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• Bluegill
• Channel Catfish
• Largemouth Bass
• Northern Pike
• 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.

• Bluegill
• Season: Continuous
• Daily Bag Limit: 25 fish
• Possession Limit: unlimited
• Length Limit: none
• Other:
• 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:
• Largemouth Bass
• Season: Continuous
• Daily Bag Limit: combined black bass, 3 fish
• Possession Limit: combined black bass, 6 fish
• Length Limit: 12-inch minimum
• Other:
• Northern Pike
• Season: Continuous
• Daily Bag Limit: 3 fish
• Possession Limit: 6 fish
• 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:
• 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:

Many anglers consider the Wapsipinicon River one of the best all-around interior rivers in Iowa. This scenic 73-mile stretch of river, expanding through Bremer, Black Hawk and Buchanan Counties, offers great angling opportunities for a variety of game fish. Natural reproducing populations of smallmouth bass, northern pike and channel catfish thrive in this river along with a healthy walleye population maintained through walleye stockings. Navigation from Tripoli downstream to the small community of Littleton is mostly by canoe or kayak. Ten public access points along this section of river provide anglers access to an excellent northern pike fishery with fair populations of smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish. Navigation from Littleton downstream to Independence is mainly by canoe, kayak or small jon boat. The hard surface Otterville bridge access provides a takeout point for river users navigating downstream from Littleton or a launching point for those wanting to paddle through the impoundment above Independence. Smallmouth bass, walleye and channel catfish become much more prevalent throughout this section of the Wapsipinicon River. The river starts to widen and deepen downstream of Independence and jon boats become more common. There are six hard surface boat ramps and six public walk-in areas from the dam in Independence downstream to Troy Mills. This stretch of river offers fabulous angling opportunities for northern pike, walleye, smallmouth bass and channel catfish. In a 2020 DNR fisheries survey above the Otterville Access, staff measured and weighed thirty five walleyes. Forty six percent of these walleyes were of fifteen inches and longer. The largest walleye measured in at 28.6 inches and weighed 9.5 pounds. Numerous quality sized smallmouth bass, northern pike and channel catfish were included in this survey also. For additional information on access points click on the above tab "River Maps" for a downloadable pdf map.(2020)

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