39 public waters in the Western Iowa region — 5 lakes/reservoirs and 34 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a Iowa licence.
See every public fishing venue in Iowa on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
De Soto Bend Lake (865 acres) sits in Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties, Iowa, managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (significant public lake). A small Iowa state or county park lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, often with a boat ramp and shoreline fishing access. Managed by the DNR fisheries bureau; many have had aeration or renovation work.
Pottawattamie County, Iowa — Lake Manawa is a 780-acre lake, managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (significant public lake): An Iowa Corps or DNR reservoir (Rathbun, Coralville, Saylorville, Red Rock, Brushy Creek, Big Creek, Lake Icaria, Three Mile Lake, Little River Lake) — Largemouth Bass, a stocked Walleye and Muskellunge fishery, White Bass and hybrid stripers, slab Crappie, Bluegill and channel/Flathead Catfish. Iowa's biggest 'downstate' fishing lakes.
Pottawattamie County, Iowa — Carter Lake is a 321-acre lake, managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (significant public lake): A small Iowa state or county park lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, often with a boat ramp and shoreline fishing access. Managed by the DNR fisheries bureau; many have had aeration or renovation work.
Big Lake, a 48-acre lake in Pottawattamie County, Iowa, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers: Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Arrowhead Lake (Pottawattamie) is a 15-acre lake, managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (significant public lake). A small Iowa state or county park lake — Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Redear Sunfish, Crappie and Channel Catfish, often with a boat ramp and shoreline fishing access. Managed by the DNR fisheries bureau; many have had aeration or renovation work.
The Missouri River along Iowa's western border — a big, powerful, channelised river. Trophy blue and Flathead Catfish, Sauger and Walleye in the wing-dam scour holes, Shovelnose Sturgeon, White Bass, and a spring Paddlefish snagging season.
Crawford, Harrison, Sac and 1 more county in Iowa — Boyer River is a 189 km stream: A western Iowa river (the Little Sioux, Big Sioux, Boyer, Nishnabotna) — channel and Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Carp and Drum in muddy, meandering loess-hills country rivers.
West Nishnabotna River (208 km) flows through Shelby, Pottawattamie, Mills and 3 more counties in Iowa. A western Iowa river (the Little Sioux, Big Sioux, Boyer, Nishnabotna) — channel and Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Carp and Drum in muddy, meandering loess-hills country rivers.
Pottawattamie, Mills, Shelby and 1 more county in Iowa — Keg Creek is a 9 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Silver Creek runs 79 km through Pottawattamie, Shelby and Mills Counties, Iowa: A northeast-Iowa Driftless Area spring creek (French Creek, Bloody Run, Waterloo Creek, Paint Creek, Big Mill Creek) — cold, clear, spring-fed limestone water with wild and stocked brown and Brook Trout, and stocked rainbows in the put-and-take waters. Classic Driftless coulee-country fly fishing, an extension of the same geology as southwest Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota.
Walnut Creek (76 km) flows through Pottawattamie, Montgomery, Fremont and 2 more counties in Iowa. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Mosquito Creek (23 km) flows through Pottawattamie, Shelby and Harrison Counties, Iowa. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Pigeon Creek runs 27 km through Pottawattamie, Harrison and Shelby Counties, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
East Branch West Nishnabotna River (47 km) flows through Shelby, Audubon, Pottawattamie and 1 more county in Iowa. A western Iowa river (the Little Sioux, Big Sioux, Boyer, Nishnabotna) — channel and Flathead Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Walleye, Carp and Drum in muddy, meandering loess-hills country rivers.
Allen Creek runs 36 km through Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Middle Silver Creek runs 31 km through Pottawattamie and Shelby Counties, Iowa: A northeast-Iowa Driftless Area spring creek (French Creek, Bloody Run, Waterloo Creek, Paint Creek, Big Mill Creek) — cold, clear, spring-fed limestone water with wild and stocked brown and Brook Trout, and stocked rainbows in the put-and-take waters. Classic Driftless coulee-country fly fishing, an extension of the same geology as southwest Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota.
In Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Little Silver Creek is a 29 km river or creek. A northeast-Iowa Driftless Area spring creek (French Creek, Bloody Run, Waterloo Creek, Paint Creek, Big Mill Creek) — cold, clear, spring-fed limestone water with wild and stocked brown and Brook Trout, and stocked rainbows in the put-and-take waters. Classic Driftless coulee-country fly fishing, an extension of the same geology as southwest Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota.
Graybill Creek runs 19 km through Pottawattamie County, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Mud Creek runs 22 km through Pottawattamie and Mills Counties, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Jordan Creek is a 20 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Pottawattamie and Mills Counties, Iowa — Farm Creek is a 9 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Pottawattamie and Harrison Counties, Iowa, Honey Creek is a 18 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Crabapple Creek (20 km) flows through Montgomery and Pottawattamie Counties, Iowa. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Potato Creek runs 16 km through Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Mills and Pottawattamie Counties, Iowa — Pony Creek is a 5 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Little Keg Creek is a 11 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Henchal Creek is a 10 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Slocum Creek runs 12 km through Pottawattamie County, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Little Walnut Creek (8 km) flows through Pottawattamie County, Iowa. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Cass and Pottawattamie Counties, Iowa — Baughmans Creek is a 8 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Little Mosquito Creek is a 9 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Cass and Pottawattamie Counties, Iowa, Clarks Branch is a 8 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Ponca Creek is a 2 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Indian Creek Ditch runs 10 km through Pottawattamie County, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Minimum Creek is a 7 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Crescent Creek runs 5 km through Pottawattamie County, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Pottawattamie County, Iowa — Simon Run is a 7 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Pottawattamie County, Iowa, North Pigeon Creek is a 8 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Montgomery, Pottawattamie and Mills Counties, Iowa — Indian Creek is a 20 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Across its mapped waters, Pottawattamie County holds 25 species on PiscaMaps, including Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill, Flathead Catfish, Common Carp, Smallmouth Bass and Black Crappie.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Iowa map Join PiscaMapsOne Iowa DNR fishing licence covers every public water in the state — the resident annual is about $22, the non-resident annual about $48, with non-resident 1-day and 7-day options. A ~$16.50 trout fee is required in addition to the fishing licence to fish for or keep trout in the Driftless Area streams. Iowa residents 65 and older can buy a discounted licence, and anyone under 16 fishes free. Buy at iowadnr.gov.