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March 12, 2024Des Moines, Iowa |  By: Jeremy Werner

Warmer weather could make for earlier fishing season

fishing

DES MOINES, Iowa - Good news for Iowa anglers, as the ice melts away from lakes and reservoirs, channel catfish emerge close to shore, ready to strike.

This early spring feeding frenzy begins earlier in the south, where ice thaws sooner than in the northwest's natural lakes. After a light winter diet, channel catfish gorge themselves on small fish that perished during the cold months.

Anglers seeking these ravenous feeders should scout windblown shorelines, points littered with dead fish, and shallow, sun-soaked areas where the water warms swiftly. For bait, experts recommend using cut bait or shad sides.

Disposable latex gloves can help manage the bait without transferring the scent to your hands. The catfish action isn't limited to specific water bodies.

With catfish present in almost every body of water across Iowa, anglers are advised to check the weekly fishing report for the latest hotspots.