Northeast Iowa: rainbows excellent on the trout streams, walleye excellent on the Upper Iowa

Northeast Iowa’s trout streams are up and still clear. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources Decorah district fishing report, updated Oct. 15, 2026, says highs in the 50s and lows in the low 40s, with area rivers and streams still higher than usual for the date. Biologist Caleb Schnitzler is the district contact at (563) 382-8324.

On the trout water, rainbows are rated excellent in Clayton, Fayette, Allamakee, and Mitchell county streams. Brown trout are good on those same counties. Brook trout are slow in Clayton and Allamakee. The district note says levels are elevated but clear and points anglers at deep pools, runs, and undercut banks. It also says hunting seasons are open, and asks people walking into streams on wildlife management areas to wear blaze orange.

On the bigger rivers in that same Oct. 15 update, the Cedar above Nashua is falling but still high, with excellent clarity and water in the 60s. Black crappie, smallmouth bass, and walleye are all rated excellent there, and channel catfish fair. The Upper Iowa above and below Decorah has the same falling, high, clear, 60-degree description. Smallmouth and walleye are excellent on both reaches. Rainbow trout on the Upper Iowa above Decorah are rated good, with the report saying they are hitting minnow-imitating lures near the mouths of trout streams.

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

Source: Iowa DNR — Fish Iowa fishing report (Decorah Management District, last updated Oct. 15, 2026).