Fish Iowa - Trout Streams - Hewett and Ensign Creeks (Ensign Hollow)


About Hewett and Ensign Creeks (Ensign Hollow)

Stream segment length (miles): 1.30
See below for additional location-specific regulations

Location

County: Clayton
Description: Hewett Creek (aka Ensign Hollow) supports a moderate density brown trout population that appears capable of sustaining itself through natural reproduction. Formerly stocked, but beginning in 2011 stocking has been suspended. Primitive camping is allowed.
Coordinates: 42.75664165, -91.56159067

Nearby Parks

- No results found

Amenities

Amenities at Hewett and Ensign Creeks (Ensign Hollow) include:
  • Camping

Fishing Report

District-Wide Trout Stream Fishing Report

The 2025 Catchable trout stocking calendar is now available. Catchable stocking season begins April 1. Start planning your getaway to beautiful northeast Iowa now.
Brook Trout - Slow: Use a midge, minnow, or leach pattern for fish looking to get more bang for their effort.
Brown Trout - Good: Fish around an undercut bank or similar structure. Cloudy days and off color water are a perfect mix for catching this trout.
Rainbow Trout - Good: Hatchery holdovers remain in the stream teasing anglers. Use small spinner baits or hair jigs floated past structure.

Fishing Summary

Hewett Creek (aka Ensign Hollow) supports a high density brown trout population that is self sustaining through natural reproduction. There is a large population of brown trout between the lengths of eight to thirteen inches and some up to fifteen inches. This is a special catch & release/artificial lure only regulation stream and primitive camping is allowed on this area.(2025)

Popular Fish Species

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

- No results found

Management

    - No results found

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: Catch and release only. Artificial lures only in posted areas. Artificial lure means lures that do not contain or have applied to them any natural or human-made substance designed to attract fish by the sense of taste or smell.
  • 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

    No known aquatic invasive species have been found

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

Fish Surveys

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