July Fishing Guide for Iowa
The Iowa Sportsman’s July Fishing Guide For Iowa’s Hottest Spots
July in Iowa can be best described by stating that things are starting to heat up! Temperatures across the state will range from the mid to upper eighties for highs and lows from the low to mid-sixties. This time of year, can be tough, the dog days of summer. But that is not to say that you cannot find some cooperative fish as you plan your outings. With the help of the Iowa DNR’s Fisheries Management team, we will look at where to go and what to target.
NORTHWEST IOWA
“July gets to be a tough month for fishing in northwest Iowa as our shallow natural lakes start to get really warm and often experience algae blooms,” said Iowa DNR Fisheries Biologist Ben Wallace. “My creel surveys on these natural lakes, such as Black Hawk Lake and Storm Lake, show almost zero harvest of walleye and very low catch rates for other species for July.” However, there is one exception, and that’s channel catfish. Anglers can be highly effective during July, targeting deep (relative to the lake) water habitat. “I recommend anchoring up over one of the three deep rock piles at Black Hawk Lake. My grandfather’s tried and true technique for catching Channel Catfish in the summer is to get a large crayfish, rip the pincers off, hook them through the tail, and then crush the carapace a little bit to get the juices flowing,” suggested the biologist. “Using a slip bobber, fish that bait right above the bottom/rocks. If that does not work, shuck the tail meat out and put a piece on a smaller jig for panfish. Everything eats crayfish meat!”
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
“There are two species to look for from pool 9 to pool 14 on the Mississippi River; those are northern pike and smallmouth bass”, noted Iowa DNR Fisheries Biologist Scott Gritters. “Pike occupy many habitats on the Mississippi during the warm seasons. They can be found along the channel borders, side channels, and backwaters. In the summer, pike can also be found near the mouths of cooler tributary streams, use gaudy spinner baits and cover some shorelines. I prefer to use white or bright colors.”
Smallmouths are also abundant, and populations are ever increasing on the Mississippi River. Most smallmouths can be found in moderate current areas next to rock. It can be a natural rock habitat along the shorelines or placed riprap. “The key to fishing shoreline rock is to get the lures as close to the rock as possible, as smallies live tight to the rock and do not come out far to grab their bait,” added Gritters. “Do not be afraid of fishing in some strong currents. Another method for smallies is to use topwater baits on sand flats. A little less predictable than fishing current/rock habitat but can be a lot of fun when the smallies are chasing minnows in the sand.”
CLEAR LAKE DISTRICT
“Channel catfish in July!” says Iowa DNR Fisheries Biologist Scott Grummer. “Areas to target in this district are Clear Lake, for big fish, and Lake Cornelia for numbers and eaters. All area rivers can be good for channel catfish, but the East Fork of the Des Moines River in Kossuth County has a high density.” Drifting or trolling small baits for suspended crappies is also a good option. “Crystal Lake in Hancock and Beeds Lake in Franklin would be good choices for suspended summer crappie,” added Grummer.
CENTRAL IOWA
“When the water heats up in July, white bass fishing picks up at both Saylorville and Red Rock reservoirs as they start chasing schools of young gizzard shad,” said Iowa DNR Fisheries Technician Andy Otting. “Trolling or casting shad imitating plastics, spoons blade baits, or lipless crankbaits are the go-to method.” If you do not see feeding schools busting the surface chasing after bait fish, you can troll around points and steep drop-offs on the wind-blown side of the reservoir. Both hold a respectable number of white bass, but Red Rock tends to have the larger fish.
Anglers can target channel catfish by slowly drifting or trolling cut baits, including gizzard shad, creek chubs, green sunfish, or bluegills. “The targeted areas on both reservoirs are near and above the mile-long bridges,” adds Otting. “As faint of a depth difference as it is, putting bait within the old river channel in these areas can still make a significant difference in your catch. It is worth noting that both reservoirs contain good Flathead Catfish numbers that are mostly underutilized by anglers. Anglers looking to stay out a little later after the daytime boat traffic subsides and fish live baits such as bullheads, green sunfish, and bluegills could be rewarded!”
RATHBUN FISHERIES DISTRICT
July’s theme has been to chase after channel and flathead catfish on most of Iowa’s fisheries throughout the state; Rathbun Lake is no exception. “Rathbun also produces a lot of walleyes in July, and actually, June and July are the peak of walleye fishing here,” said Iowa DNR Fisheries Biologist Mark Flammang. “Typically, these fish are taken relatively shallow, in less than 10 feet of water, along points and humps. Live bait and crankbaits tend to be equal producers. Hybrid striped bass can be quite good at the same time, often with similar tactics. These baits include spoons, swimbaits, and crankbaits.” On smaller systems, crappies and bluegill are often suspended in mid-lake. “Drifting with jigs tipped with crawlers often produces good catches this time of year. I would suggest Lake Wapello (Davis County), Lake Morris (Lucas County), and Lake Miami (Monroe County),” added the biologist.
IOWA GREAT LAKES REGION
With the water warming up, the fish move deeper in July. “West Okoboji offers a unique opportunity to follow these fish,” notes Iowa DNR NW Regional Fisheries Management Supervisor Mike Hawkins. “Smallmouth bass and big bluegill head for rock piles in 16 – 25 feet of water. Vertical Jigging or fishing under a slip bobber can be dynamite! The deep side of the weed line can be great as well.”
Fishing in July can be a challenge due to the warming water temperatures and, for that matter, air temps. If the fish are hot, so are the anglers. But with a little planning and strategizing, you can find a period where the bite can be excellent, and you can pick times when the air is a bit cooler so you can enjoy time on the water. Remember that as anglers, we are all part of the fisheries management system. Limit your harvest, pack out what you take in, and share the joy of fishing with young and old alike. Tight Lines All!
by Ben Leal
July 2025
