Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: combined sunfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, and any hybrids thereof), 30 fish
Possession Limit: combined sunfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, and any hybrids thereof), 30 fish
Length Limit: none
Other:

Channel Catfish

Season: Open from May 3, 2014 through February 15, 2015
Daily Bag Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 8 fish
Possession Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 8 fish
Length Limit: none
Other: When fishing in water in which you are not licensed you must comply with the state having the more restrictive regulations.

Common Carp

Season: Open from sunrise to sunset May 1 through February 15
Daily Bag Limit: none
Possession Limit: unlimited
Length Limit: none
Other: Spearing and archery can be used during this time frame

Freshwater Drum

Season: Open from sunrise to sunset May 1 through February 15
Daily Bag Limit: none
Possession Limit: unlimited
Length Limit: none
Other: Spearing and archery can be used during this time frame

Green Sunfish

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: combined sunfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, and any hybrids thereof), 30 fish
Possession Limit: combined sunfish (bluegill, pumpkinseed, green sunfish, and any hybrids thereof), 30 fish
Length Limit: none
Other:

Largemouth Bass

Season: Open from May 3, 2014 through February 15, 2015
Daily Bag Limit: combined black bass, 6 fish
Possession Limit: combined black bass, 6 fish
Length Limit: 15-inch minimum
Other: When fishing in water in which you are not licensed you must comply with the state having the more restrictive regulations.

Muskellunge

Season: Open from May 21 - November 30
Daily Bag Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish
Possession Limit: combined: muskellunge and tiger muskellunge, 1 fish
Length Limit: 40-inch minimum
Other: The regulations of each state shall be enforced for the water being fished. The closed season and length limit of 40 inches for Iowa. 48 inch length limit and closed season in Minnesota.

Northern Pike

Season: Open from May 3, 2014 through February 15, 2015
Daily Bag Limit: 3 fish
Possession Limit: 3 fish
Length Limit: none
Other: When fishing in water in which you are not licensed you must comply with the state having the more restrictive regulations.

Smallmouth Bass

Season: Open from May 3, 2014 through February 15, 2015
Daily Bag Limit: combined black bass, 6 fish
Possession Limit: combined black bass, 6 fish
Length Limit: 15-inch minimum
Other: When fishing in water in which you are not licensed you must comply with the state having the more restrictive regulations.

Walleye

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: 3 fish
Possession Limit: 3 fish
Length Limit: none
Other: none

White Bass

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: 30 fish
Possession Limit: 30 fish
Length Limit: none
Other:

White Crappie

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: combined black and white crappie, 15 fish
Possession Limit: combined black and white crappie, 15 fish
Length Limit:
Other:

White Sucker

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: none
Possession Limit: unlimited
Length Limit: none
Other: May be taken by hand fishing, by snagging, by spear or by bow and arrow, day or night.

Yellow Bullhead

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: unlimited
Possession Limit: unlimited
Length Limit: none
Other:

Yellow Perch

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: 30 fish
Possession Limit: 30 fish
Length Limit: none
Other:

Walleye angling is open year round on this Iowa- Minnesota border lake. Excellent numbers of angler acceptable sized walleye. Find good numbers of quality (15- to 19-inch) size fish common in the catch. Little Spirit Lake was last stocked in 2017 (320,000 fry) which will add to the fisheries in the next few years. Good number of yellow perch approaching 7 inches is common in the lake and with continued good growth will provide an upswing to the fishery in the next few years. (2016)

Fish Survey Data

Tip: Click the arrow in the lower right corner to view the Fish Survey Data tool in full-screen mode.

Contacts

Daniel Dirks, Conservation Officer; 712-260-1018; Dan.Dirks@dnr.iowa.gov
Mike Hawkins, Fisheries Biologist; 712-336-1840; Michael.Hawkins@dnr.iowa.gov
Blake Mills, Conservation Officer; 712-260-1017; Blake.Mills@dnr.iowa.gov

Iowa-Caught Fish Are Safe to Eat, In Almost All Cases

The vast majority of Iowa’s streams, rivers and lakes offer safe and high-quality fish that pose little or no threat to human health if consumed. Some limitations may apply for young children and pregnant women. Here’s a Fish Consumption Fact Sheet from the Iowa DNR and the Iowa Dept. of Public Health for more information.

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