IDNR research indicates that smallmouth bass move the most in April and September. The water is relatively warm, and fish are hungry. April fishing depends greatly on water conditions. I enjoyed outstanding smallmouth angling one relatively unusual April following a winter of light snowfall. Spring rains were scarce, and the river was low and clear, making fishing conditions perfect. Unfortunately, heavy spring rains and snowmelt often turn Iowa's April rivers into dirty torrents. Fishing is often futile in these conditions.

IDNR research shows strong smallmouth bass populations in the Maquoketa, but anglers often have the best information on where and when fishing quality is best. Of all Iowa smallmouth bass anglers, Mike Jacobs is perhaps the most ardent, and certainly one of the most effective. He's been seriously fishing the Maquoketa for about 15 years.

"I love fishing this river, and in 2007, I think, the average bass size was a bit bigger than in past years," Jacobs said. "There were lots of fish in the 12- to 13-inch range, with good numbers of 15- to 17-inch fish. The biggest I've ever personally caught was 21 1/2 inches."

Jacobs fishes many eastern Iowa rivers either by wading or from a kayak or kick-boat. "There's good fishing in the upper stretch of the Maquoketa catch-and-release area," he said, "but access is easy there, and pressure is high. Many of the fish have been caught several times. I prefer the lower stretch of the catch-and-release area. It's not as accessible, and I often fish it from my kick boat. Pressure is much lighter there, and the fish are more naïve.

"Last year, I started fishing it in mid-April, and fishing stayed productive through the end of May. September is also an outstanding month, but fishing can also be good throughout the summer. I strictly fly-fish, and usually use subsurface flies early and late in the season. But in the summer, surface poppers can be outstanding . . . On a good day, a partner and I will land 40 to 50 fish, but we've had several 100 to 120 fish days."

Cedar Rapids attorney Jim Peters also enjoys fishing the catch-and-release area. "I love this stretch. It's close to Cedar Rapids, has good water quality if it hasn't rained recently, has relatively constant water level, and has variety," Peters said. "It's rocky for the first couple of miles below the Delhi Dam and lower down has more brush and downed trees.

"We fish from a canoe but get out and wade some areas; often we fish from 10 a.m. until dark. Sometimes we spent six hours on the water and cover only four and a half miles, but still don't feel like we hit all the good spots. Sometimes the stars are coming out when we finally get to the pickup."