Public hunting & fishing · No lotteries
Your next hunt. Your next fishing spot.
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.
Public land & waterNo lottery
IA · Benton County · 3.5 miles Northwest of Vinton · Fishing
Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie
Plan ordinary recreational fishing at Rodgers Park 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.
Source checked 2026-10-07. Agency entry or reservation; no Back40 booking fee.
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.
Source checked 2026-10-07. Agency entry or reservation; no Back40 booking fee.
Public land & waterNo lottery
IA · Buena Vista County · south edge of Storm Lake · Fishing
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.
Source checked 2026-10-07. Agency entry or reservation; no Back40 booking fee.
Public land & waterNo lottery
IA · Carroll County · 3 miles southeast of Carroll · Fishing
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.
Source checked 2026-10-07. Agency entry or reservation; no Back40 booking fee.
Private land · Public accessNo lottery
IA · Bremer County · Waverly · Fishing
Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish
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.
Source checked 2026-10-07. Agency entry or reservation; no Back40 booking fee.
Public land & waterNo lottery
IA · Black Hawk County · south side of Viking Road behind the Target Distribution Center · Fishing
Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie
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.
Source checked 2026-10-07. Agency entry or reservation; no Back40 booking fee.
Public land & waterNo lottery
IA · Allamakee County · Located on the south end of Waukon in Waukon City Park. · Fishing
Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Channel Catfish
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.
