When you go fishing in Iowa you gets into diverse water conditions ranging from flowing rivers to more shallow and deeper lakes. We have the Mississippi River as our eastern border and other reservoirs and streams throughout the state. It take a bit of patience and knowledge of how fish relates underwater to be successful here.
Central to fishing is catfish. It is whiskered bottom feeder that feeds in the muddy bottoms with its whiskers feeling around for food. They offers consistent action for both hardcore angler and the family fisherman looking for something different.
That makes all the difference in how you fish an area. Are you going to throw a specific lure? Will it be live cutbait?
Dough? Are you fishing around mud banks or sitting deep on structure in big lakes? Every kind of catfish and buffalofish are different.
They has their preferences, their habits. Knowing them will make a random cast into a planned strategy. Iowa’s number one fish for recreational anglers is by far the channel catfish.
Top Catfish Species Found in Iowa Waters
1. Channel Catfish
They inhabits almost all the creeks, rivers, and reservoirs throughout the state. When they smells something to eat, they bite hard and fast. They are perfect for new anglers looking for instant results with their gear.
Channel cats is best found in clear to light stained water. They will stays close to structure such as a rocky bottom or a fallen log throughout the day, but venture out into shallow water after dark. Although channel cats aren’t very big in comparison than other species, they fight like a bruiser.
2. Blue Catfish
Blue catfish are some of the biggest river fish in Iowa. Primarily found on the Missouri River and on the Mississippi, these beasts can pushes the limits of human strength and tackle. Blues is not easy to catch and they needs stout tackle as well as time and patience.
They likes to roam around out wide where baitfish gathers. And they like deep water. Once you hook one, it take a lot of work to bring them to boat.
This sport keeps anglers coming back year after year for more. Unlike most other species, blues don’t hold up very well to low oxygen levels. So their position can change drasticly depending off the seasons and the water temperatures.
3. Flathead Catfish
Flathead catfish is stealthy predators throughout Iowa’s waters. These fish hunts primarily by sight rather then smell, unlike many other species. Flathead catfish are opportunistic hunters.
They will pursues live baitfish around heavy cover. Locating a prime spot such as an undercut bank, log jam, etc., is essential when searching for these tough-to-land fish. Because flathead fishing can be so technical, anglers view it as one of the most prized catches.
Flatheads is usually bigger than channels of comparable size within the same body of water. Traditional stink baits do not works well because they prefers live prey.
4. Buffalo Fish
Buffalo are natives of Iowa streams and competes with true catfish for habitat as well as food.
While reeling up your line in muddy water, anglers occasionally mistake a buffalo for a catfish. Knowing their unique body shape and scale pattern can saves you some heartache. As tough-as-nails inhabitants of Iowa streams, buffalo can endures lesser amounts of dissolved oxygen and do their part in keeping water clean by feasting on decaying organic matter.
5. Whiskered Madtom
One of those little guys you don’t usually notice unless you pay close attention is the whiskered madtom. It are a small native fish found in smaller tributary and stream waters instead of main rivers. Madtoms is a sign of good water quality since they needs clean water with lots of oxygen.
The presence of them mean the habitat further upstream is healthy. Unfortunately for sport anglers, they aren’t much of a fighter. But they are closely monitored by conservation folks as indicators of unhealthy water conditions.
Save the little stuff like this and the rest of the river system will works for the big boys. Catfishing is something anyone can do, from beginner to expert, and the diversity of fish sizes and behavior make it interesting year round. For beginners, try learning how to set up tackle while fishing for channels.
To test your observation skills, take on the technical challenge of targeting flatheads. Or if you want some raw power, head out after blues. All three species has unique qualities that mirror whatever body of water you’re exploring.
If we respect their habitat, there will be much for us (and our kids) to enjoy. So next time you’re standing on a bank in Iowa, think about what’s underneath the surface of the water. What’s the depth?
What’s the clarity? What are you hoping to catch and how should that affect the choice of your bait? If you give the fish reason enough they’ll come up and get it eventually.
A big part of fishing around here is knowing what you’ve got under there as much as it is getting one on the end of the line. And that makes even a casual afternoon out more then just fishing, it’s having a connection with the water itself.