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.