Fishing is a popular pastime, but fly fishing offers a distinct experience. Here’s a list of the best places to go fly fishing in Iowa. 

Fly fishing is a particular kind of reward for anglers. And in Iowa, opportunities for fly fishing abound, especially if you are looking to catch trout. According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, there are 50 catchable-stocked rainbow trout fisheries on publicly accessible streams across the state. There are ten special trout fisheries with restrictive regulations and 18 community trout fisheries.

Plus, there are more than 50 wild, self-sustaining trout fishers, particularly in northeast Iowa. You might also make a point to visit one of several hatcheries while there, including the Big Spring Fish Hatchery, Chuck Gipp Decorah Fish Hatchery, and Manchester Fish Hatchery. They are open to the public year-round from sunrise to sunset. If you really get into it, you can join the Hawkeye Fly Fishing Association, which hosts events across the state for fly fishing enthusiasts. 

Grab your gear, pull on your waders, and get ready for a day on the water at these six spots for fly fishing in Iowa. 

1. Baileys Ford

Baileys Ford Park is a popular destination for lots of outdoor enthusiasts in the Manchester Area in eastern Iowa. It also happens to be a fly-fishing hotspot. Baileys Ford is a relatively small creek but is home to wild brown trout. It is stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout from April through October of each year. Regulars in this area encourage the use of nymphs and dry flies, which imitate aquatic insects.

2. Lake Okoboji

Lake Okoboji is perhaps one of the most well-known outdoor tourism destinations in the state of Iowa. But it’s not just for boating and water sports. It’s a great spot to try out your fly fishing rods. But because the lake is so large—it’s actually a chain of five lakes connected to one another—fly fishing by boat is a great option here and mixes things up a bit in terms of fly fishing. Avid anglers recommend trying East and West Okoboji as the most productive fishing spots where you’re likely to catch bass and pike. Because of this, 8-weight rods are recommended with wooly buggers. 

3. Missouri River

When fly fishing in western Iowa, consider taking to the Missouri River. The area between Sioux City and the Little Sioux River is an especially good spot for snagging smallmouth bass. It’s a large body of water, so you’ll want to ensure that you fish around structures where the fish may be gathering and hiding. Avid fly fishing anglers say that fish aren’t used to seeing flies in this area, so you’re more likely to get a bite. They recommend using at least a six-weight rod so you can wrangle with the bass, in addition to poppers, large woolly buggers, and baitfish patterns.

4. The Driftless Area

The Driftless Area in northeast Iowa is not to be missed when it comes to fly fishing. It’s known as a trout fishing paradise. There are enough spots that are ideal for fly fishing in this region that you could be busy from May through October. 

The Trout River, located near Decorah, is a small river teeming with brown, brook, and rainbow trout, all measuring approximately 14 inches in length. Regulars recommend snagging them with mayfly, midge, or gnat flies. Coldwater Creek is said to have 1,000 fish per mile, including naturally reproducing brown trout and stocked rainbow trout. It has a more secluded feel when fishing, but requires shorter casting distances to reach ideal fishing spots. Try small streamers and nymphs while fishing here. Plus, there’s plenty of fly fishing to be had on the Upper Iowa River and the Yellow River. These rivers, surrounded by gorgeous vistas, draw lots of anglers annually. The Upper Iowa River watershed alone includes 152 miles of cold water streams!

5. Swiss Valley

In the Dubuque area, those looking to fly fish should check out Swiss Valley Park. While not as well known as some of the other spots on the list, here, you’re likely to hook more trout in the (perhaps mis-named) spring-fed Catfish Creek. The clear, cold stream is a perfect home for brown and brook trout, who love to hang out in the creek’s deep pools. Rainbow trout is rarer but also possible. This lush natural area is also a great spot for hiking and birdwatching. The park is quaint, shaded, and a lovely spot to spend the day. There are several walking bridges to cross. 

6.  Lake Darling 

Lake Darling State Park is located in southeast Iowa. The 302-acre Lake Darling, located in the middle of the park, is ideal for catching bass and panfish. The area surrounding the lake makes it very easy to wade in from the shore and cast out your line. Regular fly fishing enthusiasts recommend visiting Lake Darling to fly fish in the spring and the fall, as the cooler water temperatures in the lake make the fish more active. They also recommend trying wooly buggers, clouser minnows, poppers (for topwater action), and damselfly and dragonfly nymphs. Another plus is the availability of great picnic and campground facilities, making it ideal for a weekend adventure.