General Information Iowa, the Hawkeye State, is 55,875 square miles located in the midwestern United States, between the upper Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The terrain is primarily rolling prairie with most of the land under agricultural cultivation. Water resources are somewhat limited, but there is still quite a variety of fishing opportunity. Hunters will be in heaven in Iowa, with plenty of midwestern land and species to occupy them year-round. Capital City: Des Moines Largest City: Des Moines National Parks: Effigy Mounds National Monument Herbert Hoover National Historical Site Sport Fishing With natural lakes sprinkled across the northwestern and north-central third of Iowa, and major reservoirs throughout the south-central and southeastern regions, anglers have a wide variety of venues to choose from. Not usually known as a vacation haven for anglers, those who crave elbow room along with their fishing opportunity will love Iowa. There is year-round fishing for trout and all other warm-water species except walleye, sauger, and northern pike, which have a closed season. Walleye, smallmouth bass, and flathead catfish are favorite species. The backwaters and oxbow lakes of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers have some notable fishing as well, for species such as stocked trout, bass, catfish, carp, crappie, and assorted panfish. Perhaps best of all, the state maintains public access areas on all fishing waters, with boat-launching ramps and other facilities. Hunting Iowa boasts 82,000 acres of state park and recreation areas, as well as plenty of sprawling midwestern land, prime for hunting. For information on licensing, seasons, limits, rules and regulations, please contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website.