High water fishing

[Spikedriver]

Has anybody been catching any fish after all the rain in Iowa?

 

[Dobeman2000]

In my experience, high water fishing just flat out sucks. I am a big trout fisherman, and I am afraid to even go take a look at the streams in north-eastern IA/WI. I have fished in those areas all my life, and when big rains like that come through it means major damage to the creeks. I know my friend and his boy have been out a couple times on the Mississippi for catfish and haven't done well at all since all the rain, but I don't know much about river fishing. As for pond fishing, after a few days the water clears and all is well.

 

[MaryJoy]

Has anybody been catching any fish after all the rain in Iowa?

It seems like live bait and those slow-moving lures are really the way to go right now. Forget the flashy stuff for a bit. If you're targeting panfish, I'd definitely recommend checking out the shallows where runoff might be stirring up food.

 

[rizkyboy7192]

If you’re planning to head out, I’d suggest taking it easy with the presentations and sticking to spots where the current isn’t too strong. It’ll make for a way better time.

 

[chieffan]

Clear water use light colored bits. Dirty water use dark colored baits.

 

[Old Hickory]

The river here at Burlington is more that 2 feet above flood stage so than kills my fishing until the river returns to normal level. My main interest is catfish.

 

[Old Hickory]

It is looking up here in SE Iowa. Morel mushroom season kicked off nicely and the rivers are now below flood stage.
Yesterday, a lady friend at the grocery store invited me to eliminate her groundhogs on her farm. My brother and I are grabbing a couple of rifles and gear this morning and check out the situation.
Our groundhog scouting has turned out to nothing this year and we have high hopes for today.

 

[Spikedriver]

The creeks and rivers in Central Iowa seem to bad about normal to just a little above normal. I've seen media posts that people are hammering the cats. In the lakes, the crappie bite has come on strong here. I need to get myself out on Hickory Grove, Pine Lake, or Ada Hayden and see what I can catch...