These turtles may be trapped, taken by hand, hook and line, turtle hook throughout Iowa. The possesion limit 100 pounds for live and 50 pounds for dressed turtles.
Males reach only half that length.
Softshells are most easily recognized by the appearance of their carapace. It does not have the the bony scutes of our other turtles. Instead, it is flat and leathery with very flexible edges. It very much resembles a pancake. In adult males, the entire shell feels like sandpaper.