How to use our fishing calendar
Planning your next fishing trip in Cedar Rapids, United States ? Today is a poor day for fishing. Our comprehensive fishing almanac combines our popular solunar tables, moon times, sunrise and sunset times, and a 7-day fishing calendar so you always know the best fishing times in your area. We analyse major and minor solunar bite times, rate each day on a five-star scale, and pair it with localized weather forecasts so you can quickly tell whether today is a good day to fish without juggling multiple tabs. Be sure to bookmark this page so you never miss a bite. view bite times...
- Check our unique Solunar Clock for precise solunar tables and the best moon phases.
- Use the forecast calendar section to sync bite times with major weather changes.
- Analyze the forecasted weather conditions, such as wind, barometric pressure and rain to plan your fishing session.
- Jump to the 7-Day Fishing Calendar for an extended fishing forecast, then explore nearby fishing spots on the interactive map.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa offers diverse freshwater fishing on the Cedar River and nearby lakes, with excellent opportunities for walleye, smallmouth bass, flathead catfish and panfish. From urban shorelines to quiet backwaters, anglers can target a wide range of species with simple, proven tactics that work year‑round. Whether you prefer casting lures, soaking live bait, or drifting jigs, Cedar Rapids fishing delivers consistent action for both beginners and experienced anglers. read more...
Sun and Moon Times
-
Nautical Twilight begins:Sunrise:
-
Sunset:Nautical Twilight ends:
-
Moonrise:
-
Moonset:
-
Moon over:
-
Moon under:
-
Visibility:43%
-
First Quarter Moon
-
Distance to earth:392,625 kmProximity:30.7 %
Moon Phases for Cedar Rapids
-
poor Day
-
major Time:
04:51 am -
06:51 am
-
minor Time:12:02 pm - 02:02 pm
-
major Time:05:24 pm - 07:24 pm
-
minor Time:10:47 pm - 12:47 am
Current Fishing Weather
Wind Speed and Direction
Wind Direction:
Wind Speed:
Wind Direction and Speed are one of the most important aspects for choosing a fishing spot. An offshore wind can help land-based anglers with longer casting distances, while an onshore wind will make kayak fishing safer. Often fish will also move to certain feeding areas depending on the wind direction. Check out the long term wind forecast at the charts below.
Fishing Barometer
Atmospheric Pressure:
Change since midnight:
Trend for next 6 hours:
Atmospheric or Barometric Pressure affects fish activity. The best fishing can be had on a rising barometer and also the time just before it is falling. A steady barometer in the higher ranges can also mean good fishing. A falling or low barometer reading without much change is usually not a very good time for fishing.
UV Effect on Fishing
As a rule of thumb, the higher the UV index, the deeper fish will move. Shallow water fishing is best done at times with a low UV index. When the UV is high, stick to early mornings, late evenings and shaded areas. The effect is less noticable in deeper water, but often a higher UV index can produce good results in the deep.
7 Day Fishing Weather
| Date | Major Bite Times | Minor Bite Times | Sun | Moon | Moonphase |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
First Quarter Moon |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Gibbous |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Gibbous |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Gibbous |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waxing Gibbous |
Fishing Overview Cedar Rapids
Fishing in Cedar Rapids centers on the Cedar River, a broad, productive system running right through town, plus a network of ponds, quarry lakes, and small reservoirs. The river supports strong populations of walleye, smallmouth bass, channel and flathead catfish, and panfish, while nearby stillwaters offer dependable action for largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. Access is good, and much of the fishing can be done from shore with straightforward tactics.
Seasonal patterns drive success on the Cedar River. In early spring, walleye and sauger concentrate below dams, current seams, and riprap shorelines. Jigs tipped with minnows or soft plastics bounced slowly along the bottom in 6–12 feet are the go‑to approach. As water warms in late spring, smallmouth bass become more active around rocky banks, bridge pilings, and current breaks; 1/8–1/4 oz tube jigs, small crayfish‑style plastics, and shallow crankbaits perform well. Summer shifts the focus to low‑light periods—dawn, dusk, and at night—for walleye and catfish. Channel cats and flatheads feed heavily along outside bends, deeper holes, and undercut banks; fresh cut bait or live bait presented on a slip‑sinker rig is standard.
Fall is prime time for quality fish in Cedar Rapids. Cooling temperatures push walleye and smallmouth back to mid‑river structure and deeper rock. Vertical jigging around dams, deeper runs, and channel edges can be very effective. Panfish in local ponds and backwater areas school tightly over remaining weed edges and drop‑offs—light bobber rigs with small jigs or live bait take crappie and bluegill consistently. During winter, when safe ice forms on area ponds and small lakes, downsized jigs tipped with waxworms or plastics produce steady action for bluegill, crappie, and occasional perch.
Key habitats to target in the Cedar River include current seams where fast water meets slow, rocky points and riprap banks, deep outside bends, and the tailwaters below dams. Smallmouth and walleye focus on rock and gravel with moderate current; catfish favor deeper scour holes and softer bottom adjacent to these areas. In nearby lakes and ponds, look for submerged brush, standing timber, shoreline riprap, and any remaining weed growth as magnets for bass and panfish.
Common techniques and tactical tips are refreshingly simple. For walleye and smallmouth, carry a medium spinning rod with 8–10 lb braid and a fluorocarbon leader, a selection of 1/8–3/8 oz jigs, 3–4 inch paddle‑tail swimbaits, twister tails, and a few shallow to medium‑diving crankbaits. Work jigs upstream and lift‑drop them with the current, keeping bottom contact but avoiding constant snagging. For catfish, use a medium‑heavy rod, 20–30 lb main line, a sliding sinker above a swivel, and an 18–24 inch leader to a strong circle hook; cast slightly upstream of holes and let the rig settle into the depression.
In stillwaters, finesse pays off. Ultralight to light spinning setups with 4–6 lb line, small slip bobbers, and 1/32–1/16 oz jigs will handle most bluegill and crappie situations. For largemouth bass, focus on mornings and evenings with topwater plugs, spinnerbaits, and weightless soft plastics around cover, then shift to slower presentations like wacky‑rigged worms as the sun rises higher. Vary retrieve speed and angle until you contact fish, then repeat that pattern across similar structure around Cedar Rapids.
Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Cedar Rapids area
We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Cedar Rapids. Below you can find them organized on a map. Points, Headlands, Reefs, Islands, Channels, etc can all be productive fishing spots. As these are user submitted spots, there might be some errors in the exact location. You also need to cross check local fishing regulations. Some of the spots might be in or around marine reserves or other locations that cannot be fished. If you click on a location marker it will bring up some details and a quick link to google search, satellite maps and fishing times. Tip: Click/Tap on a new area to load more fishing spots.
Cedar Lake - 2.77285804348km , Cold Stream - 2.97494642956km , Municipal Island - 4.28071215755km , Robbins Lake - 4.74423624129km , Squaw Creek - 6.66068431764km , Bena Brook - 6.69774255963km , C Street Roller Dam - 7.19596421192km , Berrys Run - 8.04394564829km , Morgan Creek - 8.35134741548km , Willow Creek - 9.21999808198km , Pleasant Run - 11.20932522668km , Martin Creek - 11.25135700057km , Abbe Creek - 11.51456802689km , West Otter Creek - 12.40145706987km , Lone Tree Creek - 12.58819616374km , East Indian Creek - 13.04452587837km , Elbow Creek - 13.2469506055km , South Hoosier Creek - 14.45431659187km , East Big Creek - 15.6681243499km , Williams Lake - 17.79254068154km , Little Bear Creek - 18.33797196473km , Big Lewis Lake - 18.65099892985km , Lingle Creek - 20.12577685669km , Little Lewis Lake - 20.31092710385km , Ink Pond - 20.44668280307km , Goose Run - 20.9446889202km , Twin Lake - 21.32087992264km , Hoosier Creek - 21.48415859852km , McAllister Creek - 21.62734146847km , West Hoosier Creek - 22.01145225352km , Swisher Creek - 22.54697732863km , Heatons Creek - 23.23891403483km , Hahn Creek - 23.38205232783km , Blue Creek - 24.19376436252km , Sand Point - 24.46664840891km , Apple Creek - 24.81126453025km , East Branch Blue Creek - 24.88733685917km , Wildcat Creek - 25.04637601828km , Opossum Creek - 25.49459797537km , Wisniewski Pond - 25.7502277288km
Comments