Spring Creek · Limestone · Iowa

Trout Run

Decorah's home creek, with excellent brown and rainbow populations and a state fish hatchery on it — easy, productive, town-edge fishing with brookies in the colder reaches.

Species

About as good as it gets

Low and clear — careful approach country. Take your time — read the water before you cast.

90% confidence in this read
Water temperature for brown trout
Ideal
14°C est.ideal 1016°C
0°14°28°
Why this score · for brown trout
  • Temperature10028% weight
  • Flow8022% weight
  • Clarity9518% weight
  • Feeding Time7013% weight
  • Pressure807% weight
  • Insect activity6512% weight
Conditions
Level
Dry recently
No gauge reading
Water temp
13.7°C
Estimated
Clarity
Clear
Air temp
27°C
Wind
S 19 km/h
Gentle breeze
Pressure
1022 hPa
Rain · 48h
0.0 mm
No meaningful rain
Rain · ahead
36.9 mm
Heavy rain · next 48h

Live readings — water temperature is an estimate where the gauge does not record it.

How to fish it · for brown trout
When
Nymphing can work through most of the day.
Where
Cover mixed depths.
Method
Start with tight-line nymphs and adjust if fish rise or drift higher.
Kit
9 ft #4 rod, floating line, 12 ft tapered leader to 4–5 lb fluoro tippet.
Why this works
Excellent — conditions well-balanced, with water temperature particularly in your favour.
Through the year
0–3 scale · June highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Brown SedgeHatch
2
3
2
Freshwater ShrimpHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Blue Winged OliveHatch
2
3
3
3
3
2
Mayfly (Green Drake)Hatch
2
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Iowa DNR — verify regulations.
Directions
About this water

Decorah's home creek, with excellent brown and rainbow populations and a state fish hatchery on it — easy, productive, town-edge fishing with brookies in the colder reaches. Not to be confused with Minnesota's Trout Run Creek.

  • Limestone
Seasons & zones
  • TroutOpen all year → Open all year
Other water nearby · 5