COLUMN: Where can I fish in Jones County?

THE NATURE OF THINGS COLUMN
By: 
Michele Olson
Jones County Naturalist

     Due to the lake draw down for the Central Park Lake Restoration Project, a common question this summer at Central Park has been, “When will the lake be filled back up with water?” The unpopular answer is “Hopefully by next summer.” This leads some to ask, “Where can I fish until then?”

     Although Central Park Lake is currently drawn down with only a puddle remaining, a few people are still catching some bluegill, crappie, largemouth bass and channel catfish out of the puddle. In addition, fishermen have been having luck catching bluegill, channel catfish, and largemouth bass in the new seven-acre pond found west of the primitive campground at Central Park. A new parking lot with informational kiosk overlooks the new pond.

     For those who prefer pond fishing, the 261 acre Hale Wildlife Area, just to the northeast of Hale has five, 1-2 acre, walk-in ponds with catchable bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. A small borrow pit, which occasionally floods from the Maquoketa River, is found at the Leifker Wildlife Area, south of Cascade. This pond can offer some surprise catches to those who give it a try. Another borrow pit pond, frequently flooded by the Wapsipinicon River, can be found at the Olin Recreation Area just north of Olin.

     Luckily, Iowa is a land between two rivers with many rivers and streams in-between. Jones County is especially lucky to have both the Maquoketa and Wapsipinicon Rivers running through it. Both of these major river systems and stream tributaries offer wonderful fishing opportunities. Smallmouth bass, walleye, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, northern pike, and a variety of other river fish species can be hooked while fishing these waters.

     Public areas along the Maquoketa include the Mon Maq Dam Access, Pictured Rocks and Indian Bluffs Accesses, Eby’s Mill Access, Hwy 136 Access, and Supples Access. On the Wapsipinicon, public accesses include the Stone City Boat Ramp, Anamosa Boat Ramp, Wapsipinicon State Park, Newport Mills Access, Olin Access, Jungletown, and Oxford Mills Access. All of these accesses offer bank fishing with some having developed boat ramps.

     Those individuals and families with river boats, canoes, and kayaks will find wonderful hot spots and fishing holes along each stretch of our rivers and streams. For details on each area and what they offer, visit the Jones County Conservation Board website at http://www.jonescountyiowa.org/conservation-areas.

 

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