While late spring into early summer is usually regarded as the best time to go fishing in Iowa, recent colder temperatures have made conditions a bit erratic for anglers.

Guthrie County Conservation Director Joe Hanner says the recent weather has made fish somewhat harder to catch, “Fish are cold blooded and a lot of species want to move to shallow water this time of year to spawn, which makes them more accessible to fishermen. But when we get cold fronts like the last day or so, I mean it was pretty cold, that really shuts fish off and it can actually move them back into a little bit deeper water and they’re not as apt to feed. That doesn’t mean they can’t be caught, but it just makes it more difficult.”

Hanner says the area could use more stability in weather to have a successful fishing season, but there are crappies, bluegills, and other species to find in area lakes and ponds. He reminds anglers to always ask permission before fishing on private property, and to make sure your fishing license is up to date.