Please contact the local fisheries management biologist for current information.
Turtle Creek is stocked weekly April through October with catchable 10-12 inch Rainbow Trout and also provides opportunities for wild Brown Trout. Sampling data from 2011 showed 452 French Creek strain Brown Trout with fish up to 16 inches collected. Natural reproduction was first detected in 2009 and the 2011 sample confirmed consistent natural reproduction. This is an estimated population and actual trout numbers will be higher. Turtle Creek runs through the Boerjan Wildlife Area owned by the Mitchell County Conservation Board, as well as, several private landowners. There are many easy access points on this stream. Please be aware that segments of the stream are on private property where only angling is permitted. - Last updated on 02/07/2022.
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.