June 5th Iowa Hunting & Fishing Report

The June 5 edition of the Iowa Hunting and Fish Report opens with an announcement that it is free fishing weekend in Iowa, running June 5–7. The host encourages listeners to take advantage of the opportunity to fish without a license, emphasizing time with family and friends, outdoor recreation, and the social aspect of fishing, even when the bite is slow. The report begins in southern Iowa with an update from Brownies Bait Breakfast and Beer near Rathbun. Walleye are reported to be biting well, and the crappie spawn is nearing its end, with roughly a third of the spawn still to go. Rathbun is highlighted as a destination for large crappie and strong fishing overall. Wipers are also active, described as exceptionally hard-fighting fish and a top choice for anglers seeking a powerful battle. They are currently taking minnows and green night crawlers, and the bait shop is positioned as a resource for gear, bait, and local guidance. Shifting east, the report features Max in Dubuque, where catfish are biting along the rocks on the big river and are recommended as both a fun and forgiving target for novice anglers. Walleye are reported to be biting near the dam, with a boat preferred but not strictly necessary for success, as shore fishing remains an option. Further north, Stan’s Bait Shop in Milford provides an Iowa Great Lakes update, with crappie and bluegill biting and a solid evening walleye bite. Anglers are reminded to observe walleye slot limits. The Little Sioux Bait Shop in Lynn Grove reports good action on northern pike, walleye, and catfish, with specific bait recommendations including minnows, leeches, chubs, and worms. The host stresses the importance of supporting local bait shops for their expertise and community value. The episode also announces apron and ThunderCap giveaway winners and outlines the next apron giveaway, inviting listeners to comment with their favorite fishing knot. The report closes with plans for upcoming video content, guest appearances, and on-the-water segments, along with an invitation for viewers to suggest locations and continue engaging with the report online.   Listen to the Previous Hunting and Fishing Reports below! Podcasts - The Iowa Sportsman Below is the link for the episode on Podbean, Give us a Follow! Hunting & Fishing Report May 29th | The Iowa Sportsman Podcast