Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 8 fish
Possession Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 30 fish
Length Limit: none
Other: Associated chutes and backwaters of border rivers (Missouri, Big Sioux, and Des Moines) where intermittent or constant flow occur have a catfish combined daily bag of 15 fish. Associated chutes and backwaters of the Mississippi River have no daily bag or possession limit.

Common Carp

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.

Largemouth Bass

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: combined black bass, 3 fish
Possession Limit: combined black bass, 6 fish
Length Limit: 15-inch minimum
Other:

Northern Pike

Season: Continuous
Daily Bag Limit: 3 fish
Possession Limit: 6 fish
Length Limit: none
Other: Associated chutes and backwaters of border rivers where intermittent or constant flow occur have the following limits: Mississippi River-5 fish daily bag, 10 fish possession limit; Missouri River-5 fish daily bag, 10 fish possession limit; Big Sioux River-6 fish daily bag, 12 fish possession limit

Snyder Bend was severely impacted by the Missouri River flooding in 2011. The fishery is dominated by rough fish, including common carp, buffalo, grass carp, silver carp, bighead carp, and gar. The lake was inundated again for a short time in 2019. Channel catfish are stocked on a regular basis in Snyder Bend and the catfish population is quite strong.(2020)

Fish Survey Data

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

Contacts

Kirby Bragg, Conservation Officer; 712-870-2791; kirby.bragg@dnr.iowa.gov
Stacey Bragg, Conservation Officer; 712-301-6735; Stacey.Bragg@dnr.iowa.gov
Steven Griebel, Conservation Officer; 712-301-4009; Steven.Griebel@dnr.iowa.gov
Ben Wallace, Fisheries Biologist; 712-657-2638; Ben.Wallace@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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