This 89 mile stretch of river includes the headwaters west of Cresco in Howard County and ends above the dam in Clermont. In 2010, the Vernon Springs dam southwest of Cresco was modified to allow fish to pass through and improve safety. Trophy sized Northern Pike have been taken from the impoundment and nice size Walleye and Smallmouth Bass are often caught. Annual stocking of Northern Pike and Walleye support these popular fisheries. Boats are a great way to get around the impoundment, but canoes and kayaks are best below. Most fishing in the upper reaches takes place from Fort Atkinson upstream or from Eldorado downstream to the Clermont dam. Shore fishing is popular as this stream flows though several small towns. - Last updated on 02/08/2022.
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 .
The summaries listed below are a partial listing provided for your benefit. Familiarize yourself with the complete Fishing Regulations here: Iowa DNR Fishing Regulations and Laws.