Upper Iowa River
river in Iowa
Upper Iowa is a top choice for float and wade trips in the Driftless Area; anglers throw streamers, nymphs and terrestrials for aggressive smallmouth and quality warmwater fishing.
What's working on Upper Iowa River
- 01Crisp fall conditions with clear skies and 42°F temperatures on the Upper Iowa River.
- 02USGS flow data is currently unavailable, but fall flows can vary.
- 03Late-season October Caddis and Blue-Winged Olives may provide intermittent dry fly opportunities.
- 04Subsurface midges, scuds, and nymphs remain active food sources.
- 05Focus on deeper holes with rocky or sandy bottoms and near coldwater tributary mouths.
- 06Structure like dead trees, boulders, and root balls are prime fish habitat.
Past reports week by week
7 weeksWhat to tie on
Picked from reports, hatches and the season. Tap a fly for the recipe and where else it works.
Woolly Bugger (Olive)
A versatile streamer imitating leeches and baitfish, effective year-round for various predatory species including Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, Pike, Trout, Catfish, Sauger, and Bluegill in colder fall waters.
Zebra Midge
Midges are a primary and consistent food source year-round, especially in cold water. This nymph is effective for finicky trout, walleye, sauger, and bluegill.
Buy at AmazonClouser Minnow (Bass)
This baitfish imitation is excellent for targeting Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Northern Pike, which are actively feeding on baitfish in the cooling fall conditions.
Buy at AmazonSan Juan Worm
A highly effective attractor nymph, particularly after any rainfall or flow fluctuations, appealing to a wide array of species including Walleye, Sauger, Bluegill, and Trout.
Buy at AmazonPerch Pattern
Imitates juvenile perch, a common forage fish for Walleye, Northern Pike, and Sauger, making it highly effective during the fall when these predators are bulking up for winter.
Hellgrammite Fly
Hellgrammites are a consistent food source on rocky smallmouth rivers year-round, making this a reliable subsurface pattern for Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Catfish in the fall.
October Caddis (Dry)
The October Caddis is the largest caddis hatch of the year in many rivers during the fall, providing an important dry fly opportunity for opportunistic Trout, Walleye, Sauger, and Panfish.
Buy at AmazonBlue-Winged Olive (BWO) Comparadun
Blue-Winged Olives are actively hatching in the fall, especially on overcast days. This low-profile dry fly is excellent for selective trout, bluegill, and even opportunistic walleye and sauger feeding on emergers and adults.
Buy at AmazonWhere to fish and who to ask
Decorah Canoe Access / Upper Iowa
A common put-in for float trips through riffles, pocket water and runs favored by sight-casting anglers.
Fifty Acres / Harpers Ferry Area
Lower-reach access with longer runs and deep pools used by fly anglers working streamers.
Kendallville Access
Public access on a popular mid-reach section with good wading and pockets holding bass.
Fly shops within 40 miles
Root River Rod Co
Driftless on the Fly
Northeast Iowa Fly Fishing
Rod & Rivet
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Iowa season by season
What changes on the water through the year, with the flies for each season.
Quick answers
Common questions about Upper Iowa River.
What flies work best on Upper Iowa River?
Our top scored fly patterns for Upper Iowa River right now are Mop Fly (80% confidence), Crappie Jig Fly (80% confidence), Woolly Bugger (Olive) (80% confidence). These picks are scored from recent fishing reports, hatch data, and seasonal patterns.
What fish species are in Upper Iowa River?
Upper Iowa River holds Walleye, Sauger, Bluegill, Sturgeon. See the species links on this page for fly recommendations and seasonal behavior for each.
Is Upper Iowa River fishing well right now?
We publish a fresh bite report for Upper Iowa River each week based on recent on-the-water intel. The current report — with conditions, hatches, and what's producing — is on this page.