Fish Iowa - Lakes, Ponds, and Reservoirs - Upper Dam Impoundment

Fishing Forecast

This dam was built in 1895 and impounds the Upper Iowa River upstream of lower dam. Boaters and paddlers must portage around this dam. This impoundment contains several scenic limestone walls but limited habitat for a quality fishery. Much of the substrate is depositional sand filling the deep holes and gravel bars.(2022)

Consumption Guidelines

Iowa-Caught Fish Are Safe to Eat, In Almost All Cases

In nearly all cases, Iowa fish are safe to eat. Cleaning and/or preparing the meal causes most of the problems regarding taste or color of fish. Like all living creatures, fish are susceptible to diseases, parasites, and other naturally occurring conditions in the water. If you suspect your fish is affected by any of these conditions, do not eat it. Consider eating smaller and younger fish which usually have lower levels of contaminants than larger ones. Most contaminants accumulate in larger, older fish. For additional information, check out our resources for eating and cooking Iowa caught fish.

To learn more about fish tissue monitoring, visit our Fish Tissue Monitoring page .