Ice Fishing Rivers in Iowa
Ice Fishing Rivers in Iowa
There are only a couple of rivers in Iowa that you might consider ice fishing; those along the east and west borders of our state. Including, the Mississippi River along the eastern border and the Missouri River along the west. “There really isn’t the habitat for ice fishing on the Missouri River except in some old oxbows that are no longer connected to the main river,” mentions Iowa DNR Mississippi River Habitat Coordinator Ryan Hupfeld. “Most of the ice fishing occurs on the Mississippi River.”
Before we dive deep into the details of ice fishing rivers, the most essential aspect of any river adventure is safety. “Ice conditions on the River can change for many reasons,” notes Iowa DNR Large River Research Assistant Research Biologist Gene Jones. “Here are a few: climate change (warmer winters), thermal energy (mainly in shallow backwaters), warm water springs and currents (in many places) on the River. Ice can be variable and change in a short period of time due to a rising river or a falling river or even warm days can change the ice quality in a short period of time (less than a few hours, speaking from experience: the result of me falling through a spot I had traveled over just a few hours previously, exact footprints).”
In all of the ice fishing pieces that I write, I truly emphasize being safe on the ice. There is no fish nor destination worth risking your life. Like fishing any body of water, take along a spud bar and check to make sure you’re walking on solid ice. In the case of fishing the Mississippi, you’ll want to check the quality of the ice, as was noted by Jones, as you head out and AND as you return. Ice conditions can change rapidly, especially where moving water is concerned. Wear a flotation device or an ice fishing suit with built-in flotation, never go alone, and consider limiting the distance you travel out on the ice in the event a rescue is needed. As ice changes, it could increase the difficulty of executing an effective rescue.
Fishing the Upper Mississippi
“Access can be difficult at times due to the remoteness of backwaters and having a flowing side channel or private land between you and the backwater lake. Crossing flowing water is extremely dangerous and not recommended. Look for locations with public land that connects to the backwater lake,” continues Hupfeld. “Sometimes, along a highway or public boat ramp.” Look for locations with public land access that connect to the backwater lakes.
“Use the Iowa DNR hunting and fishing atlas or Beacon or OnXHunt app to find public land ahead of your trip,” recommends Hupfeld. “Crossing railroad tracks is also trespassing, so you need to watch out for that as well. During early and late ice, sometimes there is the ability to take your boat down the main channel to an island complex where you can walk across land to the backwater lake that still could have safe fishable ice.”
There are a large number of species that you can target during the ice fishing season on the Mississippi River. The typical species ice anglers are chasing include bluegills, white and black crappie, largemouth bass, yellow perch, channel catfish, and walleye. “You typically want to look for backwaters with at least 3 ft. in water depth with near-zero to zero water flow/velocity. These are places that the most commonly targeted species move to survive the winter months,” adds Hupfeld. “Especially check out some of the backwater restoration projects we have completed over the years through the Upper Mississippi River Restoration Program Habitat Rehabilitation Projects.”
More information on that program and to find specific HREPS can be found via this link: https://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/missions/environmental-stewardship/upper-mississippi-river-restoration/habitat-restoration/
There is also information on the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service website on the upper Mississippi. Designated the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, this area of the river has been a haven for migratory birds, fish, wildlife, and people since 1924. The refuge stretches 261 river miles from Wabasha, Minnesota, to Rock Island, Illinois, and protects more than 240,000 acres of Mississippi River floodplain. The refuge hosts more than 3.7 million annual visits for hunting, fishing, wildlife observations, and other recreation (source: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/upper-mississippi-river). You can also find pool maps that provide details, making the research you do for your ice fishing adventure planning even better. There is a link on the website above that takes you to the maps for pools 4-14.
Ice fishing is a great recreational activity for the whole family. It’s an opportunity to get the kids out of the house and, in some cases, introduce them to the sport. However, as we’ve already noted, safety should be your top priority. Enjoy the resources we share in the state, and remember that you are part of the management system. Remember, be selective in your harvest, leaving nothing behind; take memories with you. Tight Lines All!
By Ben Leal
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