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This 65-mile stretch starts below the dam at Clermont. This dam must be portaged around, but good access to the river is available from both sides. Another dam at Elkader must also be portaged around. Downstream from the dam at Elkader is a whitewater park completed summer 2013 that provides recreational opportunities and off channel areas and eddies for fish to hide. Between Clermont and Elkader is a cold water section of stream stocked with trout and detailed under Where To Fish, Trout Streams. Paddling a kayak or canoe is the best way to fish this river. A small john boat with a shallow draft motor is also possible if the water levels are up. There are convenient sand and gravel bars along the way to get out and toss a line in to see what bites. Trophy sized Walleye have been caught in this section and if one of these fish taps your lure, hang on. This stream is stocked each year with Walleye fingerlings through IA DNR's interior river Walleye stocking program. This stream also supports an amazing Smallmouth Bass fishery. Below the Elkader dam, Channel Catfish can be caught.(2022)
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 .