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Fishing Maquoketa River: what the data says
Manchester to Monticello The river tops out around 6 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. Here is how the season plays out for each species, straight from the data behind the map.
Smallmouth Bass fishing at Maquoketa River
Start shallow in spring: smallmouth bass sit in 2 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. The spot to know is Riffle & run (mile 28.1), a rock pile in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Walleye fishing at Maquoketa River
Spring walleye on Maquoketa River hold shallow, usually 2 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Riffle & run (mile 28.1) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring walleye. Plan around the evening and early morning in the warm months. A crawler harness on bottom bouncer or a deep crankbait (trolled) covers the summer program.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Channel Catfish fishing at Maquoketa River
Spring channel catfish on Maquoketa River hold shallow, usually 2 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. The spot to know is Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5), a creek channel in about 5 ft of water that rates prime for channel catfish in summer. Plan around after dark and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday |
Northern Pike fishing at Maquoketa River
Start shallow in spring: northern pike sit in 2 to 6 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Inside bend (mile 15.4) is the standout, a point at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for fall northern pike. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Summer baits: a bucktail or a weedless spoon over cabbage gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | #5 inline spinner, Spoon (red/white) |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dawn & dusk | Bucktail, Weedless spoon over cabbage |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | Big rubber (Bull Dawg style), Husky-style jerkbait |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Tip-ups, Large jigging spoon |
Rock Bass fishing at Maquoketa River
In spring, rock bass run shallow here, mostly 1 to 6 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 6 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 6 ft. Riffle & run (mile 28.1) is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 3 ft, rated prime for spring rock bass. Best bite is the evening. Tie on a ned rig (small) or a marabou jig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 1 to 6 ft | midday & dawn | 1/16 oz jig + grub, Small inline spinner |
| Summer | 2 to 6 ft | dusk | Ned rig (small), Marabou jig |
| Fall | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Small tube jig, Inline spinner |
| Winter | 2 to 6 ft | midday | Tungsten jig + plastic, Small spoon + spike |
Notable structure
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.5): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 4.7): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.2): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 10.6): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 14.0): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 16.8): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 21.5): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 23.7): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 25.9): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 30.6): creek channel, around 5 ft
- Current seam (mile 12.2): current seam, around 5 ft
- Eddy pocket (mile 8.8): eddy pocket, around 5 ft
- Inside bend (mile 15.4): point, around 5 ft
- Inside bend (mile 6.0): point, around 5 ft
Common questions
How deep is Maquoketa River?
Maquoketa River is about 6 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 Maquoketa River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, channel catfish, rock bass on Maquoketa River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Maquoketa River?
Riffle & run (mile 28.1) is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 3 ft of water that rates prime for smallmouth bass in spring. Open the map above to see every rated spot for each species and season.
When is the best time to fish Maquoketa River?
For smallmouth bass, the summer bite is best in early morning 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
Silver Lake (Delaware) · Wapsipinicon River · Central Park Lake · Turkey River · Prairie Park Fishery · Pleasant Creek Lake
See how Maquoketa River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Iowa · best walleye lakes in Iowa · best northern pike lakes in Iowa · best channel 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.