Put-and-Grow Wild Trout Streams
Wild Trout Streams Open to Public Fishing
During the past 20 years, Northeast Iowa has seen a dramatic increase in the miles of stream that support populations of trout fully sustained through natural reproduction. Over 75 streams now have some level of natural reproduction and provide an excellent opportunity for anglers to pursue wild trout.
These increases occurred as watersheds were improved, in-stream habitat was installed, improved trout genetics were used, and Iowa had an extended period of above average annual rainfall.
Brook trout from South Pine Creek are the only known population of native Iowa brook trout. In 1995, Iowa DNR staff started to spawn trout from South Pine Creek to restore populations in other Northeast Iowa coldwater streams.
Adult brown trout are collected from the wild and are spawned. Their offspring are stocked as fingerlings into coldwater streams with suitable water temperatures and habitat conditions. Many populations of naturally reproducing brown trout have been established in Northeast Iowa streams using this stocking approach.
Iowa’s put-and-grow streams support wild trout fisheries or are stocked with fingerling brown trout. These streams are on private property - you need permission from the landowner to fish them.
Fingerling trout are also stocked into streams open to public fishing.