Iowa offers many opportunities for fishing. In fact, there are 31 major natural lakes, over 200 man-made lakes, and over 19000 miles of fishable inland rivers and streams in the state. There are 148 varieties of fish in the waters of Iowa including catfish, herring, minnow, perch, pike, suckers, sunfish, temperate bass, trout, and many more. There are concerns about contaminant levels of certain fish. Therefore, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USDA) analyze the contaminant levels of the fish to ensure safe consumption. As a rule of thumb, the fish caught in Iowa is edible except for fish taken from Cedar Lake in Cedar Rapids, or channel catfish from Ottumwa Lagoons.
In order to fish you need to buy a fishing license (prices can be found at http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/regulations/licenses.html). There is also a special trout fee for fishing or possessing trout with exceptions for children younger than 16-years-of-age with parents who have paid the trout fee. You also need to pay attention to the closed season, which goes from December 1 each year through March 15 the following year. During this season, fishing is not allowed. There are also rules to how many and the length fish you can catch. This varies with type of fish and from different waters. For more specific information go to: http://www.iowadnr.com/fish/index.html
For specific information on what equipment you need to catch a certain fish, please contact your fishing retail store.
Fishing is a great way to go out and enjoy nature, have fun, and to be physically active. If you weigh 130 to 215 lbs, fishing can make you burn 222 to 366 kcal per hour respectively. In addition, if you row a boat to your fishing destination you will burn even more.
Remember, if you are questioning if the activity is right for you, consult with your physician beforehand. In addition, always wear a lifejacket when boating, bring a first aid kit in case of an accident, and never fish during a thunderstorm.