Northeast iowa scenic byway boards, county conservation boards, county economic development and tourism, and other local partners helped develop and print these fishing guides. Fishing reports iowa department of natural resources. Local trout fishing maps and guides can be picked up locally or downloaded from. The backcountry outdoor news reports the latest hunting and, fishing news along with fishing derbies and tournaments. All trout stream stocking events will be unannounced due to covid19 precautions. Other bodies of water, including the upper iowa river the fastest moving river in iowa, as well as the manmade 33 acre lake meyer 15 mi sw of decorah are other popular stops for fishing. Johnson and mcconaughy, as well as the missouri river in northeast nebraska. Northeast iowa fishing reports northeast iowa fishing. The dnr guy was stocking rainbow and brook trout today.
Each spring, the nebraska game and parks commission stocks catchablesized rainbow trout in community lakes and ponds across nebraska. Ten counties in northeast iowa have trout streams in the area known as driftless region which has unique geology when compared to the rest of iowa. Some western iowa lakes are providing good shore fishing action. October 2020 proposed stocking calendar actual stockings may vary. Call 5639275736 for current stocking information for the manchester, big spring, and decorah hatcheries. Northeast iowa trout stream stocking begins april 2. Currently, there are 148 different varieties of fish in iowa. Bear creek anglers is a fly fishing guide service focused on introducing beginners to the sport of catch and release fly fishing or the novice who has spent time on the stream, but has not had success. Find recent fishing reports, catches, and top anglers on waterways in iowa as you explore interactive fishing maps on fishidy. By 2002, there were 467 brown trout per mile and in 2011, that number rose to 2,128 per mile. All state fish hatcheries remain closed to the public also at this time. In iowa, fall is the time for urban trout stocking. The iowa department of natural resources began its weekly stocking runs on tuesday.
The secret iowa trout stream map trout fishing in iowa. Northeast iowa trout stream stocking begins april 2 dnr. The number of trout stocked and the stocking frequency depend on a streams fishing. The following is a tentative stocking schedule, including quantities.
Find a list of stocked trout streams on the dnr trout stream map or the iowa trout streams webpage. Blue catfish they can be found in reservoirs like medicine creek. As sediment poured into streams over the next century, it could be said that iowa s trout hit. Trout fishing iowa department of natural resources. Water clarity is generally excellent, and mayflies and stoneflies are hatching. Whatever gear you choose, toss your artificial lure or bait upstream and let the current carry it downstream to entice the wary trout. For a listing of stocked waters and the anticipated number of fish to be stocked, click on the appropriate county of interest below. Rambling reports fly fishing guides guide service for.
Flyfishers guide to wisconsin and iowa flyfishers guide series. In 2007, it grew to 32 streams and today, trout reproduce naturally on 45 iowa streams, thanks to improvements. Spring trout stocking begins in march and runs through early june. Trout stocking in bellevue iowa dnr tosses in about one hundred game fish in mill creek at felderman park. The three trout hatcheries decorah, big spring and manchester spend one and a half years to grow the fish to stocking size of onehalf pound. These streams provide excellent fishing opportunities for anglers of any skill level. For information on fishing in northeast iowa, call the regional office in manchester at 5639273276. Got out of my element and went wading through a stream to catch trout. Big spring and manchester hatcheries will begin stocking on wednesday, april 1. Read information and updates from iowa s fishing experts here for the most uptodate information. In 1980, only six streams in iowa sustained a trout population without stocking.
These listings reflect the anticipated distribution of yearling and older trout for the spring. Trout fishing, bear creeks, ne iowa fishing reports in. Trout fishing department of natural resources division. Funding to support the trout stocking program comes from the sale of fishing licenses and trout fees. Iowa 2020 community spring trout stocking starts march 27. The stocked trout are approximately 10 inches in length. Stocking fish in private ponds requires a pond stocking general permit form 9400605 pdf. However, in light of the covid19 quarantine guidelines, we are asking anglers to stay clear of our trout stocking staff and always maintain appropriate social distancing between other anglers. Trout stocking season is in full swing but all stockings remain unannounced at this time.
In 2014, nearly 39,000 iowans and over 4,300 nonresidents spent over 430,000 days trout fishing. Over 50 wild, selfsustaining trout fisheries throughout northeast iowa. Iowa trout customized spring creek fly fishing 365 days a year. Moorland pond west of fort dodge, iowa was stocked with 1,500 rainbow and brook trout. It also includes information about guide services, trout stocking, and common fly hatches. This was taken at trout run park just below the hatchery. When are they stocking trout at swiss valley, bankston, or. Trout fishing is a great option for the iceshy angler and the snow covered scenery is beautiful. Iowa s three trout hatcheries produce and stock about 310,000 catchablesized rainbow or brook trout and 110,000 fingerling brown trout into hundreds of miles of northeast iowa streams april through october. State of iowa trout stocking information decorah, ia 52101. Schedule time during your next trip to northeast iowa to visit one of iowas three trout hatcheries manchester, decorah, or big spring. Iowa trout anglers highly satisfied with the iowa dnr trout program time to start controlling plants in iowa ponds northeast iowa trout stream stocking begins april 2 the popular trout stream stocking season starts april 2.
It was a blast and i had an opportunity to fish in such a beautiful place. A prerecorded stocking schedule can be heard by calling the hatchery at 5639275736. It was a picture perfect day as i made my way up to ne iowa to do some trout fishing for a few days. If the report doesnt show the current week, clear your browsers cache. Stocking of brown and rainbow trout began in the late 1800s. Best ever iowa dnr trout stocking moorland pond fishing. Call 5639275736 for current stocking information for. Of course, we also take the experienced angler who wants an introduction to northeat iowa. As mentioned above, if youd like to center your trip around a different region within the northeast corner, just let me know and well figure it out.
Because of the unpredictable nature of brood trout stocking, these stocking events are not listed in the stocking schedule. Weekly trout stocking schedule oregon department of fish. Use more natural looking jigs and spinners with clearer water. The iowa dnr will release between 1,000 to 2,000 rainbow trout at each location as part of its cool weather trout program that brings trout to areas that cannot support. Nei fly fishing is a trout fishing guide service based in decorah, which is located in the driftless region of northeast iowa. All trout stream stockings will be unannounced due to covid19 precautions. The popular trout stream stocking season starts on march 30. Of course, if youre the type that likes to camp, i can put you on several different options. Click here for the northeast iowa trout stream stocking report. The stocking report is updated biweekly through stocking season. Get the most out of your trout fishing trip with information about each streams location, qualities, and other fun facts on the trout streams webpage. This years modified stocking schedule will help improve hatchery staff efficiency and ensure longterm sustainability of iowa s successful and.
Funding to support the trout stocking program comes from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses and trout fees. This general permit allows stocking of native wisconsin fishes in a selfcontained body of water that is located entirely on private property. The popular trout stream stocking season starts april 2. Trout fishing master angler program first fish program current fishing report where to fish interactive fishing atlas. April 2020 call 5639275736 iowa department of natural. Seventeen lakes across iowa are gearing up to receive trout this fall. At this time, trout stocking will continue as schedule in west virginia waters. The weather greeted my with some morning rain as well as fog and cool temps. Northeast iowa goes wild for trout outdoor news daily.
Northwest northeast mississippi river southeast southwest winter urban trout stockings fun for everyone catch trout through the ice at lake petocka this saturday the last winter urban trout. Iowa trout stocking now underway kentucky angling forum. Trout stocking season is in full swing but all stockings remain unannounced at. We offer wading trips on the springfed creeks of northeast iowa. Iowa s three trout hatcheries produce and stock about 310,000 catchablesized rainbow or brook trout and 110,000 fingerling brown trout into hundreds of miles of northeast iowa streams april. They were pretty jumpy but i did manage to catch three rainbows. Northeast iowa trout stream stocking begins april 2 by chris baldus on march 21, 2018. Home outdoors northeast iowa trout stream stocking begins april 2. Swiss valley and bankston are usually stocked on a schedule from april to november. Ne iowa streams to be stocked with trout apr 1, 2012. The list identifies where adult brook, brown, or rainbow trout were recently stocked into tennessee waters.
This weekly fishing report is compiled from information gathered from local bait shops. Pictures, tips, trip reports, and places to fish for trout in iowa. More than 350,000 rainbow and brook trout will be heading to streams in 12 northeast iowa counties over the next six months when the department of natural resources begins its weekly stocking runs. Weekly fishing reports are posted each thursday afternoon.
The number of trout stocked and the stocking frequency depend on a streams. Trout stocking in northeast iowa streams starts march 30. Instead, check out the weekly recreation report for the latest brood trout stocking information, other helpful stocking information. Late winter trout fishing allamakee county, iowa youtube. Decorah district streams all streams are being stocked. Went out on the trout streams yesterday and the streams are full of hold over trout. Northeast iowa trout stream stocking schedule dnr news. Join fishing guide brad johansen as he shares his secrets to finding trout in iowa. When temperatures hover near freezing, youll find fly fishermen like kent kleckner kneedeep in a northeast iowa creek. The decorah hatchery will begin stocking trout on monday, march 30. The dates listed next to the water body are representative of when the water was last stocked as information is available.
About 320,000 catchablesized rainbow trout, 35,000 fingerling brook trout, and 20,000 fingerling brown trout will be stocked into hundreds of miles of northeast iowa streams from the end of march through october. By saturday, april 7, every stocked stream will have received at least one stocking of 1012 inch trout. Jackson county reports second covid19 case, state total at 699. Hidden among cow pastures and corn fields swims an atypical iowa ingredient. Better trout streams with good spring flows will be open throughout the winter. Iowa dnr news release the popular trout stream stocking season starts april 2.