Mississippi River - Iowa River- Are there walleye in northeast Iowa?

[Aquaman01]

We're thinking about moving to Decorah, but not if there aren't any walleye!! How is the Upper Iowa & Missy Pools 8/9 for walters, etc?

[delmuts]

since you won't be very far from the miss. there is plenty of opportunities there. also there has been some stocking in the smaller rivers around cleremont and such that have been stocked with walleye also.

[rosspj59]

Aquaman, pool 9 has good walleye fishing. There were a lot of nice walleyes pulled out of it this summer in a 4 day walleye tournament sponsored by cabelas this summer. There is also a good trout fishing in Decorah.

[picksbigwagon]

I am originally from Waukon, and I can assure you that there is tremendous trout fishing in NE IA, and there are absolutely no walleyes or 10 pound northerns in the Turkey River. especially near Cresco, where the river about 25 feet wide and easy to wade

[Aquaman01]

I'll tell my wife she can start looking at real estate ads now. Thanks a bunch! Keep talking...I'm listening.

Oh, if anyone asks, there aren't ANY 5lb smallmouth within 20 river miles of Monticello waaaayyyyy up here near pool negative 1.

[picksbigwagon]

There aren't any five pounders in the turkey or upper Iowa river either That being said, welcome to northeast Iowa, you will absolutely love it. I miss it every time the seasons change up here in the metro area.

[YourBobbersUnder]

The Cedar River from Waterloo to North of Waverly and Shellrock and West Fork North has very good walleye, northern and smallie fishing. Ilove fishing in Minn and Canada, But the eye fishing here is good and overlooked.

[Aquaman01]

We did some re-con last week to get a feel for the community, pick up a phone book & newspaper, look at the Upper Iowa, talk to a realtor, etc. If my wife is accepted to the Nursing program at Luther, we'll be moving this summer.

Thanks for all the heads-up, guys. The U.I. in town had a few really nice looking eddies and some tasty looking rip-rap. I picked up the "Sportsman's Connection" Iowa map book at Ozzie's. The folks at Ozzie's were very helpful, even if a couple of the customers looked at me suspiciously when I asked about "friendly farm ponds" .

"The Haymarket" in Decorah was described to me as "the townie bar" and advertises an all you can eat walleye & ribs on fridays!! Heck - that might make the move worth it by itself!

All in all, between making the trip to Pool 9 once in a while, and trying the Upper Iowa on a regular basis, I ought to get by.

Any Decorah folks on here now?

[delmuts]

you also have a little lake by calmar/decorah called meyers lake that has crappie and bass in it.although i have yet to get up there. it would be a handy, and close place to just go play for a little while . as you look, you will find many options in that area.

[picksbigwagon]

T-Bocks is a pretty good bar in Decorah too. Not to many College kids hang out there, good selection of beer too.

My buddy teaches in Calmar about 10 miles from Decorah, I usually take a couple days in the summer to head down there and fish.

Not only is the Upper Iowa a great fishery, the Turkey river is and has been stocked for years by the DNR with walleyes and Northerns. I second Lake Meyer, good fishing in the winter and throughout the year.

Decorah is not always kind to out of towners, I know people who have lived there for 15 years and they are still treated as out of towners, but I am sure you can find that anywhere. Be careful of the typical Decorah drivers, they feel that they can pull out at anytime, simply because they are in their car.

[kev]

Sure pick, give out all of my secrets. See if I help you catch fish anymore:) Seriously though aquaman, plenty of fishing in the area. I live in calmar, which is only 10 miles south of Decorah.

With the exception of one of my trips to the boundary waters (the one you missed pick) where I actually got tired of catching 4-8 pound walleyes all day long, the best walleye fishing days I have ever had has been on the turkey river or the upper iowa river. I have spent a fair amount of time chasing them in minnesota as well - so it isn't due to not looking. I can help you out with what I know about the area in regard to fishing or other questions you might have.

[email protected]

[Aquaman01]

Thanks a lot guys! I'll surely look you up, Kev.

Our offer on a house in Decorah was accepted and we close May 1. My head is happy but my back isn't looking forward to it

I'm acheing to try out that long run of rip-rap under the Water st bridge!

Thanks again!

[mistermom]

Hey Rob!

When did you become a walleye nut? Man I have been gone a long time. I think you will like NE Iowa just fine. There is some tremendous walleye fishing on the pools down there as well as the Iowa river. I've talked with a few of the guys from down that way on a different HSOforum (that I can't mention by name.) Good luck with your move sir!

Joel

[delmuts]

man01 send me a e-mail , maybe i can help with some info. del [email protected]

[rufishin]

How is the trout fishing, panfish, and turkey hunting and where are some good areas to try?

You guys got me going with your posts on NE Iowa.

[delmuts]

hmmm! for the trout fishing; it is best to get a book/map that will show you where the stocked streams are located. but you will have choices! the panfish; dpending << you have volga lake ( north of west union) and meiers/meyers lake near calmar, or the river. turkeys; lot sof private timber, theat you may get on. then there is volga lake project,( about 5000 acers) and yellow river forest .( i think up towards elkader) i'm sure there are more, but these i know about.

[picksbigwagon]

There are numerous public hunting areas. French river NE of Waukon is one that I know holds turkeys and nice trout. Yellow river Forest is SW of Waukon about 20 miles. There aren't many lakes, or huge hunting reserves, but there are many friendly folks down there. The Trout maps are free at the from the state.....at least they used to be.......Waterloo creek area near Dorchester has public hunting and good trout fishing too, of course you will be hunting the ridges, which really are a pain to walk up and down, but the birds are there