Live wading and fishing conditions for 40 Iowa rivers
Every river below is monitored through its USGS streamflow gauges, refreshed every 15 minutes and rated in plain language for wading safety. Select a river for the live dashboard with current flow, trend, weather and community reports.
Upper Iowa River
The crown jewel of Driftless Iowa -- a clear, fast river winding beneath limestone palisades from the Minnesota line down to the Mississippi, and the state's most famous float. World-class smallmouth over gravel and ledge rock, with wild and stocked trout in the cold spring-fed tributaries feeding it. Skinny and technical in a dry summer, it flashes up brown after storms and drops back within a few days.
Region: Northeast Driftless · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Upper Iowa River At Bluffton, Ia, Upper Iowa River At Decorah, Ia, Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester, Ia
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Mississippi River
The great eastern border -- Iowa's stretch of the Upper Mississippi is a lock-and-dam river of side channels, wing dams, and backwater sloughs, and one of the Midwest's premier multi-species fisheries. Walleye and sauger below the dams, trophy flatheads and blue cats in the channel, smallmouth and largemouth in the wing dams and backwaters, and everything else. This is a big-water boat and bank fishery, not a wade stream.
Region: Border Rivers · Fish for: Walleye, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish · USGS gauges: Mississippi River At Clinton, Ia
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Cedar River
Iowa's great interior smallmouth river -- a long, wide stream running from the northern prairie country down through Waverly, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and Cedar Rapids to join the Iowa River. Excellent smallmouth over rock and gravel in the upper and middle reaches, with walleye, channel cats, and flatheads throughout and big water below the cities.
Region: Eastern Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Cedar River At Charles City, Ia, Cedar River At Waverly, Ia, Cedar River At Cedar Falls, Ia, Cedar River At Cedar Rapids, Ia
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Turkey River
A superb Driftless smallmouth and float river dropping through Spillville, Elkader, and the Motor Mill country to the Mississippi, with cold trout tributaries (Big Springs, French Hollow) feeding it. Clear water over gravel and limestone makes it a wade-and-paddle favorite, with historic mill sites and bluffs framing the run.
Region: Northeast Driftless · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Turkey River At Spillville, Ia, Turkey River Near Eldorado, Ia, Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader, Ia, Turkey River At Garber, Ia
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Des Moines River
Iowa's largest interior river and its top walleye water -- running from the northern lakes country through Fort Dodge, past Saylorville and Red Rock reservoirs, through Des Moines, and down to the Mississippi. The Saylorville and Red Rock dam tailwaters are legendary spring walleye and white bass fisheries; the rest is big, slow water for catfish, walleye, and carp.
Region: Central Iowa · Fish for: Walleye, Channel Catfish, White Bass · USGS gauges: Des Moines River At Fort Dodge, Ia, Des Moines River At 2Nd Avenue At Des Moines, Ia, Des Moines River At Ottumwa, Ia, Des Moines River At Keosauqua, Ia
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Wapsipinicon River
The 'Wapsi' -- a long, winding eastern-Iowa smallmouth, walleye, and catfish river running from the northern prairie through Independence and Anamosa to the Mississippi. Slower and more sinuous than the Cedar, with excellent smallmouth on the rock reaches, trophy flatheads in the deep holes, and Wapsipinicon State Park anchoring the middle river.
Region: Eastern Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye · USGS gauges: Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli, Ia, Wapsipinicon River At Independence, Ia, Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa, Ia, Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt, Ia
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Yellow River
A small, scenic Driftless river running through Yellow River State Forest to the Mississippi -- smallmouth and rock bass in the main stem, with coldwater trout streams (Big Paint, Little Paint) tumbling through the forest alongside it. Intimate, gravelly water that rewards light tackle and quiet wading.
Region: Northeast Driftless · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Yellow River Near Ion, Ia
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Iowa River
The river that names the state -- running from the Hardin County smallmouth reaches through Marshalltown and Marengo, then down through Coralville Reservoir and Iowa City to the Mississippi. Smallmouth and walleye in the upper and middle rock reaches; the Coralville Dam tailwater at Iowa City is a marquee walleye, white bass, and catfish fishery.
Region: Central Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Iowa River At Marshalltown, Ia, Iowa River At Marengo, Ia, Iowa River At Iowa City, Ia, Iowa River At Wapello, Ia
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Maquoketa River
A long eastern-Driftless river running from the trout country near Backbone State Park down past Manchester and Maquoketa to the Mississippi -- smallmouth, rock bass, and catfish over gravel and limestone, with coldwater trout in the headwater spring branches. The Manchester whitewater park and Backbone's spring streams anchor the upper river.
Region: Northeast Driftless · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Maquoketa River At Manchester, Ia, Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa, Ia
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Volga River
A clear, lightly-fished Driftless gem tucked into the Volga River State Recreation Area near Fayette and Littleport -- smallmouth and rock bass over gravel and rock, with coldwater trout in the spring-fed reaches. Intimate, quiet water that rewards a paddle or a slow wade.
Region: Northeast Driftless · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Volga River At Littleport, Ia
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Missouri River
Iowa's western border -- a big, fast, sandy channelized river running past the Loess Hills, with restored side channels and oxbow lakes that bring back backwater habitat. Trophy flatheads and blue cats in the channel, sauger and walleye in the current, and shovelnose sturgeon on the sandy bottoms. Big, powerful water best fished from a boat or the bank.
Region: Border Rivers · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Walleye · USGS gauges: Missouri River At Decatur, Ne
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Bloody Run Creek
One of Iowa's premier coldwater trout streams -- a spring-fed Driftless creek near Marquette, cold and clear year-round and stocked with rainbows and browns, with wild trout in its best reaches. A small, intimate stream for the fly rod and ultralight spinning gear, and a designated Outstanding Iowa Water worth protecting.
Region: Northeast Driftless · Fish for: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout · USGS gauges: Bloody Run Creek Near Marquette, Ia
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Raccoon River
A central-Iowa smallmouth, walleye, and catfish river joining the Des Moines in the heart of the capital -- the North, Middle, and South Raccoon come together above Van Meter and run through Water Works Park to the confluence. Smallmouth on the rock reaches, catfish and walleye in the deeper water, and easy metro access.
Region: Central Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye · USGS gauges: Raccoon River At Van Meter, Ia, Raccoon River At Fleur Drive At Des Moines, Ia
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Shell Rock River
A northern-Iowa smallmouth and walleye river flowing out of the Winnebago/Shell Rock country through a chain of small towns -- clear water over rock and gravel in the upper reaches, with pike and channel cats mixed in. A quiet wade-and-paddle river that fishes well once summer flows settle.
Region: Eastern Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Shell Rock River At Shell Rock, Ia
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Boone River
A clear, gravelly central-Iowa smallmouth gem winding through the Briggs Woods country near Webster City before joining the Des Moines -- one of the best wade-and-paddle smallmouth streams in the middle of the state. Intimate rock-and-gravel water that fishes like a Driftless stream on a smaller scale.
Region: Central Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Rock Bass · USGS gauges: Boone River Near Goldfield, Ia, Boone River Near Webster City, Ia
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Big Sioux River
The northwestern border river, dividing Iowa from South Dakota before joining the Missouri at Sioux City -- a smallmouth, walleye, and catfish river of rock riffles up top and bigger, slower water near the confluence. Under-fished compared to the eastern rivers, with good smallmouth on the rock and channel cats throughout.
Region: Border Rivers · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye · USGS gauges: Big Sioux River At Akron, Ia, Big Sioux River At Sioux City, Ia
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South Skunk River
A central-Iowa smallmouth and catfish river running from the Ames country down past Colfax and toward Oskaloosa before joining the North Skunk -- gravel-and-rock smallmouth reaches up top, bigger catfish water below. Long and varied, with easy access near Ames and Story County.
Region: Central Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye · USGS gauges: South Skunk River Near Ames, Ia, South Skunk River At Colfax, Ia, South Skunk River Near Oskaloosa, Ia
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North Raccoon River
The longest of the Raccoon's three forks, running from the Buena Vista County prairie through Sac City and Jefferson down toward the Des Moines -- gravel smallmouth reaches up top, catfish water below, and a long paddle-and-wade run through west-central Iowa.
Region: Central Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Walleye · USGS gauges: North Raccoon River Near Sac City, Ia, North Raccoon River Near Jefferson, Ia
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North Fork Maquoketa River
The Maquoketa's main tributary, running out of the Delaware County farm country down to join the parent river near the city of Maquoketa -- a smaller smallmouth, rock bass, and channel catfish stream over gravel and rock. Lightly fished, best as a wade or short paddle once summer flows settle.
Region: Eastern Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Rock Bass · USGS gauges: North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton, Ia
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Winnebago River
A north-central Iowa smallmouth and walleye river flowing through Mason City and down to the Shell Rock -- clear water over rock and gravel with a run of smallmouth, plus walleye and channel cats near the low-head dams. An easy in-town wade with quiet water above and below the city.
Region: Eastern Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Winnebago River At Mason City, Ia
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Middle Raccoon River
The clearest of the Raccoon forks, running past Nations Bridge Park at Panora and through the Middle Raccoon country before joining the South Raccoon -- gravel-and-rock smallmouth water with rock bass and channel cats. A pretty, lightly-pressured wade-and-paddle stream.
Region: Central Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Middle Raccoon River Near Bayard, Ia, Middle Raccoon River At Panora, Ia
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Little Sioux River
A long northwest-Iowa river winding out of the Iowa Great Lakes country through Linn Grove and Correctionville down to the Missouri near Turin -- walleye and channel catfish throughout, smallmouth on the rock reaches, and a scenic Loess Hills lower valley. One of western Iowa's best all-around river fisheries.
Region: Northwest Iowa · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Little Sioux River At Linn Grove, Ia, Little Sioux River At Correctionville, Ia, Little Sioux River Near Turin, Ia
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English River
A winding southeast-Iowa smallmouth and channel catfish river running through the Amish country near Kalona before joining the Iowa River -- slower and siltier than the rock rivers to the north, with good smallmouth on its gravel reaches and cats in the deeper holes.
Region: Central Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: English River At Kalona, Ia
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Skunk River
The combined Skunk River in its lower reaches near Augusta, running to the Mississippi below Burlington -- big, slow catfish and freshwater drum water with smallmouth on the remaining rock and walleye near the mouth. A boat-and-bank river down low.
Region: Central Iowa · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Skunk River At Augusta, Ia
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Rock River
A northwest-Iowa smallmouth, walleye, and channel catfish river flowing out of Minnesota through Rock Rapids and Rock Valley to the Big Sioux -- rock-and-gravel riffles with a good smallmouth run and cats throughout. Under-fished prairie water in the state's far corner.
Region: Northwest Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Rock River Below Tom Creek At Rock Rapids, Ia, Rock River Near Rock Valley, Ia
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Chariton River
A south-central Iowa river best known for Rathbun Lake, which it feeds and flows out of -- the Rathbun tailwater below the dam is a walleye, white bass, and channel catfish fishery, and the river above and below holds cats and the occasional smallmouth. Big-reservoir-influenced water through the southern hills.
Region: South Central Iowa · Fish for: Walleye, Channel Catfish, White Bass · USGS gauges: Chariton River Near Chariton, Ia, South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City, Ia, Chariton River Near Rathbun, Ia, Chariton River Near Moulton, Ia
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East Fork Des Moines River
The Des Moines River's east fork, flowing out of the Minnesota line through Algona and Dakota City before joining the main stem near Humboldt -- a channel catfish and walleye river with smallmouth on its rock reaches. Quiet north-Iowa farm-country water.
Region: Central Iowa · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: East Fork Des Moines River Near Algona, Ia, East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City, Ia
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South Raccoon River
The Raccoon's southern fork, running through the Redfield country before joining the Middle Raccoon above Van Meter -- gravel smallmouth reaches and catfish holes in west-central Iowa. A good-numbers smallmouth stream near the metro.
Region: Central Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: South Raccoon River At Redfield, Ia
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West Fork Cedar River
A clear West-Fork tributary joining the Cedar above Waterloo near Finchford -- gravel-and-rock smallmouth water with rock bass and channel cats, and a quiet wade-and-paddle character. A good-numbers smallmouth stream that flies under the radar.
Region: Eastern Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: West Fork Cedar River At Finchford, Ia
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North Skunk River
The Skunk's eastern branch, a winding smallmouth and channel catfish river running through the Sigourney country before joining the South Skunk -- gravel smallmouth reaches and deep catfish holes in slower, siltier water. Lightly fished farm-country river.
Region: Central Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: North Skunk River Near Sigourney, Ia
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Little Cedar River
A small north-Iowa tributary of the Cedar near Ionia and Nashua -- clear gravel-and-rock water with a surprising smallmouth and rock bass fishery for its size, plus channel cats in the deeper holes. Intimate wade water off the beaten path.
Region: Eastern Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Rock Bass, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Little Cedar River Near Ionia, Ia
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Floyd River
A northwest-Iowa channel catfish and smallmouth river running through Alton and Le Mars down to the Missouri at Sioux City -- gravel smallmouth reaches up top, catfish water below. Quiet farm-country river best fished once summer flows settle.
Region: Northwest Iowa · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Floyd River At Alton, Ia, Floyd River At James, Ia
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West Nishnabotna River
The western branch of the Nishnabotna, running through the Loess Hills country past Avoca and Hancock down to join the East fork above Hamburg -- channel catfish water with smallmouth on the remaining rock and gravel. Quiet southwest-Iowa farm river.
Region: Southwest Iowa · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: West Nishnabotna River At Hancock, Ia, West Nishnabotna River At Randolph, Ia
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East Nishnabotna River
The eastern branch of the Nishnabotna, running through Atlantic and Red Oak before joining the West fork above Hamburg -- channel catfish and smallmouth water in the rolling southwest-Iowa farm country. Good cat holes and gravel smallmouth reaches.
Region: Southwest Iowa · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: East Nishnabotna River Near Atlantic, Ia, East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak, Ia
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Nishnabotna River
The combined Nishnabotna in its lower reach near Hamburg, running to the Missouri at the Iowa-Missouri line -- big, slow channel and flathead catfish water with freshwater drum and the occasional walleye near the mouth. A bank-and-boat river down low.
Region: Southwest Iowa · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish · USGS gauges: Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg, Ia
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Ocheyedan River
A small northwest-Iowa tributary of the Little Sioux, joining it at Spencer -- gravel smallmouth and channel catfish water with a quiet, off-the-radar character. Best as a wade once summer flows drop.
Region: Northwest Iowa · Fish for: Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish · USGS gauges: Ocheyedan River Near Spencer, Ia
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Nodaway River
A southwest-Iowa channel catfish and smallmouth river running through the Clarinda country toward Missouri -- gravel smallmouth reaches and deep catfish holes in rolling farm country. A quiet river that fishes well once flows settle.
Region: Southwest Iowa · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Smallmouth Bass · USGS gauges: Nodaway River At Clarinda, Ia
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Maple River
A small western-Iowa channel catfish river running through the Loess Hills country to the Little Sioux near Mapleton -- slow, siltier water with a solid channel cat and freshwater drum fishery. A bait-soaker's river best after dark in summer.
Region: Northwest Iowa · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Freshwater Drum · USGS gauges: Maple River At Mapleton, Ia
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Boyer River
A western-Iowa channel catfish river draining the Loess Hills through Denison and Logan to the Missouri near Council Bluffs -- slow, turbid water with a good channel cat and freshwater drum fishery. A summer bait-fishing river through the hills.
Region: Northwest Iowa · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Freshwater Drum · USGS gauges: Boyer River At Logan, Ia
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Thompson River
A small south-central Iowa channel catfish river running through the Decatur County country near Davis City toward Missouri -- slow, turbid water with a solid channel cat and freshwater drum fishery. A summer bait-fishing river off the beaten path.
Region: South Central Iowa · Fish for: Channel Catfish, Freshwater Drum · USGS gauges: Thompson River At Davis City, Ia
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