How to use our fishing calendar
Planning your next fishing trip in Fort Dodge, 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.
Fort Dodge, Iowa sits along a particularly fish-rich stretch of the Des Moines River and is ringed by productive lakes, ponds, and quarry pits that offer diverse freshwater fishing. Anglers here target everything from walleyes and channel catfish to largemouth bass, crappies, and stocked trout, with year-round shore and small-boat access. Whether you’re casting from bank access in town or working nearby county lakes, Fort Dodge fishing offers consistent action for multi-species anglers. read more...
Sun and Moon Times
-
Nautical Twilight begins:Sunrise:
-
Sunset:Nautical Twilight ends:
-
Moonrise:
-
Moonset:
-
Moon over:
-
Moon under:
-
Visibility:34%
-
Third Quarter Moon
-
Distance to earth:363,324 kmProximity:99.5 %
Moon Phases for Fort Dodge
-
average Day
-
minor Time:12:05 am - 02:05 am
-
major Time:07:27 am - 09:27 am
-
minor Time:03:29 pm - 05:29 pm
-
major Time:07:47 pm - 09:47 pm
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: |
Third Quarter Moon |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Third Quarter Moon |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
 Waning Crescent |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waning Crescent |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
Waning Crescent |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
 New Moon |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
New Moon |
|
|
-
-
|
-
-
|
R: S: |
R: S: |
New Moon |
Fishing Overview Fort Dodge
Fishing in Fort Dodge, Iowa centers on the Des Moines River and a network of pits, ponds, and small lakes that give anglers multiple options in every season. The river runs straight through town, providing easy access for shore anglers, while nearby waters like Brushy Creek Lake, Badger Lake, and various quarry ponds offer classic lake and reservoir-style fishing. Most spots are manageable with a small boat, kayak, or simply a pair of waders, making the Fort Dodge fisheries very accessible.
Spring is prime time for walleye and sauger on the Des Moines River. As flows stabilize and water temps climb into the 40s and low 50s, focus on current breaks below riffles, bridge pilings, and below low-head dams. A 1/8–1/4 oz jig tipped with a minnow or plastic paddle-tail is the top producer; cast upstream and let it tumble along the bottom. Subtle color changes and seams where fast water meets slack are key holding zones. In stained water, chartreuse, orange, and glow patterns help fish locate the bait.
By early summer, smallmouth bass in the river and largemouth bass in local lakes take center stage. In the Des Moines River, concentrate on rocky shorelines, riprap, and isolated boulders with small crankbaits, 3–4 inch tube jigs, and finesse plastics. In lakes and pits around Fort Dodge, target submerged timber, weed edges, and riprap during low-light periods. Topwater walkers, buzzbaits, and weightless stickbaits draw explosive largemouth strikes at dawn and dusk, while Texas-rigged creature baits work well for picking apart heavy cover once the sun gets higher.
Channel catfish are a staple around Fort Dodge, especially in the warm months. On the Des Moines River, fish deeper holes below bends, outside turns, and downstream from logjams. Cut bait, chicken liver, or prepared stink baits fished on a simple slip-sinker rig will produce steadily. Cast slightly upstream of the deepest part of the hole and let the current sweep your offering into the strike zone. At night, move shallower; cats roam flats and outside edges then, so fan-casting can help you cover water efficiently.
Local lakes, pits, and park ponds provide excellent panfish opportunities. In spring, look for bluegills and crappies staging off shallow spawning pockets and protected coves. A small float-and-jig setup with a 1/32–1/16 oz tube or hair jig is deadly; adjust your bobber so your bait runs just above visible cover or the first drop-off. In summer, slide out to the deeper weedline and submerged brush piles. Vertical jigging over brush or slow-trolling small cranks is effective for crappies, while bluegills stack along weed edges where a tiny piece of crawler on an ice-fishing style jig often outfishes larger baits.
When water cools in fall, predators like walleyes, pike, and bass feed aggressively. Focus on wind-blown shorelines, main-lake points, and the first major drop from shore. Jig-and-minnow combinations, shad-style crankbaits, and swimbaits all excel as baitfish school up. In winter, many nearby lakes and pits offer reliable ice fishing. Key winter areas include mid-depth flats near drop-offs and submerged structure. Use small tungsten jigs tipped with waxworms or plastics for panfish, and set tip-ups with minnows on the edges of structure for walleyes and pike. Mobility is crucial: drill clusters of holes and keep hopping until you mark or contact active fish.
Throughout the Fort Dodge area, success comes from matching your approach to each specific water: work current seams and rock for river species, then slow down and probe wood and weedlines on still waters. Keep presentations simple, cover water efficiently, and let seasonal movements of bait and fish dictate your game plan, and you’ll find consistent action around Fort Dodge.
Interactive Fishing Map for the greater Fort Dodge area
We found a total of 40 potential fishing spots nearby Fort Dodge. 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.
Lizard Creek - 3.34509869405km , Gypsum Creek - 4.2764962666km , South Branch Lizard Creek - 5.48905212012km , Bradys Creek - 7.08157184321km , Holliday Creek - 8.92760954819km , Badger Creek - 9.57373237856km , Bass Creek - 12.90247761812km , Brushy Creek Dam - 19.67880584041km , East Fork Des Moines River - 20.11816825359km , Bass Lake (historical) - 24.82224519213km , Reasoner Dam - 25.97701693039km , Joe Reasoner Dam - 25.97701693039km , Welshs Slough - 26.67640899049km , Eagle Creek - 27.16007309363km , Knack Creek - 27.55236051636km , Boone River - 28.21104435485km , Impassable Marsh (historical) - 28.63955564598km , White Fox Creek - 29.45785461743km , Lyons Creek - 29.59498618735km , Brewers Creek - 29.62811466929km , North Branch Lizard Creek - 29.86708783426km , Skillet Creek - 30.30170134699km , Rutland Mill Dam - 30.50966252407km , Rutland Marsh - 30.80978219554km , Owl Lake (historical) - 31.55741424752km , Lizard Lake - 33.06903894791km , Buttermilk Creek - 33.36240460809km , Lost Grove Creek - 33.48189253851km , Tank Pond Creek - 34.28820170522km , West Cedar Creek - 35.38519240472km , East Cedar Creek - 35.38519240472km , Little Eagle Creek - 37.63696819855km , Lost Branch - 38.38609420317km , Reading Creek - 39.38826504765km , Mineral Branch - 39.48910789365km , Cairo Lake (historical) - 40.55320828286km , Trulner Creek - 40.80922217441km , Pilot Creek - 41.44392271868km , Devils Fork - 41.47453950811km , Lotts Creek - 42.24559943385km
Harbours and
Marinas
Beaches
Bays
Wharfs
Points,Reefs,etc
Latest Catches
uploaded by: Joey Piercefield
uploaded by: Joey Piercefield
uploaded by: Joey Piercefield
uploaded by: Joey Piercefield
uploaded by: Joey Piercefield
uploaded by: Joey Piercefield
uploaded by: Robert Raffle
uploaded by: Bradbensonfishes
uploaded by: Miryah Herron
uploaded by: Miryah Herron
Comments