DECORAH, Iowa - The popular Trout Run Trail will be closed from the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery to Trout Run Park, March 24 through Friday, March 26, as well as March 30th & 31st. The trail section with the Bald Eagle nest is not included in the tree clearing project.
Federal regulations require trees 3 inches or more in diameter to be cut between October 1st and March 31st to protect various bat species. Bats are hibernating in caves, rock crevices, or attics during this time and are not using trees. Trees will be cleared before bats come out of hibernation.
Stay off the closed trail sections during the tree clearing project. Workers will be actively dropping trees near and potentially across the trail. The trail will be covered with significant debris and may be blocked entirely at times.
For more information, contact the Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324 or Winneshiek County Conservation at 563-534-7145.