Indian Fish Trap State Preserve

Indian Fish Trap is a 1-acre preserve featuring a prehistoric fish trap constructed as a rock weir in the channel of the Iowa River. It is located two miles northwest of Homestead in Iowa County. The weir became buried by deep silt in 1999, so is no longer visible. 

Directions

1. From the intersection of I-80 and Highway 151 (Exit 225), take Highway 151 north to Highway 6. 
2. The parking area for the preserve is northwest of this intersection. 
3. A 1-mile trail leads north from the parking lot to the preserve. 
4. Due to siltation, the weir is no longer visible.

Historical Significance

The weir was discovered by early pioneers and noted on a General Land Office map in the 1840s. In 1925, Iowa archaeologist Charles R. Keyes wrote about the fish trap. The weir was relocated in 1952 and was dedicated as an archaeological state preserve in 1976. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. 

Construction & Function

The fish trap was probably constructed of glacial boulders from an adjacent bluff sometime in the Late Prehistoric period or Early Historic period, less than 1,000 years ago and possibly fewer than 200. Similar structures across the United States are associated with historic Indian tribes. 

The low barrier of piled rocks and sticks stretches across the river in a V pointing downstream. Each wing of the dam is nearly 150 feet long. On the downstream side of the north wing is another line of rocks that forms a roughly circular enclosure, probably serving as a holding pool (see figure). Presumably, fish were driven downstream into the funnel portion of the weir by people wading the river. The fish were then speared, netted, or caught in a basket or by hand as they funneled through a narrow opening at the apex of the weir, and then placed into the holding pool. 

Current Condition

The weir is not as high as it once was, as indicated by the height of a sheltered section near the north riverbank and the fact that many stones are strewn downstream in the riverbed. Today, the pool of Coralville Reservoir partially inundates the preserve, making the fish weir less visible. 

Nearby State Preserves

Other state preserves in the vicinity include:

• Fleming Woods
• Pilot Grove