Find named public hunting areas, lakes, ponds and fishing access with ordinary-license or directly purchased entry. Explore official maps, permits and local restrictions before you go.
417 hunting areas901 fishing opportunities50 states represented
30 reviewed official opportunities in this selection · Showing 25–30
Public land & waterNo lottery
IA · Black Hawk County · Located off of Viking Rd., Cedar falls, Ia. · Fishing
Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie
Plan ordinary recreational fishing at South Prairie Lake using the agency's named-water access information.
22 agency-reported acres
Open access · Check seasons and closures
Licenses, access and what to check
Carry an Iowa fishing license unless exempt; buy ordinary recreational fishing licenses directly. Follow the waterbody-specific rules in the agency record.
Check the official page for current hours, closures, fish size and bag limits, boating restrictions and access conditions. Public fishing does not reserve a shoreline or guarantee a catch. Motor rules differ by lake.
Why this is included: The agency identifies this named water for ordinary public recreational fishing. The cited rules use a directly purchased fishing license or lake permit, rather than a draw, for the listed fish. This classification excludes special events and camping reservations.
Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Walleye, Yellow Perch
Plan ordinary recreational fishing at Storm Lake (incl Little Storm Lake) using the agency's named-water access information.
3,097 agency-reported acres
Open access · Check seasons and closures
Licenses, access and what to check
Carry an Iowa fishing license unless exempt; buy ordinary recreational fishing licenses directly. Follow the waterbody-specific rules in the agency record.
Check the official page for current hours, closures, fish size and bag limits, boating restrictions and access conditions. Public fishing does not reserve a shoreline or guarantee a catch. Motor rules differ by lake.
Why this is included: The agency identifies this named water for ordinary public recreational fishing. The cited rules use a directly purchased fishing license or lake permit, rather than a draw, for the listed fish. This classification excludes special events and camping reservations.
Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie
Plan ordinary recreational fishing at Swan Lake using the agency's named-water access information.
120 agency-reported acres
Open access · Check seasons and closures
Licenses, access and what to check
Carry an Iowa fishing license unless exempt; buy ordinary recreational fishing licenses directly. Follow the waterbody-specific rules in the agency record.
Check the official page for current hours, closures, fish size and bag limits, boating restrictions and access conditions. Public fishing does not reserve a shoreline or guarantee a catch. Motor rules differ by lake.
Why this is included: The agency identifies this named water for ordinary public recreational fishing. The cited rules use a directly purchased fishing license or lake permit, rather than a draw, for the listed fish. This classification excludes special events and camping reservations.
Plan ordinary recreational fishing at Three Rivers Pond using the agency's named-water access information.
5 agency-reported acres
Open access · Check seasons and closures
Licenses, access and what to check
Carry an Iowa fishing license unless exempt; buy ordinary recreational fishing licenses directly. Follow the waterbody-specific rules in the agency record.
Iowa DNR explicitly identifies the pond as open to public fishing and asks anglers to respect private property. Good shoreline access; there is no boat ramp. Stay within the designated fishing access and check current conditions.
Why this is included: The agency identifies this named water for ordinary public recreational fishing. The cited rules use a directly purchased fishing license or lake permit, rather than a draw, for the listed fish. This classification excludes special events and camping reservations.
Plan ordinary recreational fishing at Viking Road North using the agency's named-water access information.
4.8 agency-reported acres
Open access · Check seasons and closures
Licenses, access and what to check
Carry an Iowa fishing license unless exempt; buy ordinary recreational fishing licenses directly. Follow the waterbody-specific rules in the agency record.
Check the official page for current hours, closures, fish size and bag limits, boating restrictions and access conditions. Public fishing does not reserve a shoreline or guarantee a catch. Motor rules differ by lake.
Why this is included: The agency identifies this named water for ordinary public recreational fishing. The cited rules use a directly purchased fishing license or lake permit, rather than a draw, for the listed fish. This classification excludes special events and camping reservations.
Plan ordinary recreational fishing at Waukon Pond using the agency's named-water access information.
3 agency-reported acres
Open access · Check seasons and closures
Licenses, access and what to check
Carry an Iowa fishing license unless exempt; buy ordinary recreational fishing licenses directly. Follow the waterbody-specific rules in the agency record.
Check the official page for current hours, closures, fish size and bag limits, boating restrictions and access conditions. Public fishing does not reserve a shoreline or guarantee a catch. Motor rules differ by lake.
Why this is included: The agency identifies this named water for ordinary public recreational fishing. The cited rules use a directly purchased fishing license or lake permit, rather than a draw, for the listed fish. This classification excludes special events and camping reservations.
Source checked 2026-10-07. Agency entry or reservation; no Back40 booking fee.
What “no lottery” means. It applies to the species and access described, not every hunt on that property. Seasons, licenses, check-in, closures and capacity still apply. Public access does not reserve an exclusive spot. Check the agency’s current rules before travel. Back40 does not sell public-land access.
How we build this database
We match named agency areas and maps with ordinary-license species rules and area-specific exceptions. Each record has a source-check date. Records requiring an access or species drawing, unresolved access, and reviews older than 90 days stay out of search. This is a trip-planning database, not a live availability feed.
