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Des Moines River

Boat Ramps
53
Access Points
86
Species
40

The Des Moines River is a significant waterway that flows through Minnesota, Iowa, and a small portion of Missouri, serving as a major tributary of the Mississippi River. Stretching approximately 525 miles, this river provides diverse habitats supporting numerous fish species and offers excellent fishing opportunities throughout the seasons. The river features varying depths, with some areas reaching 70 feet deep, though most fishing locations are much shallower. With its combination of deep pools, riffles, sand and gravel bars, and submerged structures, the Des Moines River creates an ideal environment for multiple game fish species, making it a popular destination for anglers across the Midwest.


Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Des Moines River and what's needed to catch them.

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Des Moines River. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Know where you can legally fish on Des Moines River

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Iowa licenses and regulations

Iowa Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Iowa Fishing License 

All anglers 16 years and older must have a fishing license to fish Iowa waters. Anglers under the age of 16 may fish Iowa waters without a fishing license and may fish for and keep their own limit of fish, except when fishing for trout they must share their limit with a licensed adult or buy their own trout fee to keep their own limit of trout.

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Iowa Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Iowa Stream Access Laws

If a waterway can support a vessel capable of carrying one or more people during a total of six months in one out of every ten years, it is considered navigable and is open to fishing, swimming and wading, regardless of streambed ownership. 

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Take Des Moines River with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

  • Use the map without signal

    Download the map around Des Moines River to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Des Moines River to find where and when fish are biting for you.

Get the onWater Fish app

Free on iOS and Android

Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Des Moines River and check the forecast before you go.

DES MOINES RIVER ABOVE WINDOM, MN

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