SELMA, IOWA -- Four men from southeast Iowa have been charged in Van Buren County with "noodling" or hand-fishing. 

Conservation officers with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources observed the men catching several fish from artificial structures in the Des Moines River near Selma, the Associated Press reported.

The men were seen using modified bathtubs to attract and hold large flathead catfish. The agency said the men caught the fish by hand and hook while they were laying and guarding eggs, an illegal fishing practice known as hand-fishing or "noodling."

Anthony Telfer, 28, of Eldon; John Edward Saner, 49, of Batavia; and Brant Donald Saner, 28, of Agency are charged with the unlawful taking of flathead catfish by hand-fishing. Chris Lee Hafele, 38, of Ottumwa is charged with the unlawful taking of flathead catfish by hand-fishing and one count of having no fishing license. Read more from KTVO's Ottumwa bureau by clicking here.

Investigators seized three flathead catfish ranging from 12 to 27 pounds, a 14-foot jon boat, a motor and trailer during the arrest. In addition, approximately 174 pounds of catfish fillets were seized from the Jason Telfer residence.

Noodling or hand-fishing for game fish is legal in some states, but unlawful in Iowa and Missouri. 

“This is a serious problem in our rivers and streams during the months of June and July when we have low water levels making these large fish vulnerable," Iowa Conservation Officer Bob Stuchel said. "Many fish are taken by hand from natural spawning structure on the stream and river beds, but in this case the individuals observed were removing the large flathead catfish from old bathtubs specifically modified and placed on the river bed below the water surface to attract and hold the fish."

Click here to read an article on the subject of hand-fishing in Illinois where it is legal in waters where wading is allowed and where site regulations do not prohibit such activity. For more Illinois fishing information click here.

Anyone with any information about illegal fishing is encouraged to contact a local conservation officer, or call the Turn In Poachers (TIP) hotline at 800-532-2020.

The defendants are scheduled to appear in court in Van Buren County on July 12.

(The Associated Press and our sister station KTVO's Ottumwa bureau contributed to this report.)