Angling has picked up on the interior rivers as they recede. There have been reports of anglers catching crappie and bluegill on the surrounding Black Hawk County area lakes. Trout streams remain in excellent condition and the stocking is fully underway. For further information contact your local bait shops for the most recent information.

There have been a few reports on the Maquoketa River of walleye and black crappie being caught. Try fishing below the Lake Delhi Dam and the Manchester whitewater park as well for walleye and crappie.

Walleye - Fair: Anglers do best when casting and retrieving lead head jigs tipped with plastics and a minnow.

Black Crappie - Fair: Locate woody structure on the river around Manchester. Try vertical jigging a lead head jig tipped with a colored tube jig for some crappie.

• Channel Catfish
• Northern Pike
• Rock Bass
• Smallmouth Bass
• Walleye

    No known aquatic invasive species have been found

The Fishing Regulations brochure is available for download. The summaries listed below are a partial listing provided for your benefit.

• Channel Catfish
• Season: Continuous
• Daily Bag Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 15 fish
• Possession Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 30 fish
• Length Limit: none
• Other:
• Northern Pike
• Season: Continuous
• Daily Bag Limit: 3 fish
• Possession Limit: 6 fish
• Length Limit: none
• Other:
• Rock Bass
• Season: Continuous
• Daily Bag Limit: none
• Possession Limit: unlimited
• Length Limit: none
• Other:
• Smallmouth Bass
• Season: Continuous
• Daily Bag Limit: combined black bass, 3 fish
• Possession Limit: combined black bass, 6 fish
• Length Limit: 12-inch minimum
• Other: There is a catch and release only regulation on a portion of this river in Delaware County. The catch and release regulation is in effect from below Lake Delhi Dam and extends downstream to the first county gravel road bridge
• Walleye
• Season: Continuous
• Daily Bag Limit: combined walleye, sauger and saugeye; 5 fish
• Possession Limit: combined walleye, sauger and saugeye; 10 fish
• Length Limit: none
• Other:

The Maquoketa River offers great paddling and angling opportunities throughout this 70-mile stretch. Very good smallmouth bass fishing occurs in many areas of this river with all the suitable rocky habitat. Concentrate efforts near these areas in which "smallmouth " love. There is a Catch & Release Area for all bass in Delaware County extending downstream for four and a half miles from below Lake Delhi Dam as posted to the first county gravel road bridge, Pioneer Road. A strong population of channel catfish and walleye from Manchester downstream will provide great fishing opportunities for anglers of all ages. This stretch of river is most accessible by kayak or canoe as the river is fairly wide and shallow in places. Ten access points, mostly carry-down, provide paddlers and anglers many options throughout this scenic area of river. Stop and visit the newly constructed/dam removal project, "Manchester Whitewater Park," a must see for all outdoor enthusiasts. Voyage a ride through the six drop structures or enjoy the view from the beautiful landscaped park. Fish habitat and passage were also designed into the new park to add exceptional habitat for smallmouth bass and walleye. A hard surface boat ramp at Bailey's Ford County Park, Delaware County, provides boat angler access to a popular overwinter staging area for walleye. Kayak and canoe rentals are available in Manchester. Check the local directory for phone numbers and rental availability.(2020)

Tip: Click the arrow in the lower right corner to view the Fish Survey Data tool in full-screen mode.