Bait Shoppe

05/27/2026

NEXT WEEKEND June 5 – June 7, 2026

🎣🚨IOWA FREE FISHING WEEKEND ALERT🚨🎣
No license? No problem!
Grab the kids, your buddies, or that dusty fishing pole in the garage and hit the water! 🌞🐟

📅 Friday, June 5 – Sunday, June 7, 2026

✅ Iowa Residents Only
✅ Standard Fishing License Fees WAIVED
✅ Trout Stamp Fees WAIVED
That means more money for bait, snacks, and “just one more cast.” 😎
Stop in at The Bait Shoppe before you head out — we’ll have the bait stocked and ready to go!
🪱 Minnows
🪱 Night Crawlers
🪱 Leeches
🪱 Chubs
🎣 Tackle & more
This is the perfect weekend to introduce someone new to fishing… or pretend you’re “teaching the kids” while you fish all day yourself. 😂

05/24/2026

☀️🎣 GOOD MORNING FROM THE BAIT SHOPPE! 🎣☀️
It’s shaping up to be an absolutely BEAUTIFUL weekend to wet a line, tell a few lies, and “accidentally” avoid yard work. 😎🌤️
🌞 Weather Report Today: Sunny skies, light breeze, and perfect fishin’ weather!
Tomorrow (Memorial Day): Warm temps, sunshine, and another great day to hit the river or lake before firing up the grill! 🇺🇸🔥
🕗 Hours Today: 8AM – 4PM
🇺🇸 Memorial Day Monday: 9AM – 4PM
🪱 We are FULLY STOCKED on live bait!

We are still running a deal: $10=1scoop minnows and 1 dozen night crawlers

✔️ Minnows
✔️ Crawlers
✔️ Leeches
✔️ Chubs
✔️ Everything the fish have been gossiping about all week 😆
Stop in, grab your bait, and get out there before the fish realize it’s a holiday too! 🎣

05/22/2026

🎣🇺🇸 MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND SPECIAL 🇺🇸🎣
The fish are hungry… and so are the wallets after buying gas for the boat. 😅
So we’re helping you out this weekend at The Bait Shoppe!
🔥 Friday May 22 – Monday May 25 🔥
Buy 1 FULL scoop of minnows
AND get a dozen night crawlers for ONLY $10!
Whether you’re chasing crappies, bass, walleyes, or just trying to avoid mowing the lawn, we’ve got the bait to get you on the water. 🐟
📅 Friday 9am-6pm
📅 Saturday 6am-6pm
📅 Sunday 8am-4pm
⏰ Memorial Day Hours:
Monday Open 9am-4pm

📌 801 3rd St SE Independence ia 📌
Stop in, stock up, and tell the fish we said supper’s ready.

05/10/2026

05/09/2026

🎣 MOM SAID SHE WANTS TO GO FISHIN’ 🎣
And fellas… when Mom says she wants to go fishing, you don’t ask questions. You grab the rods, load the cooler, and head to the bait shop before she changes her mind. 😂
This weekend’s forecast: ☀️ Sunshine
🎣 Fish bitin’
🚫 Chores officially postponed
We’re stocked up with:
🪱 Nightcrawlers
🐟 Minnows
🦞 Leeches
🐔 Chicken liver
🎣 Tackle to help Mom outfish the whole family
Bring Mom out for some peace, quiet, and a chance to yell “GET THE NET!” at least once this weekend. 😆
📍 The Bait Shoppe – 801 3rd St SE, Independence, Iowa
“Where family memories start and fish stories get exaggerated.”

Give us a like and a follow to keep updated up deals and fishing related needs and reports

05/08/2026

801 3rd St SE Independence ia
Fish are biting and we have the bait to match

05/08/2026

🚨 FISH DONATION REMINDER! 🚨
This is ongoing all year long.
Help us feed the critters over at Wildthunder Wildlife & Animal Rehabilitation & Sanctuary.

The animals love donated fish — just no Bluegill, Sunfish, or Crappie please. They wont eat them.
Everything else? BRING IT ON.

So instead of tossing that carp on the bank…
➡️ Swing it over to the Bait Shoppe !
📍 801 3rd St SE, Independence
We’ll make sure it gets straight to the animals who need it most.

🐾 Turn your catch into a good deed!
Let’s keep Wildthunder’s wildlife fed and thriving!
Stop in during business hours or send us a message to coordinate drop off for your fish. Thanks

05/08/2026

Pretty accurate....

05/06/2026

We are closed today. Sorry for the inconvenience. I have a sick kiddo.

04/29/2026

🔥 BAIT SHOPPE FULLY STOCKED! 🔥
The fish can’t say no… if you don’t show up. 😏🎣

Sun’s out, temps are climbing into the 60s/70s, and the bite is heating up across the river. You already know what that means… it’s time to “accidentally” burn a sick day and hit the water.

🐟 River Report:
• Wapsi: Pike & bass = SOLID, walleye improving, catfish waking up
• Mississippi: Catfish bite = FAIR, walleye a little slow Cedar: Walleye picking up=minnow bite. Catfish Good=cutbacks, liver in deep holes

🪱 We’ve got you covered:
• Small & Large Minnows
• Nightcrawlers
• Leeches
• Chicken Liver
• Triple S Catfish Bait
• AND we’re stocked up on CHUBS!

🎯 Don’t overthink it…
Grab bait. Go fish. Have a story.
📍 Bait Shoppe – 801 3rd St SE, Independence, IA
We’ll see you on the river. Tight lines! 🎣🔥