A Slight Geographic Diversion: Trout Fishing in Northeast Iowa
Though this blog is dedicated to exploring the Ozark region of Missouri and Arkansas, I thought a short entry on trout fishing in Northeast Iowa might be of interest. Northeast Iowa, generally the area along the Upper Mississippi from Dubuque to Decorah, has what some might consider to be surprisingly good trout fishing in its small creeks and streams, as well as excellent smallmouth fishing on the Upper Iowa River. This area is about six hours north of the upper Ozarks, around St. Louis, and it is a nice change of pace if your looking to go beyond the borders of the Ozarks yet stay in the midwest.
Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources has five trout hatcheries and stocks the area’s streams weekly. The most scenic and trout abundant waters lie in the tributaries of the Upper Iowa River, including Bear and Waterloo Creek. The Turkey and Volga Rivers also offer good trout fishing as well as trails in these extensive natural areas.
For a family vacation to the area there are also abundant historic sites in the Northeast Iowa and Southwest Wisconsin areas and shopping in Galena, Illinois.