Iowa DNR points anglers to fall trout in the northeast, with spawning colors at their peak

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is encouraging anglers to fish the state's trout streams this fall, when male brown and brook trout show their brightest spawning colors. In a Nov. 3 release, the DNR noted that more than 150 miles of coldwater streams across ten northeast Iowa counties are open to public fishing, and the trout season runs all year.

The DNR suggests the Maquoketa River in Clayton and Delaware counties for stream-reared brown trout up to 18 inches and stocked rainbows of 10 to 12 inches. Rainbows hold in pools and runs, while browns stay near woody cover. For a shot at all three species in one trip, it recommends North Cedar Creek southwest of McGregor, where a remote wildlife management area offers more than 1.5 miles of stream for anglers willing to hike.

Brown and brook trout build their nests, called redds, in October and November, and the eggs stay in the gravel until late winter. The DNR asks anglers to watch their step so they don't wade in or just above them. Its tips: spin anglers do best on gray, overcast days, while fly anglers should aim for midday on bright days, and nymphs may work better than dry flies as hatches thin out.

Anglers need a valid fishing license plus the trout fee. The daily limit is five trout, with a possession limit of ten.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Iowa Department of Natural Resources (Nov. 3, 2026).

Photo: Iowa DNR.