Fishing Iowa

Fishing Iowa

By Ben Leal

When it comes to fishing here in Iowa, we have one of the most diverse opportunities than many other states. We’re bookended by two major rivers, the Mississippi and Missouri, and in between lies a variety of opportunities for anglers to chase after their favorite quarry. Whether you’re fishing for trout, bass, crappie, bluegill, northern pike and musky; there’s something for everyone in all ninety-nine counties.

So what are some of the pros and cons of fishing in Iowa based on the type of water you’re fishing? We have the great aforementioned rivers, small cool trout streams up in the northeast corner of the state, lakes that are strewn out all over, warm water streams and ponds. Opportunities abound here in Iowa, and like any outdoor activity, we participate in there will be challenges and successes. We’re going to have a look at some of the good and not so good things about fishing here in Iowa.

Mississippi and Missouri Rivers
The Mississippi River is the second longest river in the United States, with a length of 2,340 miles (3,770 km) from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to its mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. The longest river in the United States is a Mississippi tributary, the Missouri River, measuring 2,540 miles (4,090 km). Both rivers are home to a variety of species here in Iowa and can be fished in the main river flow or in the backwater areas that provide habitat for small and large gamefish.

So when it comes to fishing either one of these two rivers one of the good things or pros as we like to call it, is the diverse fisheries that they are there. Favorite fish include walleye, sauger, large and smallmouth bass, white bass, catfish, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, and perch. Whether it’s the spring walleye run, spring and summer bluegill fishing or some of the best catfish action you have ever seen, without a doubt, the best places to fish are the fishing floats/barges along the Mississippi River.

The Missouri River is known for its channelized riverbanks and fast currents, and therefore can be a little intimidating for some anglers. But if catfish is your species of choice, the Missouri River offers some of the best fishing in the state. In April and May, anglers do well catching shovelnose sturgeon behind wing dams and along sand bars using night crawlers fished on the bottom. During the fall and winter, anglers can catch sauger and walleye behind wing dams or at the mouths of tributaries using a jig and minnow.

These two very large rivers do come with some cons when it comes to chasing after the vast variety of fish each holds. At the time of this writing, both rivers are recovering from extensive flooding, engulfing entire communities at times. As the waters recede some of the problems we’ll have early will be the amount of debris floating downstream, a definite hazard when it comes to boating. Another con and rather a word of caution is fishing from the shoreline. At times the current can be fast and dangerous and one small slip can lead to a very bad day. They can be rather intimidating and if you’ve never fished one from a boat, check with local anglers and guides and ask for advice on best practices and places to launch.

Flood Control Reservoirs
Not only is Iowa bookended by two mighty rivers, but we also have an interior river that runs north to south and is controlled by three flood control reservoirs, the Des Moines River. And the recent history here in Iowa clearly outlines the need for these reservoirs; Saylorville Lake, Red Rock Reservoir and Rathbun Lake. All three of these large bodies of water offer anglers the opportunity to chase after a wide variety of fish. There are up to nineteen different fish that can make for a great day out on the water. And due to the variety of fish, fishing for some can be better when the water is warm while others will prefer cooler water. Catfishing can make for a great night next to the lake, or drifting along in your boat, and action can be very good at times.

The fact that all three of these reservoirs act as part of the flood control systems we have in the state can make for some hazardous fishing at times. During high water events, debris will float into the lake from the river as it flows in. Trees that are 3 to 4 feet in diameter have been seen floating alone and in some cases, waterlogged trees of the same size can hide just below the surface creating incredibly hazardous boating conditions. The Army Corps of Engineers will post and provide info on lake conditions during high water events.

These events also spread the fish out, especially during the spring spawn. It’s actually a good and bad thing. Because the fish get spread out, they will be a bit harder to catch and subsequently the year class, for crappie, for instance, will be better in the coming years. So, good and bad. As the summer months wear on the fishing for white bass will pick up and is one of the most popular fish groups to target during the summer.

Interior Streams and Rivers
If you head on over to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources web page you can find all kinds of information on the vast number of smaller interior streams throughout Iowa. I’ve fished quite a few of the streams or smaller rivers in central Iowa along with several of the cold-water streams that flow in the northeast part of the state. Smallmouth bass can be found in the Raccoon and Skunk Rivers along with crappie and walleye. Catfish abound in these rivers as well and some will hold large northern pike for you to chase after. These are great summer wading streams and rivers, though I might use a pair of waders for the cooler waters in the trout streams. Fishing these smaller streams and rivers can also get you away from the hustle and bustle of the city, taking you into areas where it is just you the river and the fish. When I trudged through the Racoon and the Skunk rivers, I carried two poles, a flyrod and a spinning rod. I thought I was better prepared, but to be honest it was a bit of a hassle managing the tackle to take for each setup. In the long run, spinning gear won out since it was easier to cast and reduced the number of largemouth oaks I hooked.

These rivers, unfortunately, can also be a dumping ground for large debris which can be dangerous at times. Tires, large pieces of metal, barrels, and even cars have found their way into these areas. Wading with a good pair of wading shoes is your safest bet, barefoot would not be recommended. If it’s not the unnatural hazards you encounter it’s the natural ones. Sticks that lie just beneath the sand can lead to a very painful puncture wound. Sharp rocks and shells from freshwater clams can also lead to painful injuries while wading.

Farm Ponds
Ahhhh…these little gems are places where we all got our start for the most part. And if we didn’t get our start there we certainly took some of our own kids to farm ponds and introduced them to the joys of having a fish stretch your line. Ponds are also great places to learn the craft of fishing. Experimenting with artificial baits and lures as you learn what triggers fish to bite. You can catch everything from bass to catfish in these ponds and depending on the size and depth you might also find some walleye. All of these ponds have been stocked by the owner and at one time maybe the Iowa DNR. The farm stocking program ended here a few years ago, but many of those fish you’re catching were contributed by the DNR. Be respectful of the owner and ask whether harvesting fish is something he/she would like. If so, take what you can eat and leave the large fish behind to continue the gene pool in the pond. Take out what you take in and always thank them for giving you the opportunity to fish.

Take a kid fishing this summer and introduce them to the great sport of fishing. Ponds are a great place to start. Fish can be concentrated and for a young angler where catching is more important the “fishing”, these are perfect. Minnows and worms will bring hours of enjoyment to young anglers and for those little tots that get bored real quick, they can always chase after frogs along the shoreline. Keep a towel and a spare set of clothes handy though, you’ll almost always hear that preverbal splash, screech, and holler as they wander too close and take an unplanned dip.

Iowa’s fishing opportunities are abundant and with some time and effort, you can find a place to wet a line and feel that familiar tap as a fish takes the bait. Or if you’re in the mood to try something new you can find a nice cool trout stream to try your hand and flyfishing. Maybe you want to give catfishing a go; the Missouri River, as well as our large flood control reservoirs, are home to big cats…an angler I was fishing with hooked into a 50-pound plus flathead one afternoon while trolling for white bass…you’ll never know until you go…tight lines all!