IA fishing??

[d.roy]

I need help - I'm a MN native who's considering a job promotion to Des Moines. I hate to admit it but fishing and hunting is playing a large role in my consideration. I love living in MN for this reason - ample opp's for deer (bow/rifle) and duck hunting with plenty of ice and open water fishing. I prefer to target both LM and SM bass, walleye, muskie, and pannies as well as SE MN trout. How is the fishing and hunting for these species in the des moines area?? Are there any decent trout streams near by?? Are there any fishing/hunting opportunities that are exclusive to the des moines area?? Thanks for any info to aid in my decision!

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

I am not into hunting anymore but the pheasant and deer hunting isn't too bad depending which part of the state you target. It seems to differ each year depending on weather and habitat during the spring and summer.

There are 3 natural lakes which are all pretty much in the northern 3rd of the state. I am sure there is some excellent fishing in the Des Moines area but I don't know if it will stand up to Minnesota fishing. All of the trout fishing that I am aware of is pretty much in the northeastern part of the state. I am from Mason City which is 120 miles north of Des Moines. We will usually have good ice around Christmas with the smaller areas alittle sooner. Most of the guys I know go to Mn. to fish especially during the summer months. I fish a bunch and do most of it in Iowa but being so close to Mn., I do go there quite often.

Read some of the threads in this section and it may give you an idea of what to expect in Iowa.

[htgeren]

I grew up in SE Iowa and spent a few years in the Des Moines area and the lack of fishing opportunites there led my desicion move to MN. There are a number of shallow rivers which can produce some smallie and cat action in that area along with a couple large resevoirs, but they seem to have been known to most as dead seas outside of Rathbun which has a pretty decent crappie population. No trout streams within a 2 hour drive to my knowledge. There are some good pheasant and deer hunting opportunities, but as far as fishing I expect you will be pretty disappointed after spending your life in MN. I've been in MN for 7 years now so things may have totally changed.

[tommyk]

I am from Minnesota, but have spent the last two summers down in the Des Moines and explored alot. Farm ponds are where you are going to run into amazing panfish (#'s and size), but you will need to make sure if they are public or private first. I had access to a few ponds on the golf course proprty where I worked. I will just say biggest two crappies of my life! Also a mess of 10" gills. This is pretty common for some little ponds down there. That is the main thing you are going to notice. Almost any little body of water can hold fish down there because of the relatively mild winters compared to Minnesota. Don't overlook any pond that looks decent, it probably has fish. As for larger lakes/reservoirs Big Creek has a good population of big bluegills and Saylorville (Sewerville) Reservoir offers a huge amount of white bass/whipers. Look for seagulls! Thats about all I can think of.

Best of Luck

TommyK

[iowaboy]

D.Roy.....

Big Creek is really starting to come on and will only get better multi-species lake.

I don't fish it as much as I used to Brushy is alot closer for me.

The eyes are in their just have to search.

Crappie are coming on.

Gills are nice 8-10 inches

LM are pretty plentiful

Catfish can be hot

Muskie also roam this lake

Lake Rathbun south of Des Moines is an excellent walleye and crappie lake. I've only fished it once so I can't help you much.

Ice fishing is tough south of HWY 20 it can be tough to find good ice down in southern Iowa.

Brushy Creek Lake north and west of Des Moines 65 miles a fairly new lake with....

Eyes over 10lbs

Crappie up to 16 inches

Gills up to 10 inches

A bonus perch once in a while 12 or over.

Lots of LM with some real buckets mouths

SM don't really hear alot being caught but their in there.

Channel Cat over 10lbs

Muskie over 40 inches swim the lake

Lake Corneila another 20 miles north of Brushy by Clarion.

Healthy population of perch to 11 inches

Decent eyes not alot though

Crappie 10-12 inches not alot

The pheasant hunting I'm not sure about down around Des Moines. I live 65 miles north of DM and they are plentiful. I don't deer or duck hunt so I can't help you out their.

Not to plug another site : ( Sorry but no links are allowed. We would like to know more so please invite your friends here to share information as well)

[d.roy]

Thanks for all the info. Not sure where I'll be yet but the info is helpful should I find myself in IA. Even if I don't move there, it sounds like there's some great opportunities there for some nice pannies - might have to give it a shot anyway!

[Carp-fisher]

droy,

I lived and fished in the Des Moines area for over 15 years...I transplanted to Eden Prairie a couple of years ago. I hate to say it, but I'm going to be straight with you: Iowa is a fishing hell hole compared to Minnesota. There are more and better lakes in a 40 mile radius of Eden Prairie then there are in the whole state of Iowa. If you are an ice fisherman, the Des Moines area will drive you crazy. The water quality in the Iowa is very bad, and consequently many of the lakes and farm ponds are basically holding tanks for farm chemicals. The Des Moines river is an excellent walleye fishery, but the meat tastes like mud.

That being said, if you love pheasant hunting and catch and release channel cat fisher (or even carp), the Des Moines are is pretty good. Big Creek and Brushy Creek are o.k., but Minnetonka blows them both away.

[IceJohn]

Glad you are in Mn.good luck catching all those fish.