Iowa anglers fished 10.50 million days in 2018 according to a recent survey conducted by Responsive Management, compared to 8.30 million days in 2007.
A randomly selected group of more than 1,600 licensed anglers were asked how often they go fishing and where, what species they fish for and their opinions on DNR fisheries management efforts.
The Mississippi River was the most popular place to fish, followed by private ponds, the Cedar River, Clear Lake and the Des Moines River. Nearly two-thirds of Iowa anglers fish at lakes, and 59 percent fish on Iowa’s abundant rivers and streams.
More than half of Iowa anglers fish for bass, and nearly three-fourths fish for panfish (bluegill, crappie and perch). Bluegill, walleye, largemouth bass and channel catfish are the single species anglers most often fished for.
Sixty-eight percent of anglers rate fishing in Iowa as excellent or good. Sixty-six percent of anglers rate public access to Iowa’s inland rivers and streams for fishing as excellent or good, compared to 63 percent in 2007. More than half of Iowa anglers rate the fishing opportunities within a few miles of their home as excellent or good.
Seventy-eight percent of Iowa anglers agree that they are getting their money’s worth for fishing license fees.
The complete 2018 Iowa Angler Survey results is available on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/About-DNR/DNR-Staff-Offices/Fisheries-Research. Scroll down to Technology and Data Management; it’s the first link under Completed Projects.