New Iowa Bill Would Legalize Catfish ‘Noodling’

Let's talk fish for a minute.

Out of all the dramatic bills, laws, and politics we've seen in 2025, we haven't come across one involving fish. Until now.

According to The Gazette, House File 832 has been advanced this week by a House subcommittee.

It calls for the legalization of catfish noodling and to offer noodling licenses in Iowa.

Noodling, if you're wondering, is the act of catching catfish with your bare hands or feet. You pretty much stick your arms in a waterbed near where the catfish burrow in the mud and wait for them to latch onto your arms. It's currently legal in Illinois, Wisconsin, and multiple states along the Mississippi River, but not in Iowa.

Noodling would only be allowed during daylight hours and you couldn't use any kind of scuba gear, bait, gloves, etc. Just you and your hands or feet. And trust in your hand/eye coordination.

As with literally anything in life, it's getting mixed reviews.

It was introduced by Rep. Ray "Bubba" Sorensen (R, Greenfield), who says he hasn't been noodling but was encouraged by his constituents to introduce the legislation. Meanwhile, critics of it argue that noodling harms and disrupts catfish populations or killing larger catfish.

Iowans would have to get a catfish noodling permit with this legislation. You couldn't just go shove your arms in the riverbed for funsies.

The bill was introduced back in March and was advanced out of the House Natural Resources Committee by 14-7. This week, the House Ways and Means Subcommittee passed it. So far, no amendments have been made.

I love to fish but personally, I think I'll just stick to eating the catfish.