Planning on heading up to Bussey tomorrow to hit the ice while we still have it. But depending on how the day goes, I might try some rivers on the way home. I drive across the Wapsi, Maquoketa, and then the North fork of the Maquoketa all winter and they always look pretty fishy. Never fished river walleyes in the winter, so any advice on what to look for (not looking for spots here) would be appreciated. Thanks and i’ll be sure to post a report!
I cross the west fork of the Des Moines river 2-3 times a day in my travels around Emmetsburg. I have watched the ice start to slowly disappear. I may give it a try this week as well.
Sent you a PM. Hope you do well.
Im not familiar with that area,or how big or small the rivers are,but i do know on the minnesota river,which is a small drainage, i always fish the bends in the river.Theres usually some depth in relation to that outside bend.Ive found the leading edge or upcurrent side usually holds the active fish.Ive also had better luck on the bank or slope rather that in the deepest water.The ‘eyes seem to like a jigging action rather than set lines. I use Do-jigger spoons biggest i can find tipped a half of a fathead minnow.Dont be afraid to fish right in the current,seams are great,but our biggest ones have come out of pretty fast water.
Fish current seams with light jigs (less than 1/8 oz) and plastics or minnows. It only takes 3-4ft to hold fish even this time of year. Not always hanging in deep holes.
All good rivers, give it a go! I will be hitting the des moines hard starting in a couple weeks. Hopefully we can get some rain soon to raise the levels so then I can take my boat out.
All I can say is that you should give them a try. I grew up in Dyersville, and the North Fork has never yielded any walleyes to me, oddly enough one year after a flood, we had a pretty good population of perch, but mostly channel cats and carp. As far as the Wapsi and the Maquoketa, both have yielded me many walleyes. Below the Delhi dam, we used to do well with walleyes, although the dam is no longer there. For the Wapsi, the roller dams are usually really good. Check out the one in Anamosa, it’s been pretty good and the dam in Stone City can be good, too, although that one’s a little off the beaten path. Good luck and let us know how you do!
Sorry that I didn’t get around to posting last Sunday. I had some things come up and wasn’t able to make the trip. Plans are on for this Sunday though! Thanks for all the advice and i’ll be sure to post a report this time
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