Fish Iowa - Rivers and Streams - Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)


About Upper Iowa River (below Decorah)

River length (miles): 57.00
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Allamakee
Description:
Coordinates: 43.46481594, -91.23146840

Nearby Parks

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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

Fishing Forecast

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)

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 .

Stocking

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Management

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Motoring Restrictions

Motoring Restrictions: None

Contacts for this Location

Fishing Regulations

  • 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.

Aquatic Invasive Species

  • Rusty Crawfish

To learn more about AIS, visit the Iowa DNR's Aquatic Invasive Species page for more information and resources.

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