Fishing Iowa’s Rivers
Fishing Iowa’s Rivers
By Ben Leal
River fishing… it’s one of the best ways to enjoy the great outdoors here in Iowa. You can find solitude, peace and quiet and amazing fishing all at the same time. As a young angler growing up in New Mexico I spent hours wading cool mountain streams chasing after elusive rainbow trout. It, at times, would take several hours to make the trip in search of rivers and streams off the beaten path.
Iowa holds some of those pristine areas as well and one of the benefits we have here is the fact that we can travel to rivers and streams in as little as a couple of hours. Bordered by two of the most majestic rivers in the country, the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers, sandwiched in between are countless opportunities to chase after both warm water species as well as those that inhabit cooler waters.
We’re going to take a quick trip around the State and with the help of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources biologists, we’ll give you all a few ideas of places to visit and what species you might find.
Little Sioux River
DThe upper portion of the Little Sioux, in my opinion, gets overlooked somewhat”, said IDNR District Fisheries Biologist Mike Hawkins. “We stock walleyes in several locations as far north as the Minnesota border.” For Northwest Iowa and the prairie landscape, the Little Sioux River Valley has some of the most scenic stretches in the State. The Little Sioux cuts back and forth along the margin of the Des Moines Lobe, so its floodplain varies from wide sweeping prairies in northern Dickinson County to steep and wooded in southern Dickinson County then back to open in northern Clay County before diving back into a rugged valley in southern Clay, northern Buena Vista, and Cherokee Counties.
The variety of fish that inhabit this river is plentiful. Some of the more popular species to chase after are largemouth bass, northern pike, three species of catfish, and one of Iowa’s favorites; walleye. There’s plenty of habitat diversity along the way and ample opportunities to lock on to your favorite quarry. For a complete list of the species of fish that inhabit this river and to access downloadable maps visit the IDNR’s website under the fishing tab and search for the Little Sioux River.
Des Moines River (Central Iowa)
Anglers in this part of the state are no strangers to the Des Moines River. Flowing through the center of the State it helps make up Saylorville Lake, running downstream all the way to Lake Red Rock Reservoir, continuing southward until it meets the Mississippi River.
The fishery is home to almost every warm water species of fish that you can think of. “The Des Moines River for anglers in central Iowa in downtown Des Moines is one of the top producers”, said IDNR Fisheries Management Biologist Ben Dodd. “It’s a great place for a mixed bag of fish”. Anglers tend to catch both flathead and channel catfish just after ice-out below the Center Street Dam (downtown Des Moines). “We tend to see some nice northern pike caught below the Saylorville Lake dam in March”, adds Dodd. “Anglers also catch walleye from Feb – mid-April below the Scott Avenue Bridge.” White bass are some of the feistiest fish to catch while on a lake yet alone in a river where you have a steady flow of water. Add the hybrid striped bass to the mix and you’ll end of with an exciting afternoon of fishing. “We’ll see anglers catching these two species of fish from late April to mid-May below the Scott Avenue Bridge as well”, noted the biologist.
Cedar River and Shell Rock River – Turkey Foot Region
The Cedar River, Shell Rock River, and West Fork Cedar River come together in northwest Black Hawk County and form one of the best river fishery areas in the state. “There are excellent opportunities for quality channel catfish, smallmouth bass, and walleye”, said Dan Kirby IDNR Natural Resources Biologist. “Varieties of access points are available for shore fishing, a boat with outboard, or canoe/kayak fishing.” Several larger cities (Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and Waverly) in the vicinity provide a multitude of food, entertainment, and lodging opportunities for those interested in tasty, lively, or comfortable additions to the outdoor getaway.
Wapsinpinicon River
The upper Wapsipinicon (Black Hawk, Buchanan, and Linn County) is a regional favorite for northern pike and smallmouth bass. “The northern pike fishing is particularly good on the Wapsipinicon for both numbers and size of fish and the population in the upper segment is entirely sustained through natural reproduction”, noted Kirby. “The Wapsipinicon has been producing some “fantastic-sized” smallmouth bass for the past several years as well.” There are also good catches of walleye at times. There are several small walk-in public areas for fishing. Canoes and flat-bottom boats provide better access to some of the best fishing locations.
Maquoketa River
The Maquoketa River has a well-deserved reputation as an excellent smallmouth bass river. “Some of the best-known segments include the “Bass Catch and Release Area” below Delhi Dam in Delaware County and the Pictured Rocks segment in Jones County”, recommends the biologist. There are also good catches of walleye at times. The upper Maquoketa River is also popular for other river recreation (kayaking and tubing), so consider fishing during weekdays or autumn to avoid crowds.
Northeast Iowa – Trout Country
We’ve covered quite a few of the larger rivers in Iowa where warm water species have dominated the topic of discussion. We would be remiss by not mentioning a part of Iowa where the cool streams flow and rainbow, brook and brown trout call them home. Plenty of opportunities await trout anglers in Iowa; 50 catchable-stocked rainbow and brook trout fisheries on publicly-accessible streams, 9 special trout fisheries with restrictive regulations, 17 urban trout fisheries and over 50 wild, self-sustaining trout fisheries throughout northeast Iowa
Schedule time during your next trip to northeast Iowa to visit one of Iowa’s three trout hatcheries; Manchester, Decorah, or Big Springs. The grounds to each facility are open to the public year-round from sunrise to sunset. Fisheries employees are available during office hours to answer all your trout fishing questions.
I’ve taken the drive to some of those clear cool streams and have had the challenge of attempting to sneak up on wary trout in crystal clear water. Using a flyrod, crawling up to an area where you can make a clean cast on your knees is always fun! You just have to ignore the family members that are laughing as you do so.
Some of the memorable trips up to the Northeast part of Iowa include trips to the North and South Bear Creeks in the Highlandville area. There are campgrounds and hotel accommodations throughout the area. There are areas where private landowners have allowed anglers access to portions of the rivers that cross their land. These areas are clearly marked, always be conscious of your surroundings, be respectful of the land and pack out what you pack in.
The resources we enjoy here in Iowa are wide and varied. The IDNR does a great job of providing information through their website offering downloadable fishing maps as well as detailed information on access and amenities available at locations you’re thinking about fishing. Always remember that the resource is there for everyone to enjoy and we all need to do our part in taking care of it and preserving these fisheries for generations to come. Get out and enjoy some of Iowa’s rivers this summer…Tight Lines All!
