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Fishing Shell Rock River: what the data says
Greene to Shell Rock: rocky riffle-pool water with smallmouth and walleye. The river tops out around 8 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 Shell Rock River
In spring, smallmouth bass run shallow here, mostly 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. Clarksville riffles is the standout, a rock pile at roughly 5 ft, rated prime for spring smallmouth bass. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months. Tie on a drop shot (goby/minnow) or a ned rig and you're in the game.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Ned rig, Tube jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | Drop shot (goby/minnow), Ned rig |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | Jerkbait, Blade bait |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday | Blade bait, Hair jig |
Walleye fishing at Shell Rock River
Start shallow in spring: walleye sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. The spot to know is Lowhead weir tailrace, a dam tailrace in about 7 ft of water that rates prime for walleye in spring. 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 8 ft | dusk & dawn | 1/8 oz jig + minnow, Hair jig |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dusk & dawn | Crawler harness on bottom bouncer, Deep crankbait (trolled) |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dusk & night | Jigging rap, Jig + big minnow |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | dusk & dawn | Jigging spoon + minnow head, Rattle bait |
Channel Catfish fishing at Shell Rock River
Start shallow in spring: channel catfish sit in 2 to 8 ft that time of year. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. If you only fish one area, make it Greene dam: a creek channel around 6 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 | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | night & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | dusk | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Common Carp fishing at Shell Rock River
Spring common carp on Shell Rock River hold shallow, usually 2 to 8 ft. Summer fish stay in 2 to 8 ft, and winter fish hold in 2 to 8 ft. The spot to know is Tailout eddy (mile 16.2), a eddy pocket in about 4 ft of water that rates prime for common carp in winter. Plan around early morning and the evening in the warm months.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 2 to 8 ft | midday & dawn | |
| Summer | 2 to 8 ft | dawn & dusk | |
| Fall | 2 to 8 ft | midday | |
| Winter | 2 to 8 ft | midday |
Notable structure
- Lowhead weir tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Shell Rock Milldam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Greene Mill Dam tailrace: dam tailrace, around 7 ft
- Greene dam: creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 2.2): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 5.0): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 7.8): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 9.6): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 12.1): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 19.0): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Outside-bend hole (mile 21.5): creek channel, around 6 ft
- Clarksville riffles: rock pile, around 5 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 16.2): eddy pocket, around 4 ft
- Tailout eddy (mile 25.5): eddy pocket, around 4 ft
Common questions
How deep is Shell Rock River?
Shell Rock River is about 8 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 Shell Rock River?
Anglers target smallmouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, common carp on Shell Rock River.
Where is the best fishing spot on Shell Rock River?
Clarksville riffles is the top-rated area: a rock pile in about 5 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 Shell Rock 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
Avenue of the Saints Pond · Rudd Lake · George Wyth Lake · South Prairie Lake · Green Belt Lake · Harold Getty Lake
See how Shell Rock River stacks up: best smallmouth bass lakes in Iowa · best walleye lakes in Iowa · best channel catfish lakes in Iowa · best common carp lakes in Iowa
Browse all Iowa fishing maps or every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.