Upper Iowa River (above Decorah)
General Information
Location: Find this stretch in Howard and Winneshiek County. A popular access is found in Kendallville Park and Campground off of Hwy 139 about 8 miles northeast of Cresco.
Length in miles: 79.00
Motoring Restrictions: None
Nearby Parks
Amenities
Amenities at Upper Iowa River (above Decorah) include:
- Boat Access
- Picnic Area
- Playground
- Restrooms
- Camping
- Good/Excellent Shorefishing
- Gravel Boat Ramp
- Hard Surface Boat Ramp
- Carry Down Boat Launch
- Accessible Shoreline
| Weekend temperatures in the 60's to 40's for lows. Rain possible Saturday. Turkey season is in full swing until May 12. For fishing information, please call the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563.382.8324. |
| Water levels slowly rising with recent rain. Water clarity remains good. |
| Smallmouth Bass - Fair: Anglers catching a number of 10-12 inch fish below dams using live bait. |
| Walleye - Fair: Walleye holding around dams and current breaks. Use live bait. |
| Brown Trout - Good: Anglers finding 16-18 inch trout below dams near rock ledges and current breaks. |
- 6/3/22 - 14,535 Northern Pike (1.8)
- 06/10/2021 - 21,511 Walleye (1.49)
- 06/09/2021 - 22,446 Walleye (1.4)
- 05/27/2021 - 17,008 Walleye (1.2)
- 05/28/2020 - 16,682 Walleye (1.3)
- 05/30/2019 - 19,839 Walleye (1.5)
- 05/31/2018 - 16,850 Walleye (1.5)
- 5/26/2017 - 26,095 Walleye (1.4")
- 6/24/16 - 90,000 Brown Trout (2")
- 5/25/16 - 23,538 Walleye (1,315)
- 06/01/2015 - 3,687 Walleye (1.7")
- 05/29/2015 - 7,720 Walleye (2")
- 06/05/2014 - 6,040 Walleye (2")
- 06/05/2014 - 9,060 Walleye (2")
- 05/28/2014 - 22,500 Walleye (2")
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.
- Bluegill
- Season: Continuous
- Daily Bag Limit: 25 fish
- Possession Limit: unlimited
- Length Limit: none
- Other:
- 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
- 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: combined black bass, 3 fish
- Possession Limit: combined black bass, 6 fish
- Length Limit: 12-inch minimum
- Other:
- 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 79-mile stretch starts at the Minnesota border extending through Decorah to the Lower Dam which is about 11 miles northeast of Decorah. The headwaters of the Upper Iowa starts in Minnesota near Leroy. The Upper Iowa is a paddlers' dream, but if you don't want to share your experience come during the week especially in the summer. There are three dams in this stretch that must be portaged around, the Lidtke Mill Dam near Lime Springs, Upper Dam about 6 miles and Lower Dam 11 miles both northeast of Decorah. There is so much to see from the Chimney Rocks to Malanaphy Springs as one paddles. It's also an outstanding fishery. The Upper Iowa boosts trophy sized Walleye thanks to the IA DNR's interior river Walleye stocking program, but also has an excellent Smallmouth Bass fishery. During April and May, be prepared for some amazing sucker fishing.
(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.