Fishing and Hunting
One of the many things that are overlooked in outdoor recreation is the many opportunities that exist around the Luther community for those people that explore the outdoor life by hunting and fishing. Lots of people don’t realize that Iowa, and specifically the northeast portion, contain what is said to be the best trout fishing in the Midwest. Likewise, the hunting opportunities for a vast array of game animals are at the fingertips of students, but many don’t bother to discover what those opportunities entail. Deer hunting is a major opportunity in this part of the state and the big bucks people dream of are abound in public places for those who spend the time to notice them. Pheasant hunting isn’t as big in this part of the state, but rest assured, roosters live in the hills of northeast Iowa!
Public Hunting Areas
Areas in Winneshiek County as listed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources
- Gun storage is available at the Decorah Police Station; call the station for more information. (563-382-3667)
| AREA | GAME | ACREAGE/DESCRIPTION | LOCATION/DIRECTIONS |
| Bluffton Fir Stand (602k) | D,S,G,T | 131A; timber, Upper Iowa River | Adjacent to Bluffton. |
| Canoe Creek (927k) | D,S,T,G | 372A; timber, Canoe Creek/ | 9 mi. NE of Decorah on A6W, |
| Upper Iowa River (586k) | 1.5 mi. ENE on gravel rd. | ||
| Cardinal Marsh (702k) | D,S,W,G | 1,165A; 1/2 timber, 1/4 upland, 1/4 marsh | 1 mi. NW of Ridgeway on Hwy. 9, |
| 3.5 mi. W on Madison Rd. | |||
| Coldwater Creek (741k) | D,S,T,G | 232A; 3/4 timber, 1/4 upland | .5 mi. N of Bluffton on Bluffton Hill Rd., |
| 2.1 mi. NW on Buffton Rd., | |||
| 1 mi. W on Coldwater Rd. | |||
| Coon Creek (763k) | D,T,G,S | 950A; 3/4 timber, 1/4 upland | 4.3 mi. NE Freeport on River Rd., |
| .2 mi. E on 143rd Ave., | |||
| 1.3 mi. NE on Coon Creek Rd. | |||
| Falcon Springs (632k) | D,S,T,G | 263A; 3/4 timber, 1/4 upland | 2 mi. N of Jct. Hwy. 9 & 52, |
| 4.7 mi.NW on Pole Line Rd. | |||
| Malanaphy Springs | S,D,T | 64A; timber, Upper Iowa River; | 2 mi. N of Jct. Hwy. 9 & 52, |
| 2.2 mi. NW on Pole Line Rd., | |||
| .7 mi. NW on Bluffton Rd. | |||
| North Bear Complex (797k) | D,S,T,G | 571A; 3/4 timber, 1/4 upland; | 3.1 mi. E of Highlandville on Quandahl Rd. |
| South Bear Complex | D,S,T,G | 845A; 3/4 timber, 1/4 upland | W edge of Highlandville. |
| South Pine Creek | D,S | 181A; 3/4 timber, 1/4 upland; | 4.0 mi. S of Highlandville. |
| Trout River (637k) | D,S,T | 170A; 1/2 timber, 1/2 upland | 6.5 mi. E of Decorah on Hwy. 9, |
| 1.7 mi. N on 133rd Ave. | |||
| Upper Iowa Accesses (827k) | D,T,G,S | 4,023A; Upper Iowa R., adj. uplands | Several accesses along A6W W of Decorah |
Fishing
FishDecorah.com is the website of a local fisherman who gives weekly fishing reports on the rivers and streams around Decorah. Anything you want to know related to fishing can be found- rentals, lodging information, river information, weather reports, hot baits and the streams that are producing a good bite. Check it out to gain useful information and start wetting your line around the Luther College community!
Decorah is well-known for the excellent trout fishing opportunities that exist on the outskirts of the town. Almost all of the streams contain reproducing trout and most are stocked with trout every few weeks. Find out more about the 11 trout streams that exist around Winneshiek County along with other specific information about the stream or river by visiting the Iowa DNR Trout Stream website.