Today's Best Fishing Times for
Council Bluffs, United States ðŸ‡ºðŸ‡¸

Solunar
Weather
7-Day
Spots

How to use our fishing calendar

Planning your next fishing trip in Council Bluffs, United States ? Today is a average 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.

Council Bluffs, Iowa offers diverse freshwater fishing opportunities on the Missouri River and a network of urban and county lakes packed with gamefish. Anglers target largemouth bass, walleye, catfish, crappie, bluegill, and stocked trout in easily accessible waters like Lake Manawa, Big Lake, and the backwaters along the river. With shorelines, fishing piers, and boat access, Council Bluffs is a productive year‑round fishing destination for both local and traveling anglers. read more...

Sun and Moon Times

The sun will be at it's highest point at . Today we have 12:58 hours of daylight. For shallow water fishing the twilight periods are often the most productive fishing times, especially on days when a major or minor time will coincide with twilight. In low light conditions predators have better cover for their ambush and often hunt in shallow water.
  • Nautical Twilight begins:
    Sunrise:
  • Sunset:
    Nautical Twilight ends:
  • Moonrise:
  • Moonset:
  • Moon over:
  • Moon under:
  • Visibility:
    34%
  • Third Quarter Moon - 34% illuminated Third Quarter Moon
Next New Moon in ~6 days on 10th September
  • Distance to earth:
    363,324 km
    Proximity:
    99.5 %
We can compare the current moon distance to it's minimum and maximum distance from earth and express that as proximity. A high proximity means the moon is closer to earth. At 50% it would be at it's mean distance. A high proximity causes big tides, currents and has a direct effect on increased bite times. A proximity greater than 90% indicates a super moon.
Moon Phases for Council Bluffs
New Moon
Thu, 10 Sep
Full Moon
Sat, 26 Sep

Solunar Bite Times

Settings
Display Settings:
  • average Day
12 1 2 3 4 5 AM 7 8 9 10 11 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Pro Tip: Save locations, get reminders & see fewer ads.
Sign Up Free
Best fishing times:
  • major Time:
    07:20 am - 09:20 am
  • minor Time:
    03:31 pm - 05:31 pm
  • major Time:
    07:54 pm - 09:54 pm
  • minor Time:
    11:10 pm - 01:10 am
All times are displayed in the America/Chicago timezone and are automatically adjusted to daylight savings. The current timezone offset is -5 hours. Green and yellow areas indicate the best fishing times (major and minor). The center shows the current moon phase which is a Third Quarter Moon at 34% lumination. According to the Solunar Theory, today is a average day for fishing, but you need to cross check this with the current weather forecast for a final decision. The next best fishing time ( ) starts in -4 hour and -13 minute. The gray time indicator displays the current local time.
America/Chicago • Sat, 5 Sep 04:06 • 41.262, -95.861
You can support us by subscribing to our Youtube Channel and sharing Fishingreminder on Facebook.

Current Fishing Weather

Updating Weather Infos...

7 Day Fishing Weather

The weather plays an important role in fishing. Wind strenght and direction often determine where you can fish and where fish might be holding. Although high pressure is usually good for fishing, steep pressure changes often trigger feeding frenzies and are great times for fishing. Of course temperature has also a strong effect on fishing and comfort on the water. So make sure to cross check the weather forecast with the solunar fishing times to determine the best times to go fishing. The graph below shows you the 3 hourly weather progression over the next 7 days. Scroll the graph left or right to see more.
Selected Weather Station: Council Bluffs, US
Temperature
Wave Height
Swell Height
Wind
Pressure
Humidity
Cloudcover
Rain Precipitation
UV Index
Retrieving Weather...

7 Day Fishing Forecast Calendar
Date Major Bite Times Minor Bite Times Sun Moon Moonphase
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Third Quarter Moon moon phase
Third Quarter Moon
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Third Quarter Moon moon phase
Third Quarter Moon
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		Waning Crescent moon phase
Waning Crescent
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		New Moon moon phase
New Moon
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		New Moon moon phase
New Moon
-
-
-
-
R:
S: 		R:
S: 		New Moon moon phase
New Moon
*bold times indicate best fishing times around sunrise or sunset

Fishing Overview Council Bluffs

Fishing in Council Bluffs, Iowa centers on a mix of big-river action on the Missouri and convenient, well‑stocked urban lakes like Lake Manawa and Big Lake. This combination gives anglers options for everything from trophy catfish and walleye to easy‑access panfish and seasonal trout close to town.

Seasonal patterns drive success around Council Bluffs. In spring, warming shorelines and inflowing creeks at Lake Manawa and Big Lake draw crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass into shallow coves and around riprap. Slow‑rolling small jigs, crappie tubes, or minnows under a float is productive, while bass respond to finesse plastics and smaller spinnerbaits worked near emerging vegetation. On the Missouri River, spring walleye and sauger hug current seams and wing dikes; vertical jigging with plastics or jigs tipped with minnows in 10–20 feet is a key tactic.

Summer shifts the bite deeper. In Council Bluffs’ lakes, bass slide to weed edges, docks, and man‑made structure. Early and late in the day, topwater lures and swim jigs produce, while mid‑day action favors Texas‑rigged worms and jigs pitched tight to cover. Bluegill stack along weedlines and around fishing piers; a simple slip float, small hook, and piece of nightcrawler will keep rods bent, making these lakes ideal for family fishing. The Missouri River shines in summer for channel, blue, and flathead catfish; focus on deep holes below wing dikes, scour basins at bend heads, and the downstream side of islands with cut bait or live bait on heavy bottom rigs.

Fall is one of the most consistent times to fish Council Bluffs. Cooling water pushes baitfish shallow again, triggering aggressive feeding from bass, crappie, and walleye. In Lake Manawa, work wind‑blown banks with crankbaits and swimbaits that mimic shad. On the river, troll crankbaits along channel edges or vertically jig breaks where current softens to contact roaming walleyes and saugers. Panfish school tightly on deeper structure, so once you locate fish on electronics, stay put and work them methodically.

Winter anglers focus on ice‑fishing opportunities when conditions allow, especially on Lake Manawa and area ponds. Target basins, submerged roadbeds, and weed edges using small tungsten jigs tipped with waxworms or spikes for bluegill and crappie. Light line, tiny presentations, and staying mobile are critical under ice. On milder winters when the Missouri remains open, slow presentations—like heavy jigs and live bait—fished deliberately in deep wintering holes can connect with walleye and catfish.

Habitat and tactical tips vary by water. In Council Bluffs lakes, prioritize:

  • Riprap shorelines and jetties for spring crappie and spawning bass.
  • Weedlines, docks, and submerged brush for summer bass and bluegill.
  • Deeper points, drop‑offs, and creek channels for fall and winter schooling fish.

On the Missouri River, focus on:

  • Wing dikes, current breaks, and sandbar edges for walleye, sauger, and white bass.
  • Deep outside bends, logjams, and scour holes for big catfish.
  • Backwaters and slower side channels when flows are high or dirty.

Upsizing line and terminal tackle on the river, while keeping lighter, more subtle setups for the lakes, will help you maximize the diverse fishing Council Bluffs has to offer.

Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Council Bluffs area

We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Council Bluffs. 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.

Sandpiper Cove - 3.52858084719km , Lake Manawa - 6.19464153151km , Carter Lake - 6.45105812303km , Hanthorn Lake - 9.30644147449km , Old Home Creek - 10.7398995204km , Lapworth Creek - 11.07719130654km , Crescent Creek - 11.34438118818km , Cemetery Creek - 12.22143901943km , Saddle Creek - 13.20332157593km , Little Papillion Creek - 13.43877841554km , Elmwood Creek - 13.52198422532km , F Street Drain - 13.60611236479km , Henchal Creek - 13.73788876069km , Simon Run - 13.92571163861km , Cole Creek - 14.55078699519km , Ralston Creek - 14.65235584084km , Blood Creek - 14.75042124349km , Thompson Creek - 14.78513244336km , Copper Creek - 14.8873613565km , La Vista Creek - 15.04807684404km , Fricke Creek - 15.28632995921km , Big Elk Creek - 15.33876416089km , Betz Road Ditch - 15.36722746293km , 90th Street Drain - 15.42278784932km , Mockingbird Creek - 15.61910595924km , Big Papillion Creek - 15.64028428077km , Quail Creek - 15.88852208505km , Little Keg Creek - 16.06133381531km , Maple Village Creek - 16.06513305218km , Fort Crook Creek - 16.31031391965km , Honey Lake (historical) - 16.37801363847km , Base Lake - 16.45279461081km , Frederick Street Drain - 16.48126528526km , Glenbrook Creek - 16.69312829276km , Behm Creek - 16.72415507905km , West Quail Creek - 16.87136181081km , Jungbluth Dam - 17.08735084716km , North Pigeon Creek - 17.35163295373km , Rockbrook Creek - 17.40844627068km , Whitted Creek - 17.66455950481km

Harbours and Marinas Beaches Bays Wharfs Points,Reefs,etc
We have many members from all over the world who love fishing and share their catches. Checkout some of the recent catches and show us what you got.

Latest Catches

Share your catch
At fishingreminder we don't hide behind our desk. We are crazy about fishing, just like you - so make sure to subscribe to our Youtube channel and see what we're up to. If we are not working on fishingreminder, we are out fishing. Btw. fishingreminder is totally homegrown and we use fishingreminder ourselves everytime we go fishing. We are eternally grateful for your feedback, participation and support.
Comments
Please login to add a comment