech bite and occasional trophy fish.
The host also introduces Lou, a ten-week-old Small Munsterlander, describing the breed as an affectionate, versatile hunting dog suited for tracking wounded game, upland birds, and waterfowl, and noting that Lou is expected to appear in future hunting content.
 
Listen to the Previous Hunting and Fishing Reports below!
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Hunting & Fishing Report May 8 | The Iowa Sportsman Podcast

The Iowa Hunting & Fishing Report May 15th

The Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report for May 15th provides updates on current fishing conditions across Iowa, highlights popular species and locations, and encourages outdoor participation. It also includes announcements about giveaways and promotes local bait and tackle shops.
Fishing Conditions and Locations
Crappie fishing is strong statewide, especially in smaller lakes and rivers.
Trout fishing is excellent in the Driftless region and northeast Iowa due to clear, stable water.
Lake Manawa offers good crappie fishing; walleye are deeper and better caught at night.
Bettendorf area reports improving walleye bite and increasing catfish activity.
Lost Grove Lake produces bass weighing 1.5 to 3 pounds.
Eastern Iowa lakes like Pleasant Creek and Lake McBride have good multi-species and panfish action.
Cedar River water clarity has improved, boosting walleye, smallmouth, and catfish catches.
Additional Notes
The turkey hunting season is ending soon; hunters are encouraged to get out and share videos.
Upcoming videos will cover food plot planting for hunting season.
Local family-owned outdoor stores are recommended for supplies and advice.
Giveaways
Recent winners of Iowa Sportsman gear announced.
New giveaway: Tatula LT2500 spinning reel for Facebook followers and YouTube subscribers.

Hunting & Fishing Report May 8

The episode features an in-depth fishing and outdoor report for early May across key destinations in Iowa, delivered from the perspective of an active angler who has been on the water. The conversation begins with a recap of the Iowa Walleye Opener on the Iowa Great Lakes, with particular focus on Spirit Lake. Listeners hear how nighttime proved most productive, with solid numbers of walleye and smallmouth bass coming on jigs and shad-imitating crankbaits. While not described as an all-out frenzy, the bite is characterized as consistently good, especially after dark.
The report then shifts to Black Hawk Lake near Lake View, where conditions were more challenging due to a strong north wind. The episode notes an abundance of smaller walleyes in the 10- to 12-inch range, with a few keepers mixed in. Tactics there centered on jigs tipped with leeches or crawlers and some crankbait trolling. Brushy Creek Lake, between Fort Dodge and Webster City, is highlighted as a trophy walleye opportunity, with recent catches including fish in the mid-20-inch range and larger. The host emphasizes that Brushy can be a tough lake to pattern but rewards persistence.
Looking ahead, the episode outlines plans to head south to the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers, including a nostalgic stop at the Redfield dam, a longtime personal favorite fishing spot. Additional destinations mentioned include 12 Mile and 3 Mile lakes in Union County, as well as Clear Lake and stretches of the Des Moines River further east, where multi-species action on walleye, sturgeon, catfish, smallmouth bass, and other gamefish is reportedly picking up as river levels stabilize. Safety on moving water is stressed, along with alternative access options such as river barges for those without boats.
The episode closes with a short preview of upcoming food plot work in Madison and Adair Counties and a timely reminder about getting youth and families involved in turkey hunting to help sustain the tradition for future generations.

May 1st Hunting and Fishing Report

In this inaugural episode of the Iowa Hunting and Fishing Report, host Aaron McKinney introduces a new weekly series presented by the Iowa Sportsman Magazine, focused on real-time field reports rather than secondhand information. He explains that each episode will highlight current conditions and productive locations across Iowa for both anglers and hunters.
Aaron begins with the Des Moines River, calling it one of the best current options for fishing. He shares that recent trips have produced a mixed bag of walleye, smallmouth bass, pike, white bass, and hybrids moving upriver to spawn. While the walleye spawn is largely over and the bite is now post-spawn, he notes that many interior rivers across the state are fishing very well. Because water temperatures range from the upper 40s to around 60 degrees, he emphasizes the importance of a slower presentation and recommends plastics, often tipped with minnows or Blue Creek chubs, for consistent success. He also mentions strong catfish action and describes a productive outing at the Humboldt dam where nearly every species was biting.
Shifting to lakes, Aaron reports that Brushy Creek Lake east of Fort Dodge is just starting to pick up, with a strong reputation for big fish, especially walleye that typically respond to leeches. He encourages anglers to fish it repeatedly rather than giving up after one trip. He then highlights Black Hawk Lake, where both walleye and crappie are biting well, and where shore anglers have excellent access along manicured shorelines.
Aaron previews the Iowa Great Lakes walleye opener on May 2, describing it as a major social and fishing event that draws anglers from in and out of state. With water temperatures near 60 degrees and a favorable forecast, he suggests techniques like pulling crankbaits or jigging with minnows or leeches. He also notes the tagged walleye promotion on Spirit Lake, which offers substantial cash prizes.
Beyond fishing, Aaron touches on northeast Iowa trout fishing, current turkey season strategies—including youth opportunities, cautious calling, and bowhunting from blinds—and warns about severe tick activity and Lyme disease risks. He closes with an update on morel mushroom hunting, which remains good thanks to cool, moist conditions, and promises future episodes with follow-ups from the walleye opener and other trips across Iowa.