State allows "Promiscuous" fishing at Southwest Iowa slough

State environmental officials are giving fishing enthusiasts the go-ahead to engage in “promiscuous fishing” at a southwest Iowa slough. Department of Natural Resources fisheries management biologist Jerry Hudson says “promiscuous fishing” means you can take the fish with nets or even spear them — but it’s still illegal to use dynamite, any electrical stunning device, or any poison or “stupefying substance.”Hudson says Willow Slough, which is northeast of Hastings in Mills County, used to be 100 acres of water. Now, with the drought, it’s down to just 10 acres of water, all so shallow you see the fish swimming.Hudson says the fish will die soon when the slough dries up completely, so it’s best to let folks come in and harvest the fish. He says it’s mainly carp, with a few bass. Hudson says the special fishing season at Willow Slough will last about a month through September 14th.So, “promiscuous fishing” isn’t really the tawdry exercise the name might conjure up in your imagination. Hudson offers some “tongue-in-cheek” advice for anglers who choose to harvest the fish in Willow Slough.Hudson says those who choose to engage in “promiscuous fishing” can dress any way they wish, but he’d caution against doing the fishing in the nude.