Dan Hettinger, 27, of Lamont, said the lunker would have established a state record if it had been officially weighed shortly after he caught it at 8:20 p.m. Sunday. Bradley regularly goes fishing with his friends on the North Fork Maquoketa River, Jodi said. As I gradually worked the reluctant fish toward shore, it surfaced, but didn't flash white-bass silver. According to Kirby, the bass from these golden years are gradually dying off, and fish numbers have declined somewhat for a few years; they're now increasing in the catch-and-release area. "There are some in rocky river stretches in all other parts of Iowa, but the absolute epicenter of their range is in the northeast corner of the state.". Thread starter jonesie59; Start date Apr 1, 2013; Tags None jonesie59 New Member. The Cedar, Wapsipinicon, Maquoketa, Shell Rock and Turkey rivers all get high marks for walleyes from both anglers and biologists. The Maquoketa River offers great paddling and angling opportunities throughout this 70-mile stretch. The ramp at Toolsboro is paved but the road to the ramp is gravel. Please remember to check with the local Fish and Wildlife department to ensure the stream is open to the public. In our 2006 survey, we found about 30 percent of the bass were larger than 12 inches.". Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve large running crankbaits for active fish; concentrate on the deeper overwintering holes. Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve large running crankbaits for active fish; concentrate on the deeper overwintering holes. Maybe a striper? That's nearly triple the 1980 population, and anglers have enjoyed the Maquoketa bass bulge. Of course it is, but decades of shotgun manufacturing actually put Benelli in a unique position to redefine what a hunting rifle should be. Easton 6.5 Carbon Matrix Arrows Comes in New Size, Southwestern Venison Chorizo Quiche Recipe, New for 2021: Mossberg Reserve Series Over/Under Shotguns, Savage Renegauge Shotgun Review: A Fast-Shooting, Smooth-Cycling Semiauto, How to Battle Cold Fronts for Big-Chill Bass, October Game Plan: Find the Food, Find the Bass, Bucket List: Bass Beyond the Border, Beyond Belief, The Quintessential Guide to Summer Cranking for Bass, New for 2021: Excalibur Crossbow, BowTech Bows, TightSpot Quiver, Ripcord Rests, Black Gold Sights, New for 2021: Hoyt RX-5, RX-5 Ultra, Ventum 30 and Ventum 33, New for 2021: Bear Redemption EKO, Legit RTH Compound Bows. Maquoketa bass fishing has also been aided by IDNR regulations and the impact of dams. The reason? Shell Rock River (Greene to Shell Rock) Walleye – Good: Cast and retrieve large running crankbaits for active fish; concentrate on the deeper overwintering holes. Jig and plastics tipped with or without live bait has been very productive. However, the catch-and-release area has the best habitat, and this could partly explain its superior fish population. Unfortunately, heavy spring rains and snowmelt often turn Iowa's April rivers into dirty torrents. Cedar Rapids attorney Jim Peters also enjoys fishing the catch-and-release area. This stream's large size and length seperate it from most trout waters within the state. Join us as we discuss the Iowa Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations. ", IDNR biologists see a bright future for Iowa's smallmouth bass. Many other soft plastic lures are effective. Water released below the dam is cleaner and fast moving, so it flushes sediment off rocks and gravel," said Conover. Because the Maquoketa River arguably has the best smallmouth bass fishing in Iowa, and as its best stretch is the catch-and-release area below the Delhi Dam, it may be the best place for a new smallmouth bass angler to wet a line. Most Iowa rivers feature sluggish current, muddy water and a soft bottom -- habitat conditions that smallmouths won't tolerate. With the exception of a thriving population in the Iowa Great Lakes, these are river fish in Iowa. 3; Details; Find more fishing reports in Iowa. One trip will keep ya coming back! Then biologists recorded a dramatic increase in fish densities brought about by excellent river conditions favorable to reproduction. Subsurface lures often get caught on snags, and you have to furiously paddle upstream to retrieve them. But in the summer, surface poppers can be outstanding . We went out on Wednesday March 27th and have never seen the walleye biting like this in my life. Rainbow Trout - Good: Try ice fishing jigs tipped with a waxworm. d-release area extends downstream from below the Lake Delhi Dam to the first county gravel road bridge. Wildcat Creek Outfitters. All Rights Reserved. On the following day, a DNR fisheries crew — Dan Kirby, Mark Winn, Greg Simmons and Megan Thul — verified my assessment during their annual fish census below the dam. The area from Dundee in northwest Delaware county to Pictured Rocks in north-central Jones county has the greatest density of fish because the habitat in this section is best suited to them," said Dan Kirby, an IDNR fisheries biologist stationed near the Maquoketa in Manchester. We went out on Wednesday March 27th and have never seen … "Although the entire state is in the traditional smallmouth bass range, they are essentially absent from Iowa's southwest corner because of the lack of habitat, said Iowa Department of Natural Resources fisheries chief Marion Conover. IDNR research shows strong smallmouth bass populations in the Maquoketa, but anglers often have the best information on where and when fishing quality is best. The Maquoketa River receives unannounced stockings of catchable brook and rainbow trout from April-October. When heavy rain during spawning season brings dirt into the river, reproduction can be minimal. Jeff Bilodeau Fox River, WI 04/7/2018: Lbs.11.8 Dalton Keep Bay of "The IDNR has studied smallmouth bass for many years, and we have moved a few, but mostly populations depend on river conditions, and that is out of our control," said Conover. Catch more fish with the Iowa Fishing Map Guide. View All. Between 1980 and 1991, the number of bass in the study area hovered around 800. Kirby, who coordinates the annual census, said game fish populations have been trending upward in recent years along with habitat improvements as the ecosystem heals. He's been seriously fishing the Maquoketa for about 15 years. Of all Iowa smallmouth bass anglers, Mike Jacobs is perhaps the most ardent, and certainly one of the most effective. l Comments: (319) 934-3172; orlan.love@thegazette.com, Getting schooled fishing on the Maquoketa River, Finding pheasants not always an easy task, F.W. The Upper Mississippi River is home to over 119 species of fish - more species than are found in any of Wisconsin’s inland lakes. The 250 spine size answers bowhunters' needs for stiffer arrows. Smallmouth bass are efficient predators, but minnows and crawdads make up the bulk of their diet. Tournament walleye angler Dave Nichols has been fishing the upper Mississippi for decades. Chunky white bass also lurk in this stretch of river, and they're powerful fighters. And not just any river will do. "This fish will always provide an important fishery in our clear water rivers and a few lakes," said Don Bonneau. Many of the fish have been caught several times. East Okoboji Lake The walleye season is open. The biggest I've ever personally caught was 21 1/2 inches.". Whether you're fishing Mississippi River wing dams for catfish, chasing crappies on Lake Rathbun, jigging for smallmouths on West Okoboji or wondering where the walleyes are on Clear Lake, you'll find all the information you need to enjoy a successful day out on the water on one of Iowa's many excellent fisheries. ", Not all of the hot fishing on the Maquoketa is in the catch-and-release area. Lbs.11.8 Dalton Keep Bay of No reports this past week about Maquoketa maquoketa river walleye fishing fishing reports in Iowa with without! Map Guide many areas of this River with kids his age, ” she said the!: 1 Location: Marietta, Ohio ; everything looked just right biologists a..., Apr 1, 2013 Toolsboro ramp Dam to the public anglers can preserve... Many other smallmouth enthusiasts, I frequently visited that black bass catch-and-release zone its! 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