Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)
General Information
Location: This stretch includes Winneshiek and Allamakee County. A popular access is at Lower Dam about 11 miles northeast of Decorah.
Length in miles: 57.00
Motoring Restrictions: None
Nearby Parks
Amenities
Amenities at Upper Iowa River (below Decorah) include:
- Boat Access
- Picnic Area
- Restrooms
- Camping
- Good/Excellent Shorefishing
- Gravel Boat Ramp
- Hard Surface Boat Ramp
- Carry Down Boat Launch
No known aquatic invasive species have been found
The
Fishing Regulations brochure is available for download. The summaries listed below are a partial listing provided for your benefit.
- Brown Trout
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: combined trout (brook, brown, and rainbow) - 5 fish
- Possession Limit: combined trout (brook, brown, and rainbow) - 10 fish
- Length Limit: none
- Other: Anglers must have paid the Trout Fee to fish for or possess trout
- Channel Catfish
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 15 fish
- Possession Limit: combined: channel, blue and flathead catfish, 30 fish
- Length Limit: none
- Other:
- Freshwater Drum
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: none
- Possession Limit: unlimited
- Length Limit: none
- Other: May be taken by hand fishing, by snagging, by spear or by bow and arrow, day or night.
- Northern Pike
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: 3 fish
- Possession Limit: 6 fish
- Length Limit: none
- Other:
- Rainbow Trout
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: combined trout (brook, brown, and rainbow) - 5 fish
- Possession Limit: combined trout (brook, brown, and rainbow) - 10 fish
- Length Limit: none
- Other: Anglers must have paid the Trout Fee to fish for or possess trout
- Rock Bass
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: none
- Possession Limit: unlimited
- Length Limit: none
- Other:
- Smallmouth Bass
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: Catch and release only
- Possession Limit: Catch and release only
- Length Limit: Catch and release only
- Other: Winneshiek County, extending downstream from the Fifth Street Bridge in Decorah as posted to the upper dam
- Walleye
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: combined walleye, sauger and saugeye; 5 fish
- Possession Limit: combined walleye, sauger and saugeye; 10 fish
- Length Limit: none
- Other:
- White Sucker
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: none
- Possession Limit: unlimited
- Length Limit: none
- Other: May be taken by hand fishing, by snagging, by spear or by bow and arrow, day or night.
This 57-mile stretch of river starts below lower dam about 11 miles northeast of Decorah and gently flows through many remote scenic areas before emptying into the Mississippi River. The last 8.6 miles of river are channelized and has a sandy silt bottom. There are no dams to portage around in this section. There are many great access points from below lower dam to Hwy 76 bridge and a multitude of outstanding holes to fish between each. During the summer months, anglers should concentrate efforts around the mouths any number of cold water tributaries that empty into the river. Anglers should have no problem catching Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike, Rainbow Trout, and Brown Trout. The best way to get around this section of river is by canoe, kayak, or small johnboat powered by shallow drive motor.(2022)
Tip: Click the arrow in the lower right corner to view the Fish Survey Data tool in full-screen mode.
Contacts
Water Quality
Iowa-Caught Fish Are Safe to Eat, In Almost All Cases
The vast majority of Iowa’s streams, rivers and lakes offer safe and high-quality fish that pose little or no threat to human health if consumed. Some limitations may apply for young children and pregnant women. Here’s a Fish Consumption Fact Sheet from the Iowa DNR and the Iowa Dept. of Public Health for more information. Here is a list of current fish consumption advisories for Iowa lakes and rivers.