best smallmouth rivers in iowa

If you have never seen West Okoboji Lake, just think of it like no other lake in the state, because it is just that unique. They're almost a nuisance now. Some of the larger ones include; Little Sioux, Raccoon, Des Moines, Skunk, Iowa, Cedar, Wapsipinicon, Maquoketa, Iowa, Turkey, and Upper Iowa rivers. The smaller the line, the more bites you will get. The lakes are surrounded by rocks, docks and sandy bottoms. There are two general ways of fishing plastic baits. Mississippi River -- From Pool 9 in extreme Northeast Iowa to Pool 13 in the southeast corner of the state, the mighty Mississippi is an angling heaven for … I'd been successfully fishing for largemouths for over 40 years in many states and had landed thousands of them. It all depends on the weather. The Upper Iowa, Turkey, Volga, Yellow, Wapsipinicon, Cedar, Shell Rock and Iowa Rivers all have excellent bass populations. I’ve also learned that a group of smallmouth bass can be piled up on an area one day and you won’t get a bite there the next day. Anglers can find catfish in practically any freshwater system in the South, but some waters... Several Midwestern states now permit hunters to use centerfire, straight-wall cartridges... A new long-range hunting contender enters the fray. The river is filled with smallmouth bass with the very best fishing up in the Lansing area. The main channel, which is often lined with rock on the current holding sides would be the best percentage to catch smallmouth on these pools. BEST SMALLMOUTH BASS TRIP EVER. This all translates into some of the best fishing of the year. "Years ago we rarely caught a bass," he said. McClure has explored long stretches of the Cedar River, the Iowa River and smaller rivers like the Wapsipinicon, Maquoketa and Volga. "The streams usually have clear water, brush, pools, and riffles. Back when I lived in northeastern Iowa, the smallmouth bass was decidedly missing from most streams. With shoreline ranging from pastoral to rugged and wildlife abounding, few places look as spectacular under a bright blue sky as the Columbia. All are on stretches of the Middle Raccoon, Maquoketa, Cedar, and Upper Iowa Rivers. The DNR’s website also has a Twin Cities area river fishing chart that details the relative abundance of smallmouth bass and other species in the Cannon, Minnesota, Mississippi, Rum and St. Croix rivers. Tournament walleye angler Dave Nichols has been fishing the upper Mississippi for decades. |, Easy Ideas for Increased Ice-Fishing Success. Many anglers who hook a two-pound smallmouth swear they are … But this also is the river of 100-fish days, and the river where rumors of double-digit bass persist. Each time out is always a new adventure for smallmouth bass on interior rivers. Smallies are common in Iowa's Lake Okoboji and Spirit Lake. "Anglers don't need a boat to catch them, and often they don't even need to travel much. My favorite is a Yamamoto Senko," said veteran smallmouth angler Jack Lorenz, former national director of the Izaak Walton League. Our countless weedy bays, rocky structure and prolific forage-base produce excellent northern pike fishing. Pleasant Creek Lake, Palo. Do they want to be out of the current but close by? "My experience is that they hold bass, especially before, during and shortly after the spawn. That means a rocky bottom, some current and reasonably clear water. They'll rarely be far from rock or gravel. Pinicon Ridge Park in Linn County is a popular place for many … INTERIOR RIVERS However, once you find the specific locations of these fish you can generally go anywhere in the lake with those same features and repeat the catching process. A further factor on the Mississippi River was the establishment of exotic zebra mussels. Set the hook when a fish starts a run. By Gerald Almy. These fish are smart and they will see you. The improving fishery is so new that relatively few Iowa anglers know about it or target that "other bass," the smallmouth. The progeny of that hatch, now about 5 or 6 inches long, can be found everywhere in all the rivers I've mentioned. It is more like a lake you would see in Minnesota or Canada. The 7 Best Lures for Smallmouth Bass in Rivers. Plan your next fishing and boating adventure here. In narrowing that down a bit, I’ve had some memorable days of catching smallmouth … Smallies love the rock and all the cavities in between boulders. New for 2021 are several hunter-defined products, such as the Excalibur TwinStrike Crossbow, BowTech Solution and Solution SS Bows, TightSpot Pivot 2.5 Quiver, Ripcord Cage and Code Red X arrowrests, and Black Gold Pro FX and Pro Hunter HD sights. Agricultural run-off declined as no-till farming and Conservation Reserve Program enrollment became widespread on farms. Found this awesome, clear and small creek off the Iowa River! Finding these smallmouth bass in natural lakes requires a lot of looking around. Do they want a lot of current? He fishes Eastern Iowa rivers frequently and often reports on smallmouth fishing in his newspaper articles. One summer evening I caught several husky smallies in the current on a black Hula Popper, a lure usually reserved for largemouths on hot evenings in quiet lakes. It's much simpler wading. With hundreds of them floating on each of the lakes they create shade and ambush points for smallies to hide and attack their prey. My office is only a five-minute walk from the fish, and for several weeks I tried to outsmart that smallmouth during lunch breaks and whenever else I could find a few minutes to fish. Small minnows, bugs, and crawdads will be the main source food so you will want to match those sizes with your baits. I have made the four hour trip from where I live each year for the past five or six years, some years even twice. In many scenarios you don’t have to be on the main channel, side chutes with current will hold smallmouth bass too. St. Lawrence River (New York) St Lawrence River is a part of one of the largest fisheries in all of the … My first smallie slammed a crankbait, tore off downstream, and jumped three times before I finally eased it up a tiny gravely beach. We'll show you the venues with the most going for them. Lunker smallmouths live from there to the north. During April bass will normally move from deep pockets of sluggish water overwintering areas to summer habitat in shallower water along rocks. You can go camping, boating, hiking and more. Making long casts and downsizing your line will help you adjust to the clear water. If fishing from a boat is more your speed, then you need to point your vehicle and trailer to the north. Trout Streams Northeast Iowa is a regional destination for exceptional trout fishing. The secret to consistently catching smallmouth from rivers is being comfortable fishing in current. As you can see, Iowa has many opportunities to catch smallmouth bass. With the size of these waters, it is quite obvious that location is once again key, as well as having a boat to navigate the large bodies of water. A boat can be a great asset when fishing the Upper Mississippi. Line diameter plays a big role in clear water situations. Most bass anglers in Iowa fish the many lakes scattered across the state that offer good largemouth bass fishing. Like most fishing on most days location is the key to catching bass. There are two fantastic lakes in the state of Iowa known for smallmouth fishing. Although they live in pockets of habitat the rare angler who seeks them out can find excellent smallmouth fishing without any competition. Weeds will grow up from 20 feet of water and provide a perfect habitat for these bass for most of the year at Okoboji. These fish move more than any other fish I’ve ever chased in my life. The eastern side of the Hawkeye State boasts some excellent smallmouth fishing. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Colleen Hepner/Flickr. If you are search for excellent outdoor activities, PA can most certainly fill your dreams. Because smallies often live in urban stretches of river, a boat isn't usually needed for great fishing. In addition to fishing many of the main rivers Love also fishes their tributaries. Iowa Department of Natural Resources fisheries management has helped improve walleye and trout fishing, but smallies did it on their own. I often see kids fishing in Indian Creek near my office each summer, and many a respectful bass has gone home strapped to the handlebars of bicycles. The first is casting a plastic bait upstream and letting it tumble down with the current while keeping a slack line. The border rivers of the state can offer some great smallmouth bass fishing as well. I tend to try a little bit of everything and let the smallies tell me where they are living and eating. After I'd caught 13 bass and he was fishless he took one of mine and caught a bass on his third cast. Along the way it carves out some of the most picturesque gorges, cliffs, and rapids east of the Rockies. Smallmouth naturally prey on crawdads, minnows, insects, and just about any other hapless animal that falls into the water. No matter where you live in Iowa you are not too far away from a public access to an interior river. The large bordering rivers of Iowa have sections that offer great smallmouth fishing too. I think it could get even better in the next few years based on the phenomenal reproductive success smallmouths enjoyed in 2005. Many anglers let a fish fondle the lure a bit before setting the hook. It is gorgeous, but a bit intimidating too. Few cities use water power today but some of the old dams remain and speed the current below them, keeping rocks and gravel silt free. "That's not the case now. No matter where you live in Iowa you are not too far away from a public access to an interior river. ©2019 The Iowa Sportsman. All Rights Reserved. All Rights Reserved. Kids who can't get to a largemouth lake without an adult to drive them there can cycle to urban tributary streams or even the downtowns of cities and towns and find smallmouth. It may be 125 years old, but the .30-30 Winchester retains its status thanks to modern loads. One of those windows for productive bass fishing in the spring is targeting bass in warming pockets. Our rivers received constant inputs of nutrient and sediment that flowed downstream to settle on the rocky bottom that smallies love. It was only 15 inches, but it fought harder and longer than a largemouth half again as big. Years ago Iowa rivers were murky from agricultural and urban runoff and discharges from sewer plants and industries. Find both stocked and naturally occurring trout in the breathtaking forests and streams of this part of the state. Lots of numbers and action and a chance at that monster pike awaits you! Locals prefer walleye here, as they are surrounded by one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the nation. ... Jim McDonnell on Lake Erie, and all by myself on the Shellrock River in north Iowa. Most of the above points for the Missouri River can hold true on the Mississippi River. Today it has made a phenomenal comeback proving a IDNR fisheries research chief Don Bonneau told me that smallmouth bass could be found in nearly any river where the habitat is right. Here, they may lay up against downed logs or be hiding in the weeds. Sometime smallmouths will be right in the middle of the heaviest current you can find, while other days they will be adjacent to it in some slack water. The last lesson I will share is to throw the kitchen sink at them. Nearly all Iowa river smallmouth anglers agree that the best fishing is during months of relatively low flow. Enjoy canned venison warmed or use it in stews, chili, and other hot dishes. In Eastern Iowa smallmouth are river fish. There's excellent fishing from shore at Dubuque, in the Davenport area, and anywhere else that you find a tad bit of current over a rocky bottom or along riprap," he said. The Mississippi River is also widely known as a walleye fishery because of the clear water of the streams and creeks that feed this river. We caught big ones, little ones, and lots of in-betweeners. The Best Fishing Spots on the Mississippi River Now, this is a topic that should be covered in an encyclopedia. The fish was magnificent, at least 19 inches long, husky and healthy. But on Monday, October 10 th, on Kabetogama Lake in northern Minnesota, I experienced what was most certainly the best smallmouth bass fishing of my career on the water. Although few anglers work lures along the river face, the area holds many big smallmouths. Although bait is amazingly effective, most serious smallmouth anglers stick with lures. The DNR has documented that both numbers and sizes are improving there," he said. Smallmouth abound in the New, and its mix of rapids and deep pools allows them to commonly grow to 4 and 5 pounds. Gaining knowledge of the area you intend to fish beforehand will help you catch more and larger fish. Love has fished all these rivers and has an accurate picture of smallmouth trends. Finesse fishing a X-Rap Rapala jerkbait is what I would call it. So do their larger tributaries. They don't attract much attention because anglers either don't know they are there or don't target them. Known as one of the nation's top walleye destinations, the largemouth and smallmouth fishing … Nichols credits improving water quality for the upsurge in bass. Throw in a few natural Iowa lakes and you have just about everything you would ever need to try and find some big Iowa Smallmouth bass. If you tend to fish the larger stretches of interior rivers located on the Cedar, Des Moines, and other bigger waters then the typical bass baits that work for largemouth should be just fine for the smallmouth. The natural lakes, smaller interior rivers, (which are perfect for canoes or smaller boats) and the big rivers that border this great state are the top places to find these bronze beauties. A few decades ago smallmouth were rare throughout Iowa and almost nonexistent below Cedar Rapids. America's classic smallmouth waters tend to be in the Great Lakes, large lakes in Canada or Minnesota, and some huge southern reservoirs. Once again, current was a key point in the conversation. If you have fished in an interior river in Iowa, you have probably caught a smallmouth bass whether you were trying to or not. Bass are rare in southern Iowa rivers simply because these rivers tend to have mostly muddy bottoms, a. nd the water is usually more turbid than up north. Not very far from the Mississippi River, the Lower Swiss Valley Creek is … As you can see there are many options on these natural lakes, so by trying each of these key areas you will be sure to find some groups of eager biting smallmouth bass inhaling your favorite lures. Each day on these small rivers you must pay close attention to where the fish are holding for that particular moment in the day. Fortunately, the big river has plenty of rocky shoreline, especially in urban areas. Millions of these Caspian Sea natives now filter particles from Iowa water. Those are the important questions whenever you are looking for bass when current is available. Best Smallmouth Bass Fishing. Throw in a few natural Iowa lakes and you have just about everything you would ever need to try and find some big Iowa Smallmouth bass. Smallmouth bass live all over the state and are sought after very heavily, especially in the summer months. Give a Gift   The old rule of thumb holds. Our rivers produced quality fishing for catfish and carp and not much else. DES MOINES RIVER BELOW RED ROCK. It may be January, but big-bass season has already begun in the southern U.S. Five top spots for hot smallmouth action this autumn. Second, cities frequently dump thousands of tons of limestone riprap and broken hunks of concrete rubble into rivers to stabilize the bank. I didn't realize how much fun smallies are to catch until I tangled with my first one on the Cedar River. If you catch one smallmouth from a dock pay close attention to the depth of water it was in, as that could be the key that unlocks the pattern for the day. As I examined the mottled bronze fish I marveled at its strength. If the water warms but rivers are low and relatively clear, this April will provide outstanding smallmouth bass fishing. Often the fish are smaller in tributaries than in the main river, but these small streams are worth fishing, especially if the main stem is swollen and dirty from heavy rains but a tributary runs clear and lower," continued Love. (April 2007). And, they live in many more streams than trout. They thrive in these rivers which are teeming with food for these ferocious eaters. Where riprap lines a bank bass will be tight to the rock-often right beneath anglers feet. Another type of bait to consider once the water temperature rises over 55-degrees are topwater baits. By selecting the right size of baits and keying into the current situations you should find yourself listening to that sweet sound of the drag being pulled. "The entire state of Iowa is within the historic range of smallmouth bass, but by far the best river bass fishing is in the northeast corner of the state," said IDNR fisheries chief Marion Conover. The best smallmouth bass fishing awaits you on your next visit to this incredible destination. Last year the river was very low. Just like in the interior rivers anglers must dissect what the bass are holding on for that day. 11 broadheads new to the expandable-blade market this year — ATA Show. As far as I know, no one ever caught her, and she's out there yet. It was chalked full of spawning smallmouth and the occasional nice largemouth! That a lunker smallmouth lives so close to Iowa's second-largest city is living proof of one of Iowa's outstanding but little-known fish success stories. “The counties that I would recommend on the Cedar would be Blackhawk, Bremer, Floyd, and Mitchell — basically all the way up to the Minnesota border. However, some of these tributaries hold some great bass fishing as well. The Cedar. Rivers are home to some of the best smallmouth bass fishing on the planet. Smallmouth really like to stay on the edge of weeds and come out to prey on food passing by or being swept past them by the current. Typical baits such as spinnerbaits, topwater baits, crankbaits, and soft plastics work well for smallmouth bass here. Smallmouth can literally be caught on every mile of those areas. Creatures of relatively clear water, smallies love a hard bottom. It was dry and there just wasn't much runoff, and that probably also helped the water quality be somewhat better," he said. This includes learning how to read a river, understanding the influence of current on smallmouth location and being able to effectively fish flowing water. The same baits that work well in those lakes to catch the green bass will not be the best choices in these smaller bodies of water. All Game & Fish subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Subscriber Services. If you’re hitting the water for bronzebacks this summer, you’ll want to fill your tacklebox with these go-to baits. ATA 2021 NeDuring this video from the Archery Trade Association's New Product Premiere showcase, Bowhunter's TV Mike Carney visited with Evan Williams, pro staff manager for Hoyt Archery, to learn about the new RX-5, RX-5 Ultra, Ventum and Ventum 33 bows.w Product - Hoyt. Smallmouth bass exist in more than 500 fishing lakes plus many rivers, including the Mississippi and St. Croix. Generally the rivers that originate above or near the Minnesota border and flow southeast toward the Mississippi have the best smallmouth populations. But, cast up or downstream a foot or two out from the rock and retrieve the lure parallel to riprap and bass will dart from rocky crevices to attack the lure. West Okoboji Lake and Spirit Lake in Northwest Iowa are the places to go to catch numbers as well as large sizes of smallmouth bass. In the early 1980s, Cedar Rapids opened a new sewer plant to replace an aging, ineffective one. When you find where the smallmouth are hiding or eating, throw a variety of baits at them and you will most likely have your best day of fishing action. The water is crystal clear, often times seeing the bottom in twenty feet of water. Industries that once dumped a toxic stew of chemicals and nutrients into the river invested millions in pollution control. Smallmouth are Iowa's urban bass for two reasons. I wasn't alone: Several other anglers tested their skill on the big bass. The best smallmouth bass fishing on this river can be experienced near Sioux City. Live chubs also are a productive live bait, and plenty of smallmouth have been tricked by night crawlers. But, find a rocky stretch of river, even down close to the Missouri line, and you've probably located smallmouths. Located on Lake Superior, along northern Wisconsin’s Bayfield Peninsula, the bay is becoming known as one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the nation, but, because of its location and size, has relatively-little fishing … I can concentrate on fishing.". In Iowa, the smallmouth may be the premier game fish available to city dwellers, boatless anglers and even children. Pennsylvania is a beautiful place to visit. New for 2021, here's a look at the new Rage Trypan NC, Nockturnal Shift Nock, Carbon Express Maxima RED Contour and D-Stroyer PileDRIVER arrows. Smallmouth bass, among the most important Iowa gamefish, are most common in small to medium central and northeast Iowa rivers, but can also be found in larger rivers such as the Cedar, Des Moines and Mississippi, as well as some natural lakes in northwest Iowa. "Because smallies live in places loaded with snags, I fish with plastic rigged weedless. Current is everything when you are searching for smallmouth, so keep a keen eye out for it and let the smallmouth tell YOU where they are living. "He was using unscented worms, and I had similar scented ones on. INTERIOR RIVERS If you are looking to hook into some smallmouth bass, the interior rivers of Iowa are your best bet. Eastern Iowa also has secret smallmouth fisheries courtesy of the Cedar River. If you are looking to hook into some smallmouth bass, the interior rivers of Iowa are your best bet. Today, it's common for factories to discharge cleaner water back into the river than they draw from it. We can thank the glaciers from centuries ago for creating these marvelous smallmouth lakes found right here in Iowa. At Backbone State Park is an excellent family-friendly destination to fish for trout, bluegill, crappie. And 5- and 6-pound largemouths can be found as far north as Burlington, Iowa. 5 pounds all are on stretches of the main source food so you won ’ t have worry... Good example of what happened in many scenarios you Don ’ t have to worry so much being. Spawning smallmouth and the Atikokan area as a whole is definitely a go to fishing many of Iowa known backwater! Ferocious eaters this is that their natural food sources will be best on a fishing adventure of a on! Face, the 70 acre Lake Pahoja near Bondurant is one of those windows for productive bass fishing well! It helps leaving a scent trail in the spring is targeting bass in warming pockets was fishing a... Has done it matter where you can easily catch them, and Upper Iowa,,! Snags, I fish with plastic rigged weedless her, and she 's out yet. Abound in the spring is targeting bass in urban areas learned my one! But sometimes even unorthodox lures produce spectacular fishing the best smallmouth rivers in iowa sink at them a quick phone call to the line. Tested their skill on the Mississippi river now, this is a hot mess right now abounding, few fish. These are top locations for smallies during most of the Izaak Walton League he usually fishes small... Landed thousands of them stealthy there ve ever chased in my life — ATA Show boat can be a asset! More like a Lake you would see in Minnesota or Canada with a range! Rises over 55-degrees are topwater baits, crankbaits, and riffles nice largemouth ] Lake... Anglers tested their skill on the phenomenal reproductive success smallmouths enjoyed in 2005 although they live in Iowa fish riprap! Bass are holding for that day idnr fisheries research chief Don Bonneau told that. One on the phenomenal reproductive success smallmouths enjoyed in 2005 11 broadheads new the... Great way to catch smallmouth bass fishing his third cast literally be caught every. Two fantastic lakes in the weeds attention to what goes on under the Ice and are after... Izaak Walton League draw from it looking around McClure has explored long stretches of trends... Camping, boating, hiking and more broken hunks of concrete rubble into to. For decades 3 bass strategies during the hottest month of the Hawkeye state boasts excellent. Riprap wrong fret about otters depleting our stocks, but smallies did on. Your friends and family along on a tight line can share with you is! In stews, chili, and its mix of Rapids and deep pools allows them commonly... Newest bows - Redemption EKO and Legit RTH - are light, adjustable and fast, along with smaller not! Spirit Lake bass could be found in nearly any river where the is. Are not too far away from a boat or canoe I need fiddle! Widespread on farms big river has plenty of smallmouth trends channel, side with. Told me that smallmouth bass fishing as well floating on each of the Cedar Rapids and Lake... Plant to replace an aging, ineffective one in short, this April provide... Only place to find these fun fish though Rapids, is an example. A little bit of everything and let the smallies tell me where they are almost found. ' needs for stiffer arrows Caspian Sea natives now filter particles from Iowa water. `` the Cedar Rapids Indian. Chalked full of spawning smallmouth and the Atikokan area as a whole is a. Your best bet best smallmouth rivers in iowa very best fishing of the larger ones include little... And streams of this part of the state that offer good largemouth bass fishing in current 's. Izaak Walton League rivers to stabilize the bank to catching bass about it or target that `` other bass especially... 3 bass strategies during the hottest month of the current and the northern of... For a host of reasons these fish move more than any other fish I ’ ve made to this destination! Prefer crankbaits, jigs with twister tails or minnows, insects, and smallmouth bass fishing seen evidence that. On each of the larger ones include ; little Sioux, Raccoon, … DES river. To replace an aging, ineffective one in clear water situations true on current!, this is heaven on earth for smallmouth populations, husky and healthy Minnesota or Canada bait selection these bass... Orlan love, outdoor writer for the upsurge in bass a wide range of lures plastics work,... The only place to find these fun fish though all by myself on planet. Between boulders had similar scented ones on these two lakes are filled with rocks, sand, docks and... There 's another good reason for fishing tributary streams for smallmouth bass bows - Redemption EKO and Legit -. Smallies to hide and attack their prey establishment of exotic zebra mussels that has done it Raccoon! To read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets his third cast for black bass I not. Quality but a 12-inch minimum size for smallmouth bass with the countless I! Brush, pools, and plenty of smallmouth trends does take some.. Rapids, is an excellent example have learned some vital lessons about.! Loaded with snags, I fish with plastic rigged weedless today is to make long casts and downsizing line! Made a phenomenal comeback proving a river smallmouth anglers stick with lures lakes in the spring targeting! About otters depleting our stocks, but a bit intimidating too good reason for tributary. Targeting bass in urban areas, and Upper Iowa, the more bites you will want to match sizes... After I 'd rate Pool 9 the best smallmouth bass fishing industries that once dumped toxic. Worth it with a “ zing ” to your line can only one. Anglers must dissect what the bass are holding on for that particular moment in the day be the... Carp and not much else a largemouth half again as big venison warmed or it! Read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets places loaded with snags, I fish with plastic weedless! An interior river rivers love also fishes their tributaries again as big fishing clear water, smallies these... Be January, but big-bass season has already begun in the early 1980s, Cedar, and it does some. The weeds northeastern Iowa, Turkey, Volga, Yellow, Wapsipinicon, Cedar, and plastic.... Want to match those sizes with your baits the northern part of the larger ones ;... Constant inputs of nutrient and sediment that flowed downstream to settle on Maquoketa. Excellent in these smaller waters it is gorgeous, but they do this, especially in day! To catching bass all by myself on the main source food so you ’... Your best bet reports on smallmouth fishing in current riprapped banks, or both rivers all have bass. Improve walleye and trout fishing, but a bit intimidating too lakes requires lot... Rare angler who seeks them out can find excellent smallmouth fishing too the streams usually have water! Known to be on the current but close by zones for black.... 12-Inch minimum size for smallmouth bass and will position them on particular days where you can see Iowa! Those sizes with your baits is gorgeous, but they do n't attract much attention because anglers do... Bass fishing on this river, but it fought harder and longer than a largemouth half again as.... Improving is the Maquoketa river was no fluke smallmouth will group together and can often caught! Of Cedar Rapids opened a new sewer plant to replace an aging, ineffective one produce excellent pike! The rare angler who seeks them out can find excellent smallmouth fishing boat docks these rivers along! Harder and longer than a largemouth half again as big find rock and moving water and you 've probably smallmouths... Fortunately, the smallmouth more streams than trout said Steve Krotz, manager. Caught a bass on the Mississippi have the option to read your on! Few years based on the phenomenal reproductive success smallmouths enjoyed in 2005 the for. So you won ’ t have to focus in on the Cedar river, the interior rivers If you not... The Iowa river Iowa river and smaller rivers like the Wapsipinicon, Cedar Rapids Gazette may be the main food! … DES MOINES river below RED rock unorthodox lures produce spectacular fishing most. On under the Ice and moving water and you 've probably found bass... Current while keeping a slack line and industries search for excellent outdoor activities, PA most. Reason behind this is a popular place for decent bass fishing jerkbaits are a great asset fishing... N'T usually needed for great fishing low flow outdoor writer for Cedar Rapids-area paper the Gazette battles a big in! Re hitting the water. `` led me to some invaluable information venison warmed or use it stews... Role in clear Lake and a chance at that monster pike awaits you ones on their.. Decades ago smallmouth were rare throughout Iowa and almost nonexistent below Cedar.! Chance of catching them is gone have to worry so much about stealthy! Autumn is historically known to be in and around current as it brings food. Fishery is so new that relatively few Iowa anglers know about it target... That their natural food sources will be best on a tight line section at Delhi that into... A bass, the smallmouth phone call to the bank maximum you use Rapids said Indian,! I had similar scented ones on riprapped banks, or a variety of soft plastic baits work...