Trout Fishing in Iowa
When people think of Iowa, trout fishing is not likely to be the first thing that comes to mind. Corn? Probably so. However, Northeast Iowa is filled with small cold streams that are regularly stocked with trout. There are also a few streams with naturally reproducing native brook trout.
Waterloo Creek flows through what was once tall grass prairie nestled in small valleys.
Most of the streams are stocked weekly from one of the five trout hatcheries managed by Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources. The most scenic and trout abundant waters lie in the tributaries of the Upper Iowa River. My favorites are Bear and Waterloo Creek along the border between Winnishiek and Allamakee Counties. The Turkey and Volga Rivers also offer good trout fishing as well as trails in these extensive natural areas. The Upper Iowa has a few trout itself, but it is mostly known for its smallmouth bass and walleye fishing.
These streams are not large, some are small enough to cross without getting your feet wet, but they do produce surprisingly large trout as they meander their way through the rolling hills and meadows of Northeast Iowa.
For a family vacation to the area there are also abundant historic sites in the Northeast Iowa and Southwest Wisconsin areas and some highbrow shopping in Galena, Illinois. Don’t forget to get your Iowa Fishing License and Trout Tag.
Fish these baits in the current; letting them drift into deep pools and around and under large boulders where the fish are waiting. When using lures, try a Mepps, Super Duper, Panther Martin, Roster-tail or Kastmaster. Again, fish these in the current through calm pools behind large rocks and in deep areas in the water. Use little or no weight. Have a full spool of fresh six pound test line.