37 public waters in the Eastern Iowa region — 3 lakes/reservoirs and 34 rivers. Every one is public water fishable on a Iowa licence.
See every public fishing venue in Iowa on the map, with boat ramps, camping, parking and full rules for each one.
In Delaware County, Iowa, Backbone Lake is a 90-acre lake, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
In Delaware County, Iowa, Silver Lake (Delaware) is a 38-acre lake, managed by Iowa Department of Natural Resources (significant public lake). A natural Iowa lake (Clear Lake, Storm Lake, Tuttle Lake, Lost Island Lake, Trumbull Lake, Five Island Lake, Silver Lake) — shallow, glacial or prairie-pothole lakes across north-central Iowa. Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Northern Pike, Bluegill, Crappie, Yellow Perch and Channel Catfish. Many have seen major water-quality restoration work in recent decades.
Tegeler Pond (36 acres) sits in Delaware County, Iowa, managed by US Army Corps of Engineers. Lakes and reservoirs across this region typically hold walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, largemouth and smallmouth bass, and panfish such as bluegill, crappie and pumpkinseed, with muskellunge present in some larger lakes -- species commonly documented across the region's public waters by state wildlife agencies.
Maquoketa River runs 246 km through Jackson, Delaware, Jones and 2 more counties in Iowa: A northeast-Iowa river (the Upper Iowa, Turkey, Yellow, Maquoketa, Volga, Wapsipinicon) — Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish and Rock Bass in clear, limestone-bluff country carved by the same Driftless geology as the Trout streams. The Upper Iowa is a especially scenic float.
In Dubuque, Jackson, Jones and 1 more county in Iowa, North Fork Maquoketa River is a 118 km river or creek. A northeast-Iowa river (the Upper Iowa, Turkey, Yellow, Maquoketa, Volga, Wapsipinicon) — Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish and Rock Bass in clear, limestone-bluff country carved by the same Driftless geology as the Trout streams. The Upper Iowa is a especially scenic float.
Buffalo Creek runs 74 km through Buchanan, Linn, Jones and 1 more county in Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Delaware County, Iowa — Plum Creek is a 36 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Fayette, Buchanan and Delaware Counties, Iowa — South Fork Maquoketa River is a 28 km stream: A northeast-Iowa river (the Upper Iowa, Turkey, Yellow, Maquoketa, Volga, Wapsipinicon) — Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish and Rock Bass in clear, limestone-bluff country carved by the same Driftless geology as the Trout streams. The Upper Iowa is a especially scenic float.
In Delaware County, Iowa, Buck Creek is a 12 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Bear Creek (2 km) flows through Delaware and Dubuque Counties, Iowa. A northeast-Iowa Driftless Area spring creek (French Creek, Bloody Run, Waterloo Creek, Paint Creek, Big Mill Creek) — cold, clear, spring-fed limestone water with wild and stocked brown and Brook Trout, and stocked rainbows in the put-and-take waters. Classic Driftless coulee-country fly fishing, an extension of the same geology as southwest Wisconsin and southeast Minnesota.
Delaware County, Iowa — Honey Creek is a 19 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Clayton and Delaware Counties, Iowa, Little Turkey River is a 18 km river or creek. A northeast-Iowa river (the Upper Iowa, Turkey, Yellow, Maquoketa, Volga, Wapsipinicon) — Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, Channel Catfish and Rock Bass in clear, limestone-bluff country carved by the same Driftless geology as the Trout streams. The Upper Iowa is a especially scenic float.
In Buchanan and Delaware Counties, Iowa, Prairie Creek is a 24 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Delaware and Clayton Counties, Iowa, Lindsey Creek is a 16 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Coffins Creek runs 14 km through Delaware and Buchanan Counties, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Linn and Delaware Counties, Iowa, Heatons Creek is a 14 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Delaware County, Iowa, Penn Creek is a 10 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Delaware County, Iowa, Lime Creek is a 10 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Delaware, Jones and Linn Counties, Iowa — Grove Creek is a 10 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Fenchel Creek runs 10 km through Delaware and Clayton Counties, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Delaware County, Iowa — Rieger Creek is a 10 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Elk Creek runs 10 km through Delaware and Clayton Counties, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Delaware and Clayton Counties, Iowa — Steeles Branch is a 9 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Clayton and Delaware Counties, Iowa — Rabbit Creek is a 8 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Pine Creek (9 km) flows through Clayton and Delaware Counties, Iowa. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Delaware County, Iowa, Spring Branch is a 9 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Linn and Delaware Counties, Iowa, Boulder Creek is a 8 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Delaware and Jones Counties, Iowa, Cline Creek is a 8 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Durion Creek (8 km) flows through Dubuque and Delaware Counties, Iowa. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Delaware County, Iowa — Cooksley Creek is a 8 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Linn and Delaware Counties, Iowa — Nugents Creek is a 7 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Delaware County, Iowa — Golden Branch is a 6 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
In Delaware County, Iowa, Almoral Branch is a 7 km river or creek. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Delaware County, Iowa — Fountain Springs Creek is a 6 km stream: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Garretts Branch (7 km) flows through Delaware County, Iowa. A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Routherford Branch runs 6 km through Delaware County, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Sand Hagen Creek runs 7 km through Delaware and Buchanan Counties, Iowa: A warmwater Iowa river or large creek — largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, channel and Flathead Catfish, Walleye, Bluegill and Carp. Wade or paddle; access at DNR sites, county parks and bridges.
Across its mapped waters, Delaware County holds 18 species on PiscaMaps, including Walleye, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Bluegill, Common Carp, Flathead Catfish and Northern Pike.
Ramps, put-ins and species for every water — plus the carp layer no other US app has.
Open the Iowa map Join PiscaMapsOne Iowa DNR fishing licence covers every public water in the state — the resident annual is about $22, the non-resident annual about $48, with non-resident 1-day and 7-day options. A ~$16.50 trout fee is required in addition to the fishing licence to fish for or keep trout in the Driftless Area streams. Iowa residents 65 and older can buy a discounted licence, and anyone under 16 fishes free. Buy at iowadnr.gov.