Coon Creek
Fly fishing in Iowa · intermediate · Best seasons: spring, summer, fall
Target Species
Brown Trout
About This Water
Winneshiek County stream with wild trout. Spring-fed tributary fishing.
Fishing Recommendations
Welcome to the Driftless Area of Northeast Iowa. As a guide, I consider Coon Creek in Winneshiek County to be one of the region's true gems. It is a classic limestone spring creek that offers a more intimate, rugged experience compared to the larger Upper Iowa River.
Here is your comprehensive guide to fly fishing Coon Creek.
🎣 Location Overview
Coon Creek is a high-quality cold-water tributary located northeast of Decorah, Iowa. It flows through a mix of deep limestone valleys, timbered hillsides, and rolling pastures.
What makes Coon Creek special is its wild character. While many Iowa streams are heavily augmented with stockings, Coon Creek has a very strong population of naturally reproducing "wild" Brown Trout. The water is crystal clear, cold (rarely exceeding 60°F even in mid-summer), and characterized by classic "Driftless" features: undercut banks, deep limestone ledges, silty pools, and gravel riffles. It feels much more remote than many other Iowa streams.
🐟 Target Species & Behavior
The primary draw here is the Brown Trout.
- Behavior: These fish are notoriously wary. Because the water is often clear and the stream is relatively narrow (10–25 feet wide), they have a high "spook factor."
- Holding Patterns: Look for fish tight against undercut banks or tucked under fallen logs and root balls. During a hatch, they will move into the tail-outs of pools or the bubble lines at the head of riffles.
- Feeding: They are opportunistic but selective. They focus heavily on crustaceans (scuds and sowbugs) year-round, but will aggressively rise for hatches or smash large terrestrials in the summer.
📅 Best Times to Fish
Iowa allows year-round trout fishing, but Coon Creek shines in these specific windows:
- Spring (April – May): This is prime time for aquatic insect hatches. Look for Blue-Winged Olives (BWO) on overcast days and Grannom Caddis. The water levels are usually stable unless there’s a heavy spring soak.
- Summer (June – August): While other streams might warm up, Coon Creek stays cool. This is the Terrestrial Season. High sun brings out the grasshoppers, beetles, and ants. Early mornings and late evenings are best to avoid the midday heat.
- Fall (September – October): This is arguably the best time for trophy Browns. As they prepare for the spawn, they become highly aggressive and territorial. The fall colors in the valley are a spectacular bonus.
- Prime Window: Low-light periods (dawn and dusk) are always most productive for the larger, "educated" wild Browns.
🪰 Recommended Flies & Techniques
Top Fly Patterns
- Nymphs:
- Scuds & Sowbugs: (Sizes 14–18) in gray, olive, or pink. These are the "bread and butter" of Coon Creek.
- Pheasant Tail: (Sizes 16–20) to mimic various mayfly nymphs.
- Zebra Midge: (Sizes 18–22) in black or red, especially effective in winter and early spring.
- Dry Flies:
- Elk Hair Caddis: (Sizes 14–16) in tan or olive.
- Parachute Adams: (Sizes 16–22) the ultimate generalist.
- Hippy Stomper or Fat Albert: (Sizes 10–14) for summer terrestrial "hopper-dropper" rigs.
- Streamers:
- Wooly Buggers: (Sizes 8–12) in black or olive.
- Muddler Minnow: Excellent for mimicking sculpins found in the creek.
Effective Techniques
- The "Hopper-Dropper": In summer, use a high-visibility foam grasshopper as your indicator and hang a weighted Scud 18–24 inches below it.
- Tight-Line Nymphing: Because the creek has many micro-currents, keeping your fly line off the water helps prevent drag.
- The Stealth Approach: This isn't big-river fishing. Stay low, move slowly, and wear drab colors (camo or olive). If you see the fish, they’ve likely already seen you.
💡 Pro Tips & Local Knowledge
- Fish Upstream: Always approach and cast upstream. If you walk downstream, you will send silt and "alarm chemicals" from your boots directly to the fish you are trying to catch.
- Target the Wood: Coon Creek has a lot of fallen timber. Many anglers skip these spots to avoid snagging, but the biggest Browns live under those logs. Use a heavier tippet (4X) and make the risky cast.
- Beaver Ponds: You will encounter beaver activity. The deep, still water behind beaver dams often holds the largest "resident" trout, but you’ll need a very long leader and a delicate presentation to keep from spooking them.
- Check the Gauge: While there isn't a gauge on Coon Creek itself, check the Upper Iowa River at Decorah gauge. If the Upper Iowa is spiking/muddy, Coon Creek might be high, but it usually clears much faster than the main river.
⚠️ Important Information
- Access: Much of Coon Creek is protected by the Coon Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and various Iowa DNR fishing easements. Always look for the green "Angler Access" signs. Respect private property boundaries where easements end.
- Regulations:
- You must have a valid Iowa Fishing License and have paid the Trout Fee.
- Review the Iowa DNR Trout Map; some sections may have specific "Improved" status or different boundary rules.
- Safety: The valley is home to Wild Parsnip and Stinging Nettles. Wear long pants even in summer. Also, be mindful of limestone cliffs, which can be slippery and unstable.
- Gear: A 3-weight or 4-weight rod (7.5 to 8.5 feet) is ideal for this water. A 9-foot rod can be cumbersome in the brushier sections.
Coon Creek is a place that rewards patience and technical skill over long casting. Take your time, watch the water, and enjoy one of the finest wild trout streams in the Midwest. Tight lines!
Bug Hatches & Matching Flies
| Hatch | Type | Peak months | Time of day | Hook sizes | Matching flies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Winged Olive Baetis spp. | mayfly | April, May, September, October | Midday | #18-22 | RS2 #18-22, BWO Sparkle Dun #18-20, Pheasant Tail #18-20 |
| Grannom Caddis Brachycentrus | caddis | April, May | Afternoon/Evening | #14-16 | Elk Hair Caddis (Olive) #14-16, Deep Sparkle Pupa #14-16, Peacock Caddis #16 |
| Sulphur Ephemerella invaria | mayfly | May, June | Evening | #14-18 | Sulphur Parachute #14-18, CDC Sulphur Emerger #16-18, Sulphur Nymph #14-16 |
| Trico Tricorythodes | mayfly | July, August, September | Early Morning | #20-24 | Trico Spinner #20-24, Sunken Trico #22, Trico Parachute #20-22 |
| Light Cahill Stenacron interpunctatum | mayfly | June, July | Evening | #12-14 | Light Cahill #12-14, Gold Ribbed Hare's Ear #12-14 |
| Cinnamon Caddis Hydropsyche | caddis | June, July, August | Evening | #14-18 | Elk Hair Caddis (Tan) #14-18, LaFontaine's Emergent Sparkle Pupa #16, Soft Hackle Hare's Ear #14-16 |
| Midge Chironomidae | midge | January, February, March, December | Midday | #18-24 | Zebra Midge #18-22, Griffith's Gnat #18-22, Top Secret Midge #20-24 |
| Terrestrials (Grasshoppers/Ants) Orthoptera/Formicidae | terrestrial | July, August, September | All Day | #10-18 | Joe's Hopper #10-14, Black Foam Ant #16-18, Chernobyl Ant #10-12 |
| Crane Fly Tipulidae | terrestrial | August, September | Afternoon/Evening | #10-14 | Crane Fly Adult #10-12, Killer Bug #12-14 |