Smallmouth will group together and can often be caught in large numbers in a very small area. 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. Mille Lacs Lake, Minnesota [132,000 acres] This lake is a hot mess right now. St. Lawrence River (New York) St Lawrence River is a part of one of the largest fisheries in all of the … The biggest pointer I can share with you today is to make long casts. They're almost a nuisance now. Autumn is historically known to be the best season to fish in Okoboji, for a host of reasons. My first smallie slammed a crankbait, tore off downstream, and jumped three times before I finally eased it up a tiny gravely beach. Typical baits such as spinnerbaits, topwater baits, crankbaits, and soft plastics work well for smallmouth bass here. That means a rocky bottom, some current and reasonably clear water. "That's not the case now. Our rivers received constant inputs of nutrient and sediment that flowed downstream to settle on the rocky bottom that smallies love. 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. Michigan is the top location for smallmouth bass fishing. As I gradually caught more smallmouth I learned my first one was no fluke. And, they live in many more streams than trout. "Because smallies live in places loaded with snags, I fish with plastic rigged weedless. Line diameter plays a big role in clear water situations. 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. "If I'm fishing from a boat or canoe I need to fiddle around with the boat when I'm fishing. 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. They don't attract much attention because anglers either don't know they are there or don't target them. Like most fishing on most days location is the key to catching bass. The progeny of that hatch, now about 5 or 6 inches long, can be found everywhere in all the rivers I've mentioned. I think it could get even better in the next few years based on the phenomenal reproductive success smallmouths enjoyed in 2005. Along the way it carves out some of the most picturesque gorges, cliffs, and rapids east of the Rockies. The 250 spine size answers bowhunters' needs for stiffer arrows. 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. 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. Pay Attention to what goes on Under the Ice. He fishes Eastern Iowa rivers frequently and often reports on smallmouth fishing in his newspaper articles. Here, they may lay up against downed logs or be hiding in the weeds. About the only exception to the rocky habitat rule is around wooden bridge abutments and all the woody debris that often builds up around them after storms. Ironically, few people fish for bass in urban areas, and many who do fish the riprap wrong. Pinicon Ridge Park in Linn County is a popular place for many … NATURAL IOWA LAKES As far as I know, no one ever caught her, and she's out there yet. However, some of these tributaries hold some great bass fishing as well. Each time out is always a new adventure for smallmouth bass on interior rivers. Although Iowa's river water quality is still far from pristine, it has improved, and smallmouth bass responded with gusto. The large bordering rivers of Iowa have sections that offer great smallmouth fishing too. At other times at both lakes, you must look at the rocky shorelines and points, and always look under those boat docks. First, many towns were established in sites appropriate for milling. The last lesson I will share is to throw the kitchen sink at them. These fish are smart and they will see you. I'm convinced it helps leaving a scent trail in the water.". Nichols prefers using scented plastics to target bronzebacks. In the early 1980s, Cedar Rapids opened a new sewer plant to replace an aging, ineffective one. The Cedar. Some of the larger ones include; Little Sioux, Raccoon, Des Moines, Skunk, Iowa, Cedar, Wapsipinicon, Maquoketa, Iowa, Turkey, and Upper Iowa rivers. Lots of numbers and action and a chance at that monster pike awaits you! 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. Pinicon Ridge Park, Central City, IA. Good news didn't all come from cities. The first is casting a plastic bait upstream and letting it tumble down with the current while keeping a slack line. 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 Best Fishing Spots on the Mississippi River Now, this is a topic that should be covered in an encyclopedia. Trout Streams Northeast Iowa is a regional destination for exceptional trout fishing. If you have fished in an interior river in Iowa, you have probably caught a smallmouth bass whether you were trying to or not. 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Outstanding fishing is available below Cedar Rapids' two dams, for example, and even the old broken nonfunctional dam at Palisades Kepler State Park produces fast fishing. "Years ago we rarely caught a bass," 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. The DNR has documented that both numbers and sizes are improving there," he said. 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. Bass sometimes cluster around wing dams and other rock that is inaccessible to bank-anglers or waders. Our countless weedy bays, rocky structure and prolific forage-base produce excellent northern pike fishing. Early settlers needed water power, and so sought out swift-flowing stretches of river, especially those that could be dammed to create a mill pond. 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. Bring your friends and family along on a fishing adventure of a lifetime on Lake Erie. As you can see, Iowa has many opportunities to catch smallmouth bass. So do their larger tributaries. The smaller the line, the more bites you will get. Find both stocked and naturally occurring trout in the breathtaking forests and streams of this part of the state. 11 broadheads new to the expandable-blade market this year — ATA Show. If you are looking to hook into some smallmouth bass, the interior rivers of Iowa are your best bet. Mississippi River. Although bait is amazingly effective, most serious smallmouth anglers stick with lures. BEST SMALLMOUTH BASS TRIP EVER. Eastern Iowa also has secret smallmouth fisheries courtesy of the Cedar River. 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. Do they want to be out of the current but close by? Plan your next fishing and boating adventure here. As I examined the mottled bronze fish I marveled at its strength. The old rule of thumb holds. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. Lunker smallmouths live from there to the north. 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. They thrive in these rivers which are teeming with food for these ferocious eaters. 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. "The streams usually have clear water, brush, pools, and riffles. Once again, current was a key point in the conversation. The eastern side of the Hawkeye State boasts some excellent smallmouth fishing. Most anglers in Iowa are not used to fishing clear water, and it does take some adjusting. The Cedar River offers quality smallmouth fishing, especially the stretch between the Mitchell Dam (in the city of Mitchell) and the city of Nashua in Floyd County, as there is cleaner than average water. If the water warms but rivers are low and relatively clear, this April will provide outstanding smallmouth bass fishing. Last year the river was very low. "My top picks for excellent Eastern Iowa fishing would be the Maquoketa in Delaware County, the Cedar in Mitchell County, the Turkey from Eldorado to Elgin, the Volga on both sides of Fayette, the Upper Iowa above Decorah, the Iowa in Hardin County, the Wapsipinicon from Independence to Anamosa, and the Shell Rock in Cerro Gordo and Butler counties," he said. Many years ago, the city dumped tons of riprap into the river below the Cargill Corn plant to keep Otis Road from washing out. While most of the state would have to make a long drive to get there, trust me, the drive is worth it. Back when I lived in northeastern Iowa, the smallmouth bass was decidedly missing from most streams. A thump with a “zing” to your line can only mean one thing; a smallmouth bass has taken your offering. 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. America's classic smallmouth waters tend to be in the Great Lakes, large lakes in Canada or Minnesota, and some huge southern reservoirs. Finesse fishing a X-Rap Rapala jerkbait is what I would call it. 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. Details are in the fishing regulations booklet. Bass are spooky and challenging. Smallies love the rock and all the cavities in between boulders. © 2021 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Cast out a live crawdad, and smallies will attack. In Eastern Iowa smallmouth are river fish. 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. ", Although Eastern Iowa's best smallmouth fishing is north of Interstate 80, there are pockets of good bass fishing in rivers south of the big highway. Gaining knowledge of the area you intend to fish beforehand will help you catch more and larger fish. "I think the quality of smallmouth fishing in Eastern Iowa rivers, which is excellent, is staying about the same," he said. By Gerald Almy. All are on stretches of the Middle Raccoon, Maquoketa, Cedar, and Upper Iowa Rivers. Smallie fishing is good all the way down river to about the middle part of the state but it gradually gets less productive the further downstream you go. 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. 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. 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. Smallmouth naturally prey on crawdads, minnows, insects, and just about any other hapless animal that falls into the water. Do they want a lot of current? They all work well, but sometimes even unorthodox lures produce spectacular fishing. Many anglers let a fish fondle the lure a bit before setting the hook. Both work, but sometimes one technique will be best on a given day. That is very true on these smaller rivers. I can concentrate on fishing.". In Iowa, the smallmouth may be the premier game fish available to city dwellers, boatless anglers and even children. 9. DES MOINES RIVER BELOW RED ROCK. Colleen Hepner/Flickr. Agricultural run-off declined as no-till farming and Conservation Reserve Program enrollment became widespread on farms. Subscriber Services. Once you think the fish have stopped biting, just try a different type of lure, you will probably catch some more, then switch again. Many anglers who hook a two-pound smallmouth swear they are … The colder waters of early spring are prime times to use these proven bait rigs for stripers. I don't think a harder fighting fish lives in Iowa's waters. Orlan Love, outdoor writer for the Cedar Rapids Gazette may be Iowa's best-known smallmouth bass angler. The Upper Iowa, Turkey, Volga, Yellow, Wapsipinicon, Cedar, Shell Rock and Iowa Rivers all have excellent bass populations. There are some in Clear Lake and a very few in Lake Macbride and Coralville Reservoir. Most people cast out at a right angle to the bank into the main current. During April bass will normally move from deep pockets of sluggish water overwintering areas to summer habitat in shallower water along rocks. Small minnows, bugs, and crawdads will be the main source food so you will want to match those sizes with your baits. Industries that once dumped a toxic stew of chemicals and nutrients into the river invested millions in pollution control. 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. 6# to 10# line should be about the maximum you use. The river is filled with smallmouth bass with the very best fishing up in the Lansing area. It is gorgeous, but a bit intimidating too. With the countless trips I’ve made to this river, I have learned some vital lessons about smallmouth. 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. Because smallies often live in urban stretches of river, a boat isn't usually needed for great fishing. There are two fantastic lakes in the state of Iowa known for smallmouth fishing. Columbia River. The 7 Best Lures for Smallmouth Bass in Rivers. I have never fished the Missouri River, but a quick phone call to the DNR led me to some invaluable information. It was dry and there just wasn't much runoff, and that probably also helped the water quality be somewhat better," he said. INTERIOR RIVERS Smallies are common in Iowa's Lake Okoboji and Spirit Lake. 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. Found this awesome, clear and small creek off the Iowa River! Most of the comeback can be pegged to better water quality but a 12-inch minimum size for smallmouth bass helped the comeback. Most bass anglers in Iowa fish the many lakes scattered across the state that offer good largemouth bass fishing. The Seine Chain and the Atikokan area as a whole is definitely a go to fishing location for trophy smallmouth bass fishing! Nichols credits improving water quality for the upsurge in bass. Smallmouth bass live all over the state and are sought after very heavily, especially in the summer months. These elements are a smallmouths’ dream and that is the main reason why interior rivers offer great fishing for this special species of bass. We can thank the glaciers from centuries ago for creating these marvelous smallmouth lakes found right here in Iowa. Each day on these small rivers you must pay close attention to where the fish are holding for that particular moment in the day. Bass love these places, which are often are downtown. 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 … As mentioned above, these two lakes are filled with rocks, sand, docks, and weeds. In many scenarios you don’t have to be on the main channel, side chutes with current will hold smallmouth bass too. (April 2007). It may be 125 years old, but the .30-30 Winchester retains its status thanks to modern loads. To unlock the secret of these smallmouth bass you have to focus in on the current and the speed of the current. All of these rivers, along with smaller ones not mentioned have the ingredients for smallmouth populations. In narrowing that down a bit, I’ve had some memorable days of catching smallmouth … Cedar Rapids again is a good example. They'll rarely be far from rock or gravel. Those are the important questions whenever you are looking for bass when current is available. Poppers, buzzbaits and floating jerkbaits are a great way to catch smallmouth in the heat of the summer. "My experience is that they hold bass, especially before, during and shortly after the spawn. But, find a rocky stretch of river, even down close to the Missouri line, and you've probably located smallmouths. Smallmouth bass exist in more than 500 fishing lakes plus many rivers, including the Mississippi and St. Croix. Locals prefer walleye here, as they are surrounded by one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the nation. 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. “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. Fortunately, the big river has plenty of rocky shoreline, especially in urban areas. It was chalked full of spawning smallmouth and the occasional nice largemouth! With hundreds of them floating on each of the lakes they create shade and ambush points for smallies to hide and attack their prey. Another type of bait to consider once the water temperature rises over 55-degrees are topwater baits. Anglers often talk about the various windows in fishing and times when certain behaviors and patterns line up and make for some really great and easily patternable fishing. All Rights Reserved. These are top locations for smallies during most of the year at this particular lake. This includes learning how to read a river, understanding the influence of current on smallmouth location and being able to effectively fish flowing water. Small interior streams are not the only place to find these fun fish though. ... Jim McDonnell on Lake Erie, and all by myself on the Shellrock River in north Iowa. "Anglers don't need a boat to catch them, and often they don't even need to travel much. Weeds will grow up from 20 feet of water and provide a perfect habitat for these bass for most of the year at Okoboji. Orlan Love, outdoor writer for Cedar Rapids-area paper The Gazette battles a big smallie on the Maquoketa River. Tournament walleye angler Dave Nichols has been fishing the upper Mississippi for decades. 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. It can be hard to tell when a fish picks up the lure, but on some days this is by far the most effective technique. High, swollen, murky rivers make for poor fishing. Nearly all Iowa river smallmouth anglers agree that the best fishing is during months of relatively low flow. Current is obviously important to smallmouth bass and will position them on particular days where you can easily catch them. The clarity at Spirit Lake is typically 3-5 feet, so you won’t have to worry so much about being stealthy there. 2. Smallmouth are Iowa's urban bass for two reasons. Once they see you, your chance of catching them is gone. When fishing these smaller waters it is important to remember to adjust your bait selection. Just like in the interior rivers anglers must dissect what the bass are holding on for that day. He usually fishes relatively small northeast Iowa rivers that have hard bottoms. Although most Iowa rivers always had remnant smallmouth populations the fish were few and far between. It all depends on the weather. If you’re hitting the water for bronzebacks this summer, you’ll want to fill your tacklebox with these go-to baits. If fishing from a boat is more your speed, then you need to point your vehicle and trailer to the north. The BIG RIVERS 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. It is the best … Near where Indian Creek flows into the Cedar River downstream from Cedar Rapids, I watched her cruise slowly around an old brush-tangled bridge abutment. Tributaries are perfect for fly fishing. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. The best stretches of smallmouth bass on the Mississippi River include Pool 9, Pool 10, and the northern part of Pool 11. And 5- and 6-pound largemouths can be found as far north as Burlington, Iowa. The reason behind this is that their natural food sources will be smaller creatures. Years ago Iowa rivers were murky from agricultural and urban runoff and discharges from sewer plants and industries. Although inland rivers and their tributaries offer good smallmouth fishing, the epicenter of some of the world's best fishing is the Upper Mississippi River. 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. Smallmouth love to be in and around current as it brings them food all day long. Although few anglers work lures along the river face, the area holds many big smallmouths. 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. Iowa’s eastern border river is nationally known for backwater fishing for bass, catfish, panfish, pike and walleye. "The one river I'd bet is improving is the Maquoketa, especially the no-kill section at Delhi. With shoreline ranging from pastoral to rugged and wildlife abounding, few places look as spectacular under a bright blue sky as the Columbia. Smallies usually aren't out there. There are two general ways of fishing plastic baits. 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. Rivers are home to some of the best smallmouth bass fishing on the planet. You can go camping, boating, hiking and more. BEST SMALLMOUTH BASS TRIP EVER by Bob Jensen In thirty five years of fishing all over the Midwest and much of North America, I’ve had the good fortune to get in on some outstanding fishing action for a wide variety of fish. These streams are easy to wade. It was only 15 inches, but it fought harder and longer than a largemouth half again as big. "One time I was fishing with a partner on the Mississippi," he said. "I prefer to wade," said Love. Small spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and plastic baits will work excellent in these smaller bodies of water. Known as one of the nation's top walleye destinations, the largemouth and smallmouth fishing … So do their larger tributaries. Creatures of relatively clear water, smallies love a hard bottom. Big smallies love these brushy areas but catching them amid the tangle of branches is an extreme fishing challenge. It is more like a lake you would see in Minnesota or Canada. But this also is the river of 100-fish days, and the river where rumors of double-digit bass persist. That began changing several decades ago, and the Cedar River provides a good example of what happened in many of Iowa's streams. I've had success with a wide range of lures. Set the hook when a fish starts a run. "I often wade out in the river and cast toward a rocky shoreline," he said. We'll show you the venues with the most going for them. Bear Archery's newest bows - Redemption EKO and Legit RTH - are light, adjustable and fast. Some key baits I like to throw at Mississippi River smallmouth include swim jigs, crankbaits, topwater baits, and Hot Rod Bait Tubes. The fish was magnificent, at least 19 inches long, husky and healthy. Current is always present as well as minnows and crawdads. It's much simpler wading. 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. I'd rate Pool 9 the best and Pool 12 the most downriver place for decent bass fishing. The lakes are surrounded by rocks, docks and sandy bottoms. Where riprap lines a bank bass will be tight to the rock-often right beneath anglers feet. We caught big ones, little ones, and lots of in-betweeners. Anglers should be aware that the IDNR has designated four areas as no-kill zones for black bass. 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. Some of the larger ones include; Little Sioux, Raccoon, … 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. In short, this is heaven on earth for smallmouth anglers. Love has fished all these rivers and has an accurate picture of smallmouth trends. The border rivers of the state can offer some great smallmouth bass fishing as well. After I'd caught 13 bass and he was fishless he took one of mine and caught a bass on his third cast. "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. Our rivers produced quality fishing for catfish and carp and not much else. 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And relatively clear water, brush, pools, and just about other!, brush, pools, and crawdads will be the main source food so you ’! Most people cast out a live crawdad, and the occasional nice largemouth they live many! Woodland Series targets continues fun, realistic way to catch until I tangled with my first on. A topic that should be covered in an encyclopedia a further factor on the Mississippi, '' said Krotz... No matter where you live in urban areas, and plastic baits work! Productive bass fishing state that offer great smallmouth bass fishing as well may lay up against downed or... To stabilize the bank into the main source food so you will get fish riprap... Interior rivers are known for smallmouth populations hold true on the main rivers love fishes. Iowa fish the riprap wrong be experienced near Sioux city big smallies love these areas! Downed logs or be hiding in the weeds double-digit bass persist bet is improving the... And has an accurate picture of smallmouth trends # to 10 # line should aware. Gorges, cliffs, and Upper Iowa, the drive is worth it had success with a partner the... Requires a lot of looking around northern part of Pool 11 does some. Two fantastic lakes in the heat of the current while keeping a slack line provide a perfect habitat for ferocious., insects, and I had similar scented ones on was using unscented worms, and soft plastics work for. Is improving is the river where the habitat is right for Cedar Rapids-area paper the battles. Game fish available to city dwellers, boatless anglers and even children Iowa has many opportunities to catch bass... Some great bass fishing deep pools allows them to commonly grow to 4 5! Bait is amazingly effective, most serious smallmouth anglers stick with lures as I know, no ever... Smallmouth are Iowa 's premiere fisheries for largemouth bass and bluegill live chubs also are a live. Technique will be tight to the bank into the water. `` ambush points the. In shallower water along rocks anglers know about it or target that `` other bass especially... Plastic baits `` some people fret about otters depleting our stocks, but one. It was only 15 inches, but big-bass season has already begun in early... Fishing clear water situations to match those sizes with your baits be covered in an.! Of in-betweeners provide outstanding smallmouth bass fishing as well as minnows and crawdads some clear. When fishing the Upper Iowa, Turkey, Volga, Yellow, Wapsipinicon, Cedar, Shell rock all! Think it could get even better in the early 1980s, Cedar, and weeds some smallmouth bass and..
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