Turkey River

General Information

County: Clayton
Location: Located 6 miles northwest of Elkader at Big Spring Hatchery.
Acres: 1.00
Maximum Depth:
Motoring Restrictions:

Nearby Parks

Amenities

Amenities at Turkey River include:
  • Picnic Area
  • Trails
  • Restrooms
  • Camping
  • Good/Excellent Shorefishing
  • Carry Down Boat Launch
No recent updates
Download Printable Lake Map

You can zoom in on the map for bathymetric information for some lakes

  • Annual 2021 - 6,479 Rainbow Trout (12)
  • Annual 2020 - 5,729 Rainbow Trout (12)
  • annual 2019 - 2,262 Brook Trout (10.8)
  • annual 2019 - 4,287 Rainbow Trout (10.8)
  • annual 2018 - 2,305 Brook Trout (2-3/lb)
  • annual 2018 - 2,670 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)
  • annual 2017 - 890 Brook Trout (2-3/lb)
  • annual 2017 - 5,080 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)
  • annual 2016 - 785 Brook Trout (2-3/lb)
  • annual 2016 - 7,665 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)
  • annual 2015 - 1,657 Brook Trout (2-3/lb)
  • annual 2015 - 8,714 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)
  • annual 2014 - 1,555 Brook Trout (2-3/lb)
  • annual 2014 - 6,480 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)
  • annual 2013 - 771 Brook Trout (2-3/lb)
  • annual 2013 - 6,090 Rainbow Trout (2-3/lb)
    No known aquatic invasive species have been found
The Fishing Regulations brochure is available for download. The summaries listed below are a partial listing provided for your benefit.

  • 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
  • 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
  • Smallmouth Bass
    • Season: Continuous
    • Daily Bag Limit: combined black bass, 3 fish
    • Possession Limit: combined black bass, 6 fish
    • Length Limit: 12-inch minimum
    • Other:
  • 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:
Tip: Click the arrow in the lower right corner to view the Fish Survey Data tool in full-screen mode.

Contacts

Iowa-Caught Fish Are Safe to Eat, In Almost All Cases

The vast majority of Iowa’s streams, rivers and lakes offer safe and high-quality fish that pose little or no threat to human health if consumed. Some limitations may apply for young children and pregnant women. Here’s a Fish Consumption Fact Sheet from the Iowa DNR and the Iowa Dept. of Public Health for more information. Here is a list of current fish consumption advisories for Iowa lakes and rivers.