Fish Iowa - Rivers and Streams - West Fork Cedar River


About West Fork Cedar River

River length (miles): 68.00
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Black Hawk
Description:
Coordinates: 42.61260176, -92.49484651

Amenities

Amenities at West Fork Cedar River include:
  • Boat Access
  • Camping
  • Gravel Boat Ramp
  • Carry Down Boat Launch

Fishing Report

- No recent updates found

Fishing Forecast

A fisheries survey from 2015 revealed an abundant number of walleye, smallmouth bass, northern pike and a few quality sized channel catfish. An additional electrofishing survey is to occur this coming fall of 2025. Small fishing boats or canoes are highly recommended for this portion of the river as low flows may make navigation difficult at times. (2025)

Consumption Guidelines

Iowa-Caught Fish Are Safe to Eat, In Almost All Cases

In nearly all cases, Iowa fish are safe to eat. Cleaning and/or preparing the meal causes most of the problems regarding taste or color of fish. Like all living creatures, fish are susceptible to diseases, parasites, and other naturally occurring conditions in the water. If you suspect your fish is affected by any of these conditions, do not eat it. Consider eating smaller and younger fish which usually have lower levels of contaminants than larger ones. Most contaminants accumulate in larger, older fish. For additional information, check out our resources for eating and cooking Iowa caught fish.

To learn more about fish tissue monitoring, visit our Fish Tissue Monitoring page .

Stocking

  • 6/2/22 - 8,777 Walleye (1.4)
  • 06/03/2021 - 8,750 Walleye (1.53)
  • 05/27/2020 - 9,625 Walleye (1.2)
  • 05/30/2019 - 8,750 Walleye (1.4)
  • 5/24/2017 - 8,750 Walleye (1.5")
  • 5/26/16 - 10,920 Walleye (Fingerling)
  • 05/29/2015 - 1,876 Walleye (2")

Management

  • 2023 - Exotic Species-Invertebrates: Rusty crawfish sampled by MSIM crew

Motoring Restrictions

Motoring Restrictions: None

Contacts for this Location

Fishing Regulations

  • 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:
  • 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:

Aquatic Invasive Species

  • Rusty Crawfish

To learn more about AIS, visit the Iowa DNR's Aquatic Invasive Species page for more information and resources.

Fish Surveys

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