Wild Trout Streams Open to Public Fishing
Over the past twenty-five years there has been a dramatic increase in northeast Iowa streams that support populations of trout fully-sustained through natural reproduction. More than 95 streams in Iowa have some level of natural reproduction and provide opportunities for anglers to pursue wild trout.
Wild trout populations have increased with improved fish production techniques and trout genetics, land-use change in critical watersheds, targeted trout habitat improvement, and increased quantity of coldwater habitat suitable for trout.
Brown trout are the most common wild trout in Iowa streams with wild brook trout less common. Rainbow trout rarely reproduce in Iowa streams, but they are frequently stocked as hatchery-produced fish.
Widespread brown trout reproduction in Iowa streams has reduced the importance of stocking to maintain these fisheries. Today, brown trout are not stocked in northeast Iowa streams due to the successful reproduction of wild browns.
Current wild trout restoration stocking is focused on increasing the number of native brook trout populations in northeast Iowa. Brook trout eggs are collected from wild Iowa populations with preferred genetic composition and hatched at the Manchester Fish Hatchery to be stocked in watersheds with high-quality coldwater streams.
Wild brown trout and wild brook trout populations are closely monitored and managed for optimal fishing opportunity using stream habitat improvement, watershed management, angler access improvement, environmental protection, and harvest regulations. Public fishing access is available on most of the best wild trout streams in Iowa. Landowner permission is required for fishing trout streams sections without public access.