Trout Fishing In Iowa?

Get Lost In ‘Little Switzerland' and find serene Iowa trout streams.

April 18, 2023 By Jim Edlund

It may come as a surprise to anglers that the northeastern corner of Iowa—part of the Upper Midwest’s “Driftless Region”—offers some of the most productive, picturesque trout streams anywhere in the country.

Sometimes referred to as “Little Switzerland” thanks to abundant valleys, hills and limestone creeks, the trout streams of Iowa’s Allamakee and Winneshiek counties are transected by a labyrinth of unpaved country roads where an angler can easily get lost.

But it’s good to get lost in Little Switzerland, as long as you keep a full tank of gas, a few cold-cut sandwiches and a thermos of hot coffee on the ready.

Consider that nearly half of the region’s forty-something streams offer naturally-reproducing brown trout; some with the bonus of healthy, foot-long and better brookies, as well as “put-and-take” rainbows for consistent action and table fare. There are good numbers and trophies to hunt, too, with browns in the 20-plus-inch category present.

iowa trout fishing — Experiencing the Northeast Iowa trout fishery should be on every trout angler’s bucket list.

Think Early-Spring Trout

Following winter, the longer days, warmer temperatures and more frequent insect hatches of spring can spell fantastic days on Iowa streams. Likewise, access is easier prior to the verdant bloom of summer, which can weave almost impenetrable streamside vegetation. Exploration is definitely made easier without the angry sting of summer’s sinister nettles. Good for tea, bad for skin.

As a bonus, plan your trip for mid- to late-April and it’s likely you’ll pair fried trout with morel mushrooms, which often appear around dead elms. It’s no hyperbole that there is no finer meal than fresh trout sautéed in butter with morels, ramps and fiddlehead ferns collected by streamside.

The Northern Triangle

Perhaps the best place to start exploring Little Switzerland is by putting down stakes in Dorchester or Highlandville, allowing easy access to North and South Bear Creek, Waterloo Creek and French Creek to the east.

fly fishing for trout in iowa — The bluff county of Northeast Iowa is not only picturesque, but the fishing is absolutely worth a visit.

Former fly-fishing guide Jene Hughes, author of the definitive work The Complete Guide to Iowa Trout Streams, coined the term “The Northern Triangle” to describe this network of fantastic waters, which can all be fished in the same day punctuated by short, 15 minute drives.

North and South Bear Creek are prized by anglers for wild-reproducing brown trout and pockets of brookies. The Waterloo has perhaps the highest numbers of browns in the region with some large fish present and French Creek features numerous bends amidst fallow surroundings where precise casts are required—and rewarded.

ITEMNAME — April and May offer some of the best fishing of the year, especially if the morel mushrooms are popping up.

Local guide Ethan Pole of NEI Fly Fishing agrees. “Those streams are what we call the ‘trilogy’—lots great trout fishing not far apart.”

Recommended Gear

First, do not consider fishing the area without a copy of Jene Hughes’ book and the Iowa Trout Fishing Guide (both which include maps), the latter available from the Iowa DNR.

A short 3- or 4-weight fly rod in the 7- to 8-foot class is perfect for the small limestone creeks, although many anglers give the nod to a 2-weight for dry fly fishing. A 7 1/2- to 9-foot 4 or 5x leader with 6x tippet is perfect for most situations.