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Fishing Des Moines River: what the data says
Fort Dodge to Des Moines The river tops out around 11 ft. The contours are modeled from the water's real shoreline and maximum depth. Treat them as a rough guide, and never use them for navigation. What follows comes from the same scoring engine that paints the spots above.
Channel Catfish fishing at Des Moines River
In spring, channel catfish run shallow here, mostly 3 to 11 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 11 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 11 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 5.0) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 8 ft, rated prime for summer channel catfish. In summer the feeding windows fall in after dark and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 11 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 3 to 11 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 11 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 3 to 11 ft | midday |
Flathead Catfish fishing at Des Moines River
Start shallow in spring: flathead catfish sit in 3 to 11 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 11 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 11 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Outside-bend hole (mile 5.0): a creek channel around 8 ft that scores prime in summer. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 11 ft | night & dusk | |
| Summer | 3 to 11 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 3 to 11 ft | night & dusk | |
| Winter | 3 to 11 ft | midday |
Walleye fishing at Des Moines River
Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 3 to 11 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 3 to 11 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 11 ft. The spot to know is Riffle & run (mile 3.1), a rock pile in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in spring. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening and early morning. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 11 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 3 to 11 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 3 to 11 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 3 to 11 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
White Bass fishing at Des Moines River
In spring, white bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 11 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 11 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 11 ft. Current seam (mile 0.6) is the standout, a current seam at roughly 6 ft, rated prime for spring white bass. Best bite is early morning and the evening.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 11 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Summer | 3 to 11 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Fall | 3 to 11 ft | dawn & dusk | see map |
| Winter | 3 to 11 ft | midday | see map |
Freshwater Drum fishing at Des Moines River
In spring, freshwater drum run shallow here, mostly 3 to 11 ft. Summer fish stay in 3 to 11 ft, and winter fish hold in 3 to 11 ft. Outside-bend hole (mile 5.0) is the standout, a creek channel at roughly 8 ft, rated prime for summer freshwater drum. In summer the feeding windows fall in the evening. Tie on a jig + crawler combo or a small crankbait (slow) and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 3 to 11 ft | midday & dawn | Jig + curly tail (bounced), Small blade bait |
| Summer | 3 to 11 ft | dusk | Jig + crawler combo, Small crankbait (slow) |
| Fall | 3 to 11 ft | midday | Blade bait (vertical), Jigging spoon |
| Winter | 3 to 11 ft | midday | Jigging spoon (slow) |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 5.0): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 6.8): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 12.7): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 15.2): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 21.5): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 26.1): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 28.3): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 30.2): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 32.0): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 34.2): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 36.1): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 39.8): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 48.2): creek channel, around 8 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 52.2): creek channel, around 8 ft
Common questions
How deep is Des Moines River?
Des Moines River is about 11 ft at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
What fish are in Des Moines River?
Anglers target walleye, white bass, channel catfish, flathead catfish, freshwater drum on Des Moines River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Des Moines River?
Outside-bend hole (mile 5.0) is the top-rated area: a creek channel in about 8 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in summer. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Des Moines River?
For channel catfish, the summer bite is best in after dark and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Nearby waters
Don Williams Lake · Big Creek Lake · Peterson Pit West · Little Wall Lake · Brushy Creek Lake · Spring Lake
See how Des Moines River stacks up: best walleye lakes in Iowa · best white bass lakes in Iowa · best channel catfish lakes in Iowa · best flathead catfish lakes in Iowa
Browse all Iowa fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.