Iowa DNR: fall river fish are just moving to their winter holes

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says late fall is one of the best times to fish the state's interior rivers. As water cools in October and November, fish leave their summer areas and gather in deep overwintering holes. The DNR's Greg Gelwicks says the warm fall has delayed that move, so it is only now getting started.

Catfish tend to hold in holes deeper than about 15 feet. For other species, the DNR suggests deep-diving crankbaits and jigs with plastics at first. As the water gets colder, a slower jig-and-minnow approach takes over.

For smallmouth bass, the DNR points to the upper Wapsipinicon River in Buchanan and Linn counties and the upper Cedar River in Black Hawk and Bremer counties. For walleye, it names the Shell Rock River in Butler and Bremer counties and the upper Cedar.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Iowa DNR — Fall is a great time to catch fish in Iowa's rivers (Oct. 27, 2026).