Big Spring Fish Hatchery

About 150,000 rainbow trout are raised at Big Spring and stocked by hatchery personnel into 15 cold-water streams. All trout reared at Big Spring are obtained from the Manchester Hatchery when they are 2-3 inches and then grown to catchable-size (10-12 inches). It takes approximately 15 months to grow a trout to catchable-size.

The water supply for Big Spring is fed by the largest cold-water spring in Iowa. Flows from the spring usually range from 20,000 to 30,000 gallons per minute (GPM), but can exceed 150,000 GPM. The Big Spring Watershed is one of the most well-known and studied sites in the nation when it comes to information on groundwater in a karst (limestone) dominated landscape.

The Big Spring Rearing Station is located along the Turkey River 10 miles northwest of Elkader in Clayton County. The Big Spring Basin is a showcase for large sinkholes, losing streams and caves.

Public Fishing Welcome

The Turkey River at Big Spring is open for public fishing. Recently completed renovations include an improved angler access trail along the river, a trout pond at the entrance that is open for public fishing and a kids fishing pond for young anglers 15 and under (kids must be accompanied by a licensed adult). 

• Trout are stocked in the Turkey River, Big Spring Pond and the Kids Fishing Pond 2-3 times a week from April 1 through the end of October. 
• The hatchery grounds and Turkey River are open to the public 7 days a week year round. 
• A primitive campground is located at Big Spring that is open to the public and within walking distance of the hatchery.

Group & School Tours

The fish hatchery is open to the public 365 days a year from sunrise to sunset. Group tours and inspiring school educational events can be scheduled by calling the hatchery at 563-245-2446. 

How To Get Here

Take county road X16 (Gunder Road) north of Elkader past the golf course; go west on Big Spring Road.

Fishing for Trout

• Anglers 16 or older need to buy a fishing license and pay the trout fee to fish for trout. 
• Anglers younger than 16 can fish for trout if they are with a licensed adult or they can pay their own trout fee if they want to keep their own daily limit of 5 trout.