Looking for a challenge? Try catching one of these Iowa fish that are ready to battle.
Smallmouth bass - this aggressive, scrappy-fighting, aerial acrobat is the hardest fighting freshwater fish (pound per pound); found in free-flowing sections of streams and rivers, many anglers need to travel only a short distance for a chance to fish for this fierce fighter.
Bluegill – ounce to ounce, these quick to bite, slab-sided sunfish are the strongest fighters; they may be small, but they are mighty; they often turn sidewise when you hook them so you are pulling them in with their greatest surface area trying to come sideways through the water.
Flathead Catfish – these "big-water" fish grow to enormous size and put up a powerful fight; you are usually fighting the fish along with the current in a river.
Hybrid striped bass (wiper) –a cross between a female striped bass and male white bass, they can attain weights over twenty pounds; these strong swimmers are explosive fighters when hooked.
White bass - these fast growing predators are incredible fighters; they are aggressive strong swimmers abundant throughout the Mississippi River and in the lower reaches of its main tributary streams.
Common Carp – these large minnows often weigh up to 50 pounds or more and put up a long, strong fight when hooked; you are usually fighting the fish along with the current.
Find tips for catching these champion fighters on our How to Fish For website. Sign up for the Iowa DNR weekly fishing report to find out what’s biting where.